Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Having means to reduce friction between hinge parts
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-22
2002-05-28
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Hinge
Having means to reduce friction between hinge parts
C403S300000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06393662
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge device, and particularly to a hinge device for pivotably connecting a display unit to a mainframe unit of a portable computer wherein the hinge device provides substantially a constant torque resistance at all positions in the arc of movement between various display unit open positions and the display unit closed position, and wherein the hinge device effectively retains lubrication grease therein so that the hinge device can have a smoother movement and a longer life.
A variety of hinge devices are used for rotatably coupling two articles together, such as a display unit and a mainframe unit of a portable computer. The display unit is required to be frequently opened or closed and to be positioned relative to the mainframe unit at any desired angle. However, the hinge device loses effectiveness after a period of use as it loses its ability to produce sufficient torque resistance to support the weight of the display unit. Such a conventional hinge device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,252, as shown in FIG.
9
. The hinge device comprises a pair of hinge members
10
, an intermediate member
20
and a pair of helical springs
30
. Each hinge member
10
has a cylindrical end
14
. A blind hole
142
is coaxially defined in the cylindrical end
14
of a first hinge member
10
, and an elongated boss
146
extends from the cylindrical end
14
of a second hinge member
10
. The boss
146
extends through a through hole
246
defined in the intermediate member
20
and into the hole
142
of the cylindrical end
14
, whereby the intermediate member
20
pivotally connects to the pair of hinge members.
No groove which can effectively reserve lubrication grease therein is defined in contact surfaces of the boss
146
and the intermediate member
20
. The contact surfaces have a tendency to be damaged due to insufficient lubrication. Thus, the hinge device can not operate smoothly over a long lifespan. Furthermore, the hinge device provides different torque resistances at different positions in its operational arc during the closing and the opening of the display unit relative to the mainframe unit, resulting in a poor operational feel.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device which pivotably joins a display unit to a mainframe unit of a portable computer and has means to retain lubrication grease therein, thereby producing a hinge which operates smoothly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device for pivotably joining a display unit and a mainframe unit of a portable computer which has substantially a uniform torque resistance at different positions in its operational arc to keep the display unit at a desired angle relative to the mainframe unit when the display unit is rotated away from the mainframe unit.
A hinge device in accordance with the present invention comprises a male hinge member fixed to a display unit of a portable computer and a female hinge member fixed to a mainframe unit of the portable computer. The male hinge member includes a pivoting rod at one end thereof, a first mounting plate at an opposite end thereof for mounting the male hinge member onto the portable computer and a shoulder between the pivoting rod and the first mounting plate. The pivoting rod has a first contacting section on an outer periphery thereof. The female hinge member includes a cylindrical body for receiving the pivoting rod and a second mounting plate laterally extending from an end of the body for mounting the female hinge member onto the portable computer. A separating slot is transversely defined in a periphery of the body, thereby defining a receiving portion. A second contacting section is defined by an inner surface of the receiving portion for contacting the first contacting section, and a pair of sinuous grooves are defined therein for retaining the lubrication grease. A receiving slot is defined in the second mounting plate for spacing the second contacting section from the second mounting plate to maintain a uniform torque resistance during rotation movements of the second contacting section in different directions.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5491874 (1996-02-01), Lowry et al.
patent: 5632066 (1997-05-01), Huong
patent: 5666695 (1997-09-01), Jegers et al.
patent: 5724859 (1998-03-01), Yamada
patent: 5774939 (1998-07-01), Lu
patent: 5943738 (1999-08-01), Karfiol
patent: 6085388 (2000-07-01), Kaneko
patent: 6230365 (2001-05-01), Lu
patent: 6249426 (2001-06-01), O'Neal et al.
patent: 6256836 (2001-07-01), Lin et al.
patent: 6256838 (2001-07-01), Lu
Cheng Yung Hsiang
Huang Fang Chi
Lee Chieh
Browne Lynne H.
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Hutton Doug
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