JP2000267762A - Function extending device for portable electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make performable the locking of a portable electronic equipment with a function extending device, the locking for preventing bugler of the function extending device, and the limit of the attachment/detachment of a function card by a single locking means. SOLUTION: This function extending device 1 of portable electronic equipment is provided with an operating means 9 for attaching and detaching a portable terminal 11, an attachable/detachable cover means 3 for covering a space in which a functional card can be mounted, and a connection locking means 28 whose one edge can be fixed to a non-portable member can be mounted on this function extending device. Also, this device is provided with a function for inhibiting the detachment of a portable terminal 11 and the attachment/detachment of the cover means 3 linking with the mounting of the connection locking means 28.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for extending the function of a portable electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 0-200, etc., portable electronic devices such as notebook-type personal computers and palmtop-type electronic devices are required to secure portability and expand their functions. It has been proposed to provide a function expansion device containing a circuit for expanding the function described above, and to attach and detach a portable electronic device to and from the function expansion device.

In this type of device, a PCI (Peripheral Comp) is used to further enhance the function expandability.
A function card such as an "onent Interconnect" card is detachable. Such a card for function expansion is basically damaged when the portable electronic device is attached or detached while the portable electronic device is operating. Therefore, sufficient care must be taken when handling the card.

Further, this type of apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-265.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 333 and the like, it is necessary to prevent the portable electronic device from being stolen between the portable electronic device and the function expansion device, and also to pay sufficient attention to the theft of the PCI card.

[0005]

In this type of conventional apparatus, the prevention of electrical damage to the card and the prevention of theft of the equipment have been sought to be solved by separate means, respectively. This hindered miniaturization.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is characterized by an operation means for attaching and detaching a portable terminal and an attaching and detaching means for covering a space in which a function card can be attached. A function of extending the function of the portable electronic device, comprising a cover means capable of being attached, and capable of mounting a connecting and locking means capable of fixing one end to a non-portable member. There is provided a mechanism for inhibiting removal of the terminal and attachment / detachment of the cover means.

[0007]

1 to 3 are perspective views showing the appearance of an apparatus 1 according to one embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a detachable lid 3 at the center of the upper part of the housing 2 and a personal computer mounting table 4 integrally formed at the lower front edge.

A space 10 inside the housing 2 covered by the cover 3 functions as a space for mounting a PCI card (not shown), and a PCI connector 5 for connecting the PCI card is provided. Have been.

A PC connector 6 for making an electrical connection to a personal computer, which will be described later, is attached to the front wall surface of the housing 2 above the mounting table 4. Further, a pair of pushers 7, 7 are arranged at both ends of the connector 6. The pushers 7 are formed on the mounting table 4 described above, and one end of the
It is slidably mounted on a pair of parallel grooves 8 extending from the inside of the housing 2 in a direction away from the front edge.
The pushers 7, 7 are composed of a lower base 7a, the upper surface of which does not protrude further from the grooves 8, 8, and a tall portion 7b, which protrudes substantially rearward from the grooves 8, 8 at the rear thereof. A locking projection 7 is provided on each of the lower bases 7a, 7a.
c and 7c are planted. The locking projections 7c, 7c
Engages with a locking hole (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the personal computer, which will be described later, and performs relative positioning between the connector (not shown) mounted on the rear surface of the personal computer and the PC connector 6. .

The pushers 7, 7 are provided with an operation lever 9 having one end rotatably mounted on the upper portion near the front edge of the housing 2.
Slides in conjunction with the rotation of. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the operation lever 9 is tilted substantially horizontally, the tall portions 7b, 7b of the pushers 7, 7
The pushers 7, 7 are arranged in the housing 2 so as not to protrude from the connector 6.
When the operation lever 9 is turned upward as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tall portions 7 b of the pushers 7 are moved in conjunction with this turning operation. Both P
The pushers 7, 7 project from the C connector 6 to the housing 2.
It is pushed out.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the operation lever 9 is rotated upward, the locking projections 7c and 7c are inserted into locking holes (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the personal computer.
The personal computer 11 is mounted on the mounting table 4 to fit the 7c (see FIG. 4), and then the operation lever 9 is turned so as to be horizontal, so that the pushers 7, 7 are placed in the housing 2. At the same time, the connection connector (not shown) mounted on the back surface of the personal computer 11 and the PC connector 6 are connected (see FIG. 5). At this time, the relative separation between the device 1 of the present embodiment and the personal computer 11 in the direction in which the connection between the connector and the PC connector 6 is released is as follows.
It is regulated by fitting of the locking projections 7c into the locking holes. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to prevent undesired separation between the device 1 of this embodiment and the personal computer 11. still,
The connection of the connectors can be released only by turning the operation lever 9 upward, whereby the pushers 7, 7 are pushed out, and the personal computer 11 is pushed in the direction of releasing the connection between the connectors. The connection between the connectors is released.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are top perspective views of the internal mechanism of the housing 2 for explaining an interlocking mechanism between the operating lever 9 and the pushers 7, 7.

Each of the pushers 7, 7 is provided with an operating plate 20, 2,
0 is connected to the rotating shaft 21. This rotating shaft 2
Reference numeral 1 extends inside the housing 2 in parallel with the front edge thereof, and is pivotally supported by a pair of bearing plates 22 and 22 implanted inside the housing 2 so as to be rotatable about its axis. . The rotation shaft 21 is connected to the operation lever 9 via a transmission mechanism 23, and rotates in response to the operation of the operation lever 9.

For this reason, when the operating lever 9 is turned upward as shown in FIG. 7 from the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 6, the turning power of the operating lever 9 is transmitted to the transmission mechanism. 23, the rotation is transmitted to the pushers 7, 7 via the rotating shaft 21 and the operation plates 20, 20, and the pushers 7, 7 are
8 is pushed out of the housing 2 while sliding. On the other hand, when the operation lever 9 is turned to the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 6 from the position where the operation lever 9 is turned upward as shown in FIG. The force is transmitted to the pushers 7, 7 via the transmission mechanism 23, the rotating shaft 21, and the operation plates 20, 20, and the pushers 7, 7 are
Is drawn into the housing 2 while sliding.

Further, the transmission mechanism 23 selectively positions the operation lever 9 at two positions, that is, the horizontal rotation position shown in FIG. 6 and the like and the upper rotation position shown in FIG. 7 and the like. And a toggle switch mechanism including a coil spring 24 and the like.

Further, a lock plate 25 that rotates together with the rotation shaft 21 is mounted near the left end of the rotation shaft 21. The lock plate 25 has an oval first communication hole 26.
Are drilled. The first communication hole 26 communicates with a second communication hole 27 of the same shape formed in the left wall surface of the housing 2 when the operation lever is located at the horizontal rotation position as shown in FIG. .

The first and second communication holes 26 and 27 are formed as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lock lock 28 functions as a mounting hole for mounting the connecting and locking means 28 of a type generally called a Kensington lock. Accordingly, in the state in which the connecting and locking means 28 is mounted, the rotation of the rotation shaft 21 is prohibited, and accordingly, the rotation of the operation lever 9 to the upper rotation position is also prohibited.
As shown in (1), the state in which the personal computer 11 is mounted on the apparatus 1 of this embodiment is maintained. In addition, the connecting and locking means 2
Reference numeral 8 denotes a connecting rope 29 connected to the connecting rope 51. The connecting rope 51 is tied to, for example, a personal computer rack or the like, which is a non-portable member, thereby preventing the device 1 of the present embodiment and the personal computer 11 mounted on the device 1 from being stolen. it can.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lid 3 has one side (hereinafter referred to as a front side) abutting on the front edge side of the housing 2 of the space 10 and one side (hereinafter, referred to as the front side) extending along the operation lever 9. On the right side), a plurality of locking claws 30 each having an L-shaped cross section and having a bottom portion protruding outward are integrally formed.
In the upper surface of the housing 2 which is in contact with the front side of the lid 3, first insertion holes 31, 31 through which the locking claws 30 formed on the front side are inserted are formed. This first insertion hole 31,
Reference numeral 31 denotes an opening shape in which the cover 3 can slide only in the front-rear direction by at least the length of the bottom portion of the locking claw 30 when the locking claw 30 formed on the front side is inserted,
Further, when the lid 3 is slid forward, the lid 3 has an internal shape in which the bottom portion is locked. Further, on the upper surface of the housing 2 which is in contact with the right side of the lid 3, second insertion holes 32, 32 through which the locking claws 30 formed on the right side are inserted.
Are drilled. The second through holes 32, 32
As shown in FIG. 0, wide portions 32a and 32 having an opening shape through which the locking claw 30 formed on the right side can be inserted vertically upward.
a and narrow portions 32b, 32b each having an opening width smaller than the length of the bottom portion of the locking claw 30 are connected in the front-rear direction.

When the cover 3 is mounted on the housing 2, first, the locking claws 30 formed on the front side from the vertical direction are inserted into the first insertion holes 31, 31, and formed on the right side. The engaging claw 30 is inserted into the wide portion 32 of the second insertion hole 32.
a, 32a, and then slide the lid 3 forward. Thereby, each of the locking claws 3
0 is the front edge of the first insertion holes 31 and 31 and the second insertion hole 3
The lid 3 is locked to the narrow portions 32b, 32b, thereby preventing the lid 3 from falling off in the vertical direction.

The lower end of the operating lever 9 is provided with the second insertion hole 32 when the lever 9 is located at the horizontal rotation position.
A stopper side 33 having one end inserted into the wide portion 32a is integrally formed. In a state where the stopper side 33 is inserted into the wide portion 32a of the second insertion hole 32, the movement of the locking claw 30 in the direction of the wide portion 32a is restricted as shown in FIG. Therefore, after the lid 3 is mounted on the housing 2, the attachment / detachment of the lid 3 can be restricted by positioning the operation lever 9 at the horizontal rotation position. Further, by restricting such attachment / detachment, electrical destruction of the PCI card mounted in the space 10 can be prevented. That is, when the PCI card is electrically connected to the personal computer 11 and the card is removed, electrical damage is caused. However, in this embodiment, the PCI card and the personal computer 11 are electrically connected. In the state, since the lid 3 cannot be removed,
This prevents electrical destruction of the CI card.

Further, in the apparatus of this embodiment, after the personal computer 11 is mounted as described above, by mounting the connecting and locking means 28 as shown in FIG. Is locked in the horizontal rotation position, and the removal of the lid 3 is also prohibited with this lock. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the device 1, the personal computer 11, and the PCI card from being stolen by simply attaching the connection locking means 28.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the locking between the portable electronic device and the function expansion device, the lock for preventing the function expansion device from being stolen, and the restriction on the attachment / detachment of the function card are performed by only one locking means. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the function expansion device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view for explaining attachment / detachment of the personal computer 11 to / from the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view for explaining attachment / detachment of the personal computer 11 to / from the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the mechanism of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanism of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing the apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing the apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part for describing mounting of the lid 3 of the apparatus of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 housing 3 lid 4 mounting table 5 PCI connector 6 PC connector 7 pusher 8 groove 9 operation lever 10 space 11 personal computer 21 rotation shaft 23 transmission mechanism 25 lock plate 26 first communication hole 27 second communication hole 28 connection locking means Reference Signs 30 Locking claw 31 First insertion hole 32 Second insertion hole

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuaki Suzuki 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Inside Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hidemi Doi 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Sanyo Electric Tottori (72) Inventor Shoichi Sunagawa 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] An operating means for attaching and detaching a portable terminal,
A removable cover means for covering a space in which a function card can be mounted, and a function expansion device for a portable electronic device capable of mounting a connecting and locking means capable of fixing one end to a non-portable member. And a mechanism for prohibiting removal of the portable terminal and attachment / detachment of the cover means in conjunction with the attachment of the connecting / locking means. 2. A housing, a cover detachable from the housing to cover a space formed in the housing, a rotatable operation lever, and an interlocked rotation of the operation lever. A rotating shaft for rotating, means for attaching and detaching the portable terminal according to the rotating direction of the rotating shaft, a hole for attaching a connecting and locking means capable of fixing one end to a non-portable member, Means for inhibiting rotation of the rotation shaft in response to mounting of the connection locking means,
Means for restricting attachment / detachment of the cover when the operation lever is at a predetermined position. 3. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined position is an operation position of the operation lever when the rotation of the rotation shaft is prohibited by the attachment of the connecting and locking means. Device for function expansion. 4. A housing, an electrical connector mounted on the housing outer wall, and a first communication hole formed in the housing outer wall.
A lever operable outside the housing, a rotating shaft arranged in the housing and rotating in association with the operation of the lever, and a portable electronic device connected to the connector in association with the rotation of the rotating shaft Means for controlling the attachment / detachment of a lock plate, a lock plate which rotates together with the rotation shaft, and has a second communication hole formed at a position separated from the rotation center; A connecting / locking means that can be attached through two communication holes and one end of which can be fixed to a non-portable member, and a lid that can be attached to and detached from the housing to cover a space formed in the housing. Means for restricting attachment / detachment of the lid when the lever is located at a predetermined position. 5. The portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the first and second communication holes overlap each other only when the lever is operated at a position where the portable electronic device is mounted on the connector. Device for function expansion. 6. The device for expanding functions of a portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined position is a position where the lever is operated to mount the portable electronic device on the connector. .