Abstract:
An exemplary extraction device includes a telescoping mechanism, a clamping mechanism and a shell receiving the telescoping mechanism and the clamping mechanism. The shell defines an accommodating space and a first receiving space. The first receiving space is shaped to receive a sidewall of a device. The telescoping mechanism moves back and forth in the accommodating space and the clamping mechanism closes and opens as the telescoping mechanism moves back and forth. The extraction device can grip a distal end of an element showing outside the sidewall of the device, the sidewall is inserted into the first receiving space of the extraction device and the telescoping mechanism closes on and grips the available small portion of the element, thereby allowing the element to be withdrawn.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to extraction devices used to facilitate unloading of modular components from electrical devices such as consumer electronic products, and especially to an extraction device for taking an element such as a tray out from a cavity in a wall of an electrical device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Many electrical devices include trays for loading and unloading modular elements. A typical mobile phone has a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) tray arranged at a side wall of the mobile phone for loading and unloading a SIM card. The SIM tray is movable into and out a housing of the mobile phone, so as to switch between a stowed position and an open position. In one type of mobile phone, when the SIM tray is in the stowed position, the SIM tray can be partly ejected from the housing by operation of a trigger mechanism of the mobile phone. In the ejected position, the SIM tray remains mostly received in the housing, with only a small part of the SIM tray, i.e. an edge portion thereof, protruding out from an outer surface of a side wall of the housing. Then the user needs to grip (pinch) the protruding edge of the SIM tray with his/her thumb and forefinger, in order to pull the SIM tray further out from the housing. However, because of the small size of the protruding edge of the SIM tray, the user&#39;s fingers are liable to slip and make the pulling operation inconvenient. 
         [0005]    What is needed, therefore, is a means which can overcome the kinds of difficulties described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device includes a slidable SIM card tray, and showing the tray partly exposed from a sidewall of an enclosure of the portable electronic device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an extraction device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the extraction device of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows the extraction device of  FIG. 2  being used with the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of  FIG. 4 , but omitting the enclosure of the mobile phone, and showing the tray being gripped by the extraction device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5 , but showing the tray released from the extraction device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the tray fully exposed from the sidewall. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Reference will be made to the drawings to describe various embodiments. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a portable electronic device  10 , which includes a slidable tray  12  for holding a card used in the portable electronic device  10 . The portable electronic device  10  may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like, and the card may be a SIM card or a memory card or similar. The tray  12  is slidable out from and into the portable electronic device  10 , for loading and/or unloading the card to and/or from the portable electronic device  10 .  FIG. 2  shows an extraction device  20 , which is configured for pulling the tray  12  out from the portable electronic device  10  to a maximum extended position. In this embodiment, the portable electronic device  10  includes an enclosure, and the enclosure includes a sidewall  16  defining an opening (not labeled) therein. The tray  12  is received in the enclosure and is movable into and out of the enclosure, so as to switch between a first position (seen in  FIG. 1 ) and a second (or open) position (seen in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0016]    When the tray  12  is in the first position, the tray  12  is mostly received in the enclosure, and only a distal end of the tray  12  protrudes a slight distance out from the sidewall  16  at the opening. In the present embodiment, the tray  12  is movable from the first position to the second position by the extraction device  20 . 
         [0017]    Referring also to  FIG. 3 , the extraction device  20  includes a shell  21 , a telescoping mechanism  22 , a clamping mechanism  24 , a sway bar mechanism  26  and a pressing button  27 . The shell  21  defines an accommodating space  210 , and a first receiving space  2180  communicating with the accommodating space  210 . The telescoping mechanism  22 , the clamping mechanism  24 , the sway bar mechanism  26  and the pressing button  27  are substantially received in the accommodating space  210 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the shell includes a main plate  212 , a first sidewall  213 , a second sidewall  214  opposite to the first sidewall  213 , a third sidewall  215 , and a fourth sidewall  216  opposite to the third sidewall  215 . The main plate  212  is rectangular. The third and fourth sidewalls  215 ,  216  perpendicularly extend from two opposite sides of the main plate  212 . The first and second sidewalls  213 ,  214  perpendicularly extend from the other two opposite sides of the main plate  212 . The sidewalls  213 ,  214 ,  215 ,  216  and the main plate  212  cooperatively define the accommodating space  210  therebetween. Each of the first sidewall  213  and the main plate  212  defines a cutout  218 , and the two cutouts  218  correspond to and communicate with each other. The two cutouts  218  communicate with two sides of the first receiving space  2180 , respectively. A shell frame  217  includes two parallel first shell beams  2171  parallel to the fourth sidewall  216 , and a second shell beam  2172  perpendicularly interconnecting rear ends of the two first shell beams  2171 . The front ends of the two first shell beams  2171  connect to the first sidewall  213  at an edge of the first sidewall  213  furthest from the main plate  212 . The shell frame  217  borders a side of the first receiving space  2180  opposite to the side of the first receiving space  2180  communicating with the cutout  218  of the main plate  212 . An inserting pole  219  is perpendicularly connected to the second shell beam  2172 , and extends toward the cutout  218  of the first sidewall  213 . 
         [0019]    The telescoping mechanism  22  includes a sleeve  220 , an inserting rod  221 , and a first elastic member  227 . The sleeve  220  is hollow, perpendicularly connected to the second sidewall  214 , and extends along a first direction toward the first sidewall  213 . The first direction is a direction parallel to an X-axis shown in  FIG. 2 . A rear end of the sleeve  220  connects to an inner surface of the second sidewall  214 . The inserting rod  221  includes a first rod portion  222 , a second rod portion  223 , a third rod portion  224 , a limiting unit  225 , and a blocking ring  228 . The first, second, and third rod portions  222 ,  223 ,  224  extend along the first direction, and the second rod portion  223  interconnects the first and third rod portions  222 ,  224 . The blocking ring  228  is located between the first and second rod portions  222 ,  223 . The second rod portion  223  includes a plurality of teeth  2230  pointing toward the third sidewall  215 . The plurality of teeth  2230  serve as a ratchet. 
         [0020]    The limiting unit  225  includes a connecting pole  2252  and two limiting frames  2256 . Each limiting frame  2256  includes two first limiting beams  2258  extending along the first direction, and a second limiting beam  2257  extending along a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and interconnecting the first limiting beams  2258 . The second direction is parallel to a Y-axis shown in  FIG. 2 . The connecting pole  2252  extends along a third direction, which is perpendicular to both the first and second directions. The third direction is parallel to a Z-axis shown in  FIG. 2 . The second limiting beams  2257  of the two limiting frames  2256  connect to opposite ends of the connecting pole  2252 . In addition, a middle of the connecting pole  2252  connects to a distal end of the third rod portion  224 . The pair of limiting frames  2256  are at a front side of the connecting pole  2252 , and the third rod portion  225  is at a rear side of the connecting pole  2252 . The limiting frames  2256  and the connecting pole  2252  cooperatively define a second receiving space  2259  therebetween. 
         [0021]    A rear end of the first rod portion  222  is inserted into and limited in the sleeve  220 , but is axially movable back and forth inside the sleeve  220 . The first elastic member  227  is sleeved on the sleeve  220  and the first rod portion  222 , and captive between the blocking ring  228  and the second sidewall  214 . The uncompressed length of the first elastic member  227  is longer than a length of the sleeve  220 . The first elastic member  227  exerts a resilient force on the blocking ring  228  when compressed. 
         [0022]    The clamping mechanism  24  includes two supporting rods  242 , two clamping rods  244 , and two clamping grippers  246 . Each clamping rod  244  includes a first distal end  2441  and a second distal end  2442 . Each supporting rod  242  includes a third distal end  2421  and a fourth distal end  2422 . The two clamping grippers  246  are connected to the second distal ends  2442  of the two clamping rods  244 . 
         [0023]    The sway bar mechanism  26  includes a sway bar  260  and a torsion spring  262 . The sway bar  260  includes a fourth rod portion  263 , and a fifth rod portion  264  connected to the fourth rod portion  263 . The fourth rod portion  263  and the fifth rod portion  264  form an obtuse angle therebetween. A free end of the fourth rod portion  263  is in the form of a pawl  2630 . The pawl  2630  meshes with any two of the teeth  2230  of the second rod portion  223  of the inserting rod  221 . The pressing button  27  is arranged on the third sidewall  215 . 
         [0024]    In assembly of the extraction device  20 , the first elastic member  227  is sleeved on the sleeve  220 . The first rod portion  222  is inserted into the sleeve  220 , with the rear end of the first rod portion  222  inside the sleeve  220 , and the first elastic member  227  sandwiched between the blocking ring  228  and the second sidewall  214 . The inserting rod  221  is movable back and forth, thereby retracting further into the sleeve  220  and extending further out from the sleeve  220 . 
         [0025]    The first distal ends  2441  of the two clamping rods  244  are rotatably attached to the inserting rod  221  at a joint of the second rod portion  223  and the third rod portion  224  via a first spindle  245  which is fixed to the main plate  212  of the shell  21 . The two clamping rods  244  are located at opposite top and bottom sides of the inserting rod  221 , and the clamping grippers  246  are separated from each other and thus open. Two second spindles  247  are perpendicularly fixed to the main plate  212  at opposite top and bottom sides of the inserting rod  221 . The two second spindles  247  are closer to the second sidewall  214  than the first spindle  245 . The fourth distal ends  2422  of the two supporting rods  242  are rotatably attached to the two second spindles  247 , and the third distal ends  2421  of the two supporting rods  242  are rotatably attached to the two clamping rods  244 . A third spindle  266  is perpendicularly fixed to the main plate  212 , and the fifth rod portion  264  of the sway bar  260  is rotatably attached to the third spindle  266 . The pawl  2630  meshes with two teeth of the teeth  2230  of the second rod portion  223 . A free end of the fifth rod portion  264  abuts against a top end of the pressing button  27 , whereby a coil spring associated with the pressing button  27  is slightly compressed. Thus, the free end of the fifth rod portion  264  resiliently abuts the pressing button  27 . 
         [0026]    Referring also to  FIG. 4 , when the extraction device  20  is used, a portion of the sidewall  16  of the portable electronic device  10  is inserted into the first receiving space  2180  of the shell  21  of the extraction device  20 . The inserting pole  219  enters a hole  14  of the tray  12 , and free ends of the first limiting beams  2258  abut portions of the sidewall  16  surrounding the tray  12 . The distal end of the tray  12  protruding out from the sidewall  16  is received in the second receiving space  2259 . Then, the user lightly pushes the shell  21  further toward a middle of the portable electronic device  10 . As a result, the sidewall  16  drives the first limiting beams  2258  rearward. The inserting rod  221  moves in unison with the first limiting beams  2258  along a rearward direction towards the second sidewall  214 . When the inserting rod  221  moves rearward, the second rod portion  223  drives the meshed teeth  2230  rearward, such that the pawl  2630  of the fourth rod portion  263  becomes disengaged from the meshed teeth  2230  of the second rod portion  223  and the sway bar  260  rotates slightly counterclockwise. As a result, the torsion spring  262  exerts resilient force to drive the sway bar  260  to rotate clockwise, so that the pawl  2630  meshes with another two adjacent teeth  2230  of the second rod portion  223 . In this way, the pawl  2630  rides over successive teeth  2230  as the second rod portion  223  moves rearward. The first elastic member  227  is compressed when the inserting rod  221  moves rearward. 
         [0027]    Because the clamping rods  244  are rotatably attached to the inserting rod  221 , and because the supporting rods  242  are rotatably attached to the clamping rods  244 , when the inserting rod  221  moves towards the second sidewall  214 , the inserting rod  221  drives the supporting rods  242  and the clamping rods  244  to rotate and thus drive the clamping grippers  246  towards each other. The inserting rod  221  moves rearward until the clamping grippers  246  close on and grip the distal end of the tray  12 . When the clamping grippers  246  close together, the inserting rod  221  is stopped from moving further rearward, and the user stops pushing the shell  21 . At this position, the pawl  2630  of the fourth rod portion  263  is meshed with two teeth  2230  of the second rod portion  223 , and the free end of the fifth rod portion  264  resiliently abuts against the top end of the pressing button  27 , with the coil spring associated with the pressing button  27  slightly compressed. 
         [0028]    The user then pulls the extraction device  20  away from the portable electronic device  10 , and thereby the tray  12  is pulled further out from the sidewall  16  of the portable electronic device  10 . Once the tray  12  is fully exposed from the sidewall  16  of the portable electronic device  10 , the user can disengage the extraction device  20  from the portable electronic device  10 , as described below. 
         [0029]    To disengage the extraction device  20  from the portable electronic device  10 , the user can press the pressing button  27  to separate the clamping grippers  246 . In detail, first, the user presses the pressing button  27  downward toward the third sidewall  215 , thereby further compressing the coil spring associated with the pressing button  27 , and then the user releases the pressing button  27 . The coil spring decompresses and drives the pressing button  27  to move upward and strike the free end of the fifth rod portion  264 , thereby driving the fifth rod portion  264  to rotate counterclockwise. The pawl  2630  of the fourth rod portion  263  disengages from the teeth  2230  of the second rod portion  223 , the inserting rod  221  moves forward toward the first sidewall  213  under urging of the decompressing first elastic member  227 , and the clamping grippers  264  are thus fully opened. Thereby, the extraction device  20  is disengaged from the portable electronic device  10  and can be removed from the portable electronic device  10 . Then the user can unload a SIM card from the tray  12  and/or load a SIM card onto the tray  12 . 
         [0030]    Another way the user can disengage the extraction device  20  from the portable electronic device  10  is by exerting force directly on the fifth rod portion  264 , to rotate the fifth rod portion  264  counterclockwise and thus open the clamping grippers  264 . 
         [0031]    In summary, the tray  12  can be readily pulled out to the second position by simply pushing the extraction device  20  onto the portable electronic device  10 , pulling the extraction device  20  away from the portable electronic device  10 , and then disengaging the extraction device  20  from the portable electronic device  10 . 
         [0032]    Furthermore, the extraction device  20  can also be used with a variety of other kinds of devices which have slidable elements or bodies, wherein only a small portion of the element or body is accessible for gripping. 
         [0033]    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 description or sacrificing all of their material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being exemplary embodiments.