Hinge with free-stop function

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10501973-B2
Application number	US-201615182318-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 14, 2016
Priority date	Jun 14, 2016
Publication date	Dec 10, 2019
Grant date	Dec 10, 2019

Abstract

Technologies are described for a hinge mechanism coupled to at least a dual-display device wherein the displays can rotate with respect to each other through 360 degrees. The hinge mechanism has at least one flexible connection member that follows a generally S-shaped path when the displays are in a tablet position. In some embodiments, a second flexible connection member can be added that follows a mirrored S-shaped path. The S-shaped path of the first flexible connection member and the mirrored S-shape path of the second flexible connection member together create a cross-configuration. In other embodiments, interconnected friction hinges can allow for a free-stop function at any point along the 360 degrees of rotation.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hinge assembly, comprising:
a first mounting plate having a first female receptacle therein defining a first axis;
a second mounting plate having a second female receptacle therein defining a second axis;
a female friction hinge member haying a recess defined therein, the recess extending perpendicular to the first and second axis from an open first end to a closed second end, opposite the first end, the female friction hinge member further having an elongated pin for mounting within the first female receptacle; and
a male friction hinge member having an elongated pin for mounting within the second female receptacle, the male friction hinge member further including an elongated extension member extending from the elongated pin and perpendicular to the first and second axis the elongated extension member coordinatedly coupled within the recess of the female friction hinge member so that the female friction hinge member and male friction hinge member rotate together.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the elongated extension of the male friction hinge member is slidably coupled within the recess of the female friction hinge member so that the male and female friction hinge members cooperatively slide in a radial direction to the first and second axes and towards and away from each other.

3. The hinge assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extension member is frictionally engaged within the recess of the female friction hinge member.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Määttä Esa-Sakari

Classifications

• G06F1/1641

  the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components (G06F1/1647 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04M1/022 Primary

  The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes · CPC title

• G06F1/1683

  for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling · CPC title

• G06F1/1681

  Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683) · CPC title

• E05D3/12

  with two parallel pins and one arm · CPC title