WO2002049323A1

WO2002049323A1 - Housing for a mobile telephone

Info

Publication number: WO2002049323A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/005512
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph William Jones
Original assignee: Newworld Technology Limited
Priority date: 2000-12-14
Filing date: 2001-12-13
Publication date: 2002-06-20
Also published as: AU2002222199A1; WO2002049323A8

Abstract

A mobile telephone includes a fascia (10) of precious metal and an intermediate inner liner (13) of flexible material which is bonded to the fascia (10). The flexibility of the inner liner (13) provides for sufficient flexibility to ensure snap engagement with a handset which would not be possible with a metal fascia alone. Also, a metal fascia without the presence of the inner liner (13) could interfere with the effectiveness of the telephone.

Description

HOUSING FOR A MOBILE TELEPHONE

The present invention relates to a mobile telephone and to a method of manufacturing same.

It is often the situation that owners of mobile telephones customise their handsets by changing elements of the external appearance of the handset.

A common method of doing this has been to remove elements of the standard plastic housing forming the handset unit and replace them with compatible housing elements which have been painted or otherwise decorated.

Manufacturers have noted the marketability of this practice and have produced handsets which are adapted for this purpose. These adapted handsets often feature plastic housings from which external panels can be removed and replaced by the user without the need for removing or dismantling other elements of the handsets, which would otherwise require technical expertise.

These detachable plastic panels are sometimes found on the reverse of the handsets and often on the front, where they are referred to as fascias. A wide variety of decorative replacement fascias are available so that handset owners may choose which is compatible with their particular model and which has aesthetic appeal. The handset owner may then remove the original standard fascia and install the replacement themselves, without the need for a technician. The means by which these fascias are interchanged is therefore a simple method which is easily operated without the need for technical expertise or specialised tools. In many cases the means of attachment and detachment is a simple catchment device. This may be formed by incorporating a protrusion into the plastic body of the fascia. When coupled with the handset unit, the protrusion is secured in position by a corresponding arrestment element incorporated into the body of the handset. The flexible property of the plastics forming the fascia and its protrusion allows it to flex slightly while it is being attached to the handset body. The fascia is thus pressed into position by the user, flexing slightly until the correct position is achieved, with the protrusion clear of the arrestment element. The memory properties of this plastic material forming the fascia then cause it to re-flex back to its original shape, thus securing it in position.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mobile telephone comprising housing and including a metal panel wherein the panel possesses its own integrity and under the panel there is provided a manually detachable intermediate panel of flexible material.

The metal panel possesses a sufficient structural integrity as to be workable. For example its surface may be engraved or tooled or chased. In other words the metal panel is of such a thickness as to be able to receive such decorative embellishment without its integrity being compromised. This important characteristic is in clear contradistinction to a film or foil which has no structural integrity.

Therefore, the present invention is concerned with providing a mobile telephone with a panel formed of metal material. This may include precious metal, such as gold, silver or platinum, which may be used for decorative effect. The integrity of the metal panel is such that it can receive indentations, such for example as hallmarks where appropriate. The precious metal of the panel or indeed other metallic materials may be used and may serve as a base upon which additional decorative materials may be attached, such as jewels, glass, enamelling or other metals, where an initial metallic base is required.

It is currently found that several difficulties are encountered if a mobile telephone is to be provided with a metallic panel in substitution for plastics material presently used. These difficulties relate to the physical properties of metal, which differ from plastics.

In the circumstances in which the panel comprises a fascia, a first of the difficulties is the differing memory properties of metals when compared with plastics. The arrestment element above described, which is found on the handset body, requires that the protrusion of the fascia with which it couples has a high degree of flexibility in order for it to flex during attachment. This flexibility is in conjunction with the body of the fascia, which also flexes during attachment. Once in position, the current method requires that the fascia and the protrusion then spring back to their original shape, thus engaging into the coupled position with the handset.

When the materials used to form the fascia have a lesser degree of flexibility and memory than plastics, as with metal, the current method described may consequently fail. The flexibility required to bring the fascia into its pre-engaging position can cause a metal fascia to bend permanently, thus damaging it. It may also be found that a metal fascia cannot be flexed sufficiently to achieve the pre-engaging position in the first place. In either instance, the fascia described would thus be defective and useless for its intended purpose. A further difficulty is encountered if a fascia is formed of metal in substitution for plastics material. This further difficulty relates to the tendency of metals to emit radio waves (or radio frequency energy) when incorporated into a radio transmitter apparatus.

A mobile telephone is a portable radio transceiver and the reception and transmission in the form of radio waves is an essential aspect of its operation.

Since absorption of excessive levels of radio frequency energy by the human body is undesirable, many mobile telephones are configured so that transmitted RF energy is directed away from the body of the user. Many mobile telephone configurations therefore incorporate the antenna element of the handset into the rear of the handset, so that RF energy is directed away from the user's head when in operation.

It may also be that the protrusion in the component of the coupling mechanism of detachable fascias is caused to come into contact with the incorporated antenna elements described. However, the RF energy emission characteristics of the handset would remain unchanged if the protrusion is formed of plastics material.

If the fascia and the protrusion are formed of metal, however, contact with other elements of the handset which are emitting RF energy may then cause the metal fascia to do the same; in effect causing it to act as an additional antenna element. The RF energy emitted in this situation may then be directed towards the user causing interference with the handset's usual operation.

The solution to these difficulties, according to the present invention, is to incorporate an intermediate panel of flexible material between the handset and the metal fascia. The intermediate panel may be formed of a plastics material shaped to the same profile contours as the handset and of relevant thickness to retain aesthetic appeal. The intermediate panel thus affords a supportive role to the metal panel to prevent or assist in preventing distortion upon application to or separation from the handset.

The intermediate platform may in the alternative be manufactured from mica or silicon or a mixture of a plastics material and either one or both mica and silicon.

The intermediate panel acts as a platform which is attachable to the metal fascia and the combined intermediate panel and fascia are then attached to the handset. The metal panel may be adhesively bonded or mechanically attachable to the intermediate panel. In this way the metal body of the fascia only comes into contact with the body of the platform thus insulating the fascia from contact with RF energy emitting elements of the handset.

This platform attaches to the handset body using the same method currently used to attach plastic fascias, ie a protrusion formed in the material having similar pliancy and memory qualities as with plastic fascias. Therefore ^Jthe platform is capable of flexing and re-flexing into the securing position when attached to the handset.

However, the method used to attach the metal fascia to the c platform may differ from that described above. For example use of differing coupling devices would enable the more rigid body of the metal fascia to be attached without being required to bend or flex in the manner of a plastic fascia. The devices used may be of a catchment type, with modifications made to accommodate the less flexible metal material. In such circumstances, the platform would be attached to the handset and the metal fascia would then be attached to the platform. Alternatively, the attachment method may incorporate screws or other fixings located to form a coupling without making contact with any RF energy emitting handset elements.

The material from which the intermediate panel is made may advantageously be produced from or include radiation-absorptive materials such as metals, metal oxides, ferrites; carbon, boron, silicon, mica, ceramics by way of example only.

There may also be provided between the metal panel and the intermediate panel a metal mesh which may be bonded or otherwise secured to the panels, since its provision may assist in the conduction of heat away from the mobile telephone.

It is further proposed that the platform, sandwiched between the handset and the metal fascia, as described, may also incorporate the lens element of the fascia.

It is known to provide plastic fascias with a transparent lens element. Although not a true lens in that light passing through it is not usually diffracted, this element does act as a barrier protecting the delicate LCD (liquid crystal display) components, which are located beneath, from impact and liquid damage.

It may be found that constructing a metal fascia which incorporates a lens of this type may prove difficult. This may be because fusing metal and plastics for example is a complex or time-consuming process requiring intricate human handling when on a small scale. As this may be an expensive and disadvantageous aspect of the present method, it is proposed here that the lens element required may be incorporated into the platform. This may be located in such a position that a corresponding aperture in the metal fascia is located directly above or around it when in an operational position.

The metal fascia would also incorporate apertures for the telephone keys required to operate the handset. These keys are currently incorporated by forming a flexible plastic keypad which is positioned over corresponding elements on the handset body. When a specific key on the keypad is depressed, this in turn activates the corresponding element on the handset body, initiating the command or function required. The same type of flexible keypad may be used in a mobile telephone in accordance with the present invention. A cavity formed by the body of the platform may accommodate the keypad in the required position.

The metal fascia may advantageously be formed by a stamping or drawing operation using punches and dies.

Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic exploded view, of one method of carrying the invention into effect.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a fascia 10 for a mobile telephone (not shown) , the fascia 10 comprising a key pad panel 11 , a lens panel 12 and an intermediate panel 13.

The keypad panel 11 and the lens panel 12 are of precious metal. The keypad panel 11 is provided with a large aperture 14 and a plurality of smaller apertures 15. The lens panel 12 includes a lens 16 and formations 17 for locating additional keys (not shown) . The lens panel 12 is provided with a plurality of apertures 18. The intermediate panel 13 is formed of flexible material, for example polypropylene, and comprises a large aperture 19, a plurality of smaller apertures 20 and a bridge portion 21. The bridge portion 21 includes an aperture 22 and a recess 23. The intermediate panel 13 also comprises a depending protrusion 24 and a plurality of depending locating lugs 25.

The key pad panel 11 is adhesively bonded on the intermediate panel 13 so that the smaller apertures 15 are in register with the corresponding smaller apertures 20 of the intermediate panel 13 and the lens 16 of the lens panel 12 is in register with the large aperture 19 of the intermediate panel 13 and the apertures 18 of the lens panel 12 are in register with the aperture 22 in the bridge portion 21.

The intermediate panel 13, carrying the fascia 10, is mounted on a handset (not shown) of the mobile telephone by locating the locating lugs 25 in corresponding sockets (not shown) in the handset and locating the protrusion 24 in engagement with a complimentary catchment device (not shown) of the handset. An end portion of an operating button (not shown) is received in the recess 23 of the bridge portion 21 and operating keys (not shown) of the handset are received in corresponding apertures 15, 20 of the key pad panel 11 and the intermediate panel 13.

In use, sound is received through the aperture 22 of the bridge portion 21 and the apertures 18 of the lens panel 12.

The intermediate panel 13 may as an alternative be formed of plastics material, such as polypropylene, in combination with mica or silicon or, indeed, any other material with RF energy absorptive properties.

The intermediate panel 13 may be adhesively bonded or mechanically attachable to the keypad panel 11. The intermediate panel 13 and the keypad panel 11 may have a metal mesh located therebetween for shielding a user from RF energy transmitted from the handset.

It will be appreciated that the invention may comprise a panel in the form of a fascia of metallic material or in the form of a fascia of plastics material containing a panel of metallic material.

It will be appreciated that provision of a separate key pad panel 11 and a separate lens panel 12 facilitates reduction of mould costs since a plurality of different lens panels 12 may be used with a single key pad panel 11. However, in an alternative arrangement a single keypad panel 11 may be provided which incorporates the lens 16 and the apertures 18. With such an arrangement there would be no separate lens panel 12.

It will also be appreciated that the lens 16 may be provided on the keypad panel 11 or on the intermediate panel 13 instead of on a separate panel 12.

The recess 23 may be formed to provide a resilient post which is flexed when the operating button located in the recess 23 is operated and which biases the button to an inoperative position when pressure on the button is released.

Claims

1. A mobile telephone comprising a housing and characterised by a metal panel (11) wherein the panel possesses its own integrity and under the panel (11) there is provided a manually detachable intermediate panel (13) of flexible material.

2. A mobile telephone as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the metal panel (11) is a fascia (10) .

3. A mobile telephone as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the intermediate panel (13) includes a lens (16) and the fascia (10) includes an aperture (19) so that the lens (16) is visible when the panel is located on the intermediate panel (13) .

4. A mobile telephone as claimed in any one of the previous claims characterised in that the metal panel (11) and the intermediate panel (13) are attachable one to another.

5. A mobile telephone as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that the metal panel (11) and the intermediate panel (13) are adhesively bonded one to another.

6. A mobile telephone as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that the metal panel (11) is mechanically attachable to the intermediate panel (13) .

7. A mobile telephone according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the metal panel (11) possesses its own integrity and is supported by the intermediate panel (13) .

8. A mobile telephone according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the metal panel (11) is able to receive a surface indentation without losing its integrity.

9. A mobile telephone according to Claim 7 characterised in that the metal panel (11) is of a precious metal and the surface indentation is a hallmark.

10. A mobile telephone according to Claim 7 characterised in that the metal panel (11) is capable of receiving decorative embellishment.

11. A mobile telephone according to Claim 9 characterised in that the decorative embellishment includes precious or semi-precious stones set into the metal panel (11) , the stones being held within their settings by the surrounding metal of the panel.

12. A mobile telephone according to Claim 9 characterised in that the decorative embellishment includes enamelling.

13. A mobile telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised" in that there is located between the panel (11) and the intermediate panel (13) a metal mesh.

14. A mobile telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the flexible material is a plastics material.

15. A mobile telephone as claimed in Claim 13 characterised in that the plastics material is polypropylene.

16. A mobile telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 12 characterised in that the flexible material is mica.

17. A mobile telephone as claimed in Claims 13 and 15 characterised in that the flexible material comprises a mixture of a plastics material and mica.

18. A mobile telephone as claimed in Claim 16 characterised in that the flexible material includes silicon.

19. A mobile telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the flexible material includes a radiation absorptive material.

20. A method of manufacturing a mobile telephone characterised by the steps of uniting an outer metal panel (11) with an intermediate panel of flexible material (13) .