Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-06-19
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S610000, C361S689000, C312S332100, C360S097010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249431
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Desktop items, such as calculators or memo pads, are in abundant use, which are usually left on the desktop even when they are not being used. While in this condition, the desktop item is susceptible to the accumulation of dust and, in particular, for a calculator, its display may easily be damaged by other objects hitting on it. In a known design for a calculator, it incorporates a hinged lid for the display, which is spring-loaded to flip open upon the pressing of a button. The lid only protects the display.
The invention seeks to provide an improved desktop item which is capable of solving the aforesaid problem and is fun to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a desktop item comprising a body having an upper side and a lower side, a cover for covering the upper body side, a link connecting the cover to the body for relative movement between a top position covering the upper body side and a bottom position lying upside-down and immediately underneath the lower body side, a spring resiliently biassing the cover towards the bottom position, and a locking member for holding the cover in the top position against the action of the spring and for, upon release, permitting the cover to move to the bottom position under the action of the spring.
Preferably, upon release of the locking member, the cover is pivotable upside-down off the body and subsequently the body is movable onto the cover.
It is preferred that the cover has a size sufficiently large for, in the top position, covering substantially the entire upper body side, in the bottom position, covering substantially the entire lower body side.
It is further preferred that the cover has a pair of flanges on opposite lateral sides for receiving the body in either the top or the bottom position.
Preferably, the desktop item includes a pair of said links provided on opposite lateral sides of the body and cover, wherein each link has a first end hinged to a rear end of the body and a second end hinged to a part of the cover.
More preferably, the second end of each link is hinged to a middle part of the cover.
It is preferred that the spring is in the form of a torsional coil spring provided within the rear end of the body for acting upon the first ends of the links.
More preferably, the second ends of the links are hinged to respective flanges formed on opposite lateral sides of the cover.
It is preferred that the locking member is provided at one end of one of the body and cover for engaging an adjacent end of the other of the body and cover while in the top position.
It is further preferred that the opposite ends of the body and cover are engageable with each other for co-operation with the locking member to hold the cover in the top position relative to the body.
In a first preferred embodiment, the desktop item is in the form of an electronic device having a display and associated keys which are provided on the upper body side, wherein the cover is arranged in the top position to protect the display and keypad.
In a second preferred embodiment, the desktop item is in the form of a receptacle for stationery items having an opening which is formed on the upper body side, wherein the cover is arranged in the top position to close the opening.
The invention also provides a desktop item comprising a generally flat body having an upper side and a lower side, a cover for covering the upper body side, said body and cover being connected together for relative movement between a first condition in which the cover lies immediately over the upper body side and a second condition in which the cover lies immediately underneath the lower body side, a spring resiliently biassing the body and cover towards the second condition, and a locking member for holding the body and cover in the first condition against the action of the spring, the arrangement being such that, upon release of the locking member, the cover is pivotable upside-down off the body and subsequently the body is movable onto the cover.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5796575 (1998-08-01), Podwalny et al.
patent: 6011699 (2000-01-01), Murray et al.
patent: 6046730 (2000-04-01), Bowen et al.
patent: 6073034 (2000-06-01), Jacobsen et al.
patent: 6104916 (2000-08-01), Steinhoff et al.
patent: 6128186 (2000-10-01), Feierbach
C. C. & L Company Limited
Duong Hung Van
Picard Leo P.
Samuels Gauthier & Stevens
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