Locking device for a projector component

A protection device, comprising:

• a first optical component;
• a second optical component configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component defining an optical path, wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component;
• a latch mechanism coupled to the second component and configured to enable a user to manually couple the second component to the first component and to manually release the second component from the first component;
• and
• an alignment system;
• wherein the latch mechanism and the alignment system are configured to cooperatively and releasably couple the second component to the first component in a predetermined orientation;
• and
• wherein the first component has a distal end and a proximal end and wherein the proximal end has a plurality of first coupling pads and a plurality of protrusions;
• wherein the second component has a distal end and a proximal end and wherein the proximal end has a plurality of second coupling pads and a plurality of detents;
• wherein the second component proximal end is configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component proximal end;
• and wherein the alignment system is provided by the plurality of protrusions, the plurality of detents, and the plurality of first and second coupling pads, wherein the plurality of detents on the second component are configured to operatively associate with corresponding protrusions on the first component to align the first and second component in x and y axes in a predetermined orientation, and wherein, when the protrusions are operatively associated with the detents, the plurality of first and second coupling pads are configured to maintain the first and second components in a predetermined spaced apart relationship in a z axis.

A projection device, comprising:

• a first optical component;
• a second optical component configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component defining an optical path, wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component;
• a latch mechanism coupled to the second component and configured to enable a user to manually couple the second component to the first component and to manually release the second component from the first component;
• and
• an alignment system;
• wherein the latch mechanism and the alignment system are configured to cooperatively and releasably couple the second component to the first component in a predetermined orientation;
• and
• wherein the latch mechanism comprises:
• a keeper disposed on the first component;
• a base disposed on the second component;
• a coupling arm pivotally coupled to the base, having a latched orientation and an unlatched orientation, and configured to couple with the keeper when in the latched orientation;
• and
• an actuating lever operatively associated with the coupling arm to transition the coupling arm between the latched orientation and the unlatched orientation.

A projection device, comprising:

• a first optical component having a distal end and a proximal end wherein the proximal end has a plurality of first coupling pads and a plurality of protrusions;
• and
• a second optical component having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end has a plurality of second coupling pads and a plurality of detents, and wherein the second component proximal end is configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component proximal end defining an optical path;
• wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component;
• wherein the plurality of detents on the second component are configured to operatively associate with corresponding protrusions on the first component to align the first and second components in x and y axes in a predetermined orientation;
• and wherein, when the protrusions are operatively associated with the detents, the plurality of first and second coupling pads are configured to maintain the first and second components in a predetermined spaced apart relationship in a z axis.

A projection device, comprising:

• a first optical component:
• a second optical component configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component defining an optical path, wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component;
• a latching means for enabling a user to manually couple the second component to the first component and to manually release the second component from the first component;
• and
• an alignment means for cooperating with the latching means to releasably couple the second component to the first component in a predetermined orientation;
• wherein the alignment means includes a plurality of first spacing means and a plurality of protruding means on a proximal end of the first component and a plurality of second spacing means and a plurality of positioning means on a proximal end of the second component;
• wherein the second component proximal end is configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component proximal end.

A locking device for use in a projection device, comprising:

• a latch mechanism including a keeper;
• a base;
• a coupling arm pivotally coupled to the base, having a latched orientation and an unlatched orientation, and configured to couple with the keeper when in the latched orientation;
• and an actuating lever operatively associated with the coupling arm to transition the coupling arm between the latched orientation and the unlatched orientation;
• and
• an alignment system including a plurality of first coupling pads, a plurality of corresponding second coupling pads, a plurality of protrusions, and a plurality of corresponding detents;
• wherein the latch mechanism is configured to allow a user to manually transition the coupling arm between the latched orientation and the unlatched orientation.