Portable communication unit

• US 7,038,152 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Watanabe, Yohsuke
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US10/143,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20020168948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 200/317, 200/314, 200/5.A
• US Class Current: 200/314
• 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 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A key sheet provided with a plurality of buttons formed thereon, a metal dome sheet, and a printed board are incorporated in a stacked state into a lower body provided with an upper case and a lower case. A plurality of protrusions for internally supporting the upper case are provided on the key sheet. By virtue of the above construction, even when external pressure is applied to the upper case, the upper case is supported by the plurality of protrusions to prevent the upper case from being deformed or curved, and buttons can be prevented from being pushed by the upper case. Therefore, a portable communication unit can be realized which can reduce size and weight without increasing the number of components and can protect the body and electronic components, for example, against impact and external pressure.

Claims

1. A portable communication unit comprising:

a body comprising an upper case and a lower case;

a key sheet, provided with a plurality of push buttons; and

a printed board;

said key sheet and said printed board being incorporated into the body, and said upper case comprising openings for exposing part of the plurality of push buttons;

said key sheet further comprising a plurality of protrusions of sufficient rigidity for supporting and preventing deformation of the upper case; and

wherein said protrusions protrude from opposite sides of said key sheet.

2. The portable communication unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are provided in spaces between the plurality of push buttons.

3. The portable communication unit according to claim 1, wherein backlight LEDs are internally fit into the plurality of protrusions.

4. The portable communication unit according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions are hollow and are formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material and the upper part of each of the protrusions is closed.

5. A portable communication unit comprising:

a body comprising an upper case and a lower case;

a key sheet, provided with a plurality of push buttons; and

a printed board;

said key sheet and said printed board being incorporated into the body, and said upper case comprising openings for exposing part of the plurality of push buttons;

said key sheet further comprising a plurality of protrusions of sufficient rigidity for supporting and preventing deformation of the upper case;

wherein backlight LEDs are internally fit into the plurality of protrusions; and

wherein the plurality of protrusions have a hollow and cylindrical structure.

6. A portable communication unit comprising:

a body comprising an upper case and a lower case;

a key sheet, provided with a plurality of push buttons; and

a printed board;

said key sheet and said printed board being incorporated into the body, and said upper case comprising openings for exposing part of the plurality of push buttons;

said key sheet further comprising a plurality of protrusions supporting the upper case;

wherein said protrusions are disposed between the push buttons and are separate from one another; and

wherein the protrusions include an upper part which contacts the upper case and wherein the upper part is open.

7. The portable communication device according to claim 6, wherein the protrusions are hollow and have a quadrangle shape.

8. The portable communication unit according to claim 6, wherein LEDs are internally fit into the protrusions and provide light through the open upper part of the protrusions.