Two-part casing latching mechanism

摘要

A pocket-type computer encompassed by a two-part casing has the entire latch mechanism contained in sidewalls of upper and lower hinged casings. The sidewalls have a thickness of only about two millimeters. A latch plate is integrally molded in a sidewall interior recess or formed as a molded part and fixedly adhered in the recess. One end of an elongated latch is fixed in an interior recess in the upper casing sidewall and depends therefrom so that a centilevered end having locking tooth slides on an inclined surface on the latch plate as the casings are closed until the latch tooth springs into a recess and keeper in the latch plate. An integral push button extends outwardly from the latch at a medial position into a matching aperture in the upper casing sidewall. The push button is accessed from the casing exterior and when pushed inwardly, the latch is pivoted inwardly releasing the latch tooth from the latch keeper to allow opening of the two casings. After opening, a user can then operate the computer, more particularly a keyboard in the lower casing and view a display screen provided in the interior of the upper casing.