GB2264583A

GB2264583A - Data display radio pager

Info

Publication number: GB2264583A
Application number: GB9303931A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mitsuru Kuroda
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 1992-02-28
Filing date: 1993-02-26
Publication date: 1993-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-26
Also published as: JPH05244059A; GB9303931D0; GB2264583B; CN1076800A; JP2808973B2

Abstract

A radio pager including a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided with means for reducing the load on the LCD. As shown posts 6a are formed on the metal frame 6 that supports the LCD 2, a printed circuit board 3 and backlight 5. These posts extend across the whole width of the casing to support the casing parts 4a and 4b. Alternatively the load is reduced by an annular rubber member interposed between the metal frame and the LCD which member also seals against dust and other impurities. <IMAGE>

Description

DATA DISPLAY RADIO PAGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a data display radio pager capable of reducing a load to act on a liquid crystal display (LCD) disposed therein as far as possible and thereby promoting a thin pager configuration. Morse particularly, the present invention relates to a casing structure desirable for a thin data display radio pager.

A data display radio pager with an LCD capable of displaying numerals, characters and so forth is extensively used today. It is a common practice with this type of radio pager to affix the LCD and a back light for illuminating it from the rear to a printed circuit board by a metallic frame, and to accommodate all of them in a casing implemented as a plastic molding.

However, the problem with the above-described radio pager is that although the LCD is affixed to the printed circuit board by the metallic frame, it is not satisfactory considering the increasing trend toward a miniature and light weight casing structure. Specifically, as the casing has the thickness thereof reduced by plastic molding, it is impossible for the casing and frame to absorb a load ascribable to fall or bending force. As a result, the load is indirectly imparted to the LCD to crack or otherwise damage it.

A feature of a data display radio pager to be described is that it is capable of reducing any load that may act on an LCD as far as possible when the pager is allowed to fall or when a bending force acts thereon.

In a particular arrangement to be described below a data display radio pager includes a casing, a printed circuit board on which electric circuit parts are packaged, an LCD provided on the printed circuit board via a back light, a metallic frame for mounting the LCD on the printed circuit board while covering the LCD, and a post-like support arrangement extending in the casing in the widthwise direction of the casing.

A further arrangement of a data display radio pager to be described includes a casing, a printed circuit board on which electric circuit parts are packaged, an LCD provided on the printed circuit board via a back light, a metallic frame for mounting the LCD on the printed circuit board while covering the LCD, and an absorbing member for absorbing a load which may act on the casing.

A conventional pager will now be described, together with embodiments of the invention given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional data display radio pager; FIG. 2 is a section of the conventional radio pager; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a data display radio pager embodying the present invention; FIG. 4 is a section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a n alternative embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS To better understand the present invention, a brief reference will be made to a prior art data display radio pager, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, the radio pager has a metallic frame 6 and a printed circuit board 3 to which the frame 6 is soldered or otherwise connected. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 2 and a back light 5 are pressed by the frame 6 against the printed circuit board 3. The back light 5 is capable of illuminating the LCD 2 from the rear. Terminals, not shown, provided on the printed circuit board 3 and terminals, not shown, provided on the LCD 2 are connected together by a flat conductive member, e.g., conductive rubber 10.Further packaged on the printed circuit board 3 are a battery case 9 containing a battery or power source 8 therein, a switch, not shown, for turning on and off the power source, a speaker 11 for alerting the user to the reception of a message, and radio circuit parts 12. Plastic casing parts 4a and 4b constituted a casing in combination and accommodate all of such constituent parts of the radio pager. The casing parts 4a and 4b are fastened to each other by a screw 7. Labeled 4c is a cover for covering the battery 8 received in the battery case 9.

As stated above, the LCD 2 is affixed to the printed circuit board 3 by the metallic frame 6. This is problematic considering the increasing trend toward a miniature and light weight casing structure. Specifically, as the casing parts 4a and 4b have their thickness reduced by plastic molding, it is impossible for them and the frame 6 to absorb a load ascribable to fall or bending force. As a result, the load is indirectly imparted to the LCD 2 to crack or otherwise damage it.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a data display radio pager embodying the present invention is shown. In the embodiment, the same or similar structural elements to or as those of the prior art radio pager described above are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown, the radio pager has an LCD 2 capable of displaying numerals, characters and so forth, a back light 5 for illuminating the LCD 2 from the rear, and a printed circuit board 3 constituting electric circuitry. Casing parts 4a and 4b constitute a casing in combination and accommodate all of these constituents therein. The casing parts 4a and 4b are fastened to each other by a screw 7. The LCD 2 and back light 5 are connected to a predetermined portion of the printed circuit board 3 by, for example, conductive rubber 10.A metallic frame 6 is soldered or otherwise connected to the circuit board 3 while covering the LCD 2 and back light 5. A battery or power source 8 is accommodated in a battery case 9 which is in turn received in the casing parts 4a and 4b together with the LCD 2, back light 5, and circuit board 3. Further, a switch, not shown, for turning on and off the power source, a speaker 11 for alerting the user to the reception of a message, and radio circuit parts 12 are packaged on the circuit board 3.

A battery cover 4c covers the battery 8 received in the battery case 9.

A plurality of, two in the embodiment, legs 6a extend from one side edge of the frame 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the legs 6a extend throughout the printed circuit board 3 in a form of posts arranged between the the inner surfaces of the casing parts 4a and 4b. Extending in the widthwise direction of the radio pager, the post-like legs 6a support the casing parts 4a and 4b in the vertical direction in which the casing parts 4a and 4b are most liable to deform. In this configuration, the LCD 2 withstands an impact ascribable to, for example, fall and bending force since the load apt to act thereon is reduced as far as possible. Specifically, even when the casing parts 4a and 4b are made thin, the legs 6a of the frame 6 noticeably reduce the load to act on the electric parts packaged in the casing parts 4a and 4b, particularly the LCD 2.This is successful in enhancing the reliability of the radio pager and in implementing a thinner casing structure.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same or similar constituent parts as or to those shown in FIGS. 1-4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description will not be made to avoid redundancy. As shown, annular conductive rubber 13 is interposed between the metallic frame 6 and the LCD 2 and formed with a groove 13a in the inner periphery thereof. The LCD 2 is joined with the conductive rubber 13 with the edges thereof received in the groove 13a and is affixed to the printed circuit board 3. The LCD 2 and conductive rubber 13 are accommodated in the casing parts 4a and 4b. In this configuration, the rubber 13 is held between and pressed by the inner surface of the casing 4a and the printed circuit board 3. Consequently, the rubber 13 effectively absorbs a load to act on the casing parts 4a and 4 b when the radio pager is let fall or bent. In addition, the rubber 13 hermetically seals the LCD 2 and thereby protects it from dust and other impurities.

In summary, it will be seen that the present invention provides a data display radio pager which is reliable and advantageously meets the increasing demand for a thinner casing structure. These advantages are derived from a unique construction wherein post-like legs extend from a metallic frame in the widthwise direction of a casing or an annular conductive rubber is interposed between the frame and an LCD.

The legs or the conductive rubber noticeably reduces a load to act on various constituent parts packaged in the casing, particularly the LCD, when the pager is let fall or when a bending force acts thereon.

Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art after receiving the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. For example, the legs 6a may be implemented by members physically separate from the metallic frame 6.

Claims

1. A data display radio pager comprising: a casing; a printed circuit board on which electric circuit parts are packaged; a liquid crystal display (LCD) provided on said printed circuit board via a back light; a metallic frame for mounting said LCD on said printed circuit board while covering said LCD; and post-like support means extending in said casing in a widthwise direction of said casing.

2. A radio pager as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of legs extending from a side edge of said metallic frame.

3. A data display radio pager comprising: a casing; a printed circuit board on which electric circuit parts are packaged; an LCD provided on said printed circuit board via a back light; a metallic frame for mounting said LCD on said printed circuit board while covering said LCD; and absorbing means for absorbing a load which may act on said casing.

4. A radio pager as claimed in claim 3, wherein said absorbing means comprises annular conductive rubber interposed between said metallic frame and said LCD.

5. A radio pager as claimed in claim 4, wherein said annular conductive rubber is formed with a groove in inner periphery thereof, said LCD having edges thereof received in said groove.

6. A radio pager as claimed in claim 1 sub stantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 3 and 4, or Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.