1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable electronic devices and, particularly, to a portable electronic device configured (i.e., structured and arranged) for having at least one movable speaker.
2. Description of Related Art
Nowadays, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants) are in widespread use around the world. Some high-end portable electronic devices are being developed to be increasingly multi-functional. Many of these portable electronic devices are now equipped with a MP3 (i.e., Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer III, MPEG AudioLayer-3) module. These electronic devices can enable consumers to enjoy music anytime and anywhere.
A given portable electronic device with a MP3 module has a speaker formed on one end thereof. The speaker is used for converting electrical signals from a phone call into sounds and for playing music stored in the MP3 module. When listening to the call, the end with the speaker of the portable electronic device is placed near a user's ear. While playing music, the user may place the portable electronic device in a hand, in a bag, or on a desk. However, the single speaker can only emit sound in one direction and cannot provide stereo capability and, thus, does not fully suit the use of the portable electronic device with an MP3 player as a stationary music player.
A new portable electronic device with a movable speaker is desired in order to overcome the above-described problems.
In one aspect thereof, a portable electronic device includes a main body, a speaker, and a latching mechanism. The speaker is movable relative to the main body and has a positioning stop member configured for facilitating control of movement thereof. The latching mechanism is formed or mounted on the main body and has a latching body. The latching body is configured for releasably/detachably engaging with the positioning member.
Other advantages and novel features of the embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Many aspects of the present portable electronic device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present portable electronic device and its potential applications. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Referring now to the drawings in detail,
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Each speaker 20 is configured (i.e., structured and arranged) for being receivable in a corresponding cavity 131. Each speaker 20 includes a speaker body (not labeled) and two speaker-driving first elastic members 28. Each speaker body is a substantially rectangular block in shape and has a top body surface 22, a bottom body surface 23 opposite/opposing to the top body surface 22, a first body side 24, and a second body side 26. The second body side 26 is adjacent to and is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first body side 24. The top body surface 22 defines a round opening 222 configured for receiving electronic components (e.g., audio elements, not shown) therein. Two body guiding protrusions 224 extend respectively from the top body surface 22 and the bottom body surface 23 and are adjacent to the first body side 24. Each body protrusion 224 is configured for being slidable in a corresponding guiding slot 135 of the main body 10, thereby enabling the speaker 20 to selectably slide in or out relative to the main body 10.
Each first body side 24 defines two positioning holes 242 therein. Each positioning hole 242 is configured for receiving a first end of a corresponding first elastic member 28. A second opposite end of each first elastic member 28 is configured for being slidably mounted around a corresponding first pole 134 of the main body 10. A positioning block 262 is formed on one end (i.e., directly extending therefrom, either molded as part of the given second body side 26 or attached directly thereto) of each second body side 26 and is located far away (i.e., nearly diametrically opposed) from the first body side 24. Each positioning block 262 is configured for being receivable in a corresponding cutout 128 of the main body 10 and is configured to serve as stop element, via which the corresponding speaker 20 can be held within a respective cavity 131. The first elastic members 28 advantageously are made of metal and are spiral-shaped (i.e., a coil spring).
Each latching mechanism 30 is movably mounted in a respective longitudinal side 12 and includes a latching body 31 and two latch-driving second elastic members 32, which are each advantageously made of metal and are spiral-shaped (e.g., coil springs). Each latching body 31 is substantially rectangular in shape and is configured for being receivable in the groove 122 of the main body 10. A guiding block 34 extends perpendicularly from a first side of the latching body 31. Two second poles 36 extend perpendicularly from the guiding block 34 and are substantially parallel to an extending direction of the latching body 31. A first end of each second elastic member 32 is configured for wrapping/sliding around a corresponding second pole 36 in a manner such that a given second pole 36 is matingly received (e.g., slidably fits) within the first end of a corresponding second elastic member 32. An opposite second end of each second elastic member 32 is configured for being matingly receivable in a corresponding positioning hole 1242 of the main body 10. An opposite second side of the latching body 31 is provided with a plurality of strip-shaped projections 38, each configured for facilitating operation of pulling the latching body 31.
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It should be understood that there may be only one movable speaker 20. The other speaker may be a conventional speaker fixed in the main body 10 (e.g., in the standard earphone location at the top of the main body 10). Furthermore, the number of the speakers 20 may be three or more. The positioning block 262 may be another positioning stop member, such as a hole defined in the second body side 26 of the speaker 20, and correspondingly, one end of the latching body 31 can be configured to be receivable in the hole so as to hold the speaker 20 in the main body 10. The first and second elastic members 28, 32 may alternatively be made of another material (e.g., plastic or rubber) and may alternatively have a different configuration, for example, a leaf spring or an elastic or elastomeric cylinder.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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200710073464.5 | Mar 2007 | CN | national |