Cradle for portable communication device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a cradle for use in portable communication devices, which is configured so as to be folded or unfolded by a single operation. The cradle includes a front cover onto which the portable communication device is placed, a rear cover provided at a rear surface of the front cover and adapted to support the front cover, a rear plate located at a rear side of the front cover so as to be folded toward or unfolded away from the front cover by a certain angle on the basis of a hinge axis of a hinge assembly provided at an upper end of the front cover. At least one link unit is provided between the front cover and the rear plate and adapted to allow the front cover and the rear plate to be folded toward or unfolded away from each other by a certain inclination angle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cradle for a portable communication device comprising: 
 a front cover onto which the portable communication device is placed;    a rear cover provided at a rear surface of the front cover and adapted to support the front cover;    a rear plate located at a rear side of the rear cover, the rear plate being folded toward or unfolded away from the front cover about a hinge axis of a hinge assembly provided at an upper end of the front cover; and    at least one link unit provided between the front cover and the rear plate and adapted to allow the front cover and the rear plate to be folded toward or unfolded away from each other, wherein the hinge assembly is configured to connect the front cover and the rear plate to each other and to enable the rear plate to rotate to or from the front cover about the hinge axis.    
     
     
         2 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the front cover includes a fitting slot for allowing a support provided at the at least one link unit to be detachably fitted therein.  
     
     
         3 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the rear cover includes an insertion opening centrally extending in a lengthwise direction of the rear cover for allowing the at least one link unit to be inserted therein when the rear plate is folded, toward the front cover.  
     
     
         4 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the rear plate includes a coupling opening centrally extending in a lengthwise direction of the rear plate for allowing the at least one link unit to be coupled therein when the rear plate is folded toward the front cover.  
     
     
         5 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the rear plate is wholly formed at a surface facing the rear cover with a seating recess defined by an outer rim of the rear plate, thereby allowing the rear plate to be seated therein while being surrounded by the outer rim of the rear plate when the rear plate is folded to the front cover.  
     
     
         6 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one link unit includes: 
 A first link connected to the front cover by means of first hinge pieces, positioned at the front cover, and adapted to rotate about a first hinge axis of the first hinge pieces, wherein the first hinge axis extends parallel to the hinge axis of the hinge assembly;    a second link connected at one end thereof to the first link by a second hinge piece, which is positioned at one end of the first link, the second link being connected at an opposite end, which is spaced from the one end thereof, to the rear plate by a third hinge piece provided on the rear plate, the second link rotating about second and third hinge axes of the second and third hinge pieces, respectively, which extend parallel to the first hinge axis;    a third hinge link having one end thereof rotatably connected to the one end of the second link by the third hinge piece, the third link having an end opposite to the one end and rotatably connected to the rear surface of the front cover by a fourth hinge piece, the third link being provided with first and second sub-links, which have inner ends spaced from the one and opposite ends of the third link and pivotally, coupled to one another by a fifth hinge piece with a fifth axis parallel to the fourth, third, second and first hinge axes, the inner ends of the sub-links vertically moving while rotating about the fifth hinge axis of fifth hinge pieces upon rotating the front cover and rear plate relative to one another.    
     
     
         7 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the first link is provided at an upper portion thereof with a support for bearing the portable communication device, and connected at a lower portion to the second hinge piece of the second link so as to rotate about the second hinge axis of the second hinge piece.  
     
     
         8 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the support is formed at a center portion thereof with a perforated opening for penetration of a connection jack, the connection jack serving to connect the portable communication device with an external device.  
     
     
         9 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the first link rotates forward from the front cover up to an angle of about 90°.  
     
     
         10 . The cradle as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the third link rotates up to an angle of about 180° so as to support the front cover and the rear plate when they are unfolded by a certain inclination angle.