Electronic reader with paper clamping mechanism

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic readers and, particularly, to an electronic reader with a paper clamping mechanism.

2. Description of Related Art

Electronic readers such as electronic books that allow users to make notes are commonly known. However, people may be more accustomed to writing on paper in certain conditions. In addition, when there is no room on a surface such as a desktop, it is inconvenient for users to fix the paper securely to the electronic reader.

Therefore, what is needed is an electronic reader with a paper clamping mechanism alleviating the limitations described above.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronic reader with a paper clamping mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the paper clamping mechanism of the electronic reader of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is another exploded view the paper clamping mechanism of the electronic reader of FIG. 1 , viewed from another perspective.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic reader of FIG. 1 , taken along lines of IV-IV, showing the paper clamping mechanism in a first position.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 , but showing the paper clamping mechanism in a second position.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an electronic reader 100 is disclosed as an exemplary embodiment. The electronic reader 100 includes a rectangular frame shaped cover 10 , a middle frame 20 , a paper clamping mechanism 30 connected to the cover 10 and a display 40 . A hollow space 101 is defined in the cover 10 . The middle frame 20 is secured within the hollow space 101 . The display 40 stays within the middle frame 20 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the cover 10 includes a bezel 12 , and an opening 120 defined in the bezel 12 . Two fixing elements 14 for connecting the pivot and two fixing posts 16 protrude from an inner surface of the bezel 12 . The two fixing elements 14 are arranged at two opposite edges of the opening 120 symmetrically. An axle hole 140 is defined in each fixing element 14 . The two fixing posts 16 are arranged adjacent to the fixing elements 14 , respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the middle frame 20 includes a connection portion 21 . The connection portion 21 bridges two edges of the opening 120 and is thinner than the other portion of the middle frame 20 . A fixing bar 22 protrudes from the outer surface of the connection portion 21 . A notch 24 is defined in the connection portion 21 .

The paper clamping mechanism 30 includes a clamping member 32 , a pivot 144 and an elastic element 34 . The clamping member 32 is rectangular and is received in the opening 120 and includes a base 322 , a hook 324 and two arms 326 . The hook 324 protrudes from one end of the base 322 . The two arms 326 protrude from the inner surface of the base 322 adjacent to the two sides of the base 322 , respectively. In other embodiments, the clamping member 32 may include only one arm 326 protruding from the inner surface of the base 322 .

The thickness of the base 322 together with the thickness of the connection portion 21 of the middle frame 20 is approximately equal to the thickness of the other parts of the middle frame 20 except for the connection portion 21 . Thus, the upper surface of the paper clamping mechanism 30 aligns with that of the cover 10 when the paper clamping mechanism 30 is in the folded status. Two grooves 3220 and 3221 are defined in the inner surface of the base 322 and extend along the widthwise direction of the base 322 . The two grooves 3220 and 3221 are close to and parallel to the hook 324 . Both of the two grooves 3220 and 3221 can receive the fixing bar 22 of the connection portion 21 .

The hook 324 is received in and fits with the notch 24 of the middle frame 20 when the paper clamping mechanism 30 is in the folded status. Each arm 326 defines a sliding groove 3260 therein. The pivot 144 extends through the sliding grooves 3260 and two ends of which are received in the axle holes 140 of the fixing elements 14 respectively, thus connecting the clamping member 32 to the cover 10 . The sliding grooves 3260 have lengths that allow the pivot 144 to slide along the lengthwise direction of the clamping member 32 .

The elastic element 34 includes two fixing ends 342 , a middle segment 346 , and two connection segments 344 connecting the two fixing ends 342 with the middle segment 346 . Each fixing end 342 defines a though hole 3420 . The diameter of the though hole 3420 is a little larger than the diameter of the fixing post 16 of the bezel 12 . A protrusion 3460 protrudes from the middle segment 346 and resists the inner surface of the base 322 . After the fixing posts 16 are extended through the through holes 3420 , the elastic element 34 is fixed on the bezel 12 via screws 3422 fastened to the fixing post 16 . In other embodiments, the elastic element 34 may be fixed on the bezel 12 in other manners, such as hooks, or rivets.

Referring to FIG. 4 , when the paper clamping mechanism 30 is in the folded status, the clamping member 32 is received in the opening 120 of the bezel 12 . The hook 324 is received in the notch 24 of the middle frame 20 . The fixing bar 22 of the connection portion 21 is received in the groove 3220 . The protrusion 3460 resists the inner surface of the base 322 .

In use, referring to FIG. 5 , the clamping member 32 is pushed to slide inward, causing the groove 3220 to disengage from the fixing bar 22 , until the pivot 144 is stopped by an end of the groove 3260 . The fixing bar 22 is received in the groove 3221 . The clamping member 32 is rotated to form a gap 320 between the hook 324 and the display 40 to receive paper (not shown). The elastic element 34 applies a pushing force to the end opposing the hook 324 , causing the hook 324 to press the papers firmly against the display 40 .

The paper clamping mechanism 30 can stably clamp papers on the electronic reader 100 , and the display 40 supports the papers, bringing much more convenience to users having the need to make notes on papers.

Although the present disclosure has been specifically described on the basis of the embodiments thereof, the disclosure is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.