Flash drive

Relevant subject matter is disclosed in a pending U.S. patent application, titled “FLASH DRIVE”, with the application Number 13/097,103, which is assigned to the same assignee as this patent application.

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive.

2. Description of Related Art

A casing for protecting a USB connector of a flash drive is generally separable from the flash drive. As a result, the casing may be lost easily.

Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a flash drive; the flash drive includes a frame and a main body with a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

FIG. 2 is an assembled, isometric view of the flash drive of FIG. 1 , showing the USB connector extending out of the frame.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 , but showing the USB connector received in the frame.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 , taken along the line IV-IV.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 2 , but showing a state of use.

The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a flash drive includes a frame 10 and a main body 20 pivotably installed to the frame 10 .

The frame 10 includes a substantially rectangular box-shaped receiving portion 12 with a receiving space 120 , and two parallel arms 14 extending away from opposite ends of the receiving portion 12 . The receiving portion 12 defines an opening 122 in a front side of the receiving portion 12 , between the arms 14 and communicating with the receiving space 120 . An end wall (not shown) is formed on a rear end of the receiving portion 12 opposite to the opening 122 , to cover the receiving space 120 . Two blocking pieces 126 parallel to the arms 14 are formed in the receiving space 120 , respectively adjacent to the arms 14 . A protrusion 140 protrudes from an inner surface of each arm 14 toward the other arm 14 . Each protrusion 140 includes a rod 142 extending from the corresponding arm 14 and a head 144 formed on a distal end of the rod 142 .

The main body 20 includes two holders 22 engaging with each other to form a box-shaped member, and a memory 24 enclosed by the holders 22 . Each holder 22 defines an opening 220 in an end and two slots 222 in opposite sides of the main body 20 along a direction that the USB connector 240 extends. A universal serial bus (USB) connector 240 extends from an end of the memory 24 .

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , in assembly, the memory 24 is received in one of the holders 22 , and the USB connector 240 extends out through the opening 220 of the one holder 22 . The one holder 22 is sandwiched between the arms 14 , and the USB connector 240 is received in the receiving space 120 and sandwiched between the blocking pieces 26 . The rods 142 of the protrusions 140 are respectively slidably positioned in the corresponding slots 222 , and the heads 144 of the protrusions 140 are blocked by inner surfaces of the sides of the one holder 22 . The other holder 22 is then positioned to cover the one holder 22 . Thereby, when the USB connector 240 is not in use, the USB connector 240 can be received in the receiving space 120 of the frame 10 to protect the USB connector 240 .

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5 , in use of the USB connector 240 , the main body 20 is slid out from the receiving space 120 of the receiving portion 12 , until the USB connector 240 is clear of the opening 122 . At this time, the main body 20 may be pivoted about the protrusions 140 , thereby positioning the USB connector 240 for use. After use, the USB connector 240 can be pivoted back and pushed into the receiving space 120 .

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and they will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the description or sacrificing all of their material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being exemplary embodiment.