Patent Document

This application is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/512,996 filed Jul. 31, 2009 entitled “PORTABLE APPARATUS AND FASTENING DEVICE THEREOF” and Ser. No. 12/512,997 filed Jul. 31, 2009 entitled “PORTABLE APPARATUS AND FASTENING DEVICE THEREOF”. The disclosures of the above-identified applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to portable apparatuses, and more particularly to a fastening device for fastening a portable apparatus to an object. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Portable electronic devices, such as handheld flat screen televisions and portable disc players, are widely used because of small sizes. Users may carry their portable electronic devices when travelling for business or entertainment. However, the users may have to hold the portable electronic devices in their hands or on their thighs or on a flat surface of the vehicle they are travelling in. After a period of time, the users&#39; hands or thighs may become tired or the electronic devices may fall off the table due to the vehicle turning or bumps in the road. 
     Therefore, a need exits for providing a fastening device that the electronic device can be secured thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an electronic device, comprising a fastening device and an electronic device fixed thereon, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, isometric view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial exploded, isometric view of the fastening device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a reverse exploded, isometric view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of  FIG. 4 , but without the cover. 
         FIG. 6  is a reverse isometric view of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of  FIG. 5 , with the actuating member rotated. 
         FIG. 8  is a reverse isometric view of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portable apparatus  100  includes an electronic device  10  and a fastening device  20  detachably attached to the electronic device  10  for positioning the electronic device  10  to another object (not shown). The electronic device  10  may be a handheld flat screen television, a portable disc player, and so on. 
     The electronic device  10  is substantially rectangular-shaped, and includes a front casing  11  and a rear casing  13 . The front casing  11  engages with the rear casing  13  to define a first receiving space. Components of the electronic device, such as a display module (not shown) may be disposed in the first receiving space. The front casing  11  may have a viewing surface. The electronic device  10  further defines four locking slots  14  in an outer surface of the rear casing  13 . The four locking slots  14  are located in the vicinity of four corners of the rear casing  13  correspondingly. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , the fastening device  20  includes a cover  30 , two locking mechanisms  50  are disposed in the cover  30 . 
     The cover  30  includes a platform cover  31 , a support cover  33  engaged with the platform cover  31 , and a fixing member  35  disposed between the platform cover  31  and a support cover  33 . The platform cover  31  supports the rear casing  13  of the electronic device  10  when the fastening device  20  is attached to the electrical device  10 . 
     The platform cover  31  includes an outer platform surface  312  and an inner platform surface  313 . The platform cover  31  defines four first through holes  311 , the four first through holes  311  communicate between the outer platform surface  312  and the inner platform surface  313  of the platform cover  31 . The openings  311  may locate at four corners of the platform cover  31  correspondingly. The four first through holes  311  correspond with the four locking slots  14  of the electrical device  10 . A plurality of fixing posts  315  protrude from the inner platform surface  313  correspondingly. 
     The support cover  33  includes an inner support surface  332  and an outer support surface  333  on opposite sides of the support cover  33 . The inner surface  332  faces the platform cover  31 . Two guiding slots  331  are defined in the support cover  33  communicating between the inner surface  332  and the outer surface  333 . The two pushing slots  331  are arc-shaped. The two pushing slots  331  are substantially located near shorter edges of the support cover  33  correspondingly. Two supporting portions  335  protrude from the outer surface  333 . The two supporting portions  335  are adjacent to the two pushing slots  331 , and are used for contacting with an object which the electronic device  10  is fastened on. 
     The fixing member  35  is substantially rectangular-shaped. The fixing member  35  may include a chassis  350 , and four dampening members  351 . The four dampening members  351  are fixed at four corners of the chassis  350  correspondingly. A fixing hole  3511  is defined in each dampening member  31 , and used for the fixing post  315  to pass through, such that the fixing member  35  can be elastically fixed on the platform cover  31 . 
     A positioning block  355 , a stopping block  357 , a first paw  359 , a second paw  361 , and a chassis platform  363  protrude from the chassis  350 . The positioning block  355 , the stopping block  357 , and the first paw  359  are aligned along a first line AA 1 , with the stopping block  357  located between the positioning block  355  and the first paw  359 . 
     Two mounting holes  352  and a opening  353  are defined in the chassis  350 . The opening  353  is located between the two mounting holes  352 . The first line AA 1  passes through the two mounting holes  352  and the opening  353 . 
     A positioning post  365  protrudes from the center of the chassis platform  363 . The positioning post  365  and the second paw  361  are arranged in a second line BB 1 , and the positioning post  365  is located in a rotating center O of an actuating member  55  ( FIG. 5 ). Two sliding slots  367  and two entrances  368  are defined in the chassis  350 . Each of the two sliding slots  367  is substantially a quarter circle arc-shaped and arranged in a same circle, the center of which is the rotating center O of the actuating member  55 . One of the two sliding slots  367  is located between the second paw  361  and the positioning post  365 , and the second line BB  1  extends through the center of the two sliding slots  367 . The two entrances  368  communicate with the two sliding slots  367  correspondingly, and located at one end of the sliding slots  367  correspondingly. 
     Each of the locking mechanisms  50  includes a hook  51 , a locking member  53 , the actuating member  55 , a first resilient member  59  and a second resilient member  57 . The actuating member  55 , the first resilient member  59 , and the fixing member  35  constitute a rotating system  70 . 
     The hook  51  is fixed on the chassis  350  of the fixing member  35 , and is used for latching onto the electronic device  10 . The hook  51  includes a fastening portion  511  and a hooking portion  513  disposed on the fastening portion  511 . The fastening portion  511  defines two fastening holes  5111  corresponding to the two mounting holes  352  defined in the chassis  350 . Thus, the hook  51  may be fastened on the fixing member  35  via a screw, a bolt, and so on. The hooking portion  513  is capable of passing through the through hole  311  and insertable into the locking slot  14  to hook on the electronic device  10 . 
     The actuating member  55  may be an integrated member. The actuating member  55  includes a positioning portion  552 , a driving portion  5571 , and a connecting portion  557  connecting the driving portion  5571  to one side of the positioning portion  552 . The positioning portion  552  is elongated, and includes a positioning hole  551 , two hook-shaped claws  559 , an actuating portion  555 , a post  553 , and a button  558 . The positioning hole  551  is defined in the middle of the positioning portion  552 . The positioning hole  551  is used for receiving the positioning post  365 ; therefore, the actuating member  55  is rotatably attached on the chassis platform  363  of the fixing member  35 , and pivotally rotatable around the rotating center O. 
     The two hook-shaped claws  559  are disposed at opposite ends of the positioning portion  552  correspondingly. The claws  559  face the fixing member  35  corresponding to the sliding slots  367 . The two claws  559  are installed into the sliding slots  367  from the entrances  368  and slidably clasp the fixing member  35 , in order to prevent the actuating member  55  from disengaging with the fixing member  35  when rotated. 
     The actuating portion  555  and the post  553  are also disposed at opposite ends of the positioning portion  552 , but face the support cover  33 , and opposite to the two claws  559 . The actuating portion  555  bends perpendicularly from one end of the positioning portion  552 . The button  558  is located on the outer surface  333  of the support cover  33 . The button  558  is fixable on the actuating portion  555  after the actuating portion  555  pass through the corresponding pushing slot  331 , in order to be conveniently pushed by a user. 
     The connecting portion  557  is flat shaped. The connecting portion  557  extends from one side of the positioning portion  552  along an elongating direction, and parallel with the fixing member  35 . The driving portion  5571  is an arc-shaped wall vertically extending from an edge of the connecting portion  557 . The center of driving portion  5571  is the rotating center O of the actuating member  55 . A height of the driving portion  5571  gradually decreases along a clockwise rotating direction of the actuating member  55  in  FIG. 4 . The driving portion  5571  includes a driving surface  5573  which is a top surface of the driving portion  5571 . The driving surface  5573  is an inclined surface with respect to the plane of the rotating surface of actuating member  55 . 
     The first resilient member  59  is a torsion spring, and includes a first end  591 , a second end  592 , and a winding  593  connecting the first end  591  and the second end  592 . The first end  591  is fixed on the post  553 , and the second end  592  is fixed on the second paw  361 . The winding  593  is freely disposed between the post  553  and the second paw  361 . Therefore, the first resilient member  59  provides a torsional force to limit the actuating member  55  located at two ends of the sliding slots  367 . 
     The locking member  53  is substantially elongated, and pivotally attached on the fixing member  35 . The locking member  53  includes a base  530 , a shaft  531 , a locking portion  533 , a driven portion  537 , and a post  535 . The shaft  531  and the locking portion  533  are disposed at opposite ends of the base  530  correspondingly. The shaft  531  is pivotally fixed on the positioning block  355 , in order to pivotally fix the locking member  53  on the fixing member  35 . 
     The locking portion  533  is a protruding block and faces the fixing member  35 . The locking portion  533  is used for passing through the opening  353  and the through hole  311 , and inserting into the rest space of the corresponding locking slot  14  of the electronic device  10 , to prevent the hooking portion  513  from drawing from the locking slot  14 . The post  535  protrudes from a side surface of the locking member  53  adjacent to the shaft  531 , and faces the stopping block  357 . 
     The driven portion  537  is contacting with the driving portion  5571  The driven portion  537  may be a protruding block opposite to the post  535  and adjacent to the locking portion  533 . The driven portion  537  is supported on the driving surface  5573 , thus, the driven portion  537  may be pushed to move toward a first direction D 1  and a second direction D 2  ( FIG. 5 ), when the actuating member  55  is actuated. The first direction D 1  is a reverse direction of the second direction D 2 , and perpendicular to the rotating surface of the actuating member  55 . 
     The second resilient member  57  may be a torsion spring. The second resilient member  57  is fixed on the post  535  of the locking member  53 , with one end pressing the locking member  53  and the other end resisting against the first paw  359  of the fixing member  35 , to prevent the locking portion  533  from withdrawing back from the through hole  311 . 
     In assembly, first, the positioning posts  365  are passed through the positioning holes  551  of the corresponding positioning portion  552  rotatably connecting the actuating member  55  on the chassis platform  363  of the fixing member  35 . Therefore, the contacting surface between the actuating member  55  and the fixing member  35  is reduced. Then, the claws  559  are inserted into the corresponding sliding slots  367  from the corresponding entrances  368  and hook onto the fixing member  35 , thereby, preventing the actuating member  55  from disengaging with the fixing member  35 , when the actuating member  55  rotates with respect to the fixing member  35 . 
     Second, the locking member  53  is pivotally attached on the fixing member  35 , and engages with the actuating member  55 . The shaft  531  is fixed on the positioning block  355  of the fixing member  35 , and rotatable with respect to the positioning block  355 . The driven portion  537  are located on the driving surface  5573  of the driving portion  5571 , the locking portion  533  is passes through the opening  353 , and the post  535  contacts with the stopping block  357 . 
     Third, a screw or a bolt pass through the fastening hole  5111  of hook  51  and mounting hole  352  of the fixing member  35  to fix the hook  51  on the fixing member  35 , therefore, the hooking portion  513  is aligned with the locking portion  533 . After that, the first end  591  of the first resilient member  59  is fixed on the post  553 , the second end  592  is fixed on the second paw  361 , and the winding  593  is in a normal state. The second resilient member  57  is fixed on the post  535  of the locking member  53 , with one end pressing on the locking member  53  and the other end resisting against the first paw  359  of the fixing member  35 , to prevent the locking portion  533  from withdrawing back from the through hole  311 . 
     Finally, the fixing posts  315  pass through the fixing holes  3511  of the dampening members  351  to attach the fixing member  35  on the platform cover  31 , and the hooking portion  513  of the hook  51  and the locking portion  533  of the locking member  53  pass through the through hole  311  for inserting into the locking slot  14 . And the support cover  33  is engaged on the platform cover  31  with the actuating portion  555  passing through the corresponding pushing slot  331 . Then the button  558  sleeves on the actuating portion  555  to be conveniently pushed, thereby actuating the locking member  53 . 
     Further referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the locking portion  533  is withdrawn from the locking slot  14  of the electronic device  10  and the through hole  311  of the platform cover  31  along the first direction D 1 . The driven portion  537  is supported at the highest position of the driving portion  5571  with respect to the rotating surface of the actuating member  55 . Each claw  559  is located at one end of the sliding slot  367 , and the first resilient member  59  applies a first torsional force to one end of the positioning portion  552  of the actuating member  55  to limit the actuating member  55 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , when the electronic device  10  needs to be assembled on the fastening device  20 , the hooking portion  51  is inserted into the corresponding locking slot  14 . Then, the button  558  is pushed, overcoming the first torsional force of the first resilient member  59 , and slides into the other end of the pushing slot  331 . The actuating member  55  rotates around the positioning post  365  on the rotating surface with respect to the fixing member  35 , and the claws  559  slide to the other end of the sliding slots  367  correspondingly. The first resilient member  59  applies a second torsional force to one end of the positioning portion  552  of the actuating member  55  to limit the actuating member  55 . The driven portion  537  slides from the highest position to the lowest position of the driving portion  5571  due to a pressing force from the second resilient member  57 . The locking portion  533  passes through the opening  353  and the through hole  311  and inserts into the locking slot  14  along the second direction D 2  to prevent the hooking portion  51  from disengaging from the electronic device  10 . Therefore, the electronic device  10  is assembled on the fastening device  20 . 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Category: 7