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The BlackBerry maker's invention makes use of a slide-out design found on many other handsets already on the market. But unlike these devices, RIM's unit can "twist," to alternate between numeric and QWERTY keyboards, and "rotate," to switch from a portrait to landscape layout.

"For some functions, text messaging and email may be desirable, for other functions, it may be more convenient for the device to have a different orientation," RIM said in the application filed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. "Because of the limited real estate on the surface of a device, it may be difficult to provide specialized interfaces that are dedicated to selected functions."

The Waterloo, Ontario-based company uses a panel printed with numeric and QWERTY keyboards printed on either side. The section is also anchored to a center point, so consumers can rotate, as well as twist -- for a total of four input layouts.

The intellectual property process is takes about six years before U.S. regulators grant the patent. And that is no guarantee the design will even make it into a device.

Manufacturers have tried to patent everything from iPhones that monitor the heart, to self-charging devices that use kinetic energy, and even handsets with fuel cells to generate clean energy from water.

Last month, Nokia showed off a concept phone that physically "stands up," alerting users of incoming calls, messages and emails.