U.S. patent application number 11/049577 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-29 for supporting apparatus for computer case.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Xu, Ji-Guo.
Application Number | 20050285486 11/049577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35051856 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050285486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Xu, Ji-Guo |
December 29, 2005 |
Supporting apparatus for computer case
Abstract
A supporting apparatus for a computer case (10) comprises a base
member (30), a foot (60) and a latch (40). The computer case
comprises a chassis (20) and a bottom panel (14). An opening (142)
is defined in the bottom panel. The base member comprises a top
wall (32) and a bottom wall (34). Through holes (324, 342) are
respectively defined in the top wall and the bottom wall. The foot
comprises a base (62) and a pole (64) disposed in the through
holes. A hook (646) is formed at a distal end of the pole. The
latch is mounted to the base member for grasping the hook. When the
supporting apparatus is hidden into the opening of the bottom
panel, the hook is grasped by the latch. When the supporting
apparatus slides outwardly from the opening of the bottom panel,
the hook is released from the latch.
Inventors: |
Xu, Ji-Guo; (Shenzhen,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRIS MANNING & MARTIN LLP
1600 ATLANTA FINANCIAL CENTER
3343 PEACHTREE ROAD, NE
ATLANTA
GA
30326-1044
US
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI Precision Industry CO.,
LTD.
Tu-Cheng City
TW
|
Family ID: |
35051856 |
Appl. No.: |
11/049577 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/223.2 ;
312/351.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/181 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/223.2 ;
312/351.3 |
International
Class: |
A47B 097/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 28, 2004 |
CN |
200420071196.5 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A supporting apparatus for a computer case, the computer case
comprising a bottom panel mounted to the chassis, an opening being
defined in the bottom panel, the supporting apparatus comprising: a
base member mounted in the computer case; a foot comprising a base
corresponding to the opening of the bottom panel and a pole
extending from the base, the pole being moveably mounted to the
base member, a hook being formed at a distal end of the pole; and a
latch mounted to the computer case for grasping the hook of the
foot; wherein pushing the supporting apparatus to make the hook to
be grasped by the latch; pushing the supporting apparatus again to
make the hook to be released from the latch, the supporting
apparatus is slid outwardly from the opening of the bottom
panel.
2. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, further
comprising an intermediate member, wherein the intermediate member
comprises a pair of hooks protruding from opposite sides thereof to
engage with the base member.
3. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the
intermediate member further comprises a top wall, an opening is
defined in the top wall, a bulge extends outwardly from sides of
the opening for disposing the latch.
4. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the
pole of the foot comprises a first column portion and a second
column portion extending from the first column portion, a ringed
groove is defined in the second column portion, a gasket is mounted
in the groove for positioning the pole of the foot.
5. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 4, further
comprising an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is
arranged around the second column portion of the pole.
6. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the
latch comprises a housing and a locking portion received in the
housing, a pair of claws protrudes from the locking portion to
grasp the hook of the pole of the foot.
7. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a
plate is positioned between the base member and the computer case,
the plate comprises a first plate mounted to the computer case and
a second plate extending from the first plate for being mounted to
the base member.
8. A computer case, comprising: a chassis; a bottom panel covering
the chassis, an opening being defined in the bottom panel; a foot
corresponding to the opening of the bottom panel comprising a hook;
and a latch mounted to the chassis for grasping the hook of the
foot; wherein when the foot is hidden in the opening of the bottom
panel, the hook is grasped by the latch; when the foot extends from
outwardly from the opening of the bottom panel, the hook is
released from the latch.
9. The computer case as described in claim 8, further comprising a
base member, wherein the base member mounted to the chassis
comprises a top wall and a bottom wall, a through hole is defined
in the top wall, a through hole is defined in the bottom wall.
10. The computer case as described in claim 9, wherein the foot
further comprises a base and a pole extending from the base, the
pole is disposed in the through holes of the top wall and the
bottom wall of the base member.
11. The computer case as described in claim 9, further comprising
an intermediate member, wherein the intermediate member comprises a
pair of hooks protruding from opposite sides thereof to engage with
the top wall of the base member.
12. The computer case as described in claim 11, wherein the
intermediate member further comprises a top wall, an opening is
defined in the top wall, a bulge extends outwardly from sides of
the opening for disposing the latch.
13. The computer case as described in claim 8, wherein the pole of
the foot comprises a first column portion and a second column
portion extending from the first column portion, a ringed groove is
defined in the second column portion, a gasket is mounted in the
groove for positioning the pole of the foot.
14. The computer case as described in claim 13, further comprising
an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is arranged around
the second column portion of the pole.
15. The computer case as described in claim 8, wherein the latch
comprises a housing and a locking portion received in the housing,
a pair of claws protrudes from the locking portion to grasp the
hook of the pole of the foot.
16. The computer case as described in claim 8, wherein a plate is
positioned between the base member and the computer case, and
comprises a first plate mounted to the computer case and a second
plate extending from the first plate for being mounted to the base
member.
17. A computer assembly comprising: a case having a bottom panel;
and a supporting apparatus having a base member arranged to the
case, a latch arranged to the base member, and a foot resiliently
attached to the base member and being vertically movable relative
to the bottom panel of the case; wherein the foot is selectively
located in a first position to engage with the latch, and in a
second position to disengage from the latch.
18. The computer assembly as described in claim 17, wherein the
latch comprises a housing and two claws; the foot comprises a hook
at a distal end thereof; when the hook pushes the claws into the
housing, the hook is clamped by the claws and retained in the
housing; when the hook pushes the claws a second time, the claws
are driven outward of the housing by a resilient force, and release
the hook.
19. The computer assembly as described in claim 18, wherein the
foot is rotatable around an axis vertical to the bottom panel when
the hook is released from the claws.
20. The computer assembly as described in claim 18, wherein a
spring is disposed between the foot and the base member.
21. An assembly of an electronic device, comprising: a case having
a panel to be supportively placed for placement of said assembly;
and a supporting apparatus fully installed in said case and having
a foot extendable from inside of a profile of said case to outside
of said profile of said case, said foot movable to be fully settled
within said inside of said case profile, and to be settled at said
outside of said case profile next to said panel of said case so as
to be supportively contributory to said placement of said case.
22. The assembly as described in claim 21, wherein an outer surface
of said foot is substantially flushed with said panel in both
situations of settling in said inside of said case profile and
settling to said outside of said case profile.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to supporting apparatuses, and
particularly to supporting apparatuses for computer cases.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, most of tower computers have outer surfaces large
enough to let the tower computers stand stably on computer desks.
But this is changed with the appearance of tower-type mini
computers. The mini computer has such a smaller outer surface that
the stand-up stability of the mini computer may be unqualified.
[0005] In order to improve the stand-up stability of the mini
computer, many supporting apparatuses are provided. Some supporting
apparatuses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,295,648 and
6,364,278. The supporting apparatus comprises a base and a
plurality of legs perpendicular to the base. The mini computer is
disposed on the supporting apparatus between the legs. The outer
surface of the mini computer is increased thereby. However, the
supporting apparatus has such a large volume and a complex
structure that the manufacturing cost of the supporting apparatus
is high. Moreover, when the mini computer is used as a horizontal
computer, it is inconvenient to preserve the supporting apparatus
for their large volume.
[0006] Another supporting apparatus is disclosed in China Patent
Application No. 95216022.6. Four grooves extending to side panels
are symmetrically defined in a bottom panel of a computer. Two
slots are defined in each of the grooves. One slot is in the bottom
panel, and the other slot is in the corresponding side panel. The
supporting apparatus comprises four stands corresponding to the
grooves of the computer. Each stand has a small volume, and
comprises a base and a leg extending perpendicularly from the base.
Two protrusions are formed on each of the stands. One protrusion
protrudes from the base corresponding to the slot of the bottom
panel, and the other protrusion protrudes from the leg
corresponding to the slot of the side panel. The stands are mounted
to the computer by the protrusions being engaged into the
corresponding slots. However, when the computer is used as a
horizontal-type computer, it is inconvenient that the stands must
be removed from the computer.
[0007] Thus an improved supporting apparatus for computer cases
which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a supporting apparatus which can support a computer case
stably in an upright manner.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
supporting apparatus which can be hid in a computer when the
supporting apparatus being not used.
[0010] To achieve the aforementioned objects, a supporting
apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention for
a computer case comprises a base member, a foot and a latch. The
computer case comprises a chassis and a bottom panel mounted to the
chassis. An opening is defined in the bottom panel. The base member
mounted on the chassis comprises a top wall and a bottom wall. A
through hole is defined in the top wall. A through hole is defined
in the bottom wall. The foot comprises a base disposed in the
through holes and a pole extending from the base. The pole is
disposed in the through holes of the top wall and the bottom wall
of the base member. A hook is formed at a distal end of the pole.
The latch mounted on the base member for grasping the hook. When
the supporting apparatus is hidden into the opening of the bottom
panel, the hook of the pole is grasped by the latch. When the
supporting apparatus slides outwardly from the opening of the
bottom panel, the hook is released from the latch.
[0011] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention with attached
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of two supporting
apparatuses and a computer case in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the supporting
apparatus, the supporting apparatus comprising a base, an
intermediate member, a latch, a foot and a spring;
[0014] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but viewed from another
aspect;
[0015] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing the supporting
apparatus and a connecting plate are mounted on the computer
case;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an assembled view of FIG. 1, showing the
supporting apparatus being not used; and
[0017] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but showing the supporting
apparatus in use.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, two supporting apparatuses are needed
in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The supporting apparatuses are mounted in a case 10 of
an electronic device like a computer. The computer case 10
comprises a front panel 11, a rear panel 12, a side panel 13, a
bottom panel 14 and a chassis 20. A pair of openings 142 is defined
in the bottom panel 14. The chassis 20 has a front plate 21, a rear
plate 22 and a bottom plate 24. The front plate 21 and the rear
plate 22 are perpendicular to the bottom plate 24. Two screw holes
222 are defined in the rear plate 22. Two mounting holes 242 are
defined in the bottom plate 24 adjacent the rear plate 22.
[0019] Each of the supporting apparatuses is mounted to the chassis
20 by a connecting plate 28. The connecting plate 28 comprises a
first plate 282 and a second plate 286 extending perpendicularly
from the first plate 282. Two mounting holes 284 are defined in the
first plate 282, corresponding to the mounting holes 242 of the
bottom plate 24. Three securing holes 288 are defined in the second
plate 286.
[0020] Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the supporting
apparatuses comprises a base member 30, an intermediate member 40,
a latch 50, a foot 60 and an elastic member such as a spring
70.
[0021] The base member 30 has a top wall 32, a bottom wall 34
parallel to the top wall 32 and two side walls 36, 38 perpendicular
to the top wall 32. Two apertures 322 and a position hole 323 are
defined in the top wall 32. A through hole 324 is defined in the
top wall 32 among the apertures 322 and the position hole 324. A
circular through hole 342 corresponding to the through hole 324 and
an opening 344 are defined in the bottom wall 34. Two screw holes
362 corresponding to the screw holes 222 of the rear plate 22 are
defined in the side wall 36. Three securing holes 382 are defined
in the side wall 38 corresponding to the securing holes 288 of the
second plate 286 of the connecting plate 28.
[0022] The intermediate member 40 has a top wall 42 and two pairs
of side walls 44, 46 perpendicular to the top wall 42. An opening
422 is defined in the top wall 42. A square-section bulge 424
extends outwardly from the sides of the opening 422. A pairs of
cutouts 428 is defined in the bulge 424 in a direction parallel to
the side walls 44. A hook 442 extends outwardly from the side of
each of the side walls 44, corresponding to the aperture 322 of the
base member 30. A tab 462 extends from the side of one of the side
wall 46 corresponding to the position hole 323 of the base member
30.
[0023] The latch 50 is a standard component and comprises a housing
52 and a locking portion 54 elastically received in the housing 52.
The housing 52 comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. A
length of the bottom portion (not labeled) is greater than that of
the top portion (not labeled). A pair of protrusions 522
corresponding to the cutout 428 of the intermediate member 40
protrudes from two opposite sides of the top portion of the housing
52 adjacent the bottom portion. The locking portion 54 has two
claws 542. When the locking portion 54 slides into the housing 52,
the claws 542 are closed. When the locking portion 54 extends out
from the housing 52, the claws 542 are opened.
[0024] The foot 60 comprises a base 62 and a pole 64 extending
perpendicular from the base 62. A supporting portion 622 is
arranged at the base 62 adjacent the pole 64 corresponding to the
opening 344 of the base member 30. The pole 64 comprises a first
column portion 642 and a second column portion 644 extending
outwardly from the first column 642. A diameter of the first column
portion 642 is greater than the maximal diameter of the through
hole 324 of the base member 30, but smaller than that of the
through hole 342 of the base member 30. A diameter of the second
column 644 is smaller than the minimal diameter of the through 324
of the base member 30. A ringed groove 645 is defined in an outer
surface of the second column portion 644 for receiving a gasket 66.
The gasket 66 has a greater diameter than that of the through hole
324 of the base member 30. A hook 646 corresponding to the claws
542 of the latch 50 is formed at a distal end of the second column
644. The hook 646 is grasped by the claws 542 when the claws 542
are closed.
[0025] The spring 70 has a diameter greater than the minimal
diameter of the through hole 324 of the base member 30, but smaller
than the diameter of the first column 642 of the foot 60.
[0026] Referring also to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, in assembly, the
connecting plate 28 is mounted to the bottom plate 24 of the
chassis 20 by two screws (not showed) being inserted through the
mounting holes 284 of the first plate 282 and engaged with the
mounting holes 242 of the bottom plate 24. In the same way, the
base member 30 is mounted to the second plate 284 of the connecting
plate 28 and the bottom plate 24 of the chassis 20 by screws (not
showed). The spring 70 is placed between the top wall 32 and the
bottom wall 34 of the base member 30. The second column portion 644
of the pole 64 is pushed in turn through the through hole 342 of
the bottom wall 34, the spring 70 and the through hole 324 of the
top wall 32 of the base member 30. The spring 70 is arranged around
the second column portion 644. The groove 645 is exposed out of the
through hole 324 of the top wall 32. The foot 60 is secured in the
base member 30 by the gasket 66 received in the groove 645 of the
second column portion 644. The latch 50 extends into the
intermediate member 40. The bottom portion of the latch 50 is
disposed inside the intermediate member 40, and the top portion
traverses through the opening 422. The protrusion 522 of the top
portion of the housing 52 is locked in the cutout 428 of the bulge
424. The claws 542 of the locking portion 54 are hidden in the
intermediate member 40. When the hooks 442 of the intermediate
member 40 are locked in the apertures 322 of the base member 30,
the tab 462 is inserted into the position hole 323. The
intermediate member 40 together with the latch 50 is thus mounted
on the top wall 32 of the base member 30. The hook 646 of the foot
60 is disposed between the claws 542. After the supporting
apparatus is mounted on the chassis 20, the front panel 11, the
rear panel 12, the side panel 13 and the bottom panel 14 are
mounted to the chassis 20. The base 62 traverses through the
opening 142 of the bottom panel 14, and an inner surface of the
base 62 leaves away from an outer surface of the bottom panel 14.
The supporting apparatuses are thus mounted in the computer case
10.
[0027] When the base 62 is pushed into the computer case 10 through
the opening 142 of the bottom panel 14 by an external force, the
first column portion 642 of the foot 60 presses the spring 70. The
elastic spring 70 is contracted, and the hook 646 of the foot 60
presses the locking portion 54 of the latch 50 to make the locking
portion 54 sliding into the housing 52. The claws 542 of the
locking portion 54 are closed, and the hook 646 of the foot 60 is
grasped. The supporting portion 622 of the foot 60 is secured into
the opening 344 of the bottom wall 34 of the base member 30, and
the outer surface of the base 62 is in a same plane with the outer
surface of the bottom panel 14. Thus the supporting apparatuses are
hidden in the computer case 10.
[0028] The base 62 of the foot 60 is further pushed into the
computer case 10 by another external force. The claws 542 of the
locking portion 54 slide out from the housing 52 of the latch 60
when the force applied on the base 62 is withdrawn. The locking
portion 54 of the latch 50 and the spring 70 push the pole 64 of
the foot 60. The foot 60 slides out from the computer case 10 until
the gasket 66 mounted in the groove 645 of the pole 64 is stopped
by the top wall 32 of the base member 30. The inner surface of the
base 62 of the foot 60 leaves away from the outer surface of the
bottom panel 14. After the foot 60 is rotated in 180 degree, the
foot 60 is pushed into the computer case 10 again until the hook
646 of the foot 60 is grasped by the claws 542 of the latch 50. The
base 62 of the foot 60 is in a same plane with the bottom panel 14
of the computer case 10, and projects out from the computer case
10. The computer case 10 thereby stands up stably.
[0029] The foot 60 can again be hidden when the computer case 10 is
used in horizontality.
[0030] 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.
* * * * *