US 6,790,396 B2Granted

Method of making illuminated covers

AssigneeNokia Corporation

InventorsNiko Eiden, Marjukka Joutsen

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An illuminated cover and a method of making such a cover. An electroluminescent foil overlies a thin, rigid support base, and an insulating foil overlies the electroluminescent foil. A first opening allows insertion of an electrical connector for the electroluminescent foil. A second opening allows insertion of a control key of a device covered by the decorative cover. The covered electronic device further includes a printed circuit board having electronic components mounted on it, including the control key. A connector extends into the first opening to connect the electroluminescent foil to circuitry on the printed circuit board so as to provide electrical power to the electroluminescent foil. A graphic can be included between the electroluminescent foil and the insulating foil. The cover is made by a molding method.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method of making a device cover, said method comprising:

positioning a first insulating foil over a first surface of an electroluminescent foil to form a preliminary cover member;
performing the preliminary cover member into a preselected shape;
punching first holes through the preliminary cover member for passage of control keys therethrough and a second hole through the first insulating foil to expose a surface of the electroluminescent foil;
placing the preliminary cover member into a mold of the preselected shape, the mold having bosses corresponding with the first holes and to the second hole;
and
injecting plastic into the mold and into contact with the preliminary cover member to form the device cover, the bosses providing holes through the plastic corresponding with the first and second holes so that when the mold is opened the first holes extend through the device cover and the second hole extends to the surface of the electroluminescent foil.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/940,624Filed 29 Aug 2001
Published: US 2004/0081851 A129 Apr 2004
Granted: 14 Sep 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

H04M 1/0283
Improving the user comfort or ergonomics: for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
B29C 45/14811
The article consisting of a material with particular properties, e.g. porous, brittle: multilayered articles
H04M 1/22
Constructional features of telephone sets: illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
B29C 45/2628
Moulds: with mould parts forming holes in or through the moulded article, e.g. for bearing cages