Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a handheld scanner with an inclined section falling towards one longitudinal end of the scanner. A connector for an expansion module is covered by the inclined section.

The handheld scanner has the problem that the expansion module cannot be exchanged without removing the complete rear bezel.

<CIT> describes a mobile terminal provided with an apparatus case. The apparatus case includes a display unit in the upper portion and an input unit in the lower portion. The input unit comprises a plurality of keys.

<CIT> relates to a reading device like a barcode scanner, wherein a portion protruding from a back side of the device exhibits two inclined surfaces facing in different directions.

For example, an information terminal is known which has a structure where an expansion connector has been provided in a side portion of its case and a connection section of an extended display device has been detachably attached to the expansion connector so as to electrically connect the case with the extended display device and display the information of a display target on the extended display device (for example, refer to <CIT>).

In the case of the above-described information terminal, when the connection section of the extended display device is attached to the expansion connector provided in the side portion of the case so as to electrically connect the case with the extended display device, the extended display device notably sticks out from the side of the case. This structure causes a problem in that, when being carried with the extended display device attached to the case, the information terminal cannot be favorably carried due to the presence of the extended display device.

The invention is defined by the independent claim.

The above and further objects and novel features of the present invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

The present invention can be more clearly understood by the detailed description below being considered together with the following drawings.

A first embodiment in which the present invention has been applied in a portable terminal will hereinafter be described with reference to <FIG>.

This portable terminal is an information terminal such as a handy terminal for processing information, and has a device case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. This device case <NUM>, which is the main body of the terminal, is thinly formed in a substantially rectangular box shape, and includes an upper case <NUM> on the front surface side and a lower case <NUM> on the back surface side.

On the front surface of the device case <NUM>, that is, the upper surface of the upper case <NUM>, an input display section <NUM> and a key input section <NUM> are parallelly provided, as shown in <FIG>. The input display section <NUM> is provided corresponding to a wide area covering about three-fourths of the upper surface of the upper case <NUM> from one end portion 1a of the device case <NUM> toward the other end portion 1b side in a longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>. The key input section <NUM> is provided corresponding to an area excluding the input display section <NUM>, that is, a narrow area covering about one-fourth of the upper surface of the upper case <NUM> from the other end portion 1b toward the input display section <NUM> in the longitudinal direction.

The input display section <NUM> includes a display panel 4a and a transparent touch panel 4b laminated thereon, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The display panel 4a is a flat display element such as a liquid crystal display element or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display element, and is structured to electro-optically display information. The touch panel 4b is structured such that the user can input information by a touch operation while viewing information displayed on the display panel 4a.

The key input section <NUM> includes a plurality of key buttons 5a arranged on the upper surface of the upper case <NUM> and located on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM>, and a switch board 5b arranged inside the upper case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>. The plurality of key buttons 5a includes an upper surface trigger key 5c in addition to key buttons such as numeric keys and function keys. The switch board 5b is arranged inside the upper case <NUM> and located under (above in the <FIG>) and corresponding to the plurality of key buttons 5a.

Also, inside the upper case <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM> is arranged corresponding to the input display section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This circuit board <NUM> electrically controls the entire portable terminal. More specifically, this circuit board <NUM> includes various types of electronic components 6a required for the portable terminal, and has electrically connected thereto the input display section <NUM>, the switch board 5b, and later-described sections such as an optical reading section <NUM>, an expansion connector <NUM>, and a connection electrode section <NUM>.

On the other hand, on the back surface of the device case <NUM>, that is, the undersurface (upper surface in <FIG>) of the lower case <NUM>, a housing projection section <NUM> and a battery cover <NUM> are provided, as shown in <FIG>. The housing projection section <NUM> is provided corresponding to a narrow area covering about one-fourth of the undersurface of the lower case <NUM> and located on the one end portion 1a side of the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. That is, the housing projection section <NUM> is provided on the side opposite to the input display section <NUM>. The battery cover <NUM> is provided corresponding to an area excluding the housing projection section <NUM>, that is, a wide area covering about three-fourths of the undersurface of the lower case <NUM> from the other end portion 1b of the device case <NUM> toward the housing projection section <NUM> in the longitudinal direction.

The housing projection section <NUM> includes a first inclined surface 7a inclining toward the one end portion 1a side of the device case <NUM> and a second inclined surface 7b inclining toward the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM>, and the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the housing projection section <NUM> is a triangular shape, so that the housing projection section <NUM> has a substantially mountain shape as a whole, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. On the first inclined surface 7a, an optical window section 7c is provided. Also, in the housing projection section <NUM>, the optical reading section <NUM> is housed.

The optical reading section <NUM> includes a unit case 9a and a scanner section 9b which is imaging means attached to the unit case 9a, as shown in <FIG>. The unit case 9a is provided on the upper case <NUM> while corresponding to the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, and is arranged projecting toward the inside of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>.

The scanner section 9b includes a laser reading section and a camera section, and is attached to the unit case 9a while corresponding to the optical window section 7c on the first inclined surface 7a of the housing projection section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The laser reading section irradiates a product code such as the bar code of a product with a laser beam, and reads out this product code by receiving reflected light. The camera section captures an image of a photographic subject such as a product, an item, and a two dimensional code.

The battery cover <NUM> openably covers a battery housing section 3a in the lower case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This battery cover <NUM> has a substantially rectangular shape, and is provided with a grip section 8a located from the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM> to a middle portion of the battery cover <NUM>. The grip section 8a has a curved shape which gradually projects rearward (upward in <FIG>) with respect to the lower case <NUM>, and a raised section 8b which is arranged between an index finger and a middle finger is formed on this curved portion.

Also, the battery cover <NUM> is structured such that, when this battery cover <NUM> is arranged on the lower case <NUM> and covers the battery housing section 3a of the lower case <NUM>, its one end portion 8c on the housing projection section <NUM> side of the lower case <NUM> is arranged on an edge portion of the battery housing section 3a and its other end portion 8d on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM> engages with another edge portion of the battery housing section 3a, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this embodiment, the battery cover <NUM> is structured such that its one end portion 8c is locked by locking levers <NUM> with this battery cover <NUM> being arranged on the lower case <NUM> and covering the battery housing section 3a.

More specifically, the locking levers <NUM> are provided near the sides of the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> arranged close to a base portion of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> on the second inclined surface 7b side, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Each of these locking levers <NUM> includes a locking section 10a which is rotatably provided on the lower case <NUM> and detachably locks the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> on the housing projection section <NUM> side, and a lever section 10b which is provided extending toward the housing projection section <NUM> side from the locking section 10a and used to rotate the locking section 10a.

Also, these locking levers <NUM> are arranged in substantially fan-shaped lever housing recess sections 3b which are provided in the lower case <NUM> and extend from portions corresponding to the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> on the housing projection section <NUM> side to lower portions of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. That is, these locking levers <NUM> are structured such that the locking sections 10a are rotatably provided on pivot portions of the substantially fan-shaped lever housing recess sections 3b and the lever sections 10b are rotatable in the substantially fan-shaped lever housing recess sections 3b.

As a result, the locking levers <NUM> are structured such that, when the lever sections 10b are operated in the lever housing recess sections 3b and each locking section 10a is rotated in one direction with the battery cover <NUM> being arranged on the lower case <NUM> and covering the battery housing section 3a of the lower case <NUM>, the locking sections 10a press the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> against the edge portion of the battery housing section 3a and thereby lock the one end portion 8c, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Also, these locking levers <NUM> are structured such that, when the lever sections 10b are operated in the reverse directions with the locking sections 10a locking the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM>, and the locking sections 10a are rotated thereby in the reverse directions, the lock on the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> by the locking sections 10a is released, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

On the other hand, on an end surface of the lower case <NUM> on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM>, the connection electrode section <NUM> is provided, as shown in <FIG>. This connection electrode section <NUM> has a plurality of electrodes 11a arranged therein, and is electrically connected to an external device such as a cradle (not shown in the drawings) so as to transmit information or charge a battery pack B in the battery housing section 3a.

The plurality of electrodes 11a in the connection electrode section <NUM> is covered and protected by an electrode cover 11b made of an elastic material such as rubber, as shown in <FIG>. Also, the battery pack B includes a rechargeable battery B1 and a battery cover section B2. On a side surface of the device case <NUM>, a side surface trigger key 1c is provided.

Also, to the lower case <NUM>, a hand belt <NUM> can be attached in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. This hand belt <NUM> is structured such that its one end portion 12a can be attached to a first belt attachment fitting <NUM> of an expansion cover <NUM> attached to the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>. Also, this hand belt <NUM> is structured such that its other end portion 12b can be attached to a first belt attachment hole 3c provided in the other end of the lower case <NUM> and located at the other end portion 1b of the device case <NUM>.

As such, by being attached by the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> and the first belt attachment hole 3c, the hand belt <NUM> does not obstruct the plurality of electrodes 11a from above. That is, the connection electrode section <NUM> can be connected to an external device such as a cradle with the hand belt <NUM> being attached.

In this embodiment, in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, an expansion connector section <NUM> is provided which includes an expansion housing recess section <NUM>, an expansion board <NUM>, the expansion connector <NUM>, and the expansion cover <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. This expansion connector section <NUM> is provided in a middle area in a transverse direction of the device case <NUM> that is the main body of the terminal.

More specifically, in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is obliquely provided in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b, and the expansion cover <NUM> is attached thereto, as shown in <FIG>. In the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, the expansion board <NUM> is obliquely provided in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b. In an inner bottom portion of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, the expansion connector <NUM> is obliquely provided in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b. That is, this expansion connector <NUM> is inclined in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>.

The above-described expansion connector <NUM>, into which a board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> is inserted to be electrically connected, is provided on a unit case 9a in the upper case <NUM> and electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> in the upper case <NUM> by a connecting wire 17a, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. Also, this expansion connector <NUM> is provided extending in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, that is, a direction perpendicular to the inclining direction of the bottom part of the expansion housing recess section <NUM> while being exposed toward the inside of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, in an opening section in the bottom part of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>.

The expansion board <NUM> is, for example, a card reading substrate (such as a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) reader writer board and a RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) reader writer board) which reads information of a card such as a credit card in a non-contact manner, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. This expansion board <NUM> includes the board connector 16a which is connected to the expansion connector <NUM>, and the expansion connector <NUM> having the board connector 16a connected thereto is electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> in the upper case <NUM> by the connecting wire 17a.

On the inner surface of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, a magnetic electrode 16b which retrieves information of a card by a magnetic field (induced electromotive force) is provided, as shown in <FIG>. This magnetic electrode 16b is electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> in the upper case <NUM> and is also electrically connected to the expansion board <NUM> via the circuit board <NUM>.

The expansion board <NUM> is structured to magnetically retrieve information signals of a card such as a credit card by the magnetic electrode 16b when this card is brought close to the outer surface of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, and to read the retrieved magnetic information signals as information of the card.

This expansion board <NUM> is obliquely arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b, and is thereby inclined in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. As a result, this expansion board <NUM> is structured such that, even though its length in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> is long, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied thereby in the device case <NUM> is shorter because of its inclination with respect to the device case <NUM>.

That is, as compared to a case where the expansion board <NUM> is arranged in parallel with the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion board <NUM> in the device case <NUM> is shorter because of the inclination of the expansion board <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. Thus, even though the length of the expansion board <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> is long, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion board <NUM> in the device case <NUM> can be kept short.

On the other hand, the expansion cover <NUM> covers the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> so as to protect the expansion board <NUM> in the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. This expansion cover <NUM> includes a cover main body <NUM> and a waterproof panel <NUM>, and has a structure where the waterproof panel <NUM> has been attached to the inner surface of the cover main body <NUM> by a two-sided adhesive tape <NUM>. As a result, this expansion cover <NUM> is structured such that, by the waterproof panel <NUM>, waterproofing is achieved and the strength of the cover main body <NUM> is increased.

The above-described expansion cover <NUM> is arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b, and is thereby inclined in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> as in the case of the expansion board <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. As a result, the expansion cover <NUM> is structured such that, even though its length in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> is long, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied thereby in the device case <NUM> is short because of its inclination with respect to the device case <NUM>.

That is, as compared to a case where the expansion cover <NUM> is arranged in parallel with the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion cover <NUM> in the device case <NUM> is shorter because of the inclination of the expansion cover <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. Thus, even though the length of the expansion cover <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> is long, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion cover <NUM> in the device case <NUM> can be kept short.

The cover main body <NUM> is formed in a plate shape whose outer peripheral size is substantially equal to the inner peripheral size of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. On the sides of the cover main body <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, attachment projection sections 18a are provided projecting in sideward directions. In these attachment projection sections 18a, screw insertion holes 18b into which mounting screws <NUM> are inserted are provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, and each of these screw insertion holes 18b includes a large-diameter hole portion into which a head section 21a of the corresponding mounting screw <NUM> is inserted and a small-diameter hole portion into which a screw section 21b of the mounting screw <NUM> is inserted.

In side portions of the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, that is, in side portions of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, cutout sections <NUM> are provided in which the attachment projection sections 18a of the cover main body <NUM> are arranged, as shown in <FIG>. As a result, when the cover main body <NUM> is arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> and the attachment projection sections 18a are arranged in the cutout sections <NUM>, the expansion cover <NUM> is obliquely positioned on the device case <NUM> while being in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>.

More specifically, each cutout section <NUM> has a vertical surface 22a provided to be substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the device case <NUM>, and a horizontal surface 22b provided to be substantially parallel with the horizontal direction of the device case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In the horizontal surfaces 22b of the cutout sections <NUM>, screw holes 22c into which the screw sections 21b of the mounting screws <NUM> are screwed are provided to be substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surfaces 22b.

As a result, the expansion cover <NUM> is structured such that, when the cover main body <NUM> is arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> and the attachment projection sections 18a are arranged in the cutout sections <NUM>, the screw insertion holes 18b of the attachment projection sections 18a are positioned coaxially with the screw holes 22c of the cutout sections <NUM> provided in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Accordingly, in a state where the attachment projection sections 18a have been arranged in the cutout sections <NUM> and the screw insertion holes 18b of the attachment projection sections 18a have been positioned coaxially corresponding to the screw holes 22c of the cutout sections <NUM> provided in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, when the mounting screws <NUM> are inserted into the screw insertion holes 18b of the attachment projection sections 18a while being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> and the screw sections 21b of the mounting screws <NUM> are screwed into the screw holes 22c of the cutout sections <NUM>, the expansion cover <NUM> is attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Also, the above-described pair of cutout sections <NUM> in the side portions of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> is structured such that side portions of the expansion board <NUM> can be easily held with fingertips of a hand when the expansion board <NUM> is arranged in or detached from the expansion housing recess section <NUM> after the expansion cover <NUM> is detached from the expansion housing recess section <NUM> of the housing projection section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

More specifically, the pair of cutout sections <NUM> is structured such that, when the board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> is to be inserted into or extracted from the expansion connector <NUM> in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> with side portions of the expansion board <NUM> being held with fingers of a hand, the fingertips holding the side portions of the expansion board <NUM> are placed on the cutout sections <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

That is, the pair of cutout sections <NUM> is structured such that fingertips holding side portions of the expansion board <NUM> can be placed on side portions of the outer surface of the device case <NUM> in the transverse direction and in the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, and therefore are not obstructed by side portions of the outer surface of the device case <NUM> in the transverse direction, as shown in <FIG>.

The cover main body <NUM> has a cover packing hold-down section 18c provided on the outer peripheral portion of its inner surface in a frame shape, as shown in <FIG>. This cover packing hold-down section 18c is structured to hold down a cover packing <NUM> arranged along the inner periphery of the expansion housing recess section <NUM> provided in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>. In the inner peripheral portion of the bottom part of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, a cover mounting groove 15b in which the cover packing <NUM> is mounted is provided along the entire periphery. The cover packing <NUM> is arranged in this cover mounting groove 15b with it being upwardly exposed.

As a result, the cover main body <NUM> is structured such that, when it is attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM> by the mounting screws <NUM>, the cover packing hold-down section 18c holds down the cover packing <NUM> mounted in the cover mounting groove 15b provided in the inner peripheral portion of the bottom part of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, whereby waterproofing for the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is achieved, as shown in <FIG>.

Also, the cover main body <NUM> is provided with a fitting attachment section <NUM> to which the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is slidably attached, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is a fitting acquired by a metal plate being bent in a U-shape. In an upper surface plate 14a of this first belt attachment fitting <NUM>, a second belt attachment hole 14c is provided into which the one end portion 12a of the hand belt <NUM> is inserted to be attached. In a middle area on a lower surface plate 14b of this first belt attachment fitting <NUM>, a fitting lock hole 14d is provided.

The fitting attachment section <NUM> includes a pair of first hold-down sections <NUM> which slidably holds down side portions of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> and a second hold-down section <NUM> which resiliently holds a middle portion of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The pair of first hold-down sections <NUM> holds down the sides of the lower surface plate 14b of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> against the outer surface of the cover main body <NUM>. This pair of first hold-down sections <NUM> is provided in a sliding area on the cover main body <NUM> in which the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is slid in the longitudinal direction of device case <NUM>, that is, the inclination direction of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>.

More specifically, the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM> includes a pair of projection sections 25a which is provided to upwardly project on side portions of the cover main body <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> and holds down the sides of the lower surface plate 14b, and a pair of hold-down grooves 25b which is provided under the pair of projection sections 25a and corresponds to the sides of the lower surface plate 14b of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The pair of hold-down grooves 25b is provided penetrating through the front and back surfaces of the cover main body <NUM> in the thickness direction, and upper end portions of the pair of projection sections 25a are formed to be positioned above these hold-down grooves 25b.

The second hold-down section <NUM> is provided in a middle area on the cover main body <NUM> along the inclination of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in a manner to form a tongue-like shape, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. More specifically, this second hold-down section <NUM> is structured to be flexurally deformed in the thickness direction of the cover main body <NUM>, that is, the vertical direction by a slit hole 26a being provided under its body excluding one end portion serving as its base portion. On the other end portion of the second hold-down section <NUM>, an engaging projection 26b is provided which disengageably engages with the fitting lock hole 14d in the lower surface plate 14b of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM>.

On the other hand, the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is structured such that, when the lower surface plate 14b is arranged on the outer surface of the cover main body <NUM> and slid toward the base portion side of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, side portions of the lower surface plate 14b are inserted into areas under the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM>, and a middle portion of the lower surface plate 14b downwardly presses the engaging projection 26b of the second hold-down section <NUM> and thereby flexurally deforms the second hold-down section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

Also, the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is structured such that, when the lower surface plate 14b is slid on the outer surface of the cover main body <NUM> and the side portions of the lower surface plate 14b are inserted into the areas under the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM>, these side portions are pressed against the cover main body <NUM> at positions corresponding to the hold-down grooves 25b of the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

Moreover, the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is structured such that, when the side portions of the lower surface plate 14b are pressed against the cover main body <NUM>, the second hold-down section <NUM> flexurally deformed by the middle portion of the lower surface plate 14b resiliently returns to its original position and the engaging projection 26b of the second hold-down section <NUM> engages with the fitting lock hole 14d of the lower surface plate 14b, whereby the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is attached to the cover main body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

Also, on the outer surface of the cover main body <NUM>, a cover protection section <NUM> which reinforces the cover main body <NUM> is provided projecting in a frame shape, as shown in <FIG>. More specifically, the cover protection section <NUM> is provided to surround the fitting attachment section <NUM> along the outer periphery of the sliding area of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM>. As a result, this cover protection section <NUM> is structured to reinforce the strength of a thin portion of the cover main body <NUM>, that is, the strength of the fitting attachment section <NUM>.

That is, in the case where the expansion housing recess section <NUM> formed in the device case <NUM> is large as shown in <FIG>, the cover main body <NUM> is also large. As a result, the strength of the entire cover main body <NUM> is decreased. Accordingly, the thickness of the cover main body <NUM> is required to be increased. However, this cover main body <NUM> has the structure where the surrounding area of the fitting attachment section <NUM> has been reinforced by the cover protection section <NUM>. Therefore, the strength of the cover main body <NUM> is ensured by the cover protection section <NUM> even though it is thin.

Also, in the case of this cover main body <NUM>, the cover protection section <NUM> is formed in a manner to be located on its outer surface and project in a frame shape, as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, even though the cover protection section <NUM> is provided, this cover protection section <NUM> does not project into the expansion housing recess section <NUM>. As a result, the inner space of the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is not constrained by the cover protection section <NUM>, whereby the internal volume thereof is ensured and high density storage can be achieved.

On the other hand, the waterproof panel <NUM> is to achieve waterproofing for the cover main body <NUM>, and is attached to the inner surface of the cover main body <NUM>, or in other words, the undersurface of the cover main body <NUM> with the two-sided adhesive tape <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As a result, even though the hold-down grooves 25b of the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM> in the cover main body <NUM> and the slit hole 26a of the second hold-down section <NUM> penetrate through the front and back surfaces of the cover main body <NUM>, waterproofing for the expansion cover <NUM> is achieved and the strength of the cover main body <NUM> is increased by the hold-down grooves 25b of the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM> and the slit hole 26a of the second hold-down section <NUM> being closed by the waterproof panel <NUM>.

Also, the waterproof panel <NUM> is provided with a clearance recess section 19a which allows the flexural deformation of the second hold-down section <NUM> of the fitting attachment section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. This clearance recess section 19a has a shape conformed to the flexural deformation of the second hold-down section <NUM>, and is obliquely provided in the waterproof panel <NUM> such that its portion on the leading end side of the second hold-down section <NUM> is deeply positioned and its portion on the base side of the second hold-down section <NUM> is shallowly positioned. That is, the clearance recess section 19a is provided to be inclined and project below the waterproof panel <NUM>.

Also, on the housing projection section <NUM> to which the expansion cover <NUM> is attached, leg sections <NUM> for supporting the device case <NUM> are provided, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. These leg sections <NUM> are arranged on the sides of the top part of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>. As a result, when the lower case <NUM> is arranged on the placement surface of a table or the like, the device case <NUM> is supported at three points, that is, the leg sections <NUM> provided on the sides of the housing projection section <NUM>, and a portion of the lower case <NUM> on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM>.

Each edge potion on the sides of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> is formed by an arc-shaped curved surface 7f, as shown in <FIG>. The above-described leg sections <NUM> are provided on these curved surfaces 7f of the edge portions on the sides of the second inclined surface 7b. Side surfaces 7d of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> are curved at their portions connected to the second inclined surface 7b, and each leg section <NUM> project from three surfaces : the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, one of the side surfaces 7d of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, and a convex surface 7e on the top side of the second inclined surface 7b, as shown in <FIG>.

Each of the above-described leg sections <NUM> includes a flexible member <NUM> which is made of elastomer or rubber and has elasticity, and a rigid member <NUM> which is made of a material harder than that of the flexible member <NUM> and fixed to the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The flexible member <NUM> is an anti-slip member that prevents the portable terminal from slipping when it is arranged on the placement surface of a table or the like, as shown in <FIG>. This flexible member <NUM> is structured to protrude from the three surfaces, that is, the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, one of the side surfaces 7d of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, and the convex surface 7e on the top side of the second inclined surface 7b.

The rigid member <NUM> includes a mounting section 30a on which the flexible member <NUM> is mounted, and a fixing shaft 30b which is provided on the undersurface of the mounting section 30a and inserted into and fixed in a leg attachment hole <NUM> provided in the housing projection section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The mounting section 30a herein is provided inclining with respect to the fixing shaft 30b.

More specifically, this mounting section 30a is structured to be arranged inclining in two directions, or more specifically, in the inclination direction of the second inclined surface 7b and the direction toward the corresponding side surface 7d of the housing projection section <NUM> by being arranged on the above-described three surfaces, that is, the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, the corresponding side surface 7d of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, and the convex surface 7e on the top side of the second inclined surface 7b, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The fixing shaft 30b is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the upper case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>. This fixing shaft 30b has a welding section 30c provided on a portion that is inserted into the corresponding leg attachment hole <NUM> of the housing projection section <NUM> and protrudes from this leg attachment hole <NUM> into the inside of the housing projection section <NUM>. By the welding section 30c which has protruded into the inside of the housing projection section <NUM> from the leg attachment hole <NUM> being welded, this fixing shaft 30b is fixed to the housing projection section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> with two-dot dashed lines.

Also, the attachment surface of the flexible member <NUM> and that of the mounting section 30a of the rigid member <NUM> are provided with projection and recess sections 29a and 30d, respectively, by which the flexible member <NUM> and the mounting section 30a of the rigid member <NUM> are fitted into each other, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The flexible member <NUM> is integrally formed with the mounting section 30a of the rigid member <NUM> by insertion molding. In this embodiment, when the flexible member <NUM> is provided on the mounting section 30a of the rigid member <NUM> by insertion molding, the projection and recess sections 29a and 30d are fitted into each other and thereby firmly fixed to each other.

On the other hand, in the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, a pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> for attaching a predetermined component such as a hand belt or a strap (not shown) is provided, as shown in <FIG>. This pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> is formed in both sides of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, and each third belt attachment hole <NUM> penetrates through two surfaces, or more specifically, the corresponding side surface 7d of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> and the second inclined surface 7b.

That is, each third belt attachment hole <NUM> forms a first attachment hole 32a that is open to the second inclined surface 7b side and a second attachment hole 32b that is open to the corresponding side surface 7d side of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, and is structured such that the inner portion of the first attachment hole 32a and the inner portion of the second attachment hole 32b are communicated with each other, as shown in <FIG>.

This pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> is provided as strap holes for attaching a strap (not shown) and also as holes for attaching the hand belt <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. More specifically, this pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> is structured such that a second belt attachment fitting <NUM> for attaching the hand belt <NUM> is detachably attached thereto.

The second belt attachment fitting <NUM> includes a fitting main body <NUM> to which the hand belt <NUM> is attached, and a pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> provided on both ends of the fitting main body <NUM> in a bent state, as shown in <FIG>. The fitting main body <NUM> is formed in a square bar shape and structured to have a cover section 34a provided on its outer peripheral surface. The length of this fitting main body <NUM> is substantially the same as the length between the third belt attachment holes <NUM>.

The pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> is structured to be inserted from above into and detachably attached to the first attachment holes 32a of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> provided on both sides of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, each of the pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> has a slit groove 35a provided in its middle portion in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> in a manner to upwardly penetrate from the lower end in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As a result, the pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> is structured to be flexurally deformed in the transverse directions of the device case <NUM> by the presence of the slit grooves 35a when being inserted into the first attachment holes 32a of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> from the second inclined surface 7b side of the housing projection section <NUM>.

In addition, on the outer surfaces of the pair of fitting mounting section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, engaging projections 35b are provided which disengageably engage with inner portions of the second attachment holes 32b of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> penetrating through the side surfaces 7d of the housing projection section <NUM> located in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

That is, the pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> is structured such that they resiliently return in directions away from each other after being inserted into the first attachment holes 32a of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> from the second inclined surface 7b side of the housing projection section <NUM> and flexurally deformed, whereby the engaging projections 35b engage with the inner portions of the second attachment holes 32b of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Also, the pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> is structured such that, in order to release the engagement of the engaging projections 35b with the inner portions of the second attachment holes 32b of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM>, a tool is inserted into each second attachment hole 32b from the corresponding side surface 7d side of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, and presses each engaging projection 35b so as to flexurally deform the corresponding fitting mounting section <NUM>, whereby the engaging projections 35b are separated from the second attachment holes 32b, and the fitting mounting sections <NUM> are detached from the third belt attachment holes <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

On the other hand, each of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> is structured such that the string of a strap not shown is inserted from one of its first attachment hole 32a and second attachment hole 32b into the other hole. As a result, a strap can be attached to either one of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM>.

The upper case <NUM> of the device case <NUM> includes a case main body section <NUM> which is a reinforcement member made of a highly rigid material, and an outer peripheral cover section <NUM> which is made of synthetic resin and is provided covering the outer peripheral edges and undersurface of the case main body section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The case main body section <NUM> has a plate-like shape and the above-described highly rigid material therefor is, for example, a metal such as magnesium alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy, reinforced plastic, or a material acquired by carbon fibers or glass fibers being woven and solidified.

This case main body section <NUM> includes a first reinforcement section <NUM> which is a second extending section thicker than other portions and extends from the outer peripheral edge portion of the case main body section <NUM>, a second reinforcement section <NUM> which is a first extending section provided in a frame shape along the outer periphery of the case main body section <NUM> and projects from the undersurface of the first reinforcement section <NUM>, and a uniting section 36a which unites the first reinforcement section <NUM> with the second reinforcement section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This uniting section 36a is formed to be thicker than the first reinforcement section <NUM>. On the other hand, the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> is provided covering the outer peripheral portion and undersurface of the case main body section <NUM>, or in other words, the first reinforcement section <NUM>, the second reinforcement section <NUM>, the uniting section 36a, and the undersurface of the case main body section <NUM>.

The first reinforcement section <NUM> and the second reinforcement section <NUM> are formed such that their cross sections have a T-shape, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As a result, the first reinforcement section <NUM> and the second reinforcement section <NUM> are structured such that their rigidities are increased, their strengths are ensured, and their high pressing forces are maintained against the elasticity of a waterproof packing <NUM> described later, whereby high waterproofness can be ensured.

On the outer peripheral edge portion of the first reinforcement section <NUM>, or in other words, on the outer peripheral edge portion of the uniting section 36a, a protection projection section 38a having a chevron shape is provided projecting upward, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This protection projection section 38a protects the outer peripheral portion of the input display section <NUM> arranged on the case main body section <NUM>. Also, the first reinforcement section <NUM> is structured such that the undersurface of this protection projection section 38a is arranged corresponding to the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower case <NUM>. This first reinforcement section <NUM> has a stepped section 38b which is provided at the boundary between this first reinforcement section <NUM> and the case main body section <NUM> and exposed without being covered by the outer peripheral cover section <NUM>.

The outer peripheral cover section <NUM> is structured such that, when the upper case <NUM> is superposed on and attached to the lower case <NUM>, the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> comes in close contact with and arranged on the upper surface of the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower case <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface thereof, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. On this outer peripheral cover section <NUM>, a packing hold-down rib 37a which is a packing hold-down section corresponding to the second reinforcement section <NUM> is provided in a frame shape and projects toward the lower case <NUM> side.

On the other hand, in the lower case <NUM>, a case packing groove <NUM> is provided along the inner peripheral surface thereof, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this case packing groove <NUM>, the waterproof packing <NUM> is arranged. As a result, the device case <NUM> is structured such that, when the upper case <NUM> is superposed on and attached to the lower case <NUM>, the packing hold-down rib 37a of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> is pressed into the case packing groove <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> by the second reinforcement section <NUM> and thereby holds down the waterproof packing <NUM>.

That is, this device case <NUM> is structured such that, when the upper case <NUM> is superposed on and pressed against the lower case <NUM>, the second reinforcement section <NUM> provided on the case main body section <NUM> of the upper case <NUM> presses down the packing hold-down rib 37a of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> into the case packing groove <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, and the pressed packing hold-down rib 37a holds down the waterproof packing <NUM> in the case packing groove <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In addition, this device case <NUM> is structured such that, when the waterproof packing <NUM> in the case packing groove <NUM> is held down by the packing hold-down rib 37a, the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> comes in close contact with and arranged on the upper surface of the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower case <NUM> and the inner peripheral surface thereof, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Next, the manufacture of the upper case <NUM> of the above-described portable terminal is described with reference to <FIG>.

This method for manufacturing the upper case <NUM> includes a first step of forming the case main body section <NUM> that is a reinforcement member by use of a highly rigid material, a second step of fixing the case main body section <NUM> in a molding die <NUM>, and a third step of injecting resin into the molding die <NUM> so as to form the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> on the case main body section <NUM>.

At the first step, the case main body section <NUM> having a substantially plate-like shape is formed with a highly rigid material. This material is, for example, a metal such as magnesium alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy, reinforced plastic, or a material acquired by carbon fibers or glass fibers being woven and solidified. In addition, on the outer peripheral portion of the case main body section <NUM>, the thick first reinforcement section <NUM> which extends from the outer peripheral portion of the case main body section <NUM> and the second reinforcement section <NUM> which is positioned on the first reinforcement section <NUM> are formed.

In this embodiment, on the outer peripheral edge portion of the first reinforcement section <NUM>, the protection projection section 38a which has a chevron shape and protects the outer peripheral portion of the input display section <NUM> is provided projecting upward (downward in <FIG>). Also, at the boundary between the first reinforcement section <NUM> and the case main body section <NUM>, the stepped section 38b is formed to be higher (lower in <FIG>) than the upper (lower in <FIG>) surface of the case main body section <NUM>.

At the second step, the case main body section <NUM> is arranged in the molding die <NUM>. This molding die <NUM> includes a lower die <NUM> and an upper die <NUM>. When being arranged in this molding die <NUM>, the case main body section <NUM> is placed inside the lower die <NUM> and the upper die <NUM>. Here, an engagement projection section 46a which is a portion of the lower die <NUM> is brought into contact with the stepped section 38b of the first reinforcement section <NUM> located at the boundary with the case main body section <NUM>, and the outer peripheral surface of the engagement projection section 46a is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the stepped section 38b. As a result, the case main body section <NUM> is positionally restricted with respect to the lower die <NUM> and fixed in the molding die <NUM>.

In this state, a molding space (cavity) <NUM> for the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> has been formed in the molding die <NUM>. This molding space <NUM> includes a first space 48a surrounding the outer peripheral portions of the first reinforcement section <NUM> and the second reinforcement section <NUM>, a groove-shaped second space 48b located below (above in <FIG>) the second reinforcement section <NUM> on the same axis, and a third space corresponding to the lower side (upper side in <FIG>) of the case main body section <NUM>.

At the third step, resin is injected into the molding space <NUM> of the molding die <NUM> and hardened. As a result, the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portions of the first reinforcement section <NUM> and second reinforcement section <NUM> of the case main body section <NUM> by use of the first space 48a of the molding space <NUM>. In addition, the packing hold-down rib 37a of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> is formed under and corresponding to the second reinforcement section <NUM> by use of the second space 48b of the molding space <NUM>. Moreover, the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> is formed under the case main body section <NUM> by use of the third space 48c of the molding space <NUM>.

Then, the lower die <NUM> and upper die <NUM> of the molding die <NUM> are detached from each other, whereby the upper case <NUM> that is a molded article is taken out from the molding die <NUM>. In this state, the stepped section 38b of the first reinforcement section <NUM> located at the boundary with the case main body section <NUM> has been exposed without being covered by the outer peripheral cover section <NUM>. As a result of the above-described steps, the upper case <NUM> having the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> provided on the outer peripheral portion of the case main body section <NUM> is acquired.

Next, a case is described in which the upper case <NUM> manufactured as described above is superposed on the lower case <NUM> so as to assemble the device case <NUM>.

In this case, first, the waterproof packing <NUM> is arranged in the case packing groove <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> provided along the inner peripheral surface of the lower case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Then, the upper case <NUM> is superposed on the lower case <NUM> such that the packing hold-down rib 37a of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> of the upper case <NUM> corresponds to the case packing groove <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>.

In this state, the lower case <NUM> is pressed against the upper case <NUM>. As a result, the packing hold-down rib 37a of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> of the upper case <NUM> is pressed into the case packing groove <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> by the second reinforcement section <NUM> of the upper case <NUM>. This pressed packing hold-down rib 37a presses the waterproof packing <NUM> in the case packing groove <NUM>. As a result, waterproofing for the upper case <NUM> and the lower case <NUM> is achieved. Here, the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral cover section <NUM> comes in close contact with and is arranged on the upper surface and inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral edge portion of the lower case <NUM>. As a result, the assembly of the device case <NUM> is completed.

Before the assembly of the device case <NUM>, various types of components are mounted on the upper case <NUM> in advance. More specifically, the input display section <NUM> and the key input section <NUM> are mounted on the front surface of the upper case <NUM>. Here, the input display section <NUM> having the transparent touch panel 4b laminated on the display panel 4a in advance is mounted on the upper case <NUM>. In addition, the key input section <NUM> having the plurality of key buttons 5a arranged on the switch board 5b is mounted on the upper case <NUM>.

Also, on the upper case <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM> is mounted corresponding to the input display section <NUM>, and also the unit case 9a of the optical reading section <NUM> is mounted. Here, the scanner section 9b including the laser reading section and the camera section and the expansion connector <NUM> are attached to the unit case 9a in advance. In addition, the connection electrode section <NUM> is mounted on the end portion of the upper case <NUM> on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction.

Moreover, on the side surface of the upper case <NUM>, the side surface trigger key 1c is mounted. In this state, the input display section <NUM>, the switch board 5b of and the key input section <NUM>, the scanner section 9b, the expansion connector <NUM>, the connection electrode section <NUM>, and the side surface trigger key 1c are electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM>. As a result, the various types of components are mounted on the upper case <NUM>.

On the other hand, on the lower case <NUM> as well, various types of components are mounted. More specifically, the optical window section 7c is attached to the first inclined surface 7a of the housing projection section <NUM>. In this state, the upper case <NUM> is superposed on the lower case <NUM> as described above so as to assemble the device case <NUM>. As a result, the scanner section 9b of the unit case 9a of the optical reading section <NUM> provided in the upper case <NUM> corresponds to the optical window section 7c provided on the first inclined surface 7a of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>.

Also, here, the expansion connector <NUM> provided on the unit case 9a is inserted into the opening section 15a of the bottom portion of the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>, and exposed in the expansion housing recess section <NUM>. Here, the bottom portion of the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is obliquely arranged in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>. Also, the expansion connector <NUM> exposed in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is obliquely arranged in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> and inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>.

In this state, the expansion board <NUM> is arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM>. Here, the board connector 16a provided on the undersurface of the expansion board <NUM> is inserted into the expansion connector <NUM> exposed in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> so that the expansion board <NUM> is electrically connected and attached to the expansion connector <NUM>. As a result, the expansion board <NUM> is obliquely arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>.

Here, by the inclination of the expansion board <NUM> with respect to the device case <NUM>, the longitudinal length of a space occupied by the expansion board <NUM> in the device case <NUM> is short. That is, in the case where the expansion board <NUM> is obliquely arranged with respect to the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion board <NUM> in the device case <NUM> is shorter because of the inclination of the expansion board <NUM>, as compared to a case where the expansion board <NUM> is arranged in parallel with the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even though the length of the expansion board <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> is long, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion board <NUM> in the device case <NUM> can be kept short.

In addition, the expansion connector <NUM> is arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in manner to be long in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>. As a result, when the board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> is to be inserted into the expansion connector <NUM> with side portions of the expansion board <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> being held by fingertips, the expansion board <NUM> can be easily tilted in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>, whereby the board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> can be easily and favorably inserted into the expansion connector <NUM>.

Moreover, when the board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> is to be inserted into the expansion connector <NUM> with the side portions of the expansion board <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> being held by the fingertips, the fingertips holding the side portions of the expansion board <NUM> can be placed on the cutout sections <NUM> provided in the side portions of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>. By this structure as well, the board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> can be easily and favorably inserted into the expansion connector <NUM>.

Then, the expansion cover <NUM> is attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM> so as to protect the expansion board <NUM>. Here, the expansion cover <NUM> is assembled in advance. In this assembly, the waterproof panel <NUM> is attached to the inner surface of the cover main body <NUM> of the expansion cover <NUM> with the two-sided adhesive tape <NUM>, whereby the expansion cover <NUM> is assembled in which waterproofing has been achieved by the waterproof panel <NUM> and the strength of the cover main body <NUM> has been enhanced.

When this expansion cover <NUM> is to be attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, first, the cover packing <NUM> is mounted in the cover mounting groove 15b provided in the inner peripheral surface of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, and then the expansion cover <NUM> is attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in this state. Here, the cover packing hold-down section 18c of the expansion cover <NUM> holds down the cover packing <NUM> mounted in the cover mounting groove 15b of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, whereby waterproofing for the expansion cover <NUM> and the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is achieved.

In this attachment, the attachment projection sections 18a provided projecting on the sides of the cover main body <NUM> in the transverse directions of the device case <NUM> are arranged in the cutout sections <NUM> provided in the side portions of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>. Here, the attachment projection sections 18a of the expansion cover <NUM> are arranged on the horizontal surfaces 22b of the cutout sections <NUM> and also come in contact with the vertical surfaces 22a of the cutout sections <NUM>. As a result, the expansion cover <NUM> is accurately and favorably attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM>.

In this state, each screw insertion hole 18b provided in the attachment projection sections 18a is positioned on the same axis as the screw hole 22c provided in the horizontal surface 22b of the corresponding cutout section <NUM>. Accordingly, the mounting screws <NUM> are inserted into the screw insertion holes 18b of the attachment projection sections 18a while being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, and the screw sections 21b of the mounting screws <NUM> are tightly screwed into the screw holes 22c of the cutout sections <NUM>.

As a result, the cover packing hold-down section 18c of the expansion cover <NUM> holds down the cover packing <NUM> mounted in the cover mounting groove 15b of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, and the expansion cover <NUM> is attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM> with the cover main body <NUM> covering the expansion housing recess section <NUM>. When being attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, the expansion cover <NUM> is arranged in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in substantially parallel with the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>. Accordingly, as in the case of the expansion board <NUM>, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion cover <NUM> in the device case <NUM> can be kept short because of its inclination with respect to the device case <NUM>.

That is, in the case where the expansion cover <NUM> is obliquely arranged with respect to the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion cover <NUM> in the device case <NUM> is shorter because of the inclination of the expansion cover <NUM>, as compared to a case where the expansion cover <NUM> is arranged in parallel with the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even though the length of the expansion cover <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> is long, the longitudinal length of a space to be occupied by the expansion cover <NUM> in the device case <NUM> can be kept short.

Then, the battery pack B is housed in the battery housing section 3a in the lower case <NUM>, and the battery cover <NUM> is attached to this battery housing section 3a. Here, the other end portion 8d of the battery cover <NUM> is placed to be caught on an edge portion of the battery housing section 3a on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM>, and the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> is arranged on an edge portion of the battery housing section 3a on the housing projection section <NUM> side. Then, in this state, the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> is locked by the locking levers <NUM>.

Here, when the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> is to be locked by the locking levers <NUM>, the lever sections 10b of the locking levers <NUM> are operated in the lever housing recess sections 3b of the lower case <NUM> so as to rotate each locking section 10a in one direction, with the battery cover <NUM> being arranged on the lower case <NUM> and covering the battery housing section 3a of the lower case <NUM>. By this operation, the locking sections 10a hold down the one end portion 8c of the battery cover <NUM> on the edge portion of the battery housing section 3a, whereby the one end portion 8c is locked and the assembly of the portable terminal is completed.

Next, the use of this portable terminal is described.

In this case, the hand belt <NUM> is attached to the portable terminal in advance. Here, first, the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is attached to the expansion cover <NUM>. That is, the lower surface plate 14b of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is arranged on the outer surface of the cover main body <NUM> and slid toward the base side of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>.

As a result, the side portions of the lower surface plate 14b of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> are inserted toward the areas under the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM> on the sides of the fitting attachment section <NUM> provided in the expansion cover <NUM>, and the middle portion of the lower surface plate 14b of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> downwardly presses the engaging projection 26b of the second hold-down section <NUM> of the fitting attachment section <NUM> and thereby flexurally deforms the second hold-down section <NUM> toward the back side.

In this state, when the lower surface plate 14b of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is further slid and the side portions of the lower surface plate 14b are pressed into the areas under the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM>, these side portions of the lower surface plate 14b are pressed against the cover main body <NUM> and correspond to the hold-down grooves 25b of the pair of first hold-down sections <NUM>. Here, the second hold-down section <NUM> flexurally deformed by the middle portion of the lower surface plate 14b resiliently returns to its original position, whereby the engaging projection 26b of the second hold-down section <NUM> resiliently engages with the fitting lock hole 14d of the lower surface plate 14b. As a result, the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> is attached to the cover main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the cover protection section <NUM> which reinforces the cover main body <NUM> is provided on the outer surface of the cover main body <NUM> and surrounds the fitting attachment section <NUM> along the outer periphery of the sliding area of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM>, whereby a thin portion of the cover main body <NUM> is reinforced, or in other words, the strength of the fitting attachment section <NUM> is increased.

When the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is formed larger in the device case <NUM>, the cover main body <NUM> is also formed larger, by which the strength of the entire cover main body <NUM> is decreased. Therefore, the thickness of the cover main body <NUM> is required to be increased. However, this cover main body <NUM> has the structure where the surrounding area of the fitting attachment section <NUM> has been reinforced by the cover protection section <NUM>, and therefore the strength of the cover main body <NUM> is ensured by the cover protection section <NUM> even though it is thin.

Also, in the case of this cover main body <NUM>, the cover protection section <NUM> is formed in a manner to be located on its outer surface and project in a frame shape. Accordingly, even though the cover protection section <NUM> is provided on the cover main body <NUM>, this cover protection section <NUM> does not project into the expansion housing recess section <NUM>. As a result, the inner space of the expansion housing recess section <NUM> is not constrained by the cover protection section <NUM>, whereby the internal volume thereof is ensured and high density storage can be achieved.

Then, in the above-described state, the one end portion 12a of the hand belt <NUM> is inserted into and attached to the second belt attachment hole 14c provided in the upper surface plate 14a of the first belt attachment fitting <NUM>. Also, the other end portion 12b of the hand belt <NUM> is attached to the first belt attachment hole 3c provided in the other end of the lower case <NUM> on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the hand belt <NUM> is attached to the portable terminal.

Then, when using the portable terminal while holding it, the user first inserts his or her hand between the device case <NUM> and the hand belt <NUM> and holds the device case <NUM>. Here, the fingers other than the thumb are inserted between the device case <NUM> and the hand belt <NUM> and the thumb is placed on the input display section <NUM> or key input section <NUM> of the device case <NUM> so as to hold the device case <NUM> while wrapping the fingers around the battery cover <NUM> of the device case <NUM>.

In this state, the user performs an input operation on the input display section <NUM> or the key input section <NUM> with the thumb. Here, information displayed on the display panel 4a of the input display section <NUM> can be viewed through the transparent touch panel 4b. Accordingly, the user can perform a touch operation while viewing the information displayed on the display panel 4a.

Also, in this state, when the upper surface trigger key 5c of the key input section <NUM> or the side surface trigger key 1c provided on the side surface of the device case <NUM> is operated, the scanner section 9b of the optical reading section <NUM> is activated. Then, the laser reading section of the scanner section 9b irradiates the product code of a product with a laser beam through the optical window section 7c of the housing projection section <NUM>, and receives reflected light so as to read the product code.

In addition, the camera section of the scanner section 9b captures an image of a photographic subject such as the product or the two dimensional code. As a result, the product code read by the laser reading section is registered in the memory section of the circuit board <NUM> while being displayed on the input display section <NUM> and, similarly, the image of the photographic subject such as the product or the two dimensional code captured by the camera section is registered in the memory section of the circuit board <NUM> while being displayed on the input display section <NUM>.

Also, when a card such as a credit card is brought close to the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, the magnetic electrode 16b provided in the housing projection section <NUM> acquires information of the card with a magnetic field (induced electromotive force), and the acquired magnetic information signal is read as card information by the expansion board <NUM>. This read information is also registered in the memory section of the circuit board <NUM>.

Also, when this portable terminal is arranged on the placement surface of a table or the like, the three points, that is, the two leg sections <NUM> provided on the sides of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> in the transverse direction and a portion of the lower case <NUM> on the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM>, or in other words, the other end portion 12b of the hand belt <NUM> attached to an end portion of the lower case <NUM> come in contact with the placement surface.

As a result, the device case <NUM> is stably arranged on the placement surface since it is supported by the three points on the placement surface. Here, when the leg sections <NUM> provided on the sides of the housing projection section <NUM> are arranged on the placement surface, the flexible members <NUM> of the leg sections <NUM> are arranged on and come in contact with the placement surface, whereby slipping on the placement surface is prevented by the elastic force of the flexible members <NUM>. By this structure as well, the device case <NUM> is stably arranged on the placement surface.

In this embodiment, the flexible members <NUM> of the leg sections <NUM> are formed of materials having elasticity, such as elastomer or rubber. As a result, impacts that may be exerted on the housing projection section <NUM> when the device case <NUM> is dropped or roughly placed on a placement surface are buffered by the flexible members <NUM>, whereby the scanner section 9b housed in the housing projection section <NUM> is favorably protected from the impact.

If an expansion board larger than the above-described expansion board <NUM> is connected to the expansion connector <NUM> in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> provided in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, the expansion cover <NUM> cannot be attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM>. Therefore, the portable terminal is required to be used with the expansion cover <NUM> being detached, and accordingly an attachment position of the hand belt <NUM> with respect to the device case <NUM> is required to be changed.

In this case, the one end portion 12a of the hand belt <NUM> is detached from the first belt attachment fitting <NUM>. In this state, the second belt attachment fitting <NUM> is attached to the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> provided in the sides of the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>.

Here, the pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> provided on the ends of the fitting main body <NUM> of the second belt attachment fitting <NUM> is inserted into and attached to the first attachment holes 32a of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM>. Here, when the pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> is being inserted into the first attachment holes 32a of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> from the second inclined surface 7b side of the housing projection section <NUM>, the engaging projections 35b are pressed against the inner surfaces of the first attachment holes 32a and flexurally deformed by the presence of the slit grooves 35a.

Then, when the pair of fitting mounting sections <NUM> is inserted into the first attachment holes 32a of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> from the second inclined surface 7b side of the housing projection section <NUM>, the flexurally deformed fitting mounting sections <NUM> resiliently return in the directions away from each other and each engaging projection 35b disengageably engages inside the corresponding second attachment hole 32b. As a result, the second belt attachment fitting <NUM> is attached to the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM>.

In this state, the one end portion 12a of the hand belt <NUM> is inserted between the fitting main body <NUM> of the second belt attachment fitting <NUM> and the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, and folded back at the fitting main body <NUM>. As a result, the one end portion 12a of the hand belt <NUM> is attached to the fitting main body <NUM>. In this case, the first belt attachment fitting <NUM> may be detached from the expansion cover <NUM> or may remain attached.

In this case as well, the user can use the portable terminal while holding it. More specifically, his or her hand is inserted between the device case <NUM> and the hand belt <NUM> so as to hold the device case <NUM>. Here, as with the above-described case, the fingers other than the thumb are inserted between the device case <NUM> and the hand belt <NUM> and the thumb is placed on the input display section <NUM> or the key input section <NUM> of the device case <NUM> so as to hold the device case <NUM> while wrapping the fingers around the battery cover <NUM> of the device case <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the user is to carry this portable terminal, the hand belt <NUM> may remain attached to the device case <NUM> or be detached from the device case <NUM>. When the hand belt <NUM> is to be detached, the second belt attachment fitting <NUM> may be detached from the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM> so as to attach a strap (not shown in the drawings) to one of the pair of third belt attachment holes <NUM>. Here, the string of the strap is inserted from the first attachment hole 32a of one of the third belt attachment holes <NUM> to the corresponding second attachment hole 32b or vice versa.

As such, this portable terminal includes the housing projection section <NUM> which is provided projecting in the thickness direction at a position shifted to the one end portion 1a side of the device case <NUM> that is a terminal main body in the longitudinal direction and in which a predetermined device is housed, and the expansion connector section <NUM> which is used to connect the predetermined expansion board <NUM>. The housing projection section <NUM> has the second inclined surface 7b downwardly inclined from the one end portion 1a side toward the other end portion 1b side in the longitudinal direction, and the expansion connector section <NUM> is provided in this second inclined surface 7b. As a result of this structure, the portable terminal can be favorably carried even after its function is expanded.

That is, in this portable terminal, the expansion connector section <NUM> is provided in the housing projection section <NUM> with it being inclined in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>. Accordingly, when being connected to the expansion connector section <NUM>, the expansion board <NUM> which expands the function or the like can be obliquely arranged on the housing projection section <NUM>. As a result of this structure, the device case <NUM> can be downsized, and the portable terminal can be favorably carried even after its function is expanded.

In this embodiment, the expansion connector section <NUM> includes the expansion connector <NUM> that is a terminal section for electrically connecting the expansion board <NUM>, and the expansion housing recess section <NUM> for housing the expansion board <NUM> connected to the expansion connector <NUM>. The expansion connector <NUM> is provided in the bottom surface portion of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>. That is, by the presence of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, the expansion connector <NUM> can be provided in the housing projection section <NUM> without protruding from the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>.

Also, in this portable terminal, the expansion connector <NUM> that is a terminal section is provided such that the expansion board <NUM> can be mounted in parallel with the second inclined surface 7b. Accordingly, when the board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> having an expansion function is connected to the expansion connector <NUM>, the expansion board <NUM> is obliquely arranged along the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>. By this structure as well, the device case <NUM> can be downsized, and the portable terminal can be favorably carried even after its function is expanded.

In addition, the expansion connector <NUM> that is a terminal section is provided such that its length in the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM> is shorter than its length in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM>. Accordingly, the user can easily tilt the expansion board <NUM> in the transverse directions of the device case <NUM> when inserting the board connector 16a into the expansion connector <NUM> while holding side portions of the expansion board <NUM> located in the transverse direction of the device case <NUM> with fingertips, and thereby can easily and favorably insert the board connector 16a of the expansion board <NUM> into the expansion connector <NUM>.

Also, in this portable terminal, the expansion connector section <NUM> includes the expansion cover <NUM> that is a cover body for covering the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, and the housing projection section <NUM> has the screw holes 22c into which the mounting screws <NUM> for attaching the expansion cover <NUM> are screwed. These screw holes 22c are formed extending in the thickness direction of the device case <NUM>. As a result of this structure, when the expansion cover <NUM> is to be attached to the expansion housing recess section <NUM>, the mounting screws <NUM> can be screwed into the screw holes 22c of the housing projection section <NUM> in the thickness direction of the device case <NUM>, that is, the direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the device case <NUM>, whereby the attachment projection sections 18a of the expansion cover <NUM> can be reliably and firmly attached to the cutout sections <NUM> of the expansion housing recess section <NUM>.

Moreover, in this portable terminal, the expansion connector section <NUM> is provided at a position shifted toward the other end portion 1b side of the device case <NUM>, in the second inclined surface 7b. Accordingly, the expansion connector section <NUM> does not obstruct the use of the portable terminal and the user can favorably use the portable terminal while holding the device case <NUM>.

Furthermore, in this portable terminal, the scanner section 9b of the optical reading section <NUM> that is imaging means is housed in the housing projection section <NUM>. As a result of this structure, the device case <NUM> can be downsized. In this embodiment, the scanner section 9b is provided on the unit case 9a of the optical reading section <NUM> provided on the upper case <NUM> corresponding to the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM>, and is arranged in the housing projection section <NUM> of the lower case <NUM> when the upper case <NUM> and the lower case <NUM> are attached to each other so as to assemble the device case <NUM>. That is, the assembling work is efficiently performed.

In the above-described embodiment, one expansion connector <NUM> is provided in the expansion housing recess section <NUM> in the second inclined surface 7b of the housing projection section <NUM>. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of expansion connectors may be provided. With this structure, more functions can be expanded by the plurality of expansion connectors.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the expansion board <NUM> is a card reading board which reads information of a card such as a credit card in a non-contact manner. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the expansion board <NUM> may be a sensor board equipped with a sensor such as a temperature sensor (thermostat camera), a pressure sensor, an infrared sensor, a distance sensor, and a biometrics sensor (a fingerprint sensor or a pulse sensor), or a communication board equipped with a communication function.

Claim 1:
An information terminal comprising:
a housing projection section (<NUM>) which is provided at a position shifted to one end side of a terminal main body (<NUM>) in a longitudinal direction while projecting in a thickness direction of the terminal main body (<NUM>), and in which a device is housed;
an expansion connector section (<NUM>) which is used to connect an expansion board (<NUM>), wherein the expansion connector section (<NUM>) includes a terminal section (<NUM>) to which the expansion board (<NUM>) is electrically connected,
wherein the housing projection section (<NUM>) includes a first inclined surface (7a) downwardly inclined from an other end side toward the one end side in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein the device is provided in the first inclined surface (7a),
characterized by:
a second inclined surface (7b) downwardly inclined from the one end side toward the other end side in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein the expansion connector section (<NUM>) is provided in the second inclined surface (7b) and includes a housing recess section (<NUM>) which houses the expansion board (<NUM>) connected to the terminal section (<NUM>) and a cover body (<NUM>) which covers the housing recess section (<NUM>),
the terminal section (<NUM>) is provided in a bottom surface portion of the housing recess section (<NUM>),
the housing projection section (<NUM>) has a screw hole (22c) into which a screw that is used to attach the cover body (<NUM>) is screwed, and
the screw hole (22c) is formed extending in the thickness direction.