WO2008078137A1

WO2008078137A1 - A sliding apparatus with a curvilinear guide

Info

Publication number: WO2008078137A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/004110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pekka Pankkonen
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2006-12-27
Filing date: 2006-12-27
Publication date: 2008-07-03

Abstract

An apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second housing having a second longitudinal axis; and a sliding mechanism arranged to allow the first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another.

Description

A SLIDING APPARATUS WITH A CURVILINEAR GUIDE

The invention relates to an apparatus for an electronic device and a method of operating an apparatus for an electronic device.

Background

A known slide phone includes a first housing which is slideably movable relative to a second housing. The slide phone includes a sliding mechanism which consists of rails extending between the first and second housings. The sliding motion is in a rectilinear fashion between a closed configuration and one or more open configurations.

The listing or discussion of a prior-published document in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.

Summary

According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second housing having a second longitudinal axis; and a sliding mechanism arranged to allow the first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another.

The sliding mechanism may comprise a guide protrusion on one of the housings and an arcuate channel for tihe guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus. The sliding mechanism may comprise a guide protrusion on one of the housings and a curved channel for the guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus.

The sliding mechanism may comprise a guide protrusion on one of the housings and a curvilinear channel for the guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus.

The sliding mechanism may comprise a guide protrusion on one of the housings and a curved channel for the guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus, and wherein the curved channel comprises a curved portion having a first curvature direction either side of which are respective curved portions having opposing curvature directions.

The guide protrusion may comprise a guide pin.

The sliding mechanism may comprise a hinge arranged to connect the first and second housings, the hinge having a hinge rotation axis, and wherein the sliding mechanism is arranged such that the hinge rotation axis can move in a curved path with respect to one of the housings and is stationary with respect to the other of the housings during eccentric sliding.

The sliding mechanism may comprise a hinge arranged to connect the first and second housings, the hinge having a hinge rotation axis, and wherein the sliding mechanism is arranged such that the hinge rotation axis can move in a semi- circular path with respect to one of the housings and is stationary with respect to the other of the housings during eccentric sliding. The sliding mechanism may comprise a hinge arranged to connect the first and second housings, the hinge having a hinge rotation axis, and wherein the sliding mechanism is arranged such that the hinge rotation axis can move in a full-circular path with respect to one of the housings and is stationary with respect to the other of the housings during eccentric sliding.

The housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis can move may comprise a curved recess the curvature of which acts to guide the movement of the hinge.

The housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis can move may comprise a circular recess.

The sliding mechanism may comprise a disc rotatably housed within the circular recess, the disc being fixedly attached to the hinge at an eccentric position on the disc such that, during eccentric sliding of the first and second housings, the disc is arranged to rotate eccentrically about the hinge rotation axis relative to the housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis is stationary and is arranged to rotate concentrically about its central axis and within the circular recess relative to the housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis can move.

The apparatus may comprise cabling connecting the first and second housings, the cabling being arranged to extend through the disc.

The disc may comprise a channel for guiding the cabling between the first and second housings during the eccentric sliding.

The cabling may extend into the disc through the hinge so as to be concentric with the hinge rotation axis, and wherein the cabling extends out of the disc through the channel.

The channel for guiding the cabling may be curved. The channel for guiding the cabling may. be semicircular.

The housings may comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes.

The housings may comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein one or more of the faces comprise a user interface.

The housings may comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein a face of one of the housings is revealed by eccentric sliding.

The housings may comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein a face of one of the housings is revealed by eccentric sliding, and wherein the revealed face comprises a user interface.

The housings may comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein the apparatus is arranged to move from a first configuration in which the face of one of the housings is at least partially hidden by the other housing, to a second configuration in which at least a portion of the hidden face is revealed by eccentric sliding of the housings with respect to one another.

The housings may comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein the apparatus is arranged to be eccentrically slid from a first configuration in which the face of one of the housings is at least partially hidden by the other housing, to a second configuration in which at least a portion of the hidden face is revealed, and wherein the longitudinal axes of the housings are moved away from one another in the second configuration compared to the first configuration. The housings may comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein the apparatus is arranged to be eccentrically slid from a first configuration, in which the face of one of the housings is at least partially hidden by the other housing, to a second configuration, in which at least a portion of the hidden face is revealed, to a third configuration, in which the hidden face is further revealed compared to the second configuration, and wherein the longitudinal axes of the housings are moved away from one another in the second configuration compared to the first configuration, and moved towards each other from the second configuration to the third configuration.

At least part of the portion of the hidden face revealed in the second configuration may comprise a first user interface, and wherein at least part of the portion of the hidden face revealed in the third configuration comprises a second user interface.

The sliding mechanism may comprise a hinge mechanism having a connecting part which is rotatably attached to the first housing for rotation about a first rotation axis and which is rotatably attached to the second housing for rotation about a second rotation axis, the first and second rotation axes being non-coaxial.

The apparatus may be for a handheld electronic apparatus.

The apparatus may be for a handheld radio telecommunications apparatus.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first means for housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second means for housing having a second longitudinal axis; and a means for providing sliding, wherein the means for providing sliding is arranged to allow the first and second means for housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the means for housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of operating an apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second housing having a second longitudinal axis; and a sliding mechanism arranged to allow the first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another; the method comprising moving the first housing relative to the second housing.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a module for an apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second housing having a second longitudinal axis; and wherein the module comprises a sliding mechanism arranged to allow the first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another.

The module may be a self-complete insert attachable to the apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program for an apparatus comprising a sliding mechanism arranged to allow apparatus first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another, the eccentric sliding revealing one or more user interface regions, and wherein the computer program is arranged to detect the position of the apparatus and activate an associated revealed user interface for use.

Any circuitry may include one or more processors, memories and bus lines. One or more of the circuitries described may share circuitry elements.

The present invention includes one or more aspects, embodiments or features in isolation or in various combinations whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or in isolation.

The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

A description is now given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Figure 1 shows an apparatus in a first configuration and including details of internal mechanisms;

Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in a second configuration; Figure 3 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in a third configuration; Figure 4 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in the first configuration and including details of user interfaces;

Figure 5 shows the apparatus of Figure 4 in the second configuration; Figure 6 shows the apparatus of Figure 4 in the third configuration; Figure 7 is a cross section of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a flowchart representing a method.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 to 7 show an apparatus 100 for an electronic device. The apparatus 100 comprises a first housing 102 having a first longitudinal axis 104 and a first lateral axis 105, a second housing 106 having a second longitudinal axis 108 and a second lateral axis 109, and a sliding mechanism 110 arranged to allow the first and second housings 102, 106 to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes 104, 108 of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes 104, 108 and the lateral axes 105, 109 remain substantially parallel to one another.

The sliding mechanism 110 comprises a guide protrusion 112 (which in one embodiment is a guide pin) on the second housing 106 and a curvilinear guide channel 114 for the guide protrusion 112 on the first housing 102. The guide channel 114 comprises a curved portion 116 having a first curvature direction either side of which are respective curved portions 118, 120 having opposing curvature directions (shown in Figure 1 only). The apparatus 100 is arranged such that the guide protrusion 112 rests- within the guide channel 114 and can move along the guide channel 114 to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus 100.

The sliding mechanism 110 comprises a hinge 122 arranged to connect the first and second housings 102, 106. The hinge 122 has a hinge rotation axis 124. The sliding mechanism 110 is arranged such that the hinge rotation axis 124 can move in. a semicircular path with respect to the first housing 102 and is stationary with respect to the second housing 106 during eccentric sliding.

The first housing 102 comprises a cylindrical recess 126 the curvature of which acts to guide the movement of the hinge 122.

The sliding mechanism 110 comprises a disc 128 rotatably housed within the cylindrical recess 126. The disc 128 is fixedly attached to the hinge 122 at an eccentric position on the disc 128 such that, during eccentric sliding of the first and second housings 102, 106, the disc 128 is arranged to rotate eccentrically about the hinge rotation axis 124 relative to the second housing 106, and is arranged to rotate concentrically about its central axis 130 and within the cylindrical recess 126 relative to the first housing 102. The apparatus 100 comprises cabling 132 connecting the first and second housings 102, 106. The cabling 132 is arranged to extend through the disc 128. The disc 128 comprises a semicircular cabling channel 134 for guiding the cabling 132 between the first and second housings 102, 106 during the eccentric sliding. The cabling 132 extends into the disc 128 through the hinge 122 so as to be concentric with the hinge rotation axis 124. The cabling 132 extends out of the disc 128 through the cabling channel 134.

In use, the apparatus can be moved between several different configurations, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 1 shows the apparatus 100 in a first or closed configuration, in which the first longitudinal axis 104 overlies the second longitudinal axis 108 and the first lateral axis 105 overlies the second lateral axis 109, such that the first housing 102 completely overlies the second housing 106. In this configuration, the cabling 132 is bent owing to the proximity of its point of attachment at the first housing 102 to the hinge 122, through which it extends from the second housing 106. As can be seen, the protrusion 112 is at the end of the guide channel 114 closest the disc 128. The interference of the protrusion 112 with the end of the guide channel 114 prevents the first housing 102 from being moved relative to the second housing 106 in the wrong direction.

Figure 2 shows the apparatus 100 in a second configuration, in which the first housing 102 has been eccentrically slid relative to the second housing 106 such that the longitudinal axes 104, 108 are moved away from one another and the lateral axes 105, 109 are also moved away from one another. As can be seen, the protrusion 112 has moved into the central region of the guide channel 114. The central region is further from the lateral edge of the second housing 106 than the ends of the guide channel 114. The shape of the guide channel 114 is such that the longitudinal axes 104, 108 of the first and second housings 102, 106 have remained parallel during the movement from the first to the second configuration. It can also be seen that the disc 128 has rotated about its central axis 130 within the cylindrical recess 126 compared to its position in the first configuration, and also that the disc 128 has rotated about the rotation axis 124 of the hinge 122. In the second configuration, the cabling 132 has straightened out compared to the first configuration, owing to the movement of its point of attachment at the first housing 102 away from the hinge 122. The cabling 132, which was at one end of the cabling channel 134 in the first configuration, has moved to the central region of the cabling channel 134 in the second configuration.

Figure 3 shows the apparatus 100 in a third configuration, in which the first housing 102 has been eccentrically slid yet further. The sliding mechanism 110 has caused the first longitudinal axis 104 to return to a position in which it overlies the second longitudinal axis 108, while the first lateral axis 105 is yet further separated from the second lateral axis 109 when compared to the second configuration. The protrusion 112 is now positioned at the opposite end of the guide channel 114 to its position in the first configuration. The interference of the protrusion 112 with the end of the guide channel 114 prevents continuing movement of the first housing 102 relative to the second housing 106. The cabling

132 is now fully extended so as to lie in a straight line passing from the hinge 122 to its point of attachment with the first housing 102. The cabling 132 extends through me cabling channel 134 at the opposite end to the end through which it extended in the first configuration.

With reference to Figures 4 to 6, user interfaces of the apparatus 100 will now be described. Figures 4 to 6 respectively show the first, second and third configurations of the apparatus 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3, in addition to details of the user interfaces.

Each of the housings 102, 106 comprises a respective uppermost face 136, 138 extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes 104, 108 and to their respective lateral axes 105, 109. The uppermost face 136 of the first housing 102 comprises a first user interface 140, which in one embodiment is a display.

The uppermost face 138 of the second housing 106 comprises a second user interface 142, which in one embodiment is a QWERTY keypad, and a third user interface 144, which in one embodiment is an alphanumeric keypad. The second user interface 142 extends along the face 138 adjacent an edge of the face 138 which lies parallel with the longitudinal axis 108 of the second housing 106. The third user interface 144 extends along the face adjacent an edge of the face 138 which lies parallel with the lateral axis 109 of the second housing 106. Both the second and third user interfaces 142, 144 are arranged such that eccentric sliding movement of the first housing 102 relative to the second housing 106 reveals some or all of the user interfaces 142, 144, as will be described.

In the first configuration shown in Figure 4, only the first user interface 140 of the first housing 102 is available: the second and third user interfaces 142, 144 of the second housing 106 are hidden by the first housing 102.

In. the second configuration shown in Figure 5, the first user interface 140 is still available, while the second user interface 142 has been fully revealed by eccentric sliding of the first housing 102 relative to the second housing 106. In the second configuration, the third user interface 144 is partially revealed.

In the third configuration shown in Figure 6, the first user interface 140 is still available, while the third user interface 144 has been fully revealed by eccentric sliding of the first housing 102 relative to the second housing 106. In the third configuration, the second user interface 142 is hidden.

Sensors (not shown) may be provided to detect the relative position of the first and second housings 102, 106 and determine which user interface 142, 144 is revealed/hidden. The respective user interfaces 142, 144 may be under the control of a computer program, and appropriate signalling input may be provided to the computer program to activate (power up and/or remove keypad lock, for example) a revealed user interface 142, 144.

Figure 7 is a cross section of the apparatus 100 including more detail of the sliding mechanism 110. The first housing 102 includes a plate 150 fixedly attached to the first housing 102. The cylindrical recess 126 and the guide channel 114 are defined in the plate 150.

Figure 7 shows the disc 128 in more detail. The disc 128 includes a cylindrical bearing part 152 of slightly smaller diameter than the cylindrical recess 126, and two endplates 154, 156 attached to either end of the bearing part 152 and of slightly larger diameter than the cylindrical recess 126. The endplates 154, 156 are arranged to sit on either side of the plate 150, with the bearing part 152 in the recess 126. In this way, the endplates restrain the disc 128 against substantial axial movement, while the bearing part 152 allows the disc 128 to rotate within the recess 126.

Figure 7 shows the hinge 122 fixedly attached to the second part 106 and to the disc 128 at an eccentric position on the disc 128. The hinge 122 provides for rotation between the second housing 106 and the disc 128.

Figure 7 shows the guide protrusion 112, in the form of a guide pin, engaging the guide channel 114. The proximal end of the protrusion 112 is attached to the second housing 106, while the distal end of the protrusion 112 includes an endplate 158 which prevents the protrusion 112 from escaping the guide channel 114.

In the interests of clarity, Figure 7 does not show the cabling 132.

The numeral 100 in the figures may also designate a handheld electronic apparatus incorporating the apparatus 100, and/or a handheld radio telecommunications apparatus incorporating the apparatus 100. Figure 8 is a flowchart representing a method. The method comprises the step (1000) of moving the first housing 102 relative to the second housing 106.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second housing having a second longitudinal axis; and a sliding mechanism arranged to allow the first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a guide protrusion on one of the housings and an arcuate channel for the guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus.

3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a guide protrusion on one of the housings and a curved channel for the guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a guide protrusion on one of the housings and a curvilinear channel for the guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a guide protrusion on one of the housings and a curved channel for the guide protrusion on the other of the housings, the apparatus arranged such that the guide protrusion rests within the channel and can move along the channel to provide the eccentric sliding of the apparatus, and wherein the curved channel comprises a curved portion having a first curvature direction either side of which are respective curved portions having opposing curvature directions.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the guide protrusion comprises a guide pin.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a hinge arranged to connect the first and second housings, the hinge having a hinge rotation axis, and wherein the sliding mechanism is arranged such that the hinge rotation axis can move in a curved path with respect to one of the housings and is stationary with respect to the other of the housings during eccentric sliding.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a hinge arranged to connect the first and second housings, the hinge having a hinge rotation axis, and wherein the sliding mechanism is arranged such that the hinge rotation axis can move in a semi-circular path with respect to one of the housings and is stationary with respect to the other of the housings during eccentric sliding.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a hinge arranged to connect the first and second housings, the hinge having a hinge rotation axis, and wherein the sliding mechanism is arranged such that the hinge rotation axis can move in a full-circular path with respect to one of the housings and is stationary with respect to the other of the housings during eccentric sliding.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis can move comprises a curved recess the curvature of which acts to guide the movement of the hinge.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis can move comprises a circular recess.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a disc rotatably housed within the circular recess, the disc being fixedly attached to the hinge at an eccentric position on the disc such that, during eccentric sliding of the first and second housings, the disc is arranged to rotate eccentrically about the hinge rotation axis relative to the housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis is stationary and is arranged to rotate concentrically about its central axis and within the circular recess relative to the housing with respect to which the hinge rotation axis can move.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 comprising cabling connecting the first and second housings, the cabling being arranged to extend through the disc.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the disc comprises a channel for guiding the cabling between the first and second housings during the eccentric sliding.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the cabling extends into the disc through the hinge so as to be concentric with the hinge rotation axis, and wherein the cabling extends out of the disc through the channel.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the channel for guiding the cabling is curved.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the channel for guiding the cabling is semicircular.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housings comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes.

19. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housings comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein one or more of the faces comprise a user interface.

20. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housings comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein a face of one of the housings is revealed by eccentric sliding.

21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housings comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein a face of one of the housings is revealed by eccentric sliding, and wherein the revealed face comprises a user interface.

22. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housings comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein the apparatus is arranged to move from a first configuration in which the face of one of the housings is at least partially hidden by the other housing, to a second configuration hi which at least a portion of the hidden face is revealed by eccentric sliding of the housings with respect to one another.

23. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housings comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein the apparatus is arranged to be eccentrically slid from a first configuration in which the face of one of the housings is at least partially hidden by the other housing, to a second configuration in which at least a portion of the hidden face is revealed, and wherein the longitudinal axes of the housings are moved away from one another in the second configuration compared to the first configuration.

24. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housings comprise a face extending along a plane parallel to their respective longitudinal axes and wherein the apparatus is arranged to be eccentrically slid from a first configuration, in which the face of one of the housings is at least partially hidden by the other housing, to a second configuration, in which at least a portion of the hidden face is revealed, to a third configuration, in which the hidden face is further revealed compared to the second configuration, and wherein the longitudinal axes of the housings are moved away from one another in the second configuration compared to the first configuration, and moved towards each other from the second configuration to the third configuration.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24 wherein at least part of the portion of the hidden face revealed in the second configuration comprises a first user interface, and wherein at least part of the portion of the hidden face revealed in the third configuration comprises a second user interface.

26. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a hinge mechanism having a connecting part which is rotatably attached to the first housing for rotation about a first rotation axis and which is rotatably attached to the second housing for rotation about a second rotation axis, the first and second rotation axes being non-coaxial.

27. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is for a handheld electronic apparatus.

28. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is for a handheld radio telecommunications apparatus.

29. An apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first means for housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second means for housing having a second longitudinal axis; and a means for providing sliding, wherein the means for providing sliding is arranged to allow the first and second means for housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the means for housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another.

30. A method of operating an apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second housing having a second longitudinal axis; and a sliding mechanism arranged to allow the first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another; the method comprising moving the first housing relative to the second housing.

31. A module for an apparatus for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing having a first longitudinal axis; a second housing having a second longitudinal axis; and wherein the module comprises a sliding mechanism arranged to allow the first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another.

32. A computer program for an apparatus comprising a sliding mechanism arranged to allow apparatus first and second housings to be eccentrically slid with respect to one another to move the longitudinal axes of the housings laterally away from and/or to each other whilst the longitudinal axes remain substantially parallel to one another, the eccentric sliding revealing one or more user interface regions, and wherein the computer program is arranged to detect the position of the apparatus and activate an associated revealed user interface for use.