Abstract:
A locking structure for securing an electronic device includes a body, a worm shaft, a guide rod, a fixing base and a linkage set. When a user wants to connect the electronic device to another device, the user could insert the electronic device into the locking structure which is set on the device. Then, the user pushes down the electronic device to drive the locking structure and the worm shaft of the locking structure would be rotated from a releasing direction to a securing direction. When the user wants to release the electronic device, the user could push it back to the original position. Then, the worm shaft would be rotated from the securing direction to the releasing direction so the user could release the electronic device from the locking structure. Consequently, it is easy to secure or release the electronic device to another device through the locking structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 103113943 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on 2014 Apr. 16, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The disclosure relates to a locking structure, and particularly to a locking structure for fixing the electronic device at a specific position. 
     Related Art 
     Along with the invention of the smart phones, tablet PCs are used to replace the notebook gradually. However, either the smart phones or the tablet PCs, are absent from keyboard and have smaller screens than the notebooks have usually; besides, the hardware of these electronic devices are lower leveled than those of the notebooks. Consequently, the electronic devices are externally connected to other apparatuses like monitors, keyboards, or laptop computers to temporarily extend the usage of the electronic devices. Meanwhile, connectors or positioning members are required to connect and fasten the electronic devices with different apparatuses 
     A conventional fastening structure applies the connector structure to fasten the electronic device with the extension apparatuses; or, a simple pressable buckle is assembled on the conventional fastening structure to connect the electronic device with the extension apparatuses. However, most of the conventional fastening structures are detached from the electronic devices (or the extension devices), easily due to the poor fastening; or, when the buckle is pressed unintentionally, the electronic device is detached from the extension devices. For example, for connecting the tablet PC to the monitor, a connector and a fastening structure are assembled at the front portion of the tablet PC, so that the tablet PC is connected to the monitor via the connector, and the connection between the tablet PC and the monitor is maintained by the fastening structure. However, if the fastening structure is a pressable buckle, when the buckle is pressed unintentionally the tablet PC is detached from the monitor; even more inconveniently, the tablet PC may be broken by its fall to the ground. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of this, the disclosure provides a locking structure, provided for fixing an electronic device. The locking structure includes a body, a worm shaft, a guide rod, a fixing base and a linkage set. The worm shaft is pivotally assembled to the body, and the worm shaft includes a rotating shaft, a guide rail and a locking member. The guide rail is annularly assembled on the rotating shaft, and the locking member is securely assembled at an end portion of the rotating shaft. The guide rod is disposed on the body, and one of two ends of the guide rod slidably assembled to the guide rail of the worm shaft. The fixing base and the linkage set are both pivotally assembled to the body. One end of the linkage set is abutted against the fixing base, and another end of the linkage set is connected to the guide rod. When the electronic device pushes the body to rotate the body by using the fixing base as a rotating center, the worm shaft axially rotates to allow the locking member to rotate from a releasing direction to a securing direction. 
     Based on this, when the user wants to connect the electronic device with another extension apparatus, the electronic device is assembled to the locking structure to allow the electronic device pushing the locking structure, so that the locking member of the worm shaft is rotated from the releasing direction to the securing direction, so the electronic device connects with the locking structure. Since the locking structure is assembled on the extension apparatus, the electronic device can be fastened with the extension apparatus via the locking structure. Upon detaching the electronic device from the extension apparatus, the electronic device is lifted up to return to the initial position, the locking member of the worm shaft being rotated from the securing direction to the releasing direction so as to detach the electronic device from the locking structure. Based on this, the electronic device is connected to or detached from the locking structure simply and conveniently. 
     The detailed features and advantages of the disclosure are described below in great detail through the following embodiments; the content of the detailed description is sufficient for those skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the disclosure and to implement the disclosure there accordingly. Based upon the content of the specification, the claims, and the drawings, those skilled in the art can easily understand the relevant objectives and advantages of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only and thus not limitative of the disclosure, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an application schematic view ( 1 ) of a locking structure of a first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an application schematic view ( 2 ) of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial enlarged view of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of parts of the components of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the locking structure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an operational view ( 1 ) of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is an operational view ( 2 ) of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is an operational view ( 1 ) of a locking member of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is an operational view ( 2 ) of the locking member of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the locking structure of the first embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of parts of the components of a locking structure of a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , which are application schematic views ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) of a locking structure  1  of a first embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, the locking structure  1  is provided for fixing an electronic device  2  on a holder  31  of a screen  3 . When the user wants to assemble the electronic device  2  on the holder  31  of the screen  3  to connect the electronic device  2  with the screen  3  for displaying the information of the electronic device  2  on the screen  3 , the electronic device  2  is firstly engaged with the locking structure  1  assembled on the holder  31 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 2 , by using the locking structure  1  as a rotating center, the electronic device  2  is rotated downwardly by gravity, so that the electronic device  2  is fastened at the holder  31  of the screen  3  because of the locking structure  1 . Based on this, the electronic device  2  is connected with the screen  3  via a proper engagement, so that the electronic device  2  is protected from being detached from the screen  3 . 
     The interior structure and the operational principle of the locking structure  1  are described as following. Please refer to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 , which are respectively an exploded view, a partial enlarged view, and a schematic view of parts of the components of the locking structure  1  of the first embodiment. The locking structure  1  of the first embodiment includes a body  11 , a worm shaft  12 , a guide rod  13 , a fixing base  14  and a linkage set  15 . 
     The body  11  is approximately formed as U-shaped. The worm shaft  12  is pivotally assembled to the inner side of the body  11 , so that the worm shaft  12  is self rotatable. The worm shaft  12  includes a rotating shaft  121 , a guide rail  122  and a locking member  123 . The guide rail  1221  is annularly assembled on the rotating shaft  121 . The locking member  123  is securely assembled at an end portion of the rotating shaft  121 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the locking member  123  is a hook portion. In order to allow the worm shaft  12  to self-rotate at the inner side of the body  1 , and to concern about the convenience of the manufacturing, the body  11  includes two positioning portions  111 , and the rotating worm shaft  12  includes two positioning grooves  124  annularly disposed. When the worm shaft  12  is assembled with the body  11 , the two positioning portions  111  are disposed in the two positioning grooves  124  respectively, so that with the positioning between the two positioning grooves  124  and the two positioning portions  111 , the worm shaft  12  is self rotatable in the positioning portion  111  by using the rotating shaft  121  as a rotating center. The number of the positioning groove  124  and the positioning portion  111  are depended according to user requirements, embodiments are not limited thereto. 
     The guide rod  13  is disposed on the body  1 , and one of two ends of the guide rod  13  is slidably assembled to the guide rail  122  of the worm shaft  12 . As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the body  11  includes a supporting member  113  protruded, and the other end of the guide rod  13  is slidably assembled to the supporting member  113 , so that the guide rod  13  is balanced through the supporting member  113 . 
     The fixing base  14  and the linkage set  15  are both pivotally assembled to the body  1 . One end of the linkage set  15  is abutted against the fixing base  14 , and another end of the linkage set  15  is connected to the guide rod  13 . As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the linkage set  15  includes a first linkage rod  151  and a second linkage rod  152 . One of two ends of the first linkage rod  151  is connected to the guide rod  13 , and the other end of the first linkage rod  151  is pivotally connected to one of two ends of the second linkage rod  152 . The second linkage rod  152  is pivotally assembled to the body  11 , and the other end of the second linkage rod  152  which is not pivotally connected to the first linkage rod  151 , is abutting against the fixing base  14 . In this embodiment, the second linkage rod  152  is L-profiled, and the second linkage rod  152  is pivotally assembled to the body  11  using the perpendicular portion of the second linkage rod  152  as the pivoting center. 
     The fixing base  14  includes a fixing plate  141  and an abutting member  142 . The fixing plate  141  is pivotally assembled to the body  11 , and the abutting member  142  is securely assembled to the fixing plate  141 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3 , one of two ends of the fixing plate  141  is locked with the holder  31  of the screen  3 , and the second linkage rod  152  of the linkage set  15  is abutting against the abutting member  142 . In this embodiment, since the abutting member  142  is contacted and rubbed with the linkage set  15  frequently, the abutting member  142  is a plastic component; while in order to enhance the strength of the fixing plate  141 , the fixing plate  141  is a metal component. Based on this, screws are applied to fasten the fixing plate  141  with the abutting member  142 . In some implementation aspects, the fixing plate  141  and the abutting member  142  are both made from plastic or metal, and are formed integrally as a whole, so that a locking process is omitted during the manufacturing. 
     Next, please refer to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 , in which  FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the locking structure  1  of the first embodiment,  FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the locking structure  1  shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 8  is an operational view ( 1 ) of the locking structure  1  of the first embodiment, and  FIG. 9  is an operational view ( 2 ) of the locking structure  1  of the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the body  11  includes an engaging groove  112  disposed, and the engaging groove  112  is opposite to the fixing base  14 . The locking member  123  of the worm shaft  12  is protrudingly assembled in the engaging groove  112 . When the electronic device  2  is engaged in the engaging groove  112 , the locking member  123  is correspondingly inserted into the electronic device  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , when the electronic device  2  is engaged with the engaging groove  112 , the electronic device  2  is rotated downward in the presence of gravity; meanwhile, the electronic device  2  pushes the body  11  to rotate the body  11  by using the fixing plate  141  as a rotating center. As shown in  FIG. 7 , since the fixing base  141  is secured, when the body  11  rotates counterclockwise, the body  11  drives the second linkage rod  152  which is pivotally assembled to the body  11 ; meanwhile, the second linkage rod  152  with one end thereof abutting against the abutting member  142 , rotates counterclockwise because of the abutting of the abutting member  142 . Next, the second linkage rod  152  pushes the first linkage rod  151  which is pivotally connected thereto, to move toward the electronic device  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , when the first linkage rod  151  is driven to move toward the Y axis direction indicated in the figures, the first linkage rod  151  pushes the guide rod  13  to move toward the Y axis direction; at the same time, since one end of the guide rod  13  is slidably assembled in the guide rail  122  of the worm shaft  12 , when the guide rod  13  moves toward Y axis direction to abut against the guide rail  122 , the worm shaft  12  is driven to rotate by using the rotating shaft  121  as a rotating center. As shown in  FIG. 9 , hence the rotating shaft  121  is rotated clockwise, and the direction of the hook portion of the locking member  123  is changed, from being parallel to the X axis direction to being parallel to the Z axis direction. Here, when the hook portion of the locking member  123  is parallel to the X axis direction, the locking member  123  is defined in a releasing direction; while when the hook portion of the locking member  123  is rotated to be parallel to the Z axis direction, the locking member  123  is defined in a securing direction. When the locking member  123  is rotated to the securing direction, the hook portion of the locking member  123  which is inserted into the electronic device  2  is hooked with the electronic device  2 , so that the electronic device  2  is securely connected with the locking structure  1 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , which are operational views ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) of the locking member  123  of the locking structure  1  of the first embodiment.  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are illustrated in a direction from the interior of the housing of the electronic device  2  toward the locking structure  1 . The electronic device  2  includes a through hole  21  opened, and the through hole  21  is provided for inserting the locking member  123 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the electronic device  2  is engaged in the engaging groove  112 , the locking member  123  is correspondingly inserted into the electronic device  2 , and the locking member  123  is in the releasing direction. When the electronic device  2  is rotated downward in the presence of the gravity to drive the locking structure  1  to operate in a manner as mentioned above, so that the locking member  123  is rotated to a state as shown in  FIG. 11 ; that is, the locking member  123  is rotated to the securing direction. At this moment, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the hook portion of the locking member  123  is hooked with the housing of the electronic device  2 , so that the electronic device  2  is connected with the locking structure  1  securely. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , in order to protect the components within the body  11 , the locking structure  1  includes a cover  17  provided to enclose the body  11 , to protect the components within the body  11 , and to allow the appearance of the locking structure  1  being more attractive. Please refer to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6  again, in which the fixing plate  141  of the fixing base  14  is passing through the cover  17  to lock with the holder  31 . Based on this, the locking structure  1  is connected with the holder  31 ; when the electronic device  2  is connected with the locking structure  1  securely, the electronic device  2  is fastened on the holder  31  of the screen  3 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 12 , in which  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the locking structure  1  of the first embodiment. As shown, the locking structure  1  further includes a torsion spring  16  disposed on the body  11 . One of two ends of the torsion spring  16  is abutted against the body  11 , and the other end of the torsion spring  16  is abutted against the second linkage rod  152  of the linkage set  15 . When the user tends to detach the electronic device  2  from the locking structure  1 , the electronic device  2  is lifted up to return back to a horizontal position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Meanwhile, the abutting force applied to the second linkage rod  152  of the linkage set  15  is disappeared, and the second linkage rod  152  is recovered to the initial position in the presence of the recovering force provided by the torsion spring  16 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 9 , in which the second linkage rod  152  drives the first linkage rod  151  to move along a direction opposite to the Y axis direction at the time the second linkage rod  152  is recovered back to the initial position, and the first linkage rod  151  drives the guide rod  13  to move toward a direction opposite to the Y axis direction. At this time, with the interaction between the guide rod  13  and the guide rail  122  of the worm shaft  12 , the worm shaft  12  is rotated counterclockwise by using the rotating shaft  121  as a rotating center, such that the locking member  123  of the worm shaft  12  is rotated from the securing direction to the releasing direction. Therefore, the user can take the electronic device  2  from the engaging groove  112 . 
     Based on the structure and the operation of the locking structure  1 , when the user tends to connect the electronic device  2  with the screen  3 , the electronic device  2  is inserted into the engaging groove  112 , so that the electronic device  2  drives the body  11  of the locking structure  1  to rotate downward in the presence of gravity, thereby locking the electronic device  2  with the locking structure  1 . Since the locking structure  1  is provided to lock with the holder  31  of the screen  3 , the electronic device  2  is correspondingly assembled to the screen  3 . Based on this, the user connects the electronic device  2  with the screen  3  securely and simply via the locking structure  1 , so that the information of the electronic device  2  is displayed on the screen  3 . When the user wants to detach the electronic device  2  from the screen  3 , the electronic device  2  is lifted up, thereby the electronic device  2  being detached from the screen  3  and the connection between the electronic device  2  and the locking structure  1  being released. Additionally, since the locking structure  1  and the electronic device  2  are connected by the hook portion of the locking member  123  and the hook portion is hooked with the housing of the electronic device  2 , when the electronic device  2  (or the locking structure  1 ) is shaken or pulled forcefully, the connection between the screen  3  and the electronic device  2  is still maintained; that is, the structure of the present invention is steady and the conventional unintentional pressing issue can be avoided. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 13 , which is a schematic view of parts of the components of a locking structure  1  of a second embodiment. The structure of the second embodiment is approximately the same as the first embodiment, except that in the first embodiment, the locking member  123  is the hook portion; while in the second embodiment, the locking member  123  is an anchor shaped hook member. The structure of the anchor shaped hook member allows the engagement between the locking structure  1  and the housing of the electronic device  2  being much secured, and the electronic device  2  is difficult to detach from the locking structure  1  when forced. 
     While the disclosure has been described by the way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.