MXPA96001878A

MXPA96001878A - Telephone radio that has a comprehensive and independent hinge

Info

Publication number: MXPA96001878A
Application number: MXPA/A/1996/001878A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Robert Wilcox Scott
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Priority date: 1995-05-18
Filing date: 1996-05-16
Publication date: 1997-08-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge comprising: a container having an outer surface, an open end, and at least one partially closed end, wherein the outer surface with at least one hole formed therein, a cam follower including a first end inside the container and a second end protruding through at least the partially closed end: a cam located in the container, the cam includes a first end in contact with the first end of the cam follower, the cam further includes a second end means for securing the cam in a rotating manner to the container, a spring located inside the container, the first end of the spring in contact with the second end of the cam, and a cover covering the open end and in contact with the second end. At the end of the spring, the cap includes at least one arm and is detachably fixed to the outer surface of the container by at least one arm that is held inwardly from the menu. a hole, securing the cam follower, cam, and the spring located in the container under compression force of resor

Description

RADIOTELEPHONE THAT HAS A COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEPENDENT HINGE Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of portable collapsible radiotelephones, and more particularly to apparatuses for enclosing the compartments of a portable folding radiotelephone.

Background of the Invention Portable cell phones are increasingly used to allow the user to communicate over the telephone via a wireless system virtually anywhere. The portable telephone transmits a low wattage radio frequency signal to a receiving station, which can be connected to conventional landline telephone systems.

Portable cellular radiotelephones having two compartments joined by some type of hinge that allows the compartments to be bent over one another are known in the art. Some known collapsible radiotelephones have most of the electronic components in a compartment, called a body. The other compartment, called the cover, usually contains fewer electronic components than the body. Other collapsible radiotelephones have all the electronic components in the body; therefore, the cover does not have electronic components.

Some portable cellular radiotelephones use, as seen in FIG. 7, a hinge mechanism having a spring 742 and hinge pins 736, 748 disposed on a tubular hinge arm 724 formed at each end of a cover 706, and bushings 760 formed in the body 712. The spring 742 is located between the hinge pins 736, 748 and constantly urges the hinge pins 736,748 from the cover 706 to the body 712. Examples of said known radiotelephones are described in the PCT Publication No. WO 93/18592, published on September 16. of 1993 and U.S. Patent No. 5,274,882, issued January 4, 1994. While suitable for some collapsible radiotelephones, said hinge mechanism is not suitable for all collapsible radiotelephones. Folding radiotelephones are relatively large and have sufficient volume and strong material to withstand the compressive forces directed away from the spring. In addition, due to their relatively broad compartments, the small hinge elements can easily be assembled in the radiotelephone compartments. The increasing miniaturization of collapsible radiotelephones, however, leads to more flexible compartments. As a result, their compartments may deform under spring forces exerted by known hinge mechanisms. Moreover, the smaller the compartments are, the more difficult it is to assemble the hinge elements in the smaller radiotelephone compartments.

It is necessary an apparatus that unites the compartments of miniaturized folding radiotelephones.

Brief Description of the Ficruras Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an open position radiotelephone configured in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of Fig. 1 in the closed position configured in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an assembled hinge configured in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the hinge apparatus of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the radiotelephone illustrated in Fig. 2, taken along its rotational axis.

Fig. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the radiotelephone illustrated in Fig. 1, taken along its rotary axis.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a known radiotelephone.

Fig. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another assembled hinge configured in accordance with the invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The following is a detailed description only illustrative and explanatory and not exhaustive of the claimed invention. The accompanying figures illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the exemplifying embodiment of a portable folding radiotelephone 100 of this invention is shown. The portable radiotelephone 100 basically has two easily visible portions, a body 101 and a cover 103. The drawing of Fig. 1 shows the cover 103 in the "open" position so that the user of the radiotelephone 100 can hear through the handset 105 and speak into the microphone 107. The drawing of Fig. 2 shows the cover 103 in the "closed" position. The body 101 includes a keyboard 109 having a plurality of numbered buttons from one to zero, and *, in a familiar telephone arrangement. The keyboard 109 also has additional buttons such as power, function,. send and other buttons related to the repetition of the call to the telephone number. The body 101 also has an antenna 201 that allows wireless communication between the radiotelephone 100 and the base station (not shown) of the cellular radiotelephone system. The body 1O1 includes a hole 111 that allows the radiotelephone to be connected to the peripheral components, for example a battery charger and external antenna, keyboard, speaker or microphone.

As described herein, and with reference to Fig. 3, a hinge 301 joins the cover 103 with the body 101. The hinge 301, which is described in detail below, is fully assembled in the perspective view of Fig. 3 and in the perspective exploded view of Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, a cross-sectional view of the radiotelephone. 100 closed, taken along a rotary axis, the assembled hinge 301 is disposed in a cavity 307 of the cover 103 and a cavity 503 of the body 301. The hinge 301 disposed on one side of the cover 103 holds the cover 103 in the open and closed position. A crank shaft 505 is disposed on the opposite side of the cover 103, in a cavity 507 of the cover 103 and in a cavity 509 of the body 101.

The design of the hinge 301 allows the cover 103 to be held against the keyboard 109 in the closed position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and at an obtuse angle (e.g., 0 equals 148 °) in the open position, as shown in Fig. 1 and 6. In addition, the design allows dead travel of the cover 103 (eg, 0 equals 176 °). Reference is made to PCT Publication No. WO 93/18592 for a more detailed understanding of the prior art technique for driving the cover 103 to or from the open and closed positions during rotation of the cover 103 and to drive the cover 103 to remain in the open or closed position.

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of this invention is that the hinge 301 does not exert axial forces on the body 101 and the cover 103. This is achieved, as shown in Fig. 3, by partially locating the drive mechanism (described below). ) in a container 303 and attaching a cover 305 to the container 303 to secure the drive mechanism. Accordingly, the hinge 301 is a closed structure in itself that contains the axially oriented spring forces.

Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of this invention is that the elements constituting the hinge 301 can be assembled independently from the radio telephone partner. Once the hinge assembly 301 is made, the assembled hinge 301 - instead of the individual components - is manipulated by the assemblers while the hinge 301 is placed in the radiotelephone compartment.

The details of the invention are described below. The structure and assembly of the hinge 301, the cover 103 and the body 101 of the preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described.

As shown in Fig. 4, hinge 301 includes a container 303 composed of plastic material. The container 303 is generally cylinder-shaped, hollow, closed at one end and open at the other end.

The container 303 includes a latch 321 formed on an outer surface 463 of the container 303. The latch 321 is rectilinear and begins at the open end and extends approximately up to half the height of the container 303. The latch 321 has a flat surface 425 which approximately intersects surface 463 and has flat surfaces 427, 431, 433 extending from the sides of the flat surface 427 to reach the surface 463. As shown in Fig. 3, the latch 321 is used to align the hinge 301 with respect to the cover 103 when it is inserted. in the cavity 307, which is shaped to receive the container 303, and rotatably fix the container 303 to the cover 103. Therefore, when the cover 103 rotates, the container 303 rotates together with it.

On the surface 463, slots 423 are formed which are generally rectangular. The slots 423 start at the open end and extend approximately up to half the height of the container 303. They are located diametrically opposite each other at 90 ° and 180 ° from a line that would be formed if the flat surface 425 intersected the surface 463 Approximately in the middle of each slot 423, an orifice 435 is formed extending from the surface 463 to an interior surface 465 of the container 303.

On the surface 465, guides 437 are formed which are generally rectangular. They start at the open end and extend approximately to the total height of the container 303. They are located diametrically opposite each other at 20 ° and 200 ° from a line that would be formed if the flat surface 425 intersected the surface 463.

The hinge 301 also includes the drive to urge the cover 103 to or from the closed and open positions during rotation of the cover 103 and to urge the cover 103 to remain in the open or closed position. The drive comprises a spring 405, a cam 404 and a cam follower 403 shown in Fig. 4, which generates an axial force and translates an axial force into a rotational force to urge the tire to remain in the open or closed positions. , and also pushes the cover to or from the open and closed positions during the rotation of the cover.

The spring 405 is composed of metal and has a spiral shape, with an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the container 303. As shown in Fig. 5, the spring 405 is located in the container 303. The spring 405 rotates and slides axially in the container 303. Further, the spring 405 has one end in rotatable contact with the inner surface of the closed end of the container 303, and the other end in rotatable contact with one end of the cam 404. The inner diameter, the length and the spring constant of the spring 405 they maintain adequate axially compressive forces exerted on the cam 404.

The cam 404 is composed of metal and is generally cylinder-shaped and hollow. The outer diameter of the cam 404 is smaller than the inner diameter of the container 303; therefore, the cam 404 can slide axially into the container 303. One of the ends is a flat circular surface 439 in rotational contact with the spring 404. The other end is profiled in shape 419 and is in rotatable contact with the follower. cam 403.

The cam 404 has rails 417 on its outer surface 467. The elements 417 are generally rectangular and are located diametrically opposite each other. They begin at the edge of the surface 439 and extend a predetermined distance from the surface of the profile 419. The rails 417 are in axially slidable contact with guides 437, thus guiding the axial movement of the cam 404 within the container 303. The rails 417 and the guides 437 of the container 303 can also align the cam 404 with the container 303 and rotatably fix the cam 404 with the container 303. Therefore, when the container 303 rotates, the cam 404 rotates therewith.

The cam follower 403 is composed of a single piece of solid metal. The cam follower 403 is composed of four different parts: a projection 415, a middle portion 443, a stirrup 445 and a head 413.

The middle portion 443 is generally disk-shaped, solid and smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the container 303. Accordingly, the middle portion 443 can slide axially in the container 303. The middle portion 443 has a flat circular surface 447 in the middle. one end and a flat circular surface 457 at the other end.

The abutment 445 is generally disk-shaped with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the middle portion 443. One end of the abutment 445 is concentric and contiguous with the surface 447. The other end has a semicircular surface 449 contiguous with the head 413.

The head 413 generally has a cylindrical shape of diameter equal to the diameter of the abutment 445, with the cylinder half cut to form a flat surface 461 perpendicular to the surface 449. A flat semicircular end of the head 413 is contiguous with the surface 449 and the circumferences of the head 413 and the abutment 445 are aligned. The other end of the head 413 has a gradually decreasing surface 451 extending from the cylindrical surface of the head 413 to the flat similircular surface 449 of the end of the head 413.

As shown in Fig. 5, the gradually decreasing surface 451 helps align the hinge 301 in the cavity 503 of the body 101, which has a shape adapted to receive the head 413. In addition, the flat inner wall 511 of the cavity 503 and the flat surface 461 act as locking elements to rotatably fix the cam follower 403 to the body 101.

The projection 415 generally has a rectangular shape. It is located contiguous and perpendicular to the surface 457, and extends and is aligned with the diameter of the middle portion 443. The projection 415 is oriented such that a flat surface 469 of the projection 415 is parallel to the surface 461. The projection 415 has a free end 441 that is progressively reduced to a rounded edge.

As shown in Fig. 5, the projection 415 and the middle portion 443 are located in the container 303. The interior surface 465 of the container 303 is in rotatable and deltatable contact with the edges of the projection 415 and the semicircular surface of the projection. middle portion 443. In addition the end 441 of the projection 415 is in slidable contact with the profile 419 of the cam 404.

Therefore, when the cover 103 rotates, the container 303 and the cam 404 rotate with the cover 103 and the profile 419 rotatably slides on the free end 441, which is axially fixed as described below. Further, when the cover 103 rotates, the cam 404 moves axially in the container 303, under the compressive force of the spring 405, according to the profile 419.

The hinge 301 finally includes a cover 305 composed of a single piece of metal shown in Fig. 4. The lid 305 has an upper part 453 and two arms 409.

The upper portion 453 is generally a flat ring with an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the stirrup 445 and outer diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the container '303. The upper part 453 has a flat ring-shaped surface 455.

The arms 409 are generally rectangular in shape. One end of each arm 409 is attached to the edge of the upper portion 453, and each arm is perpendicular to the surface 455. The arms 409 are disposed 180 ° with respect to each other in opposite positions. Barbs 411, which pierce outward the metal constituting the arms 409, are located near the other end of the arms 409.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, when the hinge 301 is assembled, the inside diameter of the upper part 453 is in rotatable and slidable contact with the circumference of the bracket 445, the arms 409 are located in the slots 423 of the container. 303, and the tines 411 are locked in holes 435. The tines and arms rotatably fix the top 453 to the container 303; consequently, the lid 305 rotates with the cover 103.

Significantly, the tines 411 locked in the holes 435 also axially secure the cover 305 to the container 303. Due to the interconnecting structure of the container 303 and the cover 305, the axially oriented force generated by the contracted spring 405 is caused by the container 303 and lid 305. As shown in Fig. 5, when lid 305 is located on container 303, lid 305 fixes cam follower 403, by surface 455 which places a force axially oriented on the surface 447 of abutment 445. Therefore. both, the cam follower 403 held by the cap 305 exerts a force contrary to the compressive force of the spring 405 exerted on the cam 404.

Configured in this way, the embodiment provides numerous advantages over the prior art. For example, the hinge 301 contains the compressive force of the spring 405 within its own structure, no axially oriented forces are exerted on the radiotelephone 100 compartment. Also, the hinge 301 is integral and independent, the small parts constituting the hinge 301 they can be assembled independently of the compartments and the assembled hinge is simply inserted into the cavities of the compartments. Therefore, the hinge 301 can be installed quickly with little chance of assembly error.

Those skilled in the art will recognize the various modifications and variations that may be introduced in the radiotelephone of this invention and in the construction of this radiotelephone without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, another hinge can replace the idler shaft 505, thus having two hinges for attaching the cover 103 to the body 101. Other types and configurations of drive mechanisms can be used to drive the cover. The elements of the hinge 301 may be of any suitable material, for example, plastic or metal. The shape of the locking elements can be in other suitable ways to align and fix the elements. The locations of the locking elements can be varied as long as the cooperation of the hinge elements produces the desired open and closed positions of the radiotelephone 100.

Furthermore, the hinge 301 of the radiotelephone 100 can be replaced by a hinge 801 shown in FIG. 8.

The hinge 801 comprises a container 803 having an open end and a partially closed end 811, a cover 805 attached to the open end, a drive mechanism including a cam follower 807 having one end located in the container 803 and another end in the contact with the partially closed end 811, a cam 809 located in the container 803, a cam 809 having one end in contact with the end of the cam follower, a cam 809 having another end and a spring 813 located in the container 803, one end of spring 813 in contact with another end of the cam and another end of spring 813 in contact with cap 805. Spring 813 generates an axial force. The cam follower 807 is rotatably fixed to the container 803 by the locking element formed by a flat surface 815 of the cam 807 and an opening 817 in the partially closed end 811. The lid 805 is rotatably fixed by tines 809 locked in holes 821 and arms 823 located in slots 825. Significantly, tines 819 that snap into holes 821 also axially secure lid 805 to container 803.

Claims

1. A hinge (301/801) for attaching a cover (103) and a body (101) of a radiotelephone (100) along an axis, the hinge characterized by: a container (303/803) / a drive (403, 404, 405) partially located in the container, where the drive generates an axial force and translates the axial force into a rotational force to urge the cover to remain in the open position and closed, - and a cap (305, 805) attached to the container and in contact with the drive, where the cap and the container contain the axial force within the hinge.

2. The hinge for attaching a cover and a body of a radiotelephone along an axis according to claim 1, wherein the drive also pushes the cover to or from open and closed positions during rotation of the cover.

3. The hinge for attaching a cover and a body of a radiotelephone along an axis according to claim 1, further comprising means (409, 411, 435, 819, 821, 823) for. join the lid with the container.

4. The hinge for attaching the cover and the body of a radiotelephone along an axis according to claim 1, wherein: the container (803) has an open end and a partially closed end, - the lid (805) is attached to the open end, - and the drive further includes: a cam follower (403) having an end located in the container and another end in contact with the partially closed end; a cam (404) located in the container, the cam has one end in contact with the end of the cam follower, the cam also has another end, - and a spring (405) located in the container, one end of the spring in contact with the other end of the cam, and another end of the spring in contact with the cap, the spring generates the axial force.

5. The hinge for attaching a cover and a body of a radiotelephone along an axis according to claim 1, wherein .- the container (303) has a closed end, and the driving mechanism includes: a cam follower (4t) 3 ) having an end located in the container, the cam follower is in contact with the cap / cam (404) located in the container, the cam has one end in contact with the end of the cam follower, the cam has also another end, - and a spring (405) located in the container, one end of the spring in contact with another end of the cam, and another end of the spring in contact with the closed end, the spring generates the axial force.

6. The hinge for attaching a cover and a body of a radiotelephone along an axis according to claim 5, wherein the lid axially fixes the cam follower.

7. The hinge for attaching a cover and a body of a radiotelephone along an axis according to claim 5, wherein the cam is rotatably fixed to the container, the hinge further comprising means (417, 437) for rotatably fixing the cam to the container.

8. A radiotelephone (100) comprising: a body (101), a cover (103), and a hinge (301, 801) coupled with the body and the cover, for joining the body and the cover along an axis, the hinge characterized by: a container (303, 803), - a drive mechanism (403, 404, 405) partially located in the container, where the drive generates an axial force and translates the axial force into a rotational force to drive the the cover to remain - in the open and closed positions, - and a cover (305, 805) attached to the container and in contact with the drive mechanism where the cap and container contain the axial force within the hinge.

9. The radiotelephone of claim 1, wherein the hinge is located at one end of the shaft, the radiotelephone also comprises a crank shaft (505) located at another end of the shaft, to also connect the body to the cover.

10. The radiotelephone of claim 8, wherein: the container (303) has a closed end; and the drive includes: a cam follower (403) having an end located in the container, the cam follower is in contact with the cover, -. a cam (404) located in the container, the cam has one end in contact with the end of the cam follower, the cam further has another end, - and a spring (405) located in the container, one end of the spring in contact with the other end of the cam, and another end of the spring in contact with the closed end, the spring generates the axial force. RADIOTELEPHONE THAT HAS A COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEPENDENT HINGE Summary of the Invention A radiotelephone (100) has a hinge (301) for attaching a body (101) and a cover (103) along an axis. The hinge (301) contains the axial force generated by a driving mechanism (403,404,405) by locating the driving mechanism (403,404,405) in a container (303) and attaching a cover (305) to the container (303).