Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery compartment, a terminal plate positioned within the battery compartment for retaining at least two batteries within the battery compartment, and a cover for enclosing the battery compartment, wherein, upon enclosing the battery compartment with the cover, the cover is configured to urge an exterior surface of one of the at least two batteries against an exterior surface of another of the at least two batteries to establish both physical and thermal contact between the at least two batteries.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism pivotally connects first and second housings of an electronics device. The hinge includes a bracket, a floating shaft, a cam member, and a biasing system. The cam member is mounted on the floating shaft. The biasing system is disposed within the first housing, and includes one or more biasing members that allow the cam member and the floating shaft to move axially in a first direction. The one or more biasing members also bias the cam member and the floating shaft in a second, opposing direction. Biasing the floating shaft and the cam member in the second direction maintains the pivotable connection between the first and second housings, and generates the force necessary to yieldingly resist a user pivoting at least one of the first and second housings.

Abstract: A waterproof, clam-shell style enclosure including a first cover, a second cover that is hingedly coupled to the first cover to pivot about an axis of rotation between an open state and a closed state defining an enclosed interior region of the enclosure, a seal positioned to limit or prevent the passage of fluid into the enclosed interior region of the enclosure, and a hinge that is configured to accommodate translation of the second cover with respect to the first cover in two different, perpendicular directions upon pivoting the second cover to a closed state to achieve uniform compression of the seal along its circumference.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery compartment, a terminal plate positioned within the battery compartment for retaining at least two batteries within the battery compartment, and a cover for enclosing the battery compartment, wherein, upon enclosing the battery compartment with the cover, the cover is configured to urge an exterior surface of one of the at least two batteries against an exterior surface of another of the at least two batteries to establish both physical and thermal contact between the at least two batteries.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism movably connects two housings of a wireless communication device such that the housing move relative to each other between open and closed positions. The hinge mechanism include a magnetic detent that initially resists the housing moving between the open and closed positions. However, the magnetic detent yields to move the housing between the open and closed positions whenever a user applies an amount of force that is sufficient to overcome the initial resistance.

Abstract: An approach provides for a user interface on a mobile device. A keystroke combination is detected between at least a modification key and a particular key of a keypad. An associated input is determined based on the step of detecting. The modification key is included on a first face of the mobile device and the keypad is included on a second face of the mobile device, the first face and the second face substantially face opposite directions.

Abstract: A mobile phone having a housing or portion thereof that is configured to receive and retain a user insertable image such that the image is viewable by a user. In an embodiment, the image is concealed from view under certain conditions. In the absence of such conditions the image can be viewed by the user. The housing or portion thereof appears similar to any other portion of the housing of the phone except when the image is viewable. The housing or portion thereof can be configured to conceal a regular photograph, for example. Thus, the invention allows economical customization of a phone with unique images without having to provide an additional electronic display. Existing phones can be retrofitted, for example, with a battery cover (or other removable member) embodying the features of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable mobile communications device having an integrated interactive touch sensitive graphical icon protective cover over an LCD display. The protective cover is integrated into the housing of the portable mobile communications device and forms a graphical image or icon that only partially obscures the LCD display allowing visual access to the unobscured portion of the LCD display. A touch sensitive layer is integrated into the protective cover and coupled with a processor that is further coupled with the LCD display. A program executable by the processor interprets touch and position data sensed by the touch sensitive layer and provides feedback or responses based thereon via the LCD display depending on a current mode of operation of the portable mobile communications device.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism movably connects two housings of a wireless communication device such that the housings move relative to each other between open and closed positions. The hinge mechanism includes a magnetic detent that initially resists the housings moving between the open and closed positions. However, the magnetic detent yields to move the housings between the open and closed positions whenever a user applies an amount of force that is sufficient to overcome the initial resistance.

Abstract: A cantilever latch mechanism includes a base and a pair of arms extending from the base. The arms are spaced a distanced apart and selectively positionable between an open orientation wherein an opening is formed between the arms, and a closed orientation where the arms are positioned in a closer relation. Each of the arms may include a jaw extending inwardly into the opening. Preferably, the jaws are positioned on different vertical planes on each arm such that they overlap when the arms are in the closed orientation.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a personal electronic device includes a base and a holder. The holder is adapted to hold the device. The holder is removably connected to the base such that the holder may be selectively removed from and replaced on the base. Also, the holder is adjustably movably connected to the base such that the holder may be repositioned relative to the base. The device may thereby be reoriented relative to the base and, thus, a support surface, when mounted in the holder. A method for handling a personal electronic device includes mounting the device in a holder, mounting the device and the holder on a base, repositioning the holder relative to base to position the device as desired while the holder is mounted on the base, and removing the device and the holder from the base.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a personal electronic device includes a base and a holder. The holder is adapted to hold the device. The holder is removably connected to the base such that the holder may be selectively removed from and replaced on the base. Also, the holder is adjustably movably connected to the base such that the holder may be repositioned relative to the base. The device may thereby be reoriented relative to the base and, thus, a support surface, when mounted in the holder. A method for handling a personal electronic device includes mounting the device in a holder, mounting the device and the holder on a base, repositioning the holder relative to base to position the device as desired while the holder is mounted on the base, and removing the device and the holder from the base.

Abstract: A mobile radio telephone system includes a hands free kit which allows the audio signal to be output through a car stereo system. The mobile radio telephone system includes a hand held unit, a cassette adapter, and a coupling unit. The hand held unit is a fully functional mobile telephone including a receiver and transmitter capable of transmitting and receiving voice and/or data signals. The cassette adapter is configured to load into a cassette player of a car stereo system. The cassette adapter includes a record head for contacting a play-back head in the cassette player when the cassette adapter is loaded into the cassette player. A coupling unit attached to the hand held unit and includes a coupling circuit for electrical connecting the cassette adapter to the hand held unit. When the cassette adapter is coupled to the hand held unit, audio signals are output from hand held unit to the cassette adapter and picked up by the cassette player.