Clamshell device

Abstract

A clamshell device includes a cover, a flexible supporting plate, and a base. The cover includes a notch, a friction edge, and a lateral slant surface located at an inner wall of the notch. The supporting plate includes a curvy rim, an elongated groove, and a lateral post. The supporting plate is installed on a base and aligned with the notch. When the cover is rotated at a supporting angle, the friction edge is pressed against the curvy rim of the supporting plate. Consequently, the curvy rim is deformed toward the elongated groove to result in interference, and the supporting plate provides a friction force to allow the cover to be fixed at the supporting angle. At the same time, the interference between the lateral post of the supporting plate and the lateral slant surface can facilitate the cover to be fixed at the supporting angle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clamshell device, comprising:
 a cover disposed over a base, wherein said cover has a notch, and said notch has a friction edge; and   a supporting plate disposed on said base and aligned with said notch, and comprising a curvy rim, a first supporting rim and an elongated groove, wherein said elongated groove is formed in said supporting plate and located beside said curvy rim, wherein said first supporting rim is extended from a first end of said curvy rim and connected to said base, so that said supporting plate is fixed on said base,   wherein when said cover is in a close status, said supporting plate is penetrated through said notch, so that said base is covered by said cover, wherein when said cover is at a supporting angle rotated relative to said base, said friction edge of said notch is pressed against said curvy rim of said supporting plate to deform said curvy rim toward said elongated groove, so that said cover is stayed at said supporting angle.   
     
     
         2 . The clamshell device according to  claim 1  wherein said supporting plate is flexible. 
     
     
         3 . The clamshell device according to  claim 1  wherein said supporting plate further comprises a second supporting rim and a pivotal hole, wherein said second supporting rim is extended from a second end of said curvy rim, and said pivotal hole is located at a junction between said first supporting rim and said second supporting rim, wherein said cover further comprises a shaft, wherein said shaft is located beside said notch of said cover and pivotally coupled to said pivotal hole of said supporting plate, so that said cover is rotatable relative to said base. 
     
     
         4 . The clamshell device according to  claim 1  wherein said supporting plate further comprises a lateral post, said lateral post is located at a junction between said curvy rim and said second supporting rim, and a lateral slant surface is located at an inner wall of said notch, wherein when said cover is rotated relative to said base at said supporting angle, said lateral post of said supporting plate is pushed by said lateral slant surface of said cover, so that said supporting plate is moved toward an external side of said cover to facilitate said cover to be fixed at said supporting angle. 
     
     
         5 . The clamshell device according to  claim 1  wherein when said cover is rotated relative to said base at a non-supporting angle, said friction edge of said notch is not pressed against said curvy rim of said supporting plate, so that said cover is not supported by said supporting plate. 
     
     
         6 . The clamshell device according to  claim 1  wherein said supporting plate further comprises at least one salient, which is formed on said curvy rim, wherein during said cover is rotated, said salient provides a tactile feel.