US 8,046,037 B2 · Slide module and mobile terminal having the same

Abstract

A mobile terminal including a first body, a second body slidably moveable with respect to the first body such that the first body is moved between a closed position and an open position, a connector electrically connecting the first body to the second body, and a slide module connecting the first body to the second body to allow the second body to move with respect to the first body between the closed position and the open position is provided. The slide module includes a first slide member connected to the first body, a second slide member connected to the second body, the second slide member being slidably connected to the first slide member, and a cover unit disposed between the first and second slide members, the cover unit being configured to prevent exposure of the connector when the first body is in the open position.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims21

Dependent claims

A mobile terminal comprising:

a first body;
a second body slidably moveable with respect to the first body such that the first body is moved between a closed position and an open position;
a connector electrically connecting the first body to the second body;
and
a slide module connecting the first body to the second body to allow the second body to move with respect to the first body between the closed position and the open position, the slide module including:
a first slide member connected to the first body;
a second slide member connected to the second body, the second slide member being slidably connected to the first slide member;
and
a cover unit disposed between the first and second slide members, the cover unit being configured to prevent exposure of the connector when the first body is in the open position, the cover unit configured to translate linearly with respect to the first and second bodies throughout movement between the closed position and the open position.

6 more elements

A mobile terminal comprising:

a first body;
a second body slidably moveable with respect to the first body such that the first body is moved between a closed position and an open position;
a connector electrically connecting the first body to the second body;
and
a slide module connecting the first body to the second body to allow the second body to move with respect to the first body between the closed position and the open position, the slide module including:
a first slide member connected to the first body, the first slide member including a connector hole to receive a portion of the connector when the first body is in the closed position;
a second slide member connected to the second body, the second slide member being slidably connected to the first slide member;
and
a cover unit disposed between the first and second slide members, the cover unit being configured to prevent exposure of the connector when the first body is in the open position, the cover unit covers and uncovers the connector hole according to relative movement of the first and second slide members, the cover unit including:
a cover body unit slidably connected to at least one of the first and second slide members to slidably cover and uncover the connector hole;
and
a connection unit configured to connect the cover body unit to the second slide member such that the second slide member is configured to move a first distance with respect to the first slide member independently of the cover body unit and to move a second distance with respect to the first slide member together with the cover body unit.

9 more elements

A slide module for a mobile terminal having a first body, a second body slidably connected to the first body such that the first body is moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a connector electrically connecting the first body to the second body, the slide module comprising:

a first slide member connectable to the first body;
a second slide member connectable to the second body, the first slide member being slidably connected to the second slide member to allow the first and second bodies to move between the closed and open position, the first and second slide members being configured to allow the connector to pass therethrough;
and
a cover unit configured to prevent exposure of the connector when the first body is in the open position, the cover unit being disposed between the first and second slide members, the cover unit configured to translate linearly with respect to the first and second slide member throughout movement between the closed position and the open position.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description7,090 words

Summary870 words

#The present application claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2008-0027550, filed on Mar. 25, 2008, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to a slide module and a mobile terminal having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a slide module with a cover unit for covering a connector so that the connector is not exposed in an open position, and a mobile terminal having the same.

Brief description of the drawings15 figures

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, which are given by illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an closed position;

#FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 1 in an open position;

Detailed description5,839 words

#A slide module and a mobile terminal having the same according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#FIGS. 1 and 2 are front perspective views of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first body 110, and a second body 120 that is slidably moved along at least one direction with respect to the first body 110.

#A state in which the first terminal body 110 is disposed to overlap with the second terminal body 120, as shown in FIG. 1, may be called a closed configuration where the first body is in a closed position, and a state in which at least a portion between the first and second bodies 110 and 120 is exposed, as shown in FIG. 2, may be called an open configuration where the first body is in an open position. As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second bodies 110 and 120 may be configured to be slidably moved in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the first and second bodies 110 and 120.

Facts

Application

12/399,765Filed 6 Mar 2009

Priority

KR 10-2008-002755025 Mar 2008

Published

US 2009/0247247 A11 Oct 2009

Granted

25 Oct 2011

Term ends

10 Oct 2029

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 218 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

H04M 1/0237
Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation…
H04M 1/0216
Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position:…
H04M 1/18
Constructional features of telephone sets: telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment
H04M
Telephonic communication

Timeline

25 Mar 2008Priority claimedKR 10-2008-0027550
6 Mar 2009Application filedUS 12/399,765
13 Mar 2009Assigned to LG Electronics Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
1 Oct 2009PublishedUS 2009/0247247 A1
25 Oct 2011GrantedUS 8,046,037 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
10 Oct 2029Term endsEstimated, includes 218 days of adjustment

Slide module and mobile terminal having the same

Life of this patent

Slide module and mobile terminal having the same

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims21

Description7,090 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description7,090 words