Sliding electronic device assembly
US7577467B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G1/026
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drive mechanism (101) for a portable electronic device (102), such as a mobile telephone or personal digital assistant, includes at least one wheel (113) engaging at least one track (103). In one embodiment, two tracks (103,104) are coupled to a first housing (105), while a pair of wheels (113,114) are coupled to a shaft (106) which is coupled to a second housing (107) by way of a shaft retaining member (111). The wheels (113,114), which may include wheel teeth (224,225) disposed about the perimeter (226,227) of the wheels that engage track teeth (112), pass along the tracks (103,104) to cause the first housing (105) to slide open or closed relative to the second housing (107). A preloaded tensioning device (108), which in one embodiment comprises to oppositely wound coiled springs disposed concentrically about the shaft (106) bias the first housing (105) and the second housing (107) towards an open position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.