IP Library Granted Patent US 7,306,157
Granted Patent B2
US 7,306,157 · App. 11/013,209 · Granted Dec 11, 2007

Communication terminal comprising a customizable front face

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,306,157
App. No.
11/013,209
Granted
Dec 11, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a casing containing a printed circuit ( 50 ) and comprising a front face ( 10 ) and a rear face ( 20 ), and a removable keypad module ( 40 ) electrically connected to the printed circuit ( 50 ). According to the invention, the device further comprises a removable clip ( 60 ) that encloses the perimeter of the keypad module ( 40 ) in order to lock the keypad module to said front face ( 10 ).

Claims (12)

1. A mobile telephone comprising:

a casing having a front face and a rear face, the casing containing a printed circuit;

a removable keypad module electrically connected to the printed circuit;

wherein said front face defines a U-shaped removable clip that encloses the perimeter of the keypad module in order to lock the keypad module to said front face, the clip having a base and two lateral branches, whereby the keypad module is enclosed on at least three sides, the two lateral branches being made from an elastic material that is more elastic than the base.

2. The mobile telephone according to claim 1 , wherein said clip bears on a shoulder at the perimeter of the keypad module.

3. The mobile telephone according to claim 1 , wherein said clip includes lugs located near the free end of each lateral branch and adapted to locate in notches provided on the device.

4. The mobile telephone according to claim 1 , wherein the clip has an open substantially rectangular shape whereby it encloses the keypad module over the whole of its perimeter.

5. The mobile telephone according to claim 1 , wherein the keypad module includes a tab for making the electrical connection from the keypad module to the printed circuit of the electronic device.

6. The mobile telephone according to claim 5 , further comprising an electrical connector for making the electrical connection from the keypad module to the printed circuit of the electronic device in conjunction with the tab.

7. The mobile telephone according to claim 5 , wherein the tab also has the function of securing the keypad module to the front face of the electronic device.

8. The mobile telephone according to claim 1 , wherein the keypad module includes a dedicated printed circuit and keys connected to the dedicated printed circuit of the keypad module.

9. Keypad module adapted to be fitted to the mobile telephone according to claim 1 , said keypad module including a dedicated printed circuit, keys connected to the dedicated printed circuit, and a tab for making the electrical connection from the keypad module to the printed circuit and securing the keypad module to the front face of the electronic device.

Assignments (6)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 25, 2012
From: IMERJ, LTD.
To: Z124, C/O MAPLES CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028273/0939 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 3, 2012
From: FLEXTRONICS INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT, LTD.
To: IMERJ, LTD.
Reel/Frame 027645/0838 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2012
From: IPG ELECTRONICS 504 LIMITED
To: FLEXTRONICS INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT, LTD.
Reel/Frame 027645/0785 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2009
From: TCL COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LIMITED; TCT MOBILE LIMITED (F/K/A T&A MOBILE PHONES LIMITED)
To: IPG ELECTRONICS 504 LIMITED
Reel/Frame 022680/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2005
From: ALCATEL, INCORPORATED
To: TCL & ALCATEL MOBILE PHONES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 016068/0265 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2005
From: BARTHELET, PHILIPPE; DURAND, GILLES; ROBIN, JEAN-PHILIPPE
To: ALCATEL
Reel/Frame 015971/0935 →