Torsional multi-axis constraining latching system
View Patent ↗A housing for a portable hand held device such as a palmtop computer uses a torsional latching system. The housing is made of front and rear housing laminated housing members. The torsional latch arrangement works in conjunction with a plurality of latch fingers along the edge to attach the front housing laminate with the rear housing laminate. The torsional latch arrangement has a pair of L-shaped latch ribs that engage with a T-shaped latch member by torsion of the L-shaped latch ribs into engagement with pockets adjacent the T-shaped latch member prevent movement of the two housing laminates in relation to one another.
1. A latching arrangement for latching a first housing member to a second housing member, comprising:
a T-shaped latching member extending approximately perpendicular to a plane of the first housing member, the T-shaped latching member defining a first and a second void adjacent each side thereof beneath a top of the T-shape;
a first L-shaped latch rib extending approximately perpendicular to a plane of the second housing member, and then turning near an end thereof to define the L-shape;
a second L-shaped latch rib extending approximately perpendicular to the plane of the second housing member, and then turning near an end thereof to define the L-shape;
the first and second L-shaped latch ribs situated adjacent each other with their respective ends pointing toward each other, and each having a tapered surface on an edge thereof with the taper narrowing as the L-shape gets farther from the second housing member; and
wherein, the latching arrangement latches by the first and second L-shaped latch ribs twisting as their respective tapered surfaces slide over the T-shaped latching member until the ends of the L-shaped latch ribs slide past the top of the T-shaped latching member and engage the first and second voids adjacent the T-shaped latching member.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first housing member comprises a metal rear cover laminated with a plastic substrate, and wherein the T-shaped latching member is molded as a part of the plastic substrate.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the plastic substrate is injection molded from a blend of polycarbonate and ABS plastic.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the metal rear cover is laminated to the plastic substrate using a pressure sensitive adhesive.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second housing member comprises a plastic midframe laminated with a metal front cover.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the plastic midframe is injection molded from Lexan™ plastic.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the metal front cover is laminated to the plastic midframe using a thermoplastic adhesive.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the T-shaped latching member is injection molded from a blend of polycarbonate and ABS plastic.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the L-shaped latching ribs are injection molded from Lexan™ plastic.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plastic snap latches distributed about a periphery of the housing.
11. A latching arrangement for latching a first housing member to a second housing member for a palmtop computer, comprising:
a T-shaped latching member extending approximately perpendicular to a plane of the first housing member, the T-shaped latching member defining a first and a second void adjacent each side thereof beneath a top of the T-shape;
a first L-shaped latch rib extending approximately perpendicular to a plane of the second housing member, and then turning near an end thereof to define the L-shape;
a second L-shaped latch rib extending approximately perpendicular to the plane of the second housing member, and then turning near an end thereof to define the L-shape;
the first and second L-shaped latch ribs situated adjacent each other with their respective ends pointing toward each other, and each having a tapered surface on an edge thereof with the taper narrowing as the L-shape gets farther from the second housing member;
wherein the latching arrangement latches by the first and second L-shaped latch ribs twisting as their respective tapered surfaces slide over the T-shaped latching member until the ends of the L-shaped latch ribs slide past the top of the T-shaped latching member and engage the first and second voids adjacent the T-shaped latching member;
wherein the first housing member comprises a metal rear cover laminated with a plastic substrate, and wherein the T-shaped latching member is molded as a part of the plastic substrate; and
wherein the second housing member comprises a plastic midframe laminated with a metal front cover.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the plastic substrate is injection molded from a blend of polycarbonate and ABS plastic.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the metal rear cover is laminated to the plastic substrate using a pressure sensitive adhesive.
14. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the plastic midframe is injection molded from Lexan™ plastic.
15. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the metal front cover is laminated to the plastic midframe using a thermoplastic adhesive.
16. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the T-shaped latching member is injection molded from a blend of polycarbonate and ABS plastic.
17. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the L-shaped latching ribs are injection molded from Lexan™ plastic.
18. The apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of plastic snap latches distributed about a periphery of the housing.