Abstract:
A mobile phone is equipped with two casings coupled to each other by a two-axis hinge. When the casings are in the folded state, one casing can make a slight rotation around the hinge axis. The casings then come into contact with each other, resulting in a flaw on the casing surface. To prevent the casings from coming into contact with each other, buffer members are arranged on the casing surface. The buffer members are formed in the casing region in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge and in the casing region on the side opposite thereto.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal device, in particular, a device in which two casings are foldably connected to each other by means of a hinge.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Recently, many mobile phones have a structure in which two casings are connected to each other by a hinge. The two casings rotate around the hinge axis and are thereby folded. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mobile phone  100  has a first casing  104  and a second casing  102 , which are connected by a hinge  105 . The casings rotate around a hinge axis  105   a  to be thereby folded. The first casing  104  has a display portion  103 , and the second casing  102  has a key input portion  101 . In the region of the upper surface of the second casing  102  which is on the side opposite to the hinge  105 , there are provided two buffer members  106  formed of elastic material. Thus, when the mobile phone  100  is folded, the first and second casings do not directly collide with each other. Thus, it is possible to prevent the surfaces of the casings, in particular, the display portion  103 , from being damaged. JP 11-275191 A discloses the above construction.  
         [0005]     Apart from this, a mobile phone has come into widespread use in which the first and second casings are connected by a two-axis hinge. The two-axis hinge allows the two casings to make more diversified movements with respect to each other. JP 2003-330590 A discloses a mobile phone having a two-axis hinge. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a mobile phone  200  has a two-axis hinge  107  with a first axis  107   a  and a second axis  107   b . The hinge  107  connects the first casing  104  and the second casing  102  to each other. The first casing  104  rotates around the hinge axis  107   a , and can be folded. Further, the first casing  104  can rotate around the hinge axis  107   b . Thus, when the first casing  104  is folded, the display portion  103  can be situated on the outer side of the mobile phone, or conversely, on the inner side of the mobile phone. Also in the mobile phone with the two-axis hinge, the buffer members  106  effectively prevent the first and second casings from colliding with each other.  
         [0006]     However, the mobile phone with the two-axis hinge involves a problem as described below.  FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the mobile phone  200  in the folded state, showing the portion where the buffer members  106  are arranged. In this state, a force causing rotation of the first casing around the hinge axis  107   b  (in the direction as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 3 ) may be applied. In such a case, the buffer members  106  can prevent the first and second casings from coming into contact with each other.  FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the same mobile phone  200  in the folded state, showing the region in the vicinity of the hinge portion. No buffer members are arranged in this region. Thus, even a slight rotation of the first casing can result its collision with the second casing, thereby damaging the display portion  103 .  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention has been made with a view toward solving the above problem in the prior art. A mobile communication terminal device according to the present invention includes a first casing and a second casing. The terminal is equipped with a multi-axis hinge portion rotatably connecting the two casings, and buffer members adapted to be situated between the two casings when they are folded together. The buffer members are positioned in the region of the casing surface in the vicinity of the multi-axis hinge portion and in the region of the casing surface on the side opposite to the multi-axis hinge portion. In this terminal device, a clearance is secured between the casings when the two casings are folded together, so that there is no fear of the casings coming into contact with each other to damage the display portion, etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional mobile phone having a one-axis hinge;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a conventional mobile phone having a two-axis hinge;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a conventional mobile phone, showing the portion thereof where buffer members are arranged;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the conventional mobile phone, showing the portion thereof in the vicinity of the hinge;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example of a mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which two casings are opened;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the casings are folded;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the casings are folded with one casing upside down;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention in a state in which the two casings are opened; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of still another example of the mobile phone of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     In the following, a mobile phone will be described as an example of a mobile communication terminal device according to the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a two-axis hinge  6  couples a first casing  5  and a second casing  3  to each other. The first casing  5  has a display portion  4 . The second casing  3  has a key input portion  2 . Further, the second casing  3  has buffer members  7  and  8  in the regions in the vicinity of its four corner portions. The buffer members  7  are arranged in the region of the second casing  3  on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . The buffer members  8  are arranged in the region on the surface of the second casing  3  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6 . The first and second casings can rotate around a hinge axis  6   a  to be thereby folded. The first casing  5  can rotate around a hinge axis  6   b . Thus, the first and second casings can be folded such that the display portion  4  is situated on the inner side of the mobile phone as shown in  FIG. 6 , or can be folded such that the display portion  4  is situated on the outer side of the mobile phone as shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the mobile phone is folded, the four buffer members  7  and  8  arranged on the second casing secure a clearance between the first and second casings. In particular, in the mobile phone of the present invention, the buffer members  8  are arranged in the region in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge portion  6 . A torque around the hinge axis  6   b  may be applied to the first casing in the folded state. Even in such a case, due to the presence of the buffer members  8 , the region of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6  does not easily rotate. Thus, it is possible to prevent the casings from coming into contact with each other.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  show another example of a mobile phone, indicated generally by reference numeral  20 . Also in this example, the two-axis hinge  6  couples the first casing  5  and the second casing  3  to each other. In this example, the buffer members  7  are arranged in the region of the second casing  3  on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . Other buffer members  21 , however, are arranged in the region of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 9 , buffer members  22  are arranged in the region of the other surface of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6 . When the mobile phone  20  is folded, with the display portion  4  being situated on the inner side of the mobile phone  20 , the buffer members  7  and  21  prevent the two casings from coming into contact with each other. When the mobile phone  20  is folded, with the display portion  4  being situated on the outer side of the mobile phone  20 , the buffer members  7  and  22  prevent the two casings from coming into contact with each other. Due to the buffer members  21  and  22 , the region of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6  does not easily move the first and second casings. In particular, in the mobile phone of the present invention, the buffer members  8  are arranged in the region in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge portion  6 . A torque around the hinge axis  6   b  may be applied to the first casing in the folded state. Even in such a case, due to the presence of the buffer members  8 , the region of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6  does not easily rotate. Thus, it is possible to prevent the casings from coming into contact with each other.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  show another example of a mobile phone, indicated generally by reference numeral  20 . Also in this example, the two-axis hinge  6  couples the first casing  5  and the second casing  3  to each other. In this example, the buffer members  7  are arranged in the region of the second casing  3  on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . Other buffer members  21 , however, are arranged in the region of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 9 , buffer members  22  are arranged in the region of the other surface of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6 . When the mobile phone  20  is folded, with the display portion  4  being situated on the inner side of the mobile phone  20 , the buffer members  7  and  21  prevent the two casings from coming into contact with each other. When the mobile phone  20  is folded, with the display portion  4  being situated on the outer side of the mobile phone  20 , the buffer members  7  and  22  prevent the two casings from coming into contact with each other. Due to the buffer members  21  and  22 , the region of the first casing  5  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6  does not easily move or rotate.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  show still another example of a mobile phone, generally indicated by reference numeral  30 . In this example, the buffer members  8  are arranged in the region of the second casing  3  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6 . At the same time, buffer members  23  are arranged in the region of the first casing  5  on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , also on the surface of the first casing  5  reverse to the display portion  4 , buffer members  24  are arranged in the region thereof on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . In this example, the positions of the buffer members between the casings when the two casings are folded are the same as those in the example shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Also in this example, the casings are prevented from coming into contact with each other.  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  show still another example of a mobile phone, generally indicated by reference numeral  40 . In this example, all the buffer members are arranged on the first casing  5 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , buffer members  25  are arranged on the surface of the first casing  5  where the display portion  4  is arranged. The buffer members  25  are arranged in the region in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6  and in the region on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 13 , buffer members  26  are arranged on the surface reverse to the above-described surface. Like the buffer members  25 , the buffer members  26  are arranged in the region in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6  and in the region on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . In this example, the positions of the buffer members when the mobile phone is folded are the same as those in the above example. Also in this example, the two casings in the folded state are prevented from coming into contact with each other.  
         [0030]     In the above example, it is not absolutely necessary for the buffer members to be arranged symmetrically with respect to the hinge axis  6   b . As long as the buffer members can effectively prevent the two casings from coming into contact with each other, it is not necessary for the buffer members to be arranged symmetrically with respect to the hinge axis  6   b . In the region of the casing in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge and in the region on the side opposite thereto, three or more buffer members can be arranged, respectively.  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  shows still another example of a mobile phone, generally indicated by reference numeral  50 . A buffer member  27  is arranged in the region of the second casing  3  on the side opposite to the two-axis hinge  6 . The buffer member  27  is a single continuous member arranged so as to extend from a position in the vicinity of one end portion of the second casing  3  to a position in the vicinity of the other end portion thereof. Further, in the region of the second casing  3  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6 , a buffer member  28  is also arranged so as to extend from a position in the vicinity of one end portion of the casing to a position in the vicinity of the other end portion thereof. The buffer members  27  and  28  thus arranged can effectively prevent the two casings  3  and  5  from coming into contact with each other when they are folded. Further, the buffer members  27  and  28  prevent the casings from coming into contact with each other when a torque around the hinge axis  6   b  is applied.  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  shows still another example of a mobile phone, generally indicated by reference numeral  60 . Buffer members  29  and  30  are respectively arranged in the vicinity of the side surfaces of the second casing  3 . As in the above example, each of the buffer members  29  and  30  is a single continuous member arranged so as to extend from the region of the second casing  3  in the vicinity of the two-axis hinge  6  to the region on the side opposite thereto. The buffer members  29  and  30  thus arranged can effectively prevent the two casings  3  and  5  from coming into contact with each other when they are folded. Similarly, the buffer members  29  and  30  prevent the casings from coming into contact with each other when a torque around the hinge axis  6   b  is applied.  
         [0033]     All the buffer members shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  can be arranged on the first casing  5 . In this case, the buffer members are arranged on both sides of the first casing  5 . It is possible to arrange buffer members as those shown in  FIG. 14  on one surface of the first casing, and to arrange buffer members as those shown in  FIG. 15  on the other surface thereof. Of the buffer members  27  and  28  shown in  FIG. 14 , one may be arranged on the first casing, and the other may be arranged on the second casing. In this case, the buffer members arranged on the first casing are arranged on both sides of the first casing. Further, the buffer members can be arranged substantially in the entire region of the surface of the first or second casing in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof. Accordingly, the buffer member can have a ring-like or a rectangle-like configuration.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  shows still another example of a mobile phone, generally indicated by reference numeral  70 , which has a relatively small display portion  41  on the reverse surface (the surface on the side opposite to the surface where the large display portion  4  is arranged) of the first casing  5 . In the state in which the two casings are folded so that the display portion  4  is situated on the inner side, the display portion  41  can be utilized.  
         [0035]     Various decorations, such as various patterns, pictures, or relieves, can be formed on the buffer members. The buffer members may be formed of elastic resin or the like. Apart from a mobile phone, the present invention is also applicable to other mobile information terminal devices, such as a personal handy phone system or a personal digital assistant. As the hinge for coupling the two casings, it is possible to use a multi-axis hinge having three or more rotation axes.  
         [0036]     While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by the present invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to include all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.