WO2006004278A1

WO2006004278A1 - Portable electronic apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2006004278A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gyeng Yeoul Kong; Jae Jun Kim
Original assignee: Dm Technology Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-04-02
Filing date: 2005-03-29
Publication date: 2006-01-12

Abstract

Provided is a portable electronic apparatus which can be used at the state of being erected on a table at a desired angle of view by a user. The apparatus includes a support unit (30) provided with a plurality of support holes (21, 22) formed at a certain interval on the surface of a main body (20) thereof, and part of which is combined with the support holes (21, 22). A plate spring (50) is provided in the inside of the main body (20), and coupling protrusions (31, 32) are formed in the support unit (30), to accordingly use the apparatus at the state of being erected on a table at a desired angle. Also, since the support unit (30) is fixedly connected with the main body (20) through a connection strap (40), the apparatus can be prevented from being lost.

Description

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a portable electronic apparatus, and more par¬ ticularly to, a portable electronic apparatus which can be used at the state of being erected on a table at a desired angle of view by a user in which a main body and an auxiliary body can be conveniently attached to or detached from each other. Background Art

[2] In general, as shown in FIG. 1, an electronic apparatus such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) being a personal portable information terminal, a mobile phone or a portable audio- video (AV) apparatus, all of which include a liquid crystal display screen for display on their front surfaces, can be used conveniently while a user carries it. A main body 10 is generally connected with a connection strap 15 to thereby reduce the possibility of losing it during carrying it.

[3] In particular, in the case that a portable information terminal as shown is used, the terminal main body 10 is grasped by one hand and a manipulator (not shown) is ma¬ nipulated by the other hand such that data can be displayed on a display 11. In addition, in the case that the portable information terminal is used on a table, the ma¬ nipulator is manipulated at the state where the terminal main body 10 is laid on the table such that data can be displayed on the display 11. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] However, in the case that the conventional portable electronic apparatus is used at the state where it is laid on the table, light is reflected from the display 11 due to an external illumination to thereby cause an inconvenient use. Thus, a user should correct his or her posture in order to watch the display 11 which is horizontally laid on the table although he or she sits in a good posture.

[5] Also, in the case of the conventional portable electronic apparatus, when a main body is connected with an auxiliary device such as a television receiver or an auxiliary battery pack which assists the main body, the former is connected with the latter by only a connection wire, but the former is separated from the auxiliary device. As a result, when the portable electronic apparatus is used or moved together with the auxiliary device, separation of the main body from the auxiliary device causes bur- densomeness. Technical Solution

[6] To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic apparatus which can be kept in custody or used at the state where it is erected on a table at a user's desired angle.

[7] It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic apparatus which can be conveniently used or moved when a main body is connected with an auxiliary device since the main body having a display can be integrally con¬ veniently attached to or detached from the auxiliary device such as a television receiver or an auxiliary battery pack.

[8] To accomplish the above object of the present invention, according to the present invention, there is provided a support unit supporting the portable electronic apparatus at a certain angle in which at least one support hole formed on the surface of a main body of the portable electronic apparatus, and the support unit part of which is combined with the support hole; a plate spring which is fixedly installed in the inner side of the support hole; and coupling protrusions which are combined with the support hole and adheres closely to the plate spring with an elastic force, and which are formed on the support unit.

[9] In the portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention, grooves are formed in the coupling protrusions for preventing the support unit from seceding from the fixing hole since the coupling protrusions adhere closely to the plate spring.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a portable electronic apparatus comprising: a main body in which at least one coupling hole is formed on one surface of the portable electronic apparatus; an auxiliary body on one surface of which a locker is coupled with the coupling hole and on the other surface of which at least one fixing hole is formed; a support unit which is connected with at least one of the main body and the auxiliary body, and coupled attachably and detachably with the fixing hole to thereby support the main body and the auxiliary body with a slope at a certain angle; a first coupler having a plate spring which is fixedly connected with the main body at the inner side of the coupling hole and has a pair of elastic pieces, and making the locker attachably and detachably coupled with the coupling hole by making the elastic pieces adhere elastically to the outer surface of the locker; and a second coupler which couples the support unit with the fixing hole attachably and detachably.

[11] In the case of the second coupler, the auxiliary body is fixedly installed in the inner side of the fixing hole, a plate spring having a pair of elastic pieces is provided, and a pair of coupling protrusions which are coupled with the fixing hole is formed in the support unit, with a result that the elastic pieces elastically adhere to the outer surfaces of the coupling protrusions.

Advantageous Effects [12] Thus, since the portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention can be supported at a certain angle by the support unit, users can conveniently use the portable electronic apparatus. Here, the main body and the auxiliary body can be con¬ veniently attached to or detached from each other by the locker and the coupling hole. Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiment thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional portable electronic apparatus;

[15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention;

[16] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing essential parts of the portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention when a support unit of the portable electronic apparatus is used;

[17] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the support unit employed in the present invention;

[18] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically separately showing a portable electronic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[19] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing essential parts of the portable electronic apparatus of FIG. 5 when a support unit thereof is used;

[20] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state of using the portable electronic apparatus of FIG. 5;

[21] FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining a combiner of a locker;

[22] FIG. 9 is a perspective view partly showing an accommodation groove of the locker; and

[23] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an auxiliary body at the state where the locker lies down.

Mode for the Invention

[24] Hereinbelow, a portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[25] FIGs. 2 through 4 illustrate a portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention as a first embodiment of the present invention.

[26] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, a portable electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, is an electronic apparatus such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) being a personal portable information terminal, a mobile phone or a portable audio- video (AV) apparatus. A plurality of support holes 21 and 22 are formed at a regular interval on the rear surface of the main body 20. The portable electronic apparatus includes a support unit 30 part of which is coupled with the support holes 21 and 22 and which supports the main body 20 at a certain angle on a table. A plate spring 50 which is fixedly installed on the main body 20 is provided in the inner side of the main body 20, that is, in the inner side of the support holes 21 and 22. Coupling protrusions 31 and 32 which are coupled with the support holes 21 and 22 and which adhere to the plate spring 50 elastically, are formed on the support unit 30.

[27] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, grooves 31a and 32a which closely adhere to the plate spring 50 elastically are formed on the coupling protrusions 31 and 32, respectively.

[28] Also, since the support unit 30 is fixedly connected with the main body 20 through a connection strap 40 in the electronic apparatus, the portable electronic apparatus can be prevented from being lost.

[29] In the case of the portable electronic apparatus as described above, the main body

20 is grasped by one hand and a manipulator panel (not shown) is manipulated by the other hand, during carrying it. As shown in FIG. 3, the portable electronic apparatus can be used at the state where it is erected on a table by use of the support unit 30.

[30] Here, the slope of the main body 20 varies according to the physical condition of a user or an incidence angle of external light, in order to support the portable electronic apparatus. The support unit 30 is fixedly connected with the main body 20 through a connection strap 40 in the electronic apparatus. Accordingly, the portable electronic apparatus can be prevented from being lost. Also, the support unit 30 is selectively coupled with the support holes 21 and 22 which are formed at a certain angle, to thereby have the angle of supporting the main body 20 vary. For example, in the case that the support unit 30 is inserted into and coupled with the support hole 21 which is located in the upper portion among the support holes, the main body 20 has an angle of about 30°with respect to the support plane. In the case that the support unit 30 is inserted into and coupled with the support hole 20 which is located in the lower portion among the support holes, the main body 20 has an angle of about 60°with respect to the support plane.

[31] Meanwhile, when the coupling protrusions 31 and 32 in the support unit 30 are coupled with the support holes 21 and 22, the inner plate spring 50 adheres to the outer surfaces of the coupling protrusions 31 and 32 elastically, to thereby prevent the former from being separated from the latter. Further, grooves 31a and 32a are formed on the coupling protrusions 31 and 32, respectively, to thereby further stabilize the coupling state of the support unit 30 with respect to the main body 20.

[32] Also, since the support unit 30 is caught by the fingers of a hand which is used for grasping the main body 20 when the portable electronic apparatus is carried and used, with the main body 20 grasped by the hand, it is prevented the main body 20 from dropping during carrying the portable electronic apparatus, to thereby enable a safe use.

[33] FIGs. 5 through 10 illustrate a portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[34] Referring to FIGs. 5 through 7, a portable electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, is an electronic apparatus such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) being a personal portable information terminal having a liquid crystal display, a mobile phone or a portable audio- video (AV) apparatus. Here, a main body 120 in the electronic apparatus and an auxiliary body 130 such as a television receiver or an auxiliary battery pack can be attachably and detachably coupled with each other.

[35] A display is formed in the front surface of the main body 120 and a pair of coupling holes 121 are formed in the rear surface of the main body 120.

[36] An accommodation hole 135 storing batteries is provided in the auxiliary body 130.

A pair of lockers 140 which are combined with the pair of coupling holes 121 are provided on one surface contacting the rear surface of the main body 120. Fixing holes 136 and 137 are formed on the other surface of the main body.

[37] Also, support units 150 and 160 which are attachably and detachably combined with the fixing holes 136 and 137 and supporting the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130 at a certain slope, respectively are connected with the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130.

[38] The lockers 140 are attachably and detachably coupled with the coupling holes 121, respectively, by means of a first coupler. The support units 150 and 160 are attachably and detachably coupled with the fixing holes 136 and 137, respectively, by means of a second coupler.

[39] As shown in FIGs. 6, 8 and 9, the first coupler is fixedly installed in the main body

120 located in the inner side of the coupling hole 121, and includes a plate spring 125 having a pair of elastic pieces 126 so that the elastic pieces 126 elastically adhere to the outer surfaces of the lockers 140, respectively.

[40] As shown in FIGs. 5 through 8, the second coupler is fixedly installed in the auxiliary body 130 located in the inner side of the fixing holes 136 and 137, and includes a plate spring 180 having a pair of elastic pieces 181. Also, a pair of coupling protrusions 151 and 152 coupled with the fixing hole 136 is formed in the support unit 150, such that the elastic pieces 181 elastically adhere to the outer surfaces of the coupling protrusions 151 and 152, respectively, and a pair of coupling protrusions 161 and 162 coupled with the fixing hole 137 is formed in the support unit 160, such that the elastic pieces 181 elastically adhere to the outer surfaces of the coupling protrusions 161 and 162, respectively. [41] In addition, a groove 143 is formed in each locker 140. Accordingly, the elastic pieces 126 in the plate spring 125 adhere to the grooves 143 to prevent the locker 140 from seceding from the coupling hole 121. Also, grooves 151a and 152a are formed in coupling protrusions 151 and 152, respectively, and grooves 161a and 162a are formed in coupling protrusions 161 and 162, respectively. Accordingly, the elastic pieces 181 in the plate spring 180 adhere to the grooves 151a and 152a, and 161a and 162a to prevent the coupling protrusions 151 and 152, and 161 and 162 from seceding from the fixing holes 136 and 137, respectively.

[42] Meanwhile, accommodation grooves 131 in which the lockers 140 are ac¬ commodated are formed in the auxiliary body 130. The lockers 140 are rotatably coupled with rotational shafts 145, respectively. Also, as shown in FIGs. 9 and 10, elastic plates 170 which maintain the postures or positions of the lockers 140 which are erected or laid from the accommodation grooves 131 are formed in the auxiliary body 130.

[43] Also, one of the lockers 140 can be slid in the accommodation grooves 131 so that a distance between the pair of lockers 140 can be adjusted.

[44] Referring to FIG. 5, a reference numeral 132 denotes a clearance groove through which the hand of a user goes in and out when the lockers 140 are erected.

[45] As described above, when a user carries and uses the portable electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130 are grasped by one hand of the user and a manipulator is manipulated by the other hand thereof. As shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, the portable electronic apparatus can be used while being erected on a table using two support units 150 and 160. Here, since the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130 are supported by the two support units 150 and 160, the slope state of the portable electronic apparatus can be stably maintained.

[46] In the case that the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130 are combined with each other, the lockers 140 are erected as shown in FIG. 5. Then, when the lockers 140 are combined with the coupling holes 121, the elastic pieces 126 elastically adhere to the outer surfaces of the lockers 140 to thereby maintain the coupling state of the lockers 140 and the coupling holes 121.

[47] Also, if the auxiliary body 130 is compulsively separated from the main body 120, the elastic pieces 126 are elastically deformed so that the former can be easily separated from the latter.

[48] In the case that the auxiliary body 130 is separated from the main body 120 and kept in custody, the lockers 140 are made to enter into the accommodation grooves 131 as shown in FIG. 10, to thereby prevent the lockers 140 from being damaged.

[49] When the lockers 140 are erected from or laid into the accommodation grooves 131, the positions of the lockers 140 are stably maintained by the elastic pieces 170. [50] Further, when the portable electronic apparatus is portably used, the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130 are grasped by one hand of a user. Here, the support units 150 and 160 are hung up by the fingers of the one hand which has grasped the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130. Accordingly, the dropping of the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130 is prevented during use to thereby enable a stable use. Industrial Applicability

[51] As described above, the present invention provides a portable electronic apparatus having the following advantages.

[52] First, support holes 21 and 22 are formed in a main body 20, and a support unit 30 which is attachably and detachably combined with the support holes 21 and 22 is provided. Accordingly, the portable electronic apparatus is erected and used on a table at a desired angle, which conveniences use.

[53] Second, the support unit 30 is fixedly connected with the main body 20 with a connection strap 40, to thereby prevent the support unit 30 from being lost.

[54] Third, a main body 120 and an auxiliary body 130 are coupled with each other attachably and detachably by lockers 140 and plate springs 125. Accordingly, the main body 120 and the auxiliary body 130 can be conveniently coupled with and separated from each other. Thus, users can use the portable electronic apparatus conveniently during carrying or using it.

[55] Fourth, a distance between the lockers 140 of the auxiliary body 130 which ac¬ commodates a battery can be adjusted. Although a distance between coupling holes 121 in the main body 120 varies, the distance between the lockers 140 is adjusted to enable the lockers 140 to be coupled with the coupling holes 121. Accordingly, a com¬ patibility between portable electronic apparatuses can be achieved.

[56] As described above, the present invention has been described with respect to par¬ ticularly preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is possible for one who has an ordinary skill in the art to make various modifications and variations, without departing off the spirit of the present invention. Thus, the protective scope of the present invention is not defined within the detailed description thereof but is defined by the claims to be described later and the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A portable electronic apparatus comprising: a support unit supporting the portable electronic apparatus at a certain angle in which at least one support hole formed on the surface of a main body of the portable electronic apparatus, and the support unit part of which is combined with the support hole; a plate spring which is fixedly installed in the inner side of the support hole; and coupling protrusions which are combined with the support hole and adheres closely to the plate spring with an elastic force, and which are formed on the support unit.

[2] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein grooves are formed in the coupling protrusions for preventing the support unit from seceding from the fixing hole since the coupling protrusions adhere closely to the plate spring.

[3] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection strap which fixedly connects the support unit with the main body.

[4] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a connection strap which fixedly connects the support unit with the main body.

[5] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support unit is provided with a hollow ring through which a finger is fitted.

[6] A portable electronic apparatus comprising: a main body in which at least one coupling hole is formed on one surface of the portable electronic apparatus; an auxiliary body on one surface of which a locker is coupled with the coupling hole and on the other surface of which at least one fixing hole is formed; a support unit which is connected with at least one of the main body and the auxiliary body, and coupled attachably and detachably with the fixing hole to thereby support the main body and the auxiliary body with a slope at a certain angle; a first coupler having a plate spring which is fixedly connected with the main body at the inner side of the coupling hole and has a pair of elastic pieces, and making the locker attachably and detachably coupled with the coupling hole by making the elastic pieces adhere elastically to the outer surface of the locker; and a second coupler which couples the support unit with the fixing hole attachably and and detachably.

[7] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein grooves are formed in the locker or the coupling protrusions for preventing the support unit from seceding from the main body since the locker or the coupling protrusions adhere closely to the plate spring.

[8] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the locker is rotatably coupled with the auxiliary body by means of a rotational shaft in which an accommodation groove accommodating the locker is formed in the auxiliary body, and an elastic plate is provided to maintain the erected position and the laid position of the locker with respect to the accommodation groove.

[9] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a clearance groove into which the hand of a user is allowed to enter when the locker is erected at the edge of the accommodation groove.

[10] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the main body includes a display on which data is displayed, and the auxiliary body includes a battery accommodation portion in which a battery is received.

[11] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the locker is provided as a pair, in which one locker is movably provided with respect to the other locker.

[12] A portable electronic apparatus comprising: a main body in which at least one coupling hole is formed on one surface of the portable electronic apparatus; an auxiliary body on one surface of which a locker is coupled with the coupling hole and on the other surface of which at least one fixing hole is formed; a support unit which is connected with at least one of the main body and the auxiliary body, and coupled attachably and detachably with the fixing hole to thereby support the main body and the auxiliary body with a slope at a certain angle; a first coupler which couples the locker with the coupling hole attachably and detachably; a second coupler having a plate spring which is fixedly connected with the auxiliary body at the inner side of the fixing hole and has a pair of elastic pieces, and making the support units attachably and detachably coupled with the fixing hole by making the elastic pieces adhere elastically to the outer surface of the coupling protrusions, in which a pair of the coupling protrusions coupled with the fixing hole are formed in the support unit.

[13] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein grooves are formed in the locker or the coupling protrusions for preventing the support unit from seceding from the main body since the locker or the coupling protrusions adhere closely to the plate spring.

[14] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the locker is rotatably coupled with the auxiliary body by means of a rotational shaft in which an accommodation groove accommodating the locker is formed in the auxiliary body, and an elastic plate is provided to maintain the erected position and the laid position of the locker with respect to the accommodation groove.

[15] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a clearance groove into which the hand of a user is allowed to enter when the locker is erected at the edge of the accommodation groove.

[16] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the main body includes a display on which data is displayed, and the auxiliary body includes a battery accommodation portion in which a battery is received.

[17] The portable electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the locker is provided as a pair, in which one locker is movably provided with respect to the other locker.