What is claimed is:
1. A spacer for location between a faceplate structure and a backplate structure of a flat panel display, the spacer comprising:
a spacer wall having a first edge surface for contacting the faceplate structure, a second edge surface, opposite the first edge surface, for contacting the backplate structure, a first face surface extending between the first and second edge surfaces, a second face surface, opposite the first face surface, extending between the first and second edge surfaces, a first end, and a second end located distal from the first end;
a first spacer foot located on the first face surface at the first end of said spacer wall, wherein the first spacer foot has a support surface which is co-planar with the first edge surface; and
a second spacer foot located on the first face surface at the second end of said spacer wall, wherein the second spacer foot has a support surface which is co-planar with the first edge surface.
2. The spacer of claim 1, further comprising:
a third spacer foot located on the second face surface at the first end of said spacer wall, wherein the third spacer foot has a support surface which is co-planar with the first edge surface; and
a fourth spacer foot located on the second face surface at the second end of the spacer wall, wherein the fourth spacer foot has a support surface which is co-planar with the first edge surface.
3. The spacer of claim 1, further comprising one or more face electrodes located on the first face surface.
4. The spacer of claim 1, further comprising one or more face electrodes located on the second face surface.
5. The spacer of claim 1, further comprising a first edge electrode located on the first edge surface and a second edge electrode located on the second edge surface.
6. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer wall comprises a ceramic.
7. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the first and second spacer feet comprise a ceramic.
8. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the first and second spacer feet comprise glass frit.
9. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the first and second spacer feet comprise glass.
10. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the first and second spacer feet comprise glass and ceramic.
11. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the support surfaces of the first and second spacer feet are located perpendicular to the first and second face surfaces of the spacer wall.
12. A method of fabricating a spacer wall, the method comprising the steps of:
firing a ceramic wafer having a first face surface, a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;
applying a first strip of glass frit on the first face surface adjacent to the first edge;
applying a second strip of glass frit on the first face surface adjacent to the second edge;
firing the first and second strips of glass frit; and
cutting the ceramic wafer and first and second strips of glass frit into spacer strips from the first edge to the second edge.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of positioning a first glass cane on the first strip of glass frit and positioning a second glass cane on the second strip of glass frit prior to the step of firing the first and second strips of glass frit.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of forming one or more face electrodes on the first face surface of the wafer prior to the step of cutting.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of forming one or more face electrodes on the second face surface of the wafer prior to the step of cutting.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of forming edge electrodes on the cut portions of the spacer strips.
17. A method of fabricating a spacer wall, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a ceramic wafer having a first face surface, a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;
applying a first strip of ceramic on the first face surface adjacent to the first edge;
applying a second strip of ceramic on the first face surface adjacent to the second edge;
firing the ceramic wafer and the first and second strips of ceramic; and
cutting the ceramic wafer and first and second strips of ceramic into spacer strips from the first edge to the second edge.
18. A method of installing a spacer wall in a flat panel display having a faceplate structure and a backplate structure, the method comprising the steps of:
forming one or more spacer feet at opposing ends of the spacer wall;
positioning the spacer wall on a selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure; and
holding the spacer wall on the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure with an electrostatic force introduced by a plurality of electrodes formed in the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:
forming a groove in the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure; and
placing the spacer wall in the groove.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of bonding the opposing ends of the spacer wall to the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:
expanding the spacer wall prior to the step bonding; and
allowing the spacer wall to contract after the step of bonding.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of expanding is performed by heating the spacer wall.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of expanding is performed by applying an external force to the spacer wall.
24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:
contracting the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure prior to the step bonding; and
allowing the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure to expand after the step of bonding.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of contracting the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure comprises the step of bending the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure into a concave configuration.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of contracting the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure comprises the step of cooling the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure to a temperature which is less than the temperature of the spacer wall.
27. A method of installing a spacer wall in a flat panel display having a faceplate structure and a backplate structure, the method comprising the steps of:
heating the spacer wall to a predetermined temperature to lengthen the spacer wall;
attaching ends of the heated spacer wall to a selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure, wherein the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure is at a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the heated spacer wall;
allowing the attached spacer wall to cool, such that the spacer wall contracts.
28. A method of installing a spacer wall in a flat panel display having a faceplate structure and a backplate structure, the method comprising the steps of:
forming the spacer wall from a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE);
forming a selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure of a material having a second CTE, wherein the first CTE is greater than the second CTE;
heating the spacer wall and the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure to a temperature above room temperature;
attaching the ends of the spacer wall to the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure; and then
allowing the spacer wall and selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure to cool, wherein the spacer wall contracts more than the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure.
29. A method of installing a spacer wall in a flat panel display having a faceplate structure and a backplate structure, the method comprising the steps of:
attaching spacer feet at opposing ends of the spacer wall;
mechanically lengthening the spacer wall by applying a force between the spacer feet; and then attaching the ends of the spacer wall to a selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure; and
removing the applied force between the spacer feet.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the force is applied by mechanical screws.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the force is applied by a piezoelectric element.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the force is applied by a high thermo-expansion alloy.
33. A method of installing a spacer wall in a flat panel display having a faceplate structure and a backplate structure, the method comprising the steps of:
cooling a selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure, thereby causing the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure to contract;
attaching ends of the spacer wall to the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure, wherein the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure is at a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the spacer wall; and
warming the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure, such that the selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure expands.
34. A spacer structure for location between a faceplate structure and a backplate structure of a flat panel display, the spacer structure comprising:
a spacer wall having a first edge surface for contacting the faceplate structure, a second edge surface, opposite the first edge surface, for contacting the backplate structure, a first face surface extending between the first and second edge surfaces, a second face surface, opposite the first face surface, extending between the first and second edge surfaces, a first end, and a second end located distal from the first end;
a first spacer clip which clamps the first and second face surfaces at the first end of said spacer wall; and
a second spacer clip which clamps the first and second face surfaces at the second end of said spacer wall.
35. The spacer structure of claim 34, further comprising a first face electrode located on the first face surface of the spacer wall, wherein the first spacer clip contacts the first face electrode.
36. The spacer structure of claim 35, wherein the first spacer clip is electrically conductive, the first spacer clip being electrically connected to an electrode of the flat panel display, such that the first spacer clip provides an electrical connection between the first face electrode and the electrode of the flat panel display.
37. The spacer structure of claim 36, wherein the electrode of the flat panel display is located on the faceplate structure.
38. The spacer structure of claim 36, wherein the electrode of the flat panel display is located on the backplate structure.
39. The spacer structure of claim 35, further comprising a second face electrode located on the first face surface of the spacer wall, wherein the second spacer clip contacts the second face electrode.
40. The spacer structure of claim 34, wherein the first and second spacer clips are electrically conductive.
41. The spacer structure of claim 34, wherein the first and second spacer clips comprise a dielectric material.
42. The spacer structure of claim 41, wherein the dielectric material comprises ceramic, glass, silicon or thermoplastic.
43. The spacer structure of claim 34, wherein the first spacer clip comprises two channels for receiving the spacer wall.
44. The spacer structure of claim 34, wherein the first spacer clip comprises a ribbon of electrically conductive material which is bonded to a selected one of the faceplate structure and the backplate structure, the ribbon having two adjacent loops which define a channel for receiving the spacer wall.
45. The spacer structure of claim 34, wherein the first and second spacer clips are affixed to the spacer wall.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a first section having a keypad;
a second section having a display; and
a connection movably connecting the second section with the first section, the connection comprising a first axis of rotation with the first section, a second axis of rotation with the second section, and synchronizing members which rotate the first section relative to the connection in unison with rotation of the second section relative to the connection, wherein the second axis of rotation is offset from the first axis of rotation.
2. An electronic device as in claim 1 wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile communications device having a transceiver located in one of the first or second sections.
3. An electronic device as in claim 1 wherein the first and second sections comprise a first position with the keypad and display being closed by the first and second sections, a second position with the second section rotated about 180 degrees relative to the first section, and a third position with the second section rotated about 360 degrees relative to the first section and having the keypad and display located on opposite exterior facing sides of the electronic device.
4. An electronic device as in claim 1 wherein the connection comprises a hinge frame having a general oval side profile and two parallel pin receiving holes.
5. An electronic device as in claim 1 further comprising a flex circuit extending across the connection and electrically connecting electronic circuitry in the first section to electronic circuitry in the second section.
6. An electronic device as in claim 4 wherein the hinge frame comprises a recess for receiving the synchronizing members.
7. An electronic device comprising:
a first section;
a second section having a display; and
a connection movably connecting the second section with the first section, the connection comprising a first axis of rotation with the first section, an offset second axis of rotation with the second section, and synchronizing members which rotate the first section relative to the second section, wherein the synchronizing members comprises two gears connected to each other.
8. An electronic device as in claim 7 wherein the connection comprises two hinge pins rotatably mounted in the pin receiving holes, each hinge pin having one of the gears connected thereto, and each hinge pin being stationarily connected to a respective one of the first and second sections.
9. An electronic device comprising:
a first section;
a second section having a display; and
a connection movably connecting the second section with the first section, the connection comprising a first axis of rotation with the first section, an offset second axis of rotation with the second section, and synchronizing members which rotate the first section relative to second section, wherein the connection comprises a detent locating system for locking position of the second section relative to the first section at an intermediate position between a fully closed position and a fully open position.
10. An electronic device as in claim 9 wherein the fully open position comprises about a 360 degree fully open position.
11. An electronic device as in claim 9 wherein the synchronizing members are adapted to rotate the first section relative to the connection in unison with rotation of the second section relative to the connection.
12. A mobile communications device comprising:
a housing;
a transceiver in the housing;
a keypad connected to the housing; and
a display connected to the housing;
wherein the housing comprises a first section movably connected to a second section of the housing by a multi-axis hinge, wherein a first axis of rotation of the hinge is provided at the first section of the housing and a second offset axis of rotation of the hinge is provided at the second section of the housing, and wherein the hinge comprises means for synchronizing rotation of the first and second sections relative to the hinge through a path of about 360 degrees.
13. A mobile communications device as in claim 12 wherein the first and second sections comprise a first position with the keypad and display being closed by the first and second sections, a second position with the second section rotated about 180 degrees relative to the first section such that the first section is substantially inline with the second section and a hinge frame of the hinge, and a third position with the second section rotated about 360 degrees relative to the first section and having the keypad and display located on opposite exterior facing sides of the mobile communications device.
14. A mobile communications device as in claim 12 wherein the hinge comprises a hinge frame having a general oval side profile and two parallel pin receiving holes.
15. A mobile communications device as in claim 12 further comprising a flex circuit extending across the hinge and electrically connecting electronic circuitry in the first section to electronic circuitry in the second section.
16. A mobile communications device as in claim 12 wherein the connection comprises a detent locating system for locking position of the second section relative to the first section at an intermediate position between a fully closed position and a 360 degree fully open position.
17. A mobile communications device as in claim 14 wherein the means for synchronizing rotation of the first and second sections relative to the hinge comprises gears connected to each other.
18. An electronic device as in claim 17 wherein the hinge comprises two hinge pins rotatably mounted in the pin receiving holes, each hinge pin having one of the gears connected thereto, and each hinge pin being stationarily connected to a respective one of the first and second sections.
19. A mobile communications device comprising:
a housing having a first section, a second section, and a synchronized rotation multi-axis hinge connection connecting the first section with the second section;
a transceiver located in the housing;
a key pad connected to the housing;
a display connected to the housing; and a flex conductor extending across the hinge connection and coupling electronic circuitry in the first section of the housing with electronic circuitry in the second section of the housing, wherein the synchronized rotation multi-axis hinge connection comprises:
a hinge frame;
two hinge pins rotatably mounted in the hinge frame;
synchronizing gears connecting the hinge pins to each other;
a first frame member fixedly connecting a first one of the hinge pins to the first section of the housing;
a second frame member fixedly connecting a second one of the hinge pins to the second section of the housing,
and wherein the second section of the housing is adapted to rotate about 360 degrees relative to the first section of the housing.
20. A mobile communications device as in claim 19 wherein the connection comprises a detent locating system for locking position of the second section relative to the first section at an intermediate position at about 180 degrees of rotation between a fully closed position and a 360 degree fully open position.
21. A mobile communications device as in claim 19 wherein the first and second sections comprise a first position with the keypad and display being closed by the first and second sections, a second position with the second section rotated about 180 degrees relative to the first section, and a third position with the second section rotated about 360 degrees relative to the first section and having the keypad and display located on opposite exterior facing sides of the mobile communications device.
22. A mobile communications device as in claim 19 wherein the hinge frame has a general oval side profile and two parallel pin receiving holes.
23. An electronic device comprising:
a first section;
a second section having a display; and
a connection movably connecting the second section with the first section, the connection comprising a first axis of rotation with the first section, a spaced second axis of rotation with the second section, and synchronizing members which rotate the first section relative to the connection in unison with rotation of the second section relative to the connection.
24. A mobile communications device comprising:
a housing;
a transceiver in the housing;
at least one key connected to the housing; and
a display connected to the housing; wherein the housing comprises a first section movably connected to a second section of the housing by a multi-axis hinge, wherein a first axis of rotation of the hinge is provided for the first section of the housing and a second offset axis of rotation of the hinge is provided for the second section of the housing, and wherein the multi-axis hinge comprises a synchronizing system for synchronizing rotation of the first and second sections relative to the multi-axis hinge through a path of at least about 180 degrees.