Self-latching hinge

Details Self-latching hinge Self-latching hinge

1998-11-20

2001-02-06

Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)

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

Hinge

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

C016S334000, C016S308000, C016S297000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06182330

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for rotatably coupling first and second members together, and more particularly, to a position holding, self-latching hinge for holding first and second members at any specified angle of rotation relative to each other and which provides an additional latching force at a specified angle of rotation.
In certain hinge applications, it is often desirable to control the angular position of a first member which is rotatably coupled to a second member by using the hinge itself for both rotatable coupling and positional control. One such application is for the field of laptop, notebook and palmtop computers in order to allow a user to rotatably position the liquid crystal display screen at a selected ergonomic viewing angle.
In a notebook computer, the liquid crystal display is typically connected to one side of a friction hinge assembly and the base of the computer is connected to the other side. The display is held in any angular position by frictional torque generated by the hinge. One preferred hinge arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,874, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
The presently known notebook computers generally include some form of latching mechanism. For example, a pair of latching mechanisms
11
can be located at the sides of the display
17
, as shown in
FIG. 1
, or a single latching mechanism
14
can be located at the top of the display
17
, as shown in FIG.
2
. These latching mechanisms are required in order to maintain a minimum gap between the display
17
and the processor housing
18
of the computer
10
at all times during storage and transportation to prevent inadvertent opening of the display
17
. When the computer display
17
is rotated downwardly to the closed position, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, either the pair of side latching elements
11
are engaged in receiving slots
12
shown in
FIG. 1
, or the front latching element
18
is engaged in the receiving slot
15
shown in FIG.
2
. In order to open the computer display
17
, the user must either slide both latching elements
11
toward the front or rear of the computer while rotating the display counterclockwise, as indicated in
FIG. 3
, or unlatch the latching mechanism
18
by pressing downwardly or inwardly to release the mechanism
18
while rotating the display upwardly, as shown in FIG.
4
. In both cases, the user must actuate one or more latching mechanisms prior to opening the display.
One problem with the known latches is that they are easily broken and have a relatively short life. This often means that broken latches must be replaced by the manufacturer or the purchaser one or more times during the notebook computer's life. Additionally, due to the larger size display screens which are becoming available for computers, it would be desirable to eliminate the need for latches either at the sides or center of the display in order to utilize that space for a larger display without the need for increasing the overall size of the computer housing. Additionally, it would be beneficial to decrease the complexity and cost of the display bezel by eliminating the need for separate latch mechanisms altogether.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member. The hinge comprises a hinge housing connected to one of the first and second members. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, with the shaft being connected to the other of the first and second members. A cam is located on the shaft. A rotatable roller is located in the housing adjacent to the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller. Contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member. The hinge comprises a hinge housing connected to the first member and a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing. The shaft is connected to the second member. A cam is located on the shaft, and the cam includes an outer surface having a plurality of projections. A rotatable roller is located in the hinge housing such that as the shaft is rotated the cam contacts and rotates the roller. Contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and at least one of the plurality of projections on the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a portable computer which includes a display housing, a processor housing, and a hinge pivotably connecting the display housing to the processor housing. The hinge includes a hinge housing connected to one of the processor housing and the display housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the hinge housing. The shaft is connected to the other of the processor housing and the display housing. A frictional torque applying element is located in the housing for applying frictional torque to the shaft as the shaft is rotated. A cam is located on the shaft. A rotatable roller is located in the housing such that as the shaft is rotated the cam contacts and rotates the roller. Contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 5165509 (1992-11-01), Kanno et al.
patent: 5276945 (1994-01-01), Matsumura
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patent: 5491874 (1996-02-01), Lowry et al.
patent: 5818360 (1998-10-01), Chu et al.

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