Rugged design for hand held mobile terminals

• US 20040127270A1
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Wulff, Thomas, Ilkhanov, Azer, Maiman, Mitchell, Spano, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,522,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• 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 1/0266 for a display module assembly
• 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: H05K 7/1418 Card guides, e.g. grooves H05K7/1425 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for a rugged hand held mobile terminal design are provided. The mobile terminal design includes a monocoque enclosure for housing electronic components. The electronic components are mounted on a rail system, which is positioned within an interior portion of the enclosure through an open end of the enclosure. The mobile terminal design also includes a display bezel. The display bezel and the rail system have mating parts for securing the assembly together.

Claims

1. A hand held mobile terminal housing comprising:

a rail system having electronics mounted thereon; and

a monocoque enclosure for housing the electronics and a substantial portion of the rail system.

2. The hand held mobile terminal housing of claim 1, further comprising a bezel having at least one latch for coupling with the rail system.

3. The hand held mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the at least one latch of the bezel is a substantially L-shaped member.

4. The hand held mobile terminal housing of claim 2, wherein the rail system has at least one corresponding notch for slidably engaging with the at least one latch of the rail system.

5. The hand held mobile terminal housing of claim 4, wherein the at least one latch receiving groove and the at least one latch engage within an interior portion of the monocoque enclosure.

6. The hand held mobile terminal housing of claim 2, wherein the rail system has at least one corresponding aperture for slidably engaging with the at least one latch of the rail system.

7. The hand held mobile terminal housing of claim 1, further comprising a display.

8. The hand held mobile terminal housing of claim 7, wherein the display includes a gasket positioned around a perimeter of the display for providing a seal between the display and a bezel.

9. A personal digital assistant employing the housing of claim 1.

10. A cellular telephone employing the housing of claim 1.

11. An electronic game employing the housing of claim 1.

12. A barcode scanner employing the housing of claim 1.

13. A monocoque enclosure for a hand held mobile terminal comprising:

a substantially one-piece casing; and

an open end formed in the casing for receiving electronic components.

14. The monocoque enclosure of claim 13, further comprising at least one aperture in the casing for receiving a corresponding latch.

15. The monocoque enclosure of claim 13, further comprising an opening in the casing for allowing access to a communication interface.

16. The monocoque enclosure of claim 13 being fabricated from metal.

17. The monocoque enclosure of claim 13 being fabricated from plastic.

18. A rail system for a hand held mobile terminal comprising:

a structure having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to be positioned within an interior portion of a mobile terminal enclosure and the second portion is configured to correspond with an exterior portion of the mobile terminal enclosure.

19. The rail system of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the structure has electronic components for the mobile terminal mounted thereon.

20. The rail system of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the structure has at least one notch formed in a side portion of the structure for receiving a corresponding latch.

21. The rail system of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the structure has at least one aperture formed therein for receiving a corresponding latch.

22. A method for fabricating a hand held mobile terminal housing comprising:

coupling a rail system having electronics mounted thereon to a monocoque enclosure;

coupling a display to the rail system; and

coupling a bezel to the rail system such that mating parts of the bezel and rail system engage within an interior portion of the monocoque enclosure.