Abstract:
A connecting/disconnecting mechanism able to connect and disconnect two units easily, as well as a composite apparatus having such a connecting/disconnecting mechanism, can be provided. A hook portion has a hook, the hook having a branch at a longitudinal front end thereof, the branch having a front-end side face inclined downward toward the front end, with resilient force being applied in the direction of the branch, the hook being moved in the front end direction with an external force applied thereto and returning to its original position upon extinction of the external force, the hook being adapted to reciprocate with respect to the front end direction in a state in which the front end portion is displaced in the direction opposite to the branch to a greater extent than the length of the branch, and a hook receptacle portion has an abutting member adapted to be pushed by the front end of the hook and move when the hook moves in the front end direction and a hook receptacle adapted to engage the branch prior to movement of the hook in the front end direction and move together with the abutting member in a disengaged state from the branch when the hook moves in the front end direction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 200610144741.2 filed Sep. 30, 2006 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a connecting/disconnecting mechanism and more particularly a connecting/disconnecting mechanism having a hook portion and a hook receptacle portion provided in one and the other, respectively, of two connectable and disconnectable units, as well as a composite apparatus provided with the connecting/disconnecting mechanism. 
     A connecting/disconnecting mechanism is used for making two unit connectable and disconnectable mechanically. The connecting/disconnecting mechanism comprises a hook portion and a hook receptacle portion provided in one and the other, respectively, of two units. The two units are connected by engagement of the hook portion and the hook receptacle portion and are disconnected by disengagement of both portions (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). 
     [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-037511. 
     Connecting/disconnecting mechanisms of various constructions are known, depending on the type of an object of application. For example, in the case where one of two units is a portable ultrasonic diagnosing device and the other is a docking station provided with an electronic circuit for the extension of function and wheels for travel, it is necessary that the two should be connected and disconnected easily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a connecting/disconnecting mechanism capable of connecting and disconnecting two units easily, as well as a composite apparatus provided with the connecting/disconnecting mechanism. 
     In one aspect of the invention there is provided a connecting/disconnecting mechanism having a hook portion and a hook receptacle portion provided in one and the other, respectively, of two connectable and disconnectable units, the hook portion having a hook formed with a branch at a longitudinal front end thereof, the branch having a front-end side face inclined downward toward the front end, with resilient force being applied in the direction of the branch, the hook being moved in the front end direction with an external force applied thereto and returning to its original position upon extinction of the external force, the hook being adapted to reciprocate with respect to the front end direction in a state in which the front end portion is displaced in the direction opposite to the branch to a greater extent than the length of the branch, the hook receptacle portion having: an abutting member adapted to be pushed by the front end of the hook and move when the hook moves in the front end direction; and a hook receptacle adapted to engage the branch prior to movement of the hook in the front end direction, and adapted to move together with the abutting member in a disengaged state from the branch when the hook moves in the front end direction. 
     In another aspect of the invention there is provided a composite apparatus comprising two connectable and disconnectable units, the two units having a hook portion and a hook receptacle portion, respectively, the hook portion having a hook formed with a branch at a longitudinal front end thereof, the branch having a front-end side face inclined downward toward the front end, with resilient force being applied in the direction of the branch, the hook being moved in the front end direction with an external force applied thereto and returning to its original position upon extinction of the external force, the hook being adapted to reciprocate with respect to the front end direction in a state in which the front end portion is displaced in the direction opposite to the branch to a greater extent than the length of the branch, the hook receptacle portion having: an abutting member adapted to be pushed by the front end of the hook and move when the hook moves in the front end direction; and a hook receptacle adapted to engage the branch prior to movement of the hook in the front end direction, and adapted to move together with the abutting member in a disengaged state from the branch when the hook moves in the front end direction. 
     For facilitating the disconnecting operation it is preferable for the hook portion to have a handle for applying an external force to the hook. 
     For enhancing the connection strength it is preferable for the hook portion to have the plural hooks and for the hook receptacle portion to have the plural abutting members and the plural hook receptacles correspondingly to the plural hooks. 
     For further enhancing the connection strength it is preferable for the hook portion to have a second hook whose position is fixed and for the hook receptacle portion to have a second hook receptacle, the second hook receptacle being adapted to engage the second hook before the hook moves in the front end direction and being adapted to move together with the abutting member and become disengaged from the second hook when the hook moves in the front end direction. 
     For making an electrical connection it is preferable for one of the two units to have an electric connector plug whose position is fixed and for the other unit to have an electric connector receptacle adapted to engage the electric connector plug in a state in which the hook receptacle engages the branch of the hook. 
     For providing a composite apparatus able to travel it is preferable for one of the two units to be a support base having wheels for travel and for the other unit to be an electronic device capable of being mounted on the support base. 
     For facilitating positioning during connection it is preferable for the support base to have a guide rail on an upper surface thereof and for the electronic device to have a slider on a bottom thereof, the slider being engaged with the rail. 
     For providing a composite apparatus of a satisfactory function it is preferable for the support base to have an electronic circuit for the electronic device. 
     For enhancing the degree of freedom in using the electronic device it is preferable that the electronic device be capable of being removed from the support base and be portable. 
     To obtaining an ultrasonic diagnosing device of high degree of freedom in usage, it is preferable that the electronic device is the ultrasonic diagnosing device. 
     For providing an ultrasonic diagnosing device of a high degree of freedom in use it is preferable for the electronic device to be an ultrasonic diagnosing device. 
     The connecting/disconnecting mechanism according to the invention has a hook portion and a hook receptacle portion provided in one and the other, respectively, of two connectable and disconnectable units, the hook portion having a hook formed with a branch at a longitudinal front end thereof, the branch having a front-end side face inclined downward toward the front end, with resilient force being applied in the direction of the branch, the hook being moved in the front end direction with an external force applied thereto and returning to its original position upon extinction of the external force, the hook being adapted to reciprocate with respect to the front end direction in a state in which the front end portion is displaced in the direction opposite to the branch to a greater extent than the length of the branch, the hook receptacle portion having: an abutting member adapted to be pushed by the front end of the hook and move when the hook moves in the front end direction; and a hook receptacle adapted to engage the branch prior to movement of the hook in the front end direction, and adapted to move together with the abutting member in a disengaged state from the branch when the hook moves in the front end direction. Thus, it is possible to provide a connecting/disconnecting mechanism able to connect and disconnect two units easily, as well as a composite apparatus provided with such a connecting/disconnecting mechanism. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the construction of an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention in terms of a halftone photograph. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the construction of an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention in terms of a halftone photograph from another viewpoint. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the construction of a top board. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the construction of a hook drive mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the construction of a hook. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a state of operation of the hook. 
         FIG. 7(   a ) and  FIG. 7(   b ) illustrate a state of connection made by the hook. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a state before connection by the hook. 
         FIG. 9(   a ) and  FIG. 9(   b ) illustrate a disconnected state. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the construction of another hook drive mechanism. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates placement of mandrels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described hereinunder with reference to the drawings. The invention is not limited to the best mode for carrying out the invention.  FIG. 1  is an appearance diagram showing the construction of an ultrasonic diagnosing system related to the invention. This system is an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. With the construction of this system there is shown an example of the best mode carrying out the invention with respect to the composite apparatus. Further, with part of the construction of this system there is shown an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention with respect to the connecting/disconnecting mechanism. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , this system is constituted by a combination of two units  100  and  200 . One unit  100  is, for example, an ultrasonic diagnosing device having an outline similar to a notebook-size PC (personal computer). The other unit  200  is, for example, a docking station for the ultrasonic diagnosing device. The docking station is provided with an electronic circuit for the extension of function of the ultrasonic diagnosing device, a power supply circuit, and other accessories. The docking station has wheels for travel and functions also as a cart. 
     The unit  100  is not limited to the ultrasonic diagnosing device, but may be a suitable electronic or non-electronic device. The hint  200  is not limited to the docking station for the ultrasonic diagnosing device, but may be a support base for an electronic or non-electronic device. In this case, the wheels for travels are not always needed. 
     The following description is now provided about an example wherein the units  100  and  200  are an ultrasonic diagnosing device and a docking station for the same device, respectively. However, also in the case of a composite apparatus constituted by any other combination, there will be obtained the same function and effect. 
     The ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  is placed on a horizontal top board  210  of the docking station  200 . In this state, both are connected mechanically using a connecting/disconnecting mechanism or connected electrically using a connector. As to the connecting/disconnecting mechanism, a description will be given later. 
     The ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 , together with the docking station  200 , constitutes a full-equipped ultrasonic diagnosing system. The ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  can be removed from the docking station  200  and can make a basic ultrasonic diagnosis as a single device. 
     Since the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  has an outline similar to a notebook-size PC, it is convenient for use as a portable device. 
       FIG. 2  shows a connected state of both ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  and docking station  200  as seen from behind. As shown in the same figure, a rear surface of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  is abutted from the front side against a bank  220  of the top board  210  and in this state both are connected together mechanically and electrically. 
     A handle  222  capable of being pushed in is provided in the bank  220 . By pushing in the handle  222  forward, the mechanical and electrical connection between the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  and the docking station  200  can be released. 
       FIG. 3  shows the construction of the top board  210 . As shown in the same figure, the top board  210  has two banks  220  and  230 . The banks  220  and  230  are rear and front banks, respectively. A flat board  240  is disposed between the rear bank  220  and the front bank  230  and the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  is placed on the flat board  240 . 
     A pair of hooks  302   a  and  302   b  and a connector plug  402  are projected forward from a front wall of the rear bank  220 . The hooks  302   a ,  302   b  and the connector plug  402  correspond respectively to a pair of hook receptacles and a connector receptacle which are provided on the rear surface side of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 . 
     A pair of rails  242   a  and  242   b  and a hook  244  are provided on the flat board  240 . The rails  240   a  and  240   b  are laid in a direction perpendicular to the bank  220 . The rails  242   a ,  242   b  and the hook  244  correspond respectively to a pair of sliders and a hook receptacle which are provided on a bottom of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 . 
     When the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  is put on the flat board  240  in such a manner that its rear surface confronts a front surface of the bank  220  and is then pushed against the bank  220  with the rails  242   a  and  242   b  as guides, the hooks  302   a ,  302   b ,  244  and the connector plug  402  come into engagement with three corresponding hook receptacles and connector receptacle in the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 , whereby there is formed a mechanical and electrical connection between the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  and the docking station  200 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the construction of a drive mechanism for the hooks  302   a  and  302   b .  FIG. 4  is a rear view of the top board  210 . As shown in the same figure, the drive mechanism for the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  is installed in an internal space of the bank  220 . 
     The drive mechanism for the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  has a bracket  310 . The bracket  310 , which has a U-shaped cross section, is loosely fitted on a pair of support shafts  312   a  and  312   b  and is thereby supported in parallel with the bank  220 . 
     The support shafts  312   a  and  312   b  extend through the bracket  310  perpendicularly and one ends thereof are fixed to an inner wall of the bank  220 , while opposite ends thereof are fixed to longitudinal plate portions of a pair of L-shaped plates  314   a  and  314   b , respectively. Lateral plate portions of the L-shaped plates  314   a  and  314   b  are fixed to the ceiling of the bank  220 . 
     Coiled springs  316   a  and  316   b  are mounted on the support shafts  312   a  and  312   b  at positions between the bracket  310  and the L-shaped plates  314   a ,  314   b  and their repulsive forces are exerted between the bracket  310  and the L-shaped plates  314   a ,  314   b . With the repulsive forces, the bracket  310  is pushed constantly toward the inner part of the bank  220  and stops in abutment against a stopper. This position is a predetermined regular position of the bracket  310 . 
     The bracket  310  is made integral with the handle  222  on the ceiling side. Consequently, when the handle  222  is pushed in forward by hand, the bracket  310  advances against the repulsive forces of the coiled springs  316   a  and  316   b , while when the hand is released from the handle  222 , the bracket  310  retreats with the repulsive forces of the coiled springs  316   a ,  316   b  and returns to its original position. 
     The hooks  302   a  and  302   b  are attached perpendicularly to both ends of the bracket  310 . Mounting portions of the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  for mounting to the bracket  310  are formed by hinges and resilient force acting to rotate the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  in the direction of the ceiling is exerted on those hinges. 
     The hooks  302   a  and  302   b  are provided on the ceiling side with fixed pins  318   a  and  318   b , respectively. The pins  318   a  and  318   b  inhibit rotation of the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  induced by the resilient force and restrict the attitude of the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  so that their longitudinal direction is substantially coincident with the direction in which the bracket  310  advances and retreats. In such an attitude-restricted state the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  advance and retreat together with the bracket  310 . 
     Front end portions of the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  extend through a front wall of the bank  220  and project to the exterior. The amount of the projection becomes large when the hooks  302   a  and  302   b  move forward and becomes small when the hooks move backward. A front end portion of the connector plug  402  also extends through the front wall of the bank  220  and projects to the exterior. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a drive mechanism for the hooks  302   a  and  302   b . In  FIG. 5 , a hook  302  is a generic term for the hooks  302   a  and  302   b , a pin  318  is a generic term for the pins  318   a  and  318   b , and a support shaft  312  is a generic term for the support shafts  312   a  and  312   b . This is also true in the following. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hook  302  has a branch  332  at a front end portion in its longitudinal direction. The direction of the branch  332  is the same as the direction of a rotating force acting on the hook  302 . A side face of the branch  332  is inclined in such a manner that the front end side of the hook  302  declines toward the front end. 
     A stepped portion is formed at the portion of the hook  302  which portion is in contact with the pin  318 . The stepped portion is high on its side close to the hinge  334  and low on its side distant from the hinge  334 . With the handle  222  not in operation, i.e., at a predetermined regular position thereof, the stepped portion is in contact with the pin  318  at its low portion and the branch  332  lies on an extension of the low portion in the stepped portion. 
     In this state, when the handle  222  is pushed forward, causing the hook  302  to move forward, the high portion in the stepped portion comes into contact with the pin  318 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , whereby the front end portion of the hook  302  lowers. That is, the hook  302  having the stepped portion constitutes a cam mechanism together with the pin  318 . The amount of lowering of the front end portion by the cam mechanism is larger than the length of the branch  332 . The hook  302  moves forward in such a lowered state of the front end. The amount of the forward movement corresponds to the amount of depression of the handle  222 . 
     When the hand is released from the handle  222 , the hook  302  moves backward with resilient force. As a result, the hook  302  returns to its regular position, further, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the low portion in the stepped portion comes into contact with the pin  318  and the hook  302  stops in a raised state of its front end. 
       FIG. 7(   a ) and  FIG. 7(   b ) show a state of connection between the top board  210  and the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 7(   a ), the hook  302  lies in its regular position and its front end is in the raised state while the low portion in the stepped portion is in contact with the pin  318 . In this state, a rear surface of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  is in contact with the front surface of the bank  220  of the top board  210  and the branch  332  at the front end of the hook  302  is engaged with a hook receptacle  102  formed on the rear surface of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 . The ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  has an abutting member  112  formed at a front lower position with respect to the hook receptacle  102 . With the hook  302  engaged with the hook receptacle  102 , the abutting member  112  does not contact the hook  302 . 
     The hook receptacle  102  and the abutting member  112  are each provided two correspondingly to the two hooks  302  provided on the ceiling side. Thus, there are made connections by the hooks  302  at two positions. At this time, as shown in  FIG. 7(   b ), the hook  244  on the flat board  240  of the top board  210  also comes into engagement with a hook receptacle  144  formed on the bottom of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 . It follows that the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  is connected to the top board  210  at three positions. Besides, the connector plug  402  projecting from the bank  220  is connected with the connector receptacle of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 , whereby an electrical connection is also provided. 
     Such a connection is effected by pushing the rear surface of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  to the front surface of the bank  220 . In this state, as shown in  FIG. 8 , first a lower edge of each hook receptacle  102  comes into contact with the inclined side face of the branch  332  of the hook  302 , so that the front end of the hook  302  once lowers, then when the hook receptacle  102  passes the front end of the branch  332 , the lower edge of the hook receptacle jumps up under the action of resilient force and comes into engagement with the hook receptacle  102 . At the same time, the hook  244  and the hook receptacle  144  are also engaged with each other. Thus, connection of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  to the top board  210  can be done by simple operations. 
       FIG. 9(   a ) and  FIG. 9(   b ) show a disconnected state of the top board  210  and the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 9(   a ), when the handle  222  is pushed in forward, the hook  302  moves forward and its front end lowers while the high portion in the stepped portion is put in contact with the pin  318 . 
     Since the amount of lowering of the front end is larger than the length of the branch  332 , the hook  302  and the hook receptacle  102  become disengaged from each other. 
     When the abutting member  112  is pushed by the front end of the hook  302  which is advancing, the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  is pushed out forward. As a result, the rear surface of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  leaves the front surface of the bank  220  and the connector plug  402  is also disengaged from the connector receptacle. At this time, with displacement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 , the hook receptacle  144  on the bottom of the device  100  becomes disengaged from the hook  244  formed on the flat board  240  of the top board  210 , as shown in  FIG. 9(   b ). This, disconnection of the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  and the top board  210  can also be done by simple operations. 
     The bracket  310  may have a member like a beam as shown in  FIG. 10 , made of, for example, Aluminum die casting, instead of a press part which has a U-shaped cross section. Also, the bracket  310  may have mandrels  502   a ,  502   b  which extend in the direction of its forward movement. 
     Heads of the mandrels  502   a ,  502   b  are exposed on the front wall of the bank  220  as shown in  FIG. 11 . When the bracket  310  moves forward, their heads project forward and eject the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100 . The mandrels  502   a ,  502   b  make ejecting the ultrasonic diagnosing device  100  easier. 
     Many widely different embodiments of the invention may be configured without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the specification, except as defined in the appended claims.