WO2019117912A1

WO2019117912A1 - Slot opening protectors

Info

Publication number: WO2019117912A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/066358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Huan-chen LIU; Chad Patrick PARIS; Wen-Hung Wang; Midas WU; Chih-Hsiung Liao; Hsin-Yi Lee
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2017-12-14
Filing date: 2017-12-14
Publication date: 2019-06-20

Abstract

In example implementations, a slot opening protector is provided. The slot opening protector comprises a base portion and a rocker portion. The base portion includes a planar cut-out. The rocker portion is movably coupled to the planar cut-out of the base portion. In addition, a radius of a curved portion of the rocker portion is smaller than a radius of a curved portion of the planar cut-out of the base.

Description

SLOT OPENING PROTECTORS

BACKGROUND

[0001] Computers provide sophisticated electronics that can perform a variety of complicated tasks. A combination of different electronic components work together to perform computational tasks, execute programs, and the like. The housing of the computers may include various openings to allow for external connections to external peripheral devices, such as external hard drives, memory cards, external input/output devices, and the like. The openings may provide a path for dust and debris to enter the housing and contact the electronic components. The dust and debris can cause the electronic components to malfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is an isometric top view of an example slot opening protector of the present disclosure;

[0003] FIG. 2 is an isometric bottom view of the example slot opening protector of the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 3 is a top view of a pivot mechanism of the example slot opening protector;

[0005] FIG. 4 is a top view of the example slot opening protector with a locking mechanism of the present disclosure;

[0006] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus having a slot with the example slot opening protector inserted into the slot of the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 6 illustrates diagrams of the example slot opening protector in operation; and

[0008] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example method for removing the slot opening protector from a slot opening in a computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Examples described herein provide examples of slot opening protectors. As discussed above, the housing of computers may include various openings to allow for external connections to external peripheral devices, such as external hard drives, memory cards, external input/output devices, and the like. The openings may provide a path for dust and debris to enter the housing and contact the electronic components. The dust and debris can cause the electronic components to malfunction.

[0010] Currently, the slots include a mechanism inside of the housing to remove dummy cards that may be inserted into the openings to prevent dust and debris from entering the housing. However, the mechanisms may include various moving components, springs, and the like that can add complexity to manufacturing the device, add thickness or“z-height” to the device, and the like.

[0011] Examples described herein provide slot opening protectors and a method for removing the same from a computing device that do not use any mechanism inside of the housing of the computing device. In other words, the slot opening protectors of the present disclosure may be tool-free and allow the openings in the housing to be free of any additional mechanical components.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric top view of an example slot opening protector 100 (also referred to as the protector 100) of the present disclosure. The protector 100 may include a base portion 102 and a rocker portion 104.

The dimensions of the protector 100 may be sized in accordance with an opening that the protector 100 will be inserted into. For example, a length 122 of the protector may be approximately equal to a depth of the opening (e.g., a slot opening in a computing device). A width 120 of the protector 100 may be approximately equal to or slightly smaller than a width of the opening that the protector 100 will be inserted into. A thickness 1 14 of the base portion 102 and a thickness 1 12 of the rocker portion 104 may be approximately equal to or slightly less than a height of the opening that the protector 100 will be inserted into.

[0013] In one example, the base portion 102 may include a planar cut-out 132. The planar cut-out 132 may be a portion that is cut out along a plane of the base portion 102. In other words, the base portion 102 may have two surface planes, for example, a top surface of the base portion 102 and a top surface of the planar cut-out 132.

[0014] In one example, the planar cut-out 132 may include a curved portion 136. The curved portion 136 may form a wall with a first side 124 and a second side 126 that extend from the curved portion 136.

[0015] In one example, the rocker portion 104 may be movably coupled to the planar cut-out 132 of the base portion 102. The rocker portion 104 may be movably coupled to move or“rock” from side to side against the first side 124 and the second side 126 of the curved portion 136.

[0016] In one example, the rocker portion 104 may include a curved portion 134. The curved portion 134 may have a first side 1 16 and a second side 1 18 that extend from the curved portion 134. The curved portion 134 may correspond to the curved portion 136. The curved portion 134 may be coupled to the planar cut-out 132 and against the wall of the curved portion 136 to allow the rocker portion to move from side-to-side.

[0017] The radius“r” of the curved portion 134 may be smaller than the radius“R” of the curved portion 136. For example, the radius may be measured from a center of an imaginary circle to the curved portions 134 and 136. In other words, the amount of curvature of the curved portion 136 may be greater than the amount of curvature of the curved portion 134. The rocker portion 104 may be coupled to the base portion 102 such that the curved portion 134 maintains contact to the curved portion 136 as the rocker portion 104 is moved.

[0018] The design of the curved portion 134 and the curved portion 136 may allow the rocker portion 104 to move between a first position and a second position. The amount of rotation or movement of the rocker portion 104 may be defined by an amount of curvature of the curved portion 136 of the planar cut- out 132. For example, the less amount of curvature, or the larger the radius“R,” the greater amount of movement would be available to the rocker portion 104. Conversely, the greater amount of curvature, or the smaller the radius“R,” the less amount of movement would be available to the rocker portion 104. The amount of curvature of the curved portion 136 may be set to allow sufficient movement of the rocker portion 104 to move between the desired first position and second position.

[0019] In one example, the first position may be a closed position. The rocker portion 104 may be in a closed position when the first side 1 16 of the rocker portion 104 contacts, or rests against, the first side 124 of the base portion 102. Thus, the first side 1 16 may correspond to the first side 124. In other words, a flat front side 128 of the rocker portion may be positioned to be parallel to a flat back side 130 of the base portion 102.

[0020] In one example, the second position may be an open position. The rocker portion 104 may be in an open position when the second side 1 18 of the rocker portion 104 contacts, or rests against, the second side 126 of the base portion 102. Thus, the second side 1 18 may correspond to the second side 126. For example, from the closed position an end 106 of the rocker portion 104 may be pushed towards the second side 126 of the curved portion 136. As a result, an end 108 may be moved away from the first side 124 of the curved portion 136. The end 108 may extend towards a user to allow the user to pull the protector 100 out of an opening. In other words the flat front side 128 of the rocker portion may be angled relative to the flat back side 130 of the base portion 102.

[0021] The end 108 may provide a tab to allow a user to pull the protector 100 towards the user. As the end 108 is pulled towards the user, the second side 126 provides leverage to support the end 106 of the rocker portion 104 as the protector 100 is being pulled out. An illustration of the open position is illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed below.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric bottom view of the slot opening protector 100. As noted above, the rocker portion 104 may be movably coupled to the planar cut-out 132 of the base portion 102. In one example, the rocker portion 104 may be coupled via a rotating coupling mechanism 202. For example, the rocker portion 104 may rotate around an axis that would be perpendicular to the plane of the base portion 102 and go through the center of the rotating coupling mechanism 202.

[0023] In one example, the rotating coupling mechanism 202 may be a screw or mechanical fastener. In another example, the rotating coupling mechanism 202 may be an interference fit or snap fit between a tab on the rocker portion 104 and an opening in the planar cut-out 132 of the base portion 102. In other words, any rotating coupling mechanism may be used to allow the curved portion 134 of the rocker portion 104 to rotate from side to side against the curved portion 136 of the base portion 102.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an example of the slot opening protector 100 in an open position. As described above, a force 302 may be applied against the end 106. The force 302 may cause the end 106 to move further into an opening. Said another way, the force 302 may cause the second side 1 18 of the rocker portion 104 to contact the second side 126 of the base portion 102. At the same time, the force 302 may cause the first side 1 16 to move away from, or out of contact with, the first side 124 of the base portion 102. As a result, the end 108 may move towards a user or out of an opening as shown by an arrow 304.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the slot opening protector 400 having a locking mechanism 402. The slot opening protector 400 may be identical to the slot opening protector 400 in all respects except for the addition of the locking mechanism 402.

[0026] For example, to prevent the end 108 from being accidentally moved into the open position and being pulled out inadvertently, the locking mechanism 402 may be added. The locking mechanism may use an amount of force that is greater than a threshold to unlock the locking mechanism to push the end 106 into the opening or towards the second side 126.

[0027] In one example, the locking mechanism 402 may comprise a snap fit between a male member on the first side 1 16 of the rocker portion 104 that is inserted into a female member, or corresponding opening, on the first side 124 of the base portion 102, or vice versa. The tolerance of the interference fit may be designed to set the threshold for the amount of force used to separate the locking mechanism 402.

[0028] In one example, the locking mechanism 402 may comprise a magnet. For example, a magnet may be inserted, or coupled to, the first side 1 16 of the rocker portion 104. A corresponding portion of the first side 124 of the base portion may include a metal or another magnet. The magnet may be selected to have a magnetic strength that sets the threshold for the amount of force used to separate the locking mechanism 402.

[0029] Although a few examples are provided above, it should be noted that any type of locking mechanism may be deployed. For example, the rotating coupling mechanism 202 could be a torque screw similar to those used to couple a laptop display to a keyboard in a clamshell housing that uses a certain amount of force to move the rocker portion 104.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates an example apparatus 500 of the present disclosure. The apparatus 500 may be an electronic device such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and the like, or any other type of device that includes a slot opening 504 in a housing 502.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the apparatus 500 as a laptop computer having the housing 502 that encloses the electronic components such as a processor, a memory, interface cards, motherboards, and the like. The housing 502 may include the slot opening 504. Although the slot opening 504 is illustrated as being along a side, it should be noted that the slot opening 504 may be located anywhere in the housing 502.

[0032] The slot opening 504 may include an interface to establish a connection with an electrical component inside of the housing 502. As noted above, the slot opening 504 may provide a pathway for debris and dust to enter the housing 502 and damage the electronic components within the housing 502 without protection.

[0033] In one example, the slot opening protector 100 may be inserted into the slot opening 504. As noted above, the dimensions of the slot opening protector 100 may be approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the dimensions of the slot opening 504. The base portion 102 may be inserted into the slot opening 504. The rocker portion 104 may be coupled to the planar cut- out 132 of the base portion 102.

[0034] As noted above, the curved portion 134 may be movably coupled to the planar cut-out 132 and against the corresponding curved portion 136 of the base portion 102. As a result, the rocker portion 104 may rotate around an axis 506 that is perpendicular to the planar cut-out 132. The axis 506 is illustrated in FIG. 5 as a dot that goes into the page.

[0035] Notably, the slot opening 504 does not include any mechanical system to allow the slot opening protector 100 to be removed. For example, the slot opening 504 is free from springs, latches, moving arms, and the like to eject the slot opening protector 100. Rather, the slot opening protector 100 is designed, as described above, to include the mechanisms to allow the slot opening protector 100 to be inserted into and removed from the slot opening 504.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates diagrams of the slot opening protector 100 in operation. Image 600 illustrates the slot opening protector 100 inserted into the slot opening 504 of the housing 502. The slot opening protector 100 may be in a closed position.

[0037] Image 602 illustrates a force (illustrated by an arrow 608) being applied to the end 106 of the flat front side 128 of the rocker portion 104. As a result, the end 106 is moved into the slot opening 504 and the end 108 is moved out of the slot opening 504. In other words, when force is applied to the end 106, the end 108 may“pop-out” of the slot opening 504.

[0038] In one example, the slot opening protector 100 may include the locking mechanism 402 described above. As a result, the force applied to the end 106 may be greater than a threshold force to unlock the locking mechanism 402.

[0039] Image 604 illustrates the end 108 being pulled away from the slot opening 504 via an arrow 610. The slot opening protector 100 may be removed from the slot opening 504.

[0040] Image 606 illustrates a card 612 being inserted into the slot opening 504. For example, the card 612 may be a memory card that is being inserted into the slot opening 504. After the card 612 is removed, the slot opening protector 100 may be inserted into the slot opening 504 and the rocker portion 104 may be moved into the closed position.

[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 700 for removing the slot opening protector from a slot opening in a computing device.

In one example, the method 700 may be performed using the slot opening protector 100 or 400.

[0042] At block 702, the method 700 begins. At block 704, the method 700 applies a force against a first end of a rocker portion of a slot opening protector inserted into a slot opening of a computing device. In one example, the slot opening protector may include a locking mechanism. As a result, the force that is applied may be greater than a threshold force to unlock the locking mechanism.

[0043] At block 706, the method 700 moves the rocker portion to have the first end move into the slot opening as a curved portion of the rocker portion moves against a corresponding curved portion of a planar cut-out of a base portion to cause a second end to protrude out of the slot opening in response to the force that is applied. For example, the force applied to the first end may cause the second end to“pop-out” of the slot opening.

[0044] The rocker portion may be movably coupled to the planar cut-out and against the corresponding curved portion of the base portion. Thus, applying the force to the first end may cause the rocker portion to move on the planar cut-out of the base portion as the curved portion rotates against the

corresponding curved portion. The amount of curvature of the corresponding curved portion may be greater than the amount of curvature of the curved portion of the rocker portion. The difference in the amount of curvature may allow the rocker portion to move between a closed position and an open position.

[0045] At block 708, the method 700 pulls the second end to remove the slot opening protector from the slot opening. For example, a side of the curved portion of the rocker portion may be pressed against a side of the corresponding curved portion of the base portion to provide leverage as the slot opening protector is removed.

[0046] In one example, after the slot opening protector is removed, the slot opening protector may be inserted back into the slot opening. A force may be applied to the second end that is opposite the first end until the rocker portion is moved into a closed position. For example, the first end and the second end may be positioned to be on a same plane such that no portion of the rocker portion extends out of the slot opening. At block 710, the method 700 ends.

[0047] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

1. A slot opening protector, comprising:

a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a planar cut-out; and a rocker portion movably coupled to the planar cut-out of the base portion, wherein a radius of a curved portion of the rocker portion is smaller than a radius of a curved portion of the planar cut-out of the base.

2. The slot opening protector of claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises dimensions approximately equal to a corresponding slot opening.

3. The slot opening protector of claim 1 , wherein the rocker portion comprises a thickness that is smaller than a height of a corresponding slot opening.

4. The slot opening protector of claim 1 , wherein the rocker portion is movably coupled via a rotating coupling mechanism.

5. The slot opening protector of claim 1 , wherein the cut-out comprises: a first side that supports a corresponding first side of the rocker portion in a first position; and

a second side that supports a corresponding second side of the rocker portion in a second position.

6. The slot opening protector of claim 5, wherein the first position comprises a flat front side of the rocker portion positioned to be parallel to a flat back side of the base portion.

7. The slot opening protector of claim 5, wherein the second position comprises a flat front side of the rocker portion positioned to be angled to a flat back side of the base portion.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing of an electronic device, the housing comprising a slot opening; and

a slot opening protector removably inserted into the slot opening, the slot opening protector comprising:

a base portion inserted into the slot opening; and

a rocker portion coupled to the base portion, the rocker portion, comprising:

a flat front side; and

a curved side coupled to a planar cut-out of the base portion, wherein the curved side is movably coupled against a corresponding curved side of a planar cut-out to allow the rocker portion to rotate around an axis that is perpendicular to the planar cut-out.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein an amount of rotation is defined by the corresponding curved side of the planar cut-out.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the corresponding curved side has an amount of curvature that is greater than an amount of curvature of the curved side of the rocker end.

1 1. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the curved side comprises a locking mechanism.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a member that is coupled to a corresponding opening in the corresponding curved side.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a magnet on a portion of the curved side and a metal on a corresponding portion of the corresponding curved side.

14. A slot opening protector, comprising:

a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a planar cut-out that comprises a curved portion that forms a wall having a first side and a second side that extend from the curved portion;

a rocker portion comprising a corresponding curved portion having a corresponding first side and a corresponding second side, wherein the corresponding curved portion is movably coupled to the planar cut-out and against the wall of the curved portion of the base portion to move between a first position comprising the corresponding first side against the first side and a second position comprising the corresponding second side against the second side.

15. The slot opening protector of claim 14, further comprising:

a locking mechanism coupled to the first side of the curved portion of the base portion and a corresponding first side of the corresponding curved portion of the rocker portion.