Abstract:
A portable electronic device includes a first display portion, a second display portion, and at least a replaceable casing. The second display portion is pivotally connected to the first display portion. The first display portion and the second display portion turn relative to each other. The replaceable casing is coupled to the first display portion and/or the second display portion. The portable electronic device with the at least a replaceable casing enables users to change the at least a replaceable casing that comes in different colors and styles to meet user needs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §  119 (a) on Patent Application No(s).100145571 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Dec. 9, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to portable electronic devices, and more particularly, to a portable electronic device capable of changing a casing thereof independently. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Technological advancement is accompanied by increasingly great demand for portable electronic devices. Functions and appearance of portable electronic devices are ever-changing to satisfy every taste, including the need for personalized design and uniqueness among emerging consumers—one of the current market trends. 
         [0004]    A typical conventional portable electronic device is equipped with a casing and a screen which are fixed to each other. Hence, at the moment of its delivery, the conventional portable electronic device features an invariable appearance. Although the casings of the conventional portable electronic devices come in different colors and styles, users cannot change the casings according to user preference. 
         [0005]    Likewise, users cannot change a scratched or damaged casing of the conventional portable electronic device on their own. To change the scratched or damaged casing, the users have to send the conventional portable electronic device in its entirety to the manufacturer for maintenance; however, doing so incurs costs and is time-consuming 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is imperative to devise a portable electronic device with a casing that can be changed by users as needed and independently so as to alter the appearance of the portable electronic device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In view of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, the inventor of the present invention conceives room for improvement in the prior art and thus conducted extensive researches and experiments according to the inventor&#39;s years of experience in the related industry, and finally developed a portable electronic device as disclosed in the present invention to enable users to change the casing of the portable electronic device as needed and independently so as to alter the appearance of the portable electronic device. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a portable electronic device comprising a first display portion; a second display portion pivotally connected to the first display portion, allowing the first display portion and the second display portion to turn relative to each other; and at least a replaceable casing coupled to at least one of the first display portion and the second display portion. 
         [0009]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the first display portion has a first body and a first display unit, such that the first display unit and the replaceable casing can be disposed at the first body. 
         [0010]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the second display portion has a second body and a second display unit, such that the second display unit and the replaceable casing are disposed on the second body. 
         [0011]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the replaceable casing has a removable coupling unit, and the display portions have a removable coupling unit each, such that the replaceable casing and the first display portion can be coupled together, and the replaceable casing and the second display portion can be coupled together. 
         [0012]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the replaceable casing has a positioning unit, and the display portions have a positioning unit each, such that the replaceable casing and the first display portion are positioned relative to each other, and the replaceable casing and the second display portion are positioned relative to each other. 
         [0013]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the replaceable casing has a removable coupling unit, and the body has a removable coupling unit, such that the replaceable casing and the first body can be coupled together, and the replaceable casing and the second body can be coupled together. 
         [0014]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the replaceable casing has a positioning unit, and the body has another positioning unit, such that the replaceable casing and the first body are positioned relative to each other, and the replaceable casing and the second body are positioned relative to each other. 
         [0015]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the removable coupling units are flange and groove, resilient hook and coupling hole, or coupling hole and resilient hook. 
         [0016]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the removable coupling units are magnetic body and magnet, magnet and magnetic body, N-pole magnet and S-pole magnet, or S-pole magnet and N-pole magnet. 
         [0017]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the positioning units are either positioning post and positioning recess or positioning recess and positioning post. 
         [0018]    Regarding the portable electronic device, the display portions each have a disassembly recess adjacent to the replaceable casing. 
         [0019]    Accordingly, a portable electronic device of the present invention enables users to change a replaceable casing that comes in different colors and styles to meet user needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0020]    Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a portable electronic device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is another schematic view of the portable electronic device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the portable electronic device with a replaceable casing and a display portion before the coupling thereof according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is another schematic view of the portable electronic device with a replaceable casing and a display portion before the coupling thereof according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is yet another schematic view of the portable electronic device with a replaceable casing and a display portion before the coupling thereof according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the portable electronic device with a replaceable casing and a display portion after the coupling thereof according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, showing that the replaceable casing extends outward on all sides of the display portion; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the portable electronic device with display portions having disassembly recesses according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic view of a portable electronic device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, a portable electronic device of the present invention comprises a first display portion  100 , a second display portion  200 , and at least one replaceable casing  101 . The second display portion  200  is pivotally connected to the first display portion  100 . The first display portion  100  and the second display portion  200  can turn relative to each other to form a portable electronic device capable of opening and shutting. The replaceable casing  101  is coupled to at least one of the first display portion  100  and the second display portion  200 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown another schematic view of the portable electronic device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the portable electronic device further comprises another replaceable casing  101  disposed at the second display portion  200 . 
         [0030]    In the above embodiment, the first display portion  100  has a first body  102  and a first display unit  103 . The first display unit  103  and the replaceable casing  101  are disposed on an outer wall surface  104  of the first body  102 . The second display portion  200  has a second body  202  and a second display unit  203 . The second display unit  203  and the other replaceable casing  101  are disposed on an outer wall surface  204  of the second body  202 . The first display unit  103  and the second display unit  203  are liquid crystal displays (LCD) or light-emitting diode (LED) displays. The first body  102  and the second body  202  accommodate electronic components, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a central processing unit (CPU), or a circuit board (not shown). 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 5 , there are shown schematic views of the portable electronic device with the replaceable casing  101  and the first display portion  100  before the coupling thereof according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawings, the replaceable casing  101  has a first removable coupling unit  108 , whereas the first display portion  100  has a third removable coupling unit  109 . The replaceable casing  101  and the first display portion  100  are coupled to each other by means of the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109 . The third removable coupling unit  109  can also be disposed on the first body  102 . The replaceable casing  101  and the first body  102  are coupled to each other by means of the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109 . 
         [0032]    Although  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 5  mainly illustrate the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109  of the replaceable casing  101 , the first display portion  100 , and the first body  102 , the drawings also apply to a second removable coupling unit and a fourth removable coupling unit of the other replaceable casing  101 , the second display portion  200 , and the second body  202 . The second removable coupling unit and the fourth removable coupling unit of the second body  202  are equivalent to the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109 , respectively. 
         [0033]    In the above embodiment, the replaceable casing  101  further comprises a first positioning unit  128 , and the first display portion  100  further comprises a third positioning unit  129 , such that the replaceable casing  101  and the first display portion  100  are engaged with each other by means of the first positioning unit  128  and the third positioning unit  129 . Furthermore, it is feasible that the third positioning unit  129  is disposed on the first body  102 , such that the replaceable casing  101  and the first body  102  are engaged with each other by means of the first positioning unit  128  and the third positioning unit  129 . Once the replaceable casing  101  is mounted on the first display portion  100  or the first body  102  by a user, the replaceable casing  101  can be aligned with the third positioning unit  129  by means of the first positioning unit  128 . Upon completion of the alignment, the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109  correspond in position to each other. Then, after the user presses the replaceable casing  101  until it touches the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 , the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109  become coupled to each other. Hence, the first positioning unit  128  and the third positioning unit  129  together facilitate installation of the replaceable casing  101  on the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 . 
         [0034]    Although  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 5  mainly illustrate the first positioning unit  128  and the third positioning unit  129  of the replaceable casing  101 , the first display portion  100 , and the first body  102 , the drawings also apply to a fourth positioning unit and a second positioning unit of the other replaceable casing  101 , the second display portion  200 , and the second body  202 . The fourth positioning unit and the second positioning unit of the second body  202  are equivalent to the first positioning unit  128  and the third positioning unit  129 , respectively. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the replaceable casing  101  is provided on one side thereof with a recess portion  111 , and the first removable coupling unit  108  is a flange  112  located at the periphery of the recess portion  111  of the replaceable casing  101 . The third removable coupling unit  109  is a groove  113  corresponding in position to the flange  112 , and is disposed on a lateral side (especially a corresponding side) of the first display portion  100  and thus corresponds in position to the flange  112 . The recess portion  111  receives a portion of the first display portion  100 . The flange  112  is engaged with and received in the groove  113 , so as to mount the replaceable casing  101  on the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100 . To change the replaceable casing  101 , the user follows the steps: exerting a force upon the replaceable casing  101  such that the replaceable casing  101  undergoes recoverable deformation slightly due to its intrinsic resilience, so as to disconnect the flange  112  from the groove  113  and thereby remove the replaceable casing  101 ; and mounting another said replaceable casing  101  on the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100  in the aforesaid manner. Alternatively, the groove  113  is disposed on a lateral side of the first body  102 , allowing the replaceable casing  101  to be changed in the aforesaid manner.  FIG. 3 , which depicts the flange  112  and the groove  113 , is not supposed to be restrictive of the dimensions, such as the lengths, of the flange  112  and the groove  113 ; instead, the dimensions, such as the lengths, of the flange  112  and the groove  113  are subject to changes as needed. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first removable coupling unit  108  is provided in the form of four resilient hooks  122  at the four corners of one side of the replaceable casing  101 , respectively, and the third removable coupling unit  109  is provided in the form of four coupling holes  123  corresponding in position to the four resilient hooks  122 , respectively, as the four coupling holes  123  are located at the four corners of the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100 , respectively. The quantity and positions of the resilient hooks  122  and the coupling holes  123  are subject to changes as needed. The resilient hooks  122  are engageable with the coupling holes  123 , such that the replaceable casing  101  can be mounted on the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100 . To change the replaceable casing  101 , the user follows the steps: exerting a force upon the replaceable casing  101  such that the resilient hooks  122  undergoes recoverable deformation due to their intrinsic resilience, so as to disconnect the resilient hooks  122  from the coupling holes  123  and thereby remove the replaceable casing  101 ; and mounting another said replaceable casing  101  on the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100  in the aforesaid manner. Alternatively, the coupling holes  123  can be disposed on the outer wall surface  104  of the first body  102 , and the replaceable casing  101  can be changed in the aforesaid manner. Alternatively, the resilient hooks  122  are disposed on the outer wall surface  104  of the first body  102  or the first display portion  100 , and the coupling holes  123  are disposed at the replaceable casing  101 . 
         [0037]    In the above embodiment, the end of each the resilient hooks  122  has a hook structure with two oblique sides, such that it is easy for users to dismount and mount the replaceable casing  101  by means of the resilient hooks  122 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first removable coupling unit  108  is provided in the form of two rectangular N-pole magnets  142  embedded in one side of the replaceable casing  101  and arranged in a manner that they are opposite and parallel to each other, whereas the third removable coupling unit  109  is provided in the form of two rectangular S-pole magnets  143  corresponding in position to the N-pole magnets  142 , respectively. The two rectangular S-pole magnets  143  are embedded in the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100  and arranged in a manner that they are opposite and parallel to each other. The shapes, quantity and positions of the N-pole magnets  142  and the S-pole magnets  143  are subject to changes as needed. The N-pole magnets  142  are attracted to the S-pole magnets  143  and vice versa, and thus the replaceable casing  101  can be fixed to the first display portion  100 . With the N-pole magnets  142  and the S-pole magnets  143  being embedded in the replaceable casing  101  and the first display portion  100  respectively, and not protruding therefrom, there can be a seamless contact rather than a gap between the replaceable casing  101  and the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100 . To change the replaceable casing  101 , the user exerts a force upon the replaceable casing  101  to separate the N-pole magnets  142  from the S-pole magnets  143  and thereby remove the replaceable casing  101 , and then the user mounts another said replaceable casing  101  on the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100 . Furthermore, it is feasible to provide a S-pole magnet, a magnetic body, or a random magnet at the replaceable casing  101  and provide a N-pole magnet, a random magnet, or a magnetic body at the outer wall surface  104  of the first display portion  100 . Furthermore, the magnet or the magnetic body can also be disposed at the outer wall surface  104  of the first body  102 , and the replaceable casing  101  can be changed in the aforesaid manner. 
         [0039]    Although  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 5  mainly illustrate the replaceable casing  101 , the first display portion  100  and the first body  102 , the drawings also apply to the other replaceable casing  101 , the second display portion  200  and the second body  202 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 5 , the first positioning unit  128  disposed at the replaceable casing  101  is a positioning post  130 , whereas the third positioning unit  129  disposed at the first display portion  100  or the first body  102  is a positioning recess  131 . Alternatively, the first positioning unit  128  is the positioning recess  131  when the third positioning unit  129  is the positioning post  130 . As shown in the drawings, both the positioning post  130  and the positioning recess  131  are cubic, but the height of the positioning post  130  is greater than the depth of the recess portion  111  or the height of the resilient hooks  122 ; hence, once the replaceable casing  101  is mounted on the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 , the positioning post  130  and the positioning recess  131  are engaged with each other to serve two functions: placing the replaceable casing  101  at a fixed position relative to the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 ; and fixing the orientation of the replaceable casing  101  relative to the first display portion  100  or the first body  102  to thereby prevent the replaceable casing  101  from rotating relative to the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 .  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 5  are not intended to be restrictive of the positions of the positioning post  130  and the positioning recess  131 , as the positions of the positioning post  130  and the positioning recess  131  are subject to changes as needed. Alternatively, both the positioning post  130  and the positioning recess  131  are cylindrical (not shown) but at least two said positioning posts (not shown) and at least two said positioning recesses (not shown) have to be provided in order to fix the orientation of the replaceable casing  101  relative to the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 . After the positioning post  130  and the positioning recess  131  have been engaged with each other and thus the replaceable casing  101  has been fixed to the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 , the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109  correspond in position to each other; meanwhile, the first removable coupling unit  108  and the third removable coupling unit  109  can be coupled together by a press given by the user to the replaceable casing  101  in the direction from the replaceable casing  101  to the first display portion  100  or the first body  102 . In conclusion, due to the first positioning unit  128  and the third positioning unit  129 , the replaceable casing  101  can be mounted on the first display portion  100  or the first body  102  conveniently. 
         [0041]    Although the aforesaid description is directed to the replaceable casing  101 , the first display portion  100  and the first body  102 , it applies to the other replaceable casing  101 , the second display portion  200  and the second body  202  as well. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a schematic view of the portable electronic device with the replaceable casing  101  and the first display portion  100  after the coupling thereof according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, showing that the replaceable casing  101  extends outward on all sides of the first display portion  100  (or the first body  102 ). The user can grip the extension portion of the replaceable casing  101 , open and remove the replaceable casing  101  easily. Likewise, the other replaceable casing  101  extends outward on all sides of the second display portion  200  (or the second body  202 ). The user can grip the extension portion of the other replaceable casing  101 , open and remove the other replaceable casing  101  easily. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a schematic view of the portable electronic device with display portions having disassembly recesses according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the first display portion  100  (or the first body  102 ) has a first disassembly recess  160 . The first disassembly recess  160  is adjacent to the replaceable casing  101  and is disposed on a lateral side of the first display portion  100  (or the first body  102 ). The user can exert a force upon the first disassembly recess  160  to lift and remove the replaceable casing  101  easily. Furthermore, the second display portion  200  (or the second body  202 ) has a second disassembly recess  260 . The second disassembly recess  260  is adjacent to the other replaceable casing  101  and is disposed on a lateral side of the second display portion  200  (or the second body  202 ). The user can exert a force upon the second disassembly recess  260  to lift and remove the other replaceable casing  101  easily. 
         [0044]    The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.