Abstract:
A locking device for locking a movable module of an electronic apparatus disclosed by the invention mainly includes a control member and a latch connected to the control member. The control member is selectively movable between a first position for locking the movable module and a second position for releasing the movable module. When the latch stops at the first position, it also latches onto an operational interface or a mechanism component so as to prevent the user from electrically or mechanically operating the apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to a locking device for a movable module of an apparatus, and more particularly relates to a device applicable to an electronic apparatus, such as a scanner or a multi-functional printer, for locking a movable module like an optic-mechanic module so that the apparatus cannot be operated until the locking device is released. 
     2. Related Art 
     In the modern technology of digital appliances, optic-mechanic or optic-electronic devices, such as scanners, digital cameras and digital camcorders, are increasingly being put into use. In particular, scanners that can transform paper documents into electronic files have been widely used in the office environment. 
     A scanner, for example, generally includes a case, a cover, an optic-mechanic module and a driving mechanism. The base includes a scanning flatbed. The cover is pivotally mounted on one side of the case for protecting the flatbed. The optic-mechanic module and a driving mechanism are mounted inside the case. The optic-mechanic module is mounted on a carrier that is driven by the driving mechanism so as to be movable within a range on the flatbed. The optic-mechanic module is a key component influencing the performance of the scanner. Since the optic-mechanic module is movable, it is easy to be displaced or damaged by vibrations during transportation. Therefore, the manufacturers of scanners usually provide a locking element to lock the optic-mechanic module before transportation so as to prevent the optic-mechanic module from being damaged during transportation. The user has to remove the locking element before operating the scanner. 
     Though scanner manufacturers may provide a clear notice to inform the user to remove the locking element before using, the user may neglect the notice and operate the scanner without removing the locking element, which may cause damage to the driving mechanism or the optic-mechanic module. 
     In order to solve the aforesaid problem, a manufacturer has designed a locking device mounted adjacent to the connecting ports of the scanner that blocks the connecting ports when locking the optic-mechanic module. Therefore, a user cannot connect a cable or a power cord to the scanner before releasing the locking device, and is thus prevented from improperly starting the scanner when using it for the first time. However, after the locking device is released and the cables are connected, the user will not remove the cables and rearrange the locking device when moving the scanner later, since such operations are rather bothersome, or because the user does not realize the purpose of the locking device. Therefore, such a locking device is not good enough. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is therefore to provide a locking device for a movable module of an apparatus that correlates to the operational interface so that the interface, i.e., the apparatus, cannot be operated before the locking device is released. 
     A locking device for a movable module of an apparatus according to the invention mainly includes a control member and a latch connected to the control member. The control member is selectively movable between a first position for locking the movable module and second position for releasing the moving module. When the latch stops at the first position, it also hinders an operational interface that prevents the user from electrically operating the apparatus. 
     A further objective of the invention is to provide a locking device for a movable module of an apparatus that correlates to an operational mechanism so as to prevent a user from operating the apparatus before releasing the locking mechanism, and thus prevent the apparatus from being damaged. 
     A locking device for a movable module of an apparatus according to the invention mainly includes a control member and a latch connected to the control member. The control member is selectively movable between a first position for locking the movable module and a second position for releasing the movable module. When the latch stops at the first position, it also latches onto a mechanism component that prevents the user from mechanically operating the apparatus. 
     Further scope of applicability of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow. However, this description is for purposes of illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the invention, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a scanner equipped with a first embodiment of a locking device according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are detailed constructions of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are operational illustrations of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a scanner equipped with a second embodiment of a locking device according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are detailed constructions of the second embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are operational illustrations of the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a locking device applicable to a movable module of an electronic apparatus, such as a scanner. Though the following examples are of scanners, the application of the invention is not limited to scanners. The locking device is used to selectively fasten and release a movable module of the electronic apparatus so that the apparatus can be safely transported when the locking device locks. The apparatus cannot be operated when the locking device locks so as to prevent the apparatus from being damaged. 
     First Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a locking device  10  according to the invention is applied to a scanner  20 . The scanner  20  includes a case  21  for mounting components therein. A cover  22  is pivotally mounted on one side of the case  21 . The case  21  is formed with a glass flatbed  211  for placing a document or an object (not shown) thereon to be scanned. On one side of the flatbed  211  there is an operational interface  212 , including buttons such as on, off and reset, for users to operate the scanner  20 . In the case  21 , there is a driving mechanism  23 , an optic-mechanic module  24  and other electronic or mechanical components (not shown) for performing the functions of the scanner  20 . The optic-mechanic module  24  is mounted on a carrier  25 , which is driven by the driving mechanism  23 , so as to be moved within the range of the flatbed  211  for scanning the document or object placed on the flatbed  211 . The techniques for processing scanning are prior arts and are not related to the object of the invention. Therefore, they will not be further described herein. 
     According to the invention, the carrier  25  of the scanner  20  is controlled to move to the side of the operational interface  212  and locked there before the scanner  20  is packed and delivered. A fastener  251  is formed on the carrier  25 . The fastener  251  is generally a rod protruding from the carrier  25 . 
     The locking device  10  according to the invention is mounted on the case  21  and is adjacent to the operational interface  212 . The locking device  10  includes a control member  11  and a latch  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the control member  11  is a round member furnished with a plurality of through holes  111  corresponding to the buttons of the operational interface  212 . The sizes and shapes of the through holes  111  are suitable for users to press through the holes with a finger to operate the buttons. There can also be a slot  112  formed on the control member  11  for the user to use a tool for rotating the control member  11 . Of course, the slot  112  is not absolutely necessary since the control member  11  can be rotated by a user&#39;s fingers through the holes  111 . The latch  12  is substantially a rod with a hook extending under the control member  11 . The rod passes through the case  21  for pivotally mounting the control member  11  on the case  21 . Therefore, the control member  11  can be rotated between a first position where the operational interface  212  is hindered by the control member  11 , and a second position where the through holes  111  of the control member  11  align with the buttons of the operational interface  212  for the user to operate. In the first position, the control member  11  totally covers the operational interface  212  so that the user cannot operate the scanner  20 . In the second position, the operation interface  212  is opened to the user so that the user can operate the scanner  20  with the buttons. 
     The latch  12  extending under the control member  11  is pivotally moved along with the control member  11 . The rod of the latch  12  is a U-shaped member having a closed portion  121  and an open portion  122 . The open portion  122  corresponds to the fastener  251  of the carrier  25  and has a size suitable for receiving the fastener  251 . When the latch  12  is rotated with the control member  11  to the second position, the open portion  122  of the latch  12  faces the fastener  251  where the open portion  122  of the latch  12  can fully receive the fastener  251  as the carrier  25  is being moved toward the locking device  10 , and can release the fastener  252  as the carrier  25  is being moved away from the locking device  10 . When the latch  12  receives the fastener  251 , the latch  12  can further be rotated with the control member  11  to the first position where the open portion  122  of the latch  12  opposes the fastener  251  and the closed portion  121  of the latch  12  latches onto the fastener  251  to prevent it from moving away. Therefore, the latch  12  can be rotated along with the control member  11  between a first position for locking the carrier  25  and a second position for releasing the carrier  25 . 
     The operations of the latch  12  are further illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . When the manufacturer finishes assembly of the scanner  20  before packing and delivery, the control member  11  is first rotated to the second (releasing) position. The carrier  25  is then moved toward the locking device  10  for moving the fastener  251  into the open portion  122  of the latch  12 . Next, the control member  11  is rotated to the first (locking) position for locking the fastener  251  to prevent the carrier  25  and the optic-mechanic module  24  from being moved and damaged during transportation. The control member  11  is also positioned so as to block the operational interface  212  when the carrier  25  is locked so that the operational interface  212  is prevented from being abused or damaged during packing and delivery. After a user sets up the scanner  20  with cables, cords and software, he or she has to rotate the control member  11  to the second position to release the latch  12  from the fastener  251 , and make the carrier  25  movable when the scanner  20  is powered on and the operational interface  212  is being opened for use. Afterwards, when the user wants to move the scanner  20  to other places, he or she can rotate the control member  11  again and lock the carrier  25  in place so that the optic-mechanic module  24  won&#39;t be moved and damaged during transportation. 
     Second Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a locking device  10 ′ of a second embodiment of the invention is applied to a scanner  20 ′. The components of the scanner  20 ′ are similar to that of the scanner  20  of FIG.  1 . The difference is that a ring  221 ′ is formed on the front end of the cover  22 ′ and a through hole  213 ′ is formed on a case  21 ′ of the scanner  20 ′ at a position corresponding to the ring  221 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the locking device  10 ′ according to the invention is mounted on the case  21  and is adjacent to the hole  213 ′. The locking device  10 ′ includes a control member  11 ′ and a latch  12 ′. The control member  11 ′ is also a round member but is not furnished with through holes  111 . The control member  11 ′ is located on the front side wall of the case  21 ′ instead of on the upper surface of the case. The latch  12 ′ is substantially a rod extending under the control member  11 ′. The rod passes through the case  21 ′ for pivotally mounting the control member  11 ′ on the case  21 ′. There can further be a slot  112 ′ (as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) formed on the control member  11 ′ for the user to use a tool to rotate the control member  11 ′. The latch  12 ′ is formed with a first hook  123 ′ and a second hook  124 ′. When the cover  22 ′ covers the case  21 ′, the ring  221 ′ of the cover  22 ′ passes through the hole  213 ′ into the case  21 ′ at a position adjacent to the first hook  123 ′. When the carrier  25  moves toward the locking device  10 ′, the fastener  251  of the carrier  25  moves to a position adjacent to the second hook  124 ′. In these positions, the latch  12 ′ can be rotated with the control member  11  ′ and moved between a first position for locking the ring  221 ′ and the fastener  251  with the hooks  123 ′ and  124 ′ respectively, and a second position for releasing the ring  221  ′ and the fastener  251 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , when the manufacturer finishes assembly of the scanner  20 ′ before packing and delivery, the cover  22 ′ covers the case  21 ′, and the carrier  25  is moved toward the locking device  10 ′. The control member  11 ′ is then rotated to the first (locking) position for locking the fastener  251  with the hook  124 ′ to prevent the carrier  25  and the optic-mechanic module  24  from being moved and damaged during transportation. Meanwhile, the ring  221 ′ of the cover  22 ′ is locked by the hook  123 ′ to prevent the cover  22 ′ from opening. After a user sets up the scanner  20 ′, he or she has to rotate the control member  11 ′ to the second position to release the hooks  123 ′ and  124 ′ from the fastener  251  and the ring  221 ′, and make the carrier  25  movable when the scanner  20  is powered on and operated and the cover  22 ′ is released for use. Afterwards, when the user wants to move the scanner  20 ′ to other places, he or she can rotate the control member  11 ′ again to lock the carrier  25  and the cover  22 ′ in place so that the optic-mechanic module  24  and the cover  22 ′ won&#39;t be moved and damaged during transportation. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.