Snap hinge mechanism for flip style portable phone
US6157717A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/0216
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A snap hinge assembly for rotatably connecting a flip cover to a portable phone housing has only two parts, a hinge pin and a spring. The hinge pin is rotatably mounted in the housing and secured to the cover so as to rotate with the cover as it is opened and closed, and has a cam portion for engaging the spring. The spring is anchored in the housing and has a bearing portion for bearing against the cam portion as the pin rotates with the cover. The shape of the cam portion is such that the bearing portion is resiliently biased as the hinge pin rotates, and released at a predetermined orientation so as to snap the cover into either the open or closed position, depending on the direction of rotation of the pin. The cover is held by the engaging spring and cam surfaces in the open or closed position until positively urged towards the opposite end position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.