U.S. patent application number 10/268080 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for rotating detachable belt clip.
Invention is credited to Kobayashi, Masatoshi.
Application Number | 20040069821 10/268080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32068481 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040069821 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobayashi, Masatoshi |
April 15, 2004 |
Rotating detachable belt clip
Abstract
The object of the present invention is to provide a rotating
detachable belt clip of simple construction and low manufacturing
cost. In order to achieve this object, the rotating detachable belt
clip according to the present invention comprising: an attachment
case having an opening section slightly broader than the external
diameter of the rod section of a bushing which is inserted into the
case of the mobile communications terminal device and has a
T-shaped cross-section consisting of the rod section and a disc
section, said attachment case being formed into a U-shaped
cross-section for accommodating a disc section; a pawl for engaging
with an arc-shaped guide groove formed in the surface of the case
of the mobile communications terminal device; an elastic deforming
section provided with the pawl on the front end section thereof,
and constructed so as to deform elastically with respect to said
attachment case; and a clipping plate connected via a shaft to said
attachment case, and urged in a gripping direction by means of an
elastic member; wherein the mobile communications terminal device
is locked by means of said pawl engaging with the guide groove due
to said elastic deforming section undergoing elastic deformation,
when said disc section is accommodated inside the attachment case
by means of sliding said cylindrical rod section in the direction
of extension of said opening section.
Inventors: |
Kobayashi, Masatoshi; (Chiba
ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY
600 13TH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3096
US
|
Family ID: |
32068481 |
Appl. No.: |
10/268080 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/269 ;
224/271; 224/272; 224/669; 224/930 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0516 20130101;
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101; F41C 33/045 20130101;
A45F 2005/026 20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/269 ;
224/271; 224/272; 224/669; 224/930 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00; A45C
001/04; A45F 003/00; F41C 033/02; F42B 039/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rotating detachable belt clip for carrying a mobile
communications terminal device; comprising: an attachment case
having an opening section slightly broader than the external
diameter of the rod section of a bushing which is inserted into the
case of said mobile communications terminal device and has a
T-shaped cross-section consisting of the rod section and a disc
section, said attachment case being formed into a U-shaped
cross-section for accommodating a disc section, and; a pawl for
engaging with an arc-shaped guide groove formed in the surface of
the case of said mobile communications terminal device; an elastic
deforming section provided with said pawl at the front end section
thereof, and constructed so as to deform elastically with respect
to said attachment case; and a clipping plate connected via a shaft
to said attachment case, and urged in a gripping direction by means
of an elastic member; wherein the mobile communications terminal
device is locked by means of said pawl engaging with said guide
groove due to said elastic deforming section undergoing elastic
deformation, when said disc section is accommodated inside said
attachment case by sliding said rod section in the direction of
extension of said opening section.
2. The rotating detachable belt clip according to claim 1, wherein
said guide groove is formed integrally with said case.
3. The rotating detachable belt clip according to claim 2, wherein
said lock is released by means of said pawl riding up over a
trapezoidal projection formed in said case.
4. The rotating detachable belt clip according to claim 3, wherein
said trapezoidal projection is formed integrally with said
case.
5. The rotating detachable belt clip according to claim 1, wherein
said bushing is a member in which a circular disc section and a
cylindrical rod section are formed integrally.
6. The rotating detachable belt clip according to claim 1, wherein
grooves provided at equidistant intervals for engaging with said
pawl are formed in said guide groove.
7. The rotating detachable belt clip according to claim 6, wherein
said grooves are formed integrally with said case.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a rotating detachable belt
clip for carrying a mobile communications terminal device, such as
a transceiver, portable telephone, or the like.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 11 and FIG. 16 are illustrative diagrams of a first
prior art example of a belt clip.
[0005] FIG. 11, FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 are side views for illustrating
the state of connection between a mobile communications terminal 30
and a belt clip 40, these views being shown as partial sections in
order to illustrate the connection structure between the two
members. FIG. 12, FIG. 14 and FIG. 16 are perspective diagrams
showing the planar positional relationship between the terminal
device 30 and the belt clip 40.
[0006] A locking disc 31 projects from the centre line of the
terminal device 30, at a position slightly towards the upper end
portion thereof. The locking disc 31 is formed so as to extend
outwards in a radial fashion from a cylindrical rod 33, and a
recess 32 is formed in the upper face thereof.
[0007] The belt clip 40, on the other hand, comprises an attachment
case 44, release switch 41, pawl 42, and clipping plate 45, as the
principal compositional elements thereof. The attachment case 44
and clipping plate 45 are composed in openable and closable
fashion, by means of a shaft 47, and the belt clip 40 is urged in
the closed direction by the elastic force of a plate spring 43. One
end of the plate spring 43 confronts the clipping plate, and the
other end thereof confronts the pawl 42, thereby urging the pawl in
a projecting direction. The release switch 41 fits inside the
attachment case 44, and is composed in such a manner that it can
slide inside the case 44. By pressing the switch 41 inside the case
44, the projecting pawl 42 can be pressed downwards.
[0008] A side flange 44a and a hemispherical U-shaped flange 44b
are formed respectively in the case 44, and an opening section 46
which is slightly wider than the diameter of the cylindrical rod 33
is also provided. This case 44 has a U-shaped cross-section and is
composed so as to accommodate the locking disc 31 therein.
[0009] When the release switch 41 is pressed down, thereby
depressing the pawl 42, and in this state, the cylindrical rod 33
is inserted inside the opening section 46 and slid, then the
locking disc 31 becomes accommodated inside the attachment case 44.
FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show states where the cylindrical rod 33 is
confronting the U-shaped flange 44b. If the release switch 42 is
released in this state, then as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the
pawl 42 engages with the recess 32, due to the elastic force of the
plate spring 43, thereby locking together the mobile communications
terminal 30 and the belt clip 40. In this state, the locking disc
31 is supported rotatably in a state of confrontation with the
U-shaped flange 44b. In order to release the lock, the release
switch 41 is pressed down, thereby depressing the hook 42, and in
this state, the lock can be released by sliding the attachment case
44 in the direction of extension of the opening section 46.
[0010] FIG. 17 to FIG. 24 are illustrative diagrams of a second
prior art example relating to a belt clip.
[0011] FIG. 17, FIG. 19, FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 are side views showing
the state of connection of a mobile communications terminal 50 and
belt clip 60, these views being shown as partial sections in order
to illustrate the connection structure between the two members.
FIG. 18, FIG. 20, FIG. 22 and FIG. 24 are perspective diagrams
showing the planar positional relationship between the terminal
device 30 and the belt clip 40.
[0012] A locking disc 51 projects from the centre line of the
terminal device 50 at a position slightly towards the upper end
portion thereof. The locking disc 51 is formed so as to extend
outwards in a radial fashion from a cylindrical rod 54, and a guide
groove 52 is formed in the upper face thereof. A projection 53
having a trapezoidal cross-section inclined from the centre towards
the circumference is formed on the centre line of the guide groove
52.
[0013] The belt clip 60, on the other hand, comprises a pawl 61, an
attachment case 62, and a clipping plate 64, as the principal
constituent elements thereof. The attachment case 62 and clipping
plate 64 are composed in an openable and closable fashion, by means
of a shaft 65, and the belt clip 60 is urged in a closed direction
by the elastic force of the spring 66. A side flange 62a and
hemispherical U-shaped flange 62b are formed respectively in the
case 62, and an opening section 63 slightly wider than the diameter
of the cylindrical rod 54. The case 62 has a U-shaped and is
composed so as to accommodate the locking disc 51 therein.
[0014] FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 illustrate the manner by which the
locking disc 51 is accommodated inside the attachment case 62, when
the cylindrical rod 54 has been inserted into the opening section
63 and slid. FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 illustrate a state where the
attachment case 62 has been further slid and the cylindrical rod 54
has confronted the U-shaped flange 62b. By confronting the
projection 53, the pawl 61 is pressed down by the side of the
clipping plate 64. In this state, if the belt clip 60 is rotated
through 180 degrees, then as shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, the pawl
61 slides over the gradient of the projection 53 and engages into
the guide groove 52. Thereby, the mobile communications terminal 50
and the belt clip 60 are locked together. In this state, the
locking disc 51 is supported rotatably in a state of confrontation
with the U-shaped flange 62b. In order to release the lock, the
pawl 61 is located so that is confronts the projection 53 directly,
and then the lock can be released by sliding the attachment case 62
in the direction of extension of the guide groove 52.
[0015] However, in the first prior art example, since a release
switch 41 for locking and releasing is provided, the structure
becomes complex, and moreover, manufacturing costs increase. On the
other hand, in the second prior art example, since the guide groove
52 and projection 53 for locking and releasing must be formed in
the locking disc 51, the manufacturing process of the locking disc
becomes complex, and manufacturing costs increase.
[0016] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a rotating detachable belt clip having a simple structure,
at low manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the rotating
detachable belt clip according to the present invention is a
rotating detachable belt clip for carrying a mobile communications
terminal device comprising: an attachment case having an opening
section slightly broader than the external diameter of the rod
section of a bushing which is inserted into the case of the mobile
communications terminal device and has a T-shaped cross-section
consisting of the rod section and a disc section, said attachment
case being formed into a U-shaped cross-section for accommodating a
disc section; a pawl for engaging with an arc-shaped guide groove
formed in the surface of the case of the mobile communications
terminal device; an elastic deforming section provided with the
pawl at the front end section thereof, and constructed so as to
deform elastically with respect to the attachment case; and a
clipping plate connected via a shaft to the attachment case, and
urged in a gripping direction by means of an elastic member;
wherein the mobile communications terminal device is locked by
means of the pawl engaging with the guide groove due to the elastic
deforming section undergoing elastic deformation, when the disc
section is accommodated inside the attachment case by means of
sliding the cylindrical rod section in the direction of extension
of the opening section.
[0018] By means of the present invention, since the guide groove
for performing locking and release is formed in the surface of the
case of the mobile communications terminal device, it is not
necessary to process the bushing to a prescribed shape, and hence
manufacturing costs can be reduced. Moreover, no complicated
mechanisms, such as a release switch, or the like, are required,
and hence locking and releasing of the mobile communications
terminal device can be achieved by means of a simple
composition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 20 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 21 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 22 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 23 is a side view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0042] FIG. 24 is a plan view for describing the connection
structure between a mobile communications terminal device and a
rotating detachable belt clip relating to a second embodiment of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] First Embodiment
[0044] This embodiment is described below with reference to the
drawings.
[0045] FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 illustrate a rotating detachable belt clip
relating to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1, FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 are side views of a mobile communications
terminal device and belt clip, these diagrams being shown in
partial cross-section in order to describe the connection structure
between the respective elements. FIG. 2. FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8
are perspective diagrams for describing the planar positional
relationship between the respective elements.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, a guide groove 13 for rotating and
sliding a pawl 22 is formed in a circular arc shape on the centre
line of the case 16 of a mobile communications terminal device 10,
at a position slightly towards the upper end portion thereof from
the centre of gravity. Moreover, a projection 14 of trapezoidal
cross-section forming an inclined face is formed in the case 16
from the centre of said arc shape towards the circumference
thereof. The guide groove 13 and projection 14 are formed
integrally with the case by means of injection moulding. In other
words, the guide groove 13 and projection 14 are formed by
undulations in the surface of the case 16.
[0047] Moreover, a bushing 11 of T-shaped cross-section is fixed
into the centre portion of the guide groove 13. The bushing 11
consists of a circular disc 11a, and a cylindrical rod 11b, the
outer diameter of the disc 11a being set to a greater size that the
outer diameter of the cylindrical 11b. In contrast to the second
prior art example described above, in the present invention, it is
not necessary to form complicated shapes (such as the
aforementioned guide groove 52 and projection 53, and the like,) in
the disc 11a for the purpose of locking and releasing, and
therefore, design freedom can be increased. For example, for the
bushing 11, it is possible to use a generic bushing made from
plastic components, metal components, or the like.
[0048] The belt clip 20, on the other hand, comprises an elastic
deforming section 21, a pawl 22, attachment case 23, and clipping
plate 24, as the principal components thereof. The attachment case
23 and clipping plate 24 are composed so as to be openable and
closable by means of a shaft 27, and the clip 20 is urged in a
gripping position by the elastic force of a spring 25. By
installing the clipping plate 14 on the user's belt, or the like,
the mobile communications terminal device 10 can be carried about
at a position on the user's waist. The attachment case 23 has a
U-shaped cross-section, and is composed in such a manner that it
can accommodate the disc 11a. Two small gaps 28 are formed in the
end face of the attachment case 23, and an elastically deformable
elastic deforming section 21 having a U-shaped cross-section is
formed between these small gaps 28. A pawl 22 projects from the
front end of the elastic deforming section 21, the cross section of
the pawl 22 being processed to the same shape as the cross section
of the guide groove 13. Furthermore, the attachment case 23 opens
in a T shape at the borders of the two small gaps 28, thereby
forming an opening section 26 which is slightly broader than the
diameter of the cylindrical rod 11b.
[0049] In the aforementioned composition, the mobile communications
terminal device 10 and the belt clip 20 are locked together when
the elastic deforming section 21 deforms elastically and fits into
the guide groove 13, as the disc 11a is accommodated inside the
attachment case 23 by sliding the cylindrical rod 11b of the
bushing 11 in the direction of extension of the opening 26. This
locking can be released by locating the two elements in particular
relative angular positions, whereby the pawl 22 rides up over the
projection 14 and can be released from the guide groove 13.
[0050] When the belt clip 20 and mobile communications terminal
device 10 are locked, then the clip 20 is freely rotatable with
respect to the mobile communications terminal device 10, and the
lock can be released by sliding the belt clip 20 in a particular
prescribed direction only, but desirably, a composition is adopted
whereby the mobile communications terminal device 10 cannot be
rotated readily with respect to the clip 20, when the user is
carrying the mobile communications terminal device 10. In other
words, desirably, a composition is adopted whereby the mobile
communications terminal device 10 rotates with respect to the clip
20 only when a prescribed force is applied by manual operation by
the user. For this purpose, a pair of projections 15 are formed on
the case 16 as means for temporarily fixing the mobile
communications terminal device 10. The mobile communications
terminal device 10 and clip 20 can be temporarily fixed by means of
the attachment case 23 confronting the projections 15 with a
certain prescribed force. Moreover, since the bushing 11 is
positioned slightly towards the upper end portion of the mobile
communications terminal device 10 from the centre of gravity
thereof, when the mobile communications terminal device 10 and the
clip 20 are locked together, the mobile communications terminal
device 10 can be provisionally fixed in a secure manner with
respect to the clip.
[0051] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show how the bushing 11 is accommodated
inside the attachment case 23, when the cylindrical rod 11b is
inserted into the opening 26 and slid. In this diagram, the pawl 22
is positioned between the pair of projections 15. The pawl 22
slides over the surface of the case 16 until reaching the
projection 14. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show how the pawl 22 slides over
the surface of the case 16 and confronts the projection 14 in a
raised state. In this state, the elastic deforming section 21
undergoes elastic deformation, and the pawl 22 confronts the
projection 14 with a prescribed force. If the belt clip 20 is
subsequently rotated through 180 degrees about the bushing 11, then
the pawl 22 is caused to descend and slide over the inclined face
of the projection 14, by the pressure applied by the elastic
deforming section 21, and it fits into guide groove 13. Thereby,
the pawl 22 slides inside the guide groove as the belt clip 20 is
rotated. By means of the foregoing operation, the locking between
the belt clip 20 and the mobile communications terminal device 10
is completed. In a state where the pawl 22 is engaged inside the
guide groove 13, the lock between the belt clip 20 and the mobile
communications terminal device 10 cannot be released. If the belt
clip 20 is placed at a particular angle, thereby raising the pawl
22 over the projection 14, and the belt clip 20 is then slid in the
direction of the centre line of the case 16, then the lock is
released.
[0052] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
guide groove 13 into which the pawl 22 fits is formed on the
surface of the case of the mobile communications terminal device
10, and therefore it is not necessary to process the bushing 11 to
a particular shape, and hence manufacturing costs can be reduced.
Moreover, no complicated mechanisms, such as release switches, or
the like, are provided, and hence the lock/release operation of the
mobile communications terminal device 10 can be achieved by means
of a simple composition.
[0053] Second Embodiment
[0054] Next, a second embodiment of a rotating detachable belt clip
is now described.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a mobile communications terminal
device 10. As shown in the diagram, grooves 13a creating radially
shaped depressions are formed in the guide grooves 13 at
approximately equidistant intervals in a radial fashion, and the
pawl 22 is composed in such a manner that it engages with the
grooves 13a with a suitable tension. The guide groove 13 and the
grooves 13a are formed integrally with the case 16 by injection
moulding. In other words, the guide groove 13 and grooves 13a are
formed by undulations in the surface of the case 16.
[0056] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional diagram for describing the
state of engagement between the pawl 22 and the grooves 13a. By
means of the cylindrical rod 11b of the bushing 11 sliding in the
direction of extension of the opening 26, the disc 11a is
accommodated inside the attachment case 23, the elastic deforming
section 21 is elastically deformed, and the pawl 22 fits into the
guide groove 13, in which state, if the attachment case 23 is
rotated in such a manner that the pawl 22 slides along the guide
groove 13 in an arc shape, then the pawl 22 will move by riding
over the undulations of the grooves 13a. Here, if the attachment
case 23 is pulled at a certain angle with respect to the vertical,
then as shown in FIG. 10, since the pawl 22 is engaged with the
groove 13a with a certain tension, the attachment case 23 will not
rotate under its own weight, but will remain in its current
state.
[0057] Thereby, since the mobile communications terminal device 10
can be held at a desired angle, it is possible to provide a
rotating detachable belt clip affording excellent convenience and
operability. Moreover, when installing the mobile communications
terminal device 10 on the belt clip 20, as the pawl 22 slides in an
arc shape over the guide groove 13, an appropriate tension is
exerted when the pawl 22 passes over the undulations of the groove
13a, and therefore it is possible to obtain a suitable sensation of
elements clicking into place.
* * * * *