A casing for a portable communication device having an operating face comprising a fragile input region providing recesses for operation of respective user input elements and a protection arrangement protruding beyond the fragile input region having an external profile that provides a plurality of contact points defining a contact plane such that when placed face downwards on a generally planar surface, the fragile region is spaced therefrom and impulses received on contact between the generally planar surface and the operating face are substantially dissipated away from the fragile region.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a casing having an operating face;
a plurality of rows of keys, each having an outer face protruding from the plane of the operating face in a rest position and each key being arranged to travel to a contact position located inward of the rest position;
a fragile input region of the operating face, wherein the fragile input region provides recesses for operation of the respective keys; and
a protection arrangement, wherein the protection arrangement comprises a plurality of protectors protruding beyond the fragile input region and one or more elements separate from the fragile input region and connected to the plurality of protectors, and wherein the protection arrangement comprises a respective pair of protectors flanking each row of the plurality of rows of keys, and wherein the protectors have an external profile that provides a plurality of contact points that define a contact plane and wherein when the casing is placed face downwards on a generally planar surface, the fragile input region is spaced from the generally planar surface by the plurality of protectors and impulses received on contact between the generally planar surface and the contact points are substantially dissipated through the protectors and the one or more elements, away from the fragile input region, and wherein the protection arrangement defines the contact plane in the locality of at least one of said keys such that when placed operating face down on a generally flat surface, the resulting travel of said at least one key is restricted.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fragile input region and the protection arrangement are provided by respective casing elements.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fragile input region is formed from a brittle material.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fragile input region comprises a brittle surface layer.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the brittle surface layer is disposed on a substrate.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protection arrangement comprises a bezel surrounding the fragile input region.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the contact points are provided by face protectors providing the additional function of connecting the bezel to other elements of the casing.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the contact points are disposed around the periphery of the operating face.
9. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protection arrangement comprises a projection on the chin of the casing.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protection arrangement comprises a raised portion proximate the earpiece.
11. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the contact position is defined by an abutment between the inner face of the key and a bearing surface of the operating face of the handset.
12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the bearing surface is provided by a bearing located in an aperture in the front face of the handset.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the bearing is a ruby bearing.
14. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising at least one key which is a distinct key having a shaft travelling in a direction defined by outer and inner bearings.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the contact position is defined by an abutment between the key and the outer bearing surface.
16. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each protector has its own one or more elements.
17. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more elements is a bezel.
18. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the protectors do not touch the fragile input region.