Holding device for a cordless telephone

[0002] The invention relates to a holding device for a cordless telephone. A holding device, where the telephone is provided with a hook-element projecting from its casing, which is quasi-insertable into a corresponding projection of a belt, is known. The hook-element is considered to be undesirable not merely for aesthetic reasons. It also impedes the handling of the telephone in respect of both handling by the user and in a charging-station compared with a cord connected base-unit. Furthermore, hanging up the telephone necessitates a certain skill and without visual-contact can be effected only with difficulty.

[0003] It is the object of the invention to remove the disadvantages noted above and to declare a holding device which distinguishes itself with agreeable aesthetics and trouble-free handling.

[0004] The object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a holding device for a cordless telephone including a first holding element on a garment and a second holding element on the telephone, wherein the first holding element comprises a projecting hook and the second holding element comprises a the telephone housing for lockably receiving the hook. mobile-part of a conventional telephone—is only provided with an opening in the housing, which grips a hook, especially a belt-hook, and permits a secure attachment of the telephone. Projecting parts, which interfere with handling or a fixed installation, are not necessary. The casing-surface of the telephone is almost smooth and consequently also corresponds to the usual aesthetic ideas.

[0005] Preferably, the hook, which projects negligibly into the inside of the telephone, additionally serves to switch the telephone on and off. For this, the hook can operate a switch-element directly or can act on the switch-element indirectly by way of further movable parts.

[0006] In order to signal the locking, by which the telephone is held securely to, for example, the belt, acoustic and/or mechanical indicators can be provided. For example, a type of latching mechanism can be provided, which signals the locking through an audible stop or a perceptible latching resistance.

[0007] The opening in the housing of the telephone is preferably formed as a slot with an enlarged end area. In this way the opening in the housing can be comfortably placed over the hook, so that even a “blind” suspension and latching is possible.

[0008] The opening in the housing can be closed from the inside by means of a spring closure. By this means, a secure protection against possible contamination of the internally located components of the telephone is achieved. The spring closure is pressed inwards when hanging on the hook and again effects a seal against the inner edges of the opening in the housing when the telephone is removed.

[0009] An especially good contamination-protection is provided when, in accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the spring closure has an elastic membrane. The membrane guarantees that, even in the suspended condition, there is no opening-area into the interior of the telephone. For this, the membrane is attached in the latching area at a suitable distance from the edge of the opening. In this way, sufficient freedom of movement is given for the top of the hook to penetrate into the latching position.

[0010] In accordance with one advantageous embodiment, the spring closure is formed as a leaf-spring. The leaf-spring, which is depressed with its free end into the interior of the telephone when hanging up the telephone, can simultaneously function with this free end as a switch for turning the telephone on and off.

[0011] In accordance with another advantageous embodiment, the spring closure is formed as a spring-operated mechanical shutter. The shutter can be formed as a flap or cover and be pressed into its closed position by a screw-spring or a leaf-spring.

[0012] The invention is explained in more detail below by means of an embodiment shown in the drawing. This shows:

[0013] FIG. 1 a telephone and an associated belt-buckle and

[0014] FIG. 2 a diagrammatic cross-section through the holding elements in the secured condition.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows the invention-relevant components of a mobile phone 1 which is to be attached to a belt-buckle 2. The belt-buckle 2 is provided with first holding elements 3, which comprise a projecting hook 4. The first holding elements 3 of the belt-buckle 2 are assigned to second holding elements 5 of the portable phone 1. The second holding elements 5 are essentially formed as an opening in the housing 6 which can accommodate hook 4 with the portable phone 1 in the horizontal position. For this, the opening in the housing 6 is designed as a slot with a widened end area 7. After insertion, the portable phone 1 can be rotated into the vertical position to lock it. Removal of the portable phone 1 from the belt-buckle 2 takes place in the reverse sequence.

[0016] The bolted position is illustrated in FIG. 2 in a cutaway diagram. It can be seen that the hook 4 presses a spring closure 8 into the interior of the portable phone 1. In the unlocked condition the spring closure 8 lies flat tightly against the inner edges of the opening in the housing 6, as a result of which these are protected against the effects of dirt and liquids. Besides the protective function, the spring closure 8 can also effect a switching function, with which a switch lever 9 is operated in the locked condition, which additionally turns off the portable phone 1. Switching on of the portable phone 1 is effected with the unlocking, by means of which the spring closure 8 of the switch lever 9 is uncoupled.

[0017] The invention is not restricted to the foregoing exemplary embodiment. Rather a number of variations is possible, which also make use of the characteristics of the invention even with fundamentally different implementations of the application.