Handheld device having pivotally retractable keypad assembly

摘要

A handheld device includes a housing and a keypad assembly configured within the housing. The keypad assembly includes one or more groups of keys configured for movable positioning between a first orientation in which a top surface of an individual key is exposed to a user, and a second orientation in which the top surface of the key pivotally retracts into the housing so as to expose an edge surface of the key.

主权项

1. A handheld device, comprising:
a housing; and a keypad assembly configured within the housing; the keypad assembly including one or more groups of keys configured for movable positioning between a first orientation in which a top surface of an individual key is exposed to a user, and a second orientation in which the top surface of the key pivotally retracts into the housing so as to expose an edge surface of the key; and a pivoting mechanism configured to movably position the one or more groups of keys between the first orientation and the second orientation, the pivoting mechanism comprising a separate pivot axis for each group of keys such that each individual key within a given group of keys pivots about the same pivot axis, wherein the pivoting mechanism comprises a cam device associated with each pivot axis, the cam device engaged with a bottom surface of one or more of the individual keys such that the cam device lifts an associated group of keys to the second orientation.