U.S. patent application number 11/634010 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for opening system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nokia Corporation. Invention is credited to Jari Ijas, Ilpo Kauhaniemi, Esa-Sakari Maatta, Jani C. Maenpaa, Terhi Wallin.
Application Number | 20080121053 11/634010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39209865 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080121053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ijas; Jari ; et al. |
May 29, 2008 |
Opening system
Abstract
A latch release for allowing two latched members to be unlatched
from each other. The latch release includes a bubble body comprised
of an elastic material. The bubble body is adapted to deform such
that depressing of a first section of the bubble body in a first
direction deforms a second section of the bubble body to push the
latched members apart.
Inventors: |
Ijas; Jari; (Espoo, FI)
; Wallin; Terhi; (Helsinki, FI) ; Kauhaniemi;
Ilpo; (Vantaa, FI) ; Maenpaa; Jani C.;
(Helsinki, FI) ; Maatta; Esa-Sakari; (Hampshire,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRINGTON & SMITH, PC
4 RESEARCH DRIVE
SHELTON
CT
06484-6212
US
|
Assignee: |
Nokia Corporation
|
Family ID: |
39209865 |
Appl. No.: |
11/634010 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11604417 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
|
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11634010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
74/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0216 20130101;
Y10T 74/1502 20150115; Y10T 16/558 20150115; Y10T 16/5335
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/1.5 |
International
Class: |
G04B 15/14 20060101
G04B015/14 |
Claims
1. A latch release for allowing two latched members to be unlatched
from each other, the latch release comprising a bubble body
comprised of an elastic material, wherein the bubble body is
adapted to deform such that depressing of a first section of the
bubble body in a first direction deforms a second section of the
bubble body to push the latched members apart.
2. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body comprises
a general block shape of the elastic material.
3. A latch release as in claim 2 wherein the general block shape is
generally rectangular.
4. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body is
substantially solid.
5. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body is
generally honeycombed with internal pockets.
6. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body comprises
at least one internal sealed gas filled pocket.
7. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body comprises
at least one internal sealed liquid filled pocket.
8. A latch release as in claim 1 wherein the bubble body has a top
side which forms the second section and which is adapted to bubble
up generally orthogonal to the first direction.
9. A portable electronic device comprising: a first housing
comprising electronic circuitry; a second housing movably connected
to the first housing; a system for locating the second housing
relative to the first housing at a closed position; and a latch
release as in claim 1, wherein the bubble body is connected to the
first housing and the second section of the bubble body is adapted
to push against the second housing when the first section is
depressed inward.
10. A portable electronic device comprising: a first housing
comprising electronic circuitry; a second housing movably connected
to the first housing; a system for locating the second housing
relative to the first housing at a closed position; and an opening
system for moving the second housing from the closed position,
wherein the opening system comprises at least one body of
resiliently deformable material at a lateral side of the first
housing, wherein the body is adapted to be inwardly deformed by a
user's finger in a first direction to automatically bubble deform
in a second direction and thereby move the second housing away from
the closed position.
11. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the
portable electronic device comprises a mobile telephone and the
second housing is pivotably connected to the first housing in a
general flip-phone configuration.
12. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the opening
system comprises two of the bodies located at opposite lateral
sides of the first housing.
13. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the first
housing supports all sides of the body except a first side and a
second side of the body to thereby from supports for the body and
limit deformation of the body to the first and second sides.
14. A portable electronic device as in claim 13 wherein the first
side is adapted to be deformed inward in the first direction by the
user's finger, and the second side is generally orthogonal to the
first side and is adapted to bubble upward in the second
direction.
15. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body
comprises a general block shape of the resiliently deformable
material.
16. A portable electronic device as in claim 15 wherein the general
block shape is generally rectangular.
17. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body is
substantially solid.
18. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body is
generally honeycombed with internal pockets.
19. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body
comprises at least one internal sealed gas filled pocket.
20. A portable electronic device as in claim 10 wherein the body
comprises at least one internal sealed liquid filled pocket.
21. A method of manufacturing a portable electronic device
comprising: movably connecting a second housing to a first housing;
providing a system for locating the second housing at a closed
position on the first housing; and connecting a first resiliently
deformable bubble body to the first housing, wherein the bubble
body comprises a first section which is adapted to be depressed
inward causing a second section of the bubble body to automatically
bubble outward to thereby move the second housing in a direction
away from the closed position.
22. A method as in claim 21 wherein connecting the first
resiliently deformable bubble body to the first housing comprises
locating the first bubble body in a first cavity of the first
housing at a first lateral side of the first housing, wherein the
first bubble body is exposed at the first lateral side and a top
side of the first housing member.
23. A method as in claim 21 further comprising connecting a second
resiliently deformable bubble body to the first housing comprising
locating the second bubble body in a second cavity of the first
housing at a second lateral side of the first housing, wherein the
second bubble body is exposed at the second lateral side and the
top side of the first housing member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a system for moving two members
apart and, more particularly, to a portable electronic device
having an opening system.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
[0004] Flip-phones, such as having a general clam shell design, are
well known. These types of telephones have two housing members that
are pivotably connected to each other. A communicator device, such
as the NOKIA Model 9200 series of devices, also have keyboards and
a locking latch to prevent the housing members from inadvertently
opening. Slide mobile telephones, where one housing member slides
upward or downward, are also known to have housing position
retaining latches. In the past, locking mechanisms have been
usually quite complicated systems, and unreliable due to
miniaturization. There is no room for further miniaturization
because of dimensional limitations.
[0005] There is a desire to provide a mobile telephone with movable
housing members and a housing position retaining latch, but without
the number of parts required in the past for such a latch. There is
a desire to provide such a latch and a release that is easier and
less expensive to manufacture, and which is less prone to
mechanical failure. There is a desire to provide such a latch and a
release which can accommodate miniaturization with providing good
reliability. There is also a desire to provide such a latch and a
release which can accommodate reduced dimensional limitations
resulting from mobile telephone miniaturization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a latch
release is provided for allowing two latched members to be
unlatched from each other. The latch release includes a bubble body
comprised of an elastic material. The bubble body is adapted to
deform such that depressing of a first section of the bubble body
in a first direction deforms a second section of the bubble body to
push the latched members apart.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
portable electronic device is provided comprising a first housing
comprising electronic circuitry; a second housing movably connected
to the first housing; a system for locating the second housing
relative to the first housing at a closed position; and an opening
system for moving the second housing from the closed position. The
opening system comprises at least one body of resiliently
deformable material at a lateral side of the first housing. The
body is adapted to be inwardly deformed by a user's finger in a
first direction to automatically bubble deform in a second
direction and thereby move the second housing away from the closed
position.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method
of manufacturing a portable electronic device is provided
comprising movably connecting a second housing to a first housing;
providing a system for locating the second housing at a closed
position on the first housing; and connecting a first resiliently
deformable bubble body to the first housing. The bubble body
comprises a first section which is adapted to be depressed inward
causing a second section of the bubble body to automatically bubble
outward to thereby move the second housing in a direction away from
the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention
are explained in the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile telephone
comprising features of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the telephone shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front plane view of the telephone shown in FIG.
3 being held in the hand of a user;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a component of the an
opening system used in the telephone of FIGS. 1-3 shown in a home
state;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the component of FIG. 4
shown in an actuated state;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the telephone as shown in
FIG. 1 with the opening system actuated; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of the telephone shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a
portable electronic device 10 incorporating features of the
invention. Although the invention will be described with reference
to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be
understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate
forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type
of elements or materials could be used.
[0018] In this embodiment the portable electronic device 10 is a
mobile telephone. More specifically, the telephone has a flip-phone
type of design. However, features of the invention could be used
with any type of telephone having housing members which are movable
relative to each other, such as a slide phone for example. In
addition, features of the invention could be used in any type of
portable electronic device having housing members which are movable
relative to each other, such as a gaming device, a PDA, etc.
[0019] The telephone 10 generally comprises a housing 12 having a
first housing member 14 and a second housing member 16. Referring
also to FIGS. 2-3, the first and second housing members 14, 16 are
pivotably connected to each other by a hinge 18 between a closed
position as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and an open position. In this
embodiment the hinge 18 is a living hinge. However, in alternate
embodiments the hinge could comprise any suitable type of pivotable
connection. As noted above, features of the invention could be used
with a slide phone. Therefore, the connection of the housing
members to each other might not be a pivotable connection. The
hinge 18 connects the top ends 20, 22 of the housing members to
each other.
[0020] In this embodiment the first housing member 14 generally
comprises electronic circuitry 36, a battery, and a keypad. The
second housing member 16 generally comprises a display. When the
first and second housing members are in their closed position, the
display is protectively covered by the first housing member 14 and
the keypad is protectively covered by the second housing member
16.
[0021] In order to use most features of the telephone, the second
housing member 16 must be unlatched from the first housing member
14 and moved to its open position. This uncovers the display and
the keypad. In this embodiment the telephone has springs 23 which
are adapted to bias the housing members 14, 16 towards the open
position. However, any suitable system for biasing the housing
members towards an open position could be provided. Alternatively,
a system for biasing the housing members towards an open position
might not be provided.
[0022] The telephone 10 also comprises a latch system 24 for
latching the first and second housing members at the closed
position. In this embodiment the latch system comprises a permanent
magnet 26 in the first housing member 14 and a suitable
magnetically latchable ferromagnetic member 28 in the second
housing member 16. The magnet 26 and latchable member 28 are
located proximate top and bottom sides 30, 62, respectively, of the
bottom ends 32, 34 of the housing members 14, 16. The magnet 26 and
the latchable member 28 function as a latch to retain the second
housing member 16 against the top side 30 of the first housing
member 14 at the closed position. In an alternate embodiment, the
latching system to retain the first and second housings in their
closed position could comprise any suitable type of latching system
including, for example, a resilient latching snap or other
mechanical design. Thus, the type of latch is not limited to merely
a magnetic latch.
[0023] In order to overcome the latching system 24 and move the
second housing member 16 from the closed position, the telephone 10
comprises a latch release or opening system 38. With the magnetic
latch system in this embodiment, the latchable member 28 need only
to be moved away from the magnet 26 a relatively small amount to
substantially overcome the magnetic holding force of the magnet.
Referring also to FIG. 4, in this embodiment the opening system 38
comprises two bodies 40. However, in alternate embodiments more or
less than two bodies could be provided. The first housing member 14
comprises two cavities 42, 44 located at opposite lateral sides 46,
48 of the first housing member. The bodies 40 are mounted in the
respective cavities 42, 44.
[0024] The bodies 40 are identical, but could be different. Each
body 40 has a general block shape. However, in alternate
embodiments any suitable shape could be provided. In this
embodiment the block shape is generally rectangular. Each body is
comprised of an elastic material such that the bodies form
resiliently deformable structures. More specifically, and referring
also to FIG. 5, each body 40 forms a bubble body or bubble mass
which is adapted to have a first side 50 depressed inward as shown
by arrow 54 which automatically resulting in a second side 52
bubbling outward as shown by arrow 56 and resulting in a mound 58
being formed.
[0025] When the bodies 40 are mounted to the first housing member
14, they are located in the cavities 42, 44 such that each first
side 50 is at the lateral sides 46, 48 respectively, and that each
second side 52 is located at the front or top side 60 of the first
housing member 14. In this embodiment the first and second sides
50, 52 are substantially flat in a home state. However, they could
have contoured or shaped surfaces. When the second housing member
16 is located at the closed position, the first sides 50 are
exposed at the lateral sides 46, 48. The second sides 52 are
directly opposite the inner facing side 62 of the second housing
member 16. The rest of the sides of the bodies 40 are contacted and
supported by the first housing member 14. The surfaces of the first
housing member 14 contacting the bodies 40 are rigid, such that the
rest of the sides of the bodies are prevented from bulging outward
when the first side 50 is depressed inward. Thus, when the first
side 50 is depressed inward, only the second top side 52 is able to
bulge or bubble outward. Alternatively, the thickness of the wall
at the second side 52, such as in a balloon style configuration of
the body 40 described in further detail below, could be thinner
than the other walls of the body.
[0026] As seen with reference to FIG. 3, when the telephone 10 is
in its closed position, it can be held in the hand of a user with
the user's thumb 64 and one other finger 66 located on the first
sides 50 of the two bodies 40. By squeezing the two fingers inward
as shown by arrows 68, the user can depress the first sides 50
inward with a single hand. As seen with reference to FIG. 5, this
will result in the second side 52 of each body 40 bulging or
bubbling upward. Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, because the
second side 52 is located against the side 62 of the second housing
member 16, the resulting mounds 58 push the second housing member
16 away from the closed position as indicated by arrow 70. This
moves the second housing 16 relative to the first housing 14 to
unlatch the latching engagement of the latching system 24. Because
of the different distances from the hinge 18 of the mounds 58 and
the latchable member 28, the relatively small height of the mounds
58 result in much a larger resultant spacing distance 74 of the
latchable member 28 away from the magnet 26. With the latching
system 24 unlatched, the springs 23 can bias the second housing
member 16 further towards the open position. In this embodiment,
the leaf springs 23 are adapted to slide into the first housing
member 14 as indicated by arrow 72 as the housing opens to its open
position.
[0027] Once the initial latching force of the latching system is
overcome by the opening system 38, the user can reduce the force
exerted by his or her fingers 64, 66. The user no longer needs to
depress the first side 50 of the bodies 40 inward after the latch
system 24 is initially overcome. The bodies 40 can return to their
home states as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the user can close the
telephone again without the bodies 40 interfering with the
latchable member 28 engaging the magnet 26.
[0028] As noted above, each body 40 is comprised of an elastic
material. The material could be substantially solid. Alternatively,
the material could have a generally honeycombed construction with
internal pockets. In another alternate embodiment the body could
comprise a balloon construction with an internal sealed area filled
with gas, such as air. More than one internal sealed area or pocket
filled with gas could be provided. In another alternate embodiment
the body could comprise one or more internal sealed liquid filled
pockets. These are only some examples. The important aspect is a
body or mass which functions as a bubble body which can bubble or
bulge in one location when depressed inward at another location.
The ratio of bubbling or bulging to depression by a user is
preferably 1:1, but could be more or less.
[0029] This invention describes how to use elastic material in a
latching mechanism of an auto-open folding device. The invention
can use deformation of an elastic part to release the locking
mechanism. The device could be locked with a magnet or snaps for
example. Elastic parts can be placed to sides and between the
bottom and top housing members. The locking mechanism will be
unlocked by elastic deformation when pressing the elastic part.
Deformation of the elastic part will push the blocks apart.
[0030] Advantages include: [0031] A simple design requiring only a
bubble body and a pocket on the first housing member; [0032] The
design enables ergonomic one-hand use of a very slim folding
device, and also enables the same use by either a right hand or a
left hand to accommodate both left and right handed users equally;
[0033] Cost effectiveness is provided because of the simplicity of
the design; [0034] There is a reduction in the amount of parts
which are needed versus a convention design; [0035] The design
reduces manufacturing costs because it is relatively easy to
manufacture the bubble bodies in bulk and very easy to assemble
them into a housing cavity; [0036] The invention enables new themes
for industrial design; and [0037] The invention provides reliable
because, among other features, there will be no dust problems or
the like which can result from conventional mechanical parts in a
latch/release system.
[0038] Features of the invention could be used as a latch release
for a latch system which holds housing members at an open position
rather than at a closed position. The body 40 could be located at a
location other than a lateral side of the first housing member. For
use with a slide phone for example, the second side of the bubble
body could push towards the top or bottom end of the telephone
rather than towards a major face of the second housing member. The
generally rectangular shape of the bubble body could be replaced by
any suitable shape including, for example, a shape with a larger
first side and smaller second side, or a shape with merely a shaped
or patterned second side. The orthogonal relationship of the
depression 54 to the bulging 56 could be replaced by a
non-orthogonal relationship. The body 40 could work in cooperation
with another member to open the telephone or for performing some
other action.
[0039] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *