Patent Abstract:
An apparatus with a two-way hidden latch. A main body comprises a magnet disposed under a retainer, which fixes the two-way latch disposed in a cover portion. The cover portion can be placed on the main body with a first or second surface facing downward. The cover portion comprises a first and second opening and a two-way latch is disposed near the two openings. When the cover portion is open, the two-way latch is fixed at an original position and hidden in the cover portion. When the cover portion covers the main body with the first surface facing downward, the two-way latch is drawn by the magnet to a first position, engaging the retainer. Moreover, when the cover portion covers the main body with the second surface facing downward, the two-way latch is drawn by the magnet to a second position, engaging the retainer.

Full Description:
This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 092129532 filed in Taiwan, Republic of China on Oct. 24, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a latch structure, and in particular to a two-way hidden latch suitable for a tablet PC. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a conventional tablet PC with a rotatable liquid crystal display (LCD), and  FIG. 1B  shows the LCD of the tablet PC rotated by 180°. In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the conventional tablet PC  10  comprises a main body  11  and an LCD  12 . A connection portion  121  of the LCD  12  is connected to the rear portion  111  of the main body  11 . The LCD  12  can be closed on the main body  11  with its front  122  facing downward. The LCD  12  can also be rotated about a predetermined axis  13  and closed on the main body  11  with the front  122  of the LCD  12  facing upwards. 
     The LCD  12  of the conventional tablet PC  10  comprises a latch  141  protruding at the top center of the front  123  thereof. In  FIG. 1A , the latch  141  is capable of engaging the retainer  113  on the top surface  112  of the main body  11  when the LCD  12  is closed with its front  122  facing downward. In  FIG. 1B , the LCD  12  is rotated by 180°. The latch  141  is moved through the switch  14 , protruding from the back  123  of the LCD  12 . Thus, the latch  141  is capable of engaging the retainer  113 , fixing the LCD  12  on the main body  11  with the front  122  facing upward. 
     The latch  141  used in the conventional tablet PC  10 , however, protrudes out of the shell of the LCD  12 , such that the profile of the tablet PC  10  is not smooth and attractive enough. Moreover, the latch  141  must be adjusted after the LCD  12  is rotated, thus, operation of the conventional tablet PC  10  is inconvenient. 
     SUMMARY  
     Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a latch structure for a notebook computer, such that the LCD of the notebook computer can be fixed on the main body by opposite two surfaces. 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a hidden latch structure, which can be received in the LCD of a notebook computer when the LCD is open. 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a latch structure comprising a moving member connected to a fixing member by a shaft and a spring disposed thereon. The moving member comprises a hook and an extending portion. The spring comprises a first end and a second end. The first and second ends press on either side of a connection portion of the fixing member when the moving member is in an original position. The extending portion pushes the first end in a first direction by the first side when the moving member rotates in the first direction. The second end is blocked by the second stop portion, such that the spring is compressed, providing an elastic force in an opposite second direction. The extending portion pushes the second end in the second direction by the second side when the moving member rotates in the second direction, the first end is blocked by the first stop portion, such that the spring is compressed, providing an elastic force in the first direction. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the hook is T-shaped and comprises permeable materials. The shaft is a rivet. The spring is a torsion spring. 
     Embodiments of the invention further provide an apparatus with a hidden latch comprising a main body, cover portion, and a latch. The main body of the notebook computer comprises a retainer and a magnetic member. The cover portion is connected to the main body at one side. The cover portion has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface and surfaces is capable of covering on the main body alternatively with the first or second surfaces facing downward. The cover portion comprises a first opening on the first surface and an opposite second opening on the second surface. The latch is adjacent to the first and second openings. When the cover portion covers the main body with the first surface facing downward, the two-way latch is drawn by the magnet to a first position, engaging the retainer. Moreover, when the cover portion covers the main body with the second surface facing downward, the two-way latch is drawn by the magnet to a second position, engaging the retainer. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the latch comprises a moving member connected to a fixing member by a shaft and a spring disposed thereon. The moving member comprises a hook and an extending portion. The spring comprises a first end and a second end. The first and second ends press on either side of a connection portion of the fixing member when the moving member is in an original position. 
     The extending portion pushes the first end in a first direction by the first side when the moving member rotates in the first direction. The second end is blocked by the second stop portion, such that the spring is compressed, providing an elastic force in an opposite second direction. Furthermore, the extending portion pushes the second end in the second direction by the second side when the moving member rotates in the second direction. The first end is blocked by the first stop portion, such that the spring is compressed, providing an elastic force in the first direction. 
     When the cover portion covers the main body with the first surface facing downward, the moving member is attracted by the magnetic member, rotating in the first direction and clasping the retainer. When the cover portion covers the main body with the second surface facing downward, the moving member is attracted by the magnetic member, rotating in the second direction and clasping the retainer. The elastic force provided by the spring is smaller than a magnetic force provided by the magnetic member. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a button movably disposed in the main body. The button comprises a shelter portion comprising high-reluctance material. When the button is forced to move with the shelter portion, inserted into a position between the magnetic member and the hook, the magnetic force applied to the hook is reduced. Thus, the hook releases the retainer. The button is connected to the main body through a resilient element, providing restoring force. 
     The magnetic member is a magnet. The moving member comprises permeable materials. 
     Furthermore, the apparatus provided in embodiments of the invention can be a notebook computer, and the cover portion is a liquid crystal display (LCD), which is electrically connected to the main body thereof. The LCD is capable of folding on the main body alternatively with its front or back surfaces. 
     Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the subsequent detailed description and accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of a conventional tablet PC with a rotatable LCD monitor; 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic view of a conventional tablet PC when the LCD monitor is rotated by 180°; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic view of a notebook computer with a hidden latch in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic view of the notebook computer in  FIG. 2A  with the LCD closed thereon and facing downward; 
         FIG. 2C  is a schematic view of the notebook computer in  FIG. 2A  with the LCD closed thereon and facing upward; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the hidden latch in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a front view of the hidden latch; 
         FIG. 3C  is a top view of the hidden latch; 
         FIG. 4A  shows the movement of the latch when the LCD is closed on the main body of the notebook computer in  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 4B  shows the movement of the latch when the LCD is closed on the main body of the notebook computer as shown in  FIG. 2C ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a schematic view of the button in a released position; 
         FIG. 4D  is a schematic view of the button in a compressed position; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic view of a notebook computer with a hidden latch in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic view of the notebook computer in  FIG. 5A  with the LCD closed thereon and facing downward; 
         FIG. 5C  is a schematic view of the enlarge area in  FIG. 5B ; and 
         FIG. 5D  is a schematic view of the notebook computer in  FIG. 5A  with the LCD closed thereon and facing upward. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic view of a notebook computer with a hidden latch of an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2B  shows the notebook computer with the LCD closed thereon and facing downward. The apparatus with a hidden latch of some embodiments of the invention is a notebook computer  20  comprising a main body  21  and a cover portion, or an LCD  22 . The LCD  22  comprises a front  222 , a back  223 , and a connection portion  221  connected to the rear portion  211  of the main body  21 . The LCD  22  can be rotated about a predetermined axis and closed on the main body  21  with either the front  222  or back  223  facing downward as is conventional tablet PCs. The main body  21  comprises a retainer  213  and a magnetic member  214  disposed thereunder. Furthermore, the LCD  22  comprises a first opening  224  on the front  222 , an opposite second opening  225  on the back  223 , and a latch  30  adjacent to the first opening  224  and second opening  225 . When the LCD  22  is open, the latch  30  can be received in the shell of the LCD  22 . 
       FIG. 2C  is a schematic view of the notebook computer in  FIG. 2A  with the LCD closed thereon and facing upward. The magnetic member  214  of some embodiments of the invention is a magnet, and the latch  30  comprises permeable materials. In  FIG. 2B , when the LCD  22  is closed on the main body  21  with the front  222  facing downward, the latch  30  is attracted by the magnetic member  214 , rotating clockwise and protruding from the first opening  224 . Simultaneously, the latch  30  engages the retainer  213  from the right side, fixing the LCD  22  on the main body  21 . In  FIG. 2C , when the LCD  22  is rotated 180° and closed on the main body  21  with the back  223  facing downward, the latch  30  is attracted by the magnetic member  214 , rotating counterclockwise and protruding from the second opening  225  as shown in  FIG. 2C . Simultaneously, the latch  30  engages the retainer  213 , fixing the LCD  22  on the main body  21  with the front  222  facing upwards as is possible with a conventional tablet PC. 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a hidden latch of an embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 3B and 3C  are a front and top views of the hidden latch thereof. In  FIGS. 3A˜3C , the latch  30  comprises a fixing member  31  with a connection portion  32 , and a moving member  33  with a hook  331  and an extending portion  332 . The moving member  33  is pivoted on the fixing member  31  via a shaft  34 , or a rivet for example. The moving member  33  comprises permeable materials and can be attracted by the magnetic member  214 . The latch  30  also comprises a spring  35  disposed on shaft  34 . The spring  35  is a torsion spring and comprises a first end  351  and a second end  352 . Due to resilience, the first and second ends  351  and  352  abut one side of the connection portion  32  when the moving member  33  is in an original position as shown in  FIG. 3A . The first end  351  abuts a first stop surface  321  of the connection portion  32 , such that the first stop surface  321  can block the first end  351  from moving counterclockwise. The second end  352  abuts a second stop surface  322  of the connection portion  32 , such that the second stop surface  322  can block the first end  352  from moving clockwise. 
     In  FIG. 3B , the extending portion  332  of the moving member  33  is fishtail-like. The first end  351  and second end  352  can abut either side of the extending portion  332 , such that the moving member  33  is restrained in the original position by resilience of the spring  35 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows the movement of the latch when the LCD is closed on the main body of the notebook computer in  FIG. 2B . In order to simplify the drawing, the main body and LCD of the notebook computer is eliminated, and the first opening  224  of the LCD is presented by dotted lines. 
     In  FIGS. 2B ,  3 A, and  4 A, the magnetic member  214  is a permanent magnet. The fixing member  31  of the latch  30  comprises two holes  311 , such that the latch  30  can be disposed in the LCD  22  between the first and second openings  224  and  225 , by screws or other fastening means. When the LCD  22  is closed on the main body  21  with the front  222  facing downward, the latch  30  is attracted by the magnetic member  214 , protruding from the first opening  224  and rotating clockwise (d 1 ) from the original position (denoted by  331 ′) to a first position as shown in  FIG. 4A . Simultaneously, the hook  331  of the moving member  33  engages the retainer  213 , fixing the LCD  22  on the main body  21 . Furthermore, when the moving member  33  rotates clockwise, the first side  3321  of the extending portion  332  pushes the first end  351  of the spring  35  clockwise. The second end  352  is blocked by the second stop portion  322 , such that the spring  35  is compressed, providing a recovering spring force in an opposite direction. The provided spring force is, however, smaller than the magnetic force. Thus, the hook  331  of the moving member  33  can be engaged with the retainer  213 . 
     The main body  21  of the notebook computer  20  of some embodiments comprises a button  215  disposed thereon and movable between a released position ( FIG. 4C ) and a compressed position ( FIG. 4D ). A spring  216  is disposed between the button  215  and a partition of the main body, providing an outward recovering spring force. The button  215  further comprises a shelter portion  217  comprising high-reluctance material, such as plastic. When the button  215  is pushed from the released position to compressed position, the shelter portion  217  is inserted into the space between the magnetic member  214  and the hook  331 , reducing the magnetic force exerted on the hook  331 , such that the torque provided by the spring  35  becomes larger than the torque provided by the magnetic member  214 . Simultaneously, the hook  331  of the moving member  33  releases the retainer  213  and is forced back to the original position as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4A . 
       FIG. 4B  shows the movement of the latch when the LCD is closed on the main body of the notebook computer as shown in  FIG. 2C . In order to simplify the drawing, the main body and LCD of the notebook computer is eliminated, and the second opening  225  of the LCD is presented by dotted lines. 
     In  FIGS. 2A ,  2 C,  3 A, and  4 B, when the LCD is rotated 180° and closed on the main body  21  with the back  223  facing downward, the moving member  33  of the latch  30  is attracted by the magnetic member  214 , protruding from the second opening  225  and rotating counterclockwise (d 2 ) from the original position (denoted by  331 ′) to a second position as shown in  FIG. 4B . Simultaneously, the moving member  33  of the latch  30  engages the retainer  213 , fixing the LCD  22  on the main body  21  with the front  222  facing upwards as is possible with a conventional tablet PC. Furthermore, when the moving member  33  rotates counterclockwise, the second side  3322  of the extending portion  332  pushes the second end  352  of the spring  35  counterclockwise, and the first end  351  is blocked by the first stop portion  321 , such that the spring  35  is compressed, providing a recovering spring force. The provided spring force is, however, smaller than the magnetic force. Thus, the hook  331  of the moving member  33  is kept engaged with the retainer  213 . 
     In  FIG. 4A˜4D , when the button  215  is forced from the released position ( FIG. 4C ) to compressed position ( FIG. 4D ), the shelter portion  217  is moved to a position between the magnetic member  214  and the hook  331 , reducing the magnetic force exerted thereon. Thus, the torque provided by the spring  35  is larger than the torque provided by the magnetic force from the magnet  214 . Simultaneously, the moving member  33  releases the retainer  213  and is forced back to the original position as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a notebook computer with hidden latches of another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5B  shows the LCD of the notebook computer as it closes on the main body with its front facing downward. Similar to the notebook computer as provided by other embodiments of the invention, the notebook computer  40  comprises a main body  42  and a cover portion, or an LCD  41 . The LCD  41  comprises a front  411  and a back  412  and is connected to the rear portion of the main body  42 . The LCD  41  can be rotated about a predetermined axis and closed on the main body  42  alternatively with the front  411  or back  412  facing downward as is possible with a conventional tablet PC. 
     In  FIG. 5A , the main body  42  comprises two retainers  423   a  and  423   b  and two magnetic members  45   a  and  45   b  disposed thereunder. The LCD  41  comprises two first openings  413   a  and  413   b  on the front  411 , two opposite second openings  414   a  and  414   b  on the back  412 , and two latches  30   a  and  30   b  as provided in other embodiments. The latches  30   a  and  30   b  are disposed between the first openings  413   a  and  413   b  and second openings  413   a  and  413   b  and received in the shell when the LCD  41  is open. 
     In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , two hidden latches  30   a  and  30   b  are disposed symmetrically in the LCD  41 . When the LCD  41  is closed on the main body  42  with the front  411  facing downward, the latches  30   a  and  30   b  are attracted by the magnetic members  45   a  and  45   b , rotating as indicated by the arrows ( FIG. 5B ) and protruding from the first openings  413   a  and  413   b  on the front  411 . Simultaneously, the latches  30   a  and  30   b  engage the retainers  423   a  and  423   b , securing the LCD  41  and the main body  42 . Furthermore, the main body  42  of the notebook computer  40  in some embodiments comprise two buttons  43   a  and  43   b  connected thereto by springs  44   a  and  44   b  to provide recovering force and maintain the position of the buttons  43   a  and  43   b.    
       FIG. 5C  is a partial enlarged view of the main body in  FIG. 5B . In  FIGS. 5B and 5C , each button  43   a  and  43   b  comprises a protrusion  431   a  and  431   b  separately pushing the latches  30   a  and  30   b  when the buttons  43   a  and  43   b  are forced to move from inner positions to outer positions. Simultaneously, the exerted force and the recovering spring force are larger than the magnetic force, such that the latches  30   a  and  30   b  are forced back to the original positions, releasing the retainers  423   a  and  423   b  as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 5D  is a schematic view of the notebook computer in  FIG. 5A  with the LCD closed thereon and facing upward. In  FIGS. 5A˜5D , when the LCD  41  is rotated 180° and closed on the main body  42  with the back  412  facing downward, the positions of two latches  30   a  and  30   b  are exchanged with respect to the rotational axis of the LCD  41 . The latches  30   a  and  30   b  are separately attracted by the magnetic members  45   a  and  45   b , protruding from the second openings  414   a  and  414   b  and engaging the retainers  423   a  and  423   b , such that the LCD  41  can be secured on the main body  42  with the front  411  facing upwards. Furthermore, when the buttons  43   a  and  43   b  are forced to release the LCD  41 , the protrusions  431   a  and  431   b  of the buttons  43   a  and  43   b  are utilized to provide additional force, such that the additional and the recovering spring forces are larger than the magnetic force exerted on the latches  30   a  and  30   b . Thus, the latches  30   a  and  30   b  are forced back to the original positions, releasing the retainers  423   a  and  423   b  as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
     Moreover, the buttons  43   a  and  43   b  of the notebook computer in some embodiments can be replaced by a single button to push the latches  30   a  and  30   b  through conventional connection rod structure for added convenience. 
     Accordingly, notebook computers of embodiments of the invention provide a well-designed hidden latch structure, such that the LCD thereof can be fixed onto the main body by either surface. The hidden latch structure can be received in the LCD of a notebook computer when the LCD is open, such that the notebook computer has a better profile and can potentially be more user-friendly. 
     While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8