Patent ID: 6151486
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An electronic device comprising:a housing;an appendage hinged to the housing and pivotable, relative to the housing, between a closed position and an open position, wherein the appendage is in overlying, adjacent relationship with at least a portion of the housing when in the closed position, and wherein the appendage is disposed at an angle, relative to the housing, when in the open position;a spring member that exerts a biasing force on the appendage to urge the appendage to the open position;a first magnetic object disposed within the housing;a second magnetic object disposed within the appendage so as to be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic object when the appendage is in the closed position;wherein the first and second magnetic objects are configured such that a magnetic attraction force therebetween is greater than the biasing force of the spring member such that the appendage is maintained in the closed position; anda magnetic field generator disposed adjacent to at least one of the first and second magnetic objects, wherein the magnetic field generator is configured to reduce the magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic objects relative to the biasing force of the spring member such that the appendage is urged to the open position by the spring member.