Latches and enclosures having latches

Abstract

A latching component includes a rigid component and a flexible component. The rigid component includes a rigid body, a resilient arm, and a latching portion. The rigid body has opposing first and second sides. One end of the resilient arm is connected to the first side of the rigid body, and at least one opening is formed between the resilient arm and the rigid body. The latching portion is connected to the other end of the resilient arm. The flexible component includes a first flexible body, which is located on the first side of the rigid body and covers the opening and the resilient arm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a latch, and more particularly to a latch having a soft material and a hard material, and a housing having the aforementioned latch. Background Technology

[0002] The commonly used structure for latching mechanisms is a multi-layered sandwich design, where the latching component moves relative to the base plate to achieve a snap-fit ​​effect onto the housing. However, this structure is relatively complex and requires more parts, thus incurring additional costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, a latching member is provided according to one embodiment, including a rigid component and a flexible component. The rigid component includes a rigid body, a resilient arm, and a latching portion. The rigid body has opposing first and second sides. One end of the resilient arm is connected to the first side of the rigid body, and at least one cutout is provided between the resilient arm and the rigid body. The latching portion is connected to the other end of the resilient arm. The flexible component includes a first flexible body, which is located on the first side of the rigid body and covers the cutout and the resilient arm.

[0004] In some embodiments, the resilient arm further includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is connected to the rigid material body, and the second arm is connected to the first arm and attached to the latching portion. The first arm extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the rigid material body, and the second arm extends in the opposite direction to the extension of the first arm.

[0005] In some embodiments, the rigid component further includes an extension extending from a first side of the rigid component body. At least one spacer is provided between the extension and the elastic arm. When the first soft component body is located on the first side of the rigid component body, it further covers at least one spacer and a portion of the extension.

[0006] In some embodiments, the component further includes a waterproof element, which includes a waterproof element body and an assembly protrusion. The assembly protrusion protrudes from the waterproof element body. The rigid component further includes an assembly groove formed in the rigid element body. The assembly protrusion passes through the assembly groove, thereby assembling the waterproof element onto the rigid component.

[0007] In some embodiments, the waterproof component further includes a waterproof ring surrounding the periphery of the waterproof component body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the latching portion protrudes from the elastic arm to form a hook portion, and one end of the hook portion has a rounded corner.

[0009] In some embodiments, the soft material further includes a second soft material body located on a second side of the hard material body, and the second soft material body has a hole.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first soft material body and the second soft material body are injection molded onto the hard material body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the latch further includes an intermediate member, a rigid component is disposed on the intermediate member, and the intermediate member includes a body, an assembly end and a hole, the rigid component body is fixed to the body, the assembly end is connected to one side of the body, and the hole is located at the assembly end.

[0012] In some embodiments, the intermediate component is formed by plastic injection molding.

[0013] In some embodiments, the middleware is made of a metallic material.

[0014] Furthermore, a housing is provided, including a housing body and a latching member. The housing body includes a recess. The latching member includes a hard material and a soft material. The hard material includes a hard body, a resilient arm, and a latching portion. The hard body has opposing first and second sides. One end of the resilient arm is connected to the first side of the hard body, and at least one cutout is provided between the resilient arm and the hard body. The latching portion is connected to the other end of the resilient arm. The soft material includes a first soft body, which is located on the first side of the hard body and covers the cutout and the resilient arm. The latching portion of the hard material engages with the recess.

[0015] In some embodiments, the housing body further includes a locking portion, and the soft material component further includes a second soft material body, the second soft material body being located on the second side of the hard material body, the second soft material body having a hole portion, the hole portion being correspondingly assembled with the locking portion.

[0016] In summary, a latching component and a housing are provided according to one embodiment. The elastic arm of the hard material component elastically deforms relative to the hard material body through a hollow portion. Furthermore, the integrity of the latching component is maintained by covering the hard material component with a soft material component, and the elasticity of the soft material component maintains the deformation effect of the elastic arm. Thus, the latching function can be achieved by combining a hard material and a soft material into a single component, saving on unnecessary parts and costs.

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view (a) of a latching member according to a first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a hard material component according to a first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a housing according to a first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4 This is an assembly diagram of a latch assembly onto a housing according to a first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5This is a perspective view (II) of a latching member according to a first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a latch according to a second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of a latch according to a third embodiment.

[0025] Among them, the attached reference numerals

[0026] 100, 100a, 100b: Latch

[0027] 110: Hard components

[0028] 111: Hard material body

[0029] 1111: First side

[0030] 1112: Second side

[0031] 112: Flexible Arm

[0032] 1121: First Arm

[0033] 1122: Second Arm

[0034] 1123: Pressing part

[0035] 113: Buckle section

[0036] 1131: hook part

[0037] 114: Openwork section

[0038] 115: Connecting section

[0039] 116: Extension

[0040] 117: Spacing section

[0041] 118: Assembly slot

[0042] 120, 140: Middleware

[0043] 121,141: Ontology

[0044] 1211, 1411: Corresponding slots

[0045] 122, 142: Assembly end

[0046] 123, 143: Hole section

[0047] 144: Screw

[0048] 130: Soft material parts

[0049] 131: First soft material body

[0050] 132: Second soft material body

[0051] 1321: Hole

[0052] 150, 150a: Waterproof parts

[0053] 151, 151a: Waterproof component body

[0054] 1511: Assemble the protrusion

[0055] 1511a: Screw hole

[0056] 152: Waterproof ring

[0057] 170: Decorative Items

[0058] 200: Chassis

[0059] 210: Chassis Body

[0060] 211: concave part

[0061] 212: Locking part

[0062] 213: Opening

[0063] R: Rounded corner Detailed Implementation

[0064] The structural and working principles of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0065] Please see Figures 1 to 5 . Figure 1 A perspective view (a) of a latching member according to a first embodiment. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a hard material component according to a first embodiment. Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a housing according to a first embodiment. Figure 4 This is an assembly diagram of a latch assembly onto a housing according to a first embodiment. Figure 5 This is a perspective view (II) of a latching member according to a first embodiment. A latching member 100 includes a hard material 110 and a soft material 130. The latching member 100 is applied, for example, to a housing 200. The housing 200 is, for example, the housing of an electronic device, such as a laptop, tablet, or handheld electronic device, but the invention is not limited thereto. The assembly structure of the latching member 100 and the housing 200 will be described in detail later. Figure 1 and Figure 3 To clearly distinguish between hard material 110 and soft material 130, halftone color blocks are used for marking. This is only for ease of explanation and understanding.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the rigid component 110 includes a rigid body 111, an elastic arm 112, and a snap-fit ​​portion 113. The rigid body 111 has a first side 1111 and a second side 1112 facing each other. One end of the elastic arm 112 is connected to the first side 1111 of the rigid body 111, and at least one cutout portion 114 is provided between the elastic arm 112 and the rigid body 111. The snap-fit ​​portion 113 is connected to the other end of the elastic arm 112. Thus, through the cutout portion 114, the user can press the elastic arm 112, causing the elastic arm 112 to elastically deform relative to the rigid body 111, thereby causing the snap-fit ​​portion 113 to snap into a groove in the housing 200 (described in detail later).

[0067] See again Figure 1 The soft material component 130 includes a first soft material body 131, which is located on the first side 1111 of the hard material body 111 and covers the hollow portion 114 and the elastic arm 112. In this embodiment, the first soft material body 131 is injection molded onto the first side 1111 of the hard material body 111. By covering the hard material body 111 with the first soft material body 131, the integrity of the latch 100 is maintained. Furthermore, due to the soft material properties of the first soft material body 131, the deformation effect of the elastic arm 112 can also be maintained.

[0068] Specifically, the elastic arm 112 of the hard component 110 can elastically deform relative to the hard component body 111 through the hollow portion 114. To maintain the integrity of the latch 100, the hollow portion 114 at the first side 1111 of the hard component 110 can be covered by the soft component 130. At this time, since the soft component 130 is elastic, the deformation effect of the elastic arm 112 can still be maintained. In this way, by combining the hard component 110 and the soft component 130, the latch 100 can achieve the function of locking, and can also save unnecessary parts and costs.

[0069] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the latch 100 can be applied to the housing 200, which includes a housing body 210, and the housing body 210 has a recess 211 and an opening 213. The recess 211 is adjacent to the opening 213 and is used to accommodate the latching part 113. The latch 100 can be assembled to the housing 200 by means of adhesive, locking, or snapping, so that part of the latch 100 can be opened or closed relative to the opening 213 of the housing body 210. When it is desired to close the opening 213 of the housing body 210 with the latch 100, the elastic arm 112 can be pressed to deform the elastic arm 112 and snap the latching part 113 into the recess 211 of the housing body 210, thereby achieving the snapping function and enabling the latch 100 to close the opening 213 formed by the housing body 210. In some embodiments, the housing body 210 has an interface / connection port (not shown) in the opening 213 for an external connector (not shown) to be electrically connected to the interface / connection port of an electronic device.

[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the latching part 113 protrudes from the elastic arm 112 to form a hook part 1131, and one end of the hook part 1131 has a rounded corner R. In this way, when the user presses the elastic arm 112, the hook part 1131, being rounded corner R, can more smoothly enter or leave the recess 211, and can also avoid scratching the casing 200.

[0071] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the elastic arm 112 further includes a first arm 1121 and a second arm 1122. The first arm 1121 is connected to the rigid material body 111, and the second arm 1122 is connected to the first arm 1121 and connected to the latching portion 113. The first arm 1121 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rigid material body 111 extends, and the second arm 1122 extends in the opposite direction to the direction in which the first arm 1121 extends. In this embodiment, a connecting portion 115 is further connected between the first arm 1121 and the second arm 1122. The connecting portion 115 extends from the first arm 1121 to the second arm 1122 in a direction parallel to the direction in which the rigid material body 111 extends. Thus, when the user presses the elastic arm 112, the second arm 1122 can elastically deform relative to the first arm 1121 because there is a travel space between the second arm 1122 and the first arm 1121.

[0072] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the elastic arm 112 further includes a pressing portion 1123, which is located at the connection between the connecting portion 115 and the second arm 1122, and protrudes from the connection in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the surface of the rigid material body 111. In this way, the user can more intuitively and conveniently press the pressing portion 1123 to make the second arm 1122 elastically deform relative to the first arm 1121.

[0073] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the rigid material 110 further includes an extension 116, which extends from the first side 1111 of the rigid material body 111. At least one spacer 117 is provided between the extension 116 and the elastic arm 112. Thus, the spacer 117 prevents the extension 116 from interfering with the elastic deformation of the elastic arm 112, and also increases the overall structural strength of the latch 100. Furthermore, when the first soft material body 131 is located on the first side 1111 of the rigid material body 111, it further covers at least one spacer 117 and a portion of the extension 116 to maintain the integrity of the latch 100 and to maintain the deformation of the elastic arm 112.

[0074] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, a waterproof component 150 is further included, comprising a waterproof component body 151 and an assembly protrusion 1511. The assembly protrusion 1511 protrudes from the waterproof component body 151. The rigid component 110 further includes an assembly groove 118, which is formed in the rigid component body 111 of the rigid component 110. The assembly protrusion 1511 is correspondingly disposed in the assembly groove 118, so that the waterproof component 150 is assembled on the rigid component 110. Thus, when the latch 100 is assembled on the housing 200 and the opening 213 is closed, the waterproof component 150 sandwiched therein can enhance the sealing effect at the opening 213 and improve the waterproof performance.

[0075] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the waterproof component 150 further includes a waterproof ring 152, which surrounds the periphery of the waterproof component body 151. The waterproof ring 152 is, for example, made of rubber. By having the rubber waterproof ring 152 surround the waterproof component body 151, when the latch 100 is assembled on the housing 200, the waterproof ring 152 can further fill the gap between the latch 100 and the housing 200 at the opening 213, thereby further increasing the waterproof effect.

[0076] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the latch 100 further includes a decorative element 170, which is disposed on the hard material body 111 of the hard material 110. The decorative element 170 is used to cover the assembly groove 118 of the hard material 110.

[0077] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the housing body 210 further includes a locking portion 212, which is located on the opposite side of the recess 211. The soft material component 130 further includes a second soft material body 132, which is located on the second side 1112 of the hard material body 111, and the second soft material body 132 is provided with a hole 1321. The hole 1321 is correspondingly provided with the locking portion 212. In this way, the latch 100 can be fixed to the housing 200 by means of screws or the like, thereby increasing the stability of the assembly. In this embodiment, the second soft material body 132 is also injection molded onto the hard material body 111.

[0078] Please see Figure 6 . Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a latching member according to a second embodiment. The structure of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment and will not be described again. In the first embodiment, a second soft material body 132 is formed by injection molding on the second side 1112 of the hard material body 111, and a hole 1321 is provided therein for locking the latching member 100, but this is not a limitation. In this embodiment, a separate element may also be used to combine with the hard material body 111 of the hard material member 110 to lock the latching member 100.

[0079] like Figure 6 As shown, the latching member 100a further includes an intermediate member 120, and a rigid member 110 is assembled in the intermediate member 120. The intermediate member 120 includes a body 121, an assembly end 122, and a hole 123. The rigid member body 111 is fixed to the body 121, the assembly end 122 is connected to one side of the body 121, and the hole 123 is located at the assembly end 122. The rigid member 110 can be assembled in the intermediate member 120 by means of fasteners, screws, or adhesives. In this embodiment, the body 121 includes a corresponding groove 1211. When the rigid member body 111 is disposed in the body 121, the corresponding groove 1211 and the assembly groove 118 of the rigid member body 111 will correspond to each other. In this way, the assembly protrusion 1511 of the aforementioned waterproof member 150 can pass through both the corresponding groove 1211 and the assembly groove 118 simultaneously, so that the rigid member 110 and the intermediate member 120 can be combined and fixed together. Furthermore, the intermediate component 120 can be made of, for example, plastic injection molding or metal material; in this embodiment, it is illustrated as being made of plastic injection molding. Thus, after repeated opening and closing, if the connection between the main body 121 and the assembly end 122 is damaged, the user can replace only the intermediate component 120 without replacing the entire latch assembly 100a.

[0080] Finally, please see Figure 7 . Figure 7This is an exploded view of a latch according to a third embodiment. The structure of the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment and will not be described again. In the second embodiment, an intermediate member 120 made of plastic was exemplified for locking the latch 100a, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, an intermediate member 140 made of metal is further illustrated for locking the latch 100b. Figure 7 As can be seen, the intermediate component 140 includes a body 141, two assembly ends 142, and multiple holes 143. The hard material body 111 is fixed to the body 141, the two assembly ends 142 are respectively pivotally connected to one side of the body 141, and the multiple holes 143 are respectively located at the two assembly ends 142.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rigid component 110, intermediate component 140, and waterproof component 150a are assembled and fixed using screws 144. Therefore, the shape of the assembly groove 118 on the rigid component body 111 can be changed to a hole corresponding to the shape of the screw 144, but it can also maintain the same shape as in the first embodiment, as long as it is sufficient for the screw 144 to pass through and lock. The body 141 includes a corresponding groove 1411, which corresponds to the assembly groove 118 of the rigid component body 141. In addition, the waterproof component 150a can be designed without an assembly protrusion 1511 for locking with screws 144, and a screw hole 1511a for locking with screws 144 is added to the waterproof component body 151a of the waterproof component 150a.

[0082] In summary, the latch and housing with the latch provided in the above embodiments allow for the elastic arm of the hard material component to elastically deform relative to the hard material body via a hollow portion. Furthermore, the integrity of the latch is maintained by covering the hard material component with a soft material component, and the elasticity of the soft material component maintains the deformation effect of the elastic arm. Thus, a single component combining hard and soft materials achieves the latching function, saving on unnecessary parts and costs.

[0083] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A latching element, characterized in that, include: A rigid component includes a rigid body, an elastic arm, and a snap-fit ​​portion. The rigid body has a first side and a second side facing each other. One end of the elastic arm is connected to the first side of the rigid body, and at least one open space is provided between the elastic arm and the rigid body. The snap-fit ​​portion is connected to the other end of the elastic arm. The rigid component also includes an extension portion extending from the first side of the rigid body, and at least one gap is provided between the extension portion and the elastic arm. A soft material component includes a first soft material body, which is located on the first side of the hard material body and covers the hollow portion and the elastic arm. When the first soft material body is located on the first side of the hard material body, it further covers the at least one spacer portion and a portion of the extension portion.

2. The latching member according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic arm also includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is connected to the rigid material body, and the second arm is connected to the first arm and to the latching part. The first arm extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the rigid material body, and the second arm extends in the opposite direction to the extension of the first arm.

3. The latching member according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a waterproof component, which includes a waterproof component body and an assembly protrusion. The assembly protrusion protrudes from the waterproof component body. The rigid component also includes an assembly groove, which is formed in the rigid component body. The assembly protrusion passes through the assembly groove, so that the waterproof component is assembled on the rigid component.

4. The latching member according to claim 3, characterized in that, The waterproof component also includes a waterproof ring that surrounds the periphery of the waterproof component body.

5. The latching member according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latching part protrudes from the elastic arm to form a hook, and one end of the hook has a rounded corner.

6. The latching member according to claim 1, characterized in that, The soft material component also includes a second soft material body, which is located on the second side of the hard material body, and the second soft material body is provided with a hole.

7. The latching member according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first soft material body and the second soft material body are injection molded from the hard material body.

8. The latching member according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an intermediate component, on which the hard material component is assembled, and the intermediate component includes a body, an assembly end and a hole. The hard material body is fixed to the body, the assembly end is connected to one side of the body, and the hole is located at the assembly end.

9. The latching member according to claim 8, characterized in that, The intermediate component is formed by plastic injection molding.

10. The latching member according to claim 8, characterized in that, The middleware is made of metal.

11. A housing, characterized in that, include: A housing body, including a recess; as well as A latch, comprising: A rigid component includes a rigid body, an elastic arm, and a snap-fit ​​portion. The rigid body has a first side and a second side facing each other. One end of the elastic arm is connected to the first side of the rigid body, and at least one open space is provided between the elastic arm and the rigid body. The snap-fit ​​portion is connected to the other end of the elastic arm. The rigid component also includes an extension portion extending from the first side of the rigid body, and at least one gap is provided between the extension portion and the elastic arm. A soft material component includes a first soft material body, which is located on the first side of the hard material body and covers the hollow portion and the elastic arm. When the first soft material body is located on the first side of the hard material body, it further covers the at least one spacer portion and a portion of the extension portion. The snap-fit ​​part of the hard material is engaged with the recess.

12. The housing according to claim 11, characterized in that, The elastic arm also includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is connected to the rigid material body, and the second arm is connected to the first arm and to the latching part. The first arm extends in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the rigid material body, and the second arm extends in the opposite direction to the extension of the first arm.

13. The housing according to claim 11, characterized in that, It also includes a waterproof component, which includes a waterproof component body and an assembly protrusion. The assembly protrusion protrudes from the waterproof component body. The rigid component also includes an assembly groove, which is formed in the rigid component body. The assembly protrusion passes through the assembly groove, so that the waterproof component is assembled on the rigid component.

14. The housing according to claim 13, characterized in that, The waterproof component also includes a waterproof ring that surrounds the periphery of the waterproof component body.

15. The housing according to claim 11, characterized in that, The latching part protrudes from the elastic arm to form a hook, and one end of the hook has a rounded corner.

16. The housing according to claim 11, characterized in that, The housing body also includes a locking part, and the soft material part also includes a second soft material body. The second soft material body is located on the second side of the hard material body. The second soft material body is provided with a hole, which is correspondingly assembled with the locking part.

17. The housing according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first soft material body and the second soft material body are injection molded from the hard material body.

18. The housing according to claim 11, further comprising an intermediate component, wherein the hard material component is disposed in the intermediate component, and the intermediate component comprises a body, an assembly end and a hole, wherein the hard material body is fixed to the body, the assembly end is connected to one side of the body, and the hole is located at the assembly end.

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