Electronic apparatus with orientation adjustable camera

An electronic apparatus includes a support body, a camera, and a shell pivotably attached to the support body around a first axis. The camera is pivotably received in the shell around a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. The camera includes a lens exposable from the shell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus with a camera mounted thereon, and particularly to an electronic apparatus having an orientation adjustable camera.

2. Description of Related Art

The continuous development of communication network technologies and digital technologies has helped make digital cameras popular in people's network life. Generally, an electronic apparatus such as a portable computer has a digital camera mounted thereon. However, orientation of the digital camera on the portable computer cannot be adjusted, or can only be adjusted in a limited arrange, which is inconvenient.

What is needed is an electronic apparatus having an orientation adjustable camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary electronic apparatus includes a support body, a camera, and a shell pivotably attached to the support body around a first axis. The camera is pivotably received in the shell around a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. The camera includes a lens exposable from the shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an electronic apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a support body10, a camera20, a cable30, and a shell40. In this embodiment, the support body10is a cover unit of a notebook computer. The cover unit secures a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, and is rotatable to cover a base unit of the notebook computer.

The support body10includes a first cover11and a second cover12. In this embodiment, the first cover11is frame used for holding the LCD panel, and the second cover12is a hood covering the first cover11.

The first cover11defines an arc-shaped cutout13in a free edge thereof. A first pivot hole14is defined in the first cover11at a left side of the cutout13. A second pivot hole16is defined in the first cover11at a right side of the cutout13, and in alignment with the first pivot hole14. An elongated sliding slot17is defined in the free edge of the first cover11at the right side of the cutout13. A locking member18is disposed in the sliding slot17. In this embodiment, the locking member18comprises a hook which is used to lock the cover unit of the notebook computer to the base unit of the notebook computer. A column-shaped cantilevered latching portion182extends from an inner portion of the locking member18toward the cutout13. A cantilevered post184extends from the inner portion of the locking member18in a direction opposite to the latching portion182. A receiving chamber19is formed at the first cover11under the sliding slot17. A right side of the receiving chamber19defines a hole to slidably receiving the post184. A resilient element such as a coiled spring15is placed around the post184. An end of the spring15abuts against the right side of the receiving chamber19. The second cover12defines an arc-shaped cutout122corresponding to the cutout13of the first cover11.

Referring also toFIG. 2, the camera20is generally sphere shaped. A lens22is disposed in the camera20. A first tubular protrusion24and a second tubular protrusion26are formed on the camera20along a central axis of the camera20. The lens22is exposed from a middle portion of the spherical surface of the camera20between the first and second tubular protrusions24,26. A block242is formed on an edge of the first tubular protrusion24.

The shell40is generally oval-shaped, and is formed by two symmetric shell portions42. Each shell portion42is generally semi-oval-shaped. A first semi-column shaft421and a second semi-column shaft422extend out from a left side and a right side of the shell portion42, respectively. A block423is formed on the first shaft421. A recess424is defined in an oval surface of each shell portion42. The recess424is gradually enlarged from a bottom to the oval surface. A through hole is defined in the bottom of the recess424. A semi-spherical accommodating portion427extends from an edge of the through hole. A pair of semi-circular cutouts428is defined in middle portions of upper and lower edges of the accommodating portion427. A knob429is defined in an edge of one of the cutouts428. Two hooks425and two locking notches426are formed at an edge portion of each shell portion42, and in a cross-arrangement.

In assembly, the camera20is placed in the accommodating portion427of one of the shell portions42. The first tubular protrusion24and a second tubular protrusion26are disposed in the semi-circular cutouts428, respectively. The two shell portions42are then locked together with the hooks425of each shell portion42engaging in the locking notches426of the other shell portion42. The camera20is thereby pivotally received in a spherical chamber formed by the two semi-spherical accommodating portions427. The two semi-column shafts421forms a first shaft44, and the two semi-column shafts422forms a second shaft46.

Referring also toFIG. 3, the locking member18is pushed to the rightmost side of the sliding slot17. The first shaft44is placed in the first pivot hole14of the first cover11, and the blocks423abut against the first pivot hole14. The second shaft46is placed in the second pivot hole16. The locking member18is then released, and returns to its original position via the restoring force of the spring15. The latching portion182is inserted in the second shaft46of the shell40. The first cover11is then attached to the second cover12. The cable30extends through the first tubular protrusion24of the camera20and the first shaft44to thereby electrically link the camera20to the support body10.

In use, moving the shell40with one finger can make the shell40with the camera20pivot around the first and second shafts44,46. Moving the camera20with one finger can make the camera20pivot relative to the shell40around the first and second tubular protrusions24,26. During the pivot process, the block242of the camera20can be blocked by the knobs429of the shell40so that rotation of the camera20is limited between the knobs429. Thus, the camera20is multi-orientation adjustable.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiment described therein.