Button lock mechanism for handheld device

Details Button lock mechanism for handheld device Button lock mechanism for handheld device

1999-08-25

2001-03-13

Gellner, Michael L. (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Electric switch details

Latches

C200S318200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06201199

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to a button lock mechanism for use in a portable device.
Portable electronic devices often include buttons on the outside of the device casing which can be pressed by a user to activate various functions of the device. For example, the latest generation of handheld computers are known to include audio buttons which enable a user to record and play voice memos without having to open a cover of the device.
In order to avoid inadvertent activation of the audio buttons, some handheld computers include a switch which electronically locks the audio buttons. When this switch is in an unlocked state, the audio buttons may be pressed to activate an associated electronic audio function of the computer. However, when the switch is in a locked state, the audio buttons may be pressed without activating any electronic functions.
Typically, the electronic locking switch comprises a switch element which is coupled to the microprocessor of the computer by an electrical sense line.
A mechanical button lock is a less common approach to avoiding accidental button activation. This approach is used in the Series
5
portable computer, available from Psion, UK. During transit, a portion of the Series
5
device casing surrounding the audio buttons can be configured so as to be flush with the audio buttons. In this configuration, the button are less likely to be accidentally depressed. When it is desired to use the audio buttons, a user can manually slide and depress the surrounding casing portion to reveal the audio buttons for activation.
According to the present invention there is provided a lockable button mechanism for use in a portable device comprising; a switch element, a button element aligned with the switch element, the button element being depressible in a first direction to activate the switch element, and a locking element substantially interposed between the switch element and the button element, the locking element being slidably displaceable in a transverse direction to the first direction, between a first position in which depression of the button element is enabled, and a second position in which the locking element blocks depression of the button element.
A lockable button mechanism in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it provides a simple solution for locking a button, such as an audio button of a portable electronic device. The simplicity of the lockable button mechanism enables it to be implemented in a relative small space with relatively low cost. Unlike the electronic locking switch, the button lock according to the invention does not require a switch element or an electrical sense line which can be expensive and costly to implement.
In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism comprising a plurality of switch and button element pairs which are lockable with a single locking element.
Ideally, the lockable button mechanism is incorporated in a portable device. Suitably, the button and locking elements are displaceable relative to the housing or casing of the device and are partially exposed by openings in the housing, with the switch element or elements being substantially fixed within the housing.
A further advantage of a lockable button mechanism in accordance with the invention is that the switch element or elements are protected in the locked state. If the buttons elements experience an impact, for example when the portable device is inadvertently dropped, the locking element will block the path of the button elements and prevent the relatively fragile switch elements being damaged.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3611357 (1971-10-01), Boulanger
patent: 4385509 (1983-05-01), Milles et al.
patent: 5570612 (1996-11-01), Reasoner
patent: 5638945 (1997-06-01), Fukinuki et al.

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