ES2285723T3 - WALKY TALKY. - Google Patents

Abstract

A PORTABLE PHONE IS PRESENTED WITH A SLIDING COVER (2), A MICROPHONE (10) PROVIDED ON THE SLIDING COVER (2), AND A DRIVING FACE (5) THAT CAN BE COVERED COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY THROUGH THE SLIDING MOVEMENT OF THE COVER (2 ). THE MICROPHONE (10) ON THE COVER (2) IS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE ACCOMMODATION OF THE PHONE (3) THROUGH A SLIDING CONTACT. THE CONTACT IS BUILT AS A HALF CONNECTOR (20) IN THE FORM OF SLIDING SHOES THAT COOPERATE WITH A PLURALITY OF DRIVERS (15) THAT EXTEND IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SLIDING MOVEMENT.

Description

Walky talky.

The present invention relates to a radiotelephone or a handset with a microphone and an operating surface as well as with a sliding cover which it can cover the operating surface at least partially, according to the preamble of claim 1.

In relation to radiotelephones or telephones portable, it is often convenient that the surface Operational phone can be covered or protected when the phone it's not active. From EP0414365 a known phone of this type that makes use of a flexible connector for create an electrical connection between the microphone of the lid and the electrical components of the phone.

This objective is achieved by providing a telephone according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

Based on this background, one of the Objectives of the invention is to provide a radiotelephone with a enhanced electrical connection between microphone and components Electric telephone. When the contact comprises a plurality of sliding shoes which slide against the respective conductors when the movement of sliding of the cover, an electrical connection is guaranteed satisfactory It has been observed that it is possible to transfer signals electric with virtually no noise - even during movement of sliding the lid.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portable phone is built so that the face inside the cover is provided with a plurality of conductors, which are connected to the microphone, and that extend in the direction of sliding movement of the lid, being provided in this case the telephone receptacle, of a contact to cooperate with these drivers. In this way, the lid protects drivers, for example, in the form of tracks conductive

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portable phone is built with a receptacle curved, and in this embodiment the front surface of the lid essentially follows the operating surface of the receptacle. When the lid is pulled to get access to the surface operative, the first prolongs the curvature of the receptacle. Advantageously, the lid may be provided with two side walls which extend from the surface front along the direction of the sliding movement of the lid. In addition, the two side walls and the parts adjacent in the telephone receptacle may be provided with some lanes and some cooperation guide tracks to communicate a sliding capacity to the lid. This situation provides extremely satisfactory mechanical control between the receptacle and the phone cover.

If the phone is built in such a way that in the phone holder's guide tracks are provided, in the preferred embodiment, elastic projections, adapted to cooperate with corresponding notches in the parts of the cover rails, the user to slide the cover you will get a clear indication of the position of the lid, since the intermediate positions are clearly captured by the variation of mechanical resistance. In one of the ways of preferred realization, projections and notches of cooperation define an intermediate position of the lid in which you can access a first group of operating push buttons. This group of operating push buttons can be used as advantageous way to answer a call.

In addition, in the preferred embodiment, in connection with projections of guide tracks and notches of the rail parts in the extreme position of the lid, it they provide some closing projections and flanges, of cooperation, which oppose an additional displacement between pieces, thus minimizing the risk of separation accidental parts.

In the preferred embodiment of the phone of the invention, the front plate of the cover has one or more through openings, through which the sound, in connection with the microphone, being protected by the said microphone cover against the wind and weather influences and mechanical

In a preferred embodiment, the telephone according to the invention is provided with a contact which interrupt or end the conversation when the cover slides to a position in which the operating surface is covered.

The invention will be explained in more detail at then in relation to a preferred embodiment and referring to the drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically shows a form of preferred embodiment of a portable telephone of the invention, with the cover covering the operating surface of the telephone;

fig. 2 schematically shows the form of embodiment of the telephone of the invention shown in fig. 1, with the cover partially covering the operating surface of the phone, thus getting some of the push buttons of operation are accessible;

fig. 3 schematically shows the form of embodiment of the telephone of the invention shown in fig. 1, with the cover removed from the operating surface of the phone, getting in this way that all the push buttons of operation are accessible;

fig. 4 is an exploded view that shows how the microphone and conductive tracks are assembled before their mounting on the cover in the preferred embodiment of the phone of the invention;

fig. 5 shows how it is arranged in the cover, in the preferred embodiment of the telephone of the invention, the pre-assembled organ of the microphone / conductor shown in fig. 4;

fig. 6 shows the structure of the media telephone connectors of the invention;

fig. 7 shows the lid in the form of preferred embodiment of the telephone of the invention;

fig. 8 shows how one of the elastic projections that define the discrete positions of the top;

fig. 9 illustrates the relationship between projections and corresponding notches; Y

fig. 10 illustrates the position of the media telephone connectors of the invention.

In fig. 1 shows one of the ways of Preferred embodiments of a portable telephone 1 of the invention. Telephone 1 has a microphone 10 (see fig. 4) arranged in a sliding cover 2, and an operating surface 5 which can be cover totally or partially with the sliding cover 2. On the side inside the cover 2 a plurality of conductors are formed metallic 15 (see fig. 7), which are connected to the microphone 10, and which extend in the direction of the movement of sliding of the cover 2. In the receptacle 3 of the telephone 1 they form connecting means 20 (see fig. 6) in the form of sliding shoes 21 to cooperate with conductors 15. The sliding shoes 21 can be advantageously elastic.

The receptacle 3 and the cover 2 of the telephone are of plastic, such being the selected materials that provide  a movement capacity between the pieces. In addition, both pieces ideally present a perfect surface finish, and the receptacle part 3 should be able to be metallized, for example, with aluminum, due to the EMC. Finally, the pieces should Present good mechanical stability. These properties are can be obtained using a polycarbonate (PC) to which it is added polytetrafluoroethylene (PFTE). The selection of materials is performs to communicate a "self-lubricating effect" to pieces.

From figs. 1 to 3 it will be noted that the telephone 1 and therefore the receptacle 3 and the cover 2 are slightly curved On the other hand, the receptacle 3 is constructed with a screen 4 to display, for example, the numbers at which is called, the numbers used, telephone menus, conditions of Reception and battery status.

The sliding capacity between the receptacle 3 and the lid 2 is obtained, in the embodiment preferred, because lid 2 (see fig. 7) has a wall side 16 on each side which ends in a directed tab 17 inward, which curves slightly with respect to an axis of curvature (not shown), which extends parallel to the cross direction of the phone. Correspondingly, in the phone 3 receptacle guide tracks 35 are formed which They have a corresponding curvature. This means that the displacement between the cover 2 and the receptacle 3 occurs at along a circular arc. This situation will be clearly observed at from figs. 1 to 3, which on the other hand show that the curvature is relatively thin, since the radius of the circle at along which the movement takes place is of a high value with Regarding the length of the phone.

In the position shown in fig. 1, cover 2 covers the entire operating surface 5 of the phone. In the case of an incoming call, you can answer it by sliding the cover 2 towards the position shown in fig. 2, getting from this mode that a first group of push buttons 6 operation is accessible. In addition, you can respond to the called simply by moving the lid 2, as will be explained later. In the preferred embodiment, it is also You can answer a call using the push button volume (raising or lowering it), which is not shown in the drawing, although it is arranged on the side of the phone.

The first group of push buttons operation 6 can comprise a push button to respond to a call, a push button to end a conversation, and menu control push buttons to operate features programmed phone menu. The additional displacement of the cover 2 towards the position shown in fig. 3 get a final group of operating push buttons 7 accessible, essentially comprising said group buttons alphanumeric buttons used to establish a call or to Program the phone.

On the other hand, from figs. 1 to 3 it can be seen that the cover 2 has a relief 39 with one or more openings 40 through which the sound can pass. He microphone 10 is mounted internally on the cover 2 below the relief 39.

Fig. 4 shows how an organ 34 is assembled with microphone, flexible PCB and contact conductors before its mounting on the cover 2. A flexible print 8 (PCB) has two printed conductive tracks 15 of a corresponding length approximately with the length of the cover 2. When mounted on the cover 2, print 8 extends in the direction of movement Phone slip. The microphone 10 is fixed to the underside of flexible printing 8 and is connected electrically to the two conductive tracks 15 through a electric filter 32. Around the microphone 10 it is mounted so baggy a rubber gasket 33 to provide a mechanical protection, and on the back of the print flexible 8 is mounted a plastic foam organ 9 to protect the filter 32. The plastic foam member 9 has a flap the which flexes with respect to the edge of the print and covers the front face of it. Thus, the packing 33 and the plastic foam organ 9 act as suppressor elements acoustic

A plastic sheet 12 (for example, of polycarbonate) which has two longitudinal grooves 13 is provided  of adhesive on one side covered by a protective sheet of the back face 14. When the sheet is removed from the back face 14, the plastic sheet can be fixed (in the form of a laminate) to flexible printing so that the tracks can be accessed conductors 15 through the grooves 13. The width of the sheet plastic 12 is greater than the width of flexible printing 8, so that parts of the sheet 12 with adhesive protrude to the length of flexible printing 8. These protruding parts with Adhesive are used in the assembly of element 34.

Then a support 11 of microphone that has a microphone receptacle 18 that envelops the microphone 10 on the microphone board 33. The whole or organ resulting 34 is mounted on the inner side of the lid 2, in which a recess 37 has been formed to receive the organ 34 with the microphone. Fixation is achieved thanks to the fact that the organ 34 is assembles in guide pins (not shown, although indicated by the dashed lines 36), whereby the organ 34 is housed precisely in the recess 37 of the cover 2. The fixing is provides thanks to the receptacle 18 of the microphone with the Microphone packing 33 fits into recess 37, and thanks to that flexible printing 8 with label 12 adheres to the surface in recess 37. When the position is correct, the adhesion is reinforced by ultrasonic welding of the protective label 12 and microphone holder 11 on cover 2 in some of the areas in which there is a direct link.

The connecting means 20 shown in fig. 6 they have the position shown in fig. 10 in the form of Preferred embodiment of the telephone of the invention. The media connectors 20 comprise two sliding shoes 21 the which, when the displacement of the lid 2 occurs, slide against the respective conductive track 15 and guarantee a connection electrical satisfactory despite the movement. It has been observed that it is possible to transfer electrical signals practically without noise - even when the lid 2 moves.

The connecting means 20 have an actuator of microswitch 29 on the side of the shoes 21 of glide. In the closed position of the cover 2, the actuator microswitch 29 cooperates with a drive pin 38 in cover 2, causing the microswitch actuator 29 is pressed to engage another contact piece 31, closing in this way a path of the current. Thus, it is possible to detect when the cover 2 is in the position shown in fig. one, the microswitch being closed in this case. When interrupts the path of the current in the microswitch, it You can answer a call without having to activate other push buttons. Subsequently the conversation ends at Close the path of the stream. The microswitch has two segments 30 which are connected to the phone's PCB, while each of the sliding shoes 21 has a segment 30.

The sliding shoes 21 have some elasticity properties to compensate for variations in distance between cover 2 and receptacle 3. The shoes of sliding and microswitch actuator 29 are constructed in the form of connector springs and are coated with 20 µm of Palladium nickel coated with 2 µm hard gold. The clues conductors 15 (flexible sliders) are coated with 5 µm of hard gold This option guarantees a strong electrical connection to wear and reliable.

It will be seen from fig. 8 that part rear of the receptacle 3 is provided with a cavity 27 to each side, capable of receiving and retaining the respective base parts 26 of the elastic organs 25 when they are mounted. It has been removed the upper part of the receptacle 3. Each elastic organ 25 has an arm whose end 24 extends outward in direction to guide track 35 through an opening of the receptacle 3, said organ acting as an elastic projection at the one that the notches 19 of the tab 17 are coupled. Thus, the projection 24 and the three notches 19 define the three positions shown in figs. 1, 2 and 3. Among these three positions are they can obviously establish other positions, although the three positions can be easily detected when the cover 2. The cooperation between projection 24 and the three notches 19 it is not enough in itself to prevent the removal of the lid 2 with respect to receptacle 3. For this reason, a flange or stop 23 in connection with guide track 35, avoiding complete separation of the pieces through cooperation with a Highlighting on cover 2.

However, for safety reasons, to the lid 2 elastic properties are communicated which are sufficient to ensure that the twisting of the lid 2 with respect to the phone receptacle 3 does not result in deformation elastic cover 2 so that its side walls 16 with the rail parts 17 are disengaged from guide tracks 35 in the phone receptacle 3. For this reason, at stops 23 it they form inclined guide surfaces that allow the lid 2 with the locking projections 22 easily be placed back in your position.

The phone is provided with a timer (no shown) that has a delay which delays the response to a call for a period corresponding to a few seconds when the call is answered by means of the sliding cover 2. This situation allows the user to interrupt / end the call before it is established.

Fig. 9 shows cover 2 in a position in the one that is going to slide in again over the stops 23. It must be indicated that the internal parts (push buttons, PCB, connector means, etc.) have not yet been mounted on the phone receptacle 3. A spacer 28 holds the cover 2 when it is subjected to a pressure on the front surface of the phone. This option prevents a separation by compression.

Fig. 10 shows the position of the media connectors 20 below the operating surface 5. In addition to meet without cover 2, this phone has not yet been provided the push buttons, the PCB, etc.

Instead of continuous lashes 17, cover 2 it may be provided with discrete guide pins which are they house in the guide tracks of the receptacle 3. Alternatively, the guide tracks can be provided in cover 2.

Some of the figures are provided with lines auxiliaries to get a clearer appearance of the form Gently rounded the phone. In the embodiment preferred of the telephone of the invention, the conductive tracks are placed on the lid, although the tracks are also simply could provide over the telephone receptacle, with the connecting means in that case mounted internally on the cover. In in that case, the clues will be exposed when the lid, which may involve certain inconveniences.

The present invention includes any characteristic or novel combination of characteristics given to know in this document either explicitly or through any generalization of them independently Whether or not they refer to the claimed invention or mitigate any or all of the problems faced.

Considering the above description, it will result evident to an expert in the field that can be performed several modifications all included within the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Radiotelephone (1) comprising a receptacle (3) having an operating surface (5), and a sliding cover (2) to slide along at least one part of said operating surface (5) and to cover at least a part of said operating surface when the sliding cover It is in the closed position, which comprises: a microphone (10) arranged in the lid slider; a series of conductors (15); coupling means (20) to cooperate with said series of conductors (15) with a view to connecting said microphone (10) to electrical parts of the telephone receptacle in correspondence with a range of relative positions of the lid sliding (3) and the operating surface (5); characterized because said conductors (15) extend in the direction of the sliding movement in said range of relative positions; said coupling means (20) include a series of sliding shoes (21) in sliding contact  with a respective one of said conductors (15), and said sliding shoes (21) are formed as elastic metal conductors propelled towards the connector respective (15) to ensure the connection between the microphone (10) and the electrical parts of a telephone receptacle in correspondence with said range of cover positions (2) with Regarding the receptacle. 2. Radiotelephone according to claim 1, in which the inner face of the cover (2) is provided with said series of conductors (15), and in which the receptacle (3) of the telephone it is provided with the coupling means (20) that cooperate with said conductors (15). 3. Radiotelephone according to claim 1 or 2, in which the receptacle (3) of the telephone is curved, and in which a front surface of the cover (2) essentially follows the operating surface of the telephone receptacle. 4. Radiotelephone according to claims 1 to 3, in which the cover (2) has two side walls (16) that are extend from the front surface in the direction of movement sliding cover (2), and in which the two walls sides and adjacent parts in the phone receptacle will they build as rails (17) and cooperation guide tracks for communicate a sliding capacity to the lid (2). 5. Radiotelephone according to claim 4, in which two side walls (16) are provided with rail parts (17) facing each other. 6. Radiotelephone according to claim 4 or 5, in which elastic projections (24) are provided in connection with the guide tracks in the receptacle (3) of the telephone, said projections (24) being adapted to cooperate with corresponding notches (19) in the rail parts (17) of the top. 7. Radiotelephone according to claim 6, in the one that the projections (24) and the notches (17) of cooperation define an intermediate position of the lid in which it is accessible a first group of operating push buttons (6). 8. Radiotelephone according to claim 6 or 7, in which blocking projections (22) and about cooperative flanges (23) that oppose displacement additional between the pieces, in connection with the projections of the guide tracks and notches of rail parts in position end of the lid (2). 9. Radiotelephone according to claim 8, in that the elastic properties are communicated to the lid (2) enough to ensure that the lid twists (2) with respect to the receptacle (3) of the telephone results in a elastic deformation of the lid, so that its side walls (16) with the rail parts (17) are decoupled with respect to the guide tracks in the receptacle (3) of the phone. 10. Radiotelephone according to claim 1, in the one that the front surface of the cover (2) is provided with one or more through openings (40) in connection with the microphone (10). 11. Radiotelephone according to claims 1 to 9, in which the telephone (1) is provided with a contact (29, 30) which hangs up the phone when the cover (2) slides to a position in which the operating surface is covered.