Hinged device with snap open lock

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9840861-B1
Application number	US-201615182311-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jun 14, 2016
Priority date	Jun 14, 2016
Publication date	Dec 12, 2017
Grant date	Dec 12, 2017

Abstract

A hinge mechanism is described wherein a multi-part device (e.g., dual-display device) can move to a snap-open position. In the snap-open position, the parts lock into place when they approach 180 degrees of rotation relative to one another. The locking force in the open position is sufficient that holding or using the multi-part device does not cause an accidental closing action. An unlocking force is required to unlock the device from the open position. Additionally, the locking force drops off precipitously when the two parts are unlocked and rotating away from the locked position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A hinge mechanism within an at least a two-part device having a hinged axis connecting the two parts, comprising:
a flexible connection member having a first end coupled to a first part of the two-part device;
a first locking mechanism coupled to a second end of the flexible connection member and positioned within a second part of the two-part device, the first locking mechanism being slidable relative to the second part as the two parts rotate relative to each other around the hinged axis;
a second locking mechanism that is fixed on the second part of the two-part device, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms couple together to lock the two parts in an open position and wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are uncoupled with the two parts in a closed position; and
a compression spring disposed in the second part to bias the first locking mechanism towards the second locking mechanism.

2. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are made from ferromagnetic material and magnetic material so that the two parts snap into the open position when the first and second locking mechanisms couple together.

3. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , further including a frame in which the first locking mechanism slides towards and away from the second locking mechanism.

4. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the compression spring is positioned at an angle with respect to a direction in which the first locking mechanism slides.

5. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the flexible connection member is coupled to an adjustment frame that is moveable to tighten the flexible connection member.

6. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the second locking mechanism is a magnet having top and bottom magnetic shields mounted thereto.

7. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the flexible connection member is one of the following: a cable, a wire, a conductor, a belt, an optical fiber, or a chain.

8. The hinge mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the flexible connection member has the first end fixedly attached within a first of the two-part device and the first and second locking mechanisms are positioned within a second of the two-part device.

9. A method of coupling first and second devices using a hinge mechanism, comprising:
providing a flexible connection member coupled in the first device;
providing a first locking mechanism coupled to one end of the flexible connection member, the first locking mechanism slideably coupled within the second device;
providing a second locking mechanism coupled within the second device;
inserting a spring to bias the first locking mechanism towards the second locking mechanism;
wherein the first locking mechanism is coupled to the second locking mechanism with the first and second devices in an open position, and wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are spaced apart with the first and second devices in a closed position.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first locking mechanism is a ferromagnetic material or a magnetic material and the second locking mechanism is a ferromagnetic material or a magnetic material so that the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism have magnetic attraction there between.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the spring is angled with respect to a direction in which the first locking mechanism slides.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein when the first device and second device approach the open position, the first locking mechanism and second locking mechanism have an attractive force that results in a snap open action between the first and second devices, and when the first and second devices approach a closed position, the spring generates a substantially constant force through a closing of the first and second devices.

13. The method of claim 9 , further including adjusting a tension in the flexible connection member while the first and second devices are coupled together.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein adjusting the tension includes screwing a screw that pushes on a retaining bracket coupled to the flexible connection member.

15. A hinge for coupling first and second electronic devices, comprising:
a retaining member positioned on the first electronic device;
a flexible connection member having a retaining bracket at one end thereof mounted within the retaining member to secure the flexible connection member to the first electronic device;
a first locking mechanism made from ferromagnetic material or magnetic material coupled to an opposed end of the flexible connection member, the first locking mechanism housed within a second electronic device so that the flexible connection member extends between the first and second electronic devices;
a second locking mechanism made of ferromagnetic material or magnetic material that is magnetically attracted to the first locking mechanism, the second locking mechanism being within the second electronic device; and
wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are positioned such that they are in contact with each other when the first electronic device and second electronic device in an open position and they are spaced apart when the first electronic device and second electronic device are in a closed position.

16. The hinge of claim 15 , wherein the retaining member has at least one threaded receptacle there through in which a screw is mounted, and wherein an end of the screw is in contact with the retaining bracket to selectively increase tension in the flexible connection member.

17. The hinge of claim 15 , further including a spring positioned within the second electronic device and coupled to urge the first locking mechanism towards the second locking mechanism.

18. The hinge of claim 17 , wherein first locking mechanism is slidable within the second electronic device along an axis and the spring bears on the first locking mechanism at an angle with respect to the axis.

19. The hinge of claim 15 , wherein the flexible connection member is one of the following: a cable, a wire, a conductor, a belt, an optical fiber, or a chain.

20. A hinge mechanism in an at least a two-part device having a hinged axis connecting the two parts, comprising:
a flexible connection member having a first end coupled to a first part of the two-part device;
a first locking mechanism coupled to a second end of the flexible connection member and positioned within a second part of the two-part device, the first locking mechanism being slidable relative to the second part as the two parts rotate relative to each other around the hinged axis;
a second locking mechanism that is fixed on the second part of the two-part device, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms couple together to lock the two parts in an open position and wherein the first and second locking mechanisms are uncoupled with the two parts in a closed position; and
wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are made from ferromagnetic material and magnetic material so that the two parts snap into the open position when the first and second locking mechanisms couple together.

21. A hinge mechanism within an at least a two-part device having a hinged axis connecting the two parts, comprising:
a flexible connection member having a first end coupled to a first part of the two-part device;
a first locking mechanism coupled to a second end of the flexible connection mem

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Määttä Esa-Sakari

Classifications

• G06F1/1681 Primary

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

• E05D11/105 Primary

  the maintaining means acting perpendicularly to the pivot axis · CPC title

• E05D11/0081

  for transmitting energy, e.g. electrical cable routing · CPC title

• H04M1/0214

  Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position (combined with translation movement H04M1/0235) · CPC title

• E05Y2900/606

  Fixed Constructions · mapped topic