Mobile communication device having overlapping first and second body members

• US 8,843,183 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2010
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason Tyler, Riddiford, Martin, Reeves, James, Beets, Joris Willem
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, JUSTIN YE
• Application Number:
  US12/687,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20110177850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/575.4
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• 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 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• 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 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge

Abstract

A mobile communication device and linkage mechanism are provided to enable an opened position of the device which is less than the total length of the lid and base members. In the opened position, a portion of the lid member overlaps the base member. The linkage mechanism may actuate translational movement of the lid member as the device is moved between the closed and opened positions.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device comprising:

a first member having a user interface;

a second member; and

a linkage mechanism coupling the first member and the second member such that the device has a closed position and an opened position, the linkage mechanism comprising an expandable multi-pivot hinge, wherein

in the closed position, the user interface is inaccessible,

in the opened position, the user interface is accessible and a portion of the first member overlaps the second member,

the expandable multi-pivot hinge comprises a first hinge piece and a second hinge piece,

the first hinge piece is pivotably coupled to the first member via a first pivot and to the second hinge piece via a second pivot,

the second hinge piece is pivotably coupled to the second member via a third pivot, such that the first hinge piece and the second hinge piece can rotate with respect to each other to allow expansion of the multi-pivot hinge, and

a combined distance between the first pivot and the second pivot and between the second pivot and the third pivot is greater than a distance between the first pivot and the third pivot when the device is in either the opened position or the closed position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a graphical display or a touchscreen.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device actuates translational movement of the first member responsive to movement of the device from the closed position to the opened position and responsive to movement of the device from the opened position to the closed position.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the second member includes a cam surface for sliding contact with an end of the first member, said cam surface driving the linkage mechanism to actuate the translational movement of the first member.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the linkage mechanism actuates the translational movement of the first member responsive to the movement of the device from the closed position to the opened position and responsive to the movement of the device from the opened position to the closed position.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism is pivotably connected to the first member, via the first pivot, at a distance from an end of the first member, the distance from the end of the first member defining approximately half of a length of the portion of the first member overlapping the second member.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a bias element is connected between the first member and the second member.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the expandable multi-pivot hinge comprises a pin and the second member further comprises a guide, the guide engaging the pin and restricting movement of the pin to travel within the guide to prevent hyper-extension of the expandable multi-pivot hinge.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism is located inward from at least one side of the device.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more coverings which at least partially hide the linkage mechanism, the coverings comprising at least one of a trim and a cover.

11. A mobile communication device comprising:

a first member having a user interface;

a second member;

a linked end; and

a linkage mechanism coupling the first member and the second member near the linked end such that the device has a closed position and an opened position,

the linkage mechanism comprising;

a first gear fixedly coupled to the first member;

a second gear fixedly coupled to the second member; and

a third gear meshed with each of the first and second gears to transfer rotation therebetween, wherein

in the closed position, the user interface is inaccessible, and

in the opened position, the user interface is accessible and a portion of the first member overlaps the second member, and

as the device is moved from the closed position to the open position, the first member rotates with respect to the second member, said rotation being transferred to the third gear via the first gear and causing the third gear to travel around a circumference of the second gear in a direction away from the linked end.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device actuates translational movement of the first member responsive to movement of the device from the closed position to the opened position and responsive to movement of the device from the opened position to the closed position.

13. A mobile communication device comprising:

a first member having a user interface;

a second member;

a linked end; and

a linkage mechanism coupling the first member and the second member near the linked end such that the device has a closed position and an opened position,

the linkage mechanism comprising;

a first link having a first end, a second end, and a recess, the first link being pivotably connected, at the first end of the first link, to the first member by a first pivot and pivotably connected, at the second end of the first link, to the second member by a second pivot;

a second link having a first end, a second end, and a recess, the second link being pivotably connected, at the first end of the second link, to the first member by a third pivot and pivotably connected, at the second end of the second link, to the second member by a fourth pivot, wherein

the second and fourth pivots are disposed a first distance apart lengthwise on the second member,

the first and third pivots are disposed a second, shorter, distance apart on the first member,

in the closed position;

the user interface is inaccessible;

the second link is nearer to the linked end than the first link;

the first pivot of the first link is nearer to the second member than the third pivot of the second link; and

the first end of the first link is received in the recess of the second link, and

in the opened position;

the user interface is accessible;

the third pivot of the second link is nearer to the second member than the first pivot of the first link; and

the first end of the second link is received in the recess of the first link and a portion of the first member overlaps the second member.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the device actuates translational movement of the first member responsive to movement of the device from the closed position to the opened position and responsive to movement of the device from the opened position to the closed position.

15. A linkage mechanism for rotatably coupling a first member and a second member of a mobile communication device, at a linked end of the communication device, such that the device has an opened position and a closed position, comprising:

a first gear fixedly coupled to the first member;

a second gear fixedly coupled to the second member;

a third gear meshed with each of the first and second gears to transfer rotation therebetween, wherein

in the closed position, a user interface of the first member is inaccessible and

in the opened position, the user interface is accessible and a portion of the first member overlaps the second member,

the linkage mechanism actuates translational movement of the first member for at least part of movement of the device from the closed position to the opened position and at least part of movement of the device from the opened position to the closed position, and

as the device is moved from the closed position to the open position, the first member rotates with respect to the second member, said rotation being transferred to the third gear via the first gear and causing the third gear to travel around a circumference of the second gear in a direction away from the linked end.