Handheld mobile communication device with moveable display/cover member

Abstract

Handheld mobile communication devices according to the disclosure have a closed position, in which the display member of the device covers at least a portion of the keys of on the keypad member of the device, and an open position, in which the keys are accessible and the device is operated. When the display member is in the open position, it forms an ergonomically desirable angle (e.g., on the order of about 155°) relative to the keypad member. However, unlike clamshell-type cellular phones, the display member does not simply flip open about a conventional pivot joint. Rather, it moves from the closed position, where it is parallel and adjacent to the keypad member, to the open, angled position through a sliding/sweeping motion; through an eccentric, “up-and-over” rotational motion; or through a combination sliding/“up-and-over” motion.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The handheld mobile communication device, comprising:
 a keypad member having a plurality of keys by which a user interacts with the device; and   a display member having a graphical display, said display member being coupled to said keypad member by a linkage mechanism such that said display member has a closed position in which it is disposed essentially parallel and adjacent to said keypad member and covers at least a portion of said keys and an open position in which a keypad is completely exposed to the user, said graphical display being exposed to the user when said display member is in both said closed position and said open position and said linkage mechanism being configured to allow said display member to move between said closed position and said open position;   wherein said keypad member includes a lip projecting therefrom, the lip projecting from an edge of the keypad member towards which the display member moves when moved into the closed position.   
     
     
         20 . The handheld mobile communication device according to  claim 19 , wherein the lip forms an abutment against which the display member abuts when in the closed position. 
     
     
         21 . The handheld mobile communication device according to  claim 19  wherein said display member is disposed, when in the open position, at an angle that is greater than 90° and less than 180° relative to said keypad member. 
     
     
         22 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , further comprising a biasing member that biases said display member toward said closed position. 
     
     
         23 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , wherein said linkage mechanism biases said display member toward said open position. 
     
     
         24 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , wherein said linkage mechanism comprises front and rear linkage bars, 1) said front linkage bar being pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a front portion of said display member and being pivotally connected at a second end thereof to a front portion of said keypad member and 2) said rear linkage bar being pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a mid-portion of said display member and being pivotally connected at a second end thereof to an end-portion of said keypad member, said front linkage bar being shorter than said rear linkage bar. 
     
     
         25 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , wherein a front portion of said display member is pivotally and slidingly coupled to said keypad member and wherein said linkage mechanism comprises a linkage bar that is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a mid-portion of said display member and that is pivotally connected at a second end thereof to a mid-portion of said keypad member. 
     
     
         26 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , wherein said display member moves from said closed position to said open position by sliding translationally parallel to said keypad member and pivoting relative to said keypad member. 
     
     
         27 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 21 , wherein said angle is between about 100° and about 170°. 
     
     
         28 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 27 , wherein said angle is about 155°. 
     
     
         29 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the device is a cellular telephone having an ear speaker and a microphone and wherein said angle is formed between said ear speaker and said microphone. 
     
     
         30 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the device is an email communication device. 
     
     
         31 . The handheld mobile communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the device operates as both a cellular phone and an email communications device.