Keypad module locking mechanism for mobile computing devices
View Patent ↗A mobile computing device includes: a housing with a lower wall, a keypad seat and side walls joining the lower wall to the keypad seat and extending upwards from the keypad seat to a bay opening. The walls define an access compartment between the lower wall, the side walls and the keypad seat, and a keypad bay for a keypad module between the keypad seat, the side walls and the bay opening. The device includes a latch slidably mounted to the keypad seat between locked and unlocked positions, including: a hook to engage a keypad module recess in the locked position and secure the keypad module in the bay, and to disengage from the recess in the unlocked position to enable removal of the keypad module; and an activation member in the access compartment to receive an input to transition the latch from the unlocked position to the locked position.
1. A mobile computing device, comprising:
a device housing including:
a lower wall;
a keypad seat;
side walls joining the lower wall to the keypad seat and extending upwards from the keypad seat and defining (i) an access compartment between the lower wall, the side walls and a lower surface of the keypad seat, and (ii) a keypad bay between an upper surface of the keypad seat and the side walls, the keypad bay having a bay opening and configured to receive a keypad module;
a latch slidably mounted to the keypad seat and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the latch including:
a hook configured to engage a corresponding recess of the keypad module in the locked position and secure the keypad module in the keypad bay, and to disengage from the recess in the unlocked position to enable removal of the keypad module; and
an activation member disposed within the access compartment and configured to receive an input to transition the latch from the unlocked position to the locked position.
2. The mobile computing device of claim 1 , wherein the side walls include an access opening between the lower wall and the keypad seat, enabling access to the access compartment from an exterior of the device.
3. The mobile computing device of claim 2 , wherein the access compartment is a battery compartment; and
wherein the device further includes a removable battery that, when inserted into the battery compartment, closes the access opening and prevents access to the activation member.
4. The mobile computing device of claim 2 , wherein the activation member is on a lower side of the keypad seat, adjacent to the access opening.
5. The mobile computing device of claim 4 , wherein the latch includes a mounting plate within the keypad bay, connected to the activation member via one or more slots through the keypad seat; and
wherein the hook is affixed to one of the mounting plate and the activation member.
6. The mobile computing device of claim 5 , wherein the hook is affixed to the activation member, and the keypad seat includes a port for the hook to extend into the keypad bay.
7. The mobile computing device of claim 1 , wherein the activation member includes a strike plate extending into the access compartment, for receiving the input.
8. The mobile computing device of claim 1 , wherein the activation member includes a first hole, the keypad seat includes a second hole, and wherein the first and second holes align when the latch is in the locked position, to receive a fastener configured to engage with the keypad module and fix the keypad module to the activation member via the keypad seat.
9. The mobile computing device of claim 8 , further including an access hole through the lower wall, coaxial with the second hole of the keypad seat, to receive a tool for applying the fastener.
10. The mobile computing device of claim 1 , wherein the keypad module includes a cam extending from a lower surface of the keypad module to displace the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position responsive to insertion of the keypad module in the keypad bay.
11. The mobile computing device of claim 10 , wherein the cam includes a sloped surface configured to contact the hook.
12. The mobile computing device of claim 1 , further comprising a second latch slidably mounted to the keypad seat and movable between the locked position and the unlocked position.
13. The mobile computing device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller supported in the device housing;
a set of connectors on the keypad seat configured to electrically connect the keypad module to the device controller; and
a seal surrounding the set of connectors;
wherein the hook is positioned adjacent to the seal.
14. The mobile computing device of claim 13 , further comprising:
a storage bay on the keypad seat configured to receive a removable storage medium;
wherein the seal surrounds the set of connectors and the storage bay.
15. A method of installing a keypad module in a mobile computing device, the method comprising:
placing the keypad module in a keypad bay of the mobile computing device defined by a keypad seat and a plurality of side walls; and
applying, via an access compartment below the keypad bay, an input to an activation member of a latch to transition the latch from an unlocked position to a locked position to secure the keypad module in the keypad bay.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
prior to applying the input to the activation member, removing a battery from the access compartment.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
after applying the input, reinserting the battery into the access compartment.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
prior to applying the input, applying a fastener at a forward portion of the keypad module.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
after applying the input, applying a fastener from within the access compartment to a rear portion of the keypad module.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein applying the fastener includes inserting the fastener through a first opening in the activation member, a second opening in the keypad seat, and into an aperture of the keypad module.