Abstract:
A locking device includes a case defining at least one slot therein, a hook module including at least one hook for passing through the at least one slot, a linkage module includes at least one first lever configured for shifting the at least one hook to move between a locking position and a releasing position, and a positioning module for releasably engaging with the first lever. When the at least one hook is shifted to the releasing position, the first lever is blocked by the positioning module, when the at least one hook is shifted to the locking position, the first lever is released by the positioning module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to locking assemblies and, more particularly, to a locking device for a docking station. 
         [0003]    2. Description of related art 
         [0004]    Portable computers, such as notebook computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs), are popular and commonly used devices that provide users with mobile computing power in small, lightweight, portable packages. The portable computer usually offers less functions than a desktop computer because the portable computer may lack certain peripheral devices (e.g. a CD-ROM drive or a floppy drive). 
         [0005]    A docking station has been developed to enhance and extend functions found in a desktop computer to a portable computer. The docking station typically provides a plurality of hooks engaging in a plurality of corresponding holes defined in the portable computer, thus, establishing a stable mechanical fixation between the portable computer and the docking station. Therefore, undesired divorces between the portable computer and the docking station are prevented. A release button is pressed to make the hooks separate from the holes when the portable computer is removed from the docking station. 
         [0006]    However, a continuance of the pressure on the release button applied by a hand of a user is unavoidable before the portable computer is entirely removed from the docking station by another hand of the user. Obviously, the user cannot withdraw the hand pressing the release button while another hand holding the portable computer during the divorce between the portable computer from the docking station. Therefore, great inconvenience is generated. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a locking device for a docking station with a higher convenience is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A locking device includes a case defining at least one slot therein, a hook module including at least one hook for passing through the at least one slot, a linkage module includes at least one first lever configured for shifting the at least one hook to move between a locking position and a releasing position, and a positioning module for releasably engaging with the first lever. When the at least one hook is shifted to the releasing position, the first lever is blocked by the positioning module, when the at least one hook is shifted to the locking position, the first lever is released by the positioning module. 
         [0009]    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 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a locking device for a docking station in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, isometric view of the locking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is another exploded, isometric view of the locking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, enlarged, isometric view of a positioning module of the locking device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exploded, enlarged, isometric view of a positioning module of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a detecting pin of the positioning module of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a portable computer and a docking station of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the portable computer incorporating the docking station of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 9A to 9C  are bottom views of the positioning module of  FIG. 3 , showing relative movements of a positioning portion and a detecting portion; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a docking station employing the locking device of the  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    In the following embodiment, a locking device for a docking station is used as an example for illustration. It is noted that docking station in the embodiment may be used for portable computers, cell phones, power chargers, or any other portable electronic apparatuses. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a locking device  10  according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The locking device  10  includes a release button  21 , a linkage module  23 , two hook modules  25 , a first spring  27 , a second spring  29 , a positioning module  31  and a case  40 . 
         [0022]    The release button  21  is capable of moving along a first direction Z, and includes a cap  222  for capable of receiving a pressure, a pressing post  224  with a first inclined surface  226  forming thereof, and a plurality of clasps  228 . The pressing post  224  perpendicularly extends from a center of the cap  222  for transmitting the pressure to the linkage module  23 . The first inclined surface  226  forms at a free end of the pressing post  224  opposite to the cap  222  for engaging with the linkage module  23 . The clasps  228  perpendicularly extend from a periphery of the cap  222  for slidably engaging with the case  40 . 
         [0023]    The linkage module  23  includes a first lever  24 , a second lever  26 , and a pair of third levers  28 . The first lever  24  and the pair of third levers  28  are spaced from each other. The first lever  24  is substantially perpendicular to the second lever  26  and parallel to the pair of third levers  28 . The pair of third levers  28  and the first lever  24  are arranged at two opposite sides of the second lever  26 . 
         [0024]    The first lever  24  is movable long a second direction Y, and includes a second inclined surface  242  for engaging with the first inclined surface  226  of the release button  21 , a third inclined surface  244  for engaging with the second lever  26 , a protrusion  248  extending from the first lever  24  along a direction opposite of a third direction X, a first guiding rod  250  extending from the protrusion  248  along a direction reversed to the second direction Y for the first spring  27  to be sleeved/engaged therearound. The second inclined surface  242  and the third inclined surface  244  are formed at two opposite ends of the first lever  24 . Two first guiding slots  246  are defined in the first lever  24  and extend along the second direction Y. 
         [0025]    Referring also to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second lever  26  is movable along the third direction X, and includes a fourth inclined surface  262  for engaging with the third inclined surface  244  of the first lever  24 , a second guiding rod  264  extending from a distal end of the second lever  26  opposite to the fourth inclined surface  262  for the second spring  29  sleeving therearound, and a pair of first mounting posts  270  for slidably mounting a first positioning portion  34 . A second concave  272  is defined on the second lever  26  for receiving a third spring  35 . Three second guiding slots  266  are defined in the second lever  26 , and extend along the third direction X. Two traction slots  268  are cam-like and are defined on the second lever  26  for guiding movements of the pair of third levers  28 . 
         [0026]    The positioning module  31  includes the first positioning portion  34 , the third spring  35 , a second positioning portion  36 , and a fourth spring  37 . The first positioning portion  34  is substantially T-shaped, and includes a first plate  342 , a second plate  343  perpendicularly attached to an edge of the first plate  342 , and a first rack  344  positioned on the second plate  342  for engaging with the second positioning portion  36 . A first angle β is defined between an elongated direction of the first rack  344  and the first plate  342 . The first angle β is greater that 0 degree and less than 90 degrees. A pair of third guiding slots  346  are defined on the two opposite side of the first plate  342  for the first mounting posts  270  to be slidably engaged in. The third spring  35  is accommodated in the second concave  272 , and interconnects an inner side of the second concave  272  and the first positioning portion  34  with its two opposite ends. The second positioning portion  36  includes a detecting pin  362  for detecting whether a portable computer  50  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) is loaded, a base  364  for mounting the detecting pin  362 , a second rack  366  arranged at a sidewall of the base  364  for engaging with the first rack  344 . A second angle θ is defined between an elongated direction of the second rack  366  and the base  364  that equals to the first angle β. That is, the second rack  366  conforms to the first rack  344 . When the first rack  344  engages the second rack  366 , two component of forces are generated along the first direction Z and the third direction X respectively. A third concave  368  is defined on the base  364  opposite to the detecting pin  362  for accommodating the forth spring  37 . 
         [0027]    Referring also to  FIG. 6 , each of the pair of third levers  28  includes a sliding pin  282  perpendicularly extending from one end of the third lever  28  for engaging in the traction slot  268 . A retaining ring  284  is defined in an opposite end of the third lever  28  for engaging with the hook module  25 . Each hook module  25  includes a hook  30 , a torsion spring  32 , and a mounting cover  33 . The hook  30  includes a hook end  302 , and an opposite pivot end  304  for the hook end  302  to rotate around. The hook end  302  extends through the retaining ring  284 . The mounting cover  33  secures the hook  30  onto an inner side of the case  40 . 
         [0028]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the case  40  defines a first concave  42  for receiving the release button  21 , two inserting slots  44  for the corresponding hook end  302  of the hook module  25  to be inserted through correspondingly, a through hole  46  for the detecting pin  362  of the second positioning portion  36  inserting therethrough. 
         [0029]    Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the case  40 , viewed from its inner side, includes two second mounting posts  412 , a first blocking sheet  414 , three third mounting posts  416 , a second blocking sheet  418 , a positioning base  420 , and two mounting base  422  corresponding to the mounting covers  33 . The two second mounting posts  412  are arranged along the second direction Y for engaging in the first guiding slots  246  correspondingly. The first blocking sheet  414  supports a free end of the first guiding rod  250 , and blocks the first spring  27  between the protrusion  248  of the first lever  24  and the first blocking sheet  414 . The three third mounting posts  416  are arranged along the third direction X for engaging in the second guiding slots  266  correspondingly. A second blocking sheet  418  supports a free end of the second guiding rod  264 , and blocks the second spring  29  between the end of the second lever  26  and the second blocking sheet  418 . The positioning base  420  is substantially U-shaped for enclosing the second positioning portion  36 . Each mounting base  422  defines two bearing portions  424  for rotatably supporting the pivot end  304  of the hook  30 , and is capable of being covered by the mounting cover  33 . The torsion spring  32  interconnects the hook  30  and the mounting base  422  for applying a torsion force to the hook  30  to drive the hook end  302  to rotate away from the second lever  26 . 
         [0030]    Referring also to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an assembly of a portable computer  50  and the locking device  10  is illustrated. The portable computer  50  defines two hook holes  502  at its bottom. Each of the hook holes  502  conforms to the hook  30  and is defined as an L-shaped for the hook  30  to engage in. Before the portable computer  50  is loaded onto the locking device  10 , the detecting pin  362  of the second positioning portion  36  is at a released state, and most of the detecting pin  362  extends out from the case  40 . When the portable computer  50  is placed on the case  40 , the detecting pin  362  is pressed to move along a direction contrary to the first direction Z, and retracts into the case  40 . The hook ends  302  of the hooks  30  are rotated to insert into the hook holes  502  by pressures applied via corresponding edges of the hook holes  502 . The portable computer  50  can thus be locked to the case  40  by the hook  30 . During this time, the first rack  344  of the first positioning portion  34  and the second rack  366  of the second positioning portion  36  continuously separate from each other, and the linkage module  23  stays at its original position. 
         [0031]    When a removal of the portable computer  50  is desired, the release button  21  is pressed along the direction contrary to the first direction Z. The first inclined surface  226  of the pressing post  224  is driven to press the second inclined surface  242  of the first lever  24 . The first lever  24  is thus driven to move along the direction contrary to the second direction Y due to a guidance of the two first posts  412 . At the same time, the first spring  27  is compressed to store potential energy. The third inclined surface of the first lever  24  presses the fourth inclined surface  262  of the second lever  26 . The second lever  26  is thus driven to move along the direction contrary to the third direction X due to a guidance of the three second posts  416 . At the same time, the second spring  29  is compressed to store potential energy. The third lever  28  is driven to move along the second direction Y because of engagements between the sliding pin  282  and the traction slots  268 . The hooks  30  are thus driven to rotate about their own pivot ends  304  to so as to allow the hook holes  502  to be blocked because torsion provided by the torsion springs  32  are balanced by the third lever  28 . The first rack  344  of the first positioning portion  34  is blocked by the second rack  366  of the second positioning portion  36  before the detecting pin  362  returns to the released state. The hand (not shown) actuating the release button  21  can be released when the portable computer  50  is removed from the case  40 . 
         [0032]    Referring back to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and also to  FIGS. 9A to 9C , detail description of the engagement of the second positioning portion  36  and the first positioning portion  34  is provided as follows. When the detecting pin  362  of the second positioning portion  36  is retracted into the case  40 , the second rack  366  moves downwardly to align the first rack  344 . When the second lever  26  is driven to move along the direction contrary to the third direction X, the first positioning portion  34  moves along with the second lever  26 . When the first rack  344  is driven to contact the second rack  366 , the third spring  35  is compressed to withdraw the first rack  344  into the second concave  272  in order to get out of the way for the second rack  366 . After the first rack  344  passes over the second rack  366 , the third spring is restored to urge the first rack  344  to move toward the second positioning portion  36 . The first rack  344  is thus blocked by the second rack  366 . The second lever  26  is capable of to continually pull the third levers  28  due to the interaction between the sliding posts  282  and the traction slots  268 . The hook ends  302  are driven to release the hook holes  502  because of the pulling force transmitted by the third levers  28 . 
         [0033]    After the portable computer  50  is removed from the case  40 , the fourth spring  37  is released and urges the second positioning portion  36  to move along the first direction Z. The second rack  366  separates from the first rack  344 . The first positioning portion  34  is released. The second lever  26  is urged by the second spring  29  to move along the third direction X. The third levers  28  is thus released and moved along the direction contrary to the second direction Y. The hook  30  is released, and is urged by the torsion spring  32  to reverse the hook end  302 . Finally, the locking device  10  returns to its original state. 
         [0034]    Referring also to  FIG. 10 , a docking station  60  employing the locking device  10  is illustrated. The case  40  of the locking device  10  is suitable for being used as a housing  62  of the docking station  60 . The docking station  60  further includes a connecter  64  that passes through an opening  48  defined on the case  40  for transmitting electrical signals. 
         [0035]    In alternative embodiments, the first lever  24  may be omitted since the release button  21  may directly engage with the second lever  26 . The release button  21  may also be positioned in a sidewall of the case  40  in a manner so as to actuate the second lever  26 . The individual release button  21  may be replaced by constructing a handle that is integrated with the second lever  26 . The pair of third levers  28  may be replaced by a structure such a pair of large-size slots defined in the second lever  26  that may be inserted through by the hook  30 . Therefore, the hook  30  can be directly driven to rotate by the second lever  26 . Fixing positions of the first positioning portion  34  and the second positioning portion  36  may be altered. That is, the first positioning portion  34  may be secured to the case  40  or the like, the second positioning portion  36  may be mounted to the second lever  26 . 
         [0036]    The embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements and advantages may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should be deemed not to be limited to the above detailed description, but rather by the spirit and scope of the claims that follow, and their equivalents.