Vibrator motor holder

Details Vibrator motor holder Vibrator motor holder

2000-05-18

2001-07-03

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Retaining means

C310S081000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06254416

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to vibration motor holders and in particular to a vibration motor or vibrator holder integrally formed on an I/O connector of a wireless telephone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vibration motors are well known in wireless telephones. They are typically used in situations where the user does not want an incoming call to activate an audible ringer and therefore switches the phone to the vibration mode. In the vibration mode an incoming call activates activates the motor and the resultant vibration is felt by the user as an indication of the incoming call.
Existing vibrating motors are difficult to assemble in the phone casing. Also, retention of the vibration motor once assembled is also difficult as the means for locking the motor in the housing is typically unable to cope with the vibrations resulting from the activity of the motor. If such a motor becomes loose within the phone casing it may damage the phone itself or other components within the casing. There is also a problem in that the existing vibration motor holders do not adequately transfer the vibrations to the casing and to the user, resulting in the possibility of the phone user missing the vibration and the call effecting the vibration.
Known vibration motors are typically housed within the casing by securing them with clips to corresponding holders within the casing. Other known holders not specifically designed for vibrator motors include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,211,579 and 5,830,007 of the present assignee, and U.S. Pat Nos. 5,586,907 and 5,980,309 assigned to the Whitaker Corporation. These all describe a connector for mounting a cylindrical electrical device.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,579, a battery holder or housing is described. The holder is adapted to contain a cylindrical battery, the battery being inserted into the holder in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The battery is held in place at one end by a round shoulder overhanging one end of the battery and at the other end by a detent in a flexible terminal which engages a projection at the opposite end of the battery.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,907 describes an alternative battery connector, this connector adapted to constrain a disk shaped battery. The battery is inserted in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The battery is held in place by two opposed pliable locking arms which clip over the cylindrical wall of the battery.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,007, a microphone device is inserted in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. A flexible locking arm contacts the circumferential surface of the microphone forcing the microphone into an interference fit in the housing. The locking arm also has a flange overhanging a portion of the flat surface of the microphone.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,309, an alternative holder for disk shaped batteries is described. The battery is inserted in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, and is held in the housing with one pair of fixed arms with flanges which hand over one peripheral end of the device and with a pair of flexible arms with flanges which hang over an opposite peripheral end of the device.
Although these known holders are not designed specifically for holding vibration motors, a designer may consider the adaptation of the housing for such purposes. Such adaptation of the devices would not offer satisfactory retention of the vibrator motor, as the housings are not suited for retaining devices that actively vibrate. Therefore a need exists for a holder for electrical devices, the holder being adapted to securely retain the electrical device within a retained position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention, which solves the problems in the prior art includes a housing for an electrical device where the housing is mountable within a wireless telephone. The has a device insertion cavity defined by side walls and a stop extending into the cavity. The inner surface of the side walls forming a cross section substantially corresponding to the cross section of the outer surface of the device to be housed. The cavity is adapted to receive and constrain at least a portion of the electrical device. The device may be inserted into the cavity through an entry port. A retaining device is provided to be moveable into a position that obstructs at least a portion of the entry port, thereby retaining the inserted device within the insertion cavity. When the retaining device is moved to an obstructing position, the inserted device is contained snugly within the cavity providing a secure retaining region for the electrical device.
The invention additionally provides an electrical connector for mounting an electrical device, including a housing having an electrical device insertion cavity defined by side walls and a stop extending into the cavity. The inner surface of the walls forming a cross section substantially corresponding to the cross section of the peripheral surface of the electrical device so that the device can be supported in the cavity. The cavity having an entry port through which the electrical device may be inserted. A locking piece is insertable into a slot in the housing adjacent to the entry port. When the locking piece is inserted into the slot at least a portion of the entry port is obstructed preventing the electrical device from moving out of the device insertion cavity, thereby restraining the device in a contained position. The electrical device is preferably a vibration motor adapted to vibrate when activated and is preferably mountable within a wireless telephone body, the mounting of the electrical connector providing a fixed and secure retention of the electrical connector against the telephone body, such that any vibration of the vibration motor within its housing is transmitted efficiently to the telephone body.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4146682 (1979-03-01), Nakao
patent: 5211579 (1993-05-01), Seong et al.
patent: 5586907 (1996-12-01), Frantz et al.
patent: 5830007 (1998-11-01), Fry et al.
patent: 5836790 (1998-11-01), Barnett
patent: 5943214 (1999-08-01), Sato et al.
patent: 5980309 (1999-11-01), Frantz et al.
patent: 6133657 (2000-10-01), Semenik et al.

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