Abstract:
A magnetic locking device is described. The magnetic locking device is utilized for locking an electric device upper cover especially for locking both sides of the display cover of a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. The magnetic locking device has a lock module and a hook module. The lock module installed in the upper cover has a lock module base, a release button, a magnet, a first bezel and a second bezel. The hook module installed in the electric device base has a hook module base, a spring device, and a hook. The spring device pulls the hook to hide in the electric device base when the hook is not working to improve the electric device appearance and to eliminate interference during operation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a magnetic locking device and especially to a magnetic locking device for a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Recently, liquid crystal displays (LCD) have been widely applied in electrical products, due to the rapid progress of optical technology and semiconductor technology. Moreover, with the advantages of high image quality, compact size, light weight, low driving voltage, and low power consumption, LCDs have been introduced into portable computers, personal digital assistants, color televisions, and are gradually replacing the cathode ray tubes (CRT) used in conventional displays. LCDs are becoming the mainstream display apparatus.  
           [0003]    A conventional display of a notebook computer is disposed in the upper cover of the notebook computer. The display demonstrates information and images thereon when the upper cover of the notebook computer is opened. The upper cover and a base of the notebook computer connect to each other with a pivot. Therefore, the working angle of the display can be adjusted according to user requirements by way of adjusting an angle of the upper cover.  
           [0004]    Notebook computers are convenient to carry and therefore are often carried to business meetings. A conventional notebook computer uses a hook disposed in the upper cover to lock with a locking module disposed in the computer base for retaining the upper cover in a closed condition when the notebook computer is not working or is traveling.  
           [0005]    Due to software and hardware improvements, a tablet personal computer (Tablet PC) combines the notebook computer with a hand writing input device on the display. The tablet PC changes the input habits of the computer user and advances the information industry to a new milestone. A notebook/tablet dual-purpose PC with high processing performance combines the hand writing input device on the display panel with the keyboard input of the notebook computer. The notebook/tablet dual-purpose PC provides a humanizing input interface for a user who usually works in a moving environment. The display of a notebook/tablet dual-purpose PC can rotate about 180 degrees so that viewers around the tablet PC can more easily see the information and images on the display than before.  
           [0006]    Because the display of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose PC possesses the hand writing input function and rotation function, the conventional hook and locking module cannot work with the notebook/tablet dual-purpose PC while the display is reversed to input by hand writing on the display. Therefore, there is a need to secure effectively both sides of the display of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose PC on the computer base so as to provide a stable handwriting input environment.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic locking device to secure the display on the computer base while the computer is not working.  
           [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic locking device to secure the display on the computer base while the computer is displaying images.  
           [0009]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic locking device to secure the display on the computer base while a user inputs information by hand writing on the display.  
           [0010]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a magnetic locking device to hide a hook thereof in the computer base while the display is not closed on the computer base.  
           [0011]    To accomplish the above objectives, the present invention provides a magnetic locking device for an electronic appliance, such as a notebook computer or a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. The electronic appliance includes an upper cover and a base. The magnetic locking device includes a lock module and a hook module.  
           [0012]    The lock module is mounted in the upper cover and includes a lock module base, a release button, a magnet, a first bezel, and a second bezel. The first bezel and second bezel may directly form on two sides of the upper cover. The release button and the magnet are disposed between the first bezel and the second bezel.  
           [0013]    The hook module is mounted in the base of the electronic appliance and includes a hook module base, a first spring device, and a hook. The first spring device provides a traction force to keep the hook in the hook module base; that is, the hook is stored in the base of the electronic appliance to improve the appearance when the hook is not in use. When a user wishes to lock the upper cover to the base of the electronic appliance, the magnet of the lock module attracts the hook of the hook module to couple with the first bezel after the upper cover is closed on the base. When the user wishes to lock the other side of the upper cover, the magnet of the lock module attracts the hook of the hook module to couple with the second bezel after the upper cover turns 180 degrees and is closed on the base.  
           [0014]    When the user wishes to release the upper cover from the base, the release button is pressed so that the hook releases the first bezel or the second bezel. The hook then retracts into the hook module base due to the traction force of the first spring device when the upper cover is opened from the base.  
           [0015]    The lock module further comprises a second spring device coupling to the release button to return the release button to an initial position for subsequent use.  
           [0016]    The hook further comprises an inclined plane. The inclined plane passes through the first bezel and then the first bezel locks the opening of the hook when the magnet attracts the hook. Alternatively, the inclined plane may pass through the second bezel and then the second bezel locks the opening of the hook when the magnet attracts the hook. The hook module base further includes a sliding slot for the hook to slide therein when the magnet attracts the hook.  
           [0017]    The upper cover may include a display of a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. When the display locks with the first bezel, the display is turned off. When the display locks with the second bezel, the computer exposes the display panel for handwriting or image display. When the user uses the keyboard to input information, the hook hides in the base of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer.  
           [0018]    Hence, the magnetic locking device according to the present invention provides a double side close function and a hiding hook function for electronic appliances. The electronic appliance with the magnetic locking device according to the present invention can lock each side of the upper cover according to different work requirements. The hook can hide in the base of the electronic appliance to improve the appearance and avoid interference when the user inputs information by the keyboard on the base. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention are more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer having an open display with a magnetic locking device of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer in FIG. 1A after the display is rotated 90 degrees;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1C is a schematic perspective view of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer in FIG. 1A after the display is rotated 180 degrees;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a detailed exploded view of the magnetic locking device according to the present invention; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view of the magnetic locking device according to the present invention in locking status. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    The following description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined by referencing the appended claims.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 1A to  1 C illustrate a schematic perspective view of a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer having an open display with a magnetic locking device of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 1A illustrates the display as being just opened from a base of a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. FIG. 1B illustrates the display rotated about 90 degrees from the original position. FIG. 1C illustrates the display rotated about 180 degrees from the original position. Referring to FIGS. 1A to  1 C, the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer includes a display  110  and a computer base  130 . The display  110  further includes a display panel  112  on the front side of the display  110 , a display back cover  114  on the rear side thereof, and a lock module  140 . The computer base  130  further includes a hook module  150 . As FIG. 1A illustrated, the display  110  can be directly opened, similar to a conventional display of a notebook computer, by pressing the lock module  140  to release the hook module  150 .  
         [0027]    In FIG. 1B, the display  110  is rotated 90 degrees from the original position, and therefore the display panel  112  faces to the left of the drawing. In FIG. 1C, the display  110  is further rotated 90 degrees again and therefore the display panel  112  faces the back of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer and the display back cover  114  faces the inner side of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. Hence, the display  110  of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer can be directly rotated about 180 degrees and then pressed to couple the lock module  140  to the hook module  150  when a user wishes to input information by hand writing on the display  10 . After the lock module  140  locks the hook module  150 , the display panel  112  faces upward, is firmly secured on the computer base  130 , and is ready for hand writing input.  
         [0028]    Therefore, the magnetic locking device according to the present invention not only effectively secures the display  110  on the computer base  130  when the display is closed but also secures the display  110  on the computer base  130  when the display  110  is turned 180 degrees and pressed down such that the display panel  112  faces upward, as when the computer is in a tablet PC mode.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 simultaneously, the operation process of the magnetic locking device according to the present invention is illustrated in detail. FIG. 2 is a detailed exploded view of the magnetic locking device according to the present invention and FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the magnetic locking device according to the present invention in locking status. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the magnetic locking device according to the present invention includes a lock module  140  and a hook module  150 . The hook module  150  includes a hook module base  210 , a spring device  220 , and a hook  230 . The lock module  140  includes a release button  240 , a magnet  250 , spring devices  260  and lock module base  270 , and further includes a first bezel  310  and a second bezel  320  (referring to FIG. 3).  
         [0030]    The lock module base  270  couples to the display of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer for fixing the lock module  140  thereon. The hook module base  210  couples to the computer base of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer for fixing the hook module  150  thereon. The hook module base  210  further includes a sliding slot  212  to retain the hook  230  to slide therein. The spring device  220  couples with hook module base  210  and hook  230  to provide a spring force for the hook  230 . While the hook  230  is not working, the hook  230  is not attracted by the magnet  250 , and the hook  230  remains in the hook module base  210 ; that is, the hook  230  hides in the computer base. The spring devices  260  couple with the lock module base  270  and the release button  240  to keep the release button  240  at an initial position for preparing next operation when the release button  240  is released from pressure. The magnet  250  is disposed in an inner side of the release button  240 .  
         [0031]    The first bezel  310  and the second bezel  320  coupling with the lock module base  270  are respectively located on an upper surface and a lower surface of the display cover in corresponding positions. In the preferred embodiment, the first bezel  310  and the second bezel  320  are directly manufactured on the upper surface and the lower surface of the display cover. Otherwise, the first bezel  310  and the second bezel  320  may also be directly mounted on the lock module base  270 . The preferred embodiment description of the first bezel  310  and the second bezel  320  are illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting of the present invention.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 3, the operation method of the magnetic locking device according to the present invention is described. The magnetic locking device according to the present invention utilizes the magnet  250  to attract the hook  230 , and then the first bezel  310  or the second bezel  320  may couple with the hook  230 . Therefore, a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer with the magnetic locking device according to the present invention may easily lock each side of the computer display.  
         [0033]    When a user wishes to lock the computer display on the base, the first step is to press down the computer display to close the computer base. In the meantime, the lock module  140  on the computer display closely accesses the hook module  150 ; the magnet  250  attracts the hook  230  so that the hook  230  overcomes a traction force of the spring device  220  and moves up. An inclined plane  232  of the hook  230  contacts the first bezel  310  to push the hook  230  a little bit towards the rear of the computer. The magnet  250  continually attracts the hook  230  until the inclined plane  232  passes through the first bezel  310  and an opening  235  of the hook  230  reaches the position of the first bezel  310 . The first bezel  310  passes through the opening  235  due to the magnetic force of the magnet  250  so that the hook  230  moves a little bit towards the front of the computer. Accordingly, the first bezel  310  locks the hook  230 . Therefore, the lock module  140  and the hook module  150  constitute a stable connection so that the computer display is effectively locked on the computer base.  
         [0034]    When the user wishes to open the computer display, the first step is to press down the release button  240 . In the meantime, the release button  240  pushes the hook  230  towards the rear of the computer so that the opening  235  releases from the first bezel  310 , and the lock module  140  and the hook module  150  are separated from each other. After the user moves the display up, the hook  230  loses the attraction force from the magnet  250  and goes back into the hook module base  210  so that the hook  230  hides in the computer base of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. The user only needs to open the display to a desired angle for operating the computer. As the user releases the release button  240 , the release button  240  returns to the initial position, ready for the next operation, due to the spring force of the spring device  260 .  
         [0035]    When the user wishes to input data by hand writing on the computer display, the first step is to turn the computer display 180 degrees and press down the computer display to close the lock module  140  on the hook module  150 . At the same time, the second bezel  320  is turned downward for coupling with the hook  230  and the first bezel  310  is turned upward. In the meantime, the hook  230  overcomes a traction force of the spring device  220  and moves up due to the magnetic force of the magnet  250 . The inclined plane  232  of the hook  230  contacts the second bezel  320  to push the hook  230  a little bit towards the rear of the computer. The magnet  250  continually attracts the hook  230  until the inclined plane  232  passes through the second bezel  320  and the opening  235  of the hook  230  reaches the position of the second bezel  320 . The second bezel  320  goes through the opening  235  due to the magnetic force of the magnet  250  so that the hook  230  moves a little bit towards the front of the computer. Accordingly, the second bezel  320  locks the hook  230 . Therefore, the lock module  140  and the hook module  150  constitute a stable connecting condition so that the computer display is effectively locked on the computer base. Furthermore, the user may immediately input the information on the display by handwriting or demonstrate any images thereon.  
         [0036]    When the user wishes to release the computer display, as described in the foregoing, the first step is to press down the release button  240 . In the meantime, the release button  240  pushes the hook  230  toward the rear of the computer so that the opening  235  releases from the second bezel  320  and the lock module  140  and the hook module  150  are isolated from each other. After the user moves the display up, the hook  230  is no longer attracted by the magnet  250  and goes back into the hook module base  210  so that the hook  230  hides in the computer base of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. As the user releases the release button  240 , the release button  240  returns to the initial position, in preparation for subsequent use, due to the spring force of the spring device  260 .  
         [0037]    The magnetic locking device according to the present invention utilizes a lock module with a double-side opening easily to lock the computer display with the computer base of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer so that the computer display may effectively close on the computer base to protect the display from damage and effectively lock on the computer base to stabilize the computer display on the computer base for the convenience of the user when inputting information by hand writing and furthermore displays images thereon without shaking.  
         [0038]    The magnetic locking device according to the present invention further utilizes the magnet attraction force effectively to couple the hook on the first bezel or the second bezel. The hook is also hidden in the computer base to prevent the user from an uncomfortable keyboard input environment. Since the hook hiding in the computer base while the display is opened, the appearance of the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer is improved.  
         [0039]    Therefore, the magnetic locking device according to the present invention not only steadies and locks the display but also improve aesthetic perception of the appearance. The magnetic locking device according to the present invention is not limited in use to the notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer; any product and any equipment with a double-side upper cover to be opened and closed may utilize the magnetic locking device. As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of the present invention rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended that various modifications and similar arrangements be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.