Hinge control mechanism for a foldable device
US6035491A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/1681
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A foldable housing (11) for an electronic device (10) includes a body portion (12) and a flip portion (14). The flip portion (14) is rotatable joined to the body portion (12) by a relatively small hinge control mechanism (22). The hinge control mechanism (22) includes a U-shaped spring (28) having a pair of spring arms (42) and (44) between which a shaft (30) is located. As the flip portion (14) is moved, it rotates the spring arms (42), (44) around the shaft (30). Protuberances (34) and (36) on the shaft surface (32) deflect the spring arms (42), (44) to generate a force which varies with the amount of deflection and which holds the flip portion (14) in a closed position or in an open position, and allows the flip portion (14) to be adjusted from the open position to a read position selected by the user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.