Abstract:
A portable computer includes a cover ( 1 ) unit and a base unit ( 2 ) connected with the cover unit. The cover unit includes a movable latch member ( 30 ), and a driving button ( 40 ). The latch member includes a pair of slanted slots ( 34 ) defined therein. The driving button includes a pair of driving posts ( 44 ) moving in the slanted slots. The cover unit is latched to the base unit via the latch member to cover the base unit and unlatched from the base unit via moving the latch member by manipulation of the driving button.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Related subject matter is disclosed in a co-pending U.S. patent application having a Ser. No. 11/188,548, filed on Jul. 25, 2005 and entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER HAVING IMPROVED LATCH MECHANISM”, assigned to the same assignee with this application, and a co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER HAVING IMPROVED LATCH MECHANISM”, also assigned to the same assignee with this application with an application Ser. No. 11/272,531, filed on Nov. 10, 2005. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a portable computer, and more particularly to a portable computer which includes a reliable latch mechanism. 
     2. General Background 
     Portable computers, such as laptop computers and notebook computers, have become increasingly popular for general use. Generally, a portable computer includes a cover unit, and a base unit pivotally connected with the cover unit. The cover unit is folded onto the base unit to cover the base unit when the portable computer is not in use. A latch mechanism is provided to lock the cover unit to the base unit. 
     As disclosed in China Patent No. 01208955.9, a portable computer includes a latch mechanism which acts to lock a cover unit to a base unit when the portable computer is not in use. The latch mechanism includes a hook for engaging the base unit, and a post movably embedded in the base unit for disengaging the hook from the base unit. An end portion of the post is exposed outside the base unit for facilitating pushing the post to disengage the hook from the base unit. However, the end portion of the post is liable to be accidentally touched resulting in undesired opening of the cover unit. 
     What is desired, therefore, is a portable computer which has an improved reliable latch mechanism. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one preferred embodiment, a portable computer includes a cover unit and a base unit connected with the cover unit. The cover unit includes a movable latch member, and a driving button. The latch member includes a pair of slanted slots. The driving button includes a pair of driving posts moving in the slanted slots. The cover unit is latched to the base unit via the latch member to cover the base unit and unlatched from the base unit via moving the latch member by manipulation of the driving button. 
     Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a portable computer in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable computer including a base unit, a cover unit and a latch mechanism; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged isometric view of a part of the cover unit and the latch mechanism of  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect; 
         FIG. 3  is an assembled views of  FIG. 2 , showing the latch mechanism in a locking state; 
         FIG. 4  is an assembled view of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, isometric view of a part of a cover unit and a latch mechanism of a portable computer in according with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portable electronic device like a portable computer in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cover unit  1  and a base unit  2  pivotally connected to a rear portion of the cover unit  1 . The cover unit  1  includes a latch mechanism disposed at a front portion thereof for locking the cover unit  1  to the base unit  2  when the portable computer is not in use. 
     The latch mechanism includes a latch member  30 , and a driving button  40  generally disposed at an external surface of the cover unit  1  for facilitating manipulating the latch mechanism. 
     The cover unit  1  includes a panel  10  and a housing  20 . A pair of spaced threaded holes  11  is defined in an internal side of the panel  10  adjacent a front edge of the panel  10 . A cutout  15  is defined in the panel  10  by cutting rearward from the front edge thereof, between the threaded holes  11 . A pair of tabs  14  each with a through hole  140  defined therein is formed at a left side portion of the cutout  15 . A hook  152  extends from an inner edge portion of the cutout  15 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 1 , a pair of first apertures  21  is defined in the housing  20 . 
     Referring to FIG  2 , the latch member  30  includes a longitudinal body defining a pair of slots  37  in two opposite ends thereof, each slot  37  corresponding to a respective threaded hole  11  of the panel  10 . A pair of rightward hooks  32  is arranged adjacent the slots  37 , and corresponding to respective apertures  21  of the housing  20 . A protrusion  33  extrudes from a middle portion of the latch member  30 . A pair of grooves  34  is leftwardly and slantedly defined in the protrusion  33 . A shaft  35  extrudes from a side portion of the protrusion  33 , corresponding to the through holes  140  of the tabs  14  of the panel  10  for attaching a first coil spring  31 . 
     A handgrip portion  41  is defined in the driving button  40 . A pair of posts  44  extends perpendicularly from the inner portion of the driving button  40 , beside the handgrip portion  41 . A threaded hole  440  is defined in each of the posts  44 . A supporting shoulder  45  is formed in a bottom portion of each of the posts  44 . A height of the shoulder  45  is approximately equal to that of the panel  10 , and a width of the shoulder  45  is slightly greater than that of each groove  34  of the latch member  30 . A first channel  421 , and a second channel  422  are defined in the inner portion of the driving button  40 , at two ends of the recess  411  respectively. The first channel  421  aligns with the second channel  422 . A pin  43  extends from the driving button  40  beside an end of the channel  422 , together with the hook  152  of the panel  10  for attaching a second coil spring  47  therebetween. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the base  2  defines a pair of apertures  22  at a front portion thereof corresponding to the hooks  32  of the latch member  30  respectively as complementary parts of the latch member  30 . 
     In assembly, the latch member  30  is slidably attached to the panel  10 , with two fasteners  57  extending through the slots  37  and engaging in the threaded holes  11  respectively. The first coil spring  31  is fixed around the shaft  35  of the bracket  30  and the shaft  351  is extended through the through holes  140  of the tabs  14 . The driving button  40  is attached to the panel  10  and the latch member  30 . The driving button  40  engages an external surface of the panel  10  and overlaps the cutout  15  of the panel  10 . The posts  44  of the driving button  40  are respectively extended through the grooves  34  of the latch member  30  and engaged with two fasteners  36 . Two free ends of the second coil spring  47  respectively engage with the hook  152  and the pin  43 , with the coil spring slidably along the second channel  422  and the hook  152  slidably along the first channel  421 . 
     The housing  20  is then assembled with the panel  10  to form the cover unit  1 , and the hooks  32  of the latch member  30  protrude outward from the apertures  21  of the housing  20  respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cover unit  1  is pivotally attached to the base unit  2 , and the cover unit  1  is folded to cover the base  2 , with hooks  32  engaging in the apertures  22  and latching the base unit  2 . 
     To open the cover unit  1  from the base unit  2 , the handgrip portion  41  is drawn in a direction away from the panel  10 . Accordingly, the driving button  40  is moved outwardly. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second coil spring  47  is stretched. The posts  44  of the driving button  40  slide from inner ends of the grooves  34  to outer ends of the grooves  34 . The latch member  30  is moved to depress the first coil spring  31  in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, with the fasteners  57  sliding in the slots  37 . The hooks  32  are thereby disengaged from the apertures  22  of the base unit  2  respectively. The cover unit  1  is ready to be opened. When the driving button  40  is released, the first coil spring  31  is restored to move the latch member  30  back to its original position, and the second coil spring  47  is restored to move driving button  40  back to its original position respectively. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 5 , a second preferred embodiment of the latch mechanism includes a latch member  50 , and a driving button  60 . A pair of grooves  54  is righttwardly and slantedly defined in the latch member  50 . The driving button  60  includes a block  62  with a shaft  64  perpendicularly extending from the block  62 . A coil spring  55  is fixed around the shaft  64  and is depressed by the block  62 . 
     It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiment.