Slider assembly having grooved rail

Abstract

Disclosed is a sliding mechanism for a handheld electronic device. The mechanism includes a first slider in a single piece metallic body, two elongated plastic rails, and a second slider. The single piece metallic body includes two opposite side portions that are bent toward each other and define two elongated spaces, each of which is partially surrounded by each bent side portion. Each elongated plastic rail includes a groove on a surface of the elongated plastic rail and is fitted into each elongated space such that the groove of one elongated plastic rail opposes the groove of the other elongated plastic rail. The second slider includes two edges slidably engaged with the grooves such that the second slider is slidable relative to the first slider.

1 . A sliding mechanism for a handheld electronic device, the mechanism comprising:
 a first slider in a single piece metallic body comprising two opposite side portions that are bent toward each other and define two elongated spaces, each of which is partially surrounded by each bent side portion;   two elongated plastic rails, each of which comprises a groove on a surface of the elongated plastic rail and is fitted into each elongated space such that the groove of one elongated plastic rail opposes the groove of the other elongated plastic rail; and   a second slider comprising two edges slidably engaged with the grooves such that the second slider is slidable relative to the first slider.   
   
   
       2 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated space extends substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       3 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein bending of the two opposite side portions are substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       4 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated plastic rail is made of polyoxymethylene. 
   
   
       5 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein each elongated plastic rail comprises a portion fitted into its corresponding elongated space and another portion protruding outside the corresponding elongated space. 
   
   
       6 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic body of the first slider has a hole in each side portion, and wherein each rail comprises a portion fitted into the hole. 
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein each elongated plastic rail is fitted into the corresponding elongated space so as to not move relative to the metallic body. 
   
   
       8 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising an impact absorber at one end of each elongated plastic rail. 
   
   
       9 . The mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the impact absorber comprises a portion fitted into one of the elongated spaces and another portion protruding outside said elongated space. 
   
   
       10 . The mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the impact absorber comprises a groove aligned with the groove of its corresponding elongated plastic rail. 
   
   
       11 . The mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the groove of the impact absorber extends the groove of its corresponding elongated plastic rail. 
   
   
       12 . The mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the impact absorber is made of an elastomer. 
   
   
       13 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the second slider is a single piece metallic body. 
   
   
       14 . The mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the single piece metallic body of the second slider comprises two flange portions and a stepped center portion interposed between the flange portions, wherein the two edges are formed on the flange portions. 
   
   
       15 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring interconnecting and exerting force between the first and second sliders. 
   
   
       16 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a link assembly linking between the first and second sliders, the link assembly comprising:
 a first link member comprising a first pivot end and a first opposing end, the first link member being pivotally connected to the first slider at or near the first pivot end,   a second link member comprising a second pivot end and a second opposing end, the second link member being pivotally connected to the second slider at or near the second pivot end, wherein the first and second link members are engaged with each other such that the first opposing end is slidable between the second pivot end and the second opposing end, and   a spring interconnecting the first and second link members and configured to apply resilient force between the first and second link members.   
   
   
       17 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a portable electronic device selected from the group consisting of a wireless internet device, a mobile phone, a wireless email receiver, a radio receiver, a television receiver, a calculator, an electronic dictionary or encyclopedia, a PDA and a hand-held computer. 
   
   
       18 . A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel; and   the sliding mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first slider is secured to the first panel and the second slider is secured to the second panel such that the first and second panels are slidable relative to each other.   
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the device comprises a portable electronic device selected from the group consisting of a wireless internet device, a mobile phone, a wireless email receiver, a radio receiver, a television receiver, a calculator, an electronic dictionary or encyclopedia, a PDA and a hand-held computer.