Bi-stable sliding assembly

Abstract

Sliding assembly for portable terminals, comprising a first main part, a second main part slidably connected to the first main part, the second main part being spring-loaded by a first elastic module, the first main part comprising a second elastic module with an elastic portion and a portion protruding towards the second main part, which in turn comprising a guiding arrangement with a recessed portion, wherein the recessed portion, the second elastic module and the first elastic module being arranged to cooperate such that the second main part is held in a centre position, the guiding arrangement further comprising an elongated portion arranged to guide the protruding portion out of the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic forces of the first elastic module, wherein the sliding assembly thus being movable out of the centre position into a first end-position.

1 . Sliding assembly for mobile or portable terminals, comprising: a plane first main part; a plane second main part slidably connected to the first main part, the second main part being spring-loaded by a first elastic module, the first main part comprising a second elastic module with an elastic portion and a protrusion protruding towards the second main part, the second main part in turn comprising a guiding arrangement with a recessed portion, the recessed portion of the second main part, the second elastic module and the first elastic module being arranged to cooperate such that the protruding portion of the second elastic module is urged against the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement, such that the second main part is held in a center position, the guiding arrangement further comprising an elongated portion arranged to guide the protruding portion of the second elastic module out of the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic forces of the first elastic module, the sliding assembly thus being movable out of the center position into a first end-position. 
     
     
         2 . Sliding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion is further arranged to guide the protruding portion of the second elastic module from the first end-position into the center position when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic module urging the second main part into abutment with the first main part, the sliding assembly thus being movable out of the first end-position into the center position. 
     
     
         3 . Sliding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding assembly is movable along the elongated portion of the guiding arrangement into a second end-position from the center position when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic module urging the protruding portion of the second elastic module out of the engagement with the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . Sliding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding assembly is movable along a back side of the elongated portion of the guiding arrangement into engagement with the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement from the second end-position into the center position, when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic module urging the second main part into abutment with the first main part. 
     
     
         5 . Sliding assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the sliding assembly is movable along the elongated portion of the guiding arrangement into a second end-position from the center position when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic module urging the protruding portion of the second elastic module out of the engagement with the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . Sliding assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the sliding assembly is movable along a back side of the elongated portion of the guiding arrangement into engagement with the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement from the second end-position into the center position, when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic module urging the second main part into abutment with the first main part. 
     
     
         7 . Sliding assembly according  claim 3 , wherein the sliding assembly is movable along a back side of the elongated portion of the guiding arrangement into engagement with the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement from the second end-position into the center position, when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic module urging the second main part into abutment with the first main part. 
     
     
         8 . Sliding assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the sliding assembly is movable along a back side of the elongated portion of the guiding arrangement into engagement with the recessed portion of the guiding arrangement from the second end-position into the center position, when an external force is applied to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic module urging the second main part into abutment with the first main part.