Patent ID: 7665774
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: E05C,G06F,G11B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A lock unit used for an electronic apparatus that includes a foldable housing and an unfoldable housing, the foldable housing having a top surface and a front surface orthogonal to the top surface, said lock unit comprising: a lock member configured to lock the foldable housing in a folded state by engaging a lock structure on the unfolded housing; an operation member configured to move the lock member and to release the lock member from engagement with the lock structure; a transmission mechanism comprising a first transmission surface on the operation member that interacts with a second transmission surface on the lock member, the transmission mechanism is configured to transmit a driving force applied to the operation member to the lock member so that the lock member moves in a direction orthogonal to an operating direction of the operation member, the operation member being provided on the front surface, and the operating direction of the operation member being a first direction perpendicular to the front surface, the lock member projecting in a second direction orthogonal to the top surface, and a moving direction of the lock member being a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions; a first guide member configured to guide movement of the operation member, the first guide member comprised of a plurality of first guide grooves that extends in the operating direction of the operation member; a second guide member configured to guide movement of the lock member, the second guide member comprised of a plurality of second guide grooves that extends in the moving direction of the lock member; and a plurality of restricting members, each restricting member fixed into the foldable housing and inserted into respective grooves of the first and second guide grooves.