Patent ID: 6590779
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: H05K

Abstract:
A pop-up mechanism comprising:a frame formed with a pair of side frame parts extending in parallel longitudinally and being spaced apart from each other with inward surfaces thereof facing opposite each other so as to define a storage space in between them, and a bridge part connecting the side frame parts by longitudinal ends thereof on a closed side of the frame, wherein the opposite longitudinal ends of the side frame parts define an open side of the frame; a pop-up unit fitting within the storage space of the frame and being movable by a biasing force to extend by a forward end thereof through the open side of the frame to an extended position outside the frame with a rearward end thereof retained within the frame, wherein said pop-up unit is adapted to be pressed back with its rearward end receding into the storage space of the frame against the biasing force to be retained within the storage space by a heart-cam mechanism until another pressing force is applied to release the pop-up unit to once again extend outside the frame, wherein said heart-cam mechanism is comprised of an elongated groove formed on the inward facing surface of one of said side frame parts, and a forward end of the elongated groove is positioned proximate the open side of the frame, and a rearward end of the groove is provided with a heart-cam retaining part for retaining the rearward end of the pop-up unit when the pop-up unit is pressed into the storage space of the frame, and wherein the rearward end of the pop-up unit has a holder and a locking plate held therein so as to face toward the elongated groove formed in the inward facing surface of said one side frame part, said locking plate having a locking pin and being capable of a swinging movement to allow relative movement of the locking pin with respect to the groove and the heart-cam retaining part in order to enable alternately the release of the pop-up unit to the extended position outside the frame and the retention of the pop-up unit within the storage space of the frame, whereby the cooperation of the locking plate and locking pin with the elongated groove on the inward facing surface of said one side frame part allows the pop-up unit to extend by a substantial length outside the frame without exposing the parts that enable its release and retention.