Joints and connections – Articulated members – Pivoted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-05
2001-01-09
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Pivoted
C403S120000, C403S150000, C016S342000, C016S337000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171011
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pivot joint for use in a computer, and more particularly to such a pivot joint which can be positively positioned at any of a series of angles.
FIGS. 1A and 1B
show a prior art pivot joint for use in for example a notebook computer. This structure of pivot joint comprises a first mounting plate
1
fixedly fastened to the mainframe of the notebook, a second mounting plate
2
fixedly fastened to the cover of the notebook, an axle sleeve
5
coupled between the first mounting plate
1
and the second mounting plate
2
, two metal washers
4
attached to the first mounting plate
1
at two opposite sides, a rivet
6
mounted in respective holes
7
at the second mounting plate
2
, the axle sleeve
5
, the metal washers
4
and the first mounting plate
1
, and a locating ring
3
fastened to the end of the rivet
6
. The plain end of the rivet
6
is hammered down to form a head after installation of the locating ring
3
. This structure of pivot joint is still not satisfactory in function because of the following drawbacks. One drawback of this structure of pivot joint is that the metal washers
4
wear gradually with the use of the pivot joint. When the metal washers
4
start to wear, the connection between the first mounting plate
1
and the second mounting plate
2
become unstable. Another drawback of this structure of pivot joint is its complicated structure. Because this structure of pivot joint consists of a number of parts, its manufacturing cost is relatively high. Furthermore, because the metal washers
4
are rigid and not flexible, they do not provide sufficient resisting force to positively support the second mounting plate
2
on the first mounting plate
1
at a particular angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pivot joint which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. According to the present invention, the pivot joint comprises two mounting plates respectively fixedly fastened to two parts of an apparatus and coupled together by a rivet for enabling the two mounting plates to be turned relative to each other, an axle sleeve mounted on the rivet between the two mounting plates, a first washer and a second washer respectively mounted on the rivet and attached to one mounting plate at two opposite sides. The second washer is made of friction rubber ands received in an annular groove at the head of the rivet, having raised portions disposed at one side and stopped against the first mounting plate. The axle sleeve has an embossed end edge at one end stopped against the second mounting plate, and a recessed coupling hole at an opposite end. The rivet is a stepped rivet having a shoulder fitted into the recessed coupling hole at the axle sleeve. Because the second washer is made of friction rubber, it is compressible for allowing the two mounting plates to be turned relative to each other and then positioned at the adjusted angle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5008976 (1991-04-01), Busch
patent: 5178481 (1993-01-01), Kawamura
patent: 5486056 (1996-01-01), Thorn
patent: 5906010 (1999-05-01), Suzuki
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Rosenberg , Klein & Lee
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