Housing for an electronic device

• US 20020061736A1
• Filed: 11/21/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Hinge, Kevin, Boman, Petri
• Granted Patent: US 7,353,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3437 Cellular phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0252 by means of a snap-on mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate

Abstract

A housing for an electronic device is disclosed and comprises a unitary tubular body (1) having an open end (2) for insertion of electronic componentry therein. Preferably, the housing is for a mobile telecommunications device.

Claims

1. A housing for an electronic device comprising a unitary tubular body having an open end for insertion of electronic components therein.

2. A housing according to claim 1, including a member for closing the open end of the tubular body.

3. A housing according to claim 2, wherein the member is configured to support electronic components thereon.

4. A housing according to claim 3, wherein the member includes a support for locating and retaining a printed circuit board thereon.

5. A housing according to claim 4, wherein said support includes an integrally moulded clip to receive the edge of a printed circuit board and a location spigot to support the underside thereof.

6. A housing according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the inner peripheral wall of the member includes a recess to receive a transducer module.

7. A housing according to claim 2, including a guide on the body to receive and support electronic components mounted on the member.

8. A housing according to claim 7, wherein the guide is a rail.

9. A housing according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a plurality of apertures in one face to receive the keys of a keymat mounted on an inner wall of the body, and an opening in the other face opposite the apertures to receive a battery pack.

10. A housing according to claim 9, wherein the body includes means to releasably secure a keymat retaining plate over the keymat.

11. A housing according to claim 10, wherein said means comprises an integrally formed tab on the body for location of the retaining plate thereunder.

12. A housing according to claim 11, wherein the retaining plate is formed from a resilient flexible material and is a snap fit beneath the integrally formed tab on the body.

13. A housing according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the body overlaps the member, said body and member including co-operating parts to mount the member on the body.

14. A housing according to claim 13, wherein the co-operating parts includes a flange on the member that forms an interference fit with the body.

15. A housing according to claim 13, including a lock for releasably securing the member mounted to the body.

16. A housing according to claim 15, wherein said lock includes an aperture in the member and a boss in the body, fastening means being insertable through the aperture for location in the boss.

17. An electronic device incorporating the housing according to claim 1.

18. An electronic device according to claim 17, comprising a mobile telecommunications device.

19. An electronic device according to claim 18, including a keymat, a keymat retaining plate and a battery pack, the retaining plate being configured such that the keymat is biased against the housing by the retaining plate when the battery pack is mounted in the housing.

20. An electronic device according to claim 19, wherein the retaining plate includes resiliently deformable regions raised out of the plane of the plate, said regions being deflected back towards the plane of the plate by the battery pack mounted in the housing, thereby biasing the keymat against the housing.

21. An electronic device according to claim 20, wherein said resiliently deformable regions are a plurality of spaced parallel ribs.

22. A method of forming a housing comprising a unitary tubular body having an open end for insertion of electronic components therein, the method including the step of permanently attaching at least two housing portions together to form said unitary body.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the portions are attached by welding.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the portions are attached by adhesive bonding.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the housing is extruded.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the housing is formed from sheet metal.

25. A method of forming a housing comprising a unitary tubular body having an open end for insertion of electronic components therein for a mobile telecommunications device.