GB2369741A

GB2369741A - Removable covers for a mobile telephone

Info

Publication number: GB2369741A
Application number: GB0029260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew James Brown
Original assignee: Matsushita Communication Industrial UK Ltd
Current assignee: Matsushita Communication Industrial UK Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-30
Filing date: 2000-11-30
Publication date: 2002-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-30
Also published as: GB0029260D0; GB2369741B

Abstract

A removable cover 3 for a telephone handset 1, where the cover is releasably attached to a front face of the main body 5 of the radiotelephone by a securing element. The securing element may be a protruding antenna or internal antenna 7. The antenna may also be used to engage a second cover 51 to the rear of the main body of the phone in addition to the front faceplate (see fig 4). The front and rear covers co-operate with each other, or with the base of the main body of the handset to keep them in place. In another embodiment the front and rear covers are hinged (see fig 6). The front fascia can also have a flip-down (see fig 13) or slidable keypad cover (see fig 14).

Description

REMOVABLE COVERS FOR A MOBILE TELEPHONE

This invention relates to portable communications devices such as mobile telephones, and particularly but not exclusively concerns a means for releasably attaching user removable items to the mobile telephone.

A robust design is necessary for portable communications devices because of the harsh treatment inflicted on these devices during normal daily use.

Antennae may be enclosed within the housing of the device or protrude from, and stand proud of, the housing. This second type of antenna is particularly susceptible to damage.

Removable parts such as exterior housings and panels, and battery covers are also liable to loss or damage under continuous use. A replacement or interchangeable part must be firmly attachable in place

but must also be removable quickly and easily by the user t of the phone.

Extendible antenna assemblies generally comprise an elongate slender antenna, and are prone to breakage. Presently, shorter and thicker fixed antennae referred to

as'stub antennae'are favoured. These stub antennae are less susceptible to breakage and generally are more convenient for the user of the communications device.

Owing to the expectation of the antenna breakage arising from previous designs some existing designs embody features to allow easy replacement of the antenna. A snap-in feature has often been used to provide for ease of replacement of antennae and other components or subassemblies. Alternatively, antennae may be screwed into a housing for installation into a communications device.

Prior art antennae with snap-in fixtures are discussed in US 5343213 (Kottke), US 5949386 (Elliott) and GB 2308013 (Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd). US 5343213 provides resilient members depending coaxially from the antenna section for temporary engagement with the housing via snaps included in the resilient members.

With regard to electronic devices it is desirable to discourage users from breaking the integrity of the main housing. The main housing usually contains the main elements of the device such as electronics, display, keypad etc. Owing to the damage sustained by prior art antennae, however, it is usual for the snap fit mechanisms for antennae to provide for easy release from

outside of the main housing. Provision of an external release feature, however, can detract from a firm attachment.

Similarly, with the use of replaceable decorative panels or covers for phones there is a need for panels and/or covers to be attachable securely but also to be easily replaceable. The uses of removable parts for mobile phones and methods of attachment and release of removable parts are discussed in GB2346759 and W097/32423. In GB2346759, a main housing is enclosed within front and back covers. Similarly, a two-part cover encloses a main body of the phone in EP0878942.

The cover shown in W097/32423 is a fascia which clips over the whole of the front of a main housing and in GB2339993 the replacement fascia is received into a slight recess on the front of the main housing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a releaseable fixture for an antenna which can firmly attach an antenna to a communications device but still allows for the easy removal of the antenna for replacement. It is another object of the present invention to

provide a means for the attachment and release of removable cover parts of a portable communications device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cordless communications device comprising a main body containing electronic components of the cordless communications device and having a front face on which is provided at least one user-operable key and a display means ; a cover which is releasably mountable to said front face of the main body of said cordless communications device and includes an opening to provide access to said key and a window through which said display is visible when the cover is mounted ; and a securing element which is co-operable with said main body and with engaging means on said cover to retain said cover on the front face of said main body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a decorative cover mountable to a main body of a cordless communication device to overlie at least a part of the external surface of the main body, the cover comprising engagement means for cooperation with a securing element attachable to the main

body to retain the cover in its mounted position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an antenna mountable to a main body of a cordless communications device, wherein said antenna is arranged to be co-operable with engagement means provided on a cover releasably mountable to said main body to retain said cover mounted to the main body of the cordless communications device.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective diagram showing a mobile communications device ; Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the mobile communications device of Figure 1 taken along line XX ; Figure 3 is a sectional side view of an alternative antenna arrangement for use in the mobile communications device of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a exploded sectional side view of a

second mobile communications device having a second, antenna fixing arrangement ; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a third mobile communications device having a third antenna fixing arrangement ; Figure 6 is an exploded sectional side view showing a fourth mobile communications device having a fourth antenna fixing arrangement ; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a mobile communications device having a fifth antenna fixing arrangement ; Figure 8 is an exploded side section view of the arrangement of Figure 7 ; Figure 9 is a perspective view showing an antenna for use in the arrangement of Figures 7 and 8 ; Figure 10 is a close-up sectional side view of part of the arrangement of Figures 7 and 8 ; Figure 11 is a plan view showing the arrangement of

Figures 7 and 8 ;

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an alternative antenna for use in the arrangement of Figures 7 and 8 ; Figure 13 is a perspective view showing an alternative arrangement of a mobile communications device ; Figure 14 is a perspective view showing an alternative arrangement of a mobile communications device.

Figure 1 illustrates a mobile communications device 1 which is an elongated parallelepiped and comprises a front cover 3, a main body 5 which contains electrical components and a battery of the mobile communications device 1, an antenna 7 provided at a top end of the mobile communications device 1, a keypad 9 and a display 11 (both of which are provided on the front of the device). In this embodiment, the front cover 3 is releasably attached to the main body 5. The keypad 9 comprises an

array of holes in the front cover 3 through which a corresponding array of keys 10 protrude from the main body to allow a user to perform functions on the mobile communications device 1. The front cover 3 is also formed with an opening through which the display means 11 of the main body 5 is visible for displaying information to a user of the mobile communications device 1.

Figure 2 is a section in the plane X-X of the mobile communications device 1. The antenna 7 is used to releasably attach the front cover 3 to the main body of the mobile phone 5. Retaining means 13,15 are provided at the bottom of the phone to connect the front cover 3 to the main body 5. At the top of the phone, the antenna 7 holds both the front cover 3 and the main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1 in position via recess 21, which cooperates with projections 17,19 which extend from the front cover 3 and the main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1 respectively. The recess 21 formed in the base of the antenna is frusto-conical in shape, the axis of the frusto-cone being coaxial with the main axis of the antenna. A screw-threaded shaft 25 extends co-axially from the centre of the recess 21 of the antenna 7 for engagement with an antenna contact 27 within the main body of the phone. The bore (not shown)

of said antenna contact 27 is similarly screw-threaded for receiving the shaft 25.

At the bottom of the mobile communications device 1 the edge of the front cover 3 is provided with a thinned portion 13 extending from the edge of the front cover 3.

A step 130, is formed by the thinned portion 13 and the main body of the front cover 3. The main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1 is also formed with a thinned portion 15 which depends from the edge of the main body 5. A step 150, is formed by the thinned portion 15 and the main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1. These thinned portions 13 and 15 are arranged so as to overlap.

It can be seen from figure 2 that the step 130 of the front cover 3 abuts with a leading edge 151 of the main body 5 and also, the trailing edge 131 of the front cover 3 abuts with the step 150 of the main body 5, so that thinned portions 13,15 cooperate to form an overlapping joint.

The projections 17,19 extending from the front cover 3 and the main body 5 are identical and are, at their ends, of a half frusto-conical shape formed with a

semi-circular bore which is co-axial with the cone. When the front cover 3 and the main body 5 are in engagement the axes of the two half frusto-conical projections coincide and a bore is defined between them. When the antenna 7 is in place, the half frusto-conical projections 17,19 engage with the recess 21 in the antenna 7 and the screw threaded shaft extends through the bore formed between the half frusto-conical projections 17,19 and engages with the antenna contact 27 which is formed with a screw threaded bore to enable the antenna 7 to be securely fastened against both the front cover 3 and the main body 5 and also to provide an electrical contact with the circuitry of the mobile communications device 1.

By unscrewing the antenna 7 the projection 17 of the front cover 3 disengages from the recess 21 in the antenna 7, thus allowing the front cover 3 to be easily detached from the top end of the main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1. The bottom of the front cover 3 can then be removed from the main body 5. Thus, if a user wishes to replace the front cover 3 for aesthetic reasons or in the event of damage, the replacement can be carried out by the user in a short time.

Figure 3 shows an alternative arrangement for attaching an front cover 3 to a main body 5 of a mobile communications device 1 using an antenna 7.

Like reference numerals refer to parts corresponding to those shown in Figure 2. The structure of the antenna 7 is essentially the same as described in relation to Figure 2, but the threaded shaft 25 is replaced by a bifurcated shaft 250 divided into tines 250A and 250B at its free end remote from the antenna 7. A notch 250C separates these two tines 250A and 250B. A radially extending lobe 251 is provided on tine 250B.

Both of the half frusto conical projections 17,19 are substantially the same as those shown in Figure 2 except both projections 17,19 are provided with recesses 37,38 respectively. In Figure 2 both projections 17,19 were formed with a semi-circular bore and this is again the same with regard to Figure 3, but there is now a bore with two different diameters due to the recesses 37,38 formed along part of the projections 17,19 remote from the tapered end of said projections 17,19. Figure 3 also shows an inner housing 43 which houses the circuitry of the mobile communications device 1.

Inner housing 43 is connected to the main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1. A shaft retaining means 45 is provided, which extends from the inner housing 43 and is arranged to abut with the recess 37 formed in half frusto conical projection 17. The shaft retaining means 45 slidingly receives the shaft and keeps the shaft captive when the front cover 3 is removed. The inner housing 43 is also provided with an electrical contact 41 which provides an electrical contact with a corresponding electrical contact 39 provided at the end of shaft 250A, thereby allowing signals received by said antenna 7 to be transmitted to the electrical circuitry (not shown) within inner housing 43.

When the antenna 7 is in position, it releasably attaches said front cover 3 to said main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1 as described in the embodiment relating to Figure 2.

The main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1 is formed with a hole 35 for receiving the lobe 251 which protrudes through said hole 35. When a user wishes to detach the front cover 3 from the main body 5 of the mobile communications device 1 then the lobe 251 is pushed through said hole 35 and the antenna 7 is pulled

in a direction along its axis away from the mobile communications device 1 so that the lobe 251 slides along recess 38 and shaft 250 slides through the bore provided when projections 17 and 19 engage. In order to allow lobe 251 to be pushed fully through hole 35 into the interior of the mobile communications device 1 then shaft 250B must be both resilient and flexible. The necessity for the notch 250C can now be seen in that when the lobe 251 is pushed into the interior of the mobile communications device 1, shaft 250B will pivot into said notch 250C. A step 47 formed by the change in bore diameter by recesses 38 prevents the antenna 7 from being removed from the main body 5 entirely. The lobe 251 will abut with said step 47 when the antenna 7 has been pulled out far enough. Both the engagement between the step 47 and lobe 251, and the shaft retaining means 45 prevent the antenna 7 from being lost or misplaced during the replacement of the front cover 3.

In an alternative to the above embodiment, a compression spring may be provided between the contact 41 on inner housing 43 and the contact 39 at the base of shaft 250A so that antenna 7 does not need to be pulled by a user during depression of a lobe 251 during replacement of front cover 3. When the lobe 251 is

pressed through the hole 35, the spring urges the antenna 7 to its extended position and releases the engagement of frusto-conical recess 21 and projections 17,19.

The previous embodiments were concerned with the replacement of a front cover 3 for a mobile communications device 1. Figure 4 illustrates a mobile communications device 1 with a front cover 49, a back cover 51 both of which engage to enclose an inner housing 53 which contains the electrical components of the mobile communications device 1.

In Figure 4, like reference numerals are used to indicate those parts which have previously been described in relation to Figures 2 and 3. The front cover 49 is similar to the front cover 3 in previous embodiments with the half frusto conical projection 17 being identical to that described in previous embodiments. The back cover 51 is of substantially the same shape as the main body 5 described in previous embodiments except that the back cover is now merely a shell (i. e. it is separate from an inner body 53) and the components of the portable communications device 1 are contained within the enclosed inner body 53. The back cover 51 has at its top end a half frusto conical projection 19 which is identical to

that described in previous embodiments.

As can be seen from the Figure, both the front cover 49 and the back cover 51 are both provided with spigots 55,57 respectively at their bottom ends. These spigots 55 and 57 depend from the bottom flanges of both the front cover 49 and the back cover 51 and are directed into the interior of each housing. The inner body 53 is formed with a recess 59 which cooperates with said spigots 55 and 57 when the front cover 49 and back cover 51 encase the inner body 53.

Both the front cover 49 and the back cover 51 are fixed at the top end of the mobile communications device 1 by the antenna 7 engaging with half frusto conical projections 17,19. Fixing the front cover 49 and the back cover 51 in this way is identical to that previously described in relation to Figure 2.

In an alternative to the above embodiment, the front cover 49 and the back cover 51 may be fixed at the antenna end of the mobile communications device 1 by a fixing means as previously described in relation to Figure 3.

An arrangement for fixing a front cover 49 and a back cover 51 around an inner body 53 was shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows an front cover 3 for mounting on a main body 5 of a mobile communications device 1. In this figure, like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a front cover 3 is formed with a projection 65, which extends backwards from a front face of the front cover 3. The projection 65 is substantially semi-circular in this embodiment, but the shape of the projection is not limited to a semicircle. The projection 65 is also penetrated by a hole 67 which allows the antenna shaft 25 to pass through.

When the front cover 3 engages with the main body 5, the projection 65 cooperates with a similarly shaped recess 69 formed in the main body 5. A hole 71 is formed in the recess 69 in a position corresponding to the hole 67 formed in the projection 65. The holes 67,71 align to allow the shaft 25 of said antenna 7 to pass through and into the main body 5 for engagement with the antenna contact 27 which is formed with a screw threaded bore for cooperation with the screw threaded shaft 25. Thus this arrangement provides a method of releasably attaching

said front cover 3 to said main body 5, due to the antenna shaft 25 passing through both holes 67, 71 and attaching the front cover 3 to the main body 5, and being securely held by said antenna contact 27.

In an alternative to the above embodiment, the antenna fixing means could be a"snap-fit"antenna or an antenna with a"Bayonet"fitting.

In a further alternative to the above embodiment front cover and a back cover encasing an inner body could be fixed together by the means as described in relation to Figure 5 or using a"snap-fit"antenna, as described in relation to Figure 3.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment which is essentially the same as the embodiment described in relation to Figure 4. Like reference numbers refer to corresponding parts. In this particular embodiment however, the fixing means at the bottom of the mobile communications device 1 are replaced by a hinge 77 which attaches the front cover 49 to the back cover 51. Both the front cover 49 and the back cover 51 are able to pivot about said hinge 77 and the entire structure is similar to a"clam shell". The two halves (i. e. the

front cover 49 and the back cover 51) can be opened to receive the inner body 53 and then closed to encase said inner body 53. The means for fixing the front cover 49 to the back cover 51 at an end opposite to the hinge 77 is identical to that described previously in relation to Figure 4 and therefore no further description is necessary.

In an alternative to the above embodiment, a fixing means as previously described in Figure 3 or Figure 5 may be used to fix the front cover 49 to the back cover 51 at the end opposite to said hinge 77.

The above described embodiments relate to a method of attaching either a front cover to a main body of a mobile communications device or fixing together a front cover and a back cover of a mobile communications device to enclose the main body of the mobile communications device. This is done using an antenna with a threaded shaft or an antenna with a split shaft where one tine of the shaft is a"snap fit"device.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment where a front cover 490 is fixed to a back cover 510 to enclose a main body 530. The device which fixes these parts together is an

internal antenna which will be described in more detail later in relation to Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11.

The main body 530 is provided with two cantilever projections 106A, 106B which extend from an end face 100 of the main body 530 and are equally spaced about the central axis of the main body 530. These projections 106A, 106B taper towards their free ends in order that the main body 530 fits on the inner contours of the front cover 490 and the back cover 510. A space is formed between the two projections 106A, 106B in which two substantially thin rectangular plates extend from said end face 100. The minor side edges of these plates 93, 95 are joined to each of the projections 106A, 106B. The plates 93,95 are spaced apart to form a substantially parallelepipedal space 96 for receiving a plug-in antenna (not shown).

A spring 99 protrudes from said end face 100 into the space 96 provided between plates 93,95, where said spring provides an electrical contact between a contact on said plug-in antenna and electrical circuitry 101 within the main body 530. Also provided in the main body 530 are antenna release buttons 107A, 107B which are oppositely situated within said appendages 106A, 106B.

These antenna release buttons 107A, 107B each comprise a disc, from one side of which extends a cylinder with a rounded end. These rounded ends protrude through respective holes 108A, 108B formed in the outer facing side walls of the appendages 106A, 106B.

Both the front cover 490 and the back cover 510 are, at their top ends, formed with a cutaway portion 79,81. These cutaway portions 79,81 allow an antenna (not shown) to be inserted into said space 96 when both the front cover 490 and the back cover 510 are in place (i. e. encasing the main body 530).

In the front cover 490, a platform 170 extends inwardly from the surface of the front cover 490. This platform is arranged to rest upon plate 93 when the front cover 490 is in place upon the main body 530. The back cover 510 is provided with a similar platform 190 extending inwardly from the inside of the back cover 510.

Plate 95 of the main body 530 is arranged to rest upon said raised platform 190 when the main body 530 is in place in the back cover 510.

In the front cover 490 and the back cover 510 the extending platforms 170,190 are provided with blind

recesses (83, 85 respectively) at the end nearest to the cutaway portions 79, 81. These blind recesses 83, 85 only extend partially under the platforms but extend across their entire widths.

Both the front cover 490 and the back cover 510 are provided with semi-circular notches 103,105 respectively in their side walls, said semi-circular notches 103,105 being oppositely situated so that when all elements are in position, the antenna release buttons 107A, 107B protrude through said notches 103,105 on both sides of the mobile communications device 1.

Figure 7 shows an exploded version of an arrangement for fixing an front cover 490 and a back cover 510 around a main body 530 of a mobile communications device 1.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the same arrangement in which an antenna plug 81 is also shown. Like reference numbers refer to parts corresponding to those shown in Figure 7.

The antenna plug 81 comprises a main body 91 which is of a substantially parallelepiped shape, and at one end from which two flange sections 87,89 extend in directions perpendicular to an upper surface and a lower

surface of said main body 91. These flange sections 81, 89 extend over the entire width of said main antenna body 91 and are also provided with blind recesses 210A, 210B. The end of said antenna body 91 remote from said flanges 87,89 is provided with an electrical contact 97 which, when the antenna plug 81 is in position, presses against said contact spring 99 which is contained in the main body 530. This allows an electrical contact to be made between the antenna plug 81 and the electrical circuitry 101 contained within the main body 530 of the mobile communications device 1. When all elements are in position, (i. e. the front cover 490 and the back cover 510 encase the main body 530 and the antenna plug 81) flange 87 of antenna plug 81 engages with blind recess 83 in front cover 490, and blind recess 210A of flange 87 engages with both the platform 170 of front cover 490 and plate 93 of main body 530. Flange 89 engages with blind recess 85 in back cover 510, and blind recess 210B of flange 89 engages with both the platform 190 of back cover 510 and plate 95 of main body 530. The main body 91 of antenna plug 81 fits between, and is sandwiched by, plates 93,95 of main body 530. Thus, the antenna plug 81 releasably attaches the front cover 490 to the main body 530 and also the back cover 510 to the main body 530.

The main body 91 of the antenna plug 81 is split into three main sections, namely : (i) a main central section (not shown) which houses the antenna windings ; and (ii) appendages (not shown) spaced about said main central section, which are separated from said main central section by two recesses (not shown) ; and (iii) flange sections 87, 89. Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the antenna plug 81 in more detail.

It can be seen from the figure that a main central section 910 is centrally situated in the main body 91 and two appendages 110,113 are spaced about this main central section 910. Recesses 112,115, extend from the end remote from flanges 87,89 partly into the main body 91 of the antenna plug 81. The appendages 110,113 are provided at their tips with lobes 111,114 which extend outwardly in opposite directions from each appendage in a direction perpendicular to said recesses 112,115. The function of the appendages 110,113 and the corresponding recesses 112,115 will be explained later in relation to Figure 11.

Figure 10 shows the antenna plug 81 in position between plates 93,95 of main body 530 and engaging with both the front cover 490 and the back cover 510. It can

be seen that the electrical contact 97 of the antenna plug 81 cooperates with spring 99 to provide an electrical contact between the antenna plug 81 and the electrical circuitry 101 within the main body 530 of the mobile communications device 1. Also clear from this figure is that the surface of the antenna plug 81 which faces outwardly when the antenna plug is in position is contoured so that a smooth line is obtained at the joins between the antenna plug and both the front cover 490 and the back cover 510.

Figure 11 shows a partial cutaway plan view of the mobile communications device 1 as viewed from above. Like reference numbers are used to refer to parts which correspond to parts previously described in relation to Figures 7 to 10.

Figure 11 shows the antenna plug 81 partially inserted into space 96 in the main body 530 of the mobile communications device 1. It can be seen from the Figure that the appendages 110,113 are bent inwards towards the main central section 910 of the antenna plug 81. Holes 108a, 108b are each coaxial with, and adjoin, substantially cylindrical cavities 117a, 117b which house the disc portion of the antenna release buttons 107a,

107b. The rounded ends of the cylinder portions of the antenna release buttons 107a, 107b protrude through holes 108a, 108b of the main body 530 and then through holes 103a, 105a; 103b, 105b in the front cover 490 and back cover 510 to the exterior of the mobile communications device. The cavities 117a, 117b are arranged to allow coaxial movement of said antenna release buttons 107a, 107b within said cavities (i. e. perpendicularly to the side faces of the mobile communications device 1). Steps 119a, 119b are provided which extend partially into each cavity from a side wall of said cavities. These steps 119a, 119b are provided to limit the movement into the interior of the mobile communications device 1 of the antenna release buttons 107a, 107b to prevent loss of said antenna release buttons 107a, 107b within the main body 530 of the phone. The inwardly facing disc surfaces of said antenna release buttons 107a, 107b are arranged to cooperate with the lobes 111,114 at the end of appendages 110,113 so that when the antenna plug 81 is in position, the antenna release buttons 107a, 107b are forced outwards. As the discs of the antenna release buttons 107a, 107b are retained in cavities 117a, 117b, only the rounded ends of the antenna release buttons 107a, 107b protrude from the exterior of the mobile communications device 1. The antenna plug 81 is locked

into position in the space 96 of the main body 530 of the mobile communications device 1 by virtue of the lobes 111,114 extending into said cavities 117a, 117b and abutting with side walls thereof.

A user may release said antenna plug 81 in order to change the front cover 490 and/or the back cover 510 by depressing the antenna release buttons 107a, 107b which forces said antenna release buttons inwardly into the main body 530 of said mobile communications device 1. The disc surfaces of said antenna release buttons 107a, 107b act upon lobes 111,114 thereby forcing appendages 110, 113 inwards into recesses 112, 115, respectively. As a result of this, and as a result of the action of compression spring 99 expanding, lobes 111,114 are pushed out of cavities 117a, 117b and onto the side walls of space 96. This action causes the outer surface of antenna plug 81 to stand proud of the top of the mobile communications device 1, allowing a user to slide said antenna plug 81 outwards, thus releasing both the front cover 490 and the back cover 510. The antenna cannot be completely removed from the space 96 within the main body 530 of the mobile communications device 1 because, due to the width of said recesses 112,115, the appendages 110, 113 cannot move sufficiently inwards to pass between

steps 116a, 116b which protrude from the side walls of said space 96 into said space 96.

In the above embodiment an antenna plug 81 was used to releasably attach a front cover 490 and a back cover 510 to the main body 530 of a mobile communications device 1. In an alternative to the above arrangement, the antenna plug 81 could be used to attach a front cover only to a lower main body of a mobile communications device 1, so that only the front cover can be interchanged.

The fixing means at the bottom of the mobile communications device 1 in the above embodiment could be either a hinge attaching a front cover 490 to a back cover 510 as previously described in relation to Figure 6 or alternatively spigots which cooperate with a recess in the bottom of the main body 530 as previously described in relation to Figure 4.

Figure 12 shows an alternative antenna plug 810 which is essentially the same as the antenna plug 81 described in relation to Figure 9 except that an antenna stub 125 is mounted upon the outward facing surface.

This stub antenna 125 is offset from the centre line of

the antenna plug 810 so that when the antenna plug 810 is in the mobile communications device then a user can choose which side the antenna protrudes from. This can be done because the antenna plug 810 is 1800 symmetrical and its orientation within space 96 in main body 530 can be reversed. In this arrangement, the main body of the mobile communications device 1 is adapted so that the antenna plug 81 can be fully removed from the mobile communications device 1.

Figure 13 illustrates a mobile communications device 1 which is substantially similar to that illustrated in Figure 1, except that a different front cover 300 is provided on a main body 5. The mobile communications device 1 also comprises an antenna 7, a keypad 9 and a display 11.

In this embodiment, the front cover 300 is releasably attached to the main body 5 by the antenna 7 using any of the arrangements previously described. The front cover 300 comprises a top section 301 in which the display 11 is situated, and a bottom section 302 in which the keypad 9 is situated. This bottom section 302 is slightly thinner than the top section 301 and a step is formed at the point where the two sections 301,302 meet

(roughly halfway along the front cover 300). The bottom section 302 is provided at its base with a flap 305 which is pivotally mounted to said bottom section 302 of the front cover 300 by a hinge 307 which allows the flap 305 to move from a closed position in which the keypad 9 is covered and an open position where a user can access said keypad 9. The flap 305 is arranged to be of a thickness so that when in a closed position, the end of said flap 305 remote from the hinge 307 abuts with step 303 so that a smooth surface is obtained where the flap 305 meets the top section 301 of the front cover 300. The length (from hinge 307 to tip) of the flap 305 is equal to the length of the bottom section 302 of the front cover 300 so that when the flap 305 is in the closed position, the tip of the flap 305 meets with said step 303.

Figure 14 shows a hatch 315 provided on an front cover 310. Like reference numerals refer to parts corresponding to those shown previously in Figure 13. In this arrangement the hatch 315 is a sliding cover which engages with grooves 317 which extend along the length of the bottom section 302 of the front cover 310. Said grooves 317 are provided on opposite sides of the bottom section 302 of the front cover 310 and allow said hatch 315 to slide from a closed position where the keypad 9 is

covered, to an open position where a user can access said keypad 9. The hatch 315 meets with step 303, so that a smooth line is formed between the top section 301 of the front cover 310 and the hatch 315.

In Figures 13 and 14 described above, removable types of front cover attachable to a main body of a mobile communications device by an antenna were described. However, in alternative arrangements the above-described front covers could be mounted to a back cover to encase an interior housing which contains the electrical circuitry of a mobile communications device.

The front and back covers could be attached to said inner housing by antenna means as previously described in the above embodiments.

Figures 13 and 14 show a mobile communications device with a protruding antenna. However, an antenna plug could be used to attach a front cover and/or a back cover to a main body of a mobile communications device in these embodiments.

In the embodiments described above, the antenna has been shown centrally mounted at the top of a mobile communications device. However, this need not be the case and the antenna could be offset to one side of the central axis of the mobile communications device.

Although, in this description, reference is made to mobile communications devices, these references are intended to include any type of cordless communications device including, for example, mobile telephones, and wireless telephones for use in the home.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A cordless communications device comprising a main body containing electronic components of the cordless communications device and having a front face on which is provided at least one user-operable key and a display means ; a cover which is releasably mountable to said front face of the main body of said cordless communications device and includes an opening to provide access to said key and a window through which said display is visible when the cover is mounted ; and a securing element which is co-operable with said main body and with engaging means on said cover to retain said cover on the front face of said main body.

2. A cordless communications device according to claim 1, further comprising a second cover which is arranged to be releasably mountable to a rear part of said main body of said cordless communications device and comprises second engaging means co-operable with said securing element to retain the second cover to the main body.

3. A cordless communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein said securing element is arranged to be held captive by said main body, and said

securing element is moveable between a retaining position in which said first cover and second cover are mounted to said main body, and a release position which allows said first cover and/or said second cover to be removed from engagement with said main body.

4. A cordless communications device according to any preceding claim wherein said securing element comprises an antenna for connection with the electronic components contained within the main body of the cordless communications device.

5. A cordless communications device according to any preceding claim wherein said securing element is provided with a threaded shaft for releasably attaching said securing element to said main body of said cordless communications device.

6. A cordless communications device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said securing element is provided with a bifurcated shaft divided into tines at a free end of said shaft, and one of said tines is provided with a projection for engagement with a hole which extends radially from a bore formed in said main body of said cordless communications device, and said securing element

releasably attaches said first cover and/or said second cover to said main body of said cordless communications device.

7. A cordless communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first cover and/or said second cover are provided with means for releasably engaging with said securing element.

8. A cordless communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first cover is elongate, and is provided at a first end with said engaging means and at a second end with projections for engaging with said main body of said cordless communications device.

9. A cordless communications device according to any of claim 8, wherein said second cover is provided at a first end with said engaging means and at a second end with projections for engaging with said main body of said cordless communications device.

10. A cordless communication device according to any of claims 8, wherein said first cover is provided at said second end with a first hinge means for cooperating with a second hinge means provided on said second cover at

said second end.

11. A cordless communications device according to any of claims 2 to 7,9 or 10, wherein said securing element is arranged to releasably mount said first cover and/or said second cover to said main body so that a substantially continuous surface is formed where said first cover and/or said second cover, and an outwardly facing surface of said securing element are arranged to meet.

12. A cordless communications device according to claim 11, wherein said securing element is provided with a mounting foot receivable in a recess of said main body, and the securing element is mountable to the main body in a plurality of alternative positions.

13. A cordless communications device according to any preceding claim, wherein said front face of said main body provides an array of user-operable keys and a display.

14. A cordless communications device according to any preceding claim wherein said first cover is further provided with a flap which is pivotally attached to said first cover by a hinge for movement from a first position

in which the key provided on said main body is concealed by the flap, to a second position in which the key is exposed.

15. A cordless communications device according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein said first cover is further provided with a hatch which is slidably attached to said first cover for movement between a first position in which the key provided on said main body is concealed, and a second position in which the key is exposed.

16. A decorative cover mountable to a main body of a cordless communication device to overlie at least a part of the external surface of the main body, the cover comprising engagement means for co-operation with a securing element attachable to the main body to retain the cover in its mounted position.

17. A decorative cover according to claim 16, wherein the cover comprises at least one opening to provide access to an operating key of the main body when the cover is mounted to the main body.

18. An antenna mountable to a main body of a cordless communications device, wherein said antenna is arranged

to be co-operable with engagement means provided on a cover releasably mountable to said main body to retain said cover mounted to the main body of the cordless communications device.

19. An antenna according to claim 18 comprising means for releasably attaching said antenna to said main body.

20. An antenna according to claim 18 comprising means for mounting said antenna to said main body for selective movement between a release position and a retaining position in which the antenna is co-operable with engaging means of a cover mounted to said main body.

21. An antenna according to claims 18,19 or 20, wherein said antenna is an external antenna, and extends out from said main body and said cover.

22. An antenna according to claims 18,19 or 20, wherein said antenna is an internal antenna, and is receivable in a recess of said main body.

23. An antenna according to claim 21 comprising an external antenna and a mounting foot which is receivable in a recess of said main body.

24. An antenna according to claim 23 wherein said mounting foot is receivable in a recess in a number of different positions relative to said main body.

25. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figures 7 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.

32. A mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.

33. An antenna substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figures 2,4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

34. An antenna substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

35. An antenna substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figures 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

36. An antenna substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.

37. A cover for a mobile communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with relation to, or as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6, or Figures 7,8, 10 and 11, or Figure 13, or Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.