Patent Abstract:
A hinge for use in a mobile terminal comprises a first hinge portion defining an opening and having a slot extending from the periphery of the first hinge portion to the opening, and a second hinge portion defining an opening and having a slot extending from the periphery of the second hinge portion to the opening. The first hinge portion is one body portion of the mobile terminal, and the second hinge portion is secured to the other body portion. The hinge portions are rotatably connected such that the openings are aligned. The hinge portions are relatively rotatable between a first position where the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are aligned, and a second position where the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are not aligned and the openings cannot be accessed from the exterior of the hinge.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES  
       [0001]     This application is related to U.S. provisional application No. 60/593,267, filed Dec. 30, 2004, entitled “Hinge”, naming Kevin J. Schoolcraft and Daniel J. Van Epps, Jr., as the inventors. The contents of the provisional application are incorporated here by reference in their entirety, and the benefit of the filing date of the provisional application is hereby claimed for all purposes that are legally served by such claim for the benefit of the filing date. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to a mobile communication device, and more particularly to a mobile terminal used in a wireless communication system wherein the mobile terminal includes two body portions which are relatively rotatable and a hinge for connecting the two body portions of the mobile terminal.  
         [0003]     A mobile terminal is used for sending and receiving information in a wireless communication system, such as a mobile telephone in a cellular telephone system. A mobile telephone typically includes a display and input mechanisms, such as keypads, buttons, and the like, which are used to control the mobile telephone. The display is used for viewing information and the input mechanisms typically provide for data entry, as well as control of any multi-media interface including the display.  
         [0004]     A mobile terminal may be adapted to fold in order make the mobile terminal more compact when not in use. One type of folding mobile terminal is sometimes referred to as a “flip phone”, wherein the housing of the mobile telephone includes two body portions pivotally joined at one end such that one body portion serves as a “flip” cover. In this arrangement, the body portions of the housing are moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the display and a keypad are visible and accessible. In the closed position, the display and keypad are substantially concealed.  
         [0005]     Another type of folding mobile telephone is sometimes referred to as a “jackknife phone”. A jackknife phone has a housing including two body portions joined at their ends which pivot about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the housing. This configuration has the advantage of allowing for the display to always be on the outside of the mobile telephone. However, the mechanical and electrical connections between the body portions is complex. Specifically, the wiring and connectors for several dozen small wires electrically connecting the electronic components in the two body portions must pass through a mechanical hinge joining the body portions. Because of the small size of the hinge, a plurality of smaller connectors are used. Flat flexible cable is difficult to use in this application because bending of the flat cable can lead to damage.  
         [0006]     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system which functions as a jackknife phone and is adapted to allow efficient assembly and electrical connection of the component parts of the mobile terminal.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     According to the present invention, a hinge is provided for use in a mobile terminal including at least two body portions. The hinge comprises a first hinge portion defining an opening and having a slot extending from the periphery of the first hinge portion to the opening, and a second hinge portion defining an opening and having a slot extending from the periphery of the second hinge portion to the opening. The first hinge portion is adapted to be secured to one of the two body portions, and the second hinge portion is adapted to be secured to the other of the two body portions. The first hinge portion and the second hinge portion are rotatably connected such that the openings are aligned. The first and second hinge portions are relatively rotatable between a first position where the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are aligned for allowing access to the openings of the first and second hinge portions from the exterior of the hinge, and a second position where the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are not aligned and the openings of the first and second hinge portions cannot be accessed from the exterior of the hinge.  
         [0008]     Also according to the present invention, a mobile is provided and comprises a first housing member, a second housing member, and first and second hinge portions each defining an opening and having a slot extending from their periphery to the openings. The second hinge portion is rotatably connected to the first hinge portion such that the openings are aligned. The first and second hinge portions are relatively rotatable between a first position where the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are aligned for allowing access to the openings of the first and second hinge portions from the exterior of the hinge, and a second position where the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are not aligned and the openings of the first and second hinge portions cannot be accessed from the exterior of the hinge. The first hinge portion is secured to the first housing member the second hinge portion is secured to the second housing member such that the housing members are rotatable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing.  
         [0009]     Further according to the present invention, a method is provided for connecting a first housing member of a mobile terminal and a second housing member of the mobile terminal such that the first and second housing members are rotatable an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing members. The method comprises the steps of providing a hinge including a first hinge portion defining an opening and having a slot extending from the periphery of the first hinge portion to the opening, and a second hinge portion defining an opening and having a slot extending from the periphery of the second hinge portion to the opening. The second hinge portion is rotatably connected to the first hinge portion such that the openings are aligned. Next, the relative position of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion is selected such that the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are aligned for allowing access to the openings of the first and second hinge portions from the exterior of the hinge. An electrical connector is disposed into the openings through the slots in the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion, and the first hinge portion rotated relative to the second hinge portion such that the slot in the first hinge portion and the slot in the second hinge portion are not aligned for capturing the electrical connector in the hinge. The first hinge portion is secured to the first housing member, and the second hinge portion is secured to the second housing member. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a mobile terminal according to the present invention in a folded position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in  FIG. 1  with the mobile terminal in an open position.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective of an embodiment of a hinge for use with a mobile terminal according to the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective exploded view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective exploded view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 3  taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 3  in a first position with the slots of parts comprising the hinge aligned.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 8  in a second position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 3  in place on a housing of a mobile terminal shown in phantom.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 3  in a position on a mobile terminal shown in phantom and corresponding to the folded position of the mobile terminal as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the hinge as shown in  FIG. 3  in a position on a mobile terminal shown in phantom and corresponding to the open position of the mobile terminal as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the FIGs. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.  
         [0024]     As used herein, the term “keypad” is used to mean any type of input device including a touch sensitive area or areas, which may include predefined key positions or a gesture area. Further, the term “keypad” is not intended to be limited to a keypad based on contacting switch technology. Rather, “keypad” as contemplated by this disclosure is intended to refer to any type of input technology that might be referred to as such, including a non-contacting type more typically referred to as a “touchpad” in which the proximity of conductive bodies is sensed.  
         [0025]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, a mobile terminal according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and generally designated at  20 . The mobile terminal  20  is adapted for use in a wireless communication network and, in the embodiment shown, the mobile terminal  20  is a cellular telephone, which may be conventional except as otherwise provided in this description. The mobile terminal  20  comprises a housing  22  which may be of any desired size and shape; however, as described above, the trend is toward a smaller mobile terminal  20 . The housing  22  contains electronic components that are operable to transmit and receive telecommunication signals, as is known in the art, and for operating other functions of the mobile terminal  20 .  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  22  includes an upper portion  24  and a lower portion  26 . The upper portion  24  of the housing  22  includes an ear piece  28 , or speaker, for emitting sound and a display  30  for displaying alphanumeric text and graphics and other images. The lower portion  26  of the housing  22  includes a microphone  32  for inputting sound and a keypad apparatus  34  including alphanumeric and function keys  36  that can receive tactile input. The upper portion  24  and the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  are electrically connected so that the user can use the keypad  34  for tactile input to enter data, make telephone calls, interact with an image on the display  30 , or otherwise control operation of the mobile terminal  20 . Various other controls may also be provided on the housing  22 , such as special purpose keys (not shown) that control one or more functional aspects of the mobile terminal  20 . For example, in a mobile terminal  20  including a camera function, one of the special purpose keys can act as a shutter release button. Because there are many types of mobile terminal housings  22  and associated components that are well known in the art and that may be utilized to practice the present invention, a more detailed description of these components is not required. It is understood that the present invention is not directed to any particular style of housing.  
         [0027]     The upper portion  24  and the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  are joined adjacent their ends such that the upper portion  24  and the lower portion  26  are relatively rotatable in a horizontal plane through a possible range of up to about 360°. In this configuration, the housing  22  functions as a “jackknife phone”, wherein the upper portion  24  and the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  are moveable between a closed position, shown in  FIG. 1 , and an open position shown in  FIG. 2 . In the closed position, the inner surface of the upper portion  24  of the housing  22  is in close and complementary registration with the inner surface of the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  such that the keypad  34  is substantially concealed. Because the display  30  is coincident with the outer surface of the upper portion  24  of the housing  22 , the display  30  is visible whether the mobile terminal  20  is in the closed or the open position. In the open position, both the display  30  and the keypad  34  are visible and accessible to a user.  
         [0028]     An embodiment of a hinge assembly for use with a mobile terminal  20  according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 3-7  and generally designated at  40 . The hinge assembly  40  comprises a base plate  42 , a spacer  43 , a pivot plate  44 , a key ring  46 , a wave spring  48 , a retainer  50  and a split grommet  52 .  
         [0029]     The base plate  42  is a generally rectangular plate and defines a central opening  54  having opposed linear edges  53 . The opening  54  is centered in a recess  57  formed in the inner surface of the base plate  42 . A linear slot  55  extends from the periphery of the base plate  42  and opens into the central opening  54 . A plurality of mounting ears  56  are spaced around the periphery of the base plate  42 . In the embodiment shown in the FIGs., four mounting ears  56  are located at the corners of the base plate  42 . Each of the mounting ears  56  has a mounting hole  58  for receiving a threaded fastener (not shown). A detent  60  integral with the periphery of the base plate  42  extends inwardly from between the lower mounting ears  56 .  
         [0030]     The spacer  43  is a hollow, generally cylindrical element having a linear longitudinal slot  62  along one side. Lips  61 ,  63  extend axially from each end of the spacer  43 . The cross-section of the lip  61  at the inner end of the spacer  43  corresponds to the shape of the central opening  54  in the base plate  42 . The inner end lip  61  of the spacer  43  is non-rotatably fixed in the central opening  54  of the base plate  42  by swaging, press fit, or other suitable means, such that the slot  62  in the spacer  43  is aligned with the slot  55  in the base plate  42 . The spacer  43  projects inwardly from the base plate  42 .  
         [0031]     The pivot plate  44  is also a generally rectangular plate and defines a central circular opening  64  for rotatably receiving the spacer  43 . A linear slot  66  extends from the periphery of the pivot plate  44  and opens into the central opening  64 . A plurality of mounting ears  68  are spaced around the periphery of the pivot plate  44 . In the embodiment shown, four mounting ears  68  are located at the corners of the pivot plate  44 . Each of the mounting ears  68  has a mounting hole  70  for receiving a threaded fastener (not shown). Two inwardly projecting tangs  72  are punched into the pivot plate  44  at circumferentially spaced locations adjacent to the central opening  64 .  
         [0032]     The key ring  46  is a circular member and defines a central circular opening  74  for rotatably receiving the spacer  43 . The key ring  46  has a slot  78  that opens into the circular opening  74 . A bell-shaped projection  76  radially extends from the periphery of the key ring  46 . The key ring  46  slidingly fits in a fence  73  on the inner surface of the pivot plate  44  such that the projection  76  on the key ring  46  is free to rotate between the tangs  72 .  
         [0033]     The wave spring  48  is a thin C-shaped member and has curved bends at opposed points to impart elasticity to the spring  48 . The wave spring  48  defines a central opening  80  that corresponds to the exterior surface of the spacer  43  for non-rotatably receiving the spacer  43 . The ends  83  of the wave spring  48  include outturned flanges  81 . When joined, a gap  82  defined between the ends  83  of the wave spring  48  is aligned with the slots  55 ,  62  in the spacer  43  and the base plate  42 .  
         [0034]     The retainer  50  is a circular member and defines a central opening  84 . A slot  86  in the retainer  50  opens into the central opening  84 . The cross-section of the lip  63  at the outer end of the spacer  43  corresponds to the shape of the central opening  84  in the base plate  50 . The outer end lip  63  of the spacer  43  is non-rotatably fixed in the central opening  84  of the retainer  50  by swaging, press fit, or other suitable means, such that the slot  86  in the retainer  50  is aligned with the slot  62  in the spacer  43 , and thus the gap  82  in the wave spring  48  and the slot  55  in the base plate  42 . It is understood, therefore, that the base plate  42 , the spacer  43 , the wave spring  48  and the retainer  50  rotate together relative to the pivot plate  44  and the key ring  46 , with the slots  55 ,  62 ,  86  in the base plate  42 , the spacer  43 , and the retainer  50  and the gap  82  in the wave spring  48  permanently aligned. The retainer  50  includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, inwardly projecting flanges  88  around the periphery of the retainer  50  for receiving the wave spring  48 . A portion of the periphery of the retainer  50  is removed from each side of the slot  86  for receiving the flanges  81  on the ends  82  of the wave spring  48 .  
         [0035]     The wave spring  48  is disposed between the pivot plate  44  and the retainer  50 . The wave spring  48  exerts an elastic force in a longitudinal direction on the pivot plate  44  for biasing the pivot plate  44  into the base plate  42  such that the fence  73  and the key ring  46  are slidingly received in the recess  57  in the base plate  42 . The wave spring  48  functions to generate friction against the pivot plate  44  for providing some resistance to movement as the hinge  40  is rotated.  
         [0036]     The split grommet  52  is a hollow cylindrical element and is preferably formed from rubber. The grommet  52  includes a body portion  90  having a radial flange  92  at one end and a linear longitudinal slot  94  along one side. As seen in the FIGs., the grommet  52  is received in the spacer  43  such that the flange  92  engages against the outer lip  63  of the spacer  43 .  
         [0037]     Although not shown in the FIGs., it is understood that the upper portion  24  and the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  each have various electric circuits therein. For example, the upper portion  24  may be equipped with circuitry for operation of the display  30 , the speaker  28  and the like, and the lower portion  26  may be equipped with a main board having circuitry for operation of the mobile terminal  20 . Electrical wires, or a flexible printed circuit, used for connecting the electric circuitry in the upper portion  24  with the electric circuitry in the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  pass between the housing portions via through-holes at the point of connection of the hinge  40  to the housing  22 , as is known in the art. The electrical wires and flexible printed circuit are not shown to add clarity to the FIGs.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , during assembly of the mobile terminal  20 , the pivot plate  44  and key ring  46  are rotated relative to the other parts comprising the hinge assembly  40  for aligning the slot  66  in the pivot plate  44  with the slot  55  in the base plate  42 . As described above, the slot  55  in the base plate  42  is permanently aligned with the slot  62  in the spacer  43 , the gap  82  in the wave spring  48  and the slot  86  in the retainer  50 . Thus, as seen in  FIG. 8 , a passage  100  is created from the periphery of the hinge assembly  40  to the central opening through the hinge  40  as defined by the interior of the spacer  43 . It is understood that the grommet  52  is similarly rotated such that the slot  94  is also aligned with the passage  100 . This allows the user to slip the electrical wires or flexible printed circuit into the central opening of the hinge assembly  40 . The pivot plate  44  and the key ring  46  are then rotated relative to the other parts comprising the hinge assembly  40  until the hinge assembly is in the position shown in  FIG. 9 , thereby capturing the wires or printed circuit in the spacer  43  in the hinge assembly  40 . The grommet  52  may then be rotated relative to the spacer  43  to misalign the slit in the grommet  52  and the slot  55  in the base plate  42 . It is understood that the grommet  52  rotates freely in the spacer  43  and thus functions to hold the wires in the hinge assembly  40  even if the hinge assembly  40  is again rotated to the  FIG. 9  position.  
         [0039]     The hinge assembly  40  is then installed on the mobile terminal  20 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the base plate  42  is secured to the upper portion  24  of the housing  22  such that the opening through the hinge  40  aligns with the through-hole in the upper portion  24 . The pivot plate  44  is secured to the lower portion  26  of the housing  22  such that the opening through the hinge  40  aligns with the through-hole in the lower portion  26 . In one embodiment, the pivot plate  44  fits in a corresponding recess which may be provided on outer surface of the lower portion  26  of the housing  22 . When installed, the hinge assembly  40  allows the housing portions  24 ,  26  to be relatively slidingly rotated between the closed position ( FIG. 11 ) and the open position ( FIG. 12 ). From the closed position, the housing portions  24 ,  26  may be rotated in either direction to the open position. Depending on the direction of rotation, there may be some lost motion between the pivot plate  44  and the key ring  46 . When one of the tangs  72  engages the projection  76  on the key ring  46 , the pivot plate  44  and the key ring  46  rotate together until the projection  76  engages the detent  60  on the base plate, which is at the open position of the mobile terminal  20 . The key ring  46  and the detent  60  function as a stopper for restricting the range of rotation of the housing portions  24 ,  26  to 180° in either direction. The cylindrical central opening through the spacer  43  prevents twisting of the wires or flexible circuit.  
         [0040]     Although the present invention has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that we do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, a hinge according to the present invention is suitable for use in a number of portable and non-portable electronics devices and applications. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a crew may be equivalent structures.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8