Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-23
2001-10-09
Donels, Jeffrey (Department: 2837)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S725000, C345S169000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301100
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device comprising a connector for connecting with an external device and a cable for connecting the connector and the body of the electronic device, in which the connector and the cable can be accommodated in the device body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable electronic devices such as a personal computer and a word processor can transmit and receive data to and from a computer at a remote place by connecting with a communication system such as a portable telephone. Such a portable electronic device for connection with an external device requires a connector for connecting the external device and a flexible cable for connecting the connector and the body of the portable electronic device. Various conventional electronic devices have been proposed in which a connector and a cable can be accommodated in the device body.
For example, JP-A-6-266471 discloses a data storage device having a connection adaptor of IC memory card type providing a connector, by use of which data are transmitted to and received from a personal computer connected thereto. In such a data storage device, the connector is connected to the data storage device with a cable which is led out from the side of the housing of the device. A groove for accommodating the cable is formed in the side and the surface of the housing adjacent to the lead. A depression for accommodating the connector is formed in the surface of the housing continuous with the groove.
In this data storage device, the connector and the cable are normally accommodated in the depression and the groove, respectively, formed in the surface of the housing. When the data storage device is connected with a personal computer, on the other hand, the connector and the cable are removed from the depression and the groove, respectively, and the connector is connected to the personal computer. The disadvantage of this data storage device is that the exposure of the connector and the cable on the side and the surface of the device degrades the outer appearance of the device and that the connector and the cable is liable to come off or to be damaged under a force which may be applied to them unexpectedly. Also, the groove and the depression, which are formed over the side and the surface of the device, are difficult to cover.
On the other hand, JP-A-6-266484 discloses a keyboard having a coiled cable with a connector at the forward end thereof for connecting a personal computer to and from which data are transmitting and received. In this keyboard, the coiled cable is led out of the keyboard body from the back thereof. Also, a depression for accommodating the cable and the connector is formed in the lower surface of the keyboard body.
When the connector of this keyboard is connected to a personal computer, the connector and the cable are pulled out of the depression in the lower surface of the keyboard and the connector is connected to the personal computer. When the device is not in use, on the other hand, the connector and the cable are accommodated in the depression in the lower surface of the keyboard. This requires work such as lifting or reversing the keyboard inconveniently.
The conventional technique of JP-A-9-114549 discloses a communication card having a cable with a connector at the forward end thereof which is connected to a telephone line to transmit and receive data through the telephone line. This communication card contains an internal mechanism for taking up the cable, so that the connector and the cable are led out or taken up from the side of the card.
When this communication card is used, the connector and the cable are pulled out of the card against the force of the take-up mechanism and the connector is connected to the telephone line. After use, the cable is taken up into the card by the internal take-up mechanism, and the connector and the cable are accommodated in the card body in their entirety. Consequently, the card is superior in outer appearance and easy to handle. Nevertheless, the requirement of the cable take-up mechanism complicates the structure and increases the cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device in which the cable and the connector can be accommodated in the device, and in which the structure for accommodating the connector and the cable is simplified and the whole device is reduced in size.
The present invention has been developed to achieve the above-mentioned object. According to the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic device comprising a body formed of an upper cover and a lower cover, and a lid joined pivotally to one side of the body for covering the surface of the upper cover, the body and the lid constituting a box structure for housing an electronic unit. The operating section of the portable electronic device is arranged on the surface of the upper cover of the body which is covered by the lid.
A connector used for connecting an external device is connected by a cable to the electronic unit in the body. The surface of the upper cover which is covered by the lid is formed with a hole through which the cable is led out from the interior out of the body. A groove for accommodating the cable is formed continuous with the hole and a depression for accommodating the connector are formed continuous with the groove in the surface of the upper cover. Further, groove other than the above-mentioned groove is formed for guiding the cable to the outer side of the body in the surface of the upper cover at a position continuous with the hole through which the cable is led out from inside to outside of the body.
When the portable electronic device is not in use, the connector and the cable are accommodated in the depression and the groove, respectively. The depression and the groove are arranged in the surface to which the lid is applied. When the lid is closed, therefore, the connector and the cable are accommodated in the body in their entirety. Also, the configuration for accommodation is simplified. When the portable electronic device is used, on the other hand, the connector and the cable can be taken out of the depression and the groove easily. In the process, the cable is guided out along the groove continuous with the hole leading from the interior to the exterior of the body. Consequently, no unreasonable force is exerted on the cable when the device is in use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5574625 (1996-11-01), Ohgami et al.
patent: 5844775 (1998-12-01), Lundberg
patent: 6078496 (2000-06-01), Oguchi et al.
patent: 6079993 (2000-06-01), Laine
patent: 6101086 (2000-08-01), Kim et al.
patent: 6-266471 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 6-266484 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 8-328697 (1996-12-01), None
patent: 9-114549 (1997-05-01), None
Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.
Donels Jeffrey
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
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