Cover structure and electronic device using the same

A cover structure comprises: a substrate defined a sliding slot and an opening adjacent to the sliding slot; a covering board defined a receiving portion; an alignment plate defined a salient point, and an aperture aligned with the opening; the alignment plate is fixed on the substrate, the covering board is slidably positioned in the sliding slot and between the substrate and the alignment plate, and the salient point is received in the receiving portion to lock the covering board.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical field

The present disclosure generally relates to a cover structure, particularly to a cover structure for an electronic device.

2. Description of Related Art

With the development of wireless communication and information processing technologies, portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are now in widespread use. These electronic devices enable consumers to enjoy high technology services anytime and anywhere. Meanwhile, the electronic devices have more and more functions. For interconnecting and data transmitting with the other electronic devices, on an edge of the electronic devices usually define a power input interface, a microphone output interface, USB data interface and etc. If the interfaces are not protected, the electronic devices can suffer damage from water, dust and etc.

Therefore, a cover is detachably set on the interface of the electronic devices to protect against water or dust. The cover should be separated from the electronic devices when using the interface. Thus, the cover may be easily lost.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, in an exemplary embodiment, a cover structure100for an electronic device includes a substrate30, a covering board50and an alignment plate70positioned on the substrate30. The covering board50is positioned between the substrate30and the alignment plate70. Furthermore, the covering board50is slidably latched relative to the substrate30.

The substrate30is substantially rectangular including a top portion31and an opposite bottom portion32. The substrate30can be made of rubber, soft plastic, etc. The bottom portion32defines a groove33communicating with an end of the substrate30. A bottom of the groove33defines a sliding slot34and an opening35passing through the substrate30. Positioning posts36are respectively positioned on two sides of the groove33, and configured for positioning the alignment plate70.

The covering board50also may be made of rubber, soft plastic, etc. The covering board50includes a main body51and a protruding portion52extending from the main body51. The main body51is slightly larger than the opening35, therefore, the main body51can be slidably set in the sliding slot34, without slipping out of the opening35. The protruding portion52can be received in the opening35and defines an opener53. When the protruding portion52is received in the opening35, the opener53extends from the opening35to allow convenient opening of the covering board50. The main body51includes two protruding posts54and a receiving portion55. Both the protruding posts54and the receiving portion55are set on the main body51positioned opposite to the protruding portion52. The protruding posts54resist the alignment plate70. The receiving portion55can mate with the alignment plate70to lock the covering board50.

The alignment plate70is substantially rectangular and made of metal. An edgefold71extends from an end of the alignment plate70. The edgefold71and the alignment plate70are at right-angle to each other. The edgefold71can resist the substrate30, therefore, the alignment plate70and the substrate30define a fixed distance therebetween. Positioning holes72are respectively defined in two ends of the alignment plate70. The positioning posts36can pass through the positioning holes72and fixed on the substrate30by hot melt or interference fit. The alignment plate70defines an aperture73having a first aperture portion731and a second aperture portion732communicating the first aperture portion731. The first aperture portion731is larger than the second aperture portion732. Therefore, the alignment plate70adjacent to two sides of the second aperture portion732forms a resisting portion74. The protruding posts54can slide in the aperture73and respectively resist the resisting portion74. The alignment plate70further defines a salient point75adjacent to the first aperture portion731. When the covering board50slides in the sliding slot34and aligns with the aperture73, the salient point75can be latched into the receiving portion55to lock the covering board50.

Referring toFIG. 3, in assembly, the covering board50is slidably set in the sliding slot34. The alignment plate70is assembled on the positioning posts36by the positioning holes72fitting over the positioning posts36and the edgefold71resisting the substrate30. Therefore, the covering board50is slidably set between the substrate30and the alignment plate70.

When the cover structure100is opened, the opener53is forced to open the covering board50. The receiving portion55escapes from the salient point75. The protruding posts54slide to the aperture73from the resisting portion74. The protruding portion52is separated from the opening35. When the opener53resists the alignment plate70adjacent to an edge of the opening35, the covering board50is completely opened.

Referring toFIG. 4, when the cover structure100is closed, the opener53is forced to close the covering board50. The covering board50slides in the sliding slot34. The protruding posts54slide in the aperture73. When the protruding posts54slide on the resisting portion74, the resisting portion74resists the protruding posts54for pushing the covering board50toward the substrate30. When the protruding portion52exposes out of the opening35, the covering board50moves toward the substrate30to completely cover the opening35. Meanwhile, the salient point75is received in the receiving portion55to fix the covering board50under completely closed condition.

Referring toFIG. 5, it is to be understood that the substrate30can be taken as a housing90, namely, the cover structure100is used in the electronic device.

It is to be understood that the groove33can be omitted. The sliding slot34is defined in the substrate30.