Mobile device

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-281992, filed on Oct. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

1. Field

An aspect of the invention relates to a mobile device that has, for example, a housing and a trigger serving to activate an alarm device which is a buzzer and forming the outer shape of the device together with the housing.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of mobile devices such as mobile phones and handheld video game machines has increased greatly recently. While these mobile devices incorporate more sophisticated functions, the device size and weight are further reduced. Mobile devices incorporating a security buzzer, especially for children and women, are also in demand.

For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-102006 discloses a configuration in which a security buzzer is integrated with a mobile phone. Although not a security buzzer, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-270726 discloses a structure for covering the sound emitting hole of a ringer with a waterproof seal. Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 8-154117 discloses a structure for covering the speaker of a cell phone with a water-shedding sheet.

Mounting the buzzer such as a security buzzer in a small space and enabling it to function while satisfying the waterproof function have become problems when the buzzer is incorporated in a mobile device such as a mobile phone.

A trigger of the security buzzer is operated suddenly with a strong force in many cases. The trigger may be susceptible to a considerably strong force in an unexpected direction. Even in such a case, the buzzer must be securely activated and prevented from malfunctioning. In addition, highly reliable operability is required.

It is an object of the embodiment to provide a mobile device equipped with a buzzer that is activated securely and reliably.

According to an aspect of the embodiment, a mobile device includes a trigger having a molded component defining the outer shape of the mobile device, and a rod-like body fixed to the molded component at one end; a housing having a hole into which the rod-like body is inserted, and guide walls for guiding movement of the rod-like body in the direction in which the rod-like body is inserted into or pulled from the hole; a sensor for detecting that the trigger has been operated in the direction in which the rod-like body is pulled from the hole; and a buzzer activated in response to the sensor's having detected the operation of the trigger, wherein the trigger has sheet-metal members fixed to the molded component and guided by the guide walls by their being moved in contact with the guide walls in the direction in which the rod-like body is inserted or pulled.

The mobile device disclosed in the embodiment has a structure in which a housing has guide walls and sheet-metal members are guided by the guide walls. Accordingly, even if improper force in an unexpected direction is applied to the structure, strength sufficient to resist the force is ensured. The sheet-metal members are securely guided only in predetermined directions and the buzzer can be securely activated.

Additional objects and advantages of the embodiment will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiment. The object and advantages of the embodiment will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the embodiment, as claimed.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended as examples, and all embodiments of the present invention are not limited to including the features described above.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a mobile phone that is an embodiment of the mobile device disclosed in a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view as viewed from the rear of the body unit;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the body unit from which a security buzzer trigger is detached;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view similar to that in FIG. 3 , as viewed from the rear of the body unit;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the rear housing of the body unit and the security buzzer trigger;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view similar to that in FIG. 5 , as viewed from the rear of the rear housing;

FIG. 7 shows the positional relation between a shaft and a switch when the security buzzer trigger is pushed to the position shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 8 shows the positional relation between the shaft and the switch when the security buzzer trigger is pulled to the position where the head of a molded component has come into contact with the stopper of the housing;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the structure of a security buzzer trigger;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view similar to that in FIG. 9 , as viewed from the opposite direction to FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing where the shaft of the security buzzer trigger has been inserted into the housing;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing; and

FIG. 13 is another view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing.

Reference may now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The mobile device disclosed in the preferred embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to Figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a mobile phone that is an embodiment of the mobile device disclosed in the preferred embodiment.

The mobile phone 1 includes a body unit 10 and a display unit 20 . The display unit 20 is pivotally supported by the body unit 10 so that it may be opened or closed.

Many keys 11 are disposed on the body unit 10 for entering telephone numbers or various other information by a user. A mouthpiece 12 is disposed at the lower end of the body unit 10 . The mouthpiece 12 is connected to a microphone disposed inside the body unit 10 .

The display unit 20 has a display screen 21 in its central area for displaying images. An earpiece 22 is above the display screen 21 for outputting sound from a sound producer disposed inside.

The mobile phone 1 incorporates electronic mail transmission or reception functions, in addition to a radio telephone function and various other functions.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view as viewed from the rear of the body unit.

A trigger 14 is provided in an upper part of the body unit 10 for a security buzzer. The side of the upper part of the body unit 10 has a lid 17 . The lid 17 covers an opening from which a connector accommodated in the housing 13 of the body unit 10 is exposed. The lower part of the body unit 10 has a rear cover 18 covering a battery chamber. Loaded in the battery chamber inside the rear cover is a battery pack. The mobile phone runs on power supplied from the battery pack loaded therein.

The security buzzer trigger 14 , the lid 17 covering the opening where the connector is disposed, and the rear cover 17 define the outer shape of the body unit 10 together with the housing 13 .

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the body unit from which a security buzzer trigger is detached. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view similar to that in FIG. 3 , as viewed from the rear of the body unit.

The security buzzer trigger 14 includes a molded component 141 defining the outer shape of the mobile phone together with the housing 13 of the body unit 10 . The security buzzer trigger 14 also includes a shaft 142 (an example of a rod-like body) fixed to the molded component 141 at one end. The molded component 141 has a hole 141 a through which a cord is passed. The shaft 142 is inserted in a holed bushing 15 and an O-ring 16 (an example of a sealing member). The shaft 142 is further inserted into a hole 131 made in the housing 13 of the body unit 10 .

The housing 13 of the body unit 10 includes front and rear housings.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the rear housing of the body unit and the security buzzer trigger. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view similar to that in FIG. 5 , as viewed from the rear of the rear housing.

The insert hole 131 , into which the shaft 142 composing the security buzzer trigger 14 is inserted, is formed in the rear housing 130 of the housing 13 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

A pair of sheet-metal members 143 is fixed to the security buzzer trigger 14 , one on each side of the shaft 142 . Guide walls 132 are formed on the rear housing 130 , one on each side of the hole 131 . The guide walls 132 guide the corresponding sheet-metal members 143 when the trigger 14 is operated in the direction which the shaft 142 is inserted into or pulled from the hole 131 .

The shaft 142 can be pulled out from or inserted into the hole 131 perpendicularly, since the security buzzer trigger 14 is guided on both sides of the hole 131 and the shaft 142 is inserted into the hole 131 . This ensures more reliable operability.

The security buzzer trigger 14 is moved from the position where the shaft 142 is inserted deepest into hole 131 in the direction in which the shaft 142 is pulled. Thereby the head 141 b of the molded component 141 comes into contact with a stopper 133 formed on the wall of the housing 13 , thus preventing the shaft from being pulled further. Accordingly, the trigger 14 can be used repeatedly by pushing the trigger 14 again from this position.

FIG. 7 shows the positional relation between a shaft and a switch when the security buzzer trigger is pushed to the position shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 8 shows the positional relation between the shaft and the switch when the security buzzer trigger is pulled to the position where the head of a molded component has come into contact with the stopper of the housing.

The housing 13 of the body unit 10 incorporates a switch 21 and a buzzer 22 . The shaft 142 interferes with the arm 211 of the switch 21 , as shown in FIG. 7 , when the trigger 14 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 . The buzzer 22 is not activated in this condition. The shaft 142 is separated from the arm 211 of the switch 21 when the trigger 14 is operated in the pulled direction, as shown in FIG. 8 . Consequently, the switch 21 detects the operation of the trigger 14 and the buzzer 22 is activated. The shaft 142 interferes with the arm 211 of the switch 21 , as shown in FIG. 7 , when the trigger 14 is pushed again to the position shown in FIG. 2 , thereby deactivating the buzzer.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the structure of a security buzzer trigger.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view similar to that in FIG. 9 , as viewed from the opposite direction to FIG. 9 .

As described above, the security buzzer trigger 14 has the molded component 141 defining part of the appearance of the mobile phone. The security buzzer trigger 14 also has the shaft 142 , one end of which is firmly fitted into the molded component 141 . The security buzzer trigger 14 also has the pair of sheet-metal members 143 disposed on either side of the shaft 142 . Each of these sheet-metal members 143 is fixed to the molded component 141 with a screw 144 .

Each of the sheet-metal members 143 has a clip 143 a curving in the direction in which the shaft 142 is inserted or pulled. The clip 143 a projects toward and is in contact with the corresponding guide wall 132 shown in FIG. 5 . The clip 143 a moves on the guide wall 132 when the trigger 14 is operated.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing where the shaft of the security buzzer trigger has been inserted into the housing.

An entrance portion 131 a of the hole 131 made in the rear housing 130 composing the body unit is greater in diameter than the shaft 142 . A step 131 b is formed in a certain place between both ends of the hole 131 . A portion 131 c located beyond the step 131 tapers. The bushing 15 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a hole 151 through which the shaft 142 passes. This bushing 15 is fitted firmly in the entrance of the hole 131 . The O-ring 16 is disposed at the entrance portion 131 a of the hole 131 and beyond the bushing 15 such that the position of the O-ring 16 is restricted by the step 131 b and bushing 15 . This O-ring 16 is disposed in contact with both the shaft 142 and the internal wall of the hole 131 . This O-ring 16 prevents water from entering beyond the O-ring 16 . The shaft 142 has an action point 142 a near its leading end. The action point 141 serves to act on the switch 21 when the leading end is inserted in the hole 131 . The head 141 b of the molded component 141 , into which the shaft 142 is kept firmly fitted, comes into contact with the stopper 133 formed on the housing of the body unit 10 when the trigger 14 is operated in the direction in which the shaft 142 is pulled. This prevents the trigger 14 from separating. Accordingly, the trigger 14 can be operated repeatedly while the O-ring 16 prevents the entry of water.

In the preferred embodiment, a description was given of only the waterproof structure for the security buzzer trigger 14 . However, the entire mobile phone is rendered waterproof to be designed as a waterproof mobile device.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing.

FIG. 13 is another view illustrating mutual action between the clips of the sheet-metal members provided for the security buzzer trigger and the corresponding guide walls formed on the housing.

Each of the sheet-metal members 143 has a clip 143 a curving in the direction in which the shaft 142 is inserted or pulled and projecting toward the corresponding guide wall 132 of the housing.

Each of the guide walls 132 includes a first recess 132 a which the clip 143 a of the corresponding sheet-metal member 143 enters when the trigger 14 is pushed as shown in FIG. 2 . Each of the guide walls 132 also includes a second recess 132 b which the clip 143 a enters when the trigger 14 is pulled as shown in FIG. 13 . Each of the guide walls 132 also includes a wall 132 c formed between the first and second recesses 132 a and 132 b . Accordingly, an operator can feel when the clip 143 a moves over the wall 132 c in the course of the movement of the trigger 12 from the pushed position shown in FIG. 12 to the pulled position shown in FIG. 13 and vice versa by clicking the trigger 14 . This improves the operability of the device.

In the preferred embodiment, sheet-metal members 143 serve to improve strength. Accordingly, even if force is applied to the trigger 14 accidentally in the direction indicated by arrow X shown in FIG. 12 , the sheet-metal members 143 are sufficient to resist such force, thus ensuring higher reliability.

The preferred embodiment has used a mobile phone as an example but can be widely used for portable video game machines and other portable devices.

The mobile device disclosed in the foregoing embodiment is equipped with a buzzer and ensures highly reliable operability of the buzzer.

All examples and conditional language recited herein for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such example in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope and scope of the invention.

Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.