Holding device for a communications unit

• US 6,208,734 B1
• Filed: 12/16/1997
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Weber, Rainer, Ortscheid, Annett
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiang, Jack
• Application Number:
  US08/991,289
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 379/446, 379/455, 379/454, 379/433, 379/434, 379/426
• US Class Current: 379/446
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0014 Arm-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters

Abstract

A holding device (1) according to the invention for a communications unit (33, 36) contains a base element (2), a carrier (7) which is pivotably articulated on the base element (2), which can be pivoted away by means of spring force from the base element (2) and onto which the communications unit (33, 36) can be pushed with its one end against stop means (110), which hold the communications unit (33, 36), and a locking device (27), which is present on the base element (2) in order to lock the other end of the communications unit (33, 36) when the carrier (7) is pivoted towards the base element (2), the locking device (27) pressing the communications unit (33, 36) against the stop means (110).

Claims

1. Holding device (1) for a communications unit (33, 36), having

a base element (2);

a carrier (7) which is articulated pivotally on the base element (2) so that said carrier can be pivoted away from the base element(2), by means of a spring force, said carrier being adapted to receive the communications unit (33, 36) with one end against stop elements (110) which engage laterally in corresponding recesses (111) in the communications unit (33, 36) so as to hold the communications unit (33, 36) reliably as soon as the communications unit (33, 36) is inserted into the carrier (7); and

a locking device (27) which is present on the base element (2) in order to lock the other end of the communications unit (33, 36) when the carrier (7) is pivoted towards the base element (2), the locking element (27) pressing the communications unit (33, 36) against the stop means (110);

characterized in that the carrier (7) is fitted with a plug-in connector (19) to produce at least one electrical connection between it and the communications unit (33), the plug-in connector including a plug (22) adapted to be mated to the communications unit when the communications unit is inserted into the carrier (7), the carrier (7) including a guide strip (17, 18) on each of an inner sidewall of carrier (7), the guide strips being adapted to engage a corresponding lateral longitudinal slit in a lower end of the communications unit and guide the communications unit into the carrier (7) so that the plug (22) is smoothly and reliably inserted into a respective counterpart provided on a bottom on the communications unit.

2. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that a compression-spring device (9) is arranged between the base element (2) and a bottom (10) of the carrier (7).

3. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the compression-spring device (9) is assigned a damping device (9′

, 43), which damps the pivoting movement of the carrier (7).

4. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop means provided are two stop elements (110) that are spaced apart from each other, transverse to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the main plane of the communications unit (33, 36).

5. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that side walls (11, 12) of the carrier (7), which run in the direction of the locking device (27), engage only partly around the communications unit (33, 36), an interspace preferably being provided in each case between the side walls (11, 12) of the carrier (7) and the communications unit (33, 36).

6. Holding device according to claim 5, characterized in that free longitudinal edges (14, 15) of the side walls (11, 12) come to lie above the communications unit (33, 36).

7. Holding device according to claim 6, characterized in that the side walls (11, 12) are provided with inwardly pointing longitudinal strips (17, 18).

8. Holding device according to claim 5, characterized in that free longitudinal edges (14, 15;

37, 38) of the side walls (11, 12) grip in lateral longitudinal slots (39, 40) in the communications unit (33, 36).

9. Holding device according to claim 5, characterized in that the height of the side walls (11, 12) decreases in the direction towards the free end of the carrier bottom (10).

10. Holding device according to claim 5, characterized in that one front wall (13) of the carrier (7) has an opening (16) running as far as its free edge.

11. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier (7) comprises at least the carrier bottom (10), on whose side facing away from the base element (2) there is arranged a dovetail-shaped strip (41) extending in the direction of the locking device (27).

12. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base element (2) has, in the region of the locking device (27) a rest (23) for the other end of the communications unit (33, 36).

13. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (27) has a spring-biased latching tab (26), with the result that it presses the communications unit (33, 36) against the stop means (110).

14. Holding device according to claim 13, characterized in that the latching tab (26) engages in a latching recess in the end of the communications unit (33, 36).

15. Holding device according to either claim 13, characterized in that the latching tab (26) forms, together with the stop elements, a 3rd holder for the communications unit (33, 36).

16. Holding device according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking device (27) is provided with an unlocking knob (28) for actuating the latching tab (26).

17. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in connector (19) is connected to a connection on the holding device (1) via a cable (21).

18. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communications unit is a mobile telephone (33).

19. Holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an electrical connection to which the communications unit (36) can be permanently connected via a cable (21).

20. Holding device according to claim 19, characterized in that the communications unit is a handset (36) of a mobile telephone system.

21. Holding device according to claim 17, characterized in that there is provided on the base element (2) a switching means (106) which, depending on the position of a communications unit (33, 36) arranged in the carrier (7), switches on or off a functional device that is connected to the communications unit (33, 36) via the cable (21).

22. Holding device according to claim 21, characterized in that the switching means (106) is a switch (106) that can be actuated by a switching pin (131) on the carrier (7).

23. Holding device according to claim 21, characterized in that the switching means (106) can be acted on by the locking device (27).

24. Holding device according to claim 23, characterized in that the locking device (27) has a lever (104) that can be pivoted jointly with the latching tab (26) and actuates a switch (106).