METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PARTIAL FLIP-OPEN ASSIST OF ULTRA THIN CLAM COMMUNICATION DEVICES
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a flip open assist mechanism for opening a second housing moveably coupled to a first housing, comprising:
- providing a first mechanism to receive a first external force along a first axis so as to cause the second housing to move from a closed position to a partial open position relative to the first housing; and
providing a second mechanism to receive a second external force along a second axis to cause the second housing to move from the partial open position to an open position relative to the first housing.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus that minimizes the initial effort spent in opening a flip phone during single handed clam operation is disclosed. The method may include applying an initial horizontal external force to move a rotating subassembly or flip to a first position from a close position, and then applying a vertical external force to move the rotating subassembly to an open position. The movement of the flip can be done through straight or curved guided tracks in the base goal posts area. Flip pins will slide into these tracks for flip open and close operation. The initial horizontal external force moves a base pin so as to unlock the flip from the base housing. The unlocking causes the flip to rotate, a cam spring and cam pin forces the rotation of the flip over a partial angle as set by cam pin profile.
78 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a flip open assist mechanism for opening a second housing moveably coupled to a first housing, comprising:
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providing a first mechanism to receive a first external force along a first axis so as to cause the second housing to move from a closed position to a partial open position relative to the first housing; and providing a second mechanism to receive a second external force along a second axis to cause the second housing to move from the partial open position to an open position relative to the first housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for opening a communication device, the apparatus comprising:
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a first and a second housing connected to each other by a hinge mechanism; a first mechanism arranged in the hinge mechanism for maintaining by use of a predetermined holding force the first and the second housing in a folded state; a second mechanism arranged in the hinge mechanism for reducing the predetermined holding force when stimulated by a first external force along a first axis, wherein the first external force causes the first and second housing to a partial open state; and a third mechanism arranged in the hinge mechanism for causing an open state in the communication device when stimulated by a second external force along a second axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronic device comprising:
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a first housing; a second housing; a hinge mechanism connected to the first and second housing, wherein the hinge mechanism is pivotally connected to the first housing; and a flip open assist mechanism for moving the first housing to a partial open position when acted upon by a first external force. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification