Patent Publication Number: US-2007121279-A1

Title: Translating axes slide mechanism

Description:
FIELD  
      This invention relates generally to sliding mechanisms, and more particularly to a sliding mechanism having multiple translating axes.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Slider phones typically slide in one direction and in one plane while opening or closing. This form factor can make for discomfort on the face while using the phone. Other proposed devices having sliding mechanisms include a couple of fixed axes and a single translating axis. Such arrangement creates a device having an overall thickness that is not necessarily desirable. Slider phones also typically have an antenna that is in closer proximity to the users head due to their form factor over flip phones.  
     SUMMARY  
      Embodiments in accordance with the present invention can provide a sliding mechanism having multiple translating axes that enable products having desirable form factors.  
      In a first embodiment of the present invention, a slide mechanism can include a first frame having a first frame guide rail, a second frame having a second frame guide rail, a pivot arm coupled between a fixed axis on the first frame and a first translating axis on the second frame, and a second translating axis that translates along the first frame guide rail as the first translating axis translates along the second frame guide rail. The slide mechanism can further include a follower coupled to the first translating axis that slides along the second frame guide rail as the second translating axis slides along the first frame guide rail. The slide mechanism can further include a spring biasing device coupled between the second frame and the follower such as an over-center spring that biases the first frame and second frame in a closed position when on a first side of center and biases the first frame and the second frame in an open position when on a second side of center. Furthermore, the slide mechanism can include a torsion spring coupled on the pivot arm. Note, the fixed axis and the second translating axis can be in substantially the same horizontal plane and vertical plane when the slide mechanism is in a closed position. The fixed axis and the first translating axis can be in substantially the same horizontal plane when the slide mechanism is in a closed position and in substantially the same vertical plane when the slide mechanism is an open position.  
      In a second embodiment of the present invention, an electronic product can include a front housing coupled to a first frame having a first frame guide rail, a rear housing coupled to a second frame having a second frame guide rail, a pivot arm coupled between a fixed axis on the first frame and a first translating axis on the second frame, and a second translating axis that translates along the first frame guide rail as the first translating axis translates along the second frame guide rail. The electronic product can be any number of devices including, but not limited to a cellular phone, a satellite phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a remote control apparatus, a satellite radio, a messaging device, or a satellite positioning system receiver.  
      The electronic product can further include a display mounted in the front housing and a keypad mounted in the rear housing. A follower can be coupled to the first translating axis that slides along the second frame guide rail as the second translating axis slides along the first frame guide rail. A spring biasing device can be coupled between the second frame and the follower, where the spring biasing device is an over-center spring that biases the first frame and second frame in a closed position when on a first side of center and biases the first frame and the second frame in an open position when on a second side of center. The electronic product can further include a torsion spring coupled on the pivot arm. The front housing can cover a keypad on the rear housing in a closed position and expose the keypad in an opened position. The front housing slides in at least two dimensions when traversing from a closed position to an open position or from the open position to the closed position. Note, the fixed axis and the second translating axis can be in substantially the same horizontal and vertical planes when the electronic product is in a closed position. Also note that fixed axis and the first translating axis can be in substantially the same horizontal plane when the electronic product is in a closed position and in substantially the same vertical plane when the electronic product is an open position.  
      In a third embodiment of the present invention, a method of sliding a first housing portion in two dimensions relative to a second housing portion can include the steps of coupling a pivot arm between a fixed axis on a first frame of the first housing portion and a first translating axis on a second frame of the second housing portion and translating a second translating axis along a first frame guide rail of the first frame as the first translating axis translates along a second frame guide rail of the second frame.  
      The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an electronic device in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the electronic device of  FIG. 2  in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the slide mechanism in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the slide mechanism in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the slide mechanism in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the slide mechanism in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the slide mechanism in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the slide mechanism in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a method of sliding a first housing portion in two dimensions relative to a second housing portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.  
      A slider phone in accordance with the embodiments herein can have a two (2) dimensional path instead of a one (1) dimensional path like those found in existing slider phones. The embodiments illustrated can include multiple translating axes and one fixed axis. One moving piece travels up for a predetermined distance relative to another piece such as 25 mm, and then engages a pivot arm which swings one of the moving pieces up to a predetermined angle such as 15 degrees, while continuing to travel up in a Y or vertical direction another predetermined distance such as 20 mm. Such arrangement allows for more comfort on the face of the user and can be more contoured to the user&#39;s head. Such arrangement can also increase the distance from the user&#39;s head to an antenna on a device having an antenna using such sliding mechanism.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of an electronic product  10  such as a wireless communication device is shown in closed and open positions respectively. In this particular embodiment, the electronic product  10  can include a top or front housing  12  that can hold a display  13  and keys or a keypad  16 . The electronic product  10  can further include a bottom or rear housing  14  that can house a speaker  15 , a microphone  19  and other buttons on a side such as a push-to-activate or push-to-talk button  17 . Note, when the electronic product  10  is in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the keys  18  are not accessible, whereas the keys  18  become accessible when the electronic product  10  is in an open position or when housing  12  slides up (and slightly out) relative to housing  14 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , a slide mechanism  30  housed within the electronic product  10  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated in closed and open positions respectively. The slide mechanism  30  can include a first frame  32  having a first frame guide rail  34  (also see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), a second frame  42  having a second frame guide rail  54  (see also  FIG. 6 ), a pivot arm  50  coupled between a fixed axis ( 33 ) on the first frame  32  and a first translating axis  45  on the second frame  42 , and a second translating axis  46  that translates along the first frame guide rail  34  as the first translating axis  45  translates along the second frame guide rail  54 . The slide mechanism  30  can further include a follower  52  coupled to the first translating axis  45  that slides along the second frame guide rail  54  as the second translating axis  46  slides along the first frame guide rail  34 . The slide mechanism  30  can further include a spring biasing device  56  coupled between the second frame  42  and the follower  52  such as an over-center spring that biases the first frame  32  and second frame  42  in a closed position when on a first side of center and biases the first frame and the second frame in an open position when on a second side of center. Furthermore, the slide mechanism  30  can include a torsion spring  47  coupled on the pivot arm  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Note, the fixed axis  33  and the second translating axis  46  can be in substantially the same horizontal plane and vertical plane when the slide mechanism is in a closed position. (Note, the second frame  42  is removed and not shown in  FIG. 5  for clarity, but would be substantially flush with the first frame  32 ). The fixed axis  33  and the first translating axis  45  can be in substantially the same horizontal plane when the slide mechanism is in a closed position and in substantially the same vertical plane when the slide mechanism is an open position.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the electronic product  10  can include the front housing  12  coupled to the first frame  32  having the first frame guide rail  34 , the rear housing  14  coupled to the second frame  42  having the second frame guide rail  54 , a pivot arm  50  coupled between a fixed axis  33  on the first frame  32  and a first translating axis  45  on the second frame  42 , and a second translating axis  46  that translates along the first frame guide rail  34  as the first translating axis  45  translates along the second frame guide rail  54 . The electronic product  10  can be any number of devices including, but not limited to a cellular phone, a satellite phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a remote control apparatus, a satellite radio, a messaging device, or a satellite positioning system receiver.  
      As illustrated electronic product  10  can further include a display  13  mounted in the front housing  12  and a keypad mounted  18  in the rear housing  14 . A follower  52  can be coupled to the first translating axis  45  that slides along the second frame guide rail  54  as the second translating axis  46  slides along the first frame guide rail  34 . A spring biasing device  56  can be coupled between the second frame  42  and the follower  52 , where the spring biasing device  56  is an over-center spring that biases the first frame  32  and second frame  42  in a closed position when on a first side of center and biases the first frame and the second frame in an open position when on a second side of center. The front housing  12  can cover the keypad  18  on the rear housing  14  in a closed position and expose the keypad  18  in an opened position. The front housing  12  slides in at least two dimensions when traversing from a closed position to an open position or from the open position to the closed position.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , a flow chart illustrating a method  90  of sliding a first housing portion in two dimensions relative to a second housing portion can include the step  92  of coupling a pivot arm between a fixed axis on a first frame of the first housing portion and a first translating axis on a second frame of the second housing portion and translating at step  94  a second translating axis along a first frame guide rail of the first frame as the first translating axis translates along a second frame guide rail of the second frame.  
      In light of the foregoing description, it should also be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the following claims.