Interlocking cover for mobile terminals

• US 20050130721A1
• Filed: 12/12/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Gartrell, Andrew Julian
• Granted Patent: US 7,236,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.800
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724

Abstract

An assembly for a mobile terminal, or a portable electronic device such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant, is provided that includes a chassis with a locking perimeter and at least one covering, such as a front and/or a rear cover, with a locking edge. A cover may include a void or window for viewing a display of the electronic device and a keymat to control the electronic device. The chassis may include a convex groove in which a bracelet or wrap may be included.

Claims

1. An assembly for a mobile terminal, comprising:

a chassis, wherein said chassis comprises a first locking perimeter;

a first covering capable of being removably secured to said chassis at said first locking perimeter, wherein said first covering comprises a first locking edge for securing said first covering to said chassis by interlocking said first locking edge and said first locking perimeter; and

an electronic device retained by said chassis.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said chassis further comprises a second locking perimeter, further comprising:

a second covering for removably securing to said chassis at said second locking perimeter, wherein said second covering comprises a second locking edge for securing said second covering to said chassis by interlocking said second locking edge and said second locking perimeter.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said first covering defines a circumscribed void there through.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said first covering comprises a plurality of actuators that selectively engage said electronic device.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said first covering defines a circumscribed void there through.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising a display window disposed in said void.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein each of said actuators comprises a keymat plunger.

8. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said first covering comprises grooves between at least two of said actuators.

9. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said plurality of actuators provide interface control of said electronic device.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said plurality of actuators provides at least an actuator capable of at least one of activating said electronic device, suspending said electronic device, indicating movement for operating said electronic device, indicating selection for operating said electronic device, inputting numerical data, inputting alphabetical data, and inputting symbolic data.

11. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said plurality of actuators define at least a numeric keypad.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said first covering comprises grooves between rows of said actuators defining a numeric keypad.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first locking perimeter and said first locking edge define a convex surface.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first locking perimeter and said first locking edge define a concave surface.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first locking edge extends outwardly from said chassis and said first locking perimeter to define a ridge at the intersection of said first locking edge and said first locking perimeter.

16. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said chassis defines a convex groove between said first and second locking perimeters.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising at least one of a bracelet and a wrap in said groove.

18. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said first locking perimeter and said second locking perimeter define a convex groove.

19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising at least one of a bracelet and a wrap in said groove.

20. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said first locking perimeter, said second locking perimeter, said first locking edge, and said second locking edge define a convex groove.

21. The assembly of claim 20, further comprising at least one of a bracelet and a wrap in said groove.

22. An interlocking body cover, comprising:

a membrane with a first surface and a second surface, an inner section, and an outer perimeter; and

an elastomeric locking edge along said outer perimeter directed downwardly from said second surface and towards said inner section.

23. The interlocking body cover of claim 22, wherein at least part of said membrane is a translucent material.

24. The interlocking body cover of claim 22, wherein at least one of said membrane and said locking edge is a multicolored material.

25. The interlocking body cover of claim 22, wherein said membrane defines a circumscribed void there through.

26. The interlocking body cover of claim 25, further comprising a display window disposed in said void.

27. The interlocking body cover of claim 22, wherein said second surface defines a flexible keymat.

28. The interlocking body cover of claim 27, wherein said keymat comprises a plurality of actuators.

29. The interlocking body cover of claim 28, wherein said keymat comprises grooves between at least two of said actuators.

30. The interlocking body cover of claim 28, wherein said plurality of actuators define at least a numeric keypad.

31. The interlocking body cover of claim 30, wherein said keymat comprises grooves between rows of said actuators defining a numeric keypad.

32. An interlocking chassis, comprising:

a rigid circumferential frame with an outer surface, an inner surface, a first surface, a second surface, a front edge, and a rear edge, wherein said front edge comprises a first locking perimeter, and wherein said rear edge comprises a second locking perimeter.

33. The interlocking chassis of claim 32, further defining a concave groove along said outer surface of said circumference.

34. The interlocking chassis of claim 32, further comprising an inner structure attached to said circumferential frame at said inner surface for securely retaining components of an electronic device.