US20100236728A1

US20100236728A1 - Screen protecting assembly for electronic device

Info

Publication number: US20100236728A1
Application number: US12/497,780
Authority: US
Inventors: Wei-Jun Wang; Hsiu-Lung Chang
Original assignee: Hongfujin Precision Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd; Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hongfujin Precision Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd; Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-17
Filing date: 2009-07-06
Publication date: 2010-09-23
Also published as: CN101841679B; CN101841679A

Abstract

A screen protecting assembly includes a pivot shaft, a curtain, two connecting bases and two rotating buttons. The curtain wraps around the pivot shaft. The connecting bases are connected to two opposite ends of the pivot shaft. Each rotating button has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion engages the pivot shaft, and the second connecting portion is rotatably connected to the connecting base. When the rotating buttons are rotated in a first direction, the curtain unfolds to cover a screen of the electronic device. When the rotating buttons are rotated in a second direction counter the first direction, the curtain wraps around the pivot shaft again, so that the screen of the electronic device is exposed.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to screen protection and, particularly, to a screen protecting assembly for an electronic device with a liquid crystal display screen.
2. Description of Related Art
Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens are widely used in various electronic devices, such as computer monitors and televisions. Since the electronic devices are generally exposed to the environment, dust deposits on the LCD screens. In addition, the LCD screens are easily scratched. Therefore, a screen protecting assembly is often employed. Currently, many electronic devices are packaged with a plastic film to protect the LCD screens even when the device is not in use.
However, the plastic films are inconvenient because they must be removed and re-applied repeatedly.
Therefore, a screen protecting assembly for an electronic device which overcomes the described limitations is desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of an electronic device and one embodiment of a screen protecting assembly, the screen protecting assembly not covering a display body of the electronic device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the screen protecting assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section of the screen protecting assembly of FIG. 1, along the line III-III.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the liquid crystal television of FIG. 1, with the display body covered by the screen protecting assembly.

FIG. 5 is a partial, isometric view of a second embodiment of an electronic device, the electronic device incorporating another embodiment of the screen protecting assembly.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section of the screen protecting assembly of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an electronic device 100 includes a display body 10 and a screen protecting assembly 30 assembled to an end of the display body 10.
Referring to FIG. 2, the display body 10 includes a front frame 11, a side frame 13, and a screen 15. The front frame 11 and the side frame 13 cooperatively define a space (not labeled) for receiving the screen 15. The front frame 11 defines a fixing groove (not labeled) in an end. A first latching device 111 is engaged in the fixing groove of the front frame 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the first latching device 111 is a first magnet. The side frame 13 defines a first connecting groove 131 and two second connecting grooves 133. The side frame 30 and the first magnet 111 are at opposite ends of the screen 15. The second connecting grooves 133 are at opposite ends of the first connecting groove 131.
The screen protecting assembly 30 includes two connecting bases 31, two rotating buttons 33, a pivot shaft 35, a curtain 37, and a sleeve 39.
Each connecting base 31 defines a pivot hole 311. An annular positioning protrusion 3111 is formed in the inner surface of the connecting base 31. The connecting base 31 has a flat surface 313. An engaging portion 314 is formed on the flat surface 313.
Each rotating button 33 includes a main body 331 having a first surface 3311 and a second surface 3313 opposite to the first surface 3311, a first connecting portion 333 formed on a center portion of the first surface 3311, four second connecting portions 334 formed on the first surface 3311 evenly distributed around the first connecting portion 333. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connecting portion 333 is a rectangular protrusion, and the second connecting portions 334 are hooks. An operating portion 335 is formed on a center portion of the second surface 3313. In the illustrated embodiment, the operating portion 335 is an elongated protrusion.
The pivot shaft 35 includes two positioning portions 351 on opposite ends. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot shaft 35 is substantially cylindrical, and each positioning portion 351 define a substantially rectangular cutout.
The curtain 37 has a second latching device 371 on a distal end. In the illustrated embodiment, the second latching device 371 is a second magnet having a polarity opposite to that of the first magnet. In the illustrated embodiment, the curtain 37 may bear a photo or image.
The sleeve 39 defines a receiving hole 391 in a center portion, and has a positioning surface 393 on the sidewall. The sleeve 39 further defines an assembling groove 395 communicating with the receiving hole 391 at an edge of the positioning surface 393. An assembling protrusion 3931 is formed on the positioning surface 393.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, during assembly of the screen protecting assembly 30, the curtain 37 partially wraps around the pivot shaft 35. The pivot shaft 35 is received in the receiving hole 391 of the sleeve 39, with a part of the curtain 37 extending through the assembling groove 395, the second latching device 371 of the curtain 37 positioned outside of the sleeve 39, and the positioning portions 351 of the pivot shaft 35 extending out of the sleeve 39. Each connecting base 31 sleeves on each positioning portions 351. Each rotating button 33 is received in the pivot hole 311 of each corresponding connecting base 31. The connecting protrusions 333 engage with the positioning portions 351 of the pivot shaft 35, and the second connecting portions 334 engage the positioning protrusions 312 of the connecting bases 31.
After the screen protecting assembly 30 is assembled, the engaging portions 314 of the connecting bases 31 engage with the second connecting grooves 133 of the display body 10. The assembling protrusion 3931 of the sleeve 39 is engaged in the first connecting groove 131 of the display body 10. Therefore, the screen protecting assembly 30 is positioned on an end of the display body 10.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, when the electronic device 100 is not in use, the rotating button 33 can be rotated by an external force applied on the operating portion 335, so that the curtain 37 can be unwound from the shaft 35 to cover the screen 15 of the display body 10, until the second latching device 371 couples with the first latching device 111. Thus, the screen 15 is kept clean and protected from damage. In addition, the electronic device 100 with the curtain 10 can have a pleasing appearance because the curtain 10 can bear a photo or image. When the electronic device 100 is to be used, the rotating button 33 is rotated by the external force applied on the operating portion 335, thereby winding the curtain 10 around the pivot shaft 35, and exposing the screen 15 of the liquid crystal television 100.
It should be pointed out that the screen protecting assembly 30 may only include one connecting base 31 with the rotating button 33. In this case, the other connecting base 31 is replaced by a base defining a blind hole in which one positioning portion 351 is engaged. Alternatively, the sleeve 39 may define a blind hole instead of the receiving hole 391, and one positioning portion 351 is engaged in the blind hole of the sleeve 39. In addition, the first latching device 111 and the second latching device 371 can be other fixing structures, such as a first hook and a second hook engaging with the first hook. The sleeve 39 can be integrally formed with the display body 10, and a sound device may be positioned in the sleeve 39. Thus, the electronic device 100 can emit sound, and have a small size.
Referring to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of a television electronic device 200 includes a display body 50 and a screen protecting assembly 70 assembled to an end of the display body 50. The display body 50 includes a screen 55.
The screen protecting assembly 70 includes a connecting base 71, a pivot shaft 72, a curtain 73, two torsion springs 74, and two covers 75.
The connecting base 71 is formed at an end of the display body 50. The connecting base 71 defines a pivot hole 711, and an assembling groove 712 communicating with the pivot hole 711. The connecting base 71 further defines two restricting grooves 713 at opposite ends of the inner surface defining the pivot hole 711.
The pivot shaft 72 defines two positioning portions 721 on opposite ends. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot shaft 72 is substantially cylindrical, and the positioning portions 721 are substantially rectangular cutouts. The curtain 73 wraps around the pivot shaft 72, and has a free end 731.
Each torsion spring 74 includes an inner positioning portion 741 and an outer positioning portion 742. Each cover 75 defines a connecting hole 751 in a first side surface. An operating portion 753 is formed on a second side surface opposite to the first side surface.
During assembly of the screen protecting assembly 70, the pivot shaft 35 is received in the pivot hole 711 of the connecting base 71, when a part of the curtain 73 extends through the assembling groove 712. The free end 731 of the curtain 73 is positioned outside of the connecting base 71. One torsion spring 74 sleeves on the pivot shaft 72 and is received in the pivot hole 711. The inner positioning portion 741 of the torsion spring 74 is engaged in one corresponding positioning portion 721, and the outer positioning portion 742 of the torsion spring 74 is engaged in one corresponding restricting groove 713. One cover 75 is engaged in the pivot hole 711, and an end of the pivot shaft 72 is engaged in the connecting hole 751 of the cover 75. The other torsion spring 74 and the other cover 75 are assembled to the connecting base 71 as described.
When the liquid crystal television 200 is not in use, the free end 731 of the curtain 73 is pulled to cover the screen 55 of the display body 50, and the free end 731 is fixed to an end of the display body 50 away from the connecting base 71. The torsion springs 74 are then deformed to store elastic energy. When the electronic device 200 needs to be used, the free end 731 disengages from the display body 50, so that the curtain 10 automatically rolls up on the pivot shaft 35, driven by the torsion springs 74, thereby exposing the screen 55 of the liquid crystal television 200.
It should be appreciated that the torsion springs 74 may be replaced by other driving members, such as an electronic motor to drive the pivot shaft 72.
It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure or sacrificing all of its material advantages.

Claims

1. A screen protecting assembly for an electronic device, comprising:

a pivot shaft;

a curtain wrapped around the pivot shaft;

at least one connecting base connected to the pivot shaft; and

at least one rotating button, comprising a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; the first connecting portion engaging the pivot shaft, and the second connecting portion rotatably connected to the connecting base;

wherein when the rotating button is rotated in a first direction, the pivot shaft is rotated in the first direction by the rotating button and the curtain unfolds to cover a screen of the electronic device; when the rotating button is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the pivot shaft is rotated in the second direction by the rotating button, and the curtain wraps around the pivot shaft, so that the screen of the electronic device is exposed.

2. The screen protecting assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connecting portion is a protrusion and the pivot shaft defines a cutout engaging with the protrusion.

3. The screen protecting assembly of claim 2, wherein the second connecting portion is a plurality of hooks; the connecting base defines a pivot hole; an annular positioning protrusion is formed in the inner surface of the connecting base; the annular hooks are hung on the positioning protrusion.

4. The screen protecting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve sleeved on the pivot shaft, the sleeve defines an assembling groove, the curtain extends through the assembling groove.

5. The screen protecting assembly of claim 4, wherein an assembling protrusion is formed on the sleeve; the electronic device defines a connecting groove to engage with the assembling protrusion.

6. The screen protecting assembly of claim 1, further comprising two connecting bases connected to opposite ends of the pivot shaft.

7. The screen protecting assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one rotating button comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto; the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are formed on the first surface; and an operating portion is formed on the second surface.

8. The screen protecting assembly of claim 1, wherein the curtain bears a photo or an image.

9. A screen protecting assembly for an electronic device, comprising:

a pivot shaft;

a curtain wrapped around the pivot shaft;

a connecting base connected to the pivot shaft; and

at least one torsion spring, the at least one torsion spring has an inner positioning portion and an outer positioning portion, wherein the inner positioning portion engages with the pivot shaft, and the outer positioning portion engages with the connecting base; when the pivot shaft is rotated in a first direction, the curtain unfolds to cover a screen of the electronic device, and the torsion spring is compressed; when the pivot shaft is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the curtain automatically wraps around the pivot shaft driven by the torsion spring, to expose the screen of the electronic device.

10. The screen protecting assembly of claim 9, wherein the pivot shaft defines a cutout; the inner positioning portion is engaged in the cutout.

11. The screen protecting assembly of claim 10, wherein the connecting base defines a pivot hole and a restricting groove communicating with the pivot hole; the outer positioning portion is engaged in the restricting groove of the connecting base.

12. The screen protecting assembly of claim 11, wherein the connecting base further defines an assembling groove communicating with the pivot hole; the pivot shaft is received in the pivot hole of the connecting base, with an end of the curtain extending through the assembling groove.

13. The screen protecting assembly of claim 9, further comprising two covers engaging the pivot shaft on opposite ends; an operating portion is formed on each cover.

14. The screen protecting assembly of claim 9, wherein the curtain bears art or an image.

15. A screen protecting assembly for an electronic device, comprising:

a pivot shaft rotatably connected to a first end of the electronic device;

a curtain wrapped around the pivot shaft; and

a first magnet and a second magnet, wherein a polarity of the first magnet is different from a polarity of the second magnet; the first magnet is connected to the curtain, and the second magnet is positioned at a second end of the electronic device opposite to the first end; when the pivot shaft is rotated, the curtain unfolds to cover a screen of the electronic device, until the first magnet is coupled with the second magnet to position the curtain.

16. The screen protecting assembly of claim 15, further comprising a sleeve sleeved on the pivot shaft, the sleeve defines an assembling groove; the curtain extends through the assembling groove.

17. The screen protecting assembly of claim 16, wherein an assembling protrusion is formed on the sleeve and the electronic device defines a connecting groove to engage with the assembling protrusion.

18. The screen protecting assembly of claim 15, further comprising two connecting bases connected to opposite ends of the pivot shaft.

19. The screen protecting assembly of claim 15, further comprising at least one rotating button engaging with the pivot shaft.

20. The screen protecting assembly of claim 15, wherein the curtain bears a photo or an image.