Electronic device with retractable stylus

An electronic device with retractable stylus. The electronic device comprises a main body and a stylus. The stylus comprises a resilient member disposed therein and a latching mechanism for engaging the main body. To connect the stylus and the main body, the resilient member is deformed and the latching mechanism is engaged with the main body. When the latching mechanism separates from the main body, the resilient member exerts force to extend the stylus to make the stylus protruded from the main body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to an electronic device and in particular to an electronic device with retractable stylus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, tablet-input equipped portable electronic devices, such as PDAs or mobile phones, provide a stylus as an accessory. Referring toFIG. 1, a conventional tablet-input equipped electronic device comprises a main body10and a stylus20detachably received thereto. The stylus20is used to operate the tablet panel12for data input. As shown inFIG. 1, the stylus20can be inserted into the channel11of the main body10for storage. However, insertion and removal of the stylus20from the electronic device may be considered inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device with a retractable stylus. The electronic device comprises a main body and a stylus. The stylus comprises a resilient member disposed therein and a latching mechanism for engaging the main body. To connect the stylus and the main body, the resilient member is deformed and the latching mechanism is engaged with the main body. When the latching mechanism separates from the main body, the resilient member exerts force to extend the stylus to make the stylus protruded from the main body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 2aand2b, the stylus40in this embodiment comprises a first body41, a hollow second body42, a latching mechanism43and a resilient member44. The first body41is movably connected with the second body42, thereby the stylus40is retractable along the longitudinal axis X. As shown inFIG. 2a, the first body41has a first flange411, and the second body42has a corresponding second flange421restricting movement of the first body41therein and preventing separation. When the first body41slides outward from the second body42as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 2b, the stylus40extends to a maximum length with the second flange421blocking the first flange411.

As shown inFIG. 2b, the latching mechanism43has a cantilever portion430substantially extended along the axis X. InFIG. 2c, the cantilever portion430has a first protrusion431at the free end thereof with height h and a second protrusion432with height H, wherein H>h. The latching mechanism43, inFIG. 2b, is fixed to the end of the second body42, wherein the first protrusion431is closer to the first body41than the second protrusion432. In this embodiment, the resilient member44is a compression spring having a first end441abutting the first flange411and a second end442abutting the latching mechanism43. The second end442, however, can also abut a flange (not shown) inside the second body42restricting the resilient member44therein. As the resilient member44is compressed between the first body41and the latching mechanism43, outward force from the second body42is applied to the first body41as shown by the arrow inFIG. 2b, and the stylus is thereby extended to an operational (maximum) length.

With respect to the cantilever portion430inFIGS. 2cand2d, the first protrusion431descends a greater distance than the second protrusion432when the second protrusion432is pressed downward as shown by the arrows inFIG. 2d. Subsequently, the cantilever portion430returns to the original position as shown inFIG. 2cby resilient force.

Referring toFIGS. 3aand3b, the main body30of the electronic device comprises an opening31and a slot32for engaging the latching mechanism43of the stylus40. As shown inFIG. 3b, the stylus40is restricted within the main body30by inserting the stylus40through the opening31and latching the first protrusion431with the slot32.

Referring toFIGS. 4aand4b, the main body30comprises a receiving portion33defining a receiving space communicating with the opening31and the slot32for receiving the stylus40. As mentioned, the stylus40is inserted in the receiving portion33through the opening31with the first protrusion431latching the slot32such that the stylus40is restricted within the main body30. InFIG. 4a, when the stylus40is inserted into the receiving portion33of the main body30, an abutting surface34of the main body30blocks the tip of the first body41and forces the first body41to slide into the second body42. Thus, the stylus40is retracted and the resilient member44is compressed.

As shown inFIGS. 4band4c, as the cantilever portion430at the end of the stylus40is resilient, the second protrusion432can be pressed downward to incline the cantilever portion430for smooth insertion of the stylus40into the receiving portion33. The first protrusion431passes through the opening31and engages the slot32, securely connecting the stylus40and the main body30, wherein the second protrusion432is located at the opening31adjacent to the main body30.

When taking out the stylus40, as shown inFIG. 4c, the second protrusion432is pressed downward, thereby the first protrusion431descends a distance and separates from the slot32. Subsequently, due to the spring force of the compressed resilient member44, the second body42moves away from the first body41, so the stylus40extends out the main body30through the opening31. That is, the first and second bodies41and42move apart along the X axis, and the stylus40extends to an operational (maximum) length for convenient removal.

The present invention provides a tablet-input equipped electronic device with retractable stylus. The retractable stylus can be easily stored in the main body. Moreover, the stylus can be easily removed from the main body due to the resilient member disposed therein.