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  Housing mechanism for receiving memory cardUSPTO Application #: 20060170313Title: Housing mechanism for receiving memory card Abstract: A housing mechanism (8) includes a housing (1) and a defending element (3). The housing has a cavity (11), thereby defining a sidewall. The sidewall of the housing defines an opening (2) therethrough. The opening communicates with the cavity. The defending element is located at the opening, and includes a door pivotable for covering or uncovering the opening. (end of abstract) Agent: PCe Industry, Inc. Att. Cheng-ju Chiang Jeffrey T. Knapp - Fullerton, CA, US Inventors: Shi-Jin Long, Chia-Hua Chen USPTO Applicaton #: 20060170313 - Class: 312223200 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060170313. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to housing mechanisms and, more particularly, to a housing mechanism for receiving a memory card used in a portable electronic device. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0004] With the development of the technology of information processing, portable electronic devices such as digital cameras, mp3 players, video cameras, mobile phone, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are now in widespread use. Memory cards are important elements to store datas and applications in such portable electronic devices. [0005] In some electronic devices, the memory cards are pluggably fixed with housings of the electronic devices. One end of the memory card has a first electronic interface element. The housing of the electronic device has an opening in one sidewall thereof. A second electronic interface element is provided at a bottom of the opening. When the memory card is used, the first electronic interface element is inserted into the opening of the housing of the electronic device with the first electronic interface element engaging with the second electronic interface element of the electronic device. This enables the datas to be transferred among variable electronic devices. However, when no memory card is connected to the electronic device, the second electronic interface element of the electronic device is liable to be polluted by outer dust. Consequently, the performance of the second electronic interface element is liable to be damaged. [0006] Therefore, a new housing mechanism for receiving a memory card is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcoming. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In one embodiment thereof, a housing mechanism includes a housing and a defending element. The housing has a cavity, thereby defining a sidewall. The sidewall of the housing defines an opening therethrough. The opening communicates with the cavity. The defending element is located at the opening, and includes a door pivotable for covering or uncovering the opening. [0008] Other advantages and novel features of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Many aspects of the housing mechanism can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present housing mechanism. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. [0010] FIG. 1 is an assembled, isometric view of a housing mechanism, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the housing mechanism shown in FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect; [0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the defending element of the housing mechanism of FIG. 2; and [0014] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the housing mechanism used with a memory card. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT [0015] The present housing mechanism is suitable for portable electronic devices such as digital cameras, mp3 players, video cameras, mobile phone, PDAs, and the like. [0016] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 5 shows a housing mechanism 8 used with a memory card 4 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Also referring to FIGS. 1-3, the housing mechanism 8 includes a housing 1 and a defending element 3. The housing 1 defines an opening 2 through which a memory card can insert into the cavity. The defending element 3 is attached to the housing 1, for covering the opening 2 when no memory card is inserted. [0017] The housing 1 is substantially in the form of a rectangular block. A cavity 11 is defined in a center portion of the housing 1, thereby forming a sidewall. The cavity 11 is used to accommodate some electronic elements, such as a printed circuit board, therein, when the housing 1 is assembled with other housings of a portable electronic device. The sidewall of the housing 1 defines the opening 2 therethrough, communicating with the cavity 11. The opening 2 is substantially rectangular. [0018] The defending element 3 is substantially a rectangular board, and the defending element 3 is made of elastic material. The size of the defending element 3 is larger than that of the opening 2. The defending element 3 includes a frame 30 and a door 31. The frame 30 is mounted to an inner side of the sidewall of the housing 1 and around the opening 2. The door 31 has a first long side 311, an opposite second long side 312, and two opposite short sides (not labeled). [0019] Also referring to FIG. 4, the first long side 311 is integrally connected with one side of the frame 30. The second long side 312 and the two opposite short sides are separate from the frame 30, thereby the frame 30 defining a cutout 32 therein. The cutout 32 is substantially rectangular. The shape and size of the cutout 32 are substantially the same as those of the door 31. A plurality of slits 33 is defined through the first long side 311 adjacent the frame 30, thereby the door 31 is easy to open, i.e., rotate inward and upward about the first long side 311. The second long side 312 is rotatable about the first long side 311 relative to the frame 30 to cover or uncover the cutout 32. [0020] When no memory card 4 is fixed with the housing mechanism 8, the door 31 is closed in the cutout 32. Hence the opening 2 is closed by the defending element 3. Referring to FIG. 4, when the memory card 4 is inserted into the housing mechanism 8, one end of the memory card 4 is inserted into the opening 2 by a user. During the process of the memory card 4 traveling through the opening 2 and then the cutout 32, the door 31 ispushed to rotate inwardly about the first long side 311 thereof the door 31. As such, the door 31 is pushed open. Hence the opening 2 is uncovered. At the same time, a resilient restoring force is produced at a joint portion of the door and frame due to elasticity of the defending element itself. Then the memory card 4 moves into the cavity 11 of the housing 1 for connecting with an interface of a printed circuit board. Continue reading... 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