PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9253904-B2
Application Number: US-201213657839-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Protective locking mechanism for device enclosure

Abstract:
Mechanisms to prevent access to electronic components in an electronic device when the electronic device is receiving power. On example may provide an electronic device including a receptacle, the receptacle including a button. The button may be configured to be depressed by a user, and otherwise to be in a normal state. When the button is depressed, it may act through a locking mechanism to unlock, open, or eject a door covering one or more sockets or electronic components. When the door is closed, the locking mechanism may either prevent the door from being opened, or may maintain the door in a closed state, unless the button is depressed. When a power plug is inserted in the receptacle, the power plug may prevent access to the button. Accordingly, when the power plug is inserted, the button may not be accessible to be depressed, and the door may remain closed.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising: a receptacle to receive an external electrical connection, the receptacle including a button, the button having a depressed state and a normal state; a covering mechanism to cover one or more electrical components in the electronic device, the covering mechanism having an open state and a closed state; and a locking mechanism having a locked state when the button is in the normal state and an open state when the button is in the depressed state, wherein the receptacle is a power receptacle, wherein the covering mechanism is a door, and when the door is in the closed state and the button is in the normal state, the locking mechanism does not open the door, wherein when the door is in the closed state and the button is in the depressed state, the locking mechanism pushes the door into the opened state, and wherein when a power plug is inserted in the power receptacle, the button is not accessible. 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is an all-in-one computer. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein when the door is opened, the door may be removed. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the receptacle further comprises prongs for receiving power. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the door covers a socket for a plurality of memory cards. 
     
     
       6. An electronic device comprising: a receptacle to receive an external electrical connection, the receptacle including a button, the button having a depressed state and a normal state; a covering mechanism to cover one or more electrical components in the electronic device, the covering mechanism having an open state and a closed state; and a locking mechanism having a locked state when the button is in the normal state and an open state when the button is in the depressed state, wherein the covering mechanism is a door, and when the door is in the closed state and the button is in the normal state, the locking mechanism does not open the door, wherein when the door is in the closed state and the button is in the depressed state, the locking mechanism pushes the door into the opened state, wherein the receptacle is a power receptacle; and wherein when a power plug is inserted in the power receptacle, the button is located between the receptacle and the power plug. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 6  wherein when the door is opened, the door may be removed. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 6  wherein the door covers a socket for a plurality of memory cards. 
     
     
       9. An electronic device comprising:
 a receptacle to receive an external electrical connection, the receptacle including a button, the button having a depressed state and a normal state; 
 a covering mechanism to cover one or more electrical components in the electronic device, the covering mechanism having an open state and a closed state; and 
 a locking mechanism having a locked state when the button is in the normal state and an open state when the button is in the depressed state, 
 wherein the receptacle is a power receptacle 
 wherein when the covering mechanism is a door, and the door is in the closed state and the button is in the normal state, the locking mechanism does not open the door, 
 wherein when the door is in the closed state and the button is in the depressed state, the locking mechanism pushes the door into the opened state, 
 wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotating hinge to turn and drive an ejection mechanism when the button is depressed. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the door covers a socket for a plurality of memory cards. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein when the door is opened, the door may be removed. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the electronic device is an all-in-one computer. 
     
     
       13. An enclosure for an electronic device, the enclosure comprising: a power receptacle to receive a power plug, the power receptacle including prongs for receiving power and a button, wherein the button may be depressed, and when the button is not depressed, the button returns to a normal state; a covering mechanism to cover a socket for one or more electronic components, the covering mechanism capable of being open or closed; and a locking mechanism to keep the covering mechanism closed when the button is in the normal state, wherein the covering mechanism is a door and when the door is closed and the button is depressed, the door may be opened, and wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotating hinge to turn and drive an eject mechanism to allow the door to open when the button is depressed. 
     
     
       14. The enclosure of  claim 13  wherein when the door is opened, the door may be removed. 
     
     
       15. The enclosure of  claim 13  wherein the socket for one or more electronic components is a socket for a plurality of memory cards. 
     
     
       16. An enclosure for an electronic device, the enclosure comprising: a power receptacle to receive a power plug, the power receptacle including prongs for receiving power and a button, wherein the button may be depressed, and when the button is not depressed, the button returns to a normal state; a covering mechanism to cover a socket for one or more electronic components, the covering mechanism capable of being open or closed; and a locking mechanism to keep the covering mechanism closed when the button is in the normal state, wherein the covering mechanism is a door and when the door is closed and the button is depressed, the door may be opened, and wherein when a power plug is inserted in the power receptacle, the button is not accessible. 
     
     
       17. The enclosure of  claim 16  wherein when the door is opened, the door may be removed. 
     
     
       18. The enclosure of  claim 16  wherein the socket for one or more electronic components is a socket for a plurality of memory cards. 
     
     
       19. The enclosure of  claim 16  wherein the electronic device is an all-in-one computer. 
     
     
       20. An enclosure for an electronic device, the enclosure comprising: a power receptacle to receive a power plug, the power receptacle including prongs for receiving power and a button, wherein the button may be depressed, and when the button is not depressed, the button returns to a normal state; a covering mechanism to cover a socket for one or more electronic components, the covering mechanism capable of being open or closed; and a locking mechanism to keep the covering mechanism closed when the button is in the normal state, wherein the covering mechanism is a door and when the door is closed and the button is depressed, the door may be opened, and wherein when a power plug is inserted in the power receptacle, the power plug covers the button. 
     
     
       21. The enclosure of  claim 20  wherein the power receptacle further comprises prongs for receiving power. 
     
     
       22. The enclosure of  claim 20  wherein when the door is opened, the door may be removed. 
     
     
       23. The enclosure of  claim 20  wherein the socket for one or more electronic components is a socket for a memory card. 
     
     
       24. The enclosure of  claim 20  wherein the socket for one or more electronic components is an SO-DIMM socket.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices have become ubiquitous the past several years. The number and types of portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices has increased tremendously, and this increase shows no signs of abating. 
     These electronic devices may include one or more sockets and electronic components. It may be useful to provide users access to some of these sockets and electronic components. For example, it may be useful to provide access such that users may replace failed components. It may also be useful to provide access such that users may upgrade or otherwise improve existing components. 
     Access to these devices may be provided through components in a device enclosure, such as through doors, slots, removable covers, or other such structure. That is, a door, cover, or other such covering mechanism may be opened or removed to allow access. 
     Unfortunately, when these components are accessed, they may be damaged. For example, static electricity from a user may damage electrical components when they are being accessed. More importantly, users may be injured, particularly when power is being applied to the electrical components. That is, inadvertent contact between a user accessing internal electrical components of an electronic device may cause injury to the user. 
     To avoid this user injury, it may be desirable to prevent users from making such inadvertent contact with components that are receiving power. One way to accomplish this may be to prevent access to such components while the electronic device is being powered. 
     Thus, what is needed are mechanisms for electronic devices and device enclosures to prevent access by a user to electronic components in an electronic device when the electronic device is receiving power. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide mechanisms for electronic devices and device enclosures to prevent access by a user to electronic components in an electronic device when the electronic device is receiving power. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide an electronic device including a receptacle, the receptacle including a button. The button may be configured to be depressed by a user, and otherwise to be in a normal state. When the button is depressed, it may act through a locking mechanism to either eject or unlock a door, slot, removable cover, or other such structure covering one or more sockets or electronic components. When the door is closed, the locking mechanism may prevent the door from being opened or removed unless the button is depressed. When a power plug is inserted in the receptacle, the power plug may prevent access to the button. Accordingly, when the power plug is inserted, the button may not be accessible to be depressed, and the locking mechanism may prevent the door from being opened or removed. This may prevent a user from accessing electrical components below the door when power is applied to the electronic device. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the receptacle may be a power receptacle. In other embodiments of the present invention, the receptacle may be a receptacle that conveys power and data or other signals. In still other embodiments of the present invention, the receptacle may be another type of receptacle. In various embodiments of the present invention, the door, when opened, may allow access to a socket, electronic components, or other components. In various embodiments of the present invention, the door may cover a socket for memory cards. In this way, when power is removed from the device, the door may be opened to allow access to the socket and cards located therein. When power is applied, the door may not be opened and the socket and cards located therein may not be accessed by a user, thereby protecting possibly both the devices and user. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide an electronic device. This electronic device may include a receptacle to receive an external electrical connection, the receptacle including a button, the button having a depressed state and a normal state, a door to cover one or more electrical components in the electronic device, the door having an open state and a closed state, and a locking mechanism having a locked state when the button is in the normal state and an open or eject state when the button is in the depressed state. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide an enclosure for an electronic device. The enclosure may provide a power receptacle to receive a power plug, the power receptacle including prongs for receiving power and a button. The button may be depressed, and when the button is not depressed, the button may return to a normal state. For example, a replacement or closing of a door may drive the button back to the normal state. The enclosure may further include a door to cover a socket for one or more electronic components, the door capable of being open or closed, and a locking mechanism to lock the door, or to not open or eject the door, when the door is closed and the button is in the normal state. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide these features for various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, cell phone, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a receptacle housing they may be used for a receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a view of a portion of a device enclosure from inside the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another side view of a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a power plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the pending claims. 
     This figure illustrates device enclosure portion  100  having a door or other cover mechanism  110  and receptacle  120 . Door  110  may be a cover, door, or other covering mechanism or structure. Door  110  may be opened or removed to allow access to sockets and electrical components located in the electronic device. These sockets and electrical components may include memory cards, graphics cards, wireless networking cards, solid-state memories, sockets for these circuits, or other components. Door  110  may open by swinging open, sliding open, or it may open in other ways. 
     Receptacle  120  may be a power receptacle arranged to accept a power cord. Receptacle  120  may be another type of receptacle arranged to receive power, such as a receptacle to receive power and data. In other embodiments of the present invention, receptacle  120  may be other still another type of receptacle. In this example, receptacle  120  may include prongs  144  for receiving power from a power plug. Receptacle  120  may have a rounded opening  122  to accept a conforming power plug, though in other embodiments of the present invention, receptacle  120  may have other shaped openings. 
     Receptacle  120  may further include button  130 . Button  130  may be depressed by a user. When button  130  is released by a user, button  130  may return to a normal or up position. In other embodiments of the present invention, when button  130  is released and door  110  is closed or replaced, the closing or replacing action may drive button  130  back to the normal position. When button  130  is depressed, a locking mechanism (not shown) may allow door  110  to be opened. For example, the locking mechanism may eject or push door  110  open. When button  130  is in the normal position, a locking mechanism may lock door  110  such that it remains closed. In other embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism may simply not eject or open door  110 . 
     When a power plug is inserted into receptacle  120 , button  130  may not be at accessible to a user. That is, button  130  may be covered by the power plug such that the button is below a part of the power plug. Button  130  may then be located between the power plug, or portion of the power plug, and receptacle  120 . In this case, when door  110  is closed, and button  130  is not accessible, a locking mechanism may lock door  110  and may not allow door  110  to be opened or removed, though other embodiments may simply not eject or open door  110 . This may prevent a user from accessing components below door  110  when power is being applied to the electronic device. When the power plug is removed and power is thus removed from the electronic device, a user may access button  130 . When a user depresses button  130 , the locking mechanism may allow door  110  to be opened or removed, or it may eject or open door  110 . When door  110  is ejected, opened, or removed, a user may access components below door  110 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a receptacle housing that may be used for a receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This receptacle housing may be used for receptacle  120 . Receptacle  120  may include an opening  122  for a button and prongs  124  for receiving power. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a view of a portion of a device enclosure from inside the device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Door  110  may be supported by frame  330 . As button  130  is depressed, rotating hinges  310  and  134  may slide a bolt of opening mechanism (not shown) outward such that door  110  may be opened or removed. Clips  112  may be located around door  110  to form a solid mechanical seal. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, various locking mechanisms may be used. One example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, door  110  may be closed, and button  130  may be in a normal state. Device enclosure portion  100  may include receptacle  120  and door  110 . Receptacle  120  may include prongs  124  to receive power, for example from a wall outlet, power adapter, or other power source. Receptacle  120  may further include button  130 . Button  130  may be in contact with pivoting arm  131 . Printing arm  131  may pivot about pivot point  132 . A distant arm of pivoting arm  131  may be connected to opening mechanism  136  at point  134 . 
     As button  130  is depressed, pivoting arm  131  may rotate clockwise about point  132 . Point  132  may be driven upward by this movement, thereby pushing opening mechanism  136  into door  110 . This action may push the door  110  open. Clips  112  may be included to hold door  110  in place until opened by opening mechanism  136 . Clips  112  may surround door  110  to provide a solid mechanical seal. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another side view of a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, door  110  has been opened by opening mechanism  136 . Specifically, button  130  has been depressed, and pivoting arm  131  has rotated about pivot point  132 . This in turn has forced point  134  upwards. Point  134  in turn may drive opening mechanism  136  into door  110 , which thereby may release or open door  110 . Bracket  138  may provide a support structure for button  130 , pivoting arm  131 , and opening mechanism  136 . 
     When door  110  is replaced, opening mechanism  136  may be lowered, thereby dropping point  134  downward and turning pivoting arm  131  in a counterclockwise direction. This may raise button  130  back to the normal or non-depressed position. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a power plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. Power plug  600  may include nose  610  for insertion into socket  120 . Openings  612  may accept prongs  124  in receptacle  120 . Openings  612  may contain contacts that are connected to conductors  640  in power cable  630 . Flange  620  may be sized to mate with, or fit into, opening  122 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this way, when power plug  600  is inserted into receptacle  120 , flange  620  may cover button  130 . This in turn may render button  130  inaccessible to a user when power is applied to the electronic device. Since button  130  cannot be depressed when plug  600  is inserted into receptacle  120 , door  110  may not be opened or removed when power is applied to the electronic device. This may in turn protect a user from voltages that may be encountered inside the electronic device when power is applied. This may also protect the internal circuits. When power plug  600  is removed, power may be removed from the device, button  130  may be depressed, and door  110  may be opened or removed. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, other features may be included. For example, it may be desirable to prevent power from being applied at receptacle  120  until door  110  is closed. This may be accomplished by having button  130  or another mechanism rise from receptacle  120  when door  110  is open to prevent insertion of a power plug into receptacle  120 . 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20121022
Publication Date: 20160202
Grant Date: 20160202
Priority Date: 20121022
Inventors: ABRAHAM EUAN
SIMMEL GEORGE MARC
FUNAMURA JOSHUA
MCBROOM DANNY
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/447", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0221", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/189", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/189", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/447", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/447", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0221", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/189", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50485119