Abstract: An electronic device includes a linking housing pivotally coupled between two counter-rotatable device housings. The linking housing defines a planar surface extension of the two counter-rotatable device housings when the two counter-rotatable device housings rotate about the linking housing to a closed position where the two counter-rotatable device housings abut. The linking housing defines an orthogonal surface extension from the two counter-rotatable device housings when the two counter-rotatable device housings rotate to an axially displaced open position.

Abstract: A communication device (10) with a dual-sided liquid crystal display (12) located with a housing (14) having two viewports (18,22). The display (12) includes a liquid crystal panel (50) with an associated driver circuit (52). The panel (50) has a first side (60) for viewing a top portion (62) of the display (12) from the first viewport (18) and a second side (64) for viewing a bottom portion (66) of the display (12) from the second viewport (22). A top reflective layer (68) is disposed on the top portion (62) of the panel (50) on the second side (64) of the panel (50). A bottom reflective layer (70) is disposed on the bottom portion (66) of the panel (50) on the first side (60) of the panel (50). A processor (82) is coupled to the driver circuit (52), wherein the processor (82) directs the display (12) through the driver circuit (52) to provide user interface information for operating the communication device (10).

Abstract: Apparatus for routing a flexible circuit element (216) between a top housing (102) and a bottom housing (108) in an electronic device such as a radiotelephone (100). The flexible circuit element includes a termination at a tab (2712) off the edge of the flex strip, oriented at an angle from the direction of trace routing. This provides the minimum possible flex width so that the flex may be routed through minimally sized openings, in turn minimizing the size of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a radiotelephone (100) includes a bottom housing (108) defining a first hinge aperture (2207) and a slot (2208) adjacent the first hinge aperture. A top housing (102) defines a second hinge aperture (2223) having an inner rotation surface (2226). A shaft (2210) extends from the first housing at the first hinge aperture. The shaft is sized for insertion in the second hinge aperture and terminates in a bearing surface (2216), the inner rotation surface pivoting on the bearing surface as the second housing moves in relation to the first housing. The shaft and the bearing surface both define a shaft slot (2218) aligned with the slot in the first housing for routing a flexible circuit element (216) between the first housing and the second housing.

Abstract: A switch assembly (100) includes a first switch (102), a second switch (104) and a third switch (106). The switch assembly further includes a rocker actuator (108) having a first rocker arm (152) and a second rocker arm (154) and a selector actuator (110). The rocker actuator pivots about a post (158) to actuate the first switch or the second switch. The selector actuator is disposed between the first switch and the second switch to slidingly actuate the third switch. In one application, a radiotelephone (800, 904) includes a switch assembly (840). A controller (914) responds to actuations of the rocker actuator and the selector actuator to control storage of data in a memory (926) and display of data in the display (818, 918).

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) (100) has a housing (111) that supports the major electrical components of the UPS (100), i.e., a transformer circuit (207), a switching circuit (217), and a battery (209). Furthermore, a connector (107;115;117) affixed to the housing (111 ) is capable of removably affixing the UPS (100) to an alternating-current (AC) outlet (102).

Abstract: An antenna assembly (200) for use in a portable radio (100). The antenna assembly (200) includes first and second housings (113 and 203), a helical antenna (301) and a terminal (205). The first housing (113) is telescopically moveable with respect to the second housing (203) between a retracted and an extended position. The helical antenna (301) has a first dimension when the first housing (113) is moved to the first position and a second dimension when the first housing (113) is moved to the second position. The terminal (205) is coupled to the helical antenna (301) for replaceably coupling to the portable radio (100) by a user. Additionally, a pin (303), covered with a thickened solution (304), is disposed within the helical antenna (301)to dampen mechanical vibrations of the helical antenna (301) and a detenting mechanism retains the first housing (113) in the first and the second positions.

Abstract: An keypad comprises at least first and second actuators formed of a substantially translucent elastomeric material. A barrier (103) disposed within the first actuator (200) permits light, emitted by a first light source (105), present inside the first actuator (200) to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator (200) without substantially illuminating the second actuator (505) and permitting light, emitted by a second light source (503), present outside the first (200) and second (505) actuators, to substantially illuminate at least a portion of the first actuator (200) and at least a portion of the second actuator (505). A method for making a selectively illuminated keypad is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus for a radiotelephone (100) comprises a shroud (207), an antenna (209) and releasable latch means (231, 219, 223, 229). The shroud (207) is movable between a first and a second position. The antenna is an extendable helical coil (209) having a shortened axial length when the shroud is moved to the first position and a lengthened axial length when the shroud is moved to the second position. The extendable helical coil (209) exerts biasing forces on the shroud (207) when the shroud is moved to the second position to urge the shroud (207) towards the first position.

Abstract: A telephonic handset housing assembly for a cordless telephone. The housing assembly comprises a carriage and a clip which is releasably engageable with the carriage. Because the clip is releasably engageable with the carriage, when the handset is not to be carried with an object, the clip may be removed so as not to form a portion of the handset housing assembly.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for a multiunit system includes a portable unit (101) and a base unit (103). The portable unit (101) includes first and second conductive contacts (119, 120) disposed on the portable unit (101) essentially opposite each other, and rechargable energy storage means (311) electrically coupled to the first and second conductive contacts (119, 120). The base unit (103) includes an indentation (124) formed in the base unit (103) and having a receiving surface shaped to receive at least a portion of the portable unit (101), first and second conductive protrusions (127, 129) extending outwardly beyond the receiving surface essentially opposite each other, and energy source means (131) electrically coupled to the first and second conductive protrusions (127, 129). The first and second conductive protrusions (127, 129) contact the first and a second conductive contacts (119, 120), respectively when at least a portion of the portable unit (101) is placed in the indentation (124).