GB2146491A

GB2146491A - Protective construction for electronic devices

Info

Publication number: GB2146491A
Application number: GB08422795A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Noboru Seki; Shigeru Nigorikawa
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 1983-09-09
Filing date: 1984-09-10
Publication date: 1985-04-17
Also published as: JPS6048630U; GB2146491B; KR850009714U; DE3432978A1; GB8422795D0; KR890004537Y1; DE3432978C2

Abstract

A protective construction for an electronic device (3) having a body actuatable by a slidable knob (2) includes a covering member (1) for covering an upper surface of the electronic device (3), the covering member (1) having a slot (9) in which said slidable knob (2) is slidable and presser members (8a), formed by portions of the covering member (1) being bent inwardly for forming the slot (9), for pressing the body of the electronic device against a printed circuit board (4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Protective construction for electronic devices The present invention relates to a protective construction for an electronic device actuated by sliding a knob, such as a sliding switch or a sliding rheostat, and more particularly to a case or cover construction for such an electronic device.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a conventional protective construction for an electro- nic device.

Figure 1 (a) is a fragmentary perspective view of the protective construction, and Figure 1 (b) is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view thereof.

As shown in Figure 1, a cover 1 is fixed to a case 7 containing an electronic device 3 by spring arms 1 a.

The cover 1 has an elongate slot 9 for receiving the knob 2 projecting from the electronic device 3. The electronic device 3 is mounted on a printed-circuit board 4, and terminals 5 extend from the electronic device 3 and are connected to circuit patterns on the printed-circuit board 4 by solder 6.

With the knob 2 projecting through the slot 9, it is not necessary to open the cover 1 to actuate the electronic device 3 by sliding the knob 2.

However, the electronic device 3 is secured only to the printed-circuit board 4 and not to the case 7 and the cover 1 with gaps presenttherebetween. When the knob 2 is frequently actuated, the electronic device 3 will, in the course of time, tend to wobble with respect to the case 7 and to the cover 1.

With the above prior art difficulty in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective construction for electronic devices which prevents the electronic device from wobbling and is highly reliable in use.

Protective constructions for electronic devices embodying the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1(a) is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional protective construction; Figure 1(b) is a fragmentary vertical crosssectional view of the protective construction of Figure 1(a); Figure 2(a) is a fragmentary perspective view of a protective construction for an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2(b) is a fragmentary vertical crosssectional view of the protective construction shown in Figure 2(a);; Figure 3(a) is a fragmentary perspective view of a protective construction for an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3fbJ is a fragmentary vertical crosssectional view of the protective construction shown in Figure 3(a).

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

Components in Figures 2 and 3 which are similar to corresponding components of Figure 1 are denoted by identical reference characters.

Figure 2 shows a protective construction according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2(a) being a fragmentary perspective view of the protective construction and Figure 2(b) a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the protective construction.

In defining the slot 9, portions of the cover 1 are bent obliquely downwards at the longitudinal ends of the slot 9 to form tongue-like presser members 8a at each end of the slot 9. The presser members 8a each have the form of an inverted triangle in cross section, and each has its lower end pressing an upper surface of an electronic device 3.

With the body of an electronic device 3 thus held by the presser members 8a of the cover 1, the electronic device 3 will not wobble back and forth or laterally during actuation of the knob 2.

Figure 3 illustrates a protective construction according to a second embodiment.

Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are views similar to Figures 2(a) and 2(b), respectively.

In the second embodiment, portions of the cover at both ends of the slot 9 are bent downwardly at a right angle to form presser members 8b for pressing the electronic device on the lateral sides thereof.

With the sides of the body 3 held by the presser members 8a of the cover 1, the electronic device 3 will not wobble back and forth or laterally, as with the first embodiment.

In the above embodiments the presser members 8a, 8b are formed on the cover 1 separate from the case 7. However, the case 7 may be integral with the cover 1.

According to the present invention, therefore, the slot is defined in a cover member covering the upper surface of the electronic device 3 and the presser members are formed by portions of the covering member bent inwardly to form the slot.

The protective construction as described above can be used with an RF modulator, FM and TV tuners, and the like.

With the present invention, the case housing the electronic device or its cover is used to press the electronic device body to thus prevent the electronic device from wobbling during repeated sliding operation of the knob. The protective construction is therefore of a good quality and is highly reliable.

Although certain preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it should be understood that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A protective construction for an electronic device having a body and actuatable by a slidable knob, comprising a covering member for covering an upper surface of the electronic device, said covering member having a slot for slidably receiving said knob and presser members formed by portions of the covering member being bent inwardly for forming the slot, said presser members being adapted to press against the body of the electronic device to hold it in place.

2. A protective construction according to claim 1, wherein said presser members extend obliquely downwardlyforsaid slot to press against an upper surface of the body.

3. A protective construction according to claim 1, wherein said presser members extend downwardly from said slot to press against lateral sides of the body.

4. A protective construction for an electronic device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 2(a) and 2(b) or Figures 3(a) and 3(b) of the accompanying drawings.