US 2006/0148541 A1Published application

Mobile terminal

AssigneeSony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB

InventorScott Vance

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A mobile terminal comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion. At least one flexible strap movably connects the first housing portion to the second housing portion at one end of each housing portion for relative movement of the housing portions along an axis parallel to the ends of the housing portions. The housing portions are movable between a first position where the inner major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the inner major surface of the second housing portion for at least partially concealing the user input means, and a second position where the outer major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the outer major surface of the second housing portion such that the user input means is exposed and accessible to the user. At least one of the housing portions encloses electronic components operable to transmit and receive telecommunication signals.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system, the mobile terminal comprising:

a first housing portion having an inner major surface and an opposed outer major surface;
a second housing portion having an inner major surface and an opposed outer major surface;
means for providing user input to the mobile terminal, the user input means associated with the inner major surface of the first or the second housing portion;
and
at least one flexible strap for movably connecting the first housing portion to the second housing portion at one end of each housing portion for relative movement of the housing portions along an axis parallel to the ends of the housing portions from a first position where the inner major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the inner major surface of the second housing portion for at least partially concealing the user input means, and a second position where the outer major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the outer major surface of the second housing portion such that the user input means is exposed and accessible to the user,
wherein at least one of the housing portions encloses electronic components operable to transmit and receive telecommunication signals and the user input means is electrically connected to the electronic components in the housing.

3 more elements

A method of assembling a mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

providing a first housing portion having an inner major surface and an opposed outer major surface;
providing a second housing portion having an inner major surface and an opposed outer major surface, wherein at least one of the housing portions encloses electronic components operable to transmit and receive telecommunication signals;
providing at least one flexible strap comprising an endless loop for movably connecting the first housing portion to the second housing portion;
twisting the strap once to form a first loop and a second loop and a point of intersection of the strap between the portions of the strap defining the first loop and the second loop;
and
inserting the first housing portion into the first loop and the second housing portion into the second loop such that the point of intersection is between one end of each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion for relative movement of the housing portions along an axis parallel to the ends of the housing portion from a first position where the inner major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the inner major surface of the second housing portion, and a second position where the outer major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the outer major surface of the second housing portion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.