Extension unit for electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus is received on the front surface of an enclosure. A connector is connected to the electronic apparatus. When the electronic apparatus is to be demounted, an operating body is pulled out from a retract position toward a pulled-out position. A movable member moves from a first position to a second position. The movable member at the second position serves to protrude lifting members out of the front surface of the enclosure, so that the lifting members urge the electronic apparatus upward. The connector is disconnected from the electronic apparatus. The movable member allows the movement of the operating body from the pulled-out position to the retract position while the movable member stays at the second position. The operating body returns to the retract position while the disconnection is maintained between the connector and the electronic apparatus.
1. An extension unit for an electronic apparatus, comprising:
an enclosure defining a surface receiving the electronic apparatus;
a connector placed in the surface of the enclosure for connection to the electronic apparatus;
an operating body coupled to the enclosure for relative movement between a retract position and a pulled-out position, the operating body retracting inside the enclosure when the operating body is set at the retract position, the operating body pulled out of the enclosure when the operating body is set at the pulled-out position; and
an interlocking mechanism enabling withdrawal of a lifting member into the enclosure when the operating body is set at the retract position, the interlocking mechanism enabling protrusion of the lifting member out of the surface of the enclosure to urge the electronic apparatus upward based on movement of the operating body from the retract position toward the pulled-out position, wherein
the interlocking mechanism allows movement of the operating body from the pulled-out position to the retract position while keeping the lifting member protruding out of the surface of the enclosure.
2. The extension unit according to claim 1 , wherein the interlocking mechanism includes a movable member coupled to the operating body, the movable member designed to move from a first position toward a second position in response to the movement of the operating body from the retract position toward the pulled-out position, wherein
the movable member allows the movement of the operating body from the pulled-out position toward the retract position while the movable member is kept at the second position.
3. The extension unit according to claim 2 , further comprising a coupling member coupled to the operating body at a position distanced from a rotation axis of the operating body, the coupling member designed to hold a pin movable within a guiding groove defined in one end of the movable member.
4. The extension unit according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a flat surface defined on the movable member, the flat surface receiving movement of the lifting member in a direction of gravity when the movable member is set at the second position; and
an elastic member exhibiting a driving force enabling movement of the movable member from the second position to the first position, wherein
the movable member is kept at the second position against the driving force of the elastic member by receiving a weight of the electronic apparatus through the lifting member.
5. The extension unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a driving source exhibiting a driving force enabling the movement of the operating body from the pulled-out position toward the retract position.
6. An electronic apparatus system comprising the extension unit according to claim 1 and the electronic apparatus.