DE29623336U1 - Handheld radio telephone - Google Patents

Description

Handheld radio telephone Technical area

The invention relates to a handheld radio telephone with operating elements such as a keypad and display panel and a slide-like cover element which serves to cover sensitive parts of the operating elements when the handheld radio telephone is not in use.

State of the art

As handheld radio telephones become increasingly smaller, the advantage of an extendable housing section with a hearing or speaking capsule has been recognized when the size falls below a certain format. In particularly small devices, the distance between the hearing and speaking capsules is adjusted to the distance between the user's mouth and ear.

A handheld radio with an extendable earpiece is known from EP 0 580 334 A2 (Sony Corp.). The extendable, shell-like part has no other purpose than to extend the listening/speaking distance. In particular, no operating elements are covered.

DE 38 36 406 A1 (Robert Bosch GmbH) describes a handheld radio telephone with a pull-out cassette, at the end of which a speech capsule is attached. The device is curved in a banana shape and can therefore be conveniently adjusted to the listening/speaking distance. When retracted, the cassette covers all operating elements (keyboard, LCD display) including the speech capsule.

EP 0 536 578 A2 (Siemens) discloses a radio telephone which has two sleeves that can be moved up or down, thereby exposing the middle section with the operating elements. The speaking and hearing capsules are attached to the extendable parts. The two sleeve-like parts completely accommodate the middle section when they are pushed together. A similar construction is known from DE 42 02 383 C2 (Loewe Opta GmbH).

US 5,025,921 (Motorola Inc.) describes a waterproof protective cover for a radio or handheld radio telephone, which has essentially the same shape as the device housing. The protective cover has a removable top and flexible transparent windows for the controls and the loudspeaker so that the device can be operated at least partially with the protective cover in place.

A waterproof radio with a compact waterproof housing is known from US 4,225,970 (Motorola Inc.). It has a waterproof front panel with a keypad,

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a waterproof housing back and a sealing element arranged between these two sides are rigidly connected to one another.

GB 2 266 429 discloses a handheld radio telephone with an extendable slide, which on the one hand carries the earpiece and on the other hand covers part of the display when pushed in. Other designs with partial or complete covering of the operating elements arise, for example, from WO

94/13088 (Motorola Inc.), DE 43 07 164 A1 (Konstantin Design GmbH), DE 44 10 995 A1 (Sägern), WO 94/21054 (Wilson) or WO 94/18817 (Increa Oy).

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a handheld radio telephone of the type mentioned above, which is mechanically robust and is therefore particularly suitable for use under adverse weather and environmental conditions.

A handheld radio telephone according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the cover element can be closed in a watertight manner over a coverable part of the operating elements.

Preferably, the cover element is designed in the form of a slider that can be extended and retracted, at least over the display panel. When the device is not in use, the display is therefore effectively protected not only against scratches, but also against water and liquids in general.

The cover element can be secured in the closed position by a locking mechanism. In the closed position it is preferably held against the force of a tensioned opening mechanism, so that when the locking mechanism is unlocked the cover element is automatically brought into the open position by the opening mechanism.

In the case of a handheld radio telephone with a shell-like housing inside which a circuit board with electronic components is housed, the circuit board can be at least partially encapsulated in the housing using a foam plastic to increase mechanical shock resistance. It is also advantageous if the circuit board is screwed to the housing.

The cover element does not necessarily have to be extendable. It can also be able to be moved back and forth between two positions without increasing the length of the device.

The cover element can also be designed as a blind. This is a closure with movably connected slat-like elements. The movable connection between the elements allows the blind to be guided around the edges of the handheld radio telephone (in a similar way to what is known, for example, with filing cabinets). Preferably, the cover element (in particular the blind) can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the housing on the surface of the handheld radio telephone. The blind has the advantage that opening the cover does not lead to an increase in the external dimensions of the handheld radio telephone.

The cover, designed as a slider that carries an earpiece, can be used in a conventional manner to increase the listening/speaking distance.

According to an advantageous design variant, the cover element is transparent at least in some areas. The transparent part provides a clear view of the existing operating elements or part of them, for example, without revealing their protection.

The cover element is preferably designed in the form of a sleeve that is open on one side, which is equipped with an elastic sealing element and preferably with tongue-like or slot-like guide elements along an open end face. The guide elements ensure that the sealing arrangement is always correctly positioned between the pressed end faces and can thus optimally fulfill its function.

The housing body is slidably mounted in the open side of the cover sleeve. Handheld radio telephones today are usually equipped with a power supply unit that can be attached to the housing of the handheld radio telephone and is

electrical contacts can be connected to a circuit part of the handheld radio telephone. According to the invention, the electrical contacts are protected from the outside by a sealing device that is watertight when the power supply part is attached to the handheld radio telephone. The power supply part (an accumulator or battery pack) is usually attached to the back of the housing. It is clear that this aspect of the invention does not necessarily have to be used in connection with the watertight cover.

Preferably, the power supply part can be fixed to the housing by means of a clamping device in order to ensure watertightness by means of a suitable pressing force on the sealing device. A pressing force generated in this way is sufficient to ensure a closed sealing line (enclosing the electrical contacts) (as opposed to just point-like pressure points).

The clamping device preferably comprises a screw or bayonet closure. For example, two knurled screws can be provided to generate as even a pressure as possible.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the power supply part, which is attached to the housing in a watertight manner, encloses a volume of air that gives the handheld radio telephone sufficient buoyancy in the water to float. If the device therefore accidentally falls into the water (e.g. when sailing), it will not suffer any damage and will not sink.

Preferably, the clamping device is arranged outside an area defined by the sealing device (e.g. using a snap or buckle closure that engages the outside of the housing). The locking mechanism itself is therefore located entirely in the unsealed part and therefore does not cause any sealing problems.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features result from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims.

Short description of the drawings

The drawings used to explain the embodiments show:

Fig. 1 a, b a perspective view of a handheld radio telephone with a slide-type cover;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a sealing device and a

closure;

Fig. 3 a-c a representation of a handheld radio telephone with a sleeve-like cover to protect the display panel and the function keys;

Fig. 4 a, b a schematic representation of an embodiment with a sleeve-like cover protecting all operating elements;

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a handheld radio telephone with a blind-like cover;

Fig. 6 a-c a representation of a handheld radio telephone with a cover that can be moved between two extreme positions;

Fig. 7 a, b a representation of a handheld radio telephone with a rotatable protective cover.

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a handheld radio telephone with a

Power supply part attached with screw caps;

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a locking and opening mechanism for a cover according to Fig. 1.

In the drawings, identical parts are generally provided with the same reference symbols.

Ways to implement the invention

Fig. 1a,b show a first embodiment of a handheld radio telephone 1 according to the invention. This has, in a manner known per se, a keypad 2, an LCD display 3, a speech capsule 4 (at the lower end) and an earpiece 5 (at the upper end of the handheld radio telephone 1). The earpiece 5 is attached to a cover 6, which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the handheld radio telephone. Fig. 1a shows the extended position and Fig. 1b the retracted (or closed) position. In the area of the LCD display 3, the body of the handheld radio telephone 1 is tapered in such a way that the cover 6 in the closed state (Fig. 1b) seamlessly adjoins the surface area of the keypad 2.

A sealing device is provided on the (lower) end faces 8 of the cover 6, as is explained below with reference to Fig. 2. For the sake of simplicity, the seal is not shown in Fig. 1a,b.

In order to fix the cover 6 in the closed position, a lock 7 is provided. It locks the cover 6 in the closed position and at the same time ensures the necessary pressing force on the sealing device.

It is understood that in order to ensure watertightness, sealing devices must be provided along the end surfaces between the cover 5 and the rest of the housing of the handheld radio telephone 1, forming a closed line.

The handheld radio telephone 1 shown in Fig. 1 has, for example, corner reinforcements 9.1, 9.2 on the lower corners of the housing to provide protection if the device falls down. Furthermore, the front longitudinal edges in the area of the keyboard 2 are provided with finger grips 10.1,..., 10.4 (indentations). An antenna 11 can, for example, be pulled out with the cover 6 (Fig. 1a). The antenna 11 can also be attached in a non-extendable or extendable manner to a non-movable housing part of the handheld radio telephone 1.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic example of a watertight connection and a closure. 12 and 13 denote two housing parts that are movable relative to one another and are shown in section; for example, the housing part 12 is the sliding cover 6 and the housing part 13 is the housing body on which the cover 6 can be moved. In Fig. 2, a tight connection is made between the end faces 14, 15 of the housing parts 12 and 13, respectively. For this purpose, a sealing rubber 18 is embedded in the end face 14 or fixed to it. At the corresponding point on the end face 15, a (e.g. smooth) support surface is formed against which the sealing rubber 18 can be pressed. In addition to the sealing rubber 18, a (e.g. pin-shaped) tongue 16 protrudes beyond the end face 14. A slot 17 (which is, for example, slightly conical) is provided at the corresponding point on the opposite end face 15. When the housing parts 12 and 13 are pushed together, the tongue penetrates into the slot 17 and in this way ensures a reproducible, precise positioning of the end faces 14 and 15 on one another.

The housing parts must be pressed relatively strongly against each other in order to exert the required pressing force on the sealing rubber 18. The locking mechanism, which is formed, for example, by a locking lever 19 on the housing part 12 and by a recess 21 on the housing part 13, engages when the housing parts 12 and 13 are pressed against each other in the required manner. A nose 20 on the front end of the locking lever 19 snaps into the recess 21, since the lever 19 is designed in such a way that it can be pushed into the recess 21 when the housing parts 12 are joined together.

and 13 is subjected to a bending deformation until the nose 20 engages in the recess 21.

To ensure sealing of a longer contact line, it is preferable to use several tongue/slot arrangements.

Of course, other sealing and closure devices are also possible to create a watertight seal.

Fig. 3a-c shows an embodiment of a handheld radio telephone with a housing body 23 and a cover sleeve 22. As can be seen in Fig. 3a, the cover sleeve 22, which is open on one side, has a window 29 (transparent area) which, when closed (i.e. when the cover sleeve 22 is retracted), mechanically covers the display field 26 arranged in the upper area of the housing body 23 and the function keys 25 arranged underneath. The dial keys 24 in the lower area of the housing body 23 are not covered, however. At the bottom of the housing body 23 there is a speech capsule 28 (microphone). At the top of the cover sleeve 22 there is an earpiece 27 (loudspeaker) which can be pulled out together with the cover sleeve 22.

A fall protection 30 at the upper end of the cover sleeve 22 protects the antenna 31 against damage,

Fig. 3b shows the cover sleeve 22 in the extended state. It now exposes the function keys 25. The display panel 26 is still behind the window 29. When extended, the handheld radio telephone is ready for use. However, it cannot be ruled out that calls can also be made when retracted. This depends on the internal wiring of the device.

The housing body 23 fits into the (only) opening of the cover sleeve 22. In other words: The cover sleeve 22 is like a hat that can be pulled over the housing body 23.

Fig. 3c shows the handheld radio telephone from behind and in the closed state. To open the handheld radio telephone, a lock 33 is operated or unlocked, for example. A handle 32 (which can also be designed to operate the lock) makes it easier to grasp the cover sleeve 22 when pushing it in or pulling it out. To simplify handling, a spring mechanism (not shown) can be provided in the device, for example, which pushes the cover sleeve 22 upwards when the lock 33 is unlocked.

The antenna 31 is extendable. It can be attached, for example, to the cover sleeve 22, in which a receiver circuit can also be housed. The cover sleeve 22 can therefore - apart from the earpiece 27 - also contain functional parts of the telephone.

Fig. 4a,b shows a variant of Fig. 3a-c. The main difference is that the cover sleeve 35 is longer and reaches so far down that not only the display field 38 and the function keys 37, but also the dial keys 36 are covered. However, in the pulled-out state (as per Fig. 4b), both the dial keys 36 and the function keys 37 are exposed. The housing body 34 can be designed in the same way as in the previous embodiment.

The embodiments according to Fig. 3a-c and Fig. 4a,b can be modified in various aspects. The window can also be omitted, for example, i.e. the entire cover sleeve 22 or 35 is made of a non-transparent plastic. The cover sleeve 22 or 35 must then be able to be pulled out so far that the display field is also exposed.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative cover 39. It is designed like a blind and can be pushed upwards over the front 40 of the handheld radio telephone. There are corresponding guides on the side walls of the handheld radio telephone so that the cover 39 (around the front 40) can be pushed to the back of the handheld radio telephone. A handle 41, for releasing a lock, makes it easier to grasp the cover 39 when opening or closing it.

Fig. 6 a-c shows a handheld radio telephone with a plate-shaped, rectangular cover 48 on a front side 50 of the housing. The cover 48 can be pushed back and forth between extreme positions. In the lower extreme position according to Fig. 6 b, the LCD display 52 is covered. Because the cover 48 has a rectangular, centered opening, the middle line of the e.g. 3-line LCD display 52 is still visible. In the upper extreme position shown in Fig. 6 c, the cover 48 would cover the openings of the earpiece 51 if the opening 49 were not there. The LCD display 52 is released in this position. The cover 48 preferably snaps into place in the two extreme positions.

Fig. 7 a, b shows a variant of the embodiment according to Fig. 6 a-c. A rotating disk 54 is movably mounted in a circular frame 53. One half of the rotating disk 54 is provided with a large window opening 55. The other half has a number of holes 56. A handle 57 (recess) makes it easier to grasp the rotating disk 54 when rotating. In the position shown in Fig. 7 a, the rotating disk 54 covers most of the LCD display 58. In the present example, only the top line is visible. The window opening 55 exposes not only the top LCD display line but also the earpiece 59.

In the position shown in Fig. 7 b, the window opening 55 exposes the entire LCD display 58. The holes 56 allow sound to escape from the earpiece 59. The rotating disk 54, which acts as a cover, can also be preferably locked into the positions different by 180° as shown in Fig. 7 a and b.

Fig. 8 shows a possibility of attaching a battery or accumulator pack or, more generally, a power supply part 43 to the back of a housing front part 42. In the present example, the power supply part 43 has the same dimensions as the housing front part 42. It is clamped to the housing front part 42 with two screw caps 45.1, 45.2. A circumferential seam 44 is formed between the housing front part 42 and the power supply part 43, which is waterproof according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. This is achieved, for example, by a circumferential rubber

sealing ring, which is clamped between the two mentioned parts using the screw caps 45.1, 45.2.

By turning the screw caps 45. 1, 45. 2 (knurled screws) by e.g. 90°, the power supply part 43 is clamped onto the back of the front part of the housing 42. By using two knurled screws, a uniform, flat pressure on the seal can be achieved. A lever 46 is shown as an indication, which can be provided for operating the screw or bayonet cap 45.1 as required. A clip 47 is also shown, which is used to hang the handheld radio telephone on a belt, for example. In the variant shown in Fig. 6, an airtight gap can be provided between the power supply part 43 and the front part of the housing 42, which is large enough for the handheld radio telephone to float on water. Another possibility is to attach an airbag to the outside (e.g. to an additional clip) to provide the necessary buoyancy.

1.5 In the context of the invention, particular attention is paid to the impact resistance of the device. If the handheld radio telephone falls to the ground or is subjected to a heavy impact for some other reason, it should not be damaged. According to a preferred embodiment, the circuit board is encapsulated in the housing. For this purpose, part of the interior of the housing can be filled with a hardening foam plastic so that the circuit board is firmly embedded. For example, the space between the back of the circuit board and the rear half of the housing can be completely filled with PU foam. In some circumstances, however, it is sufficient to embed the edge or just the corners of the circuit board in the foam plastic. In addition or alternatively, the circuit board can be screwed to the housing.

If the handheld radio telephone has a sliding or movable cover to protect the LCD display, a locking mechanism is preferably used to ensure that the cover does not open by itself in the event of an impact

can. To unlock the cover, a key or button can be provided on the long side of the housing, for example, which - depending on the positioning - can be operated with the thumb (or another finger). In a further development of the invention, the cover is held in the closed position by the lock against the force of a spring. If the unlocking key is pressed, the cover is brought into the open position by the spring force mentioned.

A safety lock is also recommended for the replaceable battery pack.

The LCD display is protected against dangerous shocks by being mounted in foam rubber.

Another measure to reduce the risk of damage to the housing is to round off corners and edges. If the housing is made of plastic shells, an impact-absorbing coating (e.g. made of neoprene or similar) can be applied to the outside. It is also obvious that the use of break-proof materials is an advantage. The window of the LCD display is preferably made of a scratch-resistant material or has a scratch-resistant coating.

To protect against water, dust, dirt, etc., all-round seals made of rubber or similar are provided at the points where the housing parts are joined together. The LCD window can be glued directly to the housing. The sound transducers (microphone, loudspeaker) can be covered with a semi-permeable membrane that repels water but lets sound waves through as much as possible. (Such a membrane can be made from the material that is commercially available under the brand name GoreTex, for example.) The keyboard is also sealed as a unit, for example by covering it with an elastic, waterproof film. A sensor keyboard can be used for the same purpose, i.e. a membrane keyboard cast in transparent plastic and thus sealed.

If the handheld radio telephone has a plug (e.g. for connecting to a car phone, an external battery, an external loudspeaker, an external microphone or similar), then this can be sealed with a screw or plug closure to make it water and dust-tight. It is also conceivable that a plug is protected behind a tightly sealable flap or cover. For example, the plug can be positioned so that it is only accessible when the sliding cover of the LCD display (or the keyboard) is open. In this sense, the plug can, for example, be attached at the height of the LCD display on the narrow side of the housing.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic of a locking mechanism suitable for the embodiment according to Fig. 1, for example. The housing wall in the area of the long narrow side of the handheld radio telephone is designated with the reference number 60. An unlocking button 61 is embedded in it. It sits, for example, on a lever 62 housed in the housing, which can be pivoted about a pivot point 63 in such a way that a locking hook 64 (which in the rest position engages in a recess 65 in the cover 6) is pulled out of the recess 65 when the unlocking button 61 is pressed (see arrow). An element 66 is formed on the cover, to which a spring 68 engages. The latter is hooked into an anchoring point 67 on the inside of the housing. When the unlocking button 61 is pressed, the cover 6 is opened by the tensioned spring 68.

To ensure that the locking hook 64 cannot jump out of the recess 65 in the event of an impact, an additional locking mechanism can be provided which blocks the lever 62. The locking mechanism is actuated with a separate button. To open the cover 6, two buttons must then be actuated simultaneously.

Fig. 9 shows only one of many possibilities to implement a locking and opening mechanism. . .

Some advantageous options are given below.

So that the handheld radio telephone can also be used in noisy environments, a directional microphone with low-noise technology is used as a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is formed by a relatively large and powerful loudspeaker or an external electroacoustic converter (e.g. earphone) that can be connected (via a socket).

If an acoustic call indicator is not desired, it can be switched off in favor of a vibrator or a flashing light signal generator.

Furthermore, it may be important for certain users (skiers, night watchmen, heart attack patients, forest rangers, mountain climbers, etc.) that the device sends out an automatic emergency call if no button on the device has been pressed for a long time. Accordingly, a circuit can be provided that forwards an emergency call that is received. A special switch (or a special key combination) that generates an SOS call is also conceivable.

The handheld radio telephone can be designed for operation with a telephone or identity card. In a variant of the handheld radio telephone (mobile phone or handset) not shown for such operation with magnetic cards, the handheld radio telephone (mobile phone or handset) has a slot that runs parallel to a narrow long side of the telephone housing. The slot is at least as long as a standard magnetic card and is open at one or both ends, i.e. it extends from one end of the telephone housing over a part of the telephone housing length that corresponds at least to the standard magnetic card length or from one end of the telephone housing to the other. In the former case, a stop for the narrow side of the card is provided at the closed end of the slot.

Near the open slot end or one of the two open slot ends, (at least) one magnetic head is arranged for reading the magnetic stripe of the card. A guide for the edge of the magnetic card is provided in the slot base, whereby the

The slot depth is such that the card's magnetic stripe extends far enough inside the slot for reading. To read the card, the long edge of the card, on which the magnetic stripe is located, is inserted into the slot through the open slot end or one of the two open slot ends and pushed until it stops or to the other end, whereby the magnetic stripe is read using the magnetic head.

To prevent dust, splash water, etc. from entering the slot, a rubber lip or a brush border is attached along the slot. When the card is inserted, these flexible elements simply bend to the side and do not represent an obstacle. A particularly robust solution is to arrange the card reader behind a flap or drawer that can be closed watertight. To make a call with the card, the flap or drawer is opened and the card inserted. If the handheld radio telephone is large enough, the design of the flap or drawer can be designed in such a way that the flap or drawer can be locked watertight again with the card inserted. With particularly small devices, however, it is advantageous if the card does not have to be inserted completely. This means that when making a call with the card, the flap or drawer remains open. (As a rule, the risk of dirt and damage is lowest during the telephone call.)

The variant described is also advantageous for conventional handheld radio telephones that are not designed according to patent claim 1.

A support or holder can be provided for holding the handheld radio telephone, particularly in motor vehicles. The holder is preferably equipped with a tilting mechanism, which, after pressing a release button, automatically pivots from a locked rest position, in which the handheld radio telephone is lying horizontally, into an inclined position in which the handheld radio telephone can be easily grasped. The tilting mechanism is particularly advantageous when the handheld radio telephone is placed in a shaft-like

Claims (11)

A holder inserted into a car storage compartment from which the mobile phone is difficult to remove without a tilting mechanism due to the shaft walls. In a preferred embodiment, the holder is designed to hold both the handheld radio telephone and a pager. If the handheld radio telephone is removed, the pager remains in the holder and can execute various commands when a call is made. The pager is expediently equipped with a control device that processes commands for example for switching on the auxiliary heating of the motor vehicle, the air conditioning of the motor vehicle, checking or switching the car alarm system on or off, closing the windows and/or the sunroof, recording the caller's name or telephone number or short messages, etc. The pager can optionally only be called from the handheld radio telephone assigned to it or from any telephone. The described holder with the pager can be used for any other conventional handheld radio telephone instead of for the handheld radio telephone according to claim 1. -PateiTKmi sayings: 1. Handheld radio telephone with operating elements comprising a keypad (2; 24, 25) and display panel (3; 26) and a slide-like cover element (6; 22) for mechanically covering parts of the operating elements, which can be moved over the operating elements when the handheld radio telephone is not in use to protect parts (3; 25, 26) of the operating elements and can be moved away from them when the handheld radio telephone is in use, characterized in that the cover element (6; 22) can be closed watertight over the coverable parts (3; 25, 26). 2. Handheld radio telephone according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element (6; 22) can be secured in the closed position by a locking mechanism. 3. A handheld radio telephone according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover element is held in the closed position against the force of a tensioned opening mechanism, so that when the locking mechanism is unlocked, the cover element is automatically brought into the open position by the opening mechanism. 4. Handheld radio telephone according to claim 1, with a shell-like housing, in the interior of which a circuit board with electronic components is housed, characterized in that in order to increase the mechanical shock resistance, the circuit board is at least partially cast with the housing using a foam plastic. 5. Handheld radio telephone according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the circuit board is screwed to the housing. 6. Handheld radio telephone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover element (39) is designed as a blind and is displaceable around a housing curve (40). 7. Handheld radio telephone according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cover element (6; 22; 39) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the housing. 8. Handheld radio telephone according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover element (6; 22) carries an earpiece (5; 27). 9. Handheld radio telephone according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover element (22) is transparent at least in regions (29). 10. Handheld radio telephone according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cover element (22) is designed in the manner of a sleeve open on one side, which is equipped along an open end face with an elastic sealing element (18) and with tongue-like (16) or slot-like (17) guide elements. 11. A handheld radio telephone according to one of claims 1 to 10, with a power supply part (43) which is arranged on a housing (42) of the handheld radio telephone and which is connected via electrical contacts to a circuit part of the handheld radio telephone