Abstract:
Slide actuators for portable communications terminals having a first body and a second body slideably movable relative to the first body. An exemplary embodiment of a slide actuator includes a guide rail assembly for coupling to first and second bodies of a portable communications terminal. A biasing assembly is coupled to the guide rail assembly. The guide rail assembly includes a guide rod. The guide rail assembly is configured to translate a generally linear motion of the second body relative to the first body to a rotational motion of the guide rod. The biasing assembly is configured for connection to the first body. The biasing assembly is configured to provide a biasing force toward a first rotational rest position and a second rotational rest position of the guide rod.
Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments are provided of hinge assemblies for rotatably coupling a support member and a body of a portable communications terminal to allow the support member to be maintained at an angle relative to the body. In one exemplary embodiment, a hinge assembly includes a housing configured to be coupled to a body of a portable communications terminal. A rotation member is configured to be coupled to a support member. A stopper is positioned at least partially within the housing. A biasing member biases the stopper towards the rotation member such that contact between the stopper and the rotation member maintains the support member at an angle relative to the body.
Abstract:
A portable communications device is provided. The portable communications device can include a first body. The portable communications device can also include a second body, which can be slideable relative to the first body between a first, closed position and at least a second, opened position. The portable communications device can further include a user input device, which can be coupled to the first body and can be movable relative to at least the second body. The user input device can be disposed within the second body when the second body is in the first position and can be movable to be substantially planar with a top surface of the first body or the second body when the second body slides from the first position to the second position.
Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments are provided of a stand hinge for a portable terminal with a main body. In one exemplary embodiment, the stand hinge includes a support member rotatably coupled to the main body. The stand assembly also includes a retaining member and a stop member that each engage the support member to limit rotation thereof. Furthermore, the stand assembly includes a connector member that couples the retaining member and the stop member such that the retaining member and the stop member cooperatively move relative to the support member.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of slide actuators, which may be used in portable terminals. In an example embodiment, a slide actuator generally includes one or more elastic members having one or more expandable and contractible unit elastic sections or corrugated portions. A framework is coupled to the one or more elastic members.
Abstract:
A device for opening and closing a portable terminal has first and second plates. A link module and a slider movably connect the plates. The link module is slidable between the plates. The slider has a rotation shaft fixedly coupled with the second plate and rotatable in the slider. A power module is affixed to the first plate. The slider is slidable along a straight guide section of the first plate to slide the rotation shaft selectively into or out of contact with the power module. The power module is configured to resiliently bias a roller of the power module against the slider rotation shaft to control rotation of the rotation shaft relative to the first plate.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of a stand assembly for supporting a portable terminal on a support surface. In one exemplary embodiment, a stand assembly generally includes a housing configured to be coupled to a body of a portable terminal and a leg having a first end portion rotatably coupled to the housing. A first biasing device is operable for applying a biasing force to urge the leg to rotate from a first position to a second position. The stand assembly also includes a sliding cam and a rotating cam. The rotating cam is operable for pushing and sliding the sliding cam during the rotation of the leg from the first position to the second position. A second biasing device is operable for applying a biasing force to urge the sliding cam toward the rotating cam. A locking button is operable for maintaining the leg in the first position.
Abstract:
A stand assembly is provided for supporting a portable communications terminal on a support surface. The stand assembly generally includes a pop-up housing configured to be slideably coupled within a portable communications terminal. The pop-up housing has first and second end portions. A tilt housing is coupled to the pop-up housing and slideably moveable relative to the pop-up housing. A tilt arm is coupled to the tilt housing for supporting the portable communications terminal on the support surface. The tilt arm extends from the second end portion of the pop-up housing. The pop-up stand assembly is selectably changeable from a first length to a second length longer than the first length by slidably moving the tilt arm to shorten the pop-up stand assembly to a third length shorter than the first length, from which the pop-up stand assembly then changes from the third length to the second length.
Abstract:
A hinge assembly generally includes a first frame assembly configured to be coupled to the first body of the portable communications device, and a second frame assembly configured to be coupled to the second body of the portable communications device. The example hinge assembly also generally includes a first drive assembly, and a second drive assembly. A center shaft couples the first drive assembly to the second drive assembly such that the first drive assembly is pivotable about the center shaft relative to the second drive assembly. In addition, the first and second drive assemblies support hinged movement of the first frame assembly relative to the second frame assembly between at least a closed position and an open position.
Abstract:
An actuating mechanism for use in slidably opening and/or closing a portable terminal. The actuating mechanism includes a wire spring and a first support capable of being pivotably coupled to a first terminal body of the portable terminal. A first end portion of the wire spring is coupled to the first support. The actuating mechanism also includes a second support capable of being pivotably coupled to a second terminal body of the portable terminal. The wire spring is at least partially supported by the second support to allow relative sliding movement between the wire spring and the second support when the second terminal body slides relative to the first terminal body for opening and/or closing the portable terminal. A guide member is coupled to a second end portion of the wire spring for use in directing the relative sliding movement of the wire spring.