Hook coupling structure and case using the same

Abstract

Disclosed is a hook coupling structure and a case using the same. The hook coupling structure for coupling first and second components 20 and 30 to each other includes a latching protrusion 28 protruding from a surface of one of the first and second components 20 and 30 and a hook 32 protruding from the other of the first and second components 20 and 30 , a leading end of the hook 32 engaging with the latching protrusion 28 in a lateral direction relative to a protruding direction of the latching protrusion 28 . The hook 32 has a planar overall shape, and the leading end has a latching step 33 formed on its lateral surface so as to engage with the latching protrusion. When the hook coupling structure is used for a case, the inner space defined by components, which are coupled to each other by the hook, increases. This renders the exterior of the case light, slim, and compact.

1 . A hook coupling structure for coupling first and second components to each other, the structure comprising: 
 a latching protrusion protruding from a surface of one of the first and second components and    a hook protruding from other of the first and second components, a leading end of the hook engaging with the latching protrusion in a lateral direction relative to a protruding direction of the latching protrusion.    
   
   
       2 . The hook coupling structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hook has a planar overall shape, and the leading end has a latching step formed on a lateral surface, the latching step engaging with the latching protrusion.  
   
   
       3 . The hook coupling structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the hook has a thickness equal to or smaller than degree of protrusion of the latching protrusion.  
   
   
       4 . The hook coupling structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hook extends parallel to the surface of one of the first and second components, the latching protrusion protruding from the surface.  
   
   
       5 . A case comprising: 
 first and second components coupled to each other for defining an inner space and    at least one hook coupling structure as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 4 .    
   
   
       6 . The case as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first component has a lateral wall portion formed along an edge of a bottom portion so as to define the inner space, and the second component is coupled to the first component so as to define the inner space.  
   
   
       7 . The case as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a latching protrusion protruding from a surface of one of the first and second components so as to couple the first and second components to each other;    a protruding hook formed on other of the first and second components so as to engage with the latching protrusion at a leading end of the latching protrusion; and    a latching piece formed on the other of the first and second components so as to engage with the latching protrusion.    
   
   
       8 . The case as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a component seating portion is formed in the first component while being exposed to an outside so that a component is seated on the component seating portion; a component cover for selectively covering the component seating portion is provided and adapted to slide in a direction for mounting; insertion holes are formed on opposite edges of the component seating portion, respectively, while being open in a fastening/removing direction of the component cover; protruding ribs are formed on both lateral of the component seating portion, respectively, in the fastening/removing direction of the component cover; slide latching protrusions and fastening protrusions are formed on an outer surface of the protruding ribs; insertion pieces are formed on corresponding edges of the component cover and inserted into the insertion holes, respectively; slide latching pieces and seating protrusions are positioned so as to correspond to ends of the protruding ribs; the slide latching pieces are adapted to engage with the slide latching protrusions; and the seating protrusions are adapted to elastically deform and move past the fastening protrusions so that the seating protrusions are seated into fastening grooves formed on the protruding ribs.  
   
   
       9 . The case as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a seating platform is formed on a portion of an edge of the component seating portion, the portion corresponding to an edge of the first component; the protruding ribs extend on portions of the seating platform, the portions corresponding to both ends of the first component, in the fastening/removing direction of the component cover; a stopping platform is formed on a portion of the seating platform, the portion corresponding to an end of the first component, in a direction perpendicular to the fastening/removing direction of the component cover; and the insertion holes are open to the stopping platform in the fastening/removing direction of the component cover.  
   
   
       10 . The case as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the component cover has a planar portion for covering the component seating portion and a lateral wall portion extending along an edge of the planar portion while corresponding to the seating platform.  
   
   
       11 . The case as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein insertion pieces extend on an edge of the lateral wall portion, the edge corresponding to the stopping platform, and an opposite edge facing the edge, respectively, in the fastening/removing direction of the component cover, and the slide latching pieces are formed on portions of the lateral wall portion, the portions corresponding to the protruding ribs.  
   
   
       12 . A case comprising: 
 a first component;    a component seating portion formed in the first component while being exposed to an outside, a component being seated on the component seating portion;    a seating platform formed on an edge of an entrance of the component seating portion, the seating platform forming at least a part of an exterior of the first component; and    a component cover for selectively covering the component seating portion, wherein    the first component has an insertion hole and an insertion slot formed on a part corresponding to an edge of the component seating portion, the component cover has an insertion piece and a slide latching piece formed so as to be inserted into the insertion hole and the insertion slot, respectively, and the component cover has a seating protrusion formed so as to be removably seated into a fastening groove formed on the first component while being elastically deformed together with a periphery so that the component cover is fastened to the first component.    
   
   
       13 . The case as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the component cover has a planar portion for covering the component seating portion and a lateral wall portion extending along an edge of the planar portion while corresponding to the seating platform, and the insertion piece and the slide latching piece extend along an edge of the component cover in a fastening/removing direction of the component cover.  
   
   
       14 . The case as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein protruding ribs extend on portions of the seating platform, the portions corresponding to both ends of the first component, in the fastening/removing direction of the component cover, respectively, and the protruding ribs have a slide latching protrusion formed so as to engage with the slide latching piece.  
   
   
       15 . The case as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the protruding ribs have a latching slot formed so as to engage with the slide latching piece by means of the slide latching protrusion and an insertion slot formed on an entrance of the latching slot with a width so that the slide latching piece can be inserted into the insertion slot.  
   
   
       16 . The case as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the fastening groove is formed on a portion of the protruding ribs, the portion corresponding to an end of the first component, by means of a fastening protrusion.  
   
   
       17 . The case as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a stopping platform is formed on the seating platform of the first component in a direction perpendicular to the fastening/removing direction of the component cover, an insertion hole is formed on the stopping platform while being open in the fastening/removing direction of the component cover so that the insertion piece of the component cover is inserted into the insertion hole, and an insertion hole is formed on an edge of the component seating portion, the edge facing the stopping platform, while being open in the fastening/removing direction of the component cover so that a different insertion piece of the component cover is inserted into the insertion hole.