IP Library Granted Patent US 7,272,422
Granted Patent B2
US 7,272,422 · App. 10/802,783 · Granted Sep 18, 2007

Portable electronic device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,272,422
App. No.
10/802,783
Granted
Sep 18, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A portable electronic device wherein a first case has a first sound radiating hole formed in the front wall thereof and positioned as opposed to a speaker and a second sound radiating hole formed in the rear wall thereof and positioned as opposed to the speaker. The two cases are rotatably joined by a hinge mechanism. The second case has a second knuckle constituting the hinge mechanism and is provided with a strip member for opening or closing the second sound radiating hole with the closing or opening movement of the second case. The strip member has a free end portion to be wound up by the second knuckle to open the second sound radiating hole when the two cases are in a closed state or to be paid out to close the second sound radiating hole when the two cases are in an opened state.

Claims (3)

1. A portable electronic device comprising a first case housing a speaker therein, and a second case connected to the first case by a joint mechanism and openable or closable relative thereto, the first case having a front wall to be covered with the second case when the two cases are in a closed state or to be exposed when the two cases are in an opened state, the first case having a first sound radiating hole formed in the front wall and positioned as opposed to the speaker and a second sound radiating hole formed in a rear wall thereof and positioned as opposed to the speaker, the joint mechanism having a shutter attached thereto for opening or closing the second sound radiating hole with the closing or opening movement of the second case, the shutter being operable to open the second sound radiating hole when the two cases are in the closed state and to close the second sound radiating hole when the two cases are in the opened state.

2. A portable electronic device according to claim 1 wherein the joint mechanism is a hinge mechanism, and the hinge mechanism comprises a first knuckle formed at an upper end of the first case and a second knuckle formed at a lower end of the second case, the first and second knuckles being joined by and supported on a pivot and rotatable relative to each other, the shutter comprising a strip member attached at a base end portion thereof to the second knuckle, the strip member having a free end portion to be wound up by the rotation of the second knuckle to open the second sound radiating hole when the two cases are in the closed state or to be paid off by the rotation of the second knuckle to close the second sound radiating hole when the two cases are in the opened state.

3. A portable electronic device according to claim 2 wherein the speaker is held by a speaker holder and is provided with a guide for guiding winding up or paying out of the free end portion of the strip member.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2009
From: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: KYOCERA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022764/0839 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 18, 2008
From: SANYO TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO., LTD.
To: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 020666/0370 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2004
From: NAGASAWA, YO; KOIZUMI, MICHIAKI
To: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; SANYO TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 015118/0154 →