U.S. patent application number 10/330987 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for case for receiving portable storage peripheral equipment.
Invention is credited to Lin, Yi-Sheng.
Application Number | 20040089571 10/330987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29998499 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040089571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin, Yi-Sheng |
May 13, 2004 |
Case for receiving portable storage peripheral equipment
Abstract
A case (1) is provided for receiving a portable storage
peripheral equipment which generally accomplishes signal
transmission with a computer. The case includes a case body
consisting of a top cover (10) and a bottom cover (20). The case
body defines a receiving space (60) for receiving the portable
storage peripheral equipment. Each of the top cover and the bottom
cover has a pair of baffle (22) parallel to corresponding sidewalls
(14) thereof. An arm (28) extends upwardly from each baffle of the
bottom cover. The baffle of the top cover defines a gap (224)
nicely receiving the arm. The arm has an engaging portion (282) at
a free end thereof and extending into the receiving space for
elastically interfering with outer sidewalls of the portable
storage peripheral equipment. The portable storage peripheral
equipment is thus reliably and accurately retained in the case.
Inventors: |
Lin, Yi-Sheng; (Tu-chen,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEI TE CHUNG
FOXCONN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1650 MEMOREX DRIVE
SANTA CLARA
CA
95050
US
|
Family ID: |
29998499 |
Appl. No.: |
10/330987 |
Filed: |
December 24, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 ;
G9B/33.004 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 2201/06 20130101;
H01R 13/60 20130101; G11B 33/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 13, 2002 |
TW |
91218156 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A case for portable storage peripheral equipment comprising a
case body consisting of a first and a second covers and defining a
receiving space therein for receiving a portable storage peripheral
equipment, the first cover having an arm formed adjacent to a
boundary of the cover, the arm having an engaging portion at a free
end thereof and extending into the receiving space for elastically
engaging with the portable storage peripheral equipment.
2. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the engaging portion has a projection projecting
inwardly to the receiving space for interfering with outer
sidewalls of the portable storage peripheral equipment.
3. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the first and the second covers each comprises a
pair of elongate baffles adjacent a pair of sidewalls of the case
and extending parallel to corresponding sidewalls of the case.
4. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 3, wherein each baffle defines a guiding portion at a front
end thereof and inclining towards the sidewall.
5. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 3, wherein the arm integrally extends from the baffle of the
cover and locates between the baffle and the guiding portion, the
arm has a connection portion connecting the engaging portion and
the baffle and the connection portion having a same height as that
of the baffle.
6. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 5, wherein the baffle of the second cover defines a gap
corresponding to the engaging portion of the first cover nicely
receiving the engaging portion of the arm of the first cover
therein.
7. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 6, wherein the first and second covers are a top and a bottom
cover, the arm extends upwardly from the baffle of the bottom
cover, and the gap is defined in the baffle of the top cover.
8. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 5, wherein a first slit is defined between the arm and the
guiding portion and a second slit is defined between the baffle and
the arm for providing flexibility when the portable storage
peripheral equipment is assembled in the case.
9. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed in
claim 8, wherein the arm deform in a first position by interfering
with sidewalls of the portable storage peripheral equipment for
allowing the portable storage peripheral equipment easily assemble
into the receiving space and subsequently the arm resume to
original position and elastically engage with the portable storage
peripheral equipment with each projection therefore interfering
with the outer surface of the sidewalls of the portable storage
peripheral equipment when the portable storage peripheral equipment
is completely received in the receiving space of the case.
10. A case for portable storage peripheral equipment comprising: a
first cover having a first sidewall and an arm extending parallel
to the first sidewall and adjacent to the first sidewall; and a
second cover opposite to the first cover, and having a second
sidewall corresponding to the first sidewall; wherein the first
cover and the second cover are cooperated with each other to form a
case body, the first cover and the second cover together defining a
receiving space therebetween for receiving the portable storage
peripheral equipment therein, the arm of the first cover extending
into the receiving space for engaging with sidewalls of the
portable storage peripheral equipment.
11. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as clamed in
claim 10, wherein the arm has an engaging portion at a free end
thereof for engaging with the sidewalls of the portable storage
peripheral equipment.
12. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed
in claim 10, wherein the first cover and the second cover each
defines a pair of elongate baffles parallel to corresponding
sidewalls of the first cover, the arm integrally extending from the
baffle of the first cover.
13. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed
in claim 12, wherein the baffle of the second cover defines a gap
corresponding to the engaging portion of the arm of the first
cover, the engaging portion of the arm of the first cover nicely
received in the gap.
14. The case for portable storage peripheral equipment as claimed
in claim 10, wherein the first cover forms a plurality of locking
flakes protruding upwardly therefrom, the second cover defines a
corresponding number of locking apertures snugly receiving the
locking flakes therein to fasten the first cover and the second
cover together.
15. A portable storage peripheral equipment comprising: a case body
with a flat type box defining lengthwise and lateral directions
perpendicular to each other, with a less height extending in a
vertical direction perpendicular to both said lengthwise and
lateral directions; an opening formed along a portion of a
periphery of said box in the lateral direction; and in an interior
of said box and adjacent to said opening, a pair of guiding
portions being formed by at lateral ends, and a pair of resilient
engaging arms closely respectively located behind and aligned with
said pair of guiding portions in said lengthwise direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is related to a co-pending
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/169,745, filed
Oct. 24, 2002, Centitled "CASE FOR PORTABLE STORAGE PERIPHERAL",
and other contemporaneously filed applications entitled "CASE FOR
PORTABLE STORAGE PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT", entitled "CASE FOR PORTABLE
STORAGE PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT HAVING CABEL ASSEMBLY WITH STRAIN
RELIEF", and entitled "CASE FOR PORTABLE STORAGE PERIPHERAL
EQUIPEMNT HAVING IMPROVED SHIELDING EFFECT ", all invented by the
same inventor, and assigned to the same assignee as the present
application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a case for portable storage
peripheral equipment, and particularly to a case accurately
receiving a portable storage peripheral equipment of a notebook
computer.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Following the popularity of the data processing machines,
i.e., computers, or serves, information processing with the
machine, is increased enormously. Generally, the information is
stored in an internal store equipment, such as a hard disk, a
floppy disk or a compact disc of the computer. However, such
internal store type is not satisfied with requirements of the
development that the computer becomes portable and low profile. The
external portable storage peripheral equipment is developed and
becomes more and more popular.
[0006] Generally, the external portable storage peripheral
equipment is received in a case. A printed circuit board module
(PCB module) is provided in the case with a device connector
mounted on the PCB module. The device connector mates with an
electrical connector mounted to a front portion of the external
portable storage peripheral equipment. The case further comprises a
cable assembly electrically connecting with the PCB module and
extending outside of the case for mating with a device connector
mounted on a mother board of a notebook computer for providing
signal transmission. Understandably, the external portable storage
peripheral equipment must be accurately and reliably positioned in
the case for assuring the mating condition between the electrical
connector of the external portable storage peripheral equipment and
the device connector of the PCB module.
[0007] The case generally defines a pair of sidewalls together
forming a receiving space for retaining the external portable
storage peripheral equipment therein. The pair of sidewalls engages
with two sidewalls of the external portable storage peripheral
equipment for providing a retention therebetween. In order to
assemble the external portable storage peripheral equipment in the
receiving space easily, a certain distance between the sidewall of
the case and the corresponding sidewall of the portable storage
peripheral equipment is defined. However, the distance may affect
the mating quality of the device connector of the PCB module and
the electrical connector of the external portable storage
peripheral equipment in the case. The signal transmission,
therefore, would be affected.
[0008] Hence, a case for portable storage peripheral equipment is
required to overcome the disadvantages of the related art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a case which can retain a portable storage peripheral
equipment reliably and accurately.
[0010] In order to achieve the object set forth, a case in
accordance with the present invention includes a case body
consisting of a top cover and a bottom cover. The case body defines
a receiving space for receiving a portable storage peripheral
equipment. Each of the top cover and the bottom cover has a pair of
baffle respectively parallel to corresponding sidewalls thereof. An
arm extends upwardly from each baffle of the bottom cover. The arm
has an engaging portion at a free end thereof and extending into
the receiving space for elastically engaging with the outer
sidewalls of the portable storage peripheral equipment. The
portable storage peripheral equipment is thus reliably and
accurately retained in the case and accomplishes signal
transmission with a computer.
[0011] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a case for
portable storage peripheral equipment in accordance with the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the case for
portable storage peripheral equipment of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a top cover of the
case for portable storage peripheral equipment of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a bottom cover of the
case for portable storage peripheral equipment of FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a circled portion
of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a case 1 for portable storage
peripheral equipment in accordance with the present invention is
generally rectangular in shape. The case 1 comprises a case body
consisting of a top cover 10 and a bottom cover 20, a cable
assembly 30, a printed circuit board module 40 (PCB module), and a
shielding 50. The top cover 10 and the bottom cover 20 are
assembled together and a receiving space 60 is thus defined
therebetween. The PCB module 40 and the shielding 50 are assembled
in the receiving space 60. A corresponding portable storage
peripheral equipment (not shown), i.e. a portable hard disk, a
floppy disk or a compact disc, is accommodated in the receiving
space 60 for providing a signal transmission with a notebook
computer by the PCB module 40 and the cable assembly 30.
[0018] Also referring to FIGS. 2-4, the top cover 10 has a similar
configuration with the bottom cover 20 and opposite to the top
cover 10. Each cove 10, 20 has a flat board 12, a pair of sidewalls
14 respectively extending curvely and outwardly from the flat board
12, and a front wall 16 extending from a front side of the flat
board 12. One sidewall 14 has a transitional part 140 adjacent to
the front wall 16. The transitional part 140 deflects towards a
center of the flat board 12 relative to the other part of the
sidewall 14 and a recess 120 is thus defined beyond the
transitional part 140. A pair of cushions 18 is respectively
attached on bottom surfaces of the recesses 120 of the top cover 10
and the bottom cover 20. Each front wall 16 defines a hemicycle
orifice 160 adjacent to the recess 120.
[0019] Each sidewall 14 of the covers 10, 20 defines a groove 142
therein. A plurality of arcuate ribs 144 protrudes equably into the
corresponding groove 142. Each flat board 12 of the top cover 10
and the bottom cover 20 protrudes a pair of baffles 22 parallel to
the sidewall 14 thereof. Each baffle 22 has a guiding portion 220
at the end thereof and inclining towards a corresponding sidewall
14. The baffle 22 of the top cover 10 defines a gap 224 between the
guiding portion 220 and the baffle 22. Each baffle 22 of the bottom
cover 20 has an arm 28 extending upwardly therefrom and
corresponding to the gap 224 of the top cover 10. As best shown in
FIG. 5, each arm 28 includes a connection portion 281 integrally
connecting with the baffle 22 and having a same height as that of
the baffle 22 and an engaging portion 282 at a free end of the arm
28 and connecting with the connection portion 281. A first slit 280
is defined between the arm 28 and the guiding portion 220 and a
second slit 280 is defined between the baffle 22 and the arm 28.
The engaging portion 282 projects a projection 284 protruding into
the receiving space 60. The engaging portion 282 is snugly received
in the gap 224 of the baffle 22 of the top cover 10 when the top
cover 10 and the bottom cover 20 are assembled together which will
be described hereinafter.
[0020] It should be noted in an alternative embodiment the arm 28
may be located in the baffle 22 of the top cover 10 and the gap 224
is correspondingly defined in the baffle 22 of the bottom cover 20,
since the top cover 10 has a similar configuration with the bottom
cover 20. Furthermore, in another alternative embodiment, the arm
28 and the gap 224 are only defined in one side of the baffles 22
for providing an elastic retention with the storage peripheral
equipment. Understandably, it is also practicable in this
embodiment although the retention function therebetween is not as
good as the embodiment above. The top cover 10 comprises a
plurality of locking flakes 24 locating between the sidewalls 14
and the baffle 22 and protruding downwardly therefrom, as shown in
FIG. 3. Each locking flake 24 has a length larger than that of the
baffle 22. The bottom cover 20 defines a corresponding number of
locking apertures 26 for snugly receiving the locking flakes 24 of
the top cover 10, best shown in FIG. 4.
[0021] The PCB module 40 includes a printed circuit board 42 and an
electrical connector 44 assembled thereto. The printed circuit
board 42 defines a plurality of retaining holes 46 corresponding to
posts (not labeled) of the top cover 10 provided for arranging and
fastening the PCB module 40 in the receiving space 60 by a
plurality of corresponding screws (not shown). The cable assembly
30 has a cable 31. The cable 31 has a retaining portion 32
connected to the printed circuit board 42 generally by soldering
technology and extending beyond the front wall 16 of the case 1.
The other end of the cable 31 connects a cable connector 34 for
mating with a device connector mounted on a mother board of the
notebook computer.
[0022] In assembly, the PCB module 40 is assembled in the receiving
space 60 adjacent to the front wall 16. The shielding 50, generally
fabricated from metal or other electrically conductive materials,
is assembled on an inner surface of the flat board 12 of the top
cover 10. The shielding 50 has a front wall 52 and a plurality of
positioning legs 54 extending downwardly therefrom for supporting
to the flat board 12 of bottom cover 20. The locking flakes 24,
thereafter, are inserted in corresponding locking apertures 26. The
top cover 10 and the bottom cover 20 are thus fastened with each
other. The engaging portion 282 of the arm 28 of the bottom cover
20 is snugly received in the gap 224 of the top cover 10. The
hemicycle orifices 160 of the top cover 10 and the bottom cover 20
inosculate to each other to provide a circular aperture (not
labeled). The retaining portion 32 of the cable 31 extends through
the circular aperture. The grooves 142 of the sidewalls 14 of the
top cover 10 and the bottom cover 20 confront to each other and a
receiving channel 126 is thus formed by the pair of grooves 142.
Similarly, the recesses 120 of the top cover 10 and the bottom
cover 20 confront to each other for providing a retaining cavity
128. The retaining cavity 128 has a transversal dimension larger
than the receiving slot 126.
[0023] In use, the portable storage peripheral equipment is
assembled into the receiving space 60 along the baffle 22 thereof.
The arms 28 deform in a first position by interfering with
sidewalls of the portable storage peripheral equipment for allowing
the portable storage peripheral equipment easily assemble into the
receiving space 60. Subsequently, when the portable storage
peripheral equipment is completely received in the receiving space
60 of the case 1, the arms 28 resume to original position and
elastically engage with the portable storage peripheral equipment
with each projection 284 therefore interfering with the outer
surface of the sidewalls of the portable storage peripheral
equipment. Furthermore, because the engaging portion 284 of the arm
28 extends upwardly beyond the baffle 22 and defines a first, and a
second slits 280 at both sides thereof, the engaging portion 282
has a good elasticity for providing a retention therebetween.
Correspondingly, the portable storage peripheral equipment is
accurately and reliably retained in the receiving space 60 of the
case 1. A complementary connector mounted on a front portion of the
portable storage peripheral equipment nicely mates with the
electrical connector 44 of the PCB module 40 therein. The cable 31
extends out of the case 1 and the cable connector 34 mates with a
device connector of the computer. The signal transmission and
conversion between the portable storage peripheral equipment and
the computer is thus accomplished by the PCB module 40 and the
cable assembly 30.
[0024] It should be appreciated that in the preferred embodiment
above the arm 28 elastically engaging with the portable storage
peripheral equipment integrally connects with the baffle 22.
However, in alternative embodiment, one of the covers 10 (20)
defines a baffle 22 extending downwardly/upwardly to another cover
20 (10). The baffle 22 defines a gap 224 therein. Another cover 20
(10) defines an arm 28 extending therefrom for being received in
the gap 224. Understandably, the baffle 22 is not necessary for the
cover 20 (10) having an arm 28 in the alternative embodiment. In
other words, the arms 28 and the baffle 22 are respectively defined
two covers 10, 20 for elastically engaging with the outer sidewalls
of the portable storage peripheral equipment and providing an
accurate retention therebetween.
[0025] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the 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 invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
* * * * *