Patent attributes
A portable information terminal has a first casing, a second casing, a sliding mechanism to maintain a portable state wherein the first casing and second casing are overlapped, and a turning mechanism to modify the from the portable state, via a sliding state wherein the first casing and second casing mutually slide, into a usable state. The sliding mechanism engages with sliding grooves provided on each of the first casing and second casing, and provides axially supported sliding members. The turning mechanism has a member to limit the turning angle of the sliding members, whereby a state can be maintained when usable of the first casing and second casing forming a single face. Thus, a sliding-type portable information terminal is provided with an expanded operating face and output face by doing away with any overlapped portion.