WO2005125028A1

WO2005125028A1 - Pogo pin

Info

Publication number: WO2005125028A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000954
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong Chul Choo
Original assignee: Jong Chul Choo
Priority date: 2004-06-18
Filing date: 2005-03-31
Publication date: 2005-12-29
Also published as: KR200362198Y1

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a pogo pin that varies in length by an elastic force, comprising: more than one of first supporting pipes(l 1) being in tube shape with an empty inside, and whose first section is open while a second section thereof is closed; more than one of second supporting pipes(14) being in tube shape with an empty inside, and whose first section is open while a second section thereof is closed; plural springs(13,16) mounted inside the first supporting pipes(l l) and the second supporting pipes(14), respectively, and whose one section is supported by the closed second sections of each of the first supporting pipes and the second supporting pipes; more than one of first insertion bars(12) being in long bar shape, and whose first section is inserted/mounted into/on the open first section of each of the first supporting pipes(l 1), then being supported by the springs(13); more than one of second insertion bars(15) being in long bar shape, and whose first section is inserted/mounted into/on the open first section of each of the second supporting pipes(14), then being supported by the springs(lÌ); and a cover portion(17) surrounding outside circumferences of each of the first supporting pipes(l l) and the second supporting pipes(14), and fixing/supporting each of the first supporting pipes and the second supporting pipes; and wherein each of the first supporting pipes(l l) and the second supporting pipes(14) is adjacent to each other in turns, and the first section of the second supporting pipes(14) is disposed in a direction that the second section of the first supporting pipes(l l) is disposed.

Description

Description POGO PIN Technical Field

[1] The present invention generally relates to a pogo pin, and more specifically to a pogo pin for improving an elastic force and stably conducting a horizontal elastic motion by receiving a force in two ways through an external force, by comprising plural supporting pipes and plural insertion bars whose one section is inserted/mounted inside the supporting pipes and disposing each adjacent supporting pipe in opposite direction. Background Art

[2] Conventionally, various elastic members have been used for apparatuses or devices that require the elastic force.

[3] However, in prior art, different elastic members should be used for their various purposes since the elastic force is limited according to the types of the elastic members. In addition, when the elastic force gets larger, the prior elastic members should increase in size(length, width) as well, causing difficulty of selecting and using an elastic member in the same space or a narrow space requiring a high elastic force.

[4] Furthermore, as the elastic force gets higher, the prior elastic members may give a shock to a device since their motions are not smooth or stable during a contraction and a relaxation, resulting in damage to the device. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pogo pin which can stably and smoothly contract and relax with a higher elastic force while being variously transformed according to its various purposes. Technical Solution

[6] To accomplish the above object, a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention varies in length by an elastic force, comprising: more than one of first supporting pipes(l 1) being in tube shape with an empty inside, and whose first section is open while a second section thereof is closed; more than one of second supporting pipes(14) being in tube shape with an empty inside, and whose first section is open while a second section thereof is closed; plural springs(13,16) mounted inside the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14), respectively, and whose one section is supported by the closed second sections of each of the first supporting pipes and the second supporting pipes; more than one of first insertion bars(12) being in long bar shape, and whose first section is inserted/mounted into/on the open first section of each of the first supporting pipes(l 1). then being supported by the springs(13); more than one of second insertion bars(15) being in long bar shape, and whose first section is inserted/mounted into/on the open first section of each of the second supporting pipes(14), then being supported by the springs(lό); and a cover portion(17) surrounding outside circumferences of each of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14), and fixing/supporting each of the first supporting pipes and the second supporting pipes; and wherein each of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) is adjacent to each other in turns, and the first section of the second supporting pipes(14) is disposed in a direction that the second section of the first supporting pipes(l 1) is disposed.

[7] Desirably, the pogo pin further comprises a first cap portion(18) coupled while surrounding the exposed second section of each of the first insertion bars(12), and a second cap portion(19) coupled while surrounding the exposed second section of each of the second insertion bars(15). More desirably, the pogo pin comprises the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) by twos, respectively. Brief Description of the Drawings

[8] The invention, together with further aspects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[9]

[10] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention;

[11] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a first transformed example of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention;

[12] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a second transformed example of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention;

[ 13] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a third transformed example of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention;

[14] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a fourth transformed example of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention;

[15] Fig. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing one embodiment of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention; and

[16] Fig. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing another embodiment of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[17] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to exemplary preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[18] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 1(a) is a sectional view of the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention while Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view of the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b), configurations and operations of the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention will be described as follows.

[19] A pogo pin(lθ) in accordance with the present invention comprises first supporting pipes(l l) and second supporting pipes(14) where springs(13,16) are mounted inside, first insertion bars(12) and second insertion bars(15) moving in horizontal direction by being inserted/mounted into/on one open end of each supporting pipe, and a cover portion(17) surrounding outside circumferences of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14). and fixing/supporting the pipes.

[20] The first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) are in tube shape with pierced insides. and wherein first sections thereof are open while remaining second sections are closed. The first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) have the same configurations, and are mutually disposed in opposite direction. That is, second sections of the second supporting pipes(14) are disposed in a direction that first sections of the first supporting pipes( 11) are disposed. Also, the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) are alternatively disposed. Therefore, the supporting pipes disposed in opposite direction are adjacent to each other in turns, stably and uniformly configuring the pogo pin. The pogo pin(lθ) in accordance with the present invention comprises the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) by twos.

[21] Besides, the springs(13,16) are mounted inside the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14). respectively, and one end of each spring is supported by the closed second sections of the supporting pipes.

[22] The first insertion bars(12) and the second insertion bars(15) are inserted/mounted into/on the open first sections of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14), respectively, and wherein each insertion bar is at least smaller than each supporting pipe in diameter. Sections of each of the insertion bars(12,15) inserted into the open first sections of each of the supporting pipes(l 1,14) are supported by the springs(13,16), respectively. Thus, each insertion bar can perform a horizontal elastic motion along the supporting pipes, and an overall length of the pogo pin(lθ) is controlled in horizontal direction according to the motion of each insertion bar.

[23] Meanwhile, in order to prevent each of the insertion bars( 12, 15) from being separated from each of the supporting pipes(l 1,14), it is desirable to comprise hooking projections in one section of each insertion bar inserted into each supporting pipe while comprising hooking ends in the first section of each supporting pipe to hook the hooking projections, respectively. [24] The cover portion(17) is used for stably supporting the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14), surrounding the outside circumferences of each supporting pipe. Namely, it fixes the pipes by overall surrounding the outside circumferences of adjacent parts of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) disposed in opposite direction to each other, thereby preventing each of the supporting pipes(l 1,14) from shaking by movements of the insertion bars(12,15) or from being separated therefrom. Accordingly, an overall elastic motion of the pogo pin(lθ) can be stably maintained.

[25] Likewise, the pogo pin(lθ) in accordance with the present invention further comprises cap portions(18,19) mounted on the exposed remaining sections of each of the insertion bars(12,15). The cap portions(18,19) give external forces to the pogo pin(lθ), and simultaneously move the same direction of the insertion bars by fixing the adjacent insertion bars together. That is to say, the first cap portion(18) simultaneously holds sections of each of the first insertion bars(12) adjacent to each other, thereby equally moving the first insertion bars when a force is applied outside. Likewise, the second cap portion(19) simultaneously holds sections of each of the second insertion bars(15), thereby simultaneously and equally moving each of the second insertion bars by an external force.

[26] The operations of the pogo pin(lθ) in accordance with the present invention will be described below.

[27] First, when opposite forces, that is, faced forces are applied to the first cap portion(18) and the second cap portion(19) outside, each of the first insertion bars(12) and the second insertion bars(15) is inserted inside each supporting pipe along the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14). At this time, since an inserted end of each insertion bar is contacted with the springs(13,16) of each supporting pipe, the springs are compressed by a force that the insertion bars are inserted. So, the pogo pin(lθ) gets reduced in length.

[28] Then, when an external force is removed, each of the insertion bars(12,15) is pushed out by restoring forces of the springs(13,16), so that each insertion bar can be pushed out along the supporting pipes. Therefore, the pogo pin(lθ) is extended as much as its original length.

[29] In the meantime, since the hooking projections and the hooking ends are comprised in coupled parts of the insertion bars and the supporting pipes, respectively, it is possible to prevent the insertion bars from being separated from the supporting pipes.

[30] Fig. 2 through Fig. 5 are diagrams showing a transformed example of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a first transformed example(20) of the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention while Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a second transformed example(30) of the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention. Also, Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a third transformed example(40) of the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention while Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a fourth transformed example(50) of the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention. Like shown in Fig. 2 through Fig. 5, the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention can vary in the number of first supporting pipes(l l), first insertion bars(12), second supporting pipes(14), and second insertion bars(15).

[31] Specifically, the first transformed example(20) of the pogo pin illustrated in Fig. 2 consists of a first supporting pipe(l 1), a first insertion bar(12), a second supporting pipe(14), and a second insertion bar(15) by ones. The second transformed example(30) of the pogo pin illustrated in Fig. 3 consists of first supporting pipes(l 1) and first insertion bars(12) by twos while a second supporting pipe(4) and a second insertion bar(15) are comprised by ones. In case of the second transformed example(30) of the pogo pin, a symmetrical structure can be possible as well. Namely, it is available to comprise one first supporting pipe(l 1) and one insertion bar(12) while configuring second supporting pipes(14) and second insertion bars(15) by twos.

[32] Also, the third transformed example(40) of the pogo pin illustrated in Fig. 4 is composed of first supporting pipes(l 1) and first insertion bars(12) by threes while second supporting pipes(14) and second insertion bars(15) are disposed by twos. The fourth transformed example(50) of the pogo pin illustrated in Fig. 5 consists of first supporting pipes(l 1), first insertion bars(12), second supporting pipes(14), and second insertion bars(15) by threes, respectively. The third transformed example(40) of the pogo pin can also have a symmetrical structure with Fig. 4, that is, it consists of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the first insertion bars(12) by twos while the second supporting pipes(14) and the second insertion bars(15) are disposed by threes, respectively.

[33] Each transformed example of the pogo pin illustrated in Fig. 2 through Fig. 5 can freely control size of an elastic force of the pogo pin by variously transforming the number of the supporting pipes(l 1,14) and the insertion bars(12.15). In addition, it is possible to stably maintain an elastic motion of the pogo pin even though an elastic force is large. Thus, a proper type of the pogo pin can be applied according to various purposes of the pogo pin or a degree of necessary elastic forces.

[34] Each configuration unit of the transformed examples of the pogo pin illustrated in Fig. 2 through Fig. 5 is the same as that of the pogo pin(lθ) illustrated in Fig. 1 in terms of functions and configurations. So, detailed explanations on each configuration unit will be omitted.

[35] On the other hand, except the transformed examples of the pogo pin illustrated in Fig. 2 through Fig. 5, it is possible to variously transform the number and con- figurations of the supporting pipes(l 1,14) and the insertion bars(12,15).

[36] Fig. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing one embodiment of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention, applying the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention to a slide apparatus of a cellular phone. The cellular phone slide apparatus is installed between a telephone receiver unit and a telephone call unit of the sliding cellular phone, opening/closing the receiver unit by vertically moving it. Like shown in Fig. 6, the cellular phone slide apparatus consists of a lower slider(60) fixed to the call unit comprising a voice input unit where key buttons of the cellular phone are disposed, and an upper slider(70) fixed to the receiver unit comprising a voice output unit where an LCD screen is installed. Besides, rail shafts(62) are installed on both right/left sides of the lower slider(60), so that the upper slider(70) can smoothly move in vertical direction while being coupled with the lower slider.

[37] A pogo pin(lθ) in accordance with the present invention supports the movement of the upper slider by combining both sections of the cap portions(18,19) with the lower slider(60) and the upper slider(70). Also, fixing grooves(not shown) are comprised to combine both cap portions(18,19) of the pogo pin(lθ) with opposite sides of the lower slider(60) and the upper slider(70). In detail, the lower slider comprises a fixing groove on one side of an upper surface, while the upper slider comprises a fixing groove on one side of a side opposite to the side where the fixing groove of the lower slider is disposed, that is, a lower surface. And, it is desirable to form coupled parts of the fixing grooves and the cap portions in round shape such that the cap portions(18,19) of the pogo pin(lθ), which are coupled with the fixing grooves, can rotate according to the movement of the upper slider.

[38] Meanwhile, the pogo pin(lθ) is not influenced by an elastic force while the upper slider(70) is fully lowered down(slide cellular phone is closed) or the upper slider is fully raised up(slide cellular phone is open). In other words, positions of the fixing grooves of the upper slider and the lower slider are controlled, so that any external force cannot be applied to the springs of the pogo pin(hereinafter, called normal state) while the upper slider is raised up or lowered down. In detail, a distance between the fixing grooves of the upper slider and the lower slider should correspond to a normal length of the pogo pin(lθ) when the upper slider is raised up or lowered down.

[39] In reference to motions of the cellular phone slide apparatus, operations of the pogo pin(lθ) in accordance with the present invention will be described as follows.

[40] If a user raises up the receiver unit while the receiver unit is lowered down, that is, the sliding cellular phone is closed, the upper slider(70) rises up along the rail shafts(62) by being led by the receiving unit. On this occasion, the first cap portion(18) of the pogo pin(lθ), which is coupled with the fixing groove of the lower slider(60), rotates along the fixing groove, while the second cap portion(19) coupled with the fixing groove of the upper slider(70) rotates along the fixing groove as well, and rises up by being led by the upper slider. In case the upper slider(70) is lowered down, a state that the distance between the fixing grooves of the upper slider and the lower slider is farthest, that is, a distance identical with the normal length of the pogo pin can be obtained. On the contrary, as the upper slider is raised up, the distance between both fixing grooves gradually gets shorter. As a result, it causes an external force of pushing both cap portions(18,19) of the pogo pin(lθ), so that each of the insertion bars(12,15) can compress the springs(13,16) by being pushed inside the supporting pipes(l 1,14). Accordingly, when the user raises up a telephone receiver as much as elastic force of the springs, resistance is created, thereby preventing the upper slider(70) from being suddenly pushed up.

[41] The distance between the fixing grooves of the upper slider(70) and the lower slider(60) is shortest in a middle spot, that is, when both fixing grooves are located in the same horizontal line. At this time, the springs(13,16) are compressed to the maximum.

[42] However, when the upper slider(70) passes through the middle spot, both fixing grooves become more distant little by little, reducing the external force applied to both cap portions(18,19) of the pogo pin(lθ). Therefore, the insertion bars(12,15) inserted into the supporting pipes(l 1,14) are pushed out by restoring forces of the springs(13,16), thereby gradually extending the length of the pogo pin. Besides, if the upper slider(70) is pushed up to the middle spot, the length of the pogo pin is extended by the restoring forces of the springs(13.16), automatically pushing up the upper slider. As a result, the upper slider can be stably pushed up by the springs, preventing shock from being applied to the receiver unit.

[43] After the upper slider(70) is fully raised up, the insertion bars(12,15) cannot be separated from the supporting pipes(l 1,14) thanks to the hooking projections and the hooking ends of the pogo pin(lθ), so that the upper slider cannot be raised up any more, resulting in a prevention of an upper slider separation. Moreover, since the exposed state of the insertion bars(12,15) can be supported by the springs unless another external force is applied, it is possible to prevent the upper slider from being lowered down. Accordingly, an open state of the receiver unit can be stably maintained.

[44] In case the user lowers down the receiver unit to close the receiver unit, the second cap(19) is lowered down along the fixing groove owing to a vertical movement of the upper slider(70), while the insertion bars(12.15) are pushed inside the supporting pip es(l 1,14), gradually reducing the length of the pogo pin(lθ). That is, the springs(13,16) are compressed. On the other hand, when the upper slider(70) passes through the middle spot, the insertion bars(12,15) are pushed out by the restoring forces of the springs(13,16) while the upper slider is automatically lowered down since the pogo pin(lθ) is gradually extended. So, it is available to prevent any shock from being given to the upper slider, while preventing the upper slider from being separated down the lower slider due to the pogo pin.

[45] Fig. 6 illustrates one embodiment to which the pogo pin(lθ) in accordance with the present invention can be applied, and it is also available that the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention can be applied to an apparatus/device requiring an elastic member without special restrictions.

[46] Fig. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing another embodiment of a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention, applying the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention to another embodiment of a slide apparatus of a cellular phone that applies a U-shaped rail shaft. Specifically, Fig. 7(a) is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment that couples the U-shaped rail shaft(62) from a top portion of a lower slider(60), and Fig. 7(b) is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment that couples the rail shaft from a bottom portion of the lower slider. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the slide apparatus of the cellular phone applied with the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention will be described in reference to Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b), while explanations on certain parts overlapped with the contents previously described above will be omitted.

[47] The lower slider(60) in accordance with the present invention is in flat plate shape like shown above, and induces a vertical sliding of an upper slider(70) while the rail shaft(62) functioning as a rail where the upper slider slides down is mounted. At this point, the rail shaft(62) is mounted as surrounding both side sections of the lower slider, and it is desirable to configure the shaft in U shape. Meanwhile, like shown in Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b), the rail shaft(62) can be mounted in upper or lower direction of the lower slider(60).

[48] Like shown in Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b), since the rail shaft(62) in accordance with the present invention is in U shape, it is possible to insert both rails at a time with one operation while assembling them, thereby improving productivity. Namely, because the rail shaft(62) functioning as the rail is in U shape, both rails can be installed by inserting the one shaft only.

[49] Furthermore, both rails of the U-shaped rail shaft(62) are connected together, thereby being tolerable to an external force or transformations. Industrial Applicability

[50] Like mentioned so far, a pogo pin in accordance with the present invention can smoothly conduct a horizontal elastic motion by generating a force pushed in both directions through external forces opposite to each other, and furthermore, an elastic force for the same length of pogo pin can be remarkably improved. [51] Besides, the pogo pin in accordance with the present invention has the following benefits: [52] First, since it is farther pushed up in a space having narrow or the same width, an operational stroke can be extended; [53] Second, since supporting pipes disposed in opposite direction are disposed in turns, external forces applied in two ways can be uniformly given to springs, thereby stably maintaining contracting/relaxing motions of the pogo pin; [54] Third, since outside circumferences of the supporting pipes are stably supported by a cover portion, it is possible to prevent the supporting pipes from being separated or distorted during an elastic motion of the pogo pin; [55] Fourth, since the same direction of plural insertion bars can be held together by using cap portions of both sections, the same direction of the insertion bars can simultaneously and equally move; [56] Fifth, since an upper slider stably and smoothly moves in vertical direction while being applied to a cellular phone slide apparatus, it can prevent the upper slider from suddenly moving, thereby suppressing a shock of a cellular phone while preventing the upper slider from being separated from the lower slider; and [57] Finally, since it is available to freely transform the number of the supporting pipes and the insertion bars, the size of an elastic force can be freely controlled, being applicable to various apparatuses/devices where elastic members are used, without special restrictions. [58] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A pogo pin that varies in length by an elastic force, comprising: more than one of first supporting pipes( 11) being in tube shape with an empty inside, and whose first section is open while a second section thereof is closed; more than one of second supporting pipes(14) being in tube shape with an empty inside, and whose first section is open while a second section thereof is closed; plural springs(13,16) mounted inside the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14), respectively, and whose one section is supported by the closed second sections of each of the first supporting pipes and the second supporting pipes; more than one of first insertion bars(12) being in long bar shape, and whose first section is inserted/mounted into/on the open first section of each of the first supporting pipes(l 1), then being supported by the springs(13); more than one of second insertion bars(15) being in long bar shape, and whose first section is inserted/mounted into/on the open first section of each of the second supporting pipes(14), then being supported by the springs(16); and a cover portion(17) surrounding outside circumferences of each of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14), and fixing/supporting each of the first supporting pipes and the second supporting pipes; and wherein each of the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes(14) is adjacent to each other in turns, and the first section of the second supporting pipes(14) is disposed in a direction that the second section of the first supporting pipes(l 1) is disposed.

[2] The pogo pin of claim 1. wherein the pogo pin further comprises: a first cap portion(18) coupled while surrounding the exposed second section of each of the first insertion bars(12); and a second cap portion(19) coupled while surrounding the exposed second section of each of the second insertion bars(15).

[3] The pogo pin of claim 1, wherein the pogo pin comprises the first supporting pipes(l 1) and the second supporting pipes by twos, respectively.