Patent ID: 7715191

Claim:
A handheld electronic communication device transitionable between at least a compact configuration and an expanded configuration, said device comprising: a display panel defining a first central plane and interconnected to a keyboard panel defining a second central plane, wherein said display panel is overlaid on, and in substantial registration with, said keyboard panel in the compact configuration and said display panel is offset above said keyboard panel in the expanded configuration; said display panel coupled to said keyboard panel by at least one interconnection configured to maintain said first central plane and second central plane in substantial parallel orientation to each other in the compact configuration and expanded configurations and during transition between the compact configuration and the expanded configuration in which the first central plane and second central plane undergo both x-direction and z-direction motion relative one another; wherein said at least one interconnection comprises a pair of tracks, each comprising an arcuate portion along which a respective insert slides during transition between the compact configuration and expanded configuration, said pair of tracks disposed on a front face of the keyboard panel; wherein said at least one interconnection is further configured so that during transition between the compact configuration and expanded configuration the first central plane and second central plane undergo rotation-free, x-direction and z-direction motion relative one another; wherein said pair of tracks further comprises a straight portion along which the insert slides during transition between the compact configuration and a translated configuration, said display panel is shifted exclusively sideways relative the keyboard panel in the translated configuration whereby at least one input key on the keyboard panel is exposed for actuation; and wherein said at least one interconnection is further configured to expose a text-entry keyboard on the keyboard panel in the expanded configuration.