The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 09, 1997
Shinichiro Takahama, Matsudo, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A locking system has a double locking mechanisms such that when a main body of an electronic equipment and an extension device are combined, an operability similar to that in case of using a single equipment is maintained and the combination is not separated at the time of carrying and which enables a more intelligent control by a built-in MPU and in which a high reliability is obtained. In an electronic equipment system in which a main body and an extension device are freely combined, an open-close-lever which is interlocked with movable claws is arranged on the side surface of the extension device, retaining holes to fix the movable claws are formed in the main body, an electronic locking unit comprising a mechanism having a cam portion adapted to lock the opening or closing of the lever and an electronic motor for making the cam operative is installed in the extension device. The movable claws couple and fix the main body and the extension device by closing the open-close-lever. At the time of the power-ON of the main body and extension device, an electronic locking acts, thereby disabling the locking to be released, and at the time of the power-OFF, the locking can be released. A connecting state between the electronic equipment and the extension device is discriminated from two sensors for detecting the opening/closing of the open-close-lever and the latching of the electronic locking.