US 7,320,600 B2
Device opener and vibration mechanism
Steven Fyke, Waterloo (Canada)
Assigned to Research In Motion Limited, Waterloo (Canada)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/256,991.
Prior Publication US 2007/0093081 A1, Apr. 26, 2007
Int. Cl. H01R 39/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 439—31  [455/90.3] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device comprising:
a first body;
a second body mounted to the first body for movement relative to the first body between closed and open positions, wherein in the closed position the second body covers a selected surface portion of the first body, and in the open position the selected surface potion of the first body is exposed to a user of the device;
an electronic drive motor linked to first body and the second body for moving the bodies relative to each other, the drive motor being operable in a first mode for effecting movement of the second body from the closed position to the open position and operable in a second mode for effecting repetitive movement of the second body relative to the first body for generating a vibration alert;
a controller for controlling the electronic drive motor; and
a biasing mechanism connected to the first body and the second body and applying a biasing force urging the second body into the closed position when the second body is in the closed position and urging the second body into the open position when the second body is in the open position, wherein the drive motor is operative in the second mode when the second body is in the closed position to repeatedly: (i) act against the biasing force to slightly move the second body away from the closed position and then (ii) permit the biasing force to move the second body back to the closed position, thereby generating the vibration alert; and wherein the drive motor is operative in the second mode when the second body is in the open position to repeatedly (i) act against the biasing force to slightly move the second body away from the open position and then (ii) permit the biasing force to move the second body back to the open position, thereby generating the vibration alert.