Abstract:
A mobile device includes a trigger having a rod-like body fixed at one end. A housing has a first hole into which the body is inserted. A sensor detects that the trigger has been operated in the direction in which the body is pulled from the hole. A buzzer is activated in response to the sensor&#39;s having detected the operation of the trigger. A second hole is formed in a firmly fitted member. The body is inserted in the second hole so as to be freely slid forward or backward against the hole. The fitted member is fitted firmly in the entrance portion of the first hole; and a sealing member contacts the internal wall of the first hole and the body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-281993, filed on Oct. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    An aspect of the invention relates to a mobile device that has, for example, a housing and a trigger serving to activate an alarm device which is a buzzer and forming the outer shape of the device together with the housing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The use of mobile devices such as mobile phones and handheld video game machines has increased greatly recently. While these mobile devices incorporate more sophisticated functions, the device size and weight are further reduced. Mobile devices incorporating a security buzzer, especially for children and women, are also in demand. 
         [0006]    For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-102006 discloses a configuration in which a security buzzer is integrated with a mobile phone. Although not a security buzzer, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-270726 discloses a structure for covering the sound emitting hole of a ringer with a waterproof seal. Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 8-154117 discloses the structure for rendering the loudspeaker of a telephone impervious to water by means of a water-repellent sheet. 
         [0007]    Where a waterproof function is incorporated in a mobile device such as a mobile phone in addition to a buzzer such as a security buzzer, how to mount the buzzer in a small space and enable it to function while satisfying the waterproof function become problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the embodiment to provide a mobile device that has a water-proof function as well as incorporating the function of a buzzer in a small space. 
         [0009]    According to an aspect of the embodiment, a mobile device includes a trigger having a rod-like body fixed at one end, a housing having a first hole into which the rod-like body is inserted, the first hole being taperingly formed such that an entrance portion of the hole is larger in diameter than the rod-like body and a step is formed in a predetermined place between both ends of the hole, a sensor for detecting that the trigger has been operated in the direction in which the rod-like body is pulled from the hole, a buzzer activated in response to the sensor&#39;s having detected the operation of the trigger, a firmly fitted member in which a second hole is formed so that the rod-like body is inserted in the second hole so as to be freely slid forward or backward against the hole, the firmly fitted member being firmly fitted in the entrance portion of the first hole, a sealing member disposed between the step and the firmly fitted member in the first hole so as to be in contact with the internal wall of the first hole and the rod-like body. 
         [0010]    Additional objects and advantages of the embodiment will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiment. The object and advantages if the embodiment will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
         [0011]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the embodiment, as claimed. 
         [0012]    The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended as examples, and all embodiments of the present invention are not limited to including the features described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the appearance of a mobile phone that is an embodiment of the mobile device disclosed in a preferred embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view as viewed from the rear of the body unit; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the body unit from which a security buzzer trigger is detached; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view similar to that in  FIG. 3 , as viewed from the rear of the body unit; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing the rear housing of the body unit and the security buzzer trigger; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view similar to that in  FIG. 5 , as viewed from the rear of the rear housing; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows the positional relation between a shaft and a switch when the security buzzer trigger is pushed to the position shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows the positional relation between the shaft and the switch when the security buzzer trigger is pulled to the position where the head of a molded component has come into contact with the stopper of the housing; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the structure of a security buzzer trigger; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view similar to that in  FIG. 9 , as viewed from the opposite direction to  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing where the shaft of the security buzzer trigger has been inserted into the housing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is another view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Reference may now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0027]    The mobile device disclosed in the preferred embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to figures. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the appearance of a mobile phone that is an embodiment of the mobile device disclosed in the preferred embodiment. 
         [0029]    The mobile phone  1  includes a body unit  10  and a display unit  20 . The display unit  20  is pivotally supported by the body unit  10  so that it may be opened or closed. 
         [0030]    Many keys  11  are disposed on the body unit  10  for entering telephone numbers or various other information by a user. A mouthpiece  12  is disposed at the lower end of the body unit  10 . The mouthpiece  12  is connected to a microphone disposed inside the body unit  10 . 
         [0031]    The display unit  20  has a display screen  21  in its central area for displaying images. An earpiece  22  is above the display screen  21  for outputting sound from a sound producer disposed inside. 
         [0032]    The mobile phone  1  incorporates electronic mail transmission or reception functions, in addition to a radio telephone function and various other functions. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view as viewed from the rear of the body unit. 
         [0034]    A trigger  14  is provided in an upper part of the body unit  10  for a security buzzer. The side of the upper part of the body unit  10  has a lid  17 . The lid  17  covers an opening from which a connector accommodated in the housing  13  of the body unit  10  is exposed. The lower part of the body unit  10  has a rear cover  18  covering a battery chamber. Loaded in the battery chamber inside the rear cover is a battery pack. The mobile phone runs on power supplied from the battery pack loaded therein. 
         [0035]    The security buzzer trigger  14 , the lid  17  covering the opening where the connector is disposed, and the rear cover  17  define the outer shape of the body unit  10  together with the housing  13 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the body unit from which a security buzzer trigger is detached.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view similar to that in  FIG. 3 , as viewed from the rear of the body unit. 
         [0037]    The security buzzer trigger  14  includes a molded component  141  defining the outer shape of the mobile phone together with the housing  13  of the body unit  10 . The security buzzer trigger  14  also includes a shaft  142  (an example of a rod-like body) fixed to the molded component  141  at one end. The molded component  141  has a hole  141  a through which a cord is passed. The shaft  142  is inserted in a holed bushing  15  and an O-ring  16  (an example of a sealing member). The shaft  142  is further inserted into a hole  131  made in the housing  13  of the body unit  10 . 
         [0038]    The housing  13  of the body unit  10  includes front and rear housings. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing the rear housing of the body unit and the security buzzer trigger.  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view similar to that in  FIG. 5 , as viewed from the rear of the rear housing. 
         [0040]    The insert hole  131 , into which the shaft  142  composing the security buzzer trigger  14  is inserted, is formed in the rear housing  130  of the housing  13  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0041]    A pair of sheet-metal members  143  is fixed to the security buzzer trigger  14 , one on each side of the shaft  142 . Guide walls  132  are formed on the rear housing  130 , one on each side of the hole  131 . The guide walls  132  guide the corresponding sheet-metal members  143  when the trigger  14  is operated in the direction where the shaft  142  is inserted into or pulled from the hole  131 . 
         [0042]    The shaft  142  can be pulled out from or inserted into the hole  131  perpendicularly, since the security buzzer trigger  14  is guided on both sides of the hole  131  and the shaft  142  is inserted into the hole  131 . This ensures more reliable operability. 
         [0043]    The security buzzer trigger  14  is moved from the position where the shaft  142  is inserted deepest into hole  131  in the direction in which the shaft  142  is pulled. Thereby the head  141   b  of the molded component  141  comes into contact with a stopper  133  formed on the wall of the housing  13 , thus preventing the shaft from being pulled further. Accordingly, the trigger  14  can be used repeatedly by pushing the trigger  14  again from this position. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows the positional relation between a shaft and a switch when the security buzzer trigger is pushed to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows the positional relation between the shaft and the switch when the security buzzer trigger is pulled to the position where the head of a molded component has come into contact with the stopper of the housing. 
         [0046]    The housing  13  of the body unit  10  incorporates a switch  21  and a buzzer  22 . The shaft  142  interferes with the arm  211  of the switch  21 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the trigger  14  is in the position shown in  FIG. 2 . The buzzer  22  is not activated in this condition. The shaft  142  is separated from the arm  211  of the switch  21  when the trigger  14  is operated in the pulled direction, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Consequently, the switch  21  detects the operation of the trigger  14  and the buzzer  22  is activated. The shaft  142  interferes with the arm  211  of the switch  21 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the trigger  14  is pushed again to the position shown in  FIG. 2 , thereby deactivating the buzzer. 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the structure of a security buzzer trigger. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view similar to that in  FIG. 9 , as viewed from the opposite direction to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0049]    As described above, the security buzzer trigger  14  has the molded component  141  defining part of the appearance of the mobile phone. The security buzzer trigger  14  also has the shaft  142 , one end of which is firmly fitted into the molded component  141 . The security buzzer trigger  14  also has the pair of sheet-metal members  143  disposed on either side of the shaft  142 . Each of these sheet-metal members  143  is fixed to the molded component  141  with a screw  144 . 
         [0050]    Each of the sheet-metal members  143  has a clip  143   a  curving in the direction in which the shaft  142  is inserted or pulled. The clip  143   a  projects toward and is in contact with the corresponding guide wall  132  shown in  FIG. 5 . The clip  143   a  moves on the guide wall  132  when the trigger  14  is operated. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing where the shaft of the security buzzer trigger has been inserted into the housing. 
         [0052]    An entrance portion  131   a  of the hole  131  made in the rear housing  130  composing the body unit is greater in diameter than the shaft  142 . A step  131   b  is formed in a predetermined place between both ends of the hole  131 . A portion  131   c  located beyond the step  131  tapers. The bushing  15  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  has a hole  151  through which the shaft  142  passes. This bushing  15  is fitted firmly in the entrance of the hole  131 . The O-ring  16  is disposed at the entrance portion  131   a  of the hole  131  and beyond the bushing  15  such that the position of the O-ring  16  is restricted by the step  131   b  and bushing  15 . This O-ring  16  is disposed in contact with both the shaft  142  and the internal wall of the hole  131 . This O-ring  16  prevents water from entering beyond the O-ring  16 . The shaft  142  has an action point  142   a  near its leading end. The action point  141  serves to act on the switch  21  when the leading end is inserted in the hole  131 . The head  141   b  of the molded component  141 , into which the shaft  142  is kept firmly fitted, comes into contact with the stopper  133  formed on the housing of the body unit  10  when the trigger  14  is operated in the direction in which the shaft  142  is pulled. This prevents the trigger  14  from separating. Accordingly, the trigger  14  can be operated repeatedly while the O-ring  16  prevents the entry of water. 
         [0053]    In the preferred embodiment, a description was given of only the waterproof structure for the security buzzer trigger  14 . However, the entire mobile phone is rendered waterproof to be designed as a waterproof mobile device. 
         [0054]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing. 
         [0055]      FIG. 13  is another view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing. 
         [0056]    Each of the sheet-metal members  143  has a clip  143   a  curving in the direction in which the shaft  142  is inserted or pulled and projecting toward the corresponding guide wall  132  of the housing. 
         [0057]    Each of the guide walls  132  includes a first recess  132   a  which the clip  143   a  of the corresponding sheet-metal member  143  enters when the trigger  14  is pushed as shown in  FIG. 2 . Each of the guide walls  132  also includes a second recess  132   b  which the clip  143   a  enters when the trigger  14  is pulled as shown in  FIG. 13 . Each of the guide walls  132  also includes a wall  132   c  formed between the first and second recesses  132   a  and  132   b.  Accordingly, an operator can feel when the clip  143   a  moves over the wall  132   c  in the course of the movement of the trigger  12  from the pushed position shown in  FIG. 12  to the pulled position shown in  FIG. 13  and vice versa by clicking the trigger  14 . This improves the operability of the device. 
         [0058]    In the preferred embodiment, sheet-metal members  143  serve to improve strength. Accordingly, even if force is applied to the trigger  14  accidentally in the direction indicated by arrow X shown in  FIG. 12 , the sheet-metal members  143  are sufficient to resist such force, thus ensuring higher reliability. 
         [0059]    The preferred embodiment has used a mobile phone as an example but can be widely used for portable video game machines and other portable devices. 
         [0060]    A portable device according to the foregoing embodiment incorporates a buzzer in a small space and is waterproof even in performance. 
         [0061]    All examples and conditional language recited herein for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such example in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the sprit and scope and scope of the invention. 
         [0062]    Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.