Communications apparatus with a fixed keypad device and a retractable keypad device

• US 6,121,958 A
• Filed: 08/21/1998
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brother International Corporation (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother International Corporation (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Ohashi, Kazuki, Clark, Mary C., Raquet, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACKMAN, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US09/137,751
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/173, 345/905, 439/165, 361/680, 361/681, 361/683, 364/708, 455/186, 341/22, 341/23
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/02 Constructional features of telephone sets

Abstract

A communications apparatus has a housing and a display and includes a first keypad device and a second keypad device. The first keypad device is immovably disposed relative to the housing and the display. The second keypad device is operative for moving to and between an exposed state and a retracted state. When the second keypad device is in the exposed state, the first keypad device is covered by the second keypad device so that the second keypad device is accessible to a user while the first keypad device is inaccessible to the user. When the second keypad device is in the retracted state, the second keypad device is stowed within the housing and the first keypad device is uncovered such that the second keypad device is inaccessible to the user while the first keypad device is accessible to the user.

Claims

1. A communications apparatus including a housing, comprising:

a first keypad device immovably disposed relative to the housing; and

a second keypad device operative for moving to and between an exposed state wherein the second keypad device is accessible to a user while the first keypad device is inaccessible to the user, and a retracted state wherein the second keypad device is inaccessible to the user while the first keypad device is accessible to the user, the second keypad device being substantially disposed within the housing when in the retracted state.

2. A communications apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the second keypad device is in the exposed state, the first keypad device is covered by the second keypad device.

3. A communications apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the second keypad device is in the retracted state, the second keypad device is stowed within the housing and the first keypad device is uncovered.

4. A communications apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a retainer mechanism for releasably retaining the second keypad device in at least one of the retracted state and the exposed state.

5. A communications apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the retainer mechanism is disposed within the housing and includes at least one living hinge having a detent formed thereon wherein the detent contacts the second keypad device.

6. A communications apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the retainer mechanism includes a guide member connected to the second keypad device and a channel member disposed within the housing and forming a channel sized to slidably receive the guide member, the channel defined by a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a bottom wall having a pair of oppositely disposed protuberances projecting from the bottom wall, the guide member resiliently biased into the channel to contact at least the protuberances when the second keypad device moves to and between the exposed state and the retracted state.

7. A communications apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second keypad device slides relative to the first keypad device when moving to and between the exposed state and the retracted state.

8. A communications apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second keypad device slides on the first keypad device.

9. A communications apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second keypad device slides between the first keypad device and the housing.

10. A communications apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third keypad device and a fourth keypad device with the first keypad device disposed between the third and fourth keypad devices.

11. A communications apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a function printed circuit board operably connected to the first keypad device and including a first connector for connecting the function printed circuit board to the third keypad device, a second connector for connecting the function printed circuit board to the fourth keypad device and a third connector for connecting the function printed circuit board to a main printed circuit board of the communications apparatus.

12. A communications apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a base structure having a first panel and a second panel connected to the first panel at an acute angle relative to the first panel, the first panel and the second panel sized to support the communications apparatus on a substantially flat support surface.

13. A communications apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first panel is sized and adapted to support the communications apparatus on a horizontal support surface and the second panel is sized and adapted for mounting the communications apparatus onto a vertical support surface.

14. A communications apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a display.

15. A communications apparatus according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the first keypad device and the second keypad device is oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the display.