MOBILE PHONE

• US 20120046076A1
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason Tyler, Fletcher, Jodie Elizabeth, Kyowski, Timothy Herbert, Beets, Joris Willem, Riddiford, Martin, MASSER, Paul, Huang, Li, Pereira, Neil Savio, Henley, Benjamin John
• Granted Patent: US 8,660,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes

Abstract

A mobile device includes a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing and enabling movement of the device between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the device is in the open configuration, the first housing is planar with the second housing.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a first housing;

a second housing; and

a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing and enabling movement of the device between an open configuration and a closed configuration;

wherein when the device is in the open configuration, the first housing is planar with the second housing.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the first housing includes an inner face and the second housing includes an inner face such that in the open configuration, the first housing inner face is arranged at 180°

relative to the second housing inner face.

3. The mobile device of claim 1 further including at least one input device provided on the first and second housings.

4. The mobile device of claim 3 wherein the input device includes a display provided on the first housing inner face.

5. The mobile device of claim 3 wherein the input device includes a keyboard provided on the second housing inner face.

6. The mobile device of claim 2 wherein the first housing includes an outer face opposite the first housing inner face and having a display.

7. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the hinge assembly includes a spine defining a channel, at least one link mechanism and a pair of end caps provided on either end of the spine.

8. The mobile device of claim 7 wherein each link mechanism includes:

at least one pin;

a biasing member;

a frame defining at least one slot configured for receiving a corresponding pin;

at least one link, each link including at least one link pin configured for engaging and moving along a corresponding one of the slots when the device is moved between the closed and open configurations; and

at least one arm, each arm configured for receiving a corresponding link;

wherein the link mechanism is configured for enabling movement of the device between the closed and open configurations.

9. The mobile device of claim 8 wherein the biasing member is a spring configured for engaging the frame.

10. The mobile device of claim 8 wherein the link mechanism further includes at least one cam assembly comprising:

a cam provided on a corresponding one of the pins and configured for sliding movement in a corresponding one of the slots; and

a cam plate configured for retaining said cam.

11. The mobile device of claim 8 wherein said link mechanism further includes at least one plunger assembly comprising:

a plunger pin provided in each arm; and

a biasing member configured for biasing said plunger pin against a corresponding one of the link pins.

13. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein said hinge assembly includes:

a pair of end caps each defining at least one slot;

at least one link mechanism;

a spine configured for covering said link mechanism and extending between said end caps;

a cylinder configured for engaging said link mechanism and extending along a length of said spine; and

a plate member configured for engaging said link mechanism and including a base extending along the length of said spine.

14. The mobile device of claim 13 wherein each said link mechanism includes:

a pair of arms, each of said arms including a first end and a second end, the first end configured for engaging said cylinder, the second end configured for sliding movement within a corresponding one of said slots;

a pair of tabs extending substantially perpendicular from a corresponding end of said plate; and

a pair of guide pins, each guide pin configured for engaging a corresponding one of the pair of tabs and for moving within a corresponding one of the slots.

15. The mobile device of claim 9 wherein the spring includes:

a base portion; and

a tab portion arranged substantially perpendicular to said base portion and including a pair of tabs each defining a pinhole for receiving a corresponding one of the pins.

16. The mobile device of claim 15 wherein said base portion is integrally formed with said tab portion, said base portion including a mounting surface configured for being received in said channel.

17. The mobile device of claim 1 further including a gap defined between said first and second housings and having a thickness, said thickness remaining substantially constant whether said device is in the open or the closed configuration.

18. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the hinge assembly includes:

a frame member defining a cam plate path and a pair of pin slots;

a cam plate configured for traveling along said cam plate path during opening and closing of the device;

a pair of biasing members having a first end and a second end and configured for biasing the device between the open and closed configurations;

a pair of pins, each pin configured for engaging the second end of a corresponding one of the biasing members and for being received within a corresponding one of said pin slots;

a guide slot defined in each of the upper and lower housings; and

a pair of cam lobes each extending from a back side of said frame member and configured for engaging a corresponding one of the guide slots, the guide slots configured for moving over the cam lobes during opening and closing of the device.

20. The mobile device of claim 18 wherein the input device includes a display provided on one of said first and said second housing;

and a keyboard provided on the other of said first and said second housing.

12. The mobile device of claim 12 wherein said link pin includes at least one dimple configured for receiving a corresponding detent in said plunger pin.

19. A mobile device comprising:

a first housing;

a second housing; and

a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing and enabling movement of the device between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the hinge assembly including at least one link mechanism comprising;

at least one pin;

a biasing member;

a frame defining at least one slot configured for receiving a corresponding one of the pins;

at least one link, each link including at least one link pin configured for engaging and moving along a corresponding one of the slots when the device is moved between the closed and open configurations; and

at least one arm, each arm configured for receiving a corresponding one of the links;

wherein when the device is in the open configuration, the first housing is planar with the second housing.