Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to wireless communication devices and more particularly to keypads for wireless communication devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Keypads for wireless communications devices (e.g., cellular handsets) have been installed in the past using double-sided tape and fixtures (e.g., tools). 
     Some keypads for wireless communications devices have included bendable tabs that protrude from the keypad housing. The tabs are bent into a first configuration to attach the keypad and keypad housing to a handset housing, and then the tabs are bent again to secure the keypad housing and keypad in place relative to the handset housing. 
     Installation/assembly of the keypads in either of the above manners described above is cumbersome and time-consuming. Further, adhesives are sensitive to weather conditions and climate, and deteriorate over time. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, described herein is a modular keypad for a wireless communications device that is much easier and quicker to assemble than keypads in the past. The modular keypad does not require tape, tools, or other extra items to assemble the keypad into the wireless communications device. The modular keypad and device housing include snap fastening mechanisms that allow the modular keypad to be retained to the device housing. The modular keypad includes alignment members (e.g., engagement tabs, slots) for aligning the modular keypad into position relative to the device housing. The modular keypad is installed by sliding the modular keypad into position relative to the device housing using the alignment members, and snapping the snap fastening mechanisms together, locking the modular keypad into position relative to the device housing. A lower attachment member mates with the bottom of the modular keypad and device housing to prevent the modular keypad from accidentally separating from the device housing. 
     Not only is the modular keypad of the present invention easier and quicker to assemble than keypads in the past, but the snap fastening nature of the modular keypad makes the modular keypad replaceable so that an end user can easily remove and replace the modular keypad with a custom modular keypad of the user&#39;s preference. Further, if the modular keypad becomes worn out, the modular keypad can be replaced with a new modular keypad, without the user having to purchase a new wireless communication device. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a wireless communication device including a wireless communication device housing member, and a modular keypad removably attachable to the wireless communication device housing member without use of a separate tool. 
     A further aspect of the invention involves a method of assembling a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device including a wireless communication device housing member and a modular keypad removably attachable to the wireless communication device housing member. The method includes inserting the modular keypad at least partially into the wireless communication device housing member; removably attaching the modular keypad to the wireless communication device housing member; and locking the modular keypad relative to the wireless communication device housing member. The inserting, attaching, and locking steps being performed without use of a separate tool. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a modular keypad for a wireless communication device; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the modular keypad of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is partial perspective view of an embodiment of a snap fastening mechanism; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the modular keypad of  FIG. 1  and a wireless communication device housing member, and illustrates an assembly step for installing the modular keypad onto the wireless communication device housing member; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the modular keypad of  FIG. 1  and the wireless communication device housing member, and illustrates another assembly step for installing the modular keypad onto the wireless communication device housing member; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the modular keypad of  FIG. 1  attached to the wireless communication device housing member and a lower attachment member, and illustrates another assembly step involving attaching the lower attachment member to the bottom of the modular keypad and housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for modular keypad  100  that is quickly and easily connected/disconnected relative to device housing member  110  of a wireless communication device. Although the modular keypad  100  will be described in conjunction with device housing member  110  of wireless communication device  120 , in alternative embodiments, modular keypad  100  is connectable/disconnectable relative to a device housing of a device (e.g., PDA, hand-held computer)) other than a wireless communication device. 
     After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of modular keypad  100  will be described. Modular keypad  100  includes substantially rectangular support frame  130 . Support frame  130  includes upwardly extending upper engagement tabs  140 , downwardly extending lower engagement tabs  150 , and rearwardly extending middle engagement tabs  160  extending rearward from rear  165 . 
     Upwardly extending upper engagement tabs  140  have a substantially rectangular, flat configuration, and include central holes  170 . Upper engagement tabs  140  extend upwardly from top end  175 . Although three upper engagement tabs  140  are shown, in alternative embodiments, modular keypad  100  includes other numbers (e.g. 1, 2, 4, etc.) of upper engagement tabs  140 . Further, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the upper engagement tabs  140  have alternative sizes and/or configurations. 
     Downwardly extending lower engagement tabs  150  have a substantially rectangular, flat configuration, and include central holes  180 . Lower engagement tabs  140  extend downwardly from bottom end  185 . Although two lower engagement tabs  150  are shown, in alternative embodiments, modular keypad  100  includes other numbers (e.g. 1, 3, 4, etc.) of lower engagement tabs  150 . Further, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the lower engagement tabs  150  have alternative sizes and/or configurations. 
     Rearwardly extending middle engagement tabs  160  have a substantially curvilinear, flat configuration, and include central holes  190 . The middle engagement tabs  160  extend rearwardly from opposite sides  195 . Middle engagement tabs  160  are vertically offset relative to each other along opposite sides  195 . Although two middle engagement tabs  160  are shown, in alternative embodiments, modular keypad  100  includes other numbers (e.g. 1, 3, 4, etc.) of middle engagement tabs  160 . Further, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the middle engagement tabs  160  have alternative sizes and/or configurations. 
     In alternative embodiments, modular keypad  100  includes alternative numbers, configurations, and/or locations for engagement tabs. 
     One or more input keys  200  are operatively coupled to a front of the support frame  130 . 
     In alternative embodiments, modular keypad  100  includes alternative numbers, configurations, and/or locations for input keys  200 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3-6 , wireless communication device housing member  110  includes a substantially rectangular configuration with input key holes  210  disposed relative to input keys  200 , when the modular keypad  100  is attached to housing member  110 . Housing member  110  includes a substantially rectangular configuration with front side  230 , rear side  240 , opposite sides  250 , top portion  260 , middle portion  270 , and bottom portion  280 . Top portion  220  includes upper slots  290  for receiving upper engagement tabs  140 . Although not shown, adjacent upper slots  290 , on rear side  220 , engagement pins extend rearwardly from rear side  220 . Middle portion  270  includes slots (not shown) adjacent opposite sides  250  for receiving middle engagement tabs  160 . In bottom portion  280 , on front side  230 , engagement pins  300  extend forwardly from front side  230 . Lower engagement tabs  320  extend downwardly from bottom edge  325  of housing member  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , together, holes  180  of lower engagement tab  150  and engagement pins  300  form snap fastening mechanisms  310 . In the embodiment shown, a distal end of engagement pin  300  includes increased-diameter tip  330 . Increased-diameter tip  330  allows hole  180  of engagement tab  150  to “snap” onto engagement pin  300  and be retained in position on engagement pin  300 . Engagement pins on rear side  240 , adjacent upper slots, have a similar configuration to engagement pins  300 , and together with holes  170  of upper engagement tabs  140  for snap fastening mechanisms. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , lower attachment member  340  slidably connects to bottom portion  280  of housing member  110 . Lower attachment member  340  includes recesses, slots, and/or tracks (not shown) on an upper side that slidably receive lower engagement tabs  320  and other portions of bottom portion  280  of housing member  110 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-6 , an exemplary method of assembling modular keypad  100  to device housing member  110  will be described. First, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the modular keypad  100  is oriented in the position shown so that upper engagement tabs  140  are aligned with slots  290 , and the modular keypad  100  is disposed over device housing member  110 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 5 , modular keypad  100  is angled relative to device housing member  110 , and upper engagement tabs  140  are first inserted into or slid into slots  290 . Central upper engagement tab  140  is disposed into a top of central input key hole  210 . Slots  290  receive upper engagement tabs  140 . Modular keypad  100  is then pivoted downward, with upper engagement tabs  140  in slots  290  serving as pivot points. As modular keypad  100  is pivoted downward, towards front side  230 , slots in middle portion  270  receive middle engagement tabs. Modular keypad  100  is pivoted downward so that rear  165  of modular keypad  100  is adjacent to front  230  of device housing member  110 . Then, during a snapping step, snap fastening mechanisms  310  are snapped into position. This includes ensuring holes  180 ,  170 , of engagement tabs  150 ,  140  are over engagement pins  300 , and then pressing modular keypad  100  and device housing member  110  together in the location of the snap fastening mechanisms  310  so that the holes  180 ,  170  of engagement tabs  150 ,  140  are snapped onto the engagement pins  300 , securing the modular keypad  100  in position relative to device housing member  110 . With reference to  FIG. 6  in a locking step, lower attachment member  340  is slidably connected to bottom portion  280  of housing member  110 . Lower engagement tabs  320  and other portions of bottom portion  280  matingly receive recesses, slots, and/or tracks of lower attachment member  340 . With lower attachment member  340  secured in position on bottom portion  280 , modular keypad  100  is locked into position, preventing modular keypad  100  from being dislodged relative to housing member  110 . 
     The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5