Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7707689?dq=5,973,252
Timestamp: 2014-03-13 13:24:54
Document Index: 629268434

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 10', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 210', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212']

Patent US7707689 - Mobile communication terminal having a hinge-reinforcing member - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA folder-type communication terminal is disclosed in which a gap generated between a first and a second body or a breakage of a side hinge arm can be reduced. The mobile communication terminal includes a first body and a second body rotatably coupled using a hinge, and at least one hinge-reinforcing...http://www.google.com/patents/US7707689?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7707689 - Mobile communication terminal having a hinge-reinforcing memberAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7707689 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/619,278Publication dateMay 4, 2010Filing dateJan 3, 2007Priority dateJan 5, 2006Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20070155238Publication number11619278, 619278, US 7707689 B2, US 7707689B2, US-B2-7707689, US7707689 B2, US7707689B2InventorsJong Wun KimOriginal AssigneeLg Electronics Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (11), Classifications (9), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMobile communication terminal having a hinge-reinforcing memberUS 7707689 B2Abstract A folder-type communication terminal is disclosed in which a gap generated between a first and a second body or a breakage of a side hinge arm can be reduced. The mobile communication terminal includes a first body and a second body rotatably coupled using a hinge, and at least one hinge-reinforcing member disposed between the hinge members of the first and the second bodies.
a first body having a center hinge;
a second body having at least one hinge side arm with a round opening; and
at least one hinge-reinforcing member affixed to the at least one hinge side arm,
wherein the at least one hinge-reinforcing member is integrally formed with a tab portion for securing to the at least one hinge side arm and a head portion transversely extending from the tab portion,
wherein a first end of the head portion is directly connected to a first end of the tab portion and a second end of the head portion is not directly connected to the tab portion nor bound by the tab portion,
wherein the head portion has a shape of an open cylinder having a uniform interior diameter with an opening extending longitudinally along and through the surface of the head portion to facilitate attachment to and detachment from the at least one hinge side arm,
wherein the head portion comprises a first longitudinal portion and a second longitudinal portion, and the first longitudinal portion is thicker than the second longitudinal portion,
wherein only the first longitudinal portion of the head portion is extended from the tab portion and the second longitudinal portion of the head portion is extended from the first longitudinal portion, and
wherein the first longitudinal portion is fitted into the round opening of the at least one hinge side arm and the second longitudinal portion is rotatably coupled to the center hinge of the first body.
2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the tab portion is secured to the at least one hinge side arm with a screw.
3. The terminal of claim 2, wherein a screw hole is formed in the tab portion for receiving the screw to secure the at least one hinge-reinforcing member to the at least one hinge side arm.
4. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge-reinforcing member is formed of one of a synthetic resin material, metal, and nylon.
a second body having a left hinge side arm and a right hinge side arm, each of the left hinge side arm and the right hinge side arm having a round opening; and
a hinge-reinforcing member affixed to each of the left hinge side arm and the right hinge side arm,
wherein the hinge-reinforcing member is integrally formed with a tab portion for securing to at least one of the left hinge side arm and the right hinge side arm and a head portion transversely extending from the tab portion,
wherein the head portion has a shape of an open cylinder having a uniform interior diameter with an opening extending longitudinally along and through the surface of the head portion,
wherein the first longitudinal portion is fitted into the round opening of the at least one of the left hinge side arm and the right hinge side arm, and the second longitudinal portion is rotatably coupled to the center hinge of the first body.
6. The terminal of claim 5, wherein the tab portion is secured to at least the left hinge side arm or right hinge side arm with a screw.
7. The terminal of claim 6, wherein a screw hole is formed in the tab portion for receiving the screw to secure the hinge-reinforcing member to at least the left hinge side arm or right hinge side arm.
8. The terminal of claim 5, wherein the hinge-reinforcing member is formed of one of a synthetic resin material, metal, and nylon.
9. A hinge-reinforcing member for use in a mobile communications terminal, the hinge-reinforcing member comprising:
a tab portion for securing to at least one hinge side arm of a second body of the mobile communication terminal; and
a head portion transversely extending from and integrally formed with the tab portion,
wherein the head portion has a shape of an open cylinder having a uniform interior diameter, and has an opening extending longitudinally along and through its surface to facilitate attachment to and detachment from the at least one hinge side arm,
wherein the head portion comprises a first longitudinal portion and a second longitudinal portion, and the first longitudinal portion is thicker than the second longitudinal portion, and
wherein only the first longitudinal portion of the head portion is extended from the tab portion and the second longitudinal portion of the head portion is extended from the first longitudinal portion.
10. The hinge-reinforcing member of claim 9, wherein the tab portion is secured to the at least one hinge side arm with a screw.
11. The hinge-reinforcing member of claim 10, wherein a screw hole is formed in the tab portion for receiving the screw.
12. The hinge-reinforcing member of claim 9, wherein the hinge-reinforcing member is formed of one of a synthetic resin material, metal, and nylon.
13. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge side arm is roundly extended from the second body forming the round opening. Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0001340, filed on Jan. 5, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a side hinge, folder-type mobile communication terminal wherein a side hinge of a second body attaches into a center hinge arm of a first body. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for preventing a breakage of the second body by locking a hinge-reinforcing member of a prescribed shape to the side hinge arm.
Recently, the demand for mobile communication terminals (�terminal�) has risen due to convenience of use. The terminals have been reduced in size and have been provided with multi-functions to meet user's demands.
Terminals include a bar-type terminal (an early model having externally exposed number and function keys without a separate case), a flip-type terminal having a case configuring a body and a second case separately attached to the body, a folder-type terminal having a second body hinged on an upper surface of a first body, and a slide-type terminal having a slide cover slide on a terminal body.
As mentioned in the foregoing description, the functions of a mobile communication terminal have expanded to include e-mail reception, video viewing, camera, etc. The size and weight of a terminal also has been reduced to enhance portability. In meeting these requirements, folder or slide-type mobile communication terminals have become more popular. In particular, a wide-screen LCD can be viewed if the folder or slide-type mobile communication terminal is open. The folder or slide-type mobile communication terminal is advantageous for its small size.
FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a folder-type mobile communication terminal having a center hinge structure according to a related art; FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of a folder-type mobile communication terminal having a side hinge structure according to a related art; and FIG. 3 is a magnified perspective view of the folder-type mobile communication terminal having the side hinge structure shown in FIG. 2 to explain a rotational problem with the second body.
Referring to FIG. 1, a center hinge, folder-type mobile communication terminal consists of a first body 1 and a second body 2.
A keypad 1 a, including number keys and various function keys, is provided to an upper surface of the first body 1. A microphone 1 b is provided at a lower end of the upper surface of the first body 1. A pair of side hinge arms 1 c are provided to an upper end of the upper surface of the first body 1 to be spaced apart from each other. An antenna 1 d is provided to a top end of the first body 1.
A center hinge arm 2 a is projected from a center of a lower end of the second body 2. An LCD window 2 b is provided on the second body 2, and a speaker 2 c is provided at an upper end of the second body 2.
The first and second bodies 1 and 2 are rotatably hinged together in a manner that the center hinge arm 2 a is placed between a pair of the side hinge arms 1 c to enable the second body 2 to rotate within a predetermined angle range.
Referring to FIG. 2, a side hinge, folder-type mobile communication terminal consists of a first body 10 and a second body 20.
A center hinge arm 10 c is projected from a center of an upper end of the first body 10. A pair of side hinge arms 20 a is formed at both sides of a lower end of the second body 20. The first and second bodies are rotatably hinged together in a manner that a pair of the side hinge arms 20 are placed at both ends of the center hinge arm 10 c, respectively, to enable the second body 20 to rotate within a prescribed angle range.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the side hinge-type, if the second body 20 is forced open by an unnecessarily excessive force to unfold the terminal, the engaged part between the center hinge arm 10 c of the first body 10 and each of a pair of the side hinge arms 20 a is widened to generate a gap in between in the vicinity of an area �A� indicated by an arrow shown in FIG. 3.
However, in case that an unnecessary tensile force keeps being applied to the engaged part to open the second body 20, the engaged part keeps getting wider to eventually break the side hinge arms 20 a of the second body 20.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile communication terminal that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal, by which a gap between first and second bodies of a folder-type terminal or a breakage of a side arm hinge part can be reduced.
Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a terminal according to the present invention includes a first body having a center hinge, a second body having at least one hinge side arm, and at least one hinge reinforcing member affixed to at least one hinge side arm for rotatably coupling with the center hinge of the first body.
Preferably, at least one hinge-reinforcing member includes a tab for securing to at least one hinge side arm and a head portion transversely extending from the tab, wherein the head portion generally has the shape of an open cylinder having a uniform interior diameter and has an opening extending longitudinally along and through its surface.
FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a folder-type mobile communication terminal having a center hinge structure according to a related art;
FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of a folder-type mobile communication terminal having a side hinge structure according to a related art;
FIG. 3 is a magnified perspective view of the folder-type mobile communication terminal having the side hinge structure shown in FIG. 2 to explain a rotational problem of a second body.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram of a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention showing a hinge reinforcing member; and
FIG. 5 is a magnified diagram of a hinge reinforcing member of a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram of a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention showing a hinge-reinforcing member; and FIG. 5 shows a hinge-reinforcing member according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a hinge reinforcing member 200 is locked to a side hinge arm 100 a of a second body 100. The hinge-reinforcing member 200 includes a body part 210 and an arm fitting part 212 extending from an upper end of the body part 210.
The arm fitting part 212 has a �C�-type cross section. A screw hole 210 a is formed at one side of the body part 210. A screw as a locking means (not shown in the drawings) is locked into a screw boss 110 a (shown on FIG. 5) projected from one end of a lower case 110 of the second body 100 via the screw hole 210 a. The arm-fitting part 212 extends from the upper end of the body part 210 in a perpendicular direction to the screw locking direction of the body part 210 to facilitate the second body 100 to be fitted into the side hinge arm 100 a. An opening 212 a is formed at one side of the arm-fitting part 212 to facilitate attachment/detachment to/from the side hinge arm 100 a. Hence, the arm fitting part 212 has a �C�-type cross section overall. One half of the arm-fitting part 212 differs from the other half in thickness so that the thicker half of the arm-fitting part 212 is fitted into a predetermined portion of the side hinge arm 100 a of the second body 100.
Preferably, the hinge-reinforcing member 200 is formed of a synthetic resin material having a prescribed thickness to reduce its weight and to facilitate engaging the second body 100. In FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, one hinge-reinforcing member 200 is fitted into the side hinge arm 100 a. Yet, to maximize the breakage preventing function of the second body 100, the hinge-reinforcing member 200 is locked to each of the side hinge arms 100 a of the second body 100, respectively. Reference numbers 112 and 112 a in FIG. 4 indicate an upper case and an LCD window, respectively.
The operation of the hinge-reinforcing member is explained with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 as follows.
First of all, the body part 210 of the hinge-reinforcing member 200 is locked to the screw boss 110 a at one end of the lower case 110 of the second body 100 using a screw. The arm-fitting part 212 of the hinge-reinforcing member 200 is fitted into the side hinge arm of the second body 100 to be fixed thereto.
In doing so, the arm-fitting part 212 of the hinge-reinforcing member 200 can easily attached/detached to/from the side hinge arm 100 a of the second body 100. Once an assembly of the second body 100 is completed by assembling the upper case 112 to the lower case 110 having the hinge-reinforcing member 200 provided thereto, the center hinge-type mobile communication terminal is then assembled in a manner that the side hinge arms 100 a of the second body 100 are placed at both ends of the center hinge arm 10 c of the first body 10 (FIG. 3), respectively.
When one or more hinge-reinforcing members 200 are fitted to the side hinge arms 100 a of the second body 100, even if an excessive force is unnecessarily applied to the second body 100 to open, repetitive tensile forces at the engaged part between the center hinge arm 10 c and the side hinge arm 100 a of the second body 100 are reduced by the arm fitting part 212.
Hence, the generation of the gap occurring in the engaged part between the center hinge arm 10 c and the side hinge arm 100 a or the breakage of the side hinge arm 100 a of the second body 100 can be reduced. Accordingly, the present invention can reduce the gap occurrence between the first and second bodies of the folder-type mobile communication terminal or the breakage of the side hinge arm part of the second body using the at least one hinge-reinforcing member provided to the side hinge arm of the second body.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5333356 *Oct 28, 1992Aug 2, 1994Santo Industries Co., Ltd.Assembly for controlling turn of a hinge pivotUS5572769 *Dec 22, 1994Nov 12, 1996Emc CorporationAdjustable cable-supporting hinge assemblyUS5682645 *Nov 5, 1996Nov 4, 1997Koichi WatabeControl assembly for a hinge connectionUS6085388 *Apr 20, 1998Jul 11, 2000Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.Operating device for openable and closable structureUS6609272 *Apr 12, 2002Aug 26, 2003Yuk Kwon LeeHinge device for use in electric equipmentUS6820307 *Sep 17, 2002Nov 23, 2004Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.Elastic hinge for a notebook computerUS7380312 *Sep 16, 2005Jun 3, 2008Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Cover restricting mechanismUS7404234 *Jul 30, 2002Jul 29, 2008Lg Electronics Inc.Hinge structure for flat visual display deviceUS20030172497 *Oct 25, 2002Sep 18, 2003Cha Baeg SoonHinge device for use in electric equipmentUS20040134033 *Jul 25, 2003Jul 15, 2004Aaron RainesFriction hinge assembly for a mirror of a display unitJPH0586766A * Title not available* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification16/342, 16/254, 379/433.13, 16/356, 16/267, 16/263International ClassificationE05C17/64Cooperative ClassificationH04M1/0216European ClassificationH04M1/02A2B4FLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 15, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jan 9, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KOREA, REPUBLIC OFFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KIM,JONG WUN;REEL/FRAME:018749/0339Effective date: 20070102Owner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC.,KOREA, REPUBLIC OFFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KIM,JONG WUN;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100504;REEL/FRAME:18749/339RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google