Abstract:
A connector opening cover unit selectively covers a connector opening to prevent exposing a connector unit inside an electronic device housing. A connector opening is adjacent a device accommodating opening that is selectively openable by a user. A first cover opens and closes the device accommodating opening. A second cover opens and closes the connector opening. The first and second covers are complimentarily locked with each other.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-13800 filed Feb. 28, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a connector opening cover unit of an electronic device, such as a digital video camera (DVC) and a digital still camera (DSC), which covers a connector unit employed for the input of initial set values of the functions, such as zoom center.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     An electronic device, such as a digital camcorder, converts image information captured through a photographing unit into a digital signal, and writes the digital information in a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape or a non-volatile memory. An automatic-setting function has recently been provided for the convenience of users in setting functions, such as light exposure and focusing. To achieve the automatic-setting function, it is necessary to input a variety of necessary operational data to the control part of the electronic device in the fabrication stage of the electronic device. Accordingly, a connector unit is used for the data input in the fabrication stage. However, this connector unit is not to be accessed by general users, and therefore, it is externally covered after fabrication of the electronic device to limit the access of general users.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of fastening a connector unit cover to cover the connector unit of a digital camcorder. As shown, a digital camcorder housing  1  has a connector opening  2  that is integrally formed in the body thereof, and through which a connector unit  3  for the data input is exposed to the outside. The connector unit  3  is connected with predetermined data, and therefore received various set values of the digital camcorder.  
         [0007]     The connector opening  2  exposing the connector unit  3  to the outside has to be covered to prevent access by general users when all the set values are transmitted to the digital camcorder. A connector opening cover  4  is provided to correspond to the connector opening  2 . The connector opening cover  4  is fastened to the digital camera housing  1  by a locking projection  4 ′ formed on a side, and a screw  5  fastened for the prevention of unintended separation.  
         [0008]     According to the construction as described above, because the connector opening cover  4  has to be fastened to the connector opening  2  including therein the connector unit  3  by separate fastening members, such as screws  5 , the volume of the product increases, and the number of parts to be fabricated also increases. Additionally, due to the requirement for the separate fastening members, such as screws  5 , the price of the product also increases.  
         [0009]     Therefore, a need exists for an electronic device having a structurally improved connector opening cover unit that does not require additional tools and fasteners to open and close the cover unit.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector opening cover unit of an electronic device that is structurally improved and capable of covering a connector unit for the input of basic set values during the fabrication stage, without requiring separate fastening members.  
         [0011]     A connector opening cover unit of an electronic device has a connector opening provided in abutment with a device accommodating opening that is selectably openable by the user. A first cover opens and closes the device accommodating opening and a second cover to open and close the connector opening. The first and the second covers are complimentarily locked with each other. The second cover utilizes the space of the device accommodating opening to slide, and is preferably slid to engagement with the first cover along a guide that is protruded from the inner boundary of the connector opening.  
         [0012]     The above aspects and other features of the present invention may substantially be achieved by providing a connector opening cover unit that covers a connector opening of an electronic device housing to prevent externally exposing a connector unit inside the electronic device housing. The connector opening cover unit includes a device accommodating opening that may be selectably opened and closed by a user. A first cover to open and close the device accommodating opening. A connector opening formed in abutment with the device accommodating opening, and having the connector unit received therein. A second cover to open and close the connector opening. The first and the second covers are complimentarily locked with each other.  
         [0013]     The second cover may include a connector opening cover body. A sliding protrusion is formed on both sides of the connector opening cover body to slide the second cover along the connector opening. A guide groove prevents the connector opening cover body from sinking into the connector opening. A first locking tab protrudes from an end of the connector opening cover body in the lengthwise direction. A second locking tab protrudes in opposite relation with respect to the connector opening of the connector opening cover body to restrict the sliding movement of the first cover.  
         [0014]     The first locking tab may be seated in a first receiving groove that is formed in the inner boundary of the connector opening corresponding to the first locking tab.  
         [0015]     The second locking tab may be seated in a second receiving groove that is formed in the electronic device housing corresponding to the second locking tab.  
         [0016]     The connector opening cover body may be slid along a space of the device accommodating opening to cover the connector opening.  
         [0017]     The device accommodating opening may be a secondary battery receiving opening to supply secondary power to the electronic device.  
         [0018]     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The above aspects and features of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a conventional connector opening cover being fastened to an electronic device according to conventional art;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector opening cover unit having first and second covers according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first and second covers of  FIG. 2  before fastening;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the second cover of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the complementary locking of the connector opening cover of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0025]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are plan views of the first cover open and the second cover sliding.  
         [0026]     Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     Certain embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0028]     The matters defined in the description, such as a detailed construction and elements thereof, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions or constructions are omitted for conciseness and clarity.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show a connector opening cover being assembled in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]     More specifically,  FIGS. 2 and 3  show the electronic device housing in which a rechargeable battery mounting unit  10  is provided to supply power to the electronic device, such as a camcorder. The rechargeable battery mounting unit  10  has a secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  in which a secondary battery (not shown) is mounted for the maintenance of basic information of the electronic device. The secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  may be opened and closed by a first cover  20 .  
         [0031]     The first cover  20  includes a cover body  21  aligned with the open side of the secondary battery receiving unit  10   a , a flexible band  22 , and a locking tab  23  ( FIG. 6 ) engaged to an end of the cover body  21 . The flexible band  22  firmly holds the cover body  12  to the rechargeable battery mounting unit  10 , and when the cover body  21  is in open state, acts as a pivot. More specifically, because the flexible band  22  is bent by its own flexibility and acts as a pivot for the movement of the first cover  20 . Thus, the freedom of opening movement of the first cover  20  is increased, and as a result, the user&#39;s convenience in opening the first cover  20  is increased. The locking tab  23  hooks the end of the second cover  100 , which will be described below. The locking tab  23  may be preferably formed on a certain side of the first cover  20  that meets with the second cover  100 . Additionally, an end of the locking tab  23  may preferably be rounded so that less force is required to release the first cover  20  from the second cover  100 .  
         [0032]     A connector opening  10   b  is formed in communication with the secondary battery receiving unit  10   a,  and selectively exposes the connector unit  40 , which is provided for the input of basic set values of respective components of the electronic device. The connector unit  40  is provided for the transfer of basic set values to the electronic device during the fabrication process. Therefore, the connector unit  40  is covered upon completion of the fabricationto limit access by general users. As shown in  FIGS. 2 through 7 , the second cover  100  has a configuration corresponding to the connector opening  10   b  to fittingly cover the connector opening  10   b.    
         [0033]     Specifically referring to  FIG. 4 , the second cover  100  includes a connector opening cover body  110 , a sliding protrusion  120 , a guide groove  130 , a first locking tab  140 , a handgrip recess  510  and a second locking tab  160 .  
         [0034]     The connector opening cover body  110  has a configuration corresponding to the connector opening  10   b , and may preferably have the thickness corresponding to that of the first cover  20 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first cover  20  and the connector opening cover body  110  are formed for complimentary fitting with each other.  
         [0035]     The sliding protrusion  120  is supported by one end on the guiding tab  11  that protrudes from the inner boundary of the connector opening  10   b , and slides along the sliding groove  12  that is formed along the inner boundary of the connector opening  10   b . In one preferable example, the sliding groove  12  and the sliding protrusion  120  may be formed in respectively complimentary configurations.  
         [0036]     The guide groove  130  is formed in a configuration complimentary with the guide  11 , and while the sliding protrusion  120  is slid along the sliding groove  12 , the guiding tab  11  is slid along the guide groove  130 .  
         [0037]     Accordingly, the sliding protrusion  120 , the sliding groove  12 , the guide groove  130  and the guiding tab  11  act as a rail that guides the sliding movement of the second cover  100 , and also prevents the unintended movement of the second cover  100 , such as sinking into or moving out of the housing.  
         [0038]     first locking tab  140  prevents unintended release of the second cover  100 , and more firmly maintains the locking status of the second cover. In one preferred example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a plurality of the first locking tabs  140  may be provided at the lower side of the connector opening cover body  110  facing in a downward direction. In this example, first locking tab receiving holes  14  are formed in the inner boundary of the connector opening  10   b  in locations corresponding to the first locking tabs  140  for engagement with the first locking tabs  140 .  
         [0039]     A handgrip recess  150  is provided for the user to grip on an end of the first cover  20  when releasing the locking tab  23  to open the first cover  20 . The handgrip recess  150  is located at an end of the connector opening cover  110 . In one preferred example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the handgrip recess  150  is formed on an end of the connector opening cover body  110  that contacts the first cover  20 .  
         [0040]     The second locking tab  160  further prevents the second cover  100  from sliding. More specifically, the second locking tab  160  restricts the second cover  100  from sliding when the first cover  20  is opened such that the second cover  100  is slid only when a certain degree of force is exerted by the user. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the second locking tab  160  may be formed on a side opposing the handgrip recess  150 . A second locking tab receiving hole  13  is formed in a corresponding location of the frame defining the rechargeable battery mounting unit  10  to receive the second locking tab  160 .  
         [0041]     Attaching and detaching the second cover  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to accompanying drawings.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the rechargeable battery mounting unit  10  includes a secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  to receive a secondary battery therein and a connector opening  10   b  to externally expose the connector unit  40 , which is provided for the input of basic set values of the electronic device. The secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  is adjacent the connector opening  10   b . The secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  and the connector opening  10   b  are covered by separate cover members. In this example, the secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  is covered by the first cover  20 , and the connector opening  10   b  is covered by the second cover  100 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first cover  20  completely covers the secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  formed in the rechargeable battery mounting unit  10 , in complimentary engagement with the second cover  100 . To open the first cover  20 , the user holds the first cover  20  with a finger on the handgrip recess  150 , and lifts up the first cover  20 . Accordingly, the first cover  20  is opened upward as the locking tab  23  is released from the end of the second cover  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0044]     When the first cover  20  is opened, the second cover  100 , which is slidably fitted to the lower side of the first cover  20 , may be slid upward and removed. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the second cover  100  is restricted from moving upward by the end of the first cover  20  while the first cover  20  is in closed position, which covers the secondary battery receiving unit  10   a . When the first cover  20  is opened, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the second cover  100  is released from the locked position and therefore, becomes upwardly slidable.  
         [0045]     Accordingly, to remove the second cover  100  the first cover  20  is opened, and with the secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  in the opened position, the second cover  100  is slid in the direction indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 6 , thereby separating the second cover from the connector opening  10   b  as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0046]     Attaching the second cover  100  to cover the connector opening  10   b  is performed substantially reversing the above described process. That is, with the first cover  20  in the opened position, the second cover  100  is positioned toward the secondary battery receiving unit  10   a  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The second cover  100  is then moved toward the end of the connector opening  10   b , that is, to the closed position so that the sliding protrusion  120  may be slid along the sliding groove  12 . The second cover  100  is until the sliding protrusion  120  is proximal the upper side of the guiding tab  11  and the guiding tab  11  is seated in the guide groove  130  of the second cover  100 .  
         [0047]     When the second cover  100  is slid to the closed position of the connector opening  10   b , the first locking tab  140  and the second locking tab  160  are respectively seated in the corresponding receiving holes  14  and  13 , and as a result, the second cover  100  is fixed in the closed position.  
         [0048]     With the connector opening cover unit as described above in a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first and the second covers  20  and  100  are complimentarily locked with each other, and therefore, the inconvenience of using separate locking members or separate tools, such as a driver to fix the second cover  100 , is prevented. Additionally, breakage of a locking unit due to repeatedly opening and closing the second cover  100  is prevented.  
         [0049]     According to the present invention, a connector opening cover unit includes a first cover to open and close the secondary battery receiving unit and a second cover to open and close the connector opening, and the first and the second covers are complimentarily engaged with each other. Because separate fastening means is not required to cover the connector opening according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the number of fabricated parts is reduced, and the manufacturing costs are greatly reduced.  
         [0050]     The foregoing embodiment and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching may be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.