Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Including means to hold or retard hinged members against...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2003-01-14
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3676)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Hinge
Including means to hold or retard hinged members against...
C016S335000, C016S306000, C016S304000, C016S302000, C361S689000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06505382
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hinge mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hinge mechanism which is suitable for use in a portable computing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of personal computers is widespread and is rapidly becoming even more prevalent. As advances in technology enable the size of personal computers to decrease, the use of portable computers such as notebook, or laptop, computers and notepad computers is increasing. The portability of notebook computers and notepad computers enables a user to keep his or her computer readily accessible such that computing resources are effectively always at hand.
Many portable computers are configured such that a display screen of the computer pivots, or rotates, with respect to the base of the computer.
FIG. 1
is a diagrammatic representation of a portable computer or, more specifically, a notebook computer
102
. Notebook computer
102
includes a rotating, or hinging, section
106
and a fixed section
110
. Rotating section
106
typically includes a display screen
114
, while fixed section
110
often includes input/output devices such as a keyboard
118
and a track pad
119
, in addition to buttons
121
which are associated with track pad
119
. Fixed section
110
also houses a central processing unit and other computer hardware (not shown).
Hinges
122
are used to allow rotating section
106
to rotate with respect to fixed section
110
, and are effectively positioned to couple a top surface of fixed section
110
to a front surface of rotating section
106
. Typically, hinges
122
hold a front edge of rotating section
106
in close proximity to a top edge of fixed section
110
. As shown, rotating section
106
is “open” at roughly a 90 degree angle measured with respect to fixed section
110
. The configuration of hinges
122
may be such that rotating section
106
is constrained to rotation within a certain range. Once the angle between fixed section
110
and rotating section
106
is as desired, then rotating section
106
may at least be temporarily fixed with respect to fixed section
110
.
In order for rotating section
106
to be able to rotate and to hold a desired position at a given angle of rotation, hinges
122
typically include, or are associated with, brakes. The brakes, which are typically either spring-based or gear-based, are used to effectively “lock” hinges
122
in place. Hinges
122
are locked into place to prevent rotation when no torque, or rotational force, is applied to hinges
122
or, more generally, to either rotating section
106
or fixed section
110
.
When notebook computer
102
is closed, i.e., when rotating section
106
is flush with fixed section
110
such that display screen
114
is effectively adjacent keyboard
118
, notebook computer
102
also includes a latching mechanism
126
that holds notebook computer
102
in a closed position. Latching mechanism
126
includes an activator
126
a
, a linker
126
b
, and a receiver
126
c
. Linker
126
b
engages receiver
126
c
when notebook computer
102
is closed such that rotating section
106
is locked with respect to fixed section
110
. Activator
126
a
is coupled to linker
126
b
, and is used to disengage linker
126
b
from receiver
126
c
when rotating section
106
is to be unlocked from fixed section
110
. In some cases, a receptacle, rather than a linker, may be coupled to an activator. It should be appreciated that some notebook computers may include more than one linker and more than one receptacle.
Latching mechanism
126
is generally required by notebook computer
102
in order to enhance the portability of notebook computer
102
. Without latching mechanism
126
, it would be difficult to hold rotating section
106
closed against fixed section
110
, as rotating section
106
would generally be free to rotate into an open position with respect to fixed section
110
. If rotating section
106
were to open with respect to fixed section
110
at an inopportune time, e.g., when notebook computer
102
is packed for transport, damage to notebook computer
102
may occur. For example, display screen
114
or keyboard
118
may be damaged from contact with relatively heavy objects. The latching mechanism also makes carrying of the notebook computer significantly less difficult by keeping the rotating section
106
fixed with respect to the fixed section
110
.
The construction and, additionally, the positioning of latching mechanism
126
may be relatively complex, as linker
126
b
must be arranged to be received and engaged within receptacle
126
c
. Hence, the tolerances associated with the manufacture and positioning of linker
126
b
and receiver
126
c
must enable linker
126
b
and receiver
126
c
to interface. The positioning of linker
126
b
with respect to receiver
125
c
is crucial to ensure that notebook computer
102
may be properly closed and locked. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, due to tolerances stacking up, the fact that rotating section
106
, on which linker
126
b
is mounted, is coupled by hinges
122
to fixed section
110
, on which receiver
126
c
is mounted, there is little room for error in the positioning of linker
126
b
and receiver
126
c
. Accordingly, the manufacturer of the notebook computer
102
is difficult and time-consuming.
Reducing the time associated with the manufacture of a notebook computer increases the throughput of an overall manufacturing process. Both manufacturing time and cost may be reduced by increasing tolerances associated with the design of the notebook computer, eliminating parts from the notebook computer, and integrating functionality from eliminated parts into other parts. By way of example, eliminating a dedicated latching mechanism for effectively locking a notebook computer in a closed position would generally reduce the time associated with the process of manufacturing a notebook computer.
Therefore, what is desired is a readily manufacturable apparatus which allows a rotating section of a notebook computer to be locked with respect to a fixed section of a notebook computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved hinge mechanism for use with a portable computing device. One aspect of the present invention relates to a hinge apparatus which provides a cam action to obtain latching functionality. Another aspect of the present invention pertains to a display screen of a portable computing device that is rotateably-hinged to a base such that the display screen is set back from the base when the display screen is opened.
In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first assembly with a connection pivot and a cam follower, and a second assembly with a cam. The first and second assemblies are rotationally coupled to the connection pivot, and the cam follower cooperates with the cam to produce a moment about the connection pivot to hold the first assembly with respect to the second assembly when the second assembly is in a first position (i.e., closed position) with respect to the first assembly. A hinge assembly which includes such latching, or locking, functionality (by holding the first assembly with respect to the second assembly) generally eliminates the need for a separate latching mechanism when the hinge assembly is used with a portable computing apparatus.
In still another embodiment, a computing apparatus includes a first housing which contains a processor, a display screen, and a first hinge mechanism that couples the display screen to the first housing. The display screen rotates with respect to the first housing, and the first hinge mechanism is capable of holding the display screen substantially against the first housing when the display screen is positioned such that a front surface of the display screen is substantially parallel to a top surface of the first housing. In one embodiment, the computing arrangement includes a handle that is coupled to the first
Kim Sung H.
Lam Lawrence
Riccomini Roy
Sorensen Mark
Stringer Chris J.
Apple Computer Inc.
Beyer Weaver & Thomas LLP
Knight Anthony
Peavey Enoch E
LandOfFree
Hinge apparatus with cam mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hinge apparatus with cam mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hinge apparatus with cam mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3068090