Electronic equipment comprising a retractable screen
This electronic equipment comprises a housing which is formed by two housing parts of which one (15) is integral with a retractable screen (10) which may take up a first position called closed position and a second position called open position which permits to see the whole screen. In the closed position one part of the screen remains visible and the other part of the screen is hidden in a second part of the housing (5). This second housing part supports other elements of the equipment, for example, microphone (2), keyboard (1) etc. . . .
The invention relates to electronic equipment comprising a housing formed by at least two housing parts of which one called screen part is integral with a retractable screen which may take up a first position called closed position and a second position called open position relative to a part called fixed part.
The invention finds applications with particular advantage when notably the equipment is of the radiotelephony type.
Actually, this type of equipment is bound to have uses which imply the visualization of many data and, moreover, one wishes that its cumbersomeness remains limited.
A device of this type is known from patent document GB 2 334 301. In this device one of its parts on which among other things the keypad is disposed gives a complete blocking of the screen so as to protect it so that the device stops operating.
The invention proposes a device of the type defined in the opening paragraph which offers other functionalities and those of the cited prior art.
Such a device is characterized in that in the closed position the fixed part partly masks the screen.
Thus, by the measure in accordance with the invention the user, for example, in the case when the device is a mobile telephone, has the choice between two modes of operation corresponding to these two positions. When the device is in the closed position, the device behaves like a normal device and can receive calls. For controlling same, the user utilizes the visible part of the screen which may then give the name of the caller or the type of call (short messages or others). When the device is in open position, the user can see images or information such as those or that sent by the WAP system.
These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated, by way of non-limitative example, with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.
In the drawings:
In this
In accordance with the invention, in closed position part of the screen 20a remains visible. Thus, the screen is divided into two parts 20a and 20b. The part 20a is always visible whatever the position of the screen and the part 20b is combined with the part 20a to show a complete screen to the user to be able, for example, to visualize WAP images (similar system to Internet, but adapted to portable telephones) or others. The arrows F1 and F2 show in what direction part 15 is to be moved to come to the closed or open position respectively. A recess 30 has been made in the part 5 so as to make the screen part 20a visible in closed position.
The housing part 15 is in the form of a front face 100 in which an opening 105 is provided that permits to see the screen 10, at the back of the screen 10 is placed a shield 110. The whole is covered at the back by a cover 115. The spring system is integral with this part 15. A flat flexible conducting cable 120 better known by the name of flex permits electrical connection between the housing part 5 and the housing part 15. On this cover 115 is provided a guiding system formed by grooves 117 and 118 which will slide over the projections 85 and 86.
At “a” the device is in closed position. It is maintained in this position by the spring 260 which acts on a stop 280 provided in part 205. This is shown by the V linked with each of said references. This figure shows in more detail the operation of the springs 260 and 261 which cooperate with the stop 280.
At “b” the button 265 is pressed. A press on this button releases the spring from the stop. The spring assembly 225 separates the part 250 from part 205. This release of the assembly 225 is clearly visible in this
At “c” this release is stopped by the second latch 261 which coincides with the stop 280.
At “d”, if the button 265 is pressed again, it is possible to separate the two housing parts 205 and 250.
At “a” in this Figure the two parts 205 and 250 are represented separated from each other so as to show an assembly of conductors 300 which forms tracks arranged on part 205.
At “b” is shown better how the connection piece 255 performs its function. It is provided with conductors 290 formed by a bulging part intended to make contact with the assembly of conductors 300 and by a side part to ensure the contacts with the housing part 250. For this purpose, a housing 300 is provided, which has contacts for the electric connections of the side parts of the conductors 290.
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising a housing formed by at least two housing parts one of which, called screen part, is integral with a retractable screen which may occupy a first position called closed position and a second position called open position relative to a part called fixed part, characterized in that in the position called closed position, the fixed part partly masks the screen.
2. An electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said screen part is mounted on projections so as to permit it being displaced.
3. An electronic device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that “hard points” are provided when said screen part is displaced, so that it can occupy stable positions.
4. An electronic device as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a guide is provided having recesses which are integral with one of said guiding parts in which can be accommodated during the displacement a spring system which is integral with the other part so as to create said “hard points”.
5. An electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the positions of the screen between two positions are ensured by latches that can be unlocked by a button.
6. An electronic device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the latches permit to separate the two parts of the housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 1, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2005
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lubowicki (Le Mans), Gavin Warner (Montrouge)
Application Number: 11/218,197