JPH10274685A - Rain cover for portable terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rain cover which is excellent in portability. SOLUTION: A rain cover 1 is formed in the form of a bag covering a part covering a portable terminal device by using a plate-like members 2, 3, 5, 6 provided with some degree of hardness and a plurality of members of a sheet member having flexibility. The joint part of each member has flexibility. Thereby during non-use each member 2, 3, 5, 6 is folded to be piled. Magic fasteners 7, 8 are stuck on the inner faces of the plate-like members 5, 6 respectively. The magic fastener paired therewith is stuck by a user at the prescribed position of the portable terminal device mounting the rain cover 1. Thereby the rain cover 1 can be detachably mounted on the portable terminal device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rain cover to be mounted on a portable terminal device carried by a user and mainly used for work at a site.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable terminal devices (hereinafter, abbreviated as portable terminals) for users to carry in and input data at any time have been widely used in order to improve work efficiency and the like. This portable terminal is a device commercialized mainly for use in a factory, a warehouse, a home, or the like.

As a work at home, there is a meter reading work for checking the usage of gas, electricity, water and the like. In the meter reading operation, generally, a billing amount is calculated from the usage amount, and the billing amount is printed and left in the form of a receipt. A portable terminal with a built-in small printer has also been commercialized so that such operations can be performed efficiently.

A meter indicating the usage of gas, electricity, water, or the like is usually installed outdoors, so that a portable terminal with a built-in printer is often used outdoors. For this reason, products for preventing printed matter such as receipts from getting wet when used in bad weather such as rain or snow have been commercialized. That is the rain cover.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portable terminal equipped with a conventional rain cover. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining how to use the rain cover. The conventional rain cover 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

The portable terminal 7 to which the rain cover 70 is attached
As shown in FIG. 7, 1 includes a key operation unit 72 including various keys, a display unit 73 that displays input data, a specified processing result, and the like, and incorporates a small printer. The recording paper 76 is stored in a recording paper storage case 74 in a state of being wound into a cylindrical shape.

Image formation (printing) on the recording paper 76
Is performed by the image forming unit 82. The image forming unit 82
Adopts, for example, a heat-sensitive method. The recording paper 76 stored in the recording paper storage case 74 is fed out from the recording paper storage case 74 and conveyed to the image forming unit 82, where an image (information) to be output is formed. The recording paper 76 from which the portion discharged from the discharge port 75 is cut out is a printed material such as a receipt.

The rain cover 70 is provided with the recording paper storage case 7.
4 and the discharge port 75. Thereby, when the rain cover 70 is attached to the portable terminal 71, the rain cover 70 covers the portable terminal 71 to prevent the recording paper 76 from getting wet by rain.

To attach the rain cover 70 to the portable terminal 71, for example, concave portions (not shown) are provided on both sides (left and right) of the recording paper storage case 74 of the portable terminal 71, and convex portions (FIG. (Not shown) is provided inside the rain cover 70. The rain cover 70 is detachably attached to the portable terminal 71 by fitting the concave portion and the convex portion. The rain cover 71 is made of a rigid member such as plastic so that such attachment can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rain cover 70 attached to the portable terminal 71 as described above can be opened and closed with its convex portion as a shaft 81. Thereby,
The rain cover 70 can be opened only when the printed material is to be taken out, and can be closed at other times (referred to here as normal times for convenience).

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining another conventional rain cover and its use. The rain cover 90 shown in FIG. 9 is manufactured so as to cover both sides of the portable terminal 71, in other words, the entire part in which the printer is built. The mobile terminal 71 includes an upper cover 91 that covers the upper surface and a lower cover 92 that covers the back surface.

The rain cover 90 can be attached to the portable terminal 71 by providing a concave portion on the portable terminal 71 and a convex portion on the lower cover 92, for example. The upper cover 91 and the lower cover 92 are connected, for example, with their ends like hinges. Thus, when the rain cover 90 is attached to the portable terminal 71, the upper cover 91 can be opened and closed with the end portion as the shaft 93.

[0013]

In order to prevent the recording paper from getting wet, the portion covering the portable terminal must be enlarged. A portable terminal with a built-in printer has a certain width and thickness because it is necessary to secure a space for storing recording paper. However, since the conventional rain cover is simply made of a hard member in accordance with the shape of the mobile terminal so as to be attached to the mobile terminal, there is a problem that the rain cover is large and the portability is poor.

The rain cover considerably reduces the operability of the portable terminal. For this reason, ordinary users try not to use the rain cover as much as possible. In most cases, it will not be installed until it rains, and will be removed immediately after the rain. For this reason, rain covers are often simply carried around. For this reason, the site side (user) has strongly desired to improve the portability of the rain cover itself.

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a rain cover excellent in portability.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A rain cover according to the present invention is intended to be used for a portable terminal device that supports a user's work at a site, and has flexibility in a bag shape covering the portable terminal device. A cover formed using the members provided, and mounting means for detachably attaching the cover to the portable terminal device.

In the rain cover having the above-mentioned structure, it is preferable that the rain cover further includes a support means for supporting the cover in an expanded state when the cover is attached to the portable terminal device by the attachment means.

It is preferable that the cover is manufactured using at least two kinds of members having different flexibility as compared with each other, and that the member having lower flexibility functions as the support means. Alternatively, it is desirable that the supporting means is manufactured separately from the cover using a member having elasticity.

In the present invention, a bag-shaped cover is manufactured using a member having flexibility, and the cover is detachably attached to the portable terminal device. Thus, when not in use, it can be deformed into a shape excellent in portability.

Further, in the present invention, the cover is supported in an expanded state at the time of mounting, and a space is secured between the portable terminal device and the cover. As a result, in the portable terminal device with a built-in printer, the discharged recording paper can be cut and taken out quickly and easily.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a rain cover according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where the rain cover 1 is attached to the mobile terminal 10. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration and usage of the rain cover 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

First, the portable terminal 10 to which the rain cover 1 is attached will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile terminal 10 has a key operation unit 1 including various keys on its upper surface.
1. It has a display unit 12 for displaying input data, a specified processing result, and the like, and has a built-in printer. Recording paper storage case 1 wound in a cylindrical shape
The recording paper 15 stored in the cartridge 3 is fed out of the recording paper 15 and conveyed to the image forming unit 16, where an image (information) to be output is formed (printed), and then discharged from the discharge port 14. The recording paper 15 from which the portion discharged from the discharge port 14 is cut out is a printed material such as a receipt.
The image forming section 16 forms an image on the recording paper 15 using, for example, a thermal method.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rain cover 1 mounted on the portable terminal 10 is formed in a bag shape using a plurality of plate members 2, 3, 5, and 6, and a sheet member 4. Things. As the sheet member 4, a transparent and flexible member is employed. The other plate members 2, 3, 5,
As 6 and 6, a transparent member having a certain degree of hardness is employed. The reason that the members 2 to 6 are transparent is that even when the rain cover 1 is attached to the mobile terminal 10, the recording paper 15 discharged from the discharge port 14 and the characters and the like printed on the recording paper 15 can be viewed from outside the rain cover 1 This is to make it visible.

The rain cover 1 having the above members 2 to 6
Can be manufactured by, for example, forming the sheet member 4 in a bag shape, and attaching the plate members 2, 3, 5, and 6 to the inside (or the outside) of the sheet member 4 by welding or the like. it can. Magic fasteners 7 and 8 are mounted on the plate members 5 and 6, respectively. The magic fasteners 7 and 8 are, for example, a plate-like member 5.
And 6 are attached to the sheet member 4 and then attached by bonding or welding.

It should be noted that the sheet member 4 need not be formed in a single bag. For example, as the sheet member 4, the plate members 2 and 3 are attached, and
Alternatively, two types, that is, the one to which the adhesive is applied and 6 may be prepared, and their ends may be attached to form a bag. The rain cover 1 according to the first embodiment is manufactured by this method.

Next, how to use the rain cover 1 will be described. When the rain cover 1 is attached to the portable terminal 10, the plate-like members 5 and 6 are members located on the back surface thereof. On the back surface of the portable terminal 10, a magic fastener 17 which is a pair with the magic fasteners 7 and 8 attached to the plate members 5 and 6, respectively, is attached. The magic fasteners 7 and 8 and the magic fastener 17 allow the rain cover 1 to be detachably attached to the portable terminal 10.

In the first embodiment, the magic fastener 17 is attached to the back of the portable terminal 10 by the user. Thus, the rain cover 1 can be mounted on various types of portable terminals. That is, the versatility of the rain cover 1 is improved so that the rain cover 1 can be used for a portable terminal that has already been purchased. In the first embodiment, the magic fastener 17 is supplied as a part of the rain cover 1 (product).

When the rain cover 1 is attached to the portable terminal 10 by attaching the magic fasteners 7 and 8 to the magic fastener 17, the plate members 5 and 6 become one flat plate by the magic fasteners 7, 8 and 17. The plate-like members 2 and 3 are supported by the side surface (the side surface of the housing) of the mobile terminal 10. Therefore, the plate-like members 2, 3, 5, and 6 function as a frame of the rain cover 1 and maintain the shape while the rain cover 1 is attached to the mobile terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a space between the upper surface of the portable terminal 10 and the rain cover 1 (seat member 4) is always ensured. Thus, the recording paper 15 discharged from the discharge port 14 of the portable terminal 10 can be easily cut or taken out. The reason why the shape of the plate-like members 2 and 3 is trapezoidal (see FIG. 1C) is to make it easier to take out the recording paper 15.

Each of the plate members 2, 3, 5 and 6 (joining portion) is connected by a flexible sheet member 4. Therefore, when the rain cover 1 is removed from the portable terminal 10, the respective plate-like members 2, 3, 5, and 6 can be folded so as to be stacked. In the first embodiment, the sheet member 4 is creased so that it can be easily performed. In FIG. 1, a dashed line indicates a fold that forms a valley fold, and a dashed line indicates a fold that forms a mountain fold.

When the rain cover 1 is folded along the above-mentioned fold, the width of the rain cover 1 is greatly reduced as compared with the time of use (when the rain cover 1 is attached to the portable terminal 10), and the volume is greatly reduced. For this reason, portability when not in use can be greatly improved compared to the conventional rain covers 70 and 90 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

The folded rain cover 1 has a thin plate shape. More specifically, the plate-like member 2 having an increased thickness
(Or 3). Thus, in the first embodiment, the volume is reduced by suppressing the thickness when not in use. This makes it easier to store in a small gap or a pocket in a bag, and further improves portability.

In the conventional rain cover, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover can be opened and closed. However, this is not the case in the first embodiment.
This is because the opening and closing operation of the cover is eliminated so that the recording paper 15 at the portion discharged from the discharge port 14 can be quickly cut or taken out.

In general, the meter reading operation includes moving on a vehicle,
It is divided into the actual work of going around each house. Since the mobile terminal 10 is usually moved somewhere (for example, inside rain gear such as a pair of feathers) when traveling on the vehicle, the recording paper 15 does not get wet.

The actual work on the other side can be further broadly divided into movement of a place and work using the portable terminal 10 (data input and printing). In the former movement, the mobile terminal 10
In many cases, the user moves the place while holding the portable terminal 1 with the recording paper storage case 13 facing upward.
Most have zero. In many cases, data input and printing are performed in places such as under the eaves where the rain does not much, or when the mobile terminal 10 is used with the body so as not to rain much.

The rain cover 1 covers a wide area including the outlet 14 of the portable terminal 10. When the rain cover 1 is attached to the portable terminal 10, the actual work is performed as described above, so that the recording paper 15 hardly gets wet. For this reason, the user can work efficiently without wetting the recording paper 15.

The conventional rain cover has been manufactured as a plastic molded product. Due to the opening and closing function of the shape, there is a restriction that the shape must be exactly adjusted to the shape of the mobile terminal, and a certain development period and development cost have been required. In contrast, the first
In the embodiment (the present invention), there is no such restriction.
There are very few restrictions compared to the past. Therefore, product development is easy, and there is an effect that a product (rain cover) can be developed with a shorter development period and a smaller development cost as compared with the related art.

According to the present invention, the development period can be reduced to a fraction or less and the development cost can be reduced to a fraction of ten or less, as compared with the related art. Therefore, compared to the conventional rain cover,
It can be provided at very low cost.

In the first embodiment, the plate-like members 2, 3, 5, and 6 are made to function as a frame because it is assumed that the plate-like members 2, 3, 5, and 6 are mounted on the portable terminal 10 having a built-in printer. . However, when a mobile terminal that does not have a built-in printer or the like is targeted, a member that functions as a frame does not necessarily need to be used.

In the first embodiment, the unused shape is previously specified by forming a fold in the sheet member 4. However, for example, a magic fastener is used so as to be folded into various shapes. Thus, a portion that can be arbitrarily separated may be formed. <Second Embodiment> FIG. 3 is a view showing a rain cover according to a second embodiment.

The rain cover 20 according to the second embodiment
Is a portable terminal 1 to which the first embodiment is attached.
0. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame plate 21 functioning as a frame and the mobile terminal 1
And a cover 24 in the shape of a bag that covers the outer cover 0.

The frame plate 21 includes a transparent and elastic plate-like member 22, a magic fastener 23 attached to an end thereof, and a
3 and magic fasteners 31 and 32 (see FIG. 5) attached to the surface on the opposite side.
The other cover 24 includes a transparent and flexible sheet member 25 and a magic fastener 26 attached to the inside thereof.

The cover 24 (sheet member 25) has
A fold is formed. Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, when not in use, it can be easily folded into a flat plate shape. The frame plate 21 paired with the cover 24 has a plate shape. For this reason, high portability can be realized when not in use, as in the first embodiment. Further, since there are few restrictions on the shape, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in terms of commercialization such as development period, development cost, and price.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the rain cover 20 according to the second embodiment is mounted on the portable terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the rain cover 20 is
4 is attached to the portable terminal 10 with the frame plate 21 inserted therein. The frame plate 21
Is bent by being inserted inside the cover 24, and acts in a direction of expanding the cover 24 from the inside by its own elastic force. Thereby, a space is secured between the upper surface of the portable terminal 10 and the rain cover 20 so that the recording paper 15 discharged from the portable terminal 10 can be easily cut or taken out.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion A shown in FIG. The part A uses the rain cover 20 for the portable terminal 10.
It is the part that is attached to. As shown in FIG. 5, on the plate-like member 22 of the frame plate 21, magic fasteners are stuck on both surfaces thereof. In particular,
The magic fastener 23 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the end of one surface, and the magic fasteners 31 and 32 are attached to the end of the other surface.

On the back of the portable terminal 10, a magic fastener 33 is attached. The magic fastener 33 is formed by attaching a magic fastener supplied as a part of the rain cover 20 (product), for example, by a user.

The rain cover 20 composed of the frame plate 21 and the cover 24 as described above can be attached to the portable terminal 10 as follows. FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the two magic fasteners 31 and 32 stuck on the frame plate 21 are attached to the magic fastener 33 stuck on the portable terminal 10.
Attach to Then, the state shown in the upper part of FIG. 6 is obtained.

After attaching the frame plate 21 to the portable terminal 10, the cover 24 is attached. The frame plate 21 is longer than the depth of the cover 24. For this reason, the user inserts the portable terminal 10 into the cover 24 with the frame plate 21 being curved. The user inserts the mobile terminal 10 until the magic fastener 26 attached to the inside of the cover 24 faces the magic fastener 23 on the frame plate 21,
Attach those magic fasteners 23 and 26.
By doing so, the attachment of the rain cover 20 to the portable terminal 10 is completed, and the state shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In addition,
The operation at the time of removing the rain cover 20 is exactly the opposite of the operation at the time of attachment described above.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the cover 24 is attached to the portable terminal 10 via the frame plate 21. The frame plate 21
Secures a space between the upper surface of the portable terminal 10 and the sheet member 25. Therefore, even if the cover 24 is damaged or lost, the user can simply attach another bag-shaped member to the frame plate 21 or use the bag-shaped member instead of the cover 24. Can also. Thereby, it can be provided as a more convenient product.

In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the frame plate 21 is mounted on the portable terminal 10 having a built-in printer.
It is designed to be attached to. However, assuming that it is attached to a portable terminal that does not include a printer, the magic fastener 26 attached to the inside of the cover 26 can be directly attached to the magic fastener 33 attached to the portable terminal. Is also good. The frame plate 21 may be used only for securing a space between the cover 24 and the mobile terminal 10. In the first embodiment, such a frame plate 21 may be used instead of the plate members 2, 3, 5, and 6.

In the present embodiment (first and second embodiments), the main purpose is to protect the portable terminal from rain, snow, dust, and the like. In order to protect from the above, a member serving as a cushion may be further attached (or attached).

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, a bag-shaped cover is manufactured using a member having flexibility, and the cover is detachably attached to a portable terminal device. Therefore, when not in use, the rain cover can be deformed into a shape having excellent portability.

Further, according to the present invention, the cover is supported in an expanded state at the time of mounting, and a space is secured between the portable terminal device and the cover. Therefore, in a portable terminal device with a built-in printer, cutting and taking out of discharged recording paper can be performed quickly and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a rain cover according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a rain cover according to the first embodiment is mounted on a portable terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a rain cover according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a rain cover according to a second embodiment is attached to a portable terminal device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of attaching a rain cover according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portable terminal device equipped with a conventional rain cover.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating how to use a conventional rain cover.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another conventional rain cover and how to use the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,20 Rain cover 2,3,5,6,22 Plate member 4,25 Sheet member 7,8,17,33,23,26,31,32 Magic fastener 10 Portable terminal device 15 Recording paper 21 Frame plate 24 Cover

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A rain cover used for a portable terminal device that supports a user's work at a site, wherein the cover is formed using a flexible member in a bag shape that covers the portable terminal device. And a mounting means for detachably attaching the cover to the portable terminal device. A rain cover for a portable terminal device, comprising: 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising support means for supporting the cover in an expanded state when the cover is attached to the portable terminal device by the attaching means. Rain cover. 3. The cover is manufactured using at least two kinds of members having different flexibility compared to each other, and the member having the lower flexibility is made to function as the support means. The rain cover for a portable terminal device according to claim 2. 4. The rain cover for a portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the support means is manufactured separately from the cover using a member having elasticity.