U.S. patent application number 11/954232 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for locking assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to HSUAN-CHEN CHEN.
Application Number | 20090060680 11/954232 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40407809 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090060680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; HSUAN-CHEN |
March 5, 2009 |
LOCKING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An exemplary locking assembly includes a locking member and a
sleeve. The locking member includes a locking portion and a neck
portion connecting the locking portion. An outer diameter of the
locking portion is larger than that of the neck portion. The sleeve
defines a through hole therein for holding and guiding the locking
member. The through hole includes a first part. The sleeve further
includes a restricting portion extending out from an inner surface
of the through hole adjoining the first part of the through hole.
After locking portion of the locking member passes through the
restricting portion of the sleeve, the restricting portion blocks
the locking portion from sliding out of the sleeve.
Inventors: |
CHEN; HSUAN-CHEN; (Tu-Cheng,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PCE INDUSTRY, INC.;ATT. CHENG-JU CHIANG
458 E. LAMBERT ROAD
FULLERTON
CA
92835
US
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
Tu-Cheng
TW
|
Family ID: |
40407809 |
Appl. No.: |
11/954232 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
411/508 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/0208
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
411/508 |
International
Class: |
F16B 35/04 20060101
F16B035/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2007 |
CN |
200710201484.6 |
Claims
1. A locking assembly, comprising: a locking member including a
locking portion and a neck portion connected to the locking
portion, wherein an outer diameter of the locking portion is larger
than that of the neck portion; and a sleeve defining a through hole
therein for holding and guiding the locking member, the through
hole including a first part, wherein the sleeve further comprises a
restricting portion extending out from an inner surface of the
through hole adjoining the first part of the through hole; after
the locking portion of the locking member passes through the
restricting portion of the sleeve, the restricting portion blocks
the locking portion from sliding out of the sleeve.
2. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking
member is a fastener, the locking portion of the fastener is a
threaded portion having outer screw threading.
3. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the depth of
the through hole of the sleeve is larger than or equal to the
length of the fastener.
4. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastener
further comprises a head portion, one end of the neck portion
connects to the head portion and another end of the neck portion
connects to the threaded portion.
5. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein an outer
diameter of the threaded portion of the fastener is smaller than
that of the head portion.
6. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the through
hole of the sleeve further comprises a second part, and a third
part communicating with the first part in that order, the
restricting portion extending out from an inner surface of the
through hole between the second part and the third part.
7. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
restricting portion defines inner screw threading thereon
corresponding to the outer screw threading of the threaded portion
of the fastener.
8. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein an inner
diameter of the first part of the through hole is larger than the
outer diameter of the head portion.
9. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein an inner
diameter of the second part of the through hole is smaller than the
outer diameter of the head portion, the inner diameter of the
second part of the through hole is larger than the outer diameter
of the neck portion, and the inner diameter of the second part of
the through hole is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded
portion.
10. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein an inner
diameter of the third part of the through hole is smaller than that
of the second part, and the inner diameter of the third part of the
through hole is larger than or equal to the outer diameter of the
threaded portion.
11. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 6, further comprising
a resilient member disposed in the through hole of the sleeve above
the restricting portion.
12. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein an outer
diameter of the resilient member is larger than a minimum diameter
of the restricting portion.
13. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner
diameter of the resilient member is respectively larger than the
diameters of the threaded portion and the neck portion, but smaller
than the diameter of the head portion of the fastener.
14. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve
further comprises a flange portion extending out from an outer
surface thereof adjacent a distal end of the first part of the
through hole.
15. The locking assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sleeve
further comprises a latching slot defined in the outer surface
adjoining the flange portion, for receiving an object that will be
fastened.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to locking devices,
and particularly to a locking assembly having a locking member that
would not slide out of the locking assembly.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Typically, in assembling, a plurality of locking elements,
such as screws, are widely used to fix at least two members
tightly.
[0005] FIG. 4 shows a conventional locking structure 10. The
locking structure 10 includes a first object 12, a second object
14, and a fastener 16. The second object 14 defines a stepped hole
142 therein, and the stepped hole 142 includes a first stepped part
1422 and a second stepped part 1424. A diameter of the first
stepped part 1422 is smaller than that of the second stepped part
1424 of the stepped hole 142. The first object 12 defines a
threaded hole 122 therein corresponding to the second stepped part
1424 of the stepped hole 142. The fastener 16 includes a head
portion 162, a neck portion 164, and a threaded portion 166. One
end of the neck portion 164 connects to the head portion 162 and
another end of the neck portion 164 connects to the threaded
portion 166. A diameter of the neck portion 164 is smaller than
that of the first stepped part 1422. The threaded portion 166 of
the fastener 16 is match with the threaded hole 122 of the first
object 12. In assembled, the threaded portion 166 of the fastener
16 is screwed into the threaded hole 122 of the first object 12
passing through the stepped hole 142 of the second object 14,
thereby fixing the first object 12 and the second object 14
tightly.
[0006] However, in disassembling, the fastener 16 is usually
detached from the first object 12 and the second object 14, and is
easily misplaced or lost due to its small size. Thus, it may be
difficult or troublesome to re-assemble the first object 12 and the
second object 14 if the fastener 16 is lost or misplaced. If the
fastener 16 is a non-standard product, replacing the fastener 16
and hence the re-assembling of the locking structure 10 is more
difficult. In addition, if the locking structure 10 is located in
an inner portion of an electronic product (not shown) adjacent to
gaps or holes of the electronic product, the fastener 16 when
detached, from the first object 12 and the second object 14, may
fall into the gaps or holes of the electronic product. This may
result in damage or destruction of other elements of the electronic
product.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a new locking assembly that
can overcome the above-described shortcomings.
SUMMARY
[0008] A locking assembly according to a preferred embodiment
includes a locking member and a sleeve. The locking member includes
a locking portion and a neck portion connected to the locking
portion. An outer diameter of the locking portion is larger than
that of the neck portion. The sleeve defines a through hole therein
for holding and guiding the locking member. The through hole
includes a first part. The sleeve further includes a restricting
portion extending out from an inner surface of the through hole
adjoining the first part of the through hole. After locking portion
of the locking member passes through the restricting portion of the
sleeve, the restricting portion blocks the locking portion from
sliding out of the sleeve.
[0009] Other advantages and novel features will become more
apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to
scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating
the principles of the present locking assembly. Moreover, in the
drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views, and all the views are schematic.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a locking assembly
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an assembled, side cross-sectional view of the
locking assembly of FIG. 1, the locking assembly assembled with a
second object.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an assembled, side cross-sectional view of a
locking assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an abbreviated, side cross-sectional view of a
conventional locking assembly fixing two objects together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe, in
detail, preferred embodiments of the present locking assembly.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a locking assembly 20 in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The locking assembly 20 is preferably used to
fasten at least two metal sheets or plastic sheets together such as
electrical circuit boards, electronic devices, and other computer
components. The locking assembly 20 includes a fastener 22, a
sleeve 24, and a resilient member 26. The sleeve 24 is provided for
holding and guiding the fastener 22. The fastener 22 is essentially
a screw that includes a head portion 226, a neck portion 224, and a
threaded portion 222. An end of the neck portion 224 connects the
head portion 226 and another end of the neck portion 224 connects
the threaded portion 222. The sleeve 24 is substantially a
cylinder, which defines a through hole 242 along a center axis of
the sleeve 24. The through hole 242 includes three connecting parts
in a following order: a first part 2422, a second part 2424, and a
third part 2426. The sleeve 24 further includes a restricting
portion 244 extending out from an inner surface of the through hole
242 between the second part 2424 and the third part 2426. The
restricting portion 244 defines an inner screw threading.
[0017] The threaded portion 222 of the fastener 22 defines an outer
screw threading to engage with the inner screw threading of the
restricting portion 244. Therefore, the threaded portion 222 can be
screwed through the restricting portion 244 correspondingly.
[0018] In this embodiment, the locking assembly 20 is used to
fasten a first object (not shown) and a second object 28. In
assembling, when the fastener 22 is mounted into the through hole
242 of the sleeve 24 along a Y.sub.1-direction, the threaded
portion 222 of the fastener 22 is driven to pass through the
restricting portion 244, and finally screwed into a threaded hole
of the first object (not shown). The restricting portion 244 is
configured for preventing the threaded portion 222 to slide out,
thus also preventing the fastener 22 to slide out of the sleeve
24.
[0019] In this embodiment, a depth of the through hole 242 of the
sleeve 24 is configured deeper than the length of the fastener 22,
for protecting the fastener 22 better. A maximum outer diameter of
the threaded portion 222 of the fastener 22 is larger than that of
the neck portion 224, and smaller than that of the head portion
226. An inner diameter of the first part 2422 of the through hole
242 is larger than the outer diameter of the head portion 226. An
inner diameter of the second part 2424 of the through hole 242 is
smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion 226, but larger
than the largest of the outer diameters of the neck portion 224 and
the threaded portion 222. An inner diameter of the third part 2426
of the through hole 242 is smaller than that of the second part
2424. The inner diameter of the third part 2426 is larger than or
equal to the outer diameter of the threaded portion 222 of the
fastener 22. The head portion 226 of the fastener 22 can be held in
the first part 2422 of the through hole 242 of the sleeve 24.
[0020] In this embodiment, the resilient member 26 is a spring. An
outer diameter of the resilient member 26 is larger than a minimum
diameter of the restricting portion 244. An inner diameter of the
resilient member 26 is larger than the diameters of the threaded
portion 222, but smaller than the diameter of the head portion 226
of the fastener 22. In assembling, the resilient member 26 is
disposed in the through hole 242 of the sleeve 24 above the
restricting portion 244. The threaded portion 222 of the fastener
22 pass through the resilient member 26. After the fastener 22 is
screwed into the first object (not shown), opposite ends of the
resilient member 26 resists the head portion 226 of the fastener 22
and the restricting portion 244 of the sleeve 24 correspondingly.
If the fastener 22 is detached from the first object, the resilient
member 26 produces a force pushing the fastener 22 upwards out of
the sleeve 24, but the restricting portion 244 would block the
fastener 22 from sliding out of the sleeve 24. This configuration
allows re-assembling the locking assembly 20 quickly.
Alternatively, the resilient member 26 can be omitted.
[0021] The sleeve 24 further includes a flange portion 246
extending out from an outer surface of the sleeve 24 adjacent to a
distal end of the first part 2422 of the through hole 242.
Preferably, the sleeve 24 may further define a latching slot 248 in
the outer surface adjoining the flange portion 246. The second
object 28 defines an opening (not labeled). A diameter of the
flange portion 246 is larger than that of the opening of the second
object 28. The sleeve 24 with the fastener 22 partially passes
through the opening of the second object 28. The second object 28
is attached to the assembly at the latching slot 248. After the
fastener 22 is screwed into the first object, the second object 28
is firmly held by the flange portion 246 of the sleeve 24, such
that the first object (not shown) and the second object 28 are
fastened together. In an alternatively embodiment, the latching
shot 248 of the sleeve 24 can be omitted as long as the second
object 28 defines a hole to contain the sleeve 24
correspondingly.
[0022] Alternatively, the depth of the through hole 242 of the
sleeve 24 can be equal to or smaller than the length of the
fastener 22.
[0023] It is to be understood that, any two parts of the first part
2422, the second part 2424 and the third part 2426 of the through
hole 242 can be omitted. For example, a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention is described, in detail, in following
paragraphs.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, a locking assembly 30 in accordance
with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown. The locking assembly 30 includes a fastener 32 and a sleeve
34. The fastener 32 includes a head portion 326, a neck portion
324, and a threaded portion 322. The locking assembly 30 is similar
in principle to the locking assembly 20 of the first embodiment.
However, the sleeve 34 defines a through hole 342 and further
includes a restricting portion 344 extending from an inner surface
of one end of the through hole 342. After the threaded portion 322
of the fastener 32 is driven to pass through the restricting
portion 344 of the sleeve 34, the restricting portion 344 can block
the locking portion from sliding out of the sleeve 34.
[0025] In an alternatively embodiment, the restricting portion 344
can be formed at opposite end of the inner surface of the through
hole 342. The threaded portion 322 passes through the through hole
342 in a direction from one end of the through hole 342 without
restricting portion 344 to the opposite end of the through hole 342
having restricting portion 344.
[0026] It is to be understood that, the fastener 22, 32 can be
replaced by any other locking members, the locking member having a
locking portion and a neck portion connected to the locking
portion. The lock portion can be one of latches or latching grooves
that firmly mates with corresponding structures defined in object
that will be fastened. Correspondingly, the restricting portion
244, 344 is replaced by one of elastic hooks or protruding ribs.
For example, if the restricting portion is an elastic hook defined
on inner surface of the through hole of the sleeve, the locking
portion of the locking member can be pressed to pass through the
elastic hook, but restricted by a hook of the elastic hook
backward. If the restricting portion is a protruding rib (like the
restricting portion 244, 344 without inner screw thread), the
locking portion can pass through the protruding rib when the
protruding rib is heated to expand. Alternatively, the locking
portion of the locking member is firstly to pass through the
restricting portion, then a plurality of dots are formed on the
restricting portions for restricting the locking member
backward.
[0027] Finally, while the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, the description is
illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as
limiting the invention. Therefore, various modifications can be
made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without
departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *