IP Library Granted Patent US 7,773,745
Granted Patent B2
US 7,773,745 · App. 11/206,580 · Granted Aug 10, 2010

Opening mechanism having a solid body, a movable body and a guide mechanism for sliding the movable body with respect to the solid body

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,773,745
App. No.
11/206,580
Granted
Aug 10, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An opening mechanism has a guide mechanism which holds the movable body in such a manner as to be slidable in the predetermined direction with respect to the planar solid body. This structure allows the solid body, the movable body and the guide bodies to be made of planar materials such as a steel plate, thereby enabling the opening mechanism to have a thinner profile. In addition, these components can be produced by a comparatively simple process such as press working, making it possible to provide a less expensive opening mechanism. A thin electronic device using this opening mechanism is also provided.

Claims (14)

1. An opening mechanism comprising:

a solid body having a planar shape;

a movable body disposed on a top surface of the solid body;

at least one spring coupled to the solid body and the movable body, the spring biasing the solid body relative to the movable body; and

an elongate guide body for holding the movable body in such a manner as to be slidable in a predetermined direction with respect to the solid body, the guide body including (i) a first portion contacting the solid body, (ii) a second portion defining a gap with the solid body, a portion of the movable body positioned within the gap, and (iii) a third portion extending diagonally between the first and second portions of the guide body wherein

the guide body is disposed between opposing surfaces of the solid body and the movable body.

2. The opening mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein

the guide mechanism is formed integrally with the solid body and the movable body.

3. An electronic device comprising:

a solid body; and

a movable body, the movable body disposed on a top surface of the solid body; the solid body and the movable body attached to a solid case and a movable case, respectively, so that the movable case is held in such a manner as to be slidable in a predetermined direction with respect to the solid case;

at least one spring coupled to the solid body and the movable body, the spring biasing the solid body relative to the movable body; and

an elongate guide body for holding the movable body in such a manner as to be slidable in a predetermined direction with respect to the solid body, the guide body including (i) a first portion contacting the solid body, (ii) a second portion defining a gap with the solid body, a portion of the movable body positioned within the gap, and (iii) a third portion extending diagonally between the first and second portions of the guide body, wherein

the guide body is disposed between opposing surfaces of the solid body and the movable body.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 24, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021897/0689 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2005
From: INOUE, TAKEFUMI; SAKAI, KOJI
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016624/0299 →