GB2347577A

GB2347577A - Telephone handset with pivotable portion

Info

Publication number: GB2347577A
Application number: GB9904778A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Leech; Edward Peter Morton
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 1999-03-02
Filing date: 1999-03-02
Publication date: 2000-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-02
Also published as: GB2347577B; GB9904778D0

Abstract

A telephone handset (1) comprising a body portion (2) and a pivotable portion (4) having a mouthpiece (18) or earpiece (5), the pivotable portion (4) being connected to the body portion (2) by a parallelogram linkage. The linkage comprising a pair of first parallel links (6, 8) and a pair of second parallel links (10, 12). The first parallel links (6, 8) are longer than the second parallel link (10, 12), so that, as the pivotable portion (4) is pivoted from a first position in which it covers a keypad (22) of the telephone handset (1) into an open position, the pivotable portion is tilted relative to the front face (14) of the body portion (2) so that its orientation relative to an ear of a user of the telephone handset (1) is optimised.

Description

TELEPHONE HANDSET WITH PIVOTABLE PORTION This invention relates to a telephone handset with a pivotable portion, and particularly although not exclusively relates to a mobile phone having a pivotable keypad cover containing an earpiece.

BACKGROUND It is known to arrange the earpiece of a telephone handset such that it can be pivoted from a position in which it lies flat against the body of the handset to an open position in which it is spaced away from the body of the handset. This construction provides a handset which is compact when closed and which can be opened out such that, in use, the earpiece is positioned close to the ear of a user, whilst the body of the telephone is spaced away from the user's head.

Furthermore, the orientation of the phone is such in the open position, that the mouthpiece of the telephone is better positioned in front of a mouth of the user, whilst the earpiece is located directly adjacent the ear of the user. However, in this known arrangement, the earpiece is fitted to a panel which in the open position is disposed in a plane parallel to the front face of the telephone handset. Thus, in use of the telephone, a compromise must be struck between the orientation of the mouthpiece relative to the mouth of the user and the orientation of the earpiece relative to the ear of the user. The present invention addresses the above-described problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a telephone handset comprising a body portion and a pivotable portion having a mouthpiece or earpiece, the pivotable portion being pivotally connected to the body portion by a parallelogram linkage, the linkage comprising a pair of first parallel links and a pair of second parallel links, the first parallel links being longer than the second parallel link.

Preferably, the pivotable portion is pivotable from a closed position, in which it covers at least a part of the body portion, to an open position in which the pivotable portion is spaced from the body portion.

Preferably, in the closed position the pivotable portion covers a keypad of the telephone handset to prevent inadvertent operation of the keys of the keypad.

Preferably, means are provided for biasing the pivotable portion into the open position. The biasing means may comprise resilient means such as a spring acting between one of the first and/or second links and the body portion. Preferably at least two links are provided with respective springs.

Preferably the pivotable portion is held in the closed position by means of a latch. Preferably, movement of the pivotable portion between the closed and the open position provides a switching function for electrical circuitry of the telephone handset. For example, movement of the pivotable portion from the closed to the open position may operate a push button which switches the telephone on and the reverse movement may switch the telephone phone off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a telephone handset with a pivotable portion in the open position; Figure 2 shows a telephone handset with a pivotable portion in the closed position; Figure 3A is a diagrammatic representation of a conventional telephone handset in use; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a telephone handset, in accordance with the present invention, in use; and Figure 5 is an exploded view of a side of the housing of the telephone handset of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a compact mobile telephone handset 1 in accordance with the present invention, comprising a body portion 2 and a pivotable cover portion 4 which carries an earpiece 5 and is pivotably connected to the body portion 2 by means of a parallelogram linkage having a pair of short links 6,8, and a pair of long links 10, 12.

A front face 14 of the body portion 2 is provided with a screen display 16 towards one end, a mouthpiece 18 towards the other end, and a recess 20 situated between the screen display 16 and the mouthpiece 18. A keypad 22 is formed in the recess 20.

Each link 6,8,10,12 is pivotably connected at one end to the body portion 2 and at the other end to the cover portion 4, such that the cover portion 4 can be pivoted from an open position, illustrated in Figure 1 (in which the cover portion 4 is disposed above the screen display 16) to a closed position illustrated in Figure 2 (in which the cover portion 4 is disposed over the recess 20 and protects the keypad 22 of the telephone handset 1).

In the closed position, the earpiece 5 is located adjacent the mouthpiece 18 of the telephone handset 1.

It will be appreciated that in this closed position the distance between the earpiece 5 and the mouthpiece 18 is insufficient for comfortable use and there could even be interference between the mouthpiece 18 and the earpiece 5. However, in the open position, the earpiece 5 is spaced a suitable distance from the mouthpiece 18 and, as the links 6,8 are shorter than the links 10,12, the pivotable portion 4 is tilted relative to the body portion 2. Thus, rather than assuming the conventional orientation illustrated in Figure 3, the telephone handset assumes the improved configuration illustrated in Figure 4 in which the earpiece 5 is correctly aligned with an ear of the user, whilst the mouthpiece 18 is correctly aligned with the mouth of the user. Thus, a telephone handset 1 in accordance with the present invention is particularly comfortable and easy to use.

Figure 5 shows the detailed construction of a side of the body portion 2. More specifically, the body portion 2 comprises a hollow plastics housing 21 into which are moulded metal inserts 23. Adjacent each metal insert 23 is a spring retaining recess 25 which is moulded into a side wall 26 of the body portion 2.

A similar recess 25 is moulded into an end of the link 8, adjacent a bore 27 which is formed through the link 8 and accommodates a pivot pin in the form of a countersunk screw 28.

The link 8 is assembled to the body portion 2 by inserting the screw 28 into the bore 27 and through a split washer 30, and then tightening the screw 28 into a female thread formed in the metal insert 23. A coil spring 30 is received in an opening 32 formed in the link 8, such that the screw 28 passes through the centre of the coil spring and holds it in position.

The free ends 34,36 of the coil spring 30 are received in the respective spring retainer recesses 25 formed in the link 8 and the body portion 2. The orientation of each free end 34,36 of the spring 30 is such that when the link 8 is in the raised position the spring 30 is relaxed or only slightly tensioned and when the link 8 is lowered towards the body portion, the spring 30 is wound up and hence becomes more highly tensioned.

Thus, the link 8 and hence the pivotable portion 4 to which it is fixed is biased by the spring 30 into the raised position.

It will be appreciated that it is necessary to make an electrical connection between the earpiece 5 and the electronic circuitry contained within the body portion 2. This may be achieved by using one or more of the links 6,8,10,12 as an electrical conductor.

Most advantageously, one of the links 6,8,10,12 comprises a positive connection to the earpiece 5 and another of the links 6,8,10,12 provides a negative connection to the earpiece. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, an electrical connection, such as a simple solder joint, is made between the circuitry contained within the body portion 2 and the metal insert 23. The link 8 is made of metal, as is the split washer 38 so an electrical connection is made between the electrical circuitry contained within the body portion 2 and the link 8 when the screw 28 is tightened. A similar electrical connection is made at the opposite end of the link 8 to connect the electrical circuitry contained within the earpiece 5 to the link 8.

In certain circumstances, it may be desirable to electrically insulate the links 6,8,10,12 to prevent earthing of the electrical current carried by the links 6,8,10,12 if they are touched by the hand of a user of the telephone handset 1. For example, the links 6, 8,10,12 may be plastic coated or painted with electrically non-conductive paint.

Although only the link 8 is illustrated in Figure 5, it will be appreciated that the other links 6,10, 12 are connected to the body portion 2 in the same manner, although not all of the links need to be provided with coil springs 30 to ensure a reliable opening action. Preferably, at least one other of the links 6,10,12 will also be electrically connected to the earpiece 5, in the same way as the link 8.

As the pivotable portion 4 is biased into the open position by the coil spring 30, it is desirable that the pivotable portion 4 can be fixed in the closed portion. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, this is achieved by means of a locking latch 40 which engages with a corresponding recess (not shown) formed within the pivotable portion 4. The locking latch 40 is connected to the side wall 26 of the body portion 2 adjacent a recess 42 formed in the side wall 26. The recess 42 makes the side wall 26 thinner and therefore somewhat flexible. Consequently, by applying pressure with a finger to the recess 42 the locking latch 40 can be deflected inwardly, thereby releasing the locking latch 40 from the pivotable portion 4 and allowing the pivotable portion 4 to open under the action of the coil spring (s) 30.

In a preferred embodiment, a mechanical push button switch is situated on the body portion 2 in a position such that it is covered by the pivotable cover portion 4 when the cover portion 4 is in the closed position. Most advantageously, the mechanical push button switch comprises a raised key on the keypad 22 which is depressed by the underside of the cover portion 4, when it is in the closed position. Thus when the cover portion 4 is closed electrical contact is broken and the phone is switched off. When the cover portion 4 is moved into the raised position, pressure on the push button switch is released, thereby making the circuit and switching on the telephone.

Although the specific embodiment describes a pivoting earpiece 5, the invention may equally be applied to a pivoting mouthpiece having pairs of links of unequal length.

Claims

1. A telephone handset comprising a body portion and a pivotable portion having a mouthpiece or earpiece, the pivotable portion being pivotably connected to the body portion by a parallelogram linkage, the linkage comprising a pair of first parallel links and a pair of second parallel links, the first parallel links being longer than the second parallel links.

2. A telephone handset as claimed in claim 1, in which the pivotable portion is pivotable from a closed position in which it covers at least a part of the body portion to an open position in which the pivotable portion is spaced from the body portion.

3. A telephone handset as claimed in claim 2, in which in the closed position the pivotable portion covers a keypad of the telephone handset.

4. A telephone handset as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which means are provided for biasing the pivotable portion into the open position.

5. A telephone handset as claimed in claim 4, in which the biasing means comprises a coil spring acting between one of the first and/or second links and the body portion.

6. A telephone handset as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the pivotable portion is held in the closed position by means of a latch.

7. A telephone handset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the first and/or second links comprises an electrical contact to the earpiece or mouthpiece.

8. A telephone handset as claimed in claim 7, in which the electrical contact to the link comprises a contact engaging an electrically conductive insert in the body portion to which the link is connected.

9. A telephone handset as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which movement of the pivotable portion between the closed and the open positions provides a switching function for electrical circuitry of the telephone handset.

10. A telephone handset as claimed in anyone of the preceding claim, in which the first parallel links are pivotably connected to the body portion at positions closer to an end of the body portion than the second parallel links.

11. A telephone handset substantially as described herewith with reference to and as shown in Figures 1,2 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A mobile telephone comprising a telephone handset as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.