Mobile station body comprised of stacked elements

• US 20060111052A1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Gartrell, Andrew Julian
• Granted Patent: US 7,398,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/90.300
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/187 having symbols engraved or printed by laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/046 convertible
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/05 composed of hingedly connected sections
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/02 Laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/038 Folding of flexible printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• 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

Abstract

An improved body design for a mobile station or other electronic device is provided. Unlike conventional mobile station bodies, which are comprised of durable polymer shells that are rigidly joined together (e.g., by ultra-sonic welding, adhesives, etc.) to enclose operational elements and circuitry, a replaceable and enhanceable body structure comprised is provided that is comprised of one or more stacked elements. The stacked elements are positioned one atop the next in a facing relationship. In one embodiment, the stacked elements define one or more apertures for receiving and enclosing one or more operational elements (e.g. a display, a keypad, an antenna, a mobile station engine, etc.).

Claims

1. A mobile station, comprising:

a body comprised of a plurality of stacked elements, wherein the plurality of stacked elements define opposed surfaces and a perimeter edge extending thereabout, and wherein the opposed surfaces are configured in a facing relationship.

2. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements include a first stacked element having a first perimeter edge and a second stacked element having a second perimeter edge, wherein the first perimeter edge is foldably connected to the second perimeter edge, and the first stacked element is folded over the second stacked element such that the two elements are positioned in said facing relationship.

3. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the plurality of stacked elements defines an aperture for receiving an operational element.

4. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the plurality of stacked elements is configured adjacent one or more operational elements.

5. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements define respective commonly-aligned apertures configured to receive an operational element.

6. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements define respective non-aligned apertures configured to receive and distribute operational elements over two or more stacked element layers.

7. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements are configured to be removable and replaceable.

8. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements are ring-shaped.

9. The mobile station of claim 8, wherein:

the plurality of ring-shaped stacked elements are configured to surround an operational element.

10. The mobile station of claim 8, wherein:

the plurality of ring-shaped stacked elements combine to define a ring-shaped body.

11. The mobile station of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second covers removably attached to first and second sides of the mobile station body.

12. The mobile station of claim 11, wherein:

the first and second covers include fasteners having a locked and unlocked state, wherein the plurality of stacked elements are held in place in the locked state and the plurality of stacked elements are removable in the unlocked state.

13. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the perimeter edges of the plurality of stacked elements are aligned to define a substantially uniform lateral edge.

14. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the perimeter edges of the plurality of stacked elements are aligned to define a tapered lateral edge.

15. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the perimeter edges of the plurality of stacked elements are aligned to define a curved lateral edge.

16. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the opposed surfaces of the plurality of stacked elements are substantially planar.

17. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

the opposed surfaces of the plurality of stacked elements define a curved region such that the plurality of stacked elements are substantially non-planar.

18. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the plurality of stacked elements is tapered between a first end and a second end.

19. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the plurality of stacked elements extends outwardly beyond the perimeter of adjacent stacked elements to define a hanger for suspending the mobile station.

20. The mobile station of claim 1, further comprising:

conductive regions provided adjacent the opposed surfaces of at least two of the plurality of stacked elements, wherein the conductive regions are configured for electrically connecting the at least two stacked elements.

21. A stacked element adapted for constructing a mobile station body, comprising:

a ring-shaped body having a perimeter edge, an interior edge and opposed first and second surfaces defined therebetween, wherein the interior edge is configured to at least partially enclose an operational element.

22. The stacked element of claim 21, wherein:

the ring-shaped body is a first ring-shaped body, and at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the first ring-shaped body is foldably attached to a perimeter edge of a second ring-shaped body, and wherein the second ring-shaped body is folded atop the first ring-shaped body.

23. The stacked element of claim 22, wherein:

at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the second ring-shaped body is foldably attached to a perimeter edge of a third ring-shaped body, and wherein the second and third ring-shaped bodies are folded atop the first ring-shaped body.

24. The stacked element of claim 22, wherein:

at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the second ring-shaped body is foldably attached to a perimeter edge of a third ring-shaped body, and wherein the second and third ring-shaped bodies are folded accordion-style atop the first ring-shaped body.

25. The stacked element of claim 23, wherein:

the first ring-shaped body, the second ring-shaped body, and the third ring-shaped body are substantially planar.

26. The stacked element of claim 23, wherein:

the first ring-shaped body, the second ring-shaped body, and the third ring-shaped body define at least one non-planar region.

27. The stacked element of claim 23, wherein:

the first ring-shaped body is tapered between first and second ends.

28. A foldable mobile station, comprising:

a body comprised of a plurality of stacked elements, the body includes a first end, a second end and a foldable region defined therebetween,

wherein the plurality of stacked elements are at least partially flexible within the foldable region such that the body is movable between open and folded positions.

29. The foldable mobile station of claim 28, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements are secured together proximate a first end and are unsecured proximate the second end such that the plurality of stacked elements are allowed to partially unfurl adjacent the second end as the mobile station moves between open and the folded positions.

30. The foldable mobile station of claim 29, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements include a first stacked element and a second stacked element defining first and second opposed surfaces, wherein the first and second opposed contact surfaces slidably engage one another as the foldable mobile station moves between open and folded positions, and wherein the first and second opposed contact surfaces define one or more lock features that preclude slideable engagement between the first and second opposed contact surfaces upon reaching a lock position.

31. The foldable mobile station of claim 29, wherein:

the plurality of stacked elements include first end perimeter edges, wherein the first end perimeter edges define a tapered configuration in one of the open and folded positions a substantially planar configuration in the other of the open and folded positions.

32. A mobile station, comprising:

a body comprised of a replaceable element, the replaceable element having opposed surfaces and defining one or more apertures extending through the entire thickness of the replaceable element for receiving one or more operational elements; and

first and second covers removably attached to an opposed side of the replaceable element.

33. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein:

the body includes a first end, a second end, and a foldable region defined therebetween, wherein the replaceable element and first and second covers are flexible adjacent the foldable region such that the mobile station may be moved between open and folded positions.

34. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein:

the first cover defines a display window.

35. The mobile station of claim 32, wherein:

the first cover defines a keypad.

36. A method of manufacturing a mobile station comprising the steps of:

stacking a plurality of replaceable stacked elements to form a body, the plurality of replaceable stacked elements each including opposed surfaces and a perimeter edge extending thereabout, wherein the opposed surfaces of the plurality of stacked elements are configured in a facing relationship; and

removably coupling at least a first cover to the body.

37. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

providing a foldable region defined within said body.

38. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

providing at least one replaceable stacked element defining an aperture for receiving an operational element.

39. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

attaching one or more operational elements to at least one of the plurality of replaceable stacked elements.

40. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

aligning commonly-situated apertures configured in two or more of the plurality of stacked elements; and

inserting an operational element into the commonly-situated apertures.

41. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

providing non-aligned apertures configured in two or more of the plurality of replaceable stacked elements; and

inserting different operational elements in respective non-aligned apertures defined by the two or more stacked element layers.

42. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

the plurality of replaceable stacked elements are ring-shaped.

43. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising:

inserting an operational element within the plurality of ring-shaped stacked elements.

44. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

constructing a ring-shaped mobile station body from the plurality of ring-shaped stacked elements.

45. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

removably attaching first and second covers to first and second sides of the mobile station body.

46. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

securing the first and second covers to the first and second sides of the mobile station body via fasteners having a locked and unlocked state, wherein the plurality of replaceable stacked elements are fixed together in the locked state and the plurality of stacked elements are removable in the unlocked state.

47. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

electrically connecting at least two of the plurality of replaceable stacked elements.

48. The method of manufacturing the mobile station of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

providing at least two operational elements in electrical communication via the electrical connection of the at least two replaceable stacked elements.

53. The keypad cover for the mobile station of claim 48, wherein:

the cover body is comprised of a translucent polypropylene.

54. The keypad cover for the mobile station of claim 48, wherein:

the cover body is comprised, at least partially, of a laser-sensitive pigment that becomes at least partially opaque upon exposure to laser radiation.

49. A keypad cover for a mobile station, comprising:

a cover body comprised of an at least partially translucent polymer; and

one or more laser-cut key-tabs defined within the cover body.

50. The keypad cover of claim 49, further comprising:

laser-etched indicia disposed on at least one of the one or more laser-cut key-tabs.

51. The keypad cover for the mobile station of claim 49, wherein:

the cover body is disposed over a keypad having a plurality of key contacts.

52. The keypad cover for the mobile station of claim 50, wherein:

a keymat is provided between the cover body and the keypad for transferring an applied force from the key-tab to an aligned key contact.

55. The method of manufacturing a keypad cover for a mobile station, comprising the step of:

cutting a plurality of key-tabs into a translucent cover having laser-sensitive pigments configured therein.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of:

laser-etching indicia into at least one surface of one or more of the plurality of key-tabs.

58. The method of manufacturing the keypad of claim 55, further comprising the steps of:

providing a keymat between the translucent cover and the keypad, wherein the keymat transfers an applied force from the key-tab to an aligned key contact.

57. The method of manufacturing a keypad for a mobile station, comprising the steps of:

cutting a plurality of key-tabs into a translucent cover having laser-sensitive pigments disposed therein;

laser-etching indicia into the surface of the key-tabs; and

positioning the translucent cover over a keypad having a plurality of key contacts, such that the plurality of key-tabs align with the plurality of key contacts.