Rubber foot structure

Abstract

To provide a rubber foot structure which improves the fixing of the rubber feet to the bottom surface of a housing. [Solution] A rubber foot structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bottom surface portion of a housing, a rubber foot attached to the bottom surface portion, and a fixing portion located on the opposite side of the bottom surface portion from the rubber foot and fixing the rubber foot to the bottom surface portion by expanding in diameter.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rubber foot structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the housing of a notebook type (clamshell type) personal computer or the like has rubber feet made of an elastic material attached to the bottom surface of the housing by adhesive tape, etc. The rubber feet can increase the stability of the housing when it is placed on the top surface of a desk, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-073919 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional rubber foot structure, there is room for further improvement in the structure for attaching the rubber feet to the bottom surface of the housing.

[0005] One example of a problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a rubber foot structure that improves the fixation of the rubber feet to the bottom surface of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A rubber foot structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a bottom surface of a housing, a rubber foot attached to the bottom surface, and a fixing portion located on the opposite side of the bottom surface from the rubber foot and expanding in diameter to fix the rubber foot to the bottom surface. The rubber foot has a tubular portion that is inserted into an opening in the bottom portion, and the fixing portion has a cylindrical portion located inside the tubular portion, and the cylindrical portion of the rubber foot is fixed between the cylindrical portion and the bottom portion by expanding the diameter of the cylindrical portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the rubber feet can be more firmly fixed to the bottom surface portion by increasing the diameter of the fixing portion, which can further prevent the rubber feet from coming off the housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of the bottom surface of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a rubber foot structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of a rubber foot according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of a fixing portion of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary perspective view of a rubber foot structure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a rubber foot according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram of the bottom surface of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of the fixing portion of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed below. The configurations of the embodiments shown below and the actions and effects brought about by the configurations are merely examples. The present invention can be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain at least one of the various effects (including derivative effects) obtained by the configurations.

[0010] Fig. 1 is an exemplary perspective view of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment, seen from the front side, with a display unit 3 positioned at an extended position. Fig. 2 is an exemplary view of a bottom part 6 of the information processing device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 is configured as, for example, a notebook type (clamshell type) personal computer, and includes a base unit 2 and a display unit 3.

[0012] The base unit 2 is placed on a flat surface of a placement portion such as a desk, stand, or shelf. The display unit 3 is supported by the base unit 2 so as to be rotatable around a rotation center axis C relative to the base unit 2, and is movable between an unfolded position (FIG. 1) and a closed position. Specifically, the display unit 3 is connected to the base unit 2 via a hinge 5.

[0013] In this embodiment, for convenience, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are defined. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis runs along the depth direction (front-rear direction, short side direction) of the base unit 2, the Y-axis runs along the width direction (left-right direction, long direction) of the base unit 2, and the Z-axis runs along the height direction (up-down direction) of the base unit 2.

[0014] Furthermore, in this specification, an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction are defined. The X direction is a direction along the X axis, and includes the +X direction indicated by the X axis arrow and the -X direction opposite to the X axis arrow. The Y direction is a direction along the Y axis, and includes the +Y direction indicated by the Y axis arrow and the -Y direction opposite to the Y axis arrow. The Z direction is a direction along the Z axis, and includes the +Z direction indicated by the Z axis arrow and the -Z direction opposite to the Z axis arrow.

[0015] The base unit 2 has a housing 4 and a keyboard 8 supported by the housing 4. The keyboard 8 is supported by the housing 4 at a position that allows it to be operated from above. In addition, a circuit board is housed within the housing 4.

[0016] A plurality of electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory are mounted on the board. At least a part of the electronic circuit of the information processing device 1 is configured by the wiring provided on the board and the plurality of electronic components mounted on the board.

[0017] Furthermore, a storage device, a wireless module, a battery, etc. are housed within the housing 4. The housing 4 is composed of a bottom surface 6 that is placed on a surface such as a desk, and a surface of a keyboard 8, and the bottom surface 6 is formed by a cover 7.

[0018] Fig. 2 is an exemplary diagram of the bottom surface 6 of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom surface 6 is formed by a cover 7. A plurality of rubber feet 10 are attached to the bottom surface 6 for supporting the housing 4 at a position spaced apart from a placement surface such as a desk.

[0019] The rubber feet 10 are also called elastic members, support members, rubber feet, etc. An example of the rubber feet 10 is made of elastically deformable resin. An example of the shape of the rubber feet 10 is a circle, but they may also be an oval shape that is long in the X direction, an ellipse, or a rectangle. In this embodiment, the rubber feet 10 are provided at each of the four corners of the bottom surface portion 6.

[0020] The information processing device 1 can be placed on the placement surface with less rattling even if the placement surface is uneven due to the elastic deformation of the rubber feet 10. In addition, the cover 7 is less likely to be damaged because the bottom surface portion 6 is less likely to come into contact with the placement surface.

[0021] Fig. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the rubber foot 10 structure of the embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view in the X direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the rubber foot 10 is attached to the bottom surface portion 6 from the -Z direction (below). The fixing portion 20 is located on the opposite side of the bottom surface portion to the rubber foot. For example, it is provided on the surface of the bottom surface portion 6 opposite to the surface to which the rubber foot 10 is attached. The rubber foot 10 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 6 by, for example, expanding the diameter of the fixing portion 20.

[0022] The rubber foot 10 has an installation surface 11 to be placed on a support surface such as a desk, an attachment surface 12 that abuts the bottom surface 6 on the opposite side to the installation surface 11, a tubular portion 13 extending in the Z direction (upward) from the attachment surface 12, a locking portion 14 connected to the upper portion of the tubular portion 13, and a recessed portion 15.

[0023] The installation surface 11 is curved so that the center of the rubber foot 10 is convex on the side opposite to the mounting surface 12 (-Z direction). The mounting surface 12 forms the outer edge of the rubber foot 10. The locking portion 14 is provided, for example, in three places extending in the Z direction (upward) from a part of the tube portion 13.

[0024] Next, the bottom surface portion 6 has a substantially circular opening 9 having a diameter larger than that of the tube portion 13 of the rubber foot 10. The number of openings 9 provided is, for example, the same as the number of rubber feet 10. For example, four openings 9 are provided.

[0025] The tubular portion 13 of the rubber foot 10 is inserted into the opening 9. A locking portion 14 provided on the upper portion of the tubular portion 13 of the rubber foot 10 is locked into the opening 9 of the bottom surface portion 6, thereby preventing the rubber foot 10 from slipping out of the bottom surface portion 6 in the −Z direction.

[0026] Next, the fixing portion 20 has a cylindrical portion 21, claw portions 22 protruding from the cylindrical portion 21, and an outer circumferential portion 24.

[0027] Here, a structure for fixing the rubber foot 10 by the fixing portion 20 will be described. First, the tube portion 13 of the rubber foot 10 is inserted into the opening 9 in the bottom surface portion 6 of the housing 4. The rubber foot 10 is then locked to the bottom surface portion 6 by the locking portion 14.

[0028] Next, the columnar portion 21 located at the center of the fixed portion 20 is fitted inside the tubular portion 13 of the rubber foot 10. The outer diameter of the columnar portion 21 is equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the tubular portion 13. This causes the columnar portion 21 to expand in diameter so as to open outward, thereby allowing the tubular portion 13 of the rubber foot 10 to be sandwiched and fixed between the opening 9 of the bottom portion 6 and the columnar portion 21 of the fixed portion 20.

[0029] The rubber feet 10 can be fixed to the bottom surface portion 6 by expanding the diameter of the fixing portion 20, so that the rubber feet 10 can be fixed without using, for example, adhesive tape. This prevents the adhesive tape from peeling off.

[0030] In addition, when using adhesive tape to fix the rubber feet to the housing, the rubber feet are attached to the bottom surface using adhesive tape, which requires time to press the rubber feet and can cause variations in pressing force depending on the installer. In this embodiment, adhesive tape is not used, so there is no time required to fix the rubber feet and no pressing is required for installation.

[0031] Furthermore, when the rubber feet are fixed to the housing by thermal welding, when the rubber feet are to be replaced, the cover must also be replaced. In this embodiment, the rubber feet 10 can be replaced separately without replacing the cover 7. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of replacement.

[0032] Furthermore, the rubber feet 10 have an opening in the Z direction on the inside of the tube portion 13. Therefore, when the rubber feet 10 come into contact with the desk surface, the openings of the rubber feet 10 allow them to be elastic in the Z direction. Therefore, the multiple rubber feet 10 can be elastic in the Z direction, which can prevent the housing 4 from rattling.

[0033] Furthermore, the claw portion 22 of the fixing portion 20 protrudes outward from a part of the cylindrical portion 21. When the cylindrical portion 21 is positioned inside the tubular portion 13, the claw portion 22 fits into a recessed portion 15 recessed in the Y direction of the tubular portion 13, making it difficult for the claw portion 22 to come off in the Z direction (upward).

[0034] The outer peripheral portion 24 is connected to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 21 via a connecting portion 23 that connects to the outside of the cylindrical portion 21. The outer peripheral portion 24 has a circular shape surrounding the outer periphery of the locking portion 14, for example.

[0035] 4 is an exemplary perspective view of the rubber foot 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the rubber foot 10 has an installation surface 11, an attachment surface 12, a cylindrical portion 13, a locking portion 14, and a recessed portion 15.

[0036] The rubber feet 10 are, for example, circular, and the mounting surface 12 is also circular. The locking portions 14 extend upward from three points on the cylindrical tube portion 13. On the inner circumferential surface of the tube portion 13, three recesses 15 are formed below the locking portions 14. In this embodiment, the rubber feet 10 are provided on the housing 4 at four points.

[0037] Next, Fig. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of the fixing part 20 alone according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the fixing part 20 has a columnar part 21, a claw part 22, a connecting part 23, and an outer peripheral part 24. The upper surface shown in Fig. 5 is the surface that abuts against the bottom part 6. In other words, the orientation of the fixing part 20 shown in Fig. 3 is reversed.

[0038] The columnar portion 21 is located at the center of the fixed portion 20. The columnar portion 21 is cylindrical and has an opening in the center. The claw portions 22 protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the columnar portion 21. The claw portions 22 are provided in, for example, three places on the columnar portion 21.

[0039] The connection parts 23 extend outward from parts of the cylindrical portion 21. For example, three connection parts 23 extend from the cylindrical portion 21. The outer circumferential portion 24 and the cylindrical portion 21 are connected by the connection parts 23. A space is provided between the connection parts 23. The space can prevent interference with the locking parts 14 of the rubber feet 10.

[0040] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an exemplary perspective view of a rubber foot 100 structure according to the second embodiment.

[0041] 6, the device has a bottom surface portion 6, rubber feet 100, a fixing portion 200, and an adhesive tape 210. The structure for fixing the rubber feet 100 is the same as in the first embodiment, in that the rubber feet 100 are attached to the bottom surface portion 6 and the fixing portion 200 is expanded in diameter.

[0042] The difference from the first embodiment is that the fixing part 200 is attached to the bottom part 6 using adhesive tape 210. Also, the rubber feet 100 fit into grooves 91 in the bottom part 6. A specific configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.

[0043] Fig. 7 is an exemplary enlarged view of a portion of the rubber foot 100 of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the rubber foot 100 has a setting surface 101, an attachment surface 102, a tubular portion 103, a locking portion 104, and a rib 106. The setting surface 101, the attachment surface 102, the tubular portion 103, and the locking portion 104 have the same configurations as the setting surface 11, the attachment surface 12, the tubular portion 13, and the locking portion 14 of the first embodiment.

[0044] The rib 106 protrudes downward from a part of the bottom surface of the locking portion 104. The rib 106 fits into the groove 91 of the bottom surface portion 6, thereby preventing the locking portion 104 from coming off downward.

[0045] Next, Fig. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing the opening 9 of the bottom surface portion 6 of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the bottom surface portion 6 has an opening 9. The opening 9 has a first opening 90 and a groove 91. In the first embodiment, the opening 9 is formed in a substantially circular shape, but in the second embodiment, the opening 9 has the first opening 90 and the groove 91.

[0046] The first opening 90 has a size that allows the locking portion 104 of the rubber foot 100 to be inserted therethrough. The first opening 90 is, for example, an opening that partially spreads outward from the opening 9. For example, three first openings 90 are formed.

[0047] The groove 91 is provided adjacent to the first opening 90. As an example, the groove 91 has a recessed shape that does not penetrate downward from the bottom surface portion 6.

[0048] 7 and 8, a method for attaching the rubber foot 100 to the bottom surface portion 6 will be described. First, the locking portion 104 of the rubber foot 100 is inserted into the first opening 90 of the bottom surface portion 6. Next, the rubber foot 100 is rotated so that the rib 106 fits into the groove 91 of the bottom surface portion 6. This allows the rubber foot 100 to be attached to the bottom surface portion 6.

[0049] Fig. 9 is an exemplary diagram of the fixing part 200 of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the fixing part 200 has a cylindrical part 201, a connecting part 203, and an outer periphery part 204. An adhesive tape 210 is attached to the fixing part 200. The cylindrical part 201, the connecting part 203, and the outer periphery part 204 have the same configurations as the cylindrical part 21, the connecting part 23, and the outer periphery part 24 of the first embodiment.

[0050] The fixing part 200 is fixed to the bottom part 6 with adhesive tape 210, with the rubber foot 100 attached to the bottom part 6 and the cylindrical part 201 positioned inside the tubular part 103 of the rubber foot 100. Furthermore, the cylindrical part 201 expands in diameter, so that the rubber foot 100 is sandwiched between the bottom part 6 and the cylindrical part 201, thereby being fixed.

[0051] In the second embodiment, by rotating the rubber foot 100 in a position where the rubber foot 100 is fixed by the fixing portion 200, the rib 106 engaged with the groove 91 is disengaged, and the engaging portion 104 can be removed downward from the first opening 90.

[0052] Since the fixing part 200 is fixed to the bottom part 6 with adhesive tape 210, it is possible to remove only the rubber feet 100 without disassembling the bottom part 6.

[0053] When re-attaching the rubber foot 100, the engaging portion 104 is inserted into the first opening 90 and the rubber foot 100 is rotated so that the rib 106 fits into the groove 91. This allows, for example, a new rubber foot 100 to be attached.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the rubber foot structure comprises a bottom surface portion of the housing, a rubber foot attached to the bottom surface portion, and a fixing portion located on the opposite side of the bottom surface portion from the rubber foot and fixing the rubber foot to the bottom surface portion by expanding in diameter.

[0055] According to the above configuration, the rubber feet can be fixed to the bottom surface by expanding the diameter of the fixing portion. This can prevent the rubber feet from coming off the housing. Also, the rubber feet can be fixed without using adhesive tape or the like. Also, compared to when adhesive tape is used for fixing, the fixing time can be shortened. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce variations in installation depending on the worker who installs the rubber feet. Also, compared to when the rubber feet are fixed by thermal welding, only the rubber feet can be replaced.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the rubber foot structure having the above configuration, the rubber foot has a tubular portion that is inserted into the opening in the bottom portion, the fixing portion has a cylindrical portion located inside the tubular portion, and the cylindrical portion of the rubber foot is fixed between the cylindrical portion and the bottom portion by expanding the diameter of the cylindrical portion, thereby achieving the same effects as the above configuration.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the rubber foot structure configured as described above, the rubber foot has a recessed portion provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, and the fixing portion has a claw portion that hooks onto the recessed portion on the columnar portion.

[0058] According to this configuration, the fixing portion can be made difficult to come out of the recess by the claw portion.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the rubber foot structure configured as described above, the rubber foot has a locking portion connected to the tubular portion and locked to the bottom portion, and a rib protruding from the locking portion, and the bottom portion has a groove portion into which the rib fits.

[0060] According to this configuration, the ribs make it difficult for the rubber feet to come out of the grooves.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the housing of the information processing device 1 is taken as an example of an object to which the rubber feet 10 are applied. However, the object to which the rubber feet 10 are applied may be any housing other than the information processing device 1 as long as it is a movable housing. Although a notebook personal computer is shown as a specific example of the information processing device 1, the information processing device 1 is not limited to this. For example, the information processing device 1 may be a desktop computer, a printer, a display device, etc.

[0062] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated above, the above embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, format, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, and the like) can be appropriately changed and implemented. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...Information processing device 4. Housing 6…Bottom part 7. Cover 10, 100...rubber feet 11, 101...Installation surface 12, 102…Mounting surface 13, 103...cylindrical part 14, 104...Latching part 15…Recessed part 91...Groove 106…Rib 20, 200…Fixed part 21, 201…Cylindrical section 22…Claw part 23, 203…Connection 24, 204…Outer periphery

Claims

1. A bottom surface of the housing; Rubber feet attached to the bottom surface portion; a fixing portion located on an opposite side of the bottom portion from the rubber foot, the fixing portion fixing the rubber foot to the bottom portion by expanding in diameter, The rubber foot has a tubular portion that is inserted into an opening in the bottom surface portion, The fixing portion has a columnar portion located inside the cylindrical portion, the cylindrical portion of the rubber foot is fixed between the cylindrical portion and the bottom surface portion by expanding the diameter of the cylindrical portion; Rubber foot construction.

2. The rubber foot has a recess provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion, The cylindrical portion of the fixing portion has a claw portion that hooks onto the recessed portion. The rubber foot structure according to claim 1 .

3. the rubber foot has a locking portion connected to the tubular portion and locked to the bottom surface portion, and a rib protruding from the locking portion; The bottom surface portion has a groove into which the rib fits. The rubber foot structure according to claim 1 .

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