Protective cover mechanism and portable electronic device using same

A protective cover mechanism for an interface opening of a portable electronic device includes a protective cover and a sliding member. The protective cover includes a cover body for covering the interface opening, and a shaft projecting from the cover body. The sliding member is engaged with the shaft of the protective cover so the cover body is rotatable relative to the sliding member to selectively cover or expose the interface opening.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The exemplary invention relates to protective cover mechanisms and, particularly to cover mechanisms for protecting interface openings of electronic devices and portable electronic devices using the protective cover mechanism.

2. Description of the Related Art

Modern electronic devices, such as wireless telephone units, allow users to place a phone call and exchange data from virtually any location within the service area. Wireless telephone units typically incorporate a rechargeable battery pack so the device can be completely mobile. However, these battery packs must be periodically connected to a power source to be recharged. An external interface opening is usually provided on the device for connecting the battery or battery pack to an external power source. Additionally, an external interface opening, e.g., USB, might be provided on a wireless telephone to allow the phone to be connected to other electronic devices for transmitting and receiving data.

Wireless telephones are not the only modern electronic devices which can be connected to other devices to increase functionality. For example, even smaller computers such as palmtop or electronic notepad computers can be connected to larger computer systems, modems or printers to provide additional functions.

In all these examples, an electronic device needs an external port, interface opening or connector for easy connection to other electronic devices, accessories or networks. However, external interface openings must be protected from the external environment to function properly.

To protect external interface openings, ports and connectors on an electronic device, it is common to provide a cover that can, for example, be snapped or slid into place over the interface opening. However, after the covers are removed from the electronic device to access the interface opening, it is very easy to misplace and lose the cover.

Therefore, there is a room for improvement within the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present protective cover mechanism is suitably assembled within a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital handset, or the like.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary protective cover mechanism30is equipped on a housing20of a portable electronic device100for covering and protecting an interface opening231. The housing20can be one of a top cover or a back cover of the portable electronic device100, and configured for receiving electronic components therein. The housing20includes a base wall21and a side wall23mounted on the base wall21. The base wall21is configured to accommodate electronic components, e.g., a USB connector, and mechanical components, e.g., portions of the protective cover mechanism30, mounted thereon. Also referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the side wall23includes an interface opening231, a hole233, a fastening portion235, and a supporting member237. The interface opening231is configured for exposing a connector, e.g., the USB connector, to ambient environment, and is an opening defined through the side wall23. The hole233is defined through the side wall23, adjacent to the interface opening231, and is preferably to communicate with the interface opening231as shown in the exemplary embodiment. The fastening portion235and the supporting member237both are disposed on an outer surface of the side wall23, at opposite sides of the interface opening231. The fastening portion235is disposed opposite to the hole233, and includes two L-shaped hooks projecting from the side wall23. The two hooks are disposed back to back. The supporting member237can be a rectangular board, and attached to the side wall23, adjacent to the hole233.

The protective cover mechanism30includes a protective cover31, a sliding member33, an elastic member35, and a fixture37. The protective cover31is engaged with the sliding member33to be rotatable relative to and slidable with the sliding member33. The sliding member33is mounted between the elastic member33and the fixture37, and can slide with the protective cover31and return to an initial position under elastic force of the elastic member33.

The protective cover31is made from flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, and is rotatably mounted to the housing20to selectively cover the interface opening231or expose the interface opening231to ambient environment. The protective cover31includes a cover body311, a locking portion313and a shaft315. The cover body311is sized and shaped to cover and protect the interface opening231of the housing20, and is preferably a rectangular board member having a size larger than that of the interface opening231. The locking portion313and the shaft315are formed on opposite ends of the cover body311. The locking portion313is configured for detachably engaging with the latching portion235of the housing20, and has a cutout3131defined at an end of the cover body311thereby forming two opposite surfaces inside the cutout3131. The locking portion313further includes two blocks3133projecting respectively from the opposite surfaces into the cutout3131. The cutout3131can receive the hooks of the latching member235therein, with the blocks3133engaging with the hooks. The shaft315can be integrally formed with the cover body311, and projects from an inner surface of the cover body311, adjacent to the other end of the cover body311. The shaft315has a projection3151formed at a distal end thereof.

The sliding member33includes a base331, and a cavity333defined in the base331. The base331may have a top surface3311, and a side surface3313connecting with the top surface3311. The cavity333is T-shaped, and includes a recess3331and a groove3333. The recess3331is recessed in the top surface3311, and is sized and shaped to fittingly receiving the projection3151of the shaft315. The groove3333is recessed in the side surface3313and penetrates the top surface3311. The groove3333is configured for receiving the shaft315therein, and communicates with the recess3331.

The elastic member35includes two elastic sheets. Each elastic sheet includes a fixed segment351, and a deforming segment353. The fixed segment351is L-shaped, and secures the elastic member35to the fixture37. The deforming segment353is inclined and connected with the fixed segment351. The two elastic sheets are positioned face to face in a way that two distal ends thereof are closer than the other two ends thereof which connect with the fixed segments351.

The fixture37is configured for slidably receiving the sliding member33therein, and securing the elastic member35thereto. The fixture37includes two base bodies371mounted on the base wall21of the housing20. The two base bodies371are spaced from the side wall32, on opposite sides of the hole233. Each base body371includes a gap3711defined therethrough and a bottom375formed thereon. The gaps3711are configured to respectively receiving a fixed segment353therein. The two bottom375are respectively projected from an end of a base body371, and are disposed away from the side wall23. The two base bodies371are positioned face to face in a way that the two bottoms375extend towards each other.

In assembly, first, the two elastic sheets of the elastic member35are respectively engaged with the two base bodies371. The fixed segments351of the elastic member35are accommodated in the gaps3711and locked by base bodies371. The deforming segments353are disposed between the side wall23and the base bodies371, the distal ends of the deforming segments383resists against the side wall23. The elastic member35and the fixture37cooperatively form a receiving space therebetween for receiving the sliding member33. Then, the sliding member33is placed into the receiving space, between the two base bodies371of the fixture37. Two opposite ends of the sliding member33respectively resists against the bottoms375of the two base bodies371and the deforming segments353of the elastic member35. The groove3333of the sliding member33is positioned adjacent to the side wall23. Finally, the protective cover31is rotatably mounted to the sliding member33. The shaft315is inserted through the interface opening231, received into the hole233and resists against a distal end of the deforming segment353. The projection3151of the shaft315is received in the recess3331. The locking portion313engages with the latching portion235of the side wall23, so that the cover body311is attached to the side wall233and covers the interface opening231.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, in use, when the interface opening231needs to be accessed, the protective cover31can be opened to expose the interface opening231. The protective cover31is pulled by external force of a user so that the locking portion313is unlocked from the latching portion235. Jointly, the sliding member33is pulled to move towards the side wall23by the shaft315of the protective cover31, and the two deforming segments353of the elastic member35are bent outwards by the sliding member33. Then, the protective cover31is rotated 180 degrees to expose the interface opening231. When access to the interface opening231is not needed, the protective cover31is returned to cover the interface opening231. Firstly, the protective cover31is rotated in 180 degrees to face to the interface opening231, and then is released by the user. The deforming segments353rebounds and drives the sliding member33slide towards the bottom375of the base bodies371. Jointly, the shaft315moves together with the sliding member33until the cover body311attaches to the side wall23and the locking portion313is locked by the latching portion235of the side wall23.

In the present invention, the protective cover31is connected to the housing20in the whole using process. Thus, the protective cover31is in low risk of being dropped by users.