Telephonic communications – Terminal – Housing or housing component
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-13
2001-02-27
Chiang, Jack (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Terminal
Housing or housing component
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195431
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rotational hinge mechanisms, for example, those used on the flip cover of a cellular telephone, and more particularly, to a method for damping a spring biased motion of a rotational hinge mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
Rotational hinge mechanisms are utilized on devices that contain a so called “flip cover” that rotates between closed and opened positions on an attached body. One widespread use of a rotational hinge mechanism is within cellular telephone products wherein a flip cover is used to cover a keypad of the telephone when it is not in use. The flip cover may also include a microphone for receiving voice input from a user of the telephone when the flip cover is in the extended position. The rotational hinge mechanism for flip covers utilizes a spring-loaded action to move between the opened and closed positions. Existing rotational damping mechanisms utilize a disc shaped blade which rotates in shallow reservoir of viscous fluid. The mechanism is attached to the axis of the rotational hinge mechanism of the flip cover such that the disc shaped blade rotates about the axis of the rotational hinge.
This type of damping mechanism requires a relatively large diameter disc shaped blade in order to effectively damp the motion of the flip cover. In cellular telephone applications, where size is important, the thickness of the device must be minimized. Thus, a damping mechanism having a large diameter disc shaped blade works against the desire for smaller cellular telephone units. Thus, some manner for damping the motion of a rotational spring using a smaller mechanism is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other problems with a rotational hinge for use with a flip cover that is moveable between a first position and a second position with respect to a fixed body, such as a cellular telephone. A circular housing integrated with a flip cover is capable of rotational movement about a central axis between a first position and a second position. Within the housing is defined a fluid chamber for containing a viscous fluid.
A follower is integrated with the body of the cellular telephone and a cam rotatably engages the follower and is linearly moveable from a first position on the central axis of the housing to a second position on the central axis of the housing in conjunction with movement of the housing between the first and second positions. A spring biases the cam to the first position.
A piston having a stem connected to the cam moves through the viscous fluid along the central axis of the housing in response to movement of the cam. Movement of the piston through a viscous fluid within the fluid chamber damps the movement of the piston and the attached cam. Movement of fluid past the piston may be between the edges of the piston and the walls of the fluid chamber or through a number of holes within the surface of the piston.
In an alternative embodiment, the damping mechanism may consists of a separate housing which is insertable within the housing integrated with the flip cover. This housing encloses the piston and viscous fluid through which the piston is pulled. A stem extends from the housing and attaches with the cam in a manner similar to the first embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4358870 (1982-11-01), Hong
Chiang Jack
Ericsson Inc.
Jenkens & Gilchrist P.C.
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