Hinge mechanism

Details Hinge mechanism Hinge mechanism

1999-05-26

2001-04-03

Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,

Hinge

Including means to hold or retard hinged members against...

C016S336000, C016S335000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06209173

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a hinge mechanism for a portable radio communication apparatus.
Certain designs of portable radio communication apparatus, such as radio telephones, are provided in two pivoted parts consisting of a main body and a cover member (or flip) which is usually hinged at the top or bottom end of the body. The cover member can be moved between a closed position overlaying a portion of the face of the body, typically the keypad, and an open position pivoted away from the body, exposing the keypad and ready for use. The main body houses the majority of the electronic components of the radiotelephone, whilst the flip sometimes houses an earpiece, or microphone or LCD display. Such radio telephones are generally known as flip or folding phones, and as well as offering protection for the keypad from inadvertent activation, can also make for a more compact design of phone.
A wide variety of folding phones are currently available, employing many different hinge solutions. Known hinge mechanisms range from relatively simple pin/recess arrangements to more sophisticated assemblies comprising springs, cams, followers and latching mechanisms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The challenge faced by the present inventors was to design an alternative improved hinge mechanism which met the main criteria of:
reliability, in terms of the number of opening/closing operations,
smooth motion and good action, offering a slight resistance to movement,
providing detent bias in the closed and open positions, and
a positive overideable flip stop in the open position
ease of assembly.
Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a hinge mechanism for pivotally connecting first and second housings of a portable electronic device for movement between closed and open positions, the mechanism comprising a hinge shaft mounted for rotation with the first housing and providing a camming surface, and resilient means mounted for rotation with the second housing and arranged to cooperate with the camming surface so as respectively to load the resilient means corresponding to different orientations with respect to the camming surface for relative rotation therebetween
By means of the invention, the hinge mechanism provides a varying torque between the resilient means and the camming surface which causes relative rotation of the resilient means and the camming surface.
In a preferred embodiment, when the first and second housings are in the open position they are mutually biased towards the open position, and when the first and second housings are in the closed position they are mutually biased towards the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Thus, the hinge mechanism provides a detent torque for the housings in the closed and open positions, and also offers some resistance to rotational movement which enhances the feel of the opening and closing motion.
It is preferred that the camming surface is shaped to define stable and unstable orientations for the resilient means, the resilient means tending towards the stable orientation in said open and closed positions. In this way, the resilient means indexes around the camming surface.
In a preferred embodiment the resilient means comprises a pair of spring arms acting on opposite sides of the camming surface.
Advantageously, the resilient means is carried in a retainer and the retainer is coupled to the second housing. This affords the hinge mechanism a modular design. The retainer conveniently comprises a longitudinally split tube, each half of the tube carrying respective resilient means.
It is preferred that the camming surface comprises opposing planar surfaces and that the planes defined by the planar surfaces are offset from the vertical axis of the hinge shaft. This conveniently provides for the detent torque.
In an advantageous embodiment, the hinge shaft carries a projection adapted to abut a corresponding projection provided on the second housing, whereby the abutment of the projections supports the second housing in relation to the first housing in said open position. Optionally, said projections are adapted to traverse one another if the housings are extended beyond said open position.
The invention extends to a radio telephone having first and second housings and including a hinge mechanism as hereinbefore defined for pivotally connecting said housings.


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patent: WO 92/17974 (1992-10-01), None
patent: WO 92/17973 (1992-10-01), None

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