Casing

• US 20040087333A1
• Filed: 12/24/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vertu Corporation Limited
• Original Assignee: Vertu Corporation Limited
• Inventors: Hutchison, Mark, Hague, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,330,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/082 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/044 Edge lighting of layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/026 Guiding or lubricating nylon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/03 Stoppers for on or off position
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/00 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/034 Bezel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0243 for decorative purposes

Abstract

A casing for a portable communication device having an operating face comprising a fragile input region providing recesses for operation of respective user input elements and a protection arrangement protruding beyond the fragile input region having an external profile that provides a plurality of contact points defining a contact plane such that when placed face downwards on a generally planar surface, the fragile region is spaced therefrom and impulses received on contact between the generally planar surface and the operating face are substantially dissipated away fom the fragile region.

Claims

1. A casing for a portable communication device having an operating face comprising a fragile input region providing recesses for operation of respective user input elements;

and

a protection arrangement protruding beyond the fragile input region having an external profile that provides a plurality of contact points defining a contact plane such that when placed face downwards on a generally planar surface, the fragile region is spaced therefrom and impulses received on contact between the generally planar surface and the operating face are substantially dissipated away from the fragile region.

2. A casing according to claim 1, wherein the protection arrangement forms part of a relatively robust region.

3. A casing according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fragile input region and the protection arrangement are provided by respective casing elements.

4. A casing according to any preceding claim, wherein the fragile input region is formed from a brittle material.

5. A casing according to any preceding claim, wherein the fragile input region comprises a brittle surface layer

6. A casing according to claim 5 wherein the brittle surface layer is disposed on a substrate.

7. A casing according to any preceding claim, wherein the protection arrangement comprises a bezel surrounding the fragile input region.

8. A casing according to claim 7, wherein the contact points are provided by face protectors providing the additional function of connecting the bezel to other elements of the casing.

9. A casing according to any preceding claim, wherein the contact points are arranged to direct impulses away from the fragile region.

10. A casing according to any preceding claim, wherein the contact points are disposed around the periphery of the operating face.

11. A casing according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection arrangement comprises a projection on the chin of the casing.

12. A casing according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection arrangement comprises a raised portion proximate the earpiece.

13. A handset comprising a casing in accordance with claim 1 including

at least one key having an outer face protruding from the plane of the operating face in a rest position and arranged to travel to a contact position located inward of the rest position;

wherein the protection arrangement defines the contact plane in the locality of the at least one key such that when placed operating face down on a generally flat surface, the resulting travel of the at least one key is restricted.

14. A handset according to claim 13, wherein the contact position is defined by an abutment between the inner face of the key and a bearing surface of the operating face of the handset.

15. A handset according to claim 14, wherein the bearing surface is provided by a bearing located in an aperture in the front face of the handset.

16. A handset according to claim 15, wherein the bearing is a ruby bearing.

17. A handset according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the at least one key comprises a row of keys.

18. A handset according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the protection arrangement comprises a pair of projections flanking the at least one key.

19. A handset according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the at least one key comprises a plurality of rows of keys and the protection arrangement comprises a respective pair of projections flanking each row of the plurality of rows of keys.

20. A handset according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the at least one key is a distinct key having a shaft travelling in a direction defined by outer and inner bearings.

21. A handset according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the contact position is defined by an abutment between the key and the outer bearing surface.

22. A handset according to any one of claims 1 to 12 at least one key having an outer face protruding from the plane of the operating face in a rest position and arranged to travel to a contact position located inward of the rest position, the extent of travel being defined by contact between the underside of the at least one key and a bearing surface of the operating face.

23. A casing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21 of the drawings.

24. A handheld communication device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21 of the drawings.