Locking device

Abstract

This invention provides a locking device comprising a base, a latch, a slider, a knob, and an actuator. The latch is pivotally mounted on the base and actuates between an engaged position and a released position. The slider is slidably mounted on the base to slide relative to the base and separate from the latch or drive the latch to the released position. The slider is adapted to engage with the base to maintain the latch in the released position. The knob is pivotally mounted on the base to rotate relative to the base to prevent sliding of the slider or allow the slider to slide relative to the base. The actuator is slidably mounted on the base. The actuator is adapted to be forceped to slide relative to the base and drive the slider to separate from the base, thereby moving the slider and separating it from the latch to allow the latch to be adapted to the engaged position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a locking device, and more particularly to a locking device for use in an expansion base. Background Technology

[0002] 2-in-1 laptops include a tablet computer and an expansion dock. The expansion dock has input modules such as a keyboard and touchpad. When the tablet computer is connected to the expansion dock, the user can input operations on the tablet computer through the expansion dock. However, with existing expansion docks, users must use both hands to install or remove the tablet computer from the expansion dock, which is inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a locking device that offers excellent ease of use.

[0004] A locking device of the present invention includes a base, a latch, a slider, a knob, and an actuator. The latch is pivotally mounted on the base and actuates between an engaged position and a released position. The slider is slidably mounted on the base to slide relative to the base and separate from the latch or drive the latch to the released position, and the slider is adapted to engage with the base to maintain the latch in the released position. The knob is pivotally mounted on the base to rotate relative to the base to prevent the slider from sliding or allow the slider to slide relative to the base. The actuator is slidably mounted on the base and is adapted to be forceped to slide relative to the base and drive the slider to separate from the base, so that the slider moves and separates from the latch, allowing the latch to be adapted to the engaged position.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking device further includes a first reset member. The first reset member is disposed within the base, and its two ends respectively abut against the base and the actuator.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first reset member is constantly driven to move away from the base.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking device further includes a second reset member. The second reset member is disposed within the base, and its two ends are respectively connected to the base and the latch.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second reset member is constantly driven to move to the engaged position.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking device further includes a third reset member. The third reset member is disposed within the base, and its two ends respectively abut against the base and the sliding member.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned third reset member is constantly driven to move and separate from the latch.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the knob has a stop portion. The knob is adapted to rotate relative to the base so that the stop portion is positioned on the movement path of the slider to prevent relative sliding of the slider, or positioned outside the movement path of the slider to allow the slider to slide relative to the base.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the knob described above has an opening. The knob is adapted to rotate relative to the base to misalign the opening with the slider so that the slider cannot pass through the opening to prevent relative sliding of the slider, or to align the opening with the slider so that the slider can pass through the opening and slide relative to the base.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the slider has a first abutment portion. The first abutment portion is adapted to abut against a knob to limit relative sliding of the slider or to allow the slider to slide relative to the base by means of the knob.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover plate is disposed on the base, and the hook and actuator pass through the cover plate.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding member has a second abutting portion, and the second abutting portion is adapted to separate from the hook or drive the hook to a release position.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the hook has a first actuated portion, and the first actuated portion is adapted to be driven by a slider to switch the hook to a release position.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base has a first engaging portion, the slider has a second engaging portion corresponding to the first engaging portion, and the second engaging portion is adapted to engage with the first engaging portion so that the slider is held in the release position.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base has a first guide portion, the slider has a second guide portion corresponding to the first guide portion, and the first guide portion is adapted to guide the second guide portion so that the slider is adapted to engage with the base.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the slider has a spring arm. The spring arm is adapted to be guided by the base to engage the slider with the base or to be pushed by the actuator to disengage the slider from the base.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the actuator has a pushing portion, the slider has a second driven portion corresponding to the pushing portion, and the actuator is adapted to slide relative to the base so that the pushing portion pushes the second driven portion to separate the slider from the base.

[0021] Based on the above, in the locking device of the present invention, the latch is pivotally mounted on the base to operate between the engaged position and the released position. The slider is slidably mounted on the base to slide relative to the base and separate from the latch or drive the latch to switch to the released position. The slider is also adapted to engage with the base to maintain the latch in the released position. The knob is pivotally mounted on the base to rotate relative to the base to block the slider from sliding or allow the slider to slide relative to the base. The actuator is slidably mounted on the base and is adapted to be force-driven to slide relative to the base and drive the slider to separate from the base, so that the slider moves and separates from the latch, allowing the latch to switch to the engaged position. When the slider engages with the base, the latch remains in the released position. The user can apply force to the actuator to drive the actuator to separate the slider from the base, thereby causing the latch to switch to the engaged position, which facilitates the installation or removal of the tablet computer. This process can be completed by the user with one hand, providing excellent ease of use. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first mode;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the second mode;

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the third mode;

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the fourth mode;

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the fifth mode;

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device from another perspective;

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device from another perspective;

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional sectional view of the locking device;

[0030] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged schematic diagram of area E of the locking device;

[0031] Figure 10 yes Figure 9A partial cross-sectional view of the locking device in the third mode;

[0032] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the locking device along section line AA;

[0033] Figure 12 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the locking device along section line BB;

[0034] Figure 13 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the locking device along section line CC;

[0035] Figure 14 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the locking device along section line DD.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0037] 100: Locking device;

[0038] 110: Base;

[0039] 111: First card section;

[0040] 112: First guidance section;

[0041] 120: Hook;

[0042] 121: First active part;

[0043] 130: Sliding component;

[0044] 131: First landing section;

[0045] 132: Second card part;

[0046] 133: Second guidance section;

[0047] 134: Spinning arm;

[0048] 135: Second anchorage;

[0049] 136: Second passive component;

[0050] 137: First Operations Section;

[0051] 138: The first affected inclined plane;

[0052] 139: The second driven inclined plane;

[0053] 140: Knob;

[0054] 141: Stop section;

[0055] 142: Opening;

[0056] 143: Second Operations Section;

[0057] 144: Shaft;

[0058] 150: Actuator;

[0059] 151: Promotion Department;

[0060] 152: First pushing inclined plane;

[0061] 153: Second pushing inclined plane;

[0062] 160: First reset component;

[0063] 170: Second reset component;

[0064] 180: Third reset component;

[0065] 190: Cover plate;

[0066] AA, BB, CC, DD: Section lines;

[0067] E: Region;

[0068] P1: Engagement position;

[0069] P2: Release position;

[0070] XYZ: Rectangular coordinates. Detailed Implementation

[0071] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0072] The naming conventions used below, such as first, second, third, etc., are merely expedient means to clearly distinguish the various components so that the reader can understand them, and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0073] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first mode. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the second mode. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the third mode. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the fourth mode. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device in the fifth mode. Figure 6 yes Figure 1A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking device from another perspective. Figure 7 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of the locking device from another perspective. Cartesian coordinates (XYZ) are also provided to aid reader comprehension. Please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 6 The locking device 100 can be applied to an expansion base as part of the expansion base for mounting a tablet computer. The locking device 100 includes a base 110, a latch 120, a slider 130, a knob 140, an actuator 150, a first reset member 160, a second reset member 170, a third reset member 180, and a cover plate 190.

[0074] In this embodiment, the number of hooks 120, sliders 130, actuators 150, first reset members 160, second reset members 170, third reset members 180, and cover plates 190 is two, and these components are designed to be bilaterally symmetrical, but this is not a limitation. For ease of description, the following description only uses... Figure 1 The structure of the group on the left will be used as an example for explanation.

[0075] Specifically, the hook 120 is pivotally mounted on the base 110 around the Y-axis, so as to be positioned around the Y-axis. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The engagement position P1 shown and Figure 3 and Figure 5 The device rotates between the release positions P2 shown. The second reset member 170 is disposed in the base 110, and its two ends are respectively connected to the base 110 and the latch 120. Specifically, the second reset member 170 can be a tension spring to constantly drive the latch 120 to rotate around the positive Y-axis and switch to the engagement position P1. However, the form of the second reset member 170 is not limited to a tension spring. Those skilled in the art can select different springs based on the overall structural design of the locking device 100.

[0076] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional sectional view of the locking device. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged schematic diagram of area E of the locking device. Please refer to... Figure 2 The sliding member 130 is slidably mounted on the base 110 along the X-axis direction, so as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it slides back and forth relative to the base 110 along the X-axis direction, and thus... Figure 6 As shown, it can be separated from hook 120 or as... Figure 7 The drive hook 120 shown is used to switch the hook 120 to Figure 2 The release position P2 is shown, and the slider 130 is adapted as follows: Figure 10 The shown latch engages with the base 110 to hold the hook 120 in place. Figure 2The release position P2 is shown. The third reset member 180 is disposed in the base 110, and the two ends of the third reset member 180 abut against the base 110 and the sliding member 130 respectively. The third reset member 180 can be a compression spring to constantly drive the sliding member 130 to move in the negative X-axis direction and separate from the hook 120. However, the form of the third reset member 180 is not limited to a compression spring. Those skilled in the art can select different springs based on the overall structural design of the locking device 100.

[0077] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the locking device along section line AA. Figure 12 yes Figure 2 The locking device is shown in a cross-sectional view along section line BB. Please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 The knob 140 is pivotally mounted on the base 110 around the X-axis, as if... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The knob 140 rotates about the X-axis relative to the base 110, and thus rotates as shown. Figure 11 The blocking slider 130 shown or as Figure 12 The slider 130 is shown to reciprocate relative to the base 110 along the X-axis.

[0078] Figure 13 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the locking device along section line CC. Figure 14 yes Figure 5 The locking device is shown in a cross-sectional view along section DD. Please refer to... Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 The actuator 150 is slidably mounted on the base 110 along the Z-axis direction, and the actuator 150 is adapted to be subjected to force to reciprocate relative to the base 110 along the Z-axis direction, thereby driving Figure 10 The slider 130 is separated from the base 110 so that the slider 130 is as follows: Figure 9 As shown, it moves in the negative X-axis direction, and the slider 130 moves as follows. Figure 6 The shown separation is from the latch 120, so that the latch 120 can be switched to as shown Figure 4 The engagement position P1 is shown. The first reset member 160 is disposed inside the base 110, and the two ends of the first reset member 160 abut against the base 110 and the actuator 150 respectively. The first reset member 160 can be a compression spring to constantly drive the actuator 150 to move away from the base 110 and protrude outside the base 110 in the positive Z-axis direction. However, the form of the first reset member 160 is not limited to a compression spring. Those skilled in the art can select different springs based on the overall structural design of the locking device 100.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 1 The cover plate 190 is disposed on the base 110, and the hook 120 and the actuator 150 are installed on the base 110, wherein the hook 120 and the actuator 150 pass through the cover plate 190.

[0080] In this way, such as Figures 3 to 4 In the sequence of events, when the user operates the slider 130 to engage it with the base 110, the latch 120 remains in the released position P2. The user then applies force to the actuator 150, for example, by mounting a tablet computer on the base 110, to push the actuator 150 towards the negative Z-axis direction. This causes the actuator 150 to drive the slider 130 to separate from the base 110, thereby causing the latch 120 to switch to the engaged position P1, facilitating the installation of the tablet computer. Figures 5 to 2 In the sequence of operations, when the user operates the slider 130 to engage with the base 110, the hook 120 remains in the released position P2. The user applies force to the actuator 150, for example, by removing the tablet computer from the base 110, so that the actuator 150 moves in the positive Z-axis direction, thereby causing the actuator 150 to drive the slider 130 to separate from the base 110, and then the hook 120 returns to the engaged position P1. Therefore, the locking device 100 of the present invention can be completed by the user with one hand during the installation or removal of the tablet computer, providing excellent ease of use.

[0081] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 11 and Figure 12 The knob 140 has a stop portion 141, an opening 142, a second operating portion 143, and two rotating shafts 144, wherein the knob 140 is pivotally mounted on the base 110 via the two rotating shafts 144. The slider 130 has a first abutment portion 131. The second operating portion 143 of the knob 140 is exposed outside the base 110, allowing the user to apply force to the second operating portion 143, so that the knob 140 can reciprocate around the X-axis after being subjected to force.

[0082] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 11 In this mode, the stop 141 is located on the movement path of the first abutment 131 of the slider 130. Therefore, the first abutment 131 abuts against the stop 141 to prevent the slider 130 from sliding relative to it. Furthermore, the opening 142 is misaligned with the first abutment 131, preventing the first abutment 131 from passing through the opening 142. This prevents the slider 130 from being accidentally operated. Alternatively, refer to further details. Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 12The user can apply force to the second operating part 143 to make Figure 11 The knob 140 in the middle rotates around the positive X-axis to switch to Figure 12 The position shown is such that the stop 141 is outside the movement path of the first abutment 131, so that the stop 141 cannot stop the first abutment 131, and the opening 142 is positioned opposite the first abutment 131 to allow the first abutment 131 to slide through the opening 142 relative to the base 110 in the positive X-axis direction.

[0083] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 11 The slider 130 has a second abutment portion 135 and a first operating portion 137, and the latch 120 has a first actuated portion 121. In this mode, the second abutment portion 135 of the slider 130 is separated from the first actuated portion 121 of the latch 120. Furthermore, the first operating portion 137 is exposed outside the base 110, allowing the user to apply force to the first operating portion 137, enabling the slider 130 to reciprocate along the X-axis direction after being subjected to force. Further reference Figure 7 When the user applies force to slide the slider 130 toward the positive X-axis, the third reset member 180 is compressed and thus accumulates elastic potential energy. Since the first driven part 121 is located on the action path of the second abutment part 135, during the process of the second abutment part 135 sliding toward the positive X-axis, the second abutment part 135 can drive the first driven part 121, thereby driving the hook 120 to rotate around the negative Y-axis and switch to the release position P2. The hook 120 drives the second reset member 170 to be stretched and thus accumulates elastic potential energy.

[0084] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 The base 110 has a first engaging portion 111 and a first guiding portion 112. The slider 130 has a spring arm 134, a second engaging portion 132 corresponding to the first engaging portion 111, and a second guiding portion 133 corresponding to the first guiding portion 112. The second engaging portion 132 is connected to the spring arm 134, the second guiding portion 133 is located on the second engaging portion 132, and the spring arm 134 is adapted to undergo elastic deformation. For example, the first guiding portion 112 is a slope, and the second guiding portion 133 is an arc surface. The slope of the first guiding portion 112 refers to a single slope facing both the negative X-axis and the negative Y-axis simultaneously. Further reference... Figure 10 By sliding the second guide portion 133 onto the first guide portion 112, the second engaging portion 132 can move toward the negative Y-axis direction until the slider 130 moves to the positioning position and engages with the first engaging portion 111, and the hook 120 is maintained in the release position P2.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 The actuator 150 has a pushing portion 151, a first pushing ramp 152, and a second pushing ramp 153, wherein the first pushing ramp 152 is a single ramp facing both the negative Y and negative Z directions simultaneously, and the second pushing ramp 153 is a single ramp facing both the negative Y and positive Z directions simultaneously. The slider 130 has a second driven portion 136 corresponding to the pushing portion 151, a first driven ramp 138 corresponding to the first pushing ramp 152, and a second driven ramp 139 corresponding to the second pushing ramp 153, wherein the first driven ramp 138 is a single ramp facing both the positive Y and positive Z directions simultaneously, and the second driven ramp 139 is a single ramp facing both the positive Y and negative Z directions simultaneously. Accordingly, during the reciprocating movement of the actuator 150 along the Z-axis, the actuator 150 can push the second driven part 136 through the push part 151, thereby causing the spring arm 134 to undergo elastic deformation, so that the second engaging part 132 moves toward the negative Y-axis and separates from the first engaging part 111.

[0086] Further reference Figure 6 After the second engaging part 132 separates from the first engaging part 111, the third reset member 180 releases the stored elastic potential energy, driving the sliding member 130 to slide in the negative X-axis direction. As a result, the second abutting part 135 of the sliding member 130 separates from the first moving part 121 of the hook 120. The second reset member 170 releases the stored elastic potential energy, driving the hook 120 to rotate around the positive Y-axis direction and switch to the engaging position P1.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 13 The tablet computer can be moved toward the negative Z-axis to be mounted on the base 110. As the tablet computer moves toward the negative Z-axis, the actuator 150 is also pushed by the tablet computer and moves toward the negative Z-axis. During this process, the first reset member 160 is compressed and thus accumulates elastic potential energy. The first pushing inclined surface 152 and the first driven inclined surface 138 cooperate to move the pushing part 151 toward the negative Y-axis, thereby causing the sliding member 130 to separate from the base 110.

[0088] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 14 The tablet computer can be moved toward the positive Z-axis to be detached from the base 110. As the tablet computer moves toward the positive Z-axis, the elastic potential energy stored in the first reset member 160 is released, and the actuator 150 is thus pushed by the first reset member 160 to move toward the positive Z-axis. During this process, the second pushing inclined surface 153 and the second driven inclined surface 139 cooperate to move the pushing part 151 toward the negative Y-axis, thereby separating the sliding member 130 from the base 110.

[0089] All of the above operations can be performed by the user with one hand, so the locking device 100 is extremely convenient to use and requires very little effort to operate.

[0090] In summary, in the locking device of the present invention, the latch is pivotally mounted on the base to operate between the engaged position and the released position. The slider is slidably mounted on the base to slide relative to the base and separate from the latch or drive the latch to switch to the released position. The slider is also adapted to engage with the base to maintain the latch in the released position. The knob is pivotally mounted on the base to rotate relative to the base to block the slider from sliding or allow the slider to slide relative to the base. The actuator is slidably mounted on the base and is adapted to be force-driven to slide relative to the base and drive the slider to separate from the base, so that the slider moves and separates from the latch, allowing the latch to switch to the engaged position. When the slider is engaged with the base, the latch remains in the released position. The user can apply force to the actuator to drive the actuator to separate the slider from the base, thereby causing the latch to switch to the engaged position, which facilitates the installation or removal of the tablet computer. This process can be completed by the user with one hand, providing excellent ease of use.

[0091] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking device, characterized in that, include: Base; The latch is pivotally mounted on the base and operates between an engaged position and a released position; A sliding member is slidably disposed on the base to slide relative to the base and separate from the hook or drive the hook to switch to the release position, and is adapted to engage with the base to maintain the hook in the release position; A knob, pivotally mounted on the base, rotates relative to the base to either prevent the slider from sliding or allow the slider to slide relative to the base; as well as An actuator, slidably disposed on the base and adapted to be subjected to force to slide relative to the base, thereby driving the slider to separate from the base, so that the slider moves and separates from the latch to allow the latch to be adapted to switch to the engaging position.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A first reset member is disposed within the base, and both ends of the first reset member abut against the base and the actuator, respectively.

3. The locking device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first reset element constantly drives the actuator to move away from the base.

4. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second reset component is disposed within the base, and its two ends are respectively connected to the base and the hook.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second reset element continuously drives the hook to move to the engaged position.

6. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The third reset member is disposed within the base, and its two ends abut against the base and the sliding member, respectively.

7. The locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The third reset element constantly drives the sliding element to move and separate from the latch.

8. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The knob has a stop portion, and the knob is adapted to rotate relative to the base such that the stop portion is located on the movement path of the slider to prevent the slider from sliding relative to the base, or located outside the movement path of the slider to allow the slider to slide relative to the base.

9. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The knob has an opening, and the knob is adapted to rotate relative to the base such that the opening is misaligned with the slider to prevent the slider from sliding relative to the base, or that the opening is aligned with the slider to allow the slider to slide relative to the base through the opening.

10. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slider has a first abutment portion, which is adapted to abut against the knob to limit relative sliding of the slider or to allow the slider to slide relative to the base via the knob.

11. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slider has a second abutment portion, and the second abutment portion is adapted to separate from the hook or drive the hook to the release position.

12. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latch has a first actuated portion, and the first actuated portion is adapted to be driven by the slider to switch the latch to the release position.

13. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base has a first engaging portion, the slider has a second engaging portion corresponding to the first engaging portion, and the second engaging portion is adapted to engage with the first engaging portion so that the slider maintains the hook in the release position.

14. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base has a first guide portion, the slider has a second guide portion corresponding to the first guide portion, and the first guide portion is adapted to guide the second guide portion so that the slider is adapted to engage with the base.

15. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slider has a spring arm, and the spring arm is adapted to be guided by the base to engage the slider with the base or to be pushed by the actuator to disengage the slider from the base.

16. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuator has a pushing portion, the slider has a second driven portion corresponding to the pushing portion, and the actuator is adapted to slide relative to the base so that the pushing portion pushes the second driven portion to separate the slider from the base.

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