Lock structure for electronic device

A lock structure for an electronic device includes a housing, a securing element, an entering portion, and a lock body. The housing has a cavity and a first through hole. The securing element has a retaining portion and an extension portion extending out of the housing by the first through hole and together forming a T-shaped structure, wherein the retaining portion has a length and a width. The entering portion is capable of moving back and forth with respect to the housing and the securing portion, and is parallel to an axis of the extension portion. When the lock body is in an unlocked status, the entering portion is moveable along the extension portion; when the lock body is in a locked status, the entering portion extends out of the housing and is fixed beside the extension portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a lock structure. Particularly, the present invention relates to a lock structure for securing an electronic device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Consumer electronic products have played an important role in modern life; moreover, because of fast modern lifestyle and the demand for instant information, portable electronic products have become one of the essentials for people. However, because of higher unit price and easy realizable characteristics, the possibility of portable electronic products being stolen accordingly increases.

To prevent from thieves, a lock structure had been developed, such as the notebook lock, which can connect an opening or a lock hole of electronic products through its lock fastener. The lock fastener is further controlled by a lock mechanism to accomplish the locking/unlocking operation. However, when using the lock mentioned above to secure an electronic product, it is required to insert the key into the key hole to control the lock fastener or to operate unlocking/locking of the lock body; on the other hand, the unlocking or locking operation may require both hands to simultaneously operate the lock structure. Therefore, the lock structure for electronic product can be improvable in operation or design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock structure to work with a key to provide a burglarproof function for expensive items such as electronic devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lock structure, which is easy to operate a locking operation.

The present invention provides a lock structure to work with a key. The lock structure includes a housing, a lock body, an operation device, a driving device, a movable connecting unit having an entering portion, and a securing element. The housing has a first through hole formed thereon. The entering portion includes, for example, two columnar structures spaced apart from each other. The entering portion is capable of moving back and forth with respect to the housing and the securing element through the first through hole to retreat back to the housing or extend out of the housing, i.e. being in or out of the housing. The securing element has an extension portion passing through the first through hole; a retaining portion is formed on one end of the extension portion to form a T-shaped structure with the extension portion. The lock structure connects to the electronic device by means of the T-shaped structure. The lock body is connected to the driving device. When the lock body is in an unlocked status, a restriction in a locked status to the driving device is released. The action of the driving device further drives or causes the connecting unit and the entering element thereof to move, wherein the entering portion moves out from the cavity through the first through hole and moves along the extension portion in an axial direction; alternatively, the entering portion moves along the extension portion and return back to the cavity through the first through hole. In addition, the lock body is connected to an operation device.

When the lock body is in the unlocked status, the operation device is operable; moreover, when operating the operation device, the operation device activates the driving device to drive the entering portion to move out through the first through hole, move along the extension portion of the securing element in the axial direction to partially or completely extend out of the housing, and selectively enter the lock hole. When the operation is completed, the lock body is in the locked status; correspondingly, the movements of the driving device and the entering portion are completed. Consequently, the two columnar structures of the entering portion are fixed at opposite sides of the extension portion so that the securing element is secured to the lock hole. In addition, the operation device is restrained from being operable.

That is, when the lock body is in the unlocked status, the T-shaped structure of the securing element can enter the lock hole or leave the lock hole; furthermore, when the T-shaped structure is in the lock hole, it is able to rotate the lock structure to let it revolve on its own axis by ninety degrees, so that the retaining portion of the securing element is blocked by a wall around the lock hole. Afterwards, the operation device is operated to drive the driving device to make the entering portion move out through the first through hole and move along the extension portion of the securing element, finally entering the lock hole, so that the two columnar structures of the entering portion are positioned beside the extension portion respectively at opposite sides. When the operation is finished and the lock body is in the locked status, the entering portion is inserted into the lock hole and restricts the rotation of the lock structure, so that the T-shaped structure of the securing element cannot be removed from the lock hole; that is, the securing element is secured to the lock hole and the lock structure cannot be detached from the electronic device. The operation device and the lock body can be different portions of the lock structure; alternatively, the lock body itself can serve as the operation device.

On the contrary, when performing an unlocking operation on the lock body in the locked status as mentioned above, the restriction in a locked status to the driving device is released, further resulting in a displacement of the connecting unit in an axial direction; meanwhile, the entering portion selectively leaves the lock hole and simultaneously moves along the extension portion of the securing element in the axial direction, then finally returns back to the cavity through the first through hole. Consequently, the extension portion without the entering portion being positioned at opposite sides thereof allows the lock structure to be rotated in order to allow the securing element, without the retaining portion blocked by the wall around the lock hole after rotation, to leave the lock hole, so that the lock structure is released from the securing of the electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a lock structure for an electronic device. In preferred embodiments, the electronic device can be any electronic device that has at least a lock hole such as, but is not limited to, laptops or notebooks. AsFIGS. 1A-1Bshow, the lock structure10includes a housing100, a lock body20, an operation device (not shown), a driving device (not shown), a moveable connecting unit having an entering portion1011, and a securing element40, wherein the housing100encloses at least a cavity or has an interior space for accommodating at least a portion of the lock body20, the operation device, the driving device, and the securing element40. Furthermore, a flexible chain/cable13can be connected to the housing10for securing the electronic device to a stationary object such as a table. One end of the housing100has a first through hole1023formed thereon to communicate with the cavity. The entering portion1011can move back and forth with respect to the housing100and the securing element40through the first through hole1023. That is, the entering portion1011can move along the securing element40through the first through hole1023so that extending out of the housing100or being received in the housing100. Particularly, the entering portion1011moves substantially parallel to an axis, i.e. the longitudinal axis of the extension portion402, which is substantially the same with an axis a of the lock structure10, to extend out of the housing100or return back to the cavity of the housing100through the first through hole1023. The entering portion1011includes two columnar structures spaced apart from each other, wherein the two columnar structures can be, for example, two opposite semi-circular columns separated from a circular column and configured to restrict one-dimensional movement. The securing element40has a settling portion401, an extension portion402, and a retaining portion403, wherein the extension portion402passes through the first through hole1023and extends out of the housing100; the retaining portion403is formed on one end of the extension portion402protruding out of the housing100; the extension portion402and the retaining portion403together can form a T-shaped structure. In addition, the shape of the retaining portion403corresponds to the shape of the lock hole of the electronic device while a length of the extension portion402is greater than the thickness of a wall around the lock hole, wherein the lock hole usually has a rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto. AsFIG. 1Cshows, the retaining portion403corresponding to the lock hole has a rectangular cross section with a length L and a width i, wherein the length L is greater that the width i. When the entering portion1011moves out of the housing100from the first through hole1023, the entering portion1011moves along the longitudinal direction of the extension portion402to an adequate/predetermined position so that the two columnar structures of the entering portion1011are positioned on two opposite sides of the extension portion402along the longitudinal direction of the extension portion402. Accordingly, a direction of a virtual connecting line of the two columnar structures is preferably parallel to the extension direction of the width i and perpendicular to the extension direction of the length L. In addition, the length L′ between two furthest outer edges of the two columnar structures in the virtual connecting line is preferably close to the length L, and more preferably equal to the length L (described later).

The T-shaped structure of the securing element40of the lock structure10can enter into or leave the corresponding lock hole, wherein the retaining portion403is firstly inserted into or detached from the lock hole with entering portion1011preferably being received within the housing100. When the retaining portion403has been inserted into the lock hole, rotating the lock structure10about its own axis by an angle in a range of zero to one hundred eighty degrees, preferably ninety degrees, will make the retaining portion403within the lock hole rotate accordingly to a position not corresponding to the lock hole, so that the inner face of the wall around the lock hole blocks the T-shaped structure of the securing element40from leaving the lock hole by touching against the retaining portion403. AsFIGS. 2A-2Bshow, when the retaining portion403has been inserted into the lock hole3, the lock structure10revolving on its own axis by ninety degrees makes the retaining portion403not correspond to the lock hole3, i.e. the rectangular shape of the retaining portion403is not aligned with the rectangular shape of the lock hole. On the other hand, portions of the lock hole3at opposite sides of the extension portion402are exposed, as shown inFIG. 2A. As such, a virtual connecting line of the exposed portions of the lock hole3is parallel to the extension direction of the width i of the retaining portion403and perpendicular to the extension direction of the length L (please refer toFIG. 1C). Meanwhile, the entering portion1011that can move along the extension portion402in and out of the housing100through the first through hole1023can enter the partially exposed lock hole3; as a result, the two columnar structures of the entering portion1011corresponding respectively to the exposed portions of the lock hole3at opposite sides of the extension portion402are inserted into the lock hole3. The two columnar structures of the entering portion1011are finally positioned on two opposite sides of the extension portion402and block the above-mentioned partially exposed lock hole3. Consequently, the entering portion1011in the lock hole3restricts the rotation of the lock structure10as well as the rotation of the retaining portion403to a position allowing the T-shaped structure to leave the lock hole3, i.e. a position that the rectangular shape of the retaining portion403is aligned with the rectangular shape of the lock hole3. In addition, it is notable that an extent to which the entering portion1011extends out is that the entering portion1011is at least partially in the lock hole3; that is, it is not necessary that the entering portion1011extends out at least as long as the depth of the lock hole3is; consequently, the entering portion1011may not have to return back completely to the cavity completely while the T-shaped structure of the securing element40still can leave the lock hole, as long as the entering portion1011is not in the lock hole3at all. On the other hand, the entering portion1011being inserted into the lock hole3may not have to block the partially exposed lock hole3completely; consequently, the length L′ between two furthest outer edges of the two columnar structures in the virtual connecting line may be smaller than the length L while greater than the width i of the retaining portion403. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entering portion1011can substantially blocks the partially exposed lock hole3completely when being inserted into the lock hole3, and can extend out to an extent that the entering portion1011extends out at least as long as the depth of the lock hole3is.

As mentioned above, the entering portion1011in the lock hole3restricts the rotation of the lock structure10as well as the rotation of the retaining portion403to a position allowing the T-shaped structure to leave the lock hole3; in other words, the retaining portion403of the securing element40is engaged with and secured in the lock hole3. In sum, in cooperation with the entering portion1011, the T-shaped structure of the securing element40is selectively engaged with and secured in the lock hole3to secure the electronic device to a stationary object. It is noted that although the entering portion1011of the embodiment is illustrated as two columnar structures, in other embodiments, the entering portion1011can be any number of any appropriate shaped structure provided that the entering portion1011can move back and forth to reveal or block the lock hole with the extension portion402, allowing or restricting the rotation of the lock body and the T-shaped structure of the securing element40within the lock hole. The structure and movement relationships among the housing100, the lock body20, the operation device, the driving device, and the securing element40will be described later.

An exploded view of the embodiment is shown inFIG. 3. AsFIG. 3shows, the housing100is preferably composed of several housing parts. For example, the housing100includes an inner housing part102, a first housing part103, and a second housing part104connected to each other to form the cavity for accommodating other components of the lock structure10. A lock body housing105is further provided for covering the lock body20. In the preferred embodiment, the inner housing part102includes a first portion1021having a greater tube diameter and a second portion1022having a smaller tube diameter, wherein the first portion1021has the first through hole1023formed thereon, by which the entering portion1011moves in and out of the housing100. In addition, a second through hole1024(described later) is also formed on the first portion1021. The second portion1022has an opening1025formed thereon. Furthermore, there is a plurality of holes including a restraining hole for the positioning the components accommodated in the cavity and/or allowing the components to have limited movements and/or rotations. Consequently, the first housing part103mentioned above surrounds the inner housing part102to cover the holes of the inner housing part102and the portions of the components exposed in the holes so that the components will not be exposed. In addition, for example, a protrusion12is formed or disposed on the first housing part103to connect to the flexible chain/cable. Following the first housing part103, the second housing part104also surrounds the inner housing part102and is adjacent to the first housing part103. The connection of the protrusion12of the first housing part103and the flexible chain/cable can be accomplished by any prior arts such as ways of riveting.

A connecting unit101is disposed in the cavity enclosed by the inner housing part102and can have a displacement in the axial direction therein. In addition, the entering portion1011is formed on one side of the connecting unit101for the lock structure10connecting to the electronic device. When the connecting unit101displaces axially, i.e. displaces in the axial direction of the lock structure10in the cavity, the entering portion1011formed thereon displaces accordingly to move out of the housing100or return back to the housing100through the first through hole1023formed on the first portion1021of the inner housing part102. The shape and the size of the first through hole1023are designed based on the entering portion1011. For example, as the above mentioned, the entering portion1011is two columnar structures spaced apart from each other; the first through hole1023is therefore designed based on the two columnar structures. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first through hole1023has an elongated shape due to the overall shape of the entering portion1011. Furthermore, in addition to the entering portion1011, the elongated through hole1023enables the extension portion402of the securing element40to pass through, wherein the two columnar structures of the entering portion1011are positioned beside the extension portion402respectively at the opposite sides thereof, as mentioned above. The securing element40is disposed at the side of the connecting unit101having the entering portion1011formed thereon. The securing element40includes the settling portion401, the extension portion402, and the retaining portion403, wherein the settling portion401and a small portion of the extension portion402are located in the cavity, a great portion of the extension portion402extending out from the first through hole1023together with the retaining portion402are located outside the housing100. By means of the setting portion401, the securing element40can be fixed to the inner side of the housing100. While the entering portion1011mentioned above displaces axially, the entering portion1011also moves relative to the securing element40, particularly along the extension portion402. The connection of the connecting unit101, the inner housing part102, the first housing part103, and the second housing part104can be accomplished by any prior arts such as engagement, adhering, or fastening.

In addition, a portion of the lock body20is accommodated in the cavity, wherein the lock body20is, for example, a key lock and has a key hole exposed to outside. When a user uses a key to unlock the lock body20, the operation device mentioned above will enter a first status, and the driving device30which is restricted by the lock body20in a locked status will be released so that the connecting unit101displaces in the axial direction, i.e. away from the securing element40. The entering portion1011of the connecting unit101therefore moves along the extension portion402of the securing element40and selectively retreats from the lock hole. Finally, the entering portion1011may return back to the cavity through the first through hole1023. Afterwards, after the lock structure10being rotated, the T-shaped structure of the securing element40may leave the lock hole or selectively enter the lock hole. The first status mentioned above is a status in which, for example, the operation device can be pressed. On the other hand, when the user operates the operation device in the first status, i.e. presses the operation device, the pressed operation device will drive simultaneously the driving device30, which is released in the unlocked status, to move and drive the connecting unit101to displace in the axial direction, i.e. move toward the securing element40. The entering portion1011extending out of the housing100from the first through hole1023and simultaneously moves along the extension portion402. After the completion of locking operation by pressing and operating the lock body20, the operation device is in a second status; meanwhile, the driving device30and the connecting unit101also complete the moving or displacing action and remain at the position after the movement or displacement. On the other hand, the entering portion1011, which moves along with the displacement of the connecting unit101, selectively enters the lock hole and is fixed at opposite sides of the extension portion402. Consequently, since the entering portion1011and the retaining portion403are confined within the lock hole, the lock structure10is not rotatable to let the securing element40leave the lock hole; in other words, the securing element40is secured in the lock hole. The second status mentioned above is a status in which, for example, the operation device cannot be pressed. The operation and mechanism thereof of the lock body20are known by a skilled person and not elaborated hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation device is disposed on the lock body20; in other words, the lock body20itself also serves as the operation device. Accordingly, the unlocking operation simultaneously enables the lock body/operation device20enter the unlocked status, i.e. the first status. On the contrary, pressing the operation device/lock body20is equal to performing the locking operation. The completion of pressing action is equal to the completion of the locking operation, allowing the operation device/lock body20to enter the locked status, i.e. the second status. The connection between the driving device30and other components of the lock structure10will be described later.

AsFIG. 3andFIGS. 4A-4Bshow, the driving device30is connected with the lock body20and is adjacent to the connecting unit101, wherein the lock body20and the connecting unit101are at opposite sides of the driving device30. The lock body20includes a lock core (not shown) and the key hole mentioned above. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lock body20also serves as the operation device, as mentioned above, wherein the lock body/operation device20can move in the axial direction. The driving device30is accommodated in the cavity and includes a driving portion301and a restricting element302, wherein the driving portion301is disposed on the lock body/operation device20. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, asFIGS. 4A-4Bshow, the driving portion301has a columnar structure with an elliptical cross section, preferably an eccentric column with such an elliptical cross section3011, which can rotate around a spindle rather than its axis. The restricting element302is a frame-like structure3021, which is movably fitted to the eccentric column with the elliptical cross section3011and contacts part of the eccentric column, wherein an axis of the eccentric column, which is preferably the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the elliptical cross section3011, is perpendicular to a plane on which the frame-like structure3021lies. In addition, the restricting element302includes a flat portion3022extending from one side of the frame-like structure3021, wherein it is preferred that the flat portion3022extends toward a direction in which the restricting element302selectively moves back and forth. When rotating the key to unlock the lock body/operation device20, the eccentric column with an elliptical cross section3011simultaneously rotates. During the rotation, the eccentric column3011displaces to drive the frame-like structure3021of the restricting element302so that the restricting element302is removed from a restricting position (described later), wherein the restricting position is the position that the restricting element302is located when the lock body/operation device20is in the locked status. On the other hand, as mentioned above and shown inFIGS. 5A-5B, the driving device30(please refer toFIG. 3) is adjacent to the connecting unit101, wherein a trough is formed on the side of the connecting unit101adjacent to the driving portion301. An opening1012of the trough selectively corresponding to a second through hole1024is formed on the inner housing part102. The trough is for the restricting element302being received therein and coupling with the connecting unit101, wherein the flat portion3022of the restricting element302corresponds to the opening1012. In addition, the restricting element302received therein can independently have a limited displacement in a radial direction so that the flat portion3022moves relative to the opening1012; accordingly, the flat portion3022may therefore leave/enter the restricting position (described later). The driving portion301of the driving device30further includes a platform3012, which is at one side of the connecting unit101and connects with the connecting unit101. As a result, when pressing the lock body/operation device20in the first status, the platform3012of the driving portion301on the lock body/operation device20pushes the connecting unit101and the restricting unit302therein to displace toward the restricting position; when finishing pressing, the flat portion3022of the restricting element302enters the restricting position while the lock body/operation device20is in the locked status.

Please refer toFIGS. 5A-5Band6A-6B. AsFIGS. 5B and 6Bshow, in the locked status, the flat portion3022of the restricting element302extends to the second through hole1024through the opening1012, which is aligned with the second through hole1024. The flat portion3022is restrained by a wall of the inner housing part102defining the second through hole1024. As a result, the restricting element302is at the restricting position. Meanwhile, the lock body/operation device20in the locked status is also in the second status, in which the lock body/operation device20cannot be pressed. On the other hand, asFIGS. 5A and 6Ashow, when performing an unlocking operation, namely inserting the key1and rotating the lock body/operation device20, the restricting element302is driven by the eccentric column with an elliptical cross section3011and leaves the restricting position by moving away from the second through hole1024in the radial direction, i.e. in a direction toward the cavity. Meanwhile, the restricting element302together with the connecting unit101are pushed by an elastic element52and displaces away from the securing element40in the axial direction (a distance of the displacement is B-b). Consequently, the unlocking operation allows the flat portion3022of the restricting element302to be received in the cavity and not restrained by the wall of the inner housing part102defining the second through hole1024. In addition, the lock body/operation device20is in the unlocked status, i.e. the first status, in which the lock body/operation device20can be operably pressed.

In view of the discussions set forth above, the restricting element302of the driving device30and the connecting unit101are combined together, so that the restricting element302and the connecting unit101together can displace in the axial direction. Moreover, the restricting element302can displace in the radial direction by itself, wherein the displacement of the restricting element302in the radial direction can effect the displacement of the restricting element302and the connecting unit101in the axial direction. Particularly, the radial displacement of the restricting element302is resulted from either driving the driving portion301during the unlocking operation or a force provided by an elastic element51at a relative position. During the unlocking operation, the driving portion301drives the flat portion3022to retreat from the second through hole1024so that the restricting element302is released from the restricting position; on the contrary, during the locking operation, the force provided by the elastic element51, which is disposed at the side of the frame-like structure3021opposite to the side at which the flat portion3022is disposed, pushes the restricting element302toward the second through hole1024so that the flat portion3022is confined by the second through hole1024and the restricting element302enters the restricting position. On the other hand, the axial displacement of the restricting element302and the connecting unit101is resulted from either pressing the lock body/operation device20in the first/unlocked status or a force provided by the elastic element52at a relative position. When the lock body/operation device20is in the unlocked/first status, pressing the unlocked lock body/operation device20will make the connecting unit101move toward the securing element40in the axial direction by means of driving of the driving device30, so that the entering portion1011moves out through the first through hole1023and simultaneously moves along the extension portion402, then finally selectively enters the lock hole. Meanwhile, the locking operation is accomplished while the lock body/operation device20is in the second status. When performing the unlocking operation, the force provided by the elastic element52, which is disposed at the side of the connecting unit101opposite to the side adjacent to the driving portion301, makes the connecting unit101and the components adjacent/connecting to the connecting unit101displace away from the securing element40in the axial direction, so that the entering portion1011selectively leaves the lock hole and simultaneously moves along the extension portion402, then finally returns back to the cavity through the first through hole1023; meanwhile, the lock body/operation device20is in the first status.

More specifically, when performing the unlocking operation to make the restricting element302leave the restricting position in the radial direction, the flat portion3022retreats into the cavity and is no longer restrained by the wall of the inner housing part102. Meanwhile, the restricting element302presses the elastic element51to store elasticity. On the other hand, the elastic element52releases elasticity to drive the connecting unit101and the components adjacent/connecting to the connecting unit101to displace away from the securing element40in the axial direction, which consequently makes the entering portion1011selectively leave the lock hole and return back to the cavity through the first through hole1023so that the T-shaped structure can leave the lock hole to detach the lock structure from the electronic device after rotating the lock structure10. On the other hand, the lock body/operation device20reverts to the first status. On the contrary, when pressing the lock body/operation device20in the first status, the connecting unit101displaces toward the securing element40in the axial direction so that the entering portion1011can exit through the first through hole1023and move along the extension portion402to extend out of the housing100. In addition, when the connecting unit101moves to a degree allowing the opening1012of the trough to be aligned with the second through hole1024of the inner housing part102, the elastic element51is able to release elasticity to make the restricting element302move toward the restricting position in the radial direction, so that the flat portion3022extends into the second through hole1024and is restrained by the wall of the inner housing part102. As such, the locking operation is accomplished. At this time, the entering portion1011which selectively enters the lock hole is fixed in the lock hole due to the completion of locking operation; meanwhile, the lock structure10is unable to be rotated so that the securing element40cannot leave the lock hole; that is, the electronic device is secured.

Although the preferred embodiments of present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. The preferred embodiments disclosed will not limited the scope of the present invention. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.