Network communication device

A network communication device includes a top component and a bottom cover forming a receiving space there between when assembled. The top component further includes a top cover and a body. The body is configured attaches the top cover and the bottom cover. The assembly of the top cover and the bottom cover utilizes at least one locking tab assembly. Each locking tab assembly includes a locking tab and a reciprocal locking structure engaged with the locking tab. One of the locking tabs and the reciprocal locking structure of the one locking tab assembly are utilized to assemble the top cover and the body is disposed on a first planar surface of the top cover, and another one of the locking tab and the reciprocal locking structure of the locking tab assembly is disposed on the body.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a network communication device, and more particularly to a network communication device with a three-piece case.

2. Description of Related Art

Current network communication devices typically utilize fasteners such as screws for assembling structural pieces, a choice requiring considerable material and manpower during manufacture and product assembly. For example, such an assembly may require two to four or more additional components such as fasteners, and demand more complex ornamental exterior appearance. The additional fasteners not only increase product cost but also greatly inhibit industrial design flexibility. Higher manufacturing costs are generated accordingly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a network communication device100. The network communication device100may embody an access device such as a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a cable modem, a set-top box, or other electronic device. The network communication device100comprises a front panel101, which defines an area102. The area102comprises a plurality of indicators to indicate power status, communication status and other operational information of the network communication device100. The plurality of indicators may comprise light pipes with light emitting diodes (LED) or other light emitters. A case of the network communication device100may be plastic or any similar material.

FIG. 2is a side view of the network communication device100ofFIG. 1, which further comprises a top cover103, a bottom cover105and a body104disposed between the top cover103and the bottom cover105when assembled.

FIG. 3is a top view of the network communication device100ofFIG. 1defining a planar surface of the top cover103. The top cover103defines a plurality of vent holes in an area131. The planar surface of the top cover103may further comprise a recess132which may comprise attached decorative elements. It may be understood that the recess may be optional.

FIG. 4is a rear view of the network communication device100ofFIG. 1. The network communication device100comprises a rear panel133defining a plurality of openings configured for receiving switches and/or connection ports. The switches and/or connection ports may comprise an Ethernet jack, an RS-232 connector, a power connector, or a universal serial bus connector, for example.

FIG. 5is a bottom view of the network communication device100ofFIG. 1defining a planar surface of the bottom cover105. The bottom cover105defines a plurality of tapped holes155-158and a plurality of vent holes in areas151-154. The bottom cover105and the body104may be fixed by fasteners through the plurality of tapped holes155-158. Overall, the case of the network communication device100comprises the top cover103, the body104and the bottom cover105. A distance between the planar surface of the top cover103and the planar surface of the bottom cover105substantially determines the height of the network communication device100.

With reference toFIG. 6, the z-axis is referred to as an upward orientation. The network communication device100comprises the top cover103, the body104, the bottom cover105, a light pipe106, a surface mount107of the front panel101and a circuit board108. The top cover103and the body104are assembled to form a top component of the case of the network communication device100. The assembly of the top component and the bottom cover105collectively form a receiving space to receive components, such as the light pipe106and the circuit board108. The surface mount107is attached onto the front panel101. A surface of the surface mount107may be printed with graphs and/or characters, and comprises a transparent window with which the light pipe106is aligned and attached thereto. The light pipe106directs light out of the network communication device100from light-emitting devices on the circuit board108to be emitted through the window.

The network communication device100utilizes a plurality of locking tab assemblies to assemble the body104and the top cover103as an alternative to fastener-based assembly. Each locking tab assembly comprises a locking tab engaging a reciprocal locking structure. The reciprocal locking structure may be formed by a recess or an opening on the case members. A plurality of locking tabs and reciprocal locking structures may be disposed in corresponding positions on the top cover103and the body104.

FIG. 7shows a lower surface of the top cover103. The top cover103comprises sidewalls134a,134b, and the rear panel133, each extending from the planar surface to the bottom cover105. The top cover103comprises locking tabs30-40, where the locking tab30and the locking tab31are disposed on the lower surface of the main planar portion of the top cover103. The locking tabs32-40are disposed along a periphery of the top cover103. The locking tabs32-40are fastened on the body104when the periphery of the top cover103meets the body104.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bshow a lower surface of the body104, on which reciprocal locking structures correspond to locking tabs30-40,138and139are disposed. In an example, reciprocal locking structures30aand31acorrespond to locking tabs30and31. An opening930of the reciprocal locking structure30ais configured to associate with the locking tab30, and an opening931of the reciprocal locking structure31ais configured to associate with the locking tab31. The locking tabs39and40may be moved along the openings39aand40aand fasten on edges thereof.FIG. 8Cshows an upper surface of the body104, comprising reciprocal locking structures corresponding to the locking tabs34-38in an area140. When the lower surface of the top cover103and the upper surface of the body104meet, the locking tabs and reciprocal locking structures on the top cover103and the body104are associated by relative sliding of the top cover103and the body104.

The reciprocal locking structure30aand the locking tab30form one locking tab assembly, and the reciprocal locking structure31aand the locking tab31another. The two locking tab assemblies restrain corresponding positions of the body104and the top cover103along a y-axis orientation with respect to the lower surface of the top cover103. Specifically, with reference toFIG. 6, the upper surface of the body104contacts the lower surface of the top cover103in order to assemble the body104and the top cover103. The reciprocal locking structures30aand31aare associated with locking tabs30and31respectively by moving the body104along the y-axis orientation, and the locking tabs32-40are also correspondingly associated with corresponding reciprocal locking structures.FIG. 8Bshows the body104without the top cover103.FIG. 10shows the body104associated with the top cover103.

With reference toFIG. 10, the locking tab30is associated with the opening930defined in an extended structure of the reciprocal locking structure30a, and the locking tab31is associated with the opening931defined on an extended structure of the reciprocal locking structure31a. The locking tab39is fixed on an edge of the opening39a, and the locking tab40is fixed on an edge of the opening40a. The locking tabs138and139are fixed on an edge of an opening45.

The remaining locking tabs and reciprocal locking structures of the top cover103and the body104may be fixed to limit corresponding positions of the top cover103and the body104along x and y orientations. Locking tabs34-38and corresponding reciprocal locking structures restrain corresponding positions of the body104and the top cover103along the x, y and z-axis, and the locking tabs32,33,40,39and corresponding reciprocal locking structures are utilized to restrain corresponding positions of the body104and the top cover103along the z-axis. X orientation is perpendicular to y orientation, and z orientation is perpendicular to the x-axis orientation and the y-axis direction.

FIG. 9A-9Eshow variants of the reciprocal locking structure30aand31a. Reciprocal locking structures inFIG. 9A-9Ecomprise a planar surface90, a hollow area91, an extended area92and an opening93. InFIG. 9Afor example, the planar surface90on which the reciprocal locking structures30aand31aare disposed, comprises hollow area91and extended area92. The extended area92extends from an edge94of the hollow area91inwards to the hollow area91. The extended area92comprises the opening93for receiving locking tabs, such as receiving the locking tab30or31. As shown inFIG. 9A-9E, the hollow area91and the opening93may take a variety of forms. The extended area92can be a variety of correspondingly different forms. While several different forms are shown for the reciprocal locking structures, other forms are equally applicable and remain well within the scope of the disclosure.

With reference toFIG. 8A, the body104comprises sidewalls46a,46band the front panel101extended from a planar surface to the bottom cover105. The body104further comprises tapped holes41-44. Four fasteners are driven though the bottom cover105, the circuit board108then associate with tapped holes41-44for associating the body104, the circuit board108and the bottom cover105. The opening45may align with vent holes defined in the area131of the top cover103.

With reference toFIG. 11, the bottom cover105comprises sidewalls500aand500bextending from a planar surface to the top cover103. The bottom cover105comprises locking tabs50-58and tapped holes155-158. The body104comprises reciprocal locking structures corresponding to locking tabs50-58. As an example, the front panel101can comprise reciprocal locking structures52a-56acorrespond to locking tabs52-56. Reciprocal locking structures50a,51a,57aand58adisposed on sidewalls correspond to locking tabs50,51,57and58. Four fasteners respectively pass through tapped holes155-158defined in the bottom cover105and the circuit board108to enter tapped holes41-44, thereby fixing the body104, the circuit board108and the bottom cover105.

The network communication device100with case members assembled is shown inFIGS. 1-5. Sidewalls of the network communication device100connect a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, a front panel and a rear panel of the network communication device100. While sidewalls on the two sides of the network communication device100are symmetric, the following description only illustrates only one side for brevity.FIG. 12shows a sidewall of the body104. As shown inFIG. 13, sidewalls of the network communication device100comprise sidewalls of the top cover103, the body104, and the bottom cover105.

The sidewall46bof the body104contacts the rear panel133, the top cover103and the bottom cover105. A sidewall134bof the top cover103and a sidewall500bcontact an edge of the front panel101. Edges of sidewalls134band500bbroadly contact at point135on an edge of the front panel101, and the contacting edges extend from the point135to a point137on the sidewall46balong a straight line136parallel to the y-axis. The edge of the sidewall500bleaves the straight line136from the point137and extends to the lower surface of the bottom cover105.

Due to simple mechanism, dismounting and assembly of the network communication device is easy. The assembly of the top cover and the body plastic pieces carries out a sliding and buckle action, utilizing a fixing method without requiring fasteners, thus decreasing product manufacture costs.