Abstract:
An electronic device with a body having a first side, a second side a distance from the first side, and a third side between the first and second side. Portions define a space extending from the first side to the second side across the third side. A sliding cover can be fitted in the space. A first housing part is detachably attachable to the electronic device and can cover at least part of the space when the housing part is attached to the electronic device. The first housing part can restrain the sliding cover from escaping the space when attached to the electronic device. The electronic device can allow, when the first housing part is detached from the electronic device, entry and removal of the sliding cover to and from the space. A cover system detachably attaches a sliding cover to an electronic device.

Description:
This application is a continuation of international application number PCT/FI00/00851 filed Oct. 2, 2000, status pending. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to covers of devices. In particular, but not restricted to, the invention relates to sliding covers of mobile communications devices. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELATED DEVELOPMENTS 
     Various devices have been constructed with different flaps, sliding covers and clamp-shell type covers in order to protect or cover some elements contained by the device. For example, some mobile phones have a flap for protecting the keyboard when the keyboard is not needed. For accessing the keyboard, the flap is turned away. In sliding cover constructions, respectively a sliding cover protects the keyboard, when the keyboard is not used, and reveals the keyboard by sliding away when the keyboard is needed. The Nokia® 7110 GSM telephone is an example of the latter concept. There, the sliding cover also comprises a microphone that is brought closer to the mouth of a user when the sliding cover is extended thus improving the convenience of telephone conversations. However, it the telephone falls, the sliding cover may meet an excessive force detaching it from the telephone or, in the worst case, breaking it. Another drawback of the sliding cover that extends across an end of the telephone is that the telephone appears less rigid when the sliding cover is fully extended. Furthermore, it may be troublesome to clean the space between the sliding cover and the mobile telephone should any dirt enter therein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,052 introduces in its FIG. 1B a solution that avoids these problems, but reserves some space at another end of the device thus lengthening the device. There a flexible sliding cover covers the front of the, device and is rolled on a roll located at an end of the device. Another alternative shown in its FIG. 6 reserves some space on the backside of the device for accommodating part of a flexible sliding cover when it is pushed from the front into the space on the backside. The solution is rather convenient for many uses, but it is yet susceptible to dirt that could enter the interior of the device as conveyed by the sliding cover. When dirt accumulates on the backside space, the movement of the sliding cover becomes obstructed by the dirt. The construction of the sliding cover arrangement further comprises a helical spring and sensors attached to the rear cover of the device. It is therefore apparent that the construction would be somewhat laborious to assemble and serve. 
     Now a device and cover system has been invented where the aforementioned problems can be solved or at least mitigated. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, an electronic device is provided comprising:
         a body comprising a first side, a second side at a distance from the first side, and a third side between the first and second side;   portions defining a space extending from the first side to the second side across the third side;   a sliding cover adapted to be fitted in the space; characterised in that   the electronic device further comprises a first housing part detachably attachable to the electronic device, adapted to cover at least part of the space when the first housing part is attached to the electronic device;   the first housing part is adapted to restrain the sliding cover from escaping the space, when attached to the electronic device; and   the electronic device is adapted to allow, when the first housing part is detached from the electronic device, entry and removal of the sliding cover to and from the space.       

     Advantageously, a user may detach the first housing part for cleaning, or for customising the device according to his own liking, for example by swapping it with one of another colour. 
     Advantageously, during use, the sliding cover stays within the device. The user need not change his grip from the device and the device feels rigid and robust regardless whether or not the sliding cover is in the closed or opened configuration. 
     Advantageously, a battery of the device can be placed on the bottom of the body such that it can be replaced after the first housing part is detached. This enables the user to easily swap the battery. 
     Preferably, the portions defining the space have facing walls and the facing walls define recessing grooves, and the first housing part has side portions arranged to fit into the grooves for supporting the first housing part when attached to the electronic device. More preferably, the body further comprises the portions defining the space. 
     Advantageously, the grooves provide a reasonably sound attachment of the first housing part to the electronic device. Furthermore, such attachment is reasonably prone to mechanical damage when the first housing part is connected by a large portion of its sides. 
     Preferably, the electronic device further comprises a first element protected by the sliding cover when in closed configuration and uncovered by the sliding cover when the sliding cover is in the opened configuration, the first element being selected from a group consisting of the following: a display, a touch screen, a speaker, a microphone, a set of keys comprising at least one key, a pointing device, and any combination of them. Preferably, the set of keys is a keyboard. 
     Preferably, the electronic device further comprises:
         a plurality of sensitive components; and   a second housing part covered by the first housing part, covering the sensitive components in order to prevent the user from accidentally damaging the sensitive components while the first housing part is detached.       

     It is an advantage of the second housing part that the sensitive components remain protected by the second housing part when the first housing part is removed. In this way, the user cannot accidentally damage his device, for example, when cleaning the sliding cover or when replacing it. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the electronic device further comprises a snap-on attaching means for snap-on attaching the first housing part to the electronic device. 
     The snap-on attaching allows fast and intuitive attaching and detaching of the first housing part. 
     Preferably, the first housing part is a rear cover adapted to be fitted on the backside of the body to form part of the outer surfaces of the electronic device. 
     Preferably, the electronic device is a device selected from the group consisting of: a mobile communications device and a mobile gaming device. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, a cover system is provided for an electronic device comprising:
         a body comprising a first side, a second side, and a third side between the first and second side and the body;   portions defining a space extending from the first side to the second side across the third side;   the cover system comprising:   a sliding cover adapted to be fitted in the space; characterised in that the cover system further comprises:   a housing part detachably attachable to the electronic device, adapted to cover at least part of the space when the housing part is attached to the electronic device;   the housing part is adapted to restrain the sliding cover from escaping the space, when attached to the electronic device; and   the cover system is adapted to allow, when the housing part is detached from the electronic device, entry and removal of the sliding cover to and from the space.       

     The cover system can be easily replaced in place of a broken cover system by a user. Thanks to the easy attaching and detaching of the cover system, the user can be expected to clean the sliding cover. This further reduces scratching of any component, for example a display, against which the sliding cover moves. 
     Preferably, the cover system further comprises a snap-on attaching means for snap-on attaching the rear cover to its place. 
     Advantageously, the snap-on attachment provides the user with a quick, intuitive and easy manner for exchanging the covers, including the sliding cover, and for cleaning the sliding cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows, in a closed configuration, a mobile communications device according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows, in an opened configuration, the mobile communications device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed diagram of the mobile communications device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a section view of the mobile communications device of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , seen from a side, in a closed configuration; and 
         FIG. 4   b  is a section view of the mobile communications device of  FIGS. 1 to 4 , seen from a side, in an opened configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows, in a closed configuration, a mobile communications device MS according to a first embodiment of the invention. The figure shows parts of the mobile communications device MS essential to describe for understanding of the invention: a body  100 , a sliding cover  110  and a rear cover  120 . The body  100  has a relatively planar front plane of which a major part is covered by the sliding cover  110 . The sliding cover  110  is surrounded and held in place by the rear cover  120 , as is described in more detail below, with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4   a  and  4   b.    
     The mobile communications device MS shown in  FIG. 1  is basically rectangular article with rounded edges and corners. It has a large, planar front and bottom surface (latter not shown) and rounded sides. The sides i.e. ends of the mobile communications device have following references: Front side S 1  ( FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ),back side S 2  ( FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ), a first end E 1  and a second end E 2  opposite to the first end E 1 . The thickness of the mobile communications device MS is small compared to the width and length of the front and bottom surface. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness is in the range of 1 to 5 centimetres and the other dimensions are in the range of 5 to 30 centimetres. In alternative embodiments other shapes and sizes can be used: for example, the front surface may be oval. 
       FIG. 2  shows, in an opened configuration, the mobile communications device MS of  FIG. 1 . Here, the sliding cover  110  has been slid away revealing a display  104 . The purpose of the sliding cover  110  is to protect any fragile or wearing components during storing and transportation, including displays, keyboards or keypads, pointing devices such as mouse pads or embedded pointing sticks. When a user desires to use the mobile communications device MS, he only needs to slide the sliding cover  110  to its opened configuration in order to reveal the display  104 . The sliding cover  110  flexes inside the mobile communications device MS, between the backside of the body  100  and the rear cover  120  (better described with reference with  FIG. 3 ). Therefore, the user can maintain his grip when he moves the sliding cover  110  either to an opened or closed configuration. The outer surfaces of the mobile communications device MS are also rather rigid thus providing the user with a feeling of a sound construction, as there are no tolerances of moving parts to be experienced. 
       FIG. 3  is a detailed diagram of the mobile communications device MS of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As was described above, the mobile communications device MS comprises three major parts, and now they are described in more detail. The body  100  is, in this embodiment, rather square and elongated rectangular shape when seen from top and side, respectively. As already mentioned, to facilitate describing the construction, one end of the device (seen from top of the device) is referred to as a first end E 1  and the opposite end is referred to as a second end E 2 . The body  100  comprises a first groove  106  that starts close to the first end E 1 , extends across the top surface of the body, across the second end E 2  turning to the backside of the body, and continues there symmetrically across most of the back surfaces (not completely shown). The first groove  106  is dimensioned to receive the sliding cover  110  and the rear cover  120  on top of the sliding cover to sandwich the sliding cover between the rear cover  120  and the body  100 . 
     The first groove  106  is defined by the body  100 : the body  100  has a recess, or the side portions  108  of the body  100  protrude forming the recess in the middle portion of the body  100 . The protruding side portions have side walls and end walls on either side (front and back) of the body  100  and a bottom surface, which all together define the recess. The first groove  106  is also shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , as sectioned, seen from a side of the mobile communications device MS. 
     Further referring to  FIG. 3 , the side walls of the first groove  106 , on both the front and backside of the body  100 , have each a second groove  102  basically parallel to the bottom of the first groove  106 . The two second grooves  102  on each side of the body  100  define a plane between themselves such that between the plane and the bottom of the first groove  106  a space remains for the sliding cover  110  to move loosely. The second grooves  102  are just about 1 or 2 mm deep for sufficiently holding in place the rear cover  120  as will be explained later. 
     In an assembled mobile communications device MS, the sliding cover  110  is entered into the first groove  106 , against the bottom of the groove. The assembling of the mobile communications device MS is explained later. The sliding cover  110  is long enough to cover a component to be protected (the display  104  in this case) but far shorter than the first groove (that extends on the backside of the body  100 ). The sliding cover  110  is made of an elastic polymer or rubber and comprises a number of lamellas  112  connected to each other by thinner sections. Additionally, the sliding cover  110  has a protruding part  114 , which the user can grip for sliding the cover between the opened and closed configurations. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the lamellas  112  comprise another material(s), such as metal or ceramic material. In yet another alternative embodiment, the sliding cover  110  is of flexible material such that it can flex without necessarily having any thinner sections (as in a lamella embodiment). Such flexible materials include metals such as steel, rubber, and flexible polymers. 
     The rear cover  120  is fitted to cover the first groove  106  on the backside of the body  100 . In the preferred embodiment it also frames the sliding cover  110  on the front side of the body  100 . For the invention to work and be used it suffices if the rear cover  120  just covers the portion of the first groove  106  that extends across the second end E 2  of the body  100  and to some extent across the backside of the body  100 . The first groove should have sufficient free length on the backside in order to allow the sliding cover  110  to be moved to the opened configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the rear cover  120  is U-shaped (side view) so that it settles on the back and front sides of the body  100  when attached to the body  100 . The front side of the rear cover  120  (seen from top of an assembled device) has a frame  122  defining an open window  128  inside the frame  122 . Respectively, the backside of the rear cover  120  has a continues, planar sheet  126  for protecting the sliding cover  110  when the sliding cover is slid away from the top of the display  104 , partly to the backside of the body  100 . Both the front and backside of the rear cover  120  have thin rims  124  adapted to fit into the second grooves  102 . The rims are in the preferred embodiment continuous, but alternatively they may be replaced by short studs or two or more rim sections. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the first groove  106  ends beyond the second end E 2  on the backside of the body  100  to the middle portion of the backside. Hence, the first groove  106  is just long enough to receive a sufficient length of the sliding cover  110  for revealing required amount of the component(s) to protected by the sliding cover  110 . 
     In yet another alternative embodiments, the rear cover  120  is locked to its place by any other means known from the art. For example, instead of using the second grooves  102 , the first groove  106  may slope so that at the level of outer surface, the first groove is more narrow than at the bottom of the first groove. Then the rear cover  120  cannot accidentally slip away outwards from the body (it can be slid away but not easily lifted then). In yet another alternative, the rear cover  120  is equipped with latches so that it is attached by pressing it in place against the body and released by pulling to the opposite direction. 
     The assembly of the mobile communications device MS, according to the preferred embodiment, is next described, still with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     The mobile communication device MS is assembled from the three main parts, body  100 , sliding cover  110  and rear cover  120 . The sliding cover  110  is first placed between the planar sheet  126  (backside of the rear cover) and the frame  122 , adjacent to the frame. The protruding part  114  of the sliding cover  110  passes through the window  128  defined by the frame  122 . The sliding cover  110  is held in place in respect to the rear cover  120 , in particular in respect to the frame  122 . The rear cover  120  is attached to the body  100 . In this preferred embodiment, the rear cover  120  is first aligned to the second grooves  102  so that the edges of the rims  124  meet the mouths of the second grooves  102 . The rear cover  120  is then slid further until it has fully entered in the second grooves  102 , that is, the rear cover  120  covers entirely the first groove  106 . The rear cover  120  joins practically seamless with the body  100  so that it forms a continuous part of the outer surface of the communications device MS, as has been shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In another embodiment, the frame  122  is left open at the first end E 1  side so that the sliding cover  110  can first be placed on the display  104  and then the rear cover  120  can be slid into its place to frame the sliding cover on three sides. 
       FIG. 4   a  is a section view of the mobile communications device MS seen from a side, in a closed configuration. On a front side S 1  of the body  100 , the sliding cover  110  is slid close the first end E 1  to its closed configuration so that the display  104  is covered by the sliding cover  110 . The protruding part  114  of the sliding cover is against an end of the first groove  106 . On a backside S 2  of the body  100 , the first groove  106  is empty and ready to receive the sliding cover  110 . 
       FIG. 4   a  also shows a battery  41 , of the mobile communications device, located at the backside of the body  100 . The battery is concealed by the rear cover  120  and the sliding cover  110  covers it partially when in the opened configuration, as is also shown in  FIG. 4   b . The body  100  further comprises a plurality of sensitive components  42  such as microchips, transistors and electronic connectors, which are protected by a rear wall  43  of the body  100 . 
       FIG. 4   b  shows the mobile communications device MS respectively in an opened configuration. The sliding cover  110  slid by its protruding part  114  to the opened configuration revealing the display  104 . The protruding part  114  of the sliding cover  110  is close to the second end E 2 , and the sliding cover is partially located on the backside S 2  of the body  100 . 
     The invention enables construction of such sliding mechanisms, which are mainly covered by the housing of a device but yet which mechanisms are easy to service and replace by an ordinary user. The sliding mechanism, while operating inside the housing of a device, maintains the outer dimensions of the device substantially the same regardless whether the sliding cover is in the opened or closed configuration. By sandwiching the sliding cover between two housings on the rear side, it is possible to protect any sensitive electronic and mechanical parts of the device from the user even when the rear cover is removed. Furthermore, as the sliding cover moves within the device, between the body and the rear cover, the grip of the user does not obstruct free motion of the sliding cover. Even further, as the sliding cover does not extend across any edge of the device, it is well resistant against damage in case the device meets mechanical strain, for example if the device falls from the hands of a user. Finally, the actual device (namely the body and parts within it) can be easily made water or gas resistant. 
     Particular implementations and embodiments of the invention have been described. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented above, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means without deviating from the characteristics of the invention. For example, an entry to the sliding cover may be provided by arranging a removable cover on either the front side, back side, or an end of the device instead of using a cover that extends from the back side to the front side as has been described in the foregoing. It is sufficient for the “rear cover” to cover an aperture large enough so that the sliding cover can be inserted and removed through that aperture. For another example, a part other than the body, such as the rear cover, may form the portions that define the space within which the sliding cover moves. Thus, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the attached patent claims.