HINGE APPARATUS HAVING A SELF-LATCHING HINGE SHAFT FOR FOLDABLE RADIO TELEPHONES

摘要

A hinge apparatus rotatably couples about an axis of rotation (303) a body portion (101) and a flip element (103) of a foldable radiotelephone (100). The hinge apparatus includes a hinge shaft (205) having an unlatched and latched position on the axis of rotation (303) relative to the body portion (101). The hinge shaft (205) may be removeably latched to a front housing portion (231) of the body portion (101) wherein the hinge apparatus may be tested before final assembly of the foldable radiotelephone (100). The hinge shaft (205), accessible through a slot (245) in the body portion (101), may be removeably latched from the outside of the body portion (101).