Abstract:
An electric release fastening device for a thin-profile space has a fingerprint identifier, a micro drive motor, a change gear set, an electric controller, an electric battery, a moveable fastening cassette, a fastening cassette control unit and a locking locator. When the fingerprint identifier reads the correct identification information, the micro drive motor is ordered by the electric controller to drive the change gear set, and then change the position of the fastening cassette control unit. This switches the positioning or release state between the moveable fastening cassette and the locking locator, and controls or electrically releases the product cover. With this configuration, the electric release fastening device can be assembled into thin-profile spaces with improved applicability.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a fastening device, and more particularly to an innovative one which is configured into an electric release type mounted into a thin-profile space. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
     The fastening device is widely applied to the “open/close” structure of various products, enabling users to control the positioning or release state of the product enclosure. 
     A conventional fastening device is generally configured with a mechanical drive control mode, allowing the user to position and release the fastening device via a preset operating mode (e.g.: pressing, pushing and rotating). That is to say, such fastening devices lack a locking function. Yet, the existing fastening device is combined with several types of locking devices such as a number lock. However, such a combined structure has a shortcoming of bigger space, making it difficult to adapt to thin-profile products. 
     With the development of products towards lightweight and compactness, there is a huge demand for a combined electric fastening device, but an important technical concern is how to develop a thin-profile structure for the applications. 
     Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy. 
     Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate experimentation and evaluation based on years of experience in the production and development of related products. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The enhanced efficacy of the present invention is as follows: 
     Based on the unique configuration of the present invention wherein the “electric release fastening device for thin-profile space” mainly comprises a fingerprint identifier, a micro drive motor, a change gear set, an electric controller, an electric battery, a moveable fastening cassette, a fastening cassette control unit and a locking locator, the electric release fastening device can be assembled into thin-profile space for a wider range of applications with improved applicability. 
     The improvements brought about by this invention are as follows: 
     Based on the structural configuration wherein the casing is provided with a cover jacking member at exterior of the moveable fastening cassette, the cover can be pushed open under release state, enabling users to open it more easily. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a partially enlarged view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view wherein the casing and cover are opened under the structural combination of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic view wherein the casing and cover are closed under the structural combination of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of the present invention wherein the fastening cassette control unit is under a positioning state. 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled cover jacking member of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the present invention wherein the fastening cassette control unit is under a positioning state. 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of the present invention wherein the fastening cassette control unit is driven by the change gear set. 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of the present invention wherein the fastening cassette control unit is under a release state. 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of the present invention wherein the moveable fastening cassette is disengaged from the locking locator. 
         FIG. 11  shows a schematic view of the present invention wherein the cover is supported open by the cover jacking member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  depict preferred embodiments of an electric release fastening device of the present invention, which are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims. Said electric release fastening device is mounted into a thin-profile space  13  preset in the casing  11  and cover  12  of a product  10  (a solid purse), and used to control and switch the positioning and release mode of the casing  11  and cover  12 . Said electric release fastening device A includes a fingerprint identifier  20 , mounted into either of the casing  11  or the cover  12 . The fingerprint identifier  20  is provided with an exposed scanner head  21  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     A micro drive motor  30  is mounted into the thin-profile space  13  as a driving source. The micro drive motor  30  is provided with an output screw  31 . 
     A change gear set  40  is mounted into the thin-profile space  13 . The change gear set  40  includes a start gear  41 , an end gear  42  and a plurality of change gears  43  defined between the start gear  41  and end gear  42 . Of which, the start gear  41  is meshed and driven by the output screw  31  of the micro drive motor  30 , and a driving portion  44  is protruded from one side of the end gear  42 . 
     An electric controller  50  is mounted into the thin-profile space  13 , which includes a circuit board  51 , a processor  52  and an electric control component  53 . The electric controller  50  is electrically connected with the fingerprint identifier  20  and the micro drive motor  30 , enabling it to control the micro drive motor  30  according to the sensing signal of the fingerprint identifier  20 . 
     An electric battery  60  is mounted into the thin-profile space  13  and electrically connected with the electric controller  50 , thus providing electric power to the fingerprint identifier  20 , micro drive motor  30  and electric controller  50 . 
     A moveable fastening cassette  70  is mounted onto one side of the casing  11  (or cover  12 ) in a moveable state. The moveable fastening cassette  70  includes at least one moveable fastening portion  71  and a release control portion  72 . The moveable fastening portion  71  is protruded towards the cover  12 . 
     A fastening cassette control unit  80  is mounted between the end gear  42  of the change gear set  40  and the moveable fastening cassette  70  in a moveable state. The fastening cassette control unit  80  includes a driven end  81 , a positioning portion  82  and a resetter  83 . The driven end  81  can be driven by the driving portion  44  of the end gear  42 , while the positioning portion  82  is mated with the release control portion  72  of the moveable fastening cassette  70  to switch the positioning and displacement state of the moveable fastening cassette  70 . The resetter  83  enables automatic resetting of the fastening cassette control unit  80 . 
     At least one locking locator  90  is mounted at one side of the cover  12  (or casing  11 ). The locking locator  90  enables locking of the moveable fastening portion  71  of the moveable fastening cassette  70  so as to locate the closing state of the cover  12  and the casing  11 . 
     Of which, the moveable fastening cassette  70  is configured into a curved plate defining a first plate  701  and a second plate  702 . A flanged shaft  73  is set pivotally at both sides of the corner of the curved plate, so that the moveable fastening cassette  70  is in a swinging state. Then, the moveable fastening portion  71  is protruded from the end of the first plate  701 , and the release control portion  72  is set at one side of the second plate  702  in a semi-circular groove pattern. The driven end  81  of the fastening cassette control unit  80  is configured into a hooked pattern, the driving portion  44  of the end gear  42  is configured into a bulging pattern, and the positioning portion  82  of the fastening cassette control unit  80  is configured into an expanded cylindrical pattern that is mated with the release control portion  72  of a semi-circular groove pattern. The resetter  83  of the fastening cassette control unit  80  is made of a helical spring. 
     A power-off sensing switch  84  is arranged in the thin-profile space  13  correspondingly to the driven end  81  of the fastening cassette control unit  80 . The power-off sensing switch  84  is electrically connected with the electric controller  50 . When the driven end  81  shifts to the preset location, it touches the power-off sensing switch  84  to generate a power-off signal, enabling stop of the micro drive motor  30 . 
     The casing  11  is provided with a cover jacking member  91  exterior of the moveable fastening cassette  70 . The cover jacking member  91  includes a moveable top plate  913  and an elastic supporting member  915 , of which the moveable top plate  913  can be elastically protruded to push the cover  12  via the elastic supporting member  915 . 
     Of which, a buzzer  54  is mounted into the thin-profile space  13 , and electrically connected with the electric controller  50 , allowing to send out alarming buzz under setting states. There are available with several setting modes, For example, the fingerprint identifier  20  sends out alarming buzz after sensing failures three times. Alternatively, it can be connected with a shock sensor, permitting it to send out alarming buzz and prevent the malicious behavior of others in the event of violent shock of the product. 
     The locking locator  90  can be prefabricated (plastic molding) onto the cover  12  (or casing  11 ). Alternatively, the locking locator  90  made of metal material is buried into the plastic cover  12  (or casing  11 ). 
     Based on the above-specified structural configuration, the present invention is operated as follows: 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a plane view of the present invention is shown wherein the fastening cassette control unit  80  is under a positioning state. In such a case, the fastening cassette control unit  80  is reset leftwards under the elastic support of the resetter  83 . Then the positioning portion  82  is aligned to mate with the release control portion  72  of the moveable fastening cassette  70 , so that the moveable fastening cassette  70  can be fixed securely, and the moveable fastening portion  71  can be rigidly locked onto the locking locator  90  of the cover  12 . 
     When it is intended to release and open the cover  12 , users can press their fingers onto the scanner head  21  of the fingerprint identifier  20  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) for fingerprint scanning. If the fingerprint scanning result matches the default value of the electric controller  50 , the electric controller  50  will give an order to start the micro drive motor  30 , and then drive the change gear set  40  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ). Referring also to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , with the rotation of the end gear  42 , the protruded driving portion  44  will push the driven end  81  of the fastening cassette control unit  80  during the circumferential displacement, and drive the positioning portion  82  to shift rightwards (shown by arrow L 1 ), so the positioning portion  82  is disengaged from the release control portion  72  of the moveable fastening cassette  70 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the second plate  702  of the moveable fastening cassette  70  will swing downwards (shown by arrow L 2 ), so the moveable fastening portion  71  at the end of the first plate  701  swings rightwards (shown by arrow L 3 ), and is then disengaged from the locking locator  90  of the cover  12 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 11 , with the disengagement of the moveable fastening portion  71  from the locking locator  90 , the moveable top plate  913  of the elastic supporting member  915  is protruded elastically to push the cover  12  with the help of elastic supporting member  915  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Referring also to  FIG. 9 , the rotating end gear  42  drives the driving portion  44  to shift to an angular position, so the driven end  81  of the fastening cassette control unit  80  will touch the power-off sensing switch  84 , and gives an order to stop the micro drive motor  30  via the electric controller  50 . Of which, when the power-off sensing switch  84  is touched by the driven end  81  of the fastening cassette control unit  80 , the micro drive motor  30  is not stopped immediately, but postponed through the setting of the electric controller  50 . This aims to maintain continuous operation of the change gear set  40 , such that the driving portion  44  of the end gear  42  can shift to the preset location for the driven end  81  of the fastening cassette control unit  80  (shown in  FIG. 8 ), helping to facilitate next release. 
     Additionally, the moveable fastening portion  71  of the moveable fastening cassette  70  and the locking locator  90  are interlocked in one or two groups (two locations) for the same locking efficiency. It should be appreciated that the present invention is capable of various modifications by those skilled in the art. Besides, the moveable top plate  913  of said cover jacking member  91  can be configured into either one or two groups, which can help to push open the cover in the same way.