Virtual pivot hinge with multi-part friction linkage
US10921863B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2018 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/1616
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Conventional laptop computers may utilize a door-hinge style or in a bezel-behind-base style hinge to connect a display with a keyboard of the laptop computer. Typically, these hinges present a discontinuous visual impression to the user. Presenting a more continuous visual impression of the hinge to the user suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device to the user and is thus desirable to the user. The disclosed virtual pivot hinge pivots about a pivot axis running between the display and the keyboard. The hardware of the hinge is located away from the pivot axis, which creates a virtual pivoting action about the axis that maintains a consistent front gap distance (or no front gap) between the display and the keyboard. The resulting visual impression to the user is that the display is floating above keyboard at the same or similar distance regardless of the display angle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.