Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-07
2001-04-17
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C455S556200, C361S726000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219257
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in battery compartment configurations for electrical devices.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
As portable electronic devices become smaller, lighter and more common, there is a need to minimize the size and cost of such devices without compromising the usefulness of the device. This is particularly true of portable communication devices. For example, single body phones require a minimum length to retain the minimum distance between the ear and mouth of the user. Flexible or “folding” phones allow smaller size while maintaining proper distance between the microphone and speaker. However, folding phones present a problem of where to position the battery compartment while maintaining the small size and weight of the phone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Portable folding phones have battery compartments in either the top or bottom portion of a two-part phone. Both of these configurations require the body of the phone to be a certain size to accommodate the battery used. In other words, both of these configurations add thickness and weight to the half of the phone where the battery resides. The placement of the circuit board, LCD, keypad, speaker and other parts add further design limitations. Another constraint is the use of custom batteries. Current portable folding phones use irregular or prismatic battery cells, which are expensive.
The present invention provides improvements for portable folding phones. The present invention involves an integrated battery compartment in the hinge of a portable folding communication device. The present invention reduces the size and weight of a portable folding communication device. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention uses a standard cylindrical battery, which is less expensive and is more widely available than irregular or prismatic cells. Accordingly, the cost is also reduced.
In general, the present invention comprises a first portion having at least one speaker and a second portion having at least one microphone. The first portion is coupled to the second portion with a hinge, which allows the first and second portions to fold around the hinge. The hinge also houses a battery compartment.
In a preferred embodiment, the battery compartment is substantially cylindrical in shape to accept at least one AA battery cell or an AA lithium ion battery cell. In another embodiment, the battery compartment is shaped to accommodate at least one AAA battery cell or AAA lithium ion battery cell.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention further comprises a hinged door at least one end of the hinge for installing and replacing a battery. In one embodiment the hinged door contains contacts for completing a circuit for which the battery provides power.
In another preferred embodiment, the hinge is formed from two or more outer hinge portions coupled to the first portion and at least one central hinge portion coupled to said second portion. In one embodiment, the outer hinge portions and the at least one central hinge portion cooperate to form a substantially cylindrical hinge shaped to accept at least one cylindrical battery.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5293300 (1994-03-01), Leung
patent: 5583744 (1996-12-01), Oguchi et al.
patent: 5606730 (1997-02-01), Rush et al.
patent: 5924044 (1999-07-01), Vannatta et al.
patent: 5955700 (1999-09-01), Slipy et al.
Conexant Systems Inc.
Duong Hung Van
Knobbe Martens & Olson Bear LLP.
Picard Leo P.
LandOfFree
Integrated battery compartment and hinge does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Integrated battery compartment and hinge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Integrated battery compartment and hinge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2524069