Closure system for devices having a stylus

United States Patent [w]

Murphy et al.

US006099051A [ii] Patent Number: 6,099,051 [45] Date of Patent: *Aug. 8,2000

[54] CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR DEVICES HAVING A STYLUS

[75] Inventors: Stephen C. Murphy, Payette; Hoyt A.

Flemming, III, Boise, both of Id.

[73] Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc., Nampa, Id.

[ * ] Notice: This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

[21] Appl. No.: 09/098,173 [22] Filed: Jun. 16, 1998

[51] Int. C I. E05C 19 08

[52] U.S. CI 292/283; 292/281; 292/145

[58] Field of Search 292/281, 283,

292/145, 302; 70/2, 3, 6; 345/179, 165; 178/19.01, 19.03, 19.04, 19.05; D18/11; 361/680, 681, 683, 728, 752; 400/691, 692, 693; 220/4.22; 190/119; 24/437

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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5,422,442 6/1995 Gouda et al 178/18

5,465,191 11/1995 Nomura et al 361/681

5,483,262 1/1996 Izutani 345/179

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5,576,929 11/1996 Uchiyama et al 361/680

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5,756,941 5/1998 Snell 178/18

Primary Examiner—Steven Meyers
Assistant Examiner—Teri Pham

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear,
LLP

[57] ABSTRACT

A closure system useful for securing a device having a stylus. In a first embodiment, the closure system includes a housing having first and second housing members, the first housing member being configured to matingly contact the second housing member when the device is in a closed configuration. The stylus is received within a channel located in the second housing member. A latch release also located within the second member is controlled by the position of the stylus such that when the stylus is inserted within the channel, the latch release engages a latch located on the first member, thereby preventing the first and second members from separating. The latch release may also be used to block the latch such that the first and second housing members can not be mated when the stylus is removed from the channel. In another embodiment, a blocking device located within the second housing member and separate from the latch is utilized to prevent the device from being closed when the stylus is removed. A method of securing the aforementioned housing is also disclosed.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets