Handheld mobile communication device with moveable display/cover member
View Patent ↗Handheld mobile communication devices according to the disclosure have a closed position, in which the display member of the device covers at least a portion of the keys of on the keypad member of the device, and an open position, in which the keys are accessible and the device is operated. When the display member is in the open position, it forms an ergonomically desirable angle (e.g., on the order of about 155°) relative to the keypad member. However, unlike clamshell-type cellular phones, the display member does not simply flip open about a conventional pivot joint. Rather, it moves from the closed position, where it is parallel and adjacent to the keypad member, to the open, angled position through a sliding/sweeping motion; through an eccentric, “up-and-over” rotational motion; or through a combination sliding/“up-and-over” motion.
1. A handheld mobile communication device comprising:
a keypad member comprising a plurality of keys by which a user interacts with the device;
a display member having a graphical display;
a linkage mechanism configured to couple the display member to the keypad member and to allow the display member to move between a closed position and an open position, a first end of the linkage mechanism being pivotally connected to the display member at at least one of a longitudinally mid portion or a longitudinally rear portion of the display member and an opposite, second end of the linkage mechanism being coupled to the keypad member; and
a coupling physically separate and distinct from the linkage mechanism, the coupling extending between a front portion of the display member and a front portion of the keypad member, the coupling configured to pivotally and slidingly couple the display member to the keypad member such that the portion of the display member slides only in a direction substantially parallel relative to the keypad member;
wherein the closed position comprises the display member disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to the keypad member and covering at least a portion of the plurality of keys and wherein the open position comprises the display member disposed at an angle that is greater than 100° and less than 170° relative to the keypad member and exposing to the user the plurality of keys, and
wherein the graphical display is exposed to the user when the display member is in either of the closed position and the open position.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a two-piece member including an upper and a lower strut that are pivotally interconnected at a pivot joint existing between the first end and the second end of the linkage mechanism.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the lower strut is slidingly coupled to the keypad member such that at least the lower strut slides within at least one of a slot or a pocket, the at least one of a slot or a pocket formed in the keypad member.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one of a slot or a pocket further comprises a divot into which at least a portion of the lower strut fits to maintain the angle of the open position relative to the keypad member.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a single, pre-curved member.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein a lower end of the pre-curved member is slidingly coupled to the keypad member such that the pre-curved member slides within at least one of a slot or a pocket, the at least one of a slot or a pocket in the keypad member.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the at least one of a slot or a pocket further comprises a divot into which at least a portion of the linkage mechanism fits to maintain the angle of the open position relative to the keypad member.
8. The device of claim 5 , wherein the linkage mechanism biases the display member toward the open position.
9. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member that biases the display member toward the closed position.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a linkage bar pivotally connected at the first end thereof to the longitudinally mid-portion of the display member and pivotally connected at the second end thereof to the keypad member.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the display member moves from the closed position to the open position by sliding translationally parallel to the keypad member and pivoting relative to the keypad member.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the display member moves translationally relative to the keypad member while pivoting relative to the keypad member.
13. The device of claim 1 , wherein angle is about 155°.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is at least a cellular telephone having an ear speaker and a microphone and wherein the angle is formed between the ear speaker and the microphone.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is at least an email communication device.
16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device operates at least as both a cellular phone and an email communications device.
17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the coupling is further configured to provide sufficient friction for the display member to maintain the angle of the open position relative to the keypad member.
18. A method of providing a handheld communication device comprising:
providing a keypad member comprising a plurality of keys;
providing a display member having a graphical display;
providing a linkage mechanism configured to couple the display member to the keypad member and to allow the display member to move between a closed position and an open position, a first end of the linkage mechanism being pivotally connected to the display member at at least one of a longitudinally mid portion or a longitudinally rear portion of the display member and an opposite, second end of the linkage mechanism being coupled to the keypad member; and
providing a coupling physically separate and distinct from the linkage mechanism, the coupling extending between a front portion of the display member and a front portion of the keypad member, the coupling configured to pivotally and slidingly couple the display member to the keypad member such that the front portion of the display member slides only in a direction substantially parallel relative to the keypad member;
wherein the closed position comprises the display member disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to the keypad member and covering at least a portion of the plurality of keys and wherein the open position comprises the display member disposed at an angle that is greater than 100° and less than 170° relative to the keypad member and exposing the plurality of keys, and
wherein the graphical display is exposed to the user when the display member is in either of the closed position and the open position.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein providing the linkage mechanism further comprises providing the linkage mechanism wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a two-piece member including an upper and a lower strut that are pivotally interconnected at a pivot joint existing between the first end and the second end of the linkage mechanism, and wherein the lower strut is slidingly coupled to the keypad member such that at least the lower strut slides within at least one of a slot or a pocket in the keypad member.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein providing the linkage mechanism further comprises providing the linkage mechanism wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a single, pre-curved member, and wherein a lower end of the pre-curved member is slidingly coupled to the keypad member such that the pre-curved member slides within at least one of a slot or a pocket in the keypad member.
21. The method of claim 18 , wherein providing the linkage mechanism further comprises providing the linkage mechanism wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a linkage bar pivotally connected at the first end thereof to the longitudinally mid-portion of the display member and pivotally connected at the second end thereof to the keypad member.