Abstract:
A sliding swing apparatus for a mobile terminal is disclosed that provides a swing movement after a complete sliding movement. A sliding member is adapted to slide along the longitudinal direction and then to rotate. once sliding movement is fully extended. A sliding movement means enables the sliding member to slide, a swing member is adapted to rotate together with the sliding member. A third guide means guides the rotation of the swing member via a rotation means. A swing locking apparatus stops rotation, by bringing the swing member and the third guide means into contact and then allows for rotation.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to an application entitled “Sliding Swing Apparatus for Portable Apparatus” filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 17, 2004 and assigned Serial No. 2004-74544, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to digital portable apparatuses including cellular phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), HHPs (hand held phones), MP3 phones, game phones, camera phones, Internet phones, and communication apparatuses combining them, and more particularly to a sliding swing apparatus for a portable apparatus adapted to perform a sliding motion in combination with a swing motion so that displayed information can be watched conveniently.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In general, a “portable communication apparatus” refers to an electronic apparatus a user can carry to perform wireless communication. In consideration of portability, designs of such portable communication apparatuses have tended not only toward compactness, slimness, and lightness, but also toward multimedia availability to provide a wider variety of functions. In particular, future portable communication apparatuses are expected to incorporate greater multi-functionality and multi-purpose utilization, as well as greater compactness and lightness, but also will be modified to be suitable for various multimedia environments or Internet environments. Additionally, such portable communication apparatuses are now commonly used by people of all ages and all walks of life throughout the world and are recognized by some people as a nearly indispensable commodity which must be carried all the time.  
         [0006]     Conventional portable communication apparatuses may be classified into various categories according to their appearance, such as bar-type portable communication apparatuses, flip-type portable communication apparatuses, and folder-type portable communication apparatuses. In addition, portable communication apparatuses may be classified into neck wearable type communication apparatuses and wrist wearable type communication apparatuses according to the position at or the way in which a user puts on the communication apparatuses. Furthermore, portable communication apparatuses may be classified into swing-type communication apparatuses and sliding-type communication apparatuses according to ways of opening and closing the communication apparatuses. These variously classified portable communication apparatuses can be easily understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0007]     Meanwhile, conventional portable communication apparatuses now tend to have a function of transmitting data at a high speed in addition to the basic function of performing voice communication. In other words, because of the increase in demand by consumers, portable communication apparatuses now tend to provide a service using a wireless communication technology capable of transmitting data at a high speed.  
         [0008]     According to the current trends, conventional portable communication apparatuses are equipped with a camera lens to transmit video signals. Portable communication apparatuses generally have an external or embedded camera lens module to perform video communication with a desired partner or to take pictures of a desired object.  
         [0009]     However, conventional sliding-type portable communication apparatuses, such as those disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-71911 filed in the name of the present applicant (the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference), have a problem in that they are inconvenient to use because the housing is adapted to slide only in one direction from the main body and only one display device is fixedly mounted on the housing.  
         [0010]     As such, conventional portable communication apparatuses are inconvenient for watching videos or TVs through the display device. This is because such content requires a larger display screen. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable apparatus capable of performing a sliding motion in combination with a swing motion and a sliding swing apparatus for the same.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sliding swing apparatus having a sliding function in combination with a swing function for use in a sliding swing type portable apparatus.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a sliding swing apparatus adapted to easily implement a swing movement after a complete sliding movement.  
         [0013]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sliding swing apparatus which is compact.  
         [0014]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sliding swing locking apparatus capable of making a smooth sliding movement in a TV or video watching mode and a swing movement together with the sliding movement.  
         [0015]     In order to accomplish this object, there is provided a sliding swing apparatus of a portable apparatus having a main body and a sliding housing adapted to be opened and closed through sliding and swing motions while facing the main housing, and the sliding swing apparatus includes a sliding member adapted to slide along a longitudinal direction and to rotate; first and second guide means positioned on the sliding member to guide the sliding movement of the sliding member; a sliding movement means positioned between the sliding member and the guide means to enable the sliding member to slide from initial to final positions; a swing member adapted to be coupled to the sliding member by the guide means for a sliding movement and to rotate together with the sliding member only after the sliding movement is over; a third guide means coupled to the swing member to guide the rotation of the sliding member and the swing member; a rotation means positioned on the third guide means to enable the swing member to rotate; and a swing locking apparatus adapted to cause the swing member and the third guide means to engage each other and stop rotating, during a linear sliding movement together with the sliding member, and to cause the swing member to disengage from the third guide means to be able to rotate, when the sliding movement is over or fully extended.  
         [0016]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding swing apparatus of a portable apparatus having a main body and a sliding housing adapted to be opened and closed through sliding and swinging motions while facing the main housing, and the sliding swing apparatus includes a sliding member adapted to slide along the longitudinal direction and to rotate; a guide means for guiding the sliding movement and rotation of the sliding member; a sliding movement means positioned between the sliding member and the guide means to enable the sliding member to slide from initial to final positions; a swing member adapted to be coupled to the sliding member by the guide means for a linear sliding movement and to rotate together with the sliding member only after the sliding movement is over; and a rotation means positioned on the guide means to enable the swing member to rotate.  
         [0017]     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding swing apparatus of a portable apparatus having a main body and a sliding housing adapted to be opened and closed through sliding and swing motions while facing the main housing, and the sliding swing apparatus includes a sliding member adapted to slide along the longitudinal direction and to rotate by means of a guide; a swing member adapted to be coupled to the sliding member by the guide for a linear sliding movement and to rotate together with the sliding member only after the sliding movement is over; and a sliding movement/rotation means for enabling the sliding member to slide from initial to final positions and enabling the members to rotate in the final position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view magnifying part A of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a sliding member of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates a main body and a sliding housing, prior to a sliding movement, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a sliding swing apparatus, prior to a sliding movement, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view taken along the longitudinal direction of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating a sliding swing apparatus, prior to a sliding movement, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates a main body and a sliding housing, after a sliding movement, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating a sliding swing apparatus, after a sliding movement, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view taken along the longitudinal direction of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a lateral sectional view illustrating a sliding swing apparatus, after a sliding movement, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a lateral sectional view magnifying part B of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating a swing locking apparatus, prior to actuation, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating a swing locking apparatus, after actuation, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a top view illustrating a sliding movement means, during actuation, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  illustrates a main body and a sliding housing, after a swing movement, of a sliding swing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is a partially broken perspective view illustrating a sliding swing apparatus, after a swing movement, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view magnifying part C of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating the lower surface of a swing member of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  is a top view illustrating a sliding swing apparatus, which has swung, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 21  is a top view illustrating a swing member, prior to a swing movement, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 22  is a top view illustrating a swing member, after a swing movement, of a sliding swing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0041]     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention unclear.  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a sliding swing apparatus of a portable terminal includes a main body  10 ; a sliding housing  11 ; a sliding member  20 ; first, second, and third means  30 ,  40 , and  70 ; a sliding movement means  50 ; a swing member  60 ; a rotation means  80 ; and a swing locking apparatus  90 .  
         [0043]     The first guide means  30  is positioned on both lateral surfaces of the sliding member  20  and the second guide means  40  is formed on the interior of the sliding member  20  so that the sliding member  20  can slide along the longitudinal direction.  
         [0044]     The sliding member  20  is coupled to the swing member  60  in such a manner that it can slide along the longitudinal direction thereof and can rotate. The sliding movement means  50  is positioned between the sliding member  20  and the first and second guide means  30  and  40  so that the sliding member  20  can slide from initial to final positions.  
         [0045]     The swing member  60  is positioned on the upper surface of the sliding member  20  and is adapted to rotate together with the sliding member  20  only after the linear sliding movement of the sliding member  20  guided by the first and second guide means  30  and  40  is fully extended. The third guide means  70  is positioned below the swing member  60  to guide the rotation of the sliding member  20  and the swing member  60 . The rotation means  80  is positioned above and below the third guide means  70  to enable the swing member  60  to rotate.  
         [0046]     The swing locking apparatus  90  is positioned on a lateral surface of the swing member  60  and the third guide means  70  and is adapted to cause the swing member  60  to engage with the third guide means  70 , during a linear sliding movement of the sliding member  20 , for stopping rotation and to cause the swing member  60  to disengage from the third guide means  70 , after the sliding is over, to enable rotation.  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first guide means  30  includes a pair of guide rods  31  and a pair of fastening portions  32 . The pair of guide rods  31  are fixed to both lateral surfaces of the sliding member  20 , respectively, so that the sliding member  20  can slide along the longitudinal direction. The pair of fastening portions  32  are positioned on both ends of the swing member  60 , respectively, so that they can extend along the pair of guide rods  31  to be coupled thereto for a sliding movement.  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sliding member  20  has a member-side fastening portion  21  formed thereon to be fastened and fixed to the sliding housing  11 , a pair of fixation holes  22  formed on an end thereof to be coupled and fixed to an end of the guide rod  31 , respectively, and a support rib  23  fastened to the other end thereof, which has a pair of second fixation holes  24  to be coupled to the other end of the guide rod  31 , respectively.  
         [0049]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the second guide means  40  includes a guide rail  41 , a first stop groove  42 , a second stop groove  43 , and a guide slant surface  44 . The guide rail  41  is formed on the interior of the sliding member  20  to guide the sliding movement of the sliding member  20 . The first stop groove  42  is formed on an end of the guide rail  41  to determine the initial position of the sliding member  20 . The second stop groove  43  is formed on the other end of the guide rail  41  to determine the final position of the sliding member  20 . The guide slant surface  44  is curved in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction near the center between the first and second stop grooves  42  and  43 .  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 , and  6 , the swing member  60  has a reception space  61  recessed from the upper surface thereof to incorporate the sliding movement means  50 , a through-hole  62  formed at the center thereof so that a flexible circuit (not shown) can pass though to electrically connect the main body  10  and the sliding housing to each other, and at least one latching step  63  formed on the lower surface thereof as shown in  FIG. 19 , which is adapted to contact first and second stopper portions  74   a  and  74   b  (described later) to limit the rotation of the swing member  60 .  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  7 ,  8  to  10 , and  15 , the sliding movement means  50  includes at least one rolling member  51  and an elastic means  52 . The rolling member  51  is positioned between the sliding member  20  and the swing member  60  and is adapted to roll as it slides while continuously being forced against the guide slant surface  44  of the second guide means  40 . The elastic means  52  is coupled to the sliding member  20  and to the rolling member  51  to push the rolling member  51  against the guide slant surface  44 . The elastic means is made up of a torsion spring  52 , which has a fixation end  52   a  formed on an end thereof to be coupled and fixed to a fixation hole  64  formed on the swing member  60  and a free end  52   b  formed on the other end thereof to be coupled to the rolling member  51  and to be guided along the guide slant surface  44  of the second guide means  40 . The center portion of the torsion spring  52  is fixed to a spring fixation portion  65  formed on the swing member  60  to rotate the free end  52   b  along a predetermined trajectory according to the sliding movement.  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  9 ,  17 , and  18 , the third guide means  70  may be a fixation member  70  to be attached by screws  100  to the main body  10 . The fixation member  70  has a member-side through-hole  71  formed at the center thereof so that the flexible circuit can pass through, at least one ball hole  72  formed about the member-side through-hole  71  with an equiangular spacing along the circumferential direction so that a corresponding ball  83  can be seated therein, and a reception groove  73  recessed from the lower surface of the fixation member  70  so that the rotation means can be received therein.  
         [0053]     As shown in FIGS.  16  to  18 , the rotation means  80  includes a ball washer  81 , at least one ball groove  82 , at least one ball  83 , and a spring member  84 . The ball washer  81  is positioned on the lower surface of the swing member  60  and is adapted to rotate together with the corresponding ball  83 . The ball groove  82  is formed on the upper surface of the ball washer  81  with an equiangular spacing so that the corresponding ball  83  can be seated therein. The ball  83  extends through the ball hole  72  of the fixation member  79  in such a manner that, as the swing member  60  rotates, the ball  83  sits in the ball groove  82  while traveling along the ball groove  82 . The spring member  84  is positioned on the top surface of the ball  83  and provides an elastic force that pushes the ball  83  along the groove  82 . The spring member  84  has a spring cover  85  positioned on the lower surface thereof to protect the components of the rotation means  80 .  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , the sliding member  20  has a swing shaft  25  positioned on the lower surface thereof, which is adapted to slide along the second guide means  40  and which extends through the swing member  60  while being rotatably fastened thereto, in order to rotatably fasten the rotation means  80  and the third guide means  70 . The swing shaft  25  has at least one screw fastening portion  25   a  formed thereon with an equiangular spacing for screw  100  fastening, after the swing member  60 , the rotation means  80 , the third guide means  70 , and the spring cover  85  are successively fastened.  
         [0055]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second guide means  40  has a guide protrusion  45  formed on the interior thereof along the longitudinal direction of the sliding member  20 , in order to guide the sliding movement of the swing shaft  25 .  
         [0056]     The sliding member  20 , the first, second, and third guide means  30 ,  40 , and  70 , the sliding movement means  50 , the swing member  60 , and the rotation means  80  are preferably made of a metallic material.  
         [0057]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  6 ,  9 , and  11  to  14 , the swing locking portion  90  includes a locker portion  91 , a locker groove  92 , a rotation locker  93 , and an elastic means  94 . The locker portion  91  is formed on the support rib  23 , which is fastened to the sliding member  20 , in such a manner that the locker portion  91  can be inserted into and released from the locker groove  92 . The locker groove  92  is formed on a lateral surface of the swing member  60  and the third guide means  70  in such a manner that the locker portion  91  can be inserted or released according to the sliding movement of the sliding member  20 . The rotation locker  93  is positioned in the locker groove  92  and is adapted to limit the rotation of the swing member  60  by causing the swing member  60  and the third guide means  70  to engage with each other, during an early stage of the sliding movement. The rotation locker  93  contacts the locker  91  as it is inserted into the locker groove  92  when the sliding movement is fully extended and rotates the locker  91  about a locker hinge axis A 1 , so that the swing member  60  and the third guide means  70  disengage from each other, and the swing member  60  can rotate.  
         [0058]     The elastic means  94  is positioned between the locker groove  92  and the rotation locker  93  to provide an elastic force that rotates the rotation locker  93  in the locker groove  92 .  
         [0059]     As shown in FIGS.  20  to  22 , the third guide means  70  has a locker guide groove  74  formed on the upper surface thereof, which is adapted to guide the locker portion  91  as the swing member  60  rotates and the rotation locker  93  is rotated by the locker portion  91 . The locker guide groove  74  has first and second stopper portions  74   a  and  74   b  formed on both ends thereof, which are adapted to contact the latching step  63  of the swing member  60  and to limit the rotation of the swing member  60 .  
         [0060]     The rotation locker  93  has a locker pin  95  that extends through the locker  93  when coupled to the pin  95 . The locker pin  95  provides the locker hinge axis A 1  and is adapted to rotate about the hinge axis A 1 .  
         [0061]     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the elastic means includes a pin spring  94 , an end of which is fixed to the third guide means  70  and the other end to the rotation locker  93 . The center portion of the pin spring  94  extends in axial alignment with, and is coupled to the locker pin  95  to provide an elastic force for returning the rotation locker  93  to the original position after rotation. The locker pin  95  is coupled to an end of the bottom surface of the third guide means  70  to rotatably support the rotation locker  93 .  
         [0062]     The operation of the sliding swing apparatus of a portable terminal, configured as above, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.  1  to  22 .  
         [0063]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sliding member  20  is fastened to the sliding housing  11  of the portable terminal by screws  100 . The fixation member  70 , which is the third guide means  70 , is also  100  fastened to the main housing  10  by screws  100 .  
         [0064]     The fixation member  70  is rotatably coupled to the swing member  60  by the swing shaft  25 .  
         [0065]     If the sliding housing  11  is slid along the longitudinal direction as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , the pair guide rods  31 , which respectively extend through the pair of fastening portions  32  of the swing member  60  to be coupled thereto, then extend through the fastening portion  32  to provide the sliding movement.  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 15 , the sliding member  20  has the guide rail  41  formed on the interior thereof to guide the sliding movement of the sliding member  20 , and at least one rolling member  51  rolls and travels along the guide rail.  
         [0067]     The rolling member  51  is then released from the first stop groove  42  formed on an end of the guide rail  41 .  
         [0068]     The first stop groove  42  determines the initial position of the sliding member  20 .  
         [0069]     After being released from the first stop groove  42  as shown in  FIG. 15 , the rolling member  51  travels along the guide slant surface  44  which is curved in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.  
         [0070]     The rolling member  51  is coupled to the free end  52   b  of the torsion spring  52  and rolls. The fixation end  52   a  of the torsion spring  52  is coupled to the fixation hole  64  of the swing member  60 .  
         [0071]     As the rolling member  51  travels along the guide slant surface  44  as shown in  FIG. 15 , the free end  52   b  of the spring rotates along a predetermined trajectory.  
         [0072]     The center portion of the torsion spring  52  is fixed to the spring fixation portion  65 , which is formed on the swing member  60 , to provide an elastic force so that the free end  52   b  can rotate along a predetermined trajectory.  
         [0073]     If the sliding member  20  reaches the final position of the sliding movement as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the locker portion  91  formed on the support rib  23  of the sliding member  20  is inserted into the locker groove  92  formed on a lateral surface of the swing member  60  and the fixation member  70 .  
         [0074]     The locker groove  92  has the rotation locker  93  positioned therein to cause the swing member  60  and the fixation member  70  to disengage from each other as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . As the locker portion  91  is inserted into the locker groove  92  and contacts the rotation locker  93 , the rotation locker  93  rotates about the locker hinge axis A 1 .  
         [0075]     The rotation locker  93  is fastened to the fixation member  70  by the locker pin  95  to allow rotation about the locker hinge axis A 1 .  
         [0076]     As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the rotation locker  93  causes the swing member  60  and the fixation member  70  to disengage from each other.  
         [0077]     The swing member  60  then rotates as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 .  
         [0078]     The sliding member  20  rotates with the swing member  20  as shown in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0079]     The fixation member  70  has the locker guide groove  74  formed on the upper surface thereof, which is adapted to guide the locker portion  91  when the swing member  60  rotates as the rotation locker  93  is rotated by the locker portion  91 , as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . As such, the locker portion  91  rotates along the locker guide groove  74 .  
         [0080]     The locker guide groove  74  has the first and second stopper portions  74   a  and  74   b  respectively formed on both ends thereof, which are adapted to contact the latching step  63  of the swing member  60  and to limit the rotation of the swing member  60 . As the latching step  63  rotates, it contacts the second stopper portion  74   b  of the locker guide groove  74  and stops rotating.  
         [0081]     If the sliding member  20  and the swing member  60  rotate in the opposite direction, the latching step  63  contacts the first stopper portion  74   a . The members  20  and  60  then stop rotating and return to their original positions.  
         [0082]     If the sliding member  20  is slid in the opposite direction by the first and second guide means  30  and  40 , the locker portion  91  is released from the locker groove  92  and the rotation locker  93  returns to its original position by the elastic force from the pin spring  94 .  
         [0083]     An end of the pin spring  94  is fixed to the fixation member  70 , with its other end coupled to the rotation locker  93 . The center portion of the spring extends in axial alignment with the locker pin  95  and is coupled thereto. As the locker portion  91  is released from the locker groove  92 , the rotation locker  93  is rotated by the elastic force from the pin spring  94 .  
         [0084]     As mentioned above, the sliding swing apparatus according to the present invention makes it possible to conveniently watch the displayed screen in a TV or video watching mode. In addition, it is possible to prevent the sliding swing housing from sliding during swing motion by locking the terminal on its fully extended configuration. The apparatus is also very compact.  
         [0085]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.