Hinge assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9983636-B2
Application number	US-201715416389-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 26, 2017
Priority date	Jan 31, 2013
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Grant date	May 29, 2018

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a hinge assembly ( 70 ) and a tablet-notebook hybrid computer ( 10 ). The hinge assembly ( 70 ) comprises a hinge ( 40 ) for pivotably connecting a base member ( 20 ) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer ( 10 ) to a tablet member ( 30 ) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer ( 10 ); an actuator ( 51 ) fixed to the hinge ( 40 ); and a support member ( 50 ) pivotably connected to the tablet member ( 30 ) via a pivot shaft ( 52 ). When the tablet member ( 30 ) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member ( 20 ), the support member ( 50 ) is actuated by the actuator ( 51 ), rotates away from the tablet member ( 30 ), and provides addition support for the tablet member ( 30 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A computer, comprising:
a base member;
a display member;
an actuator; and
a hinge fixed to the actuator for pivotably connecting the base member of the computer to the display member of the computer, the hinge comprising a cover, wherein the base member and the display member are elevated by the cover when the display member rotates on the hinge towards an open position with respect to the base member.

2. The computer of claim 1 , wherein the base member and the display member rest on the cover when the display member rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member.

3. The computer of claim 1 , wherein the hinge is included in a hinge assembly and the hinge assembly includes the actuator fixed to the hinge.

4. The computer of claim 1 , wherein the computer is supported by the hinge and the base member when the display member rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member.

5. The computer of claim 1 , wherein the base member and the display member are lowered by the hinge when the display member rotates towards a closed position with respect to the base member.

6. A hinge assembly for a computer, comprising:
a base member connected to a first side of the hinge assembly;
a display member connected to a second side of the hinge assembly; and
a hinge fixed to an actuator for pivotably connecting the base member to the display member, wherein the display member comprises a foot that covers the hinge, wherein the base member and the display member are elevated by the foot when the display member is in an open position with respect to the base member.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 6 , wherein the base member and the display member rest on the foot when the display member is in the open position with respect to the base member.

8. The hinge assembly of claim 6 , wherein the computer is supported by the foot and the base member when the display member is in the open position with respect to the base member.

9. The hinge assembly of claim 6 , wherein the base member and the display member are lowered by the foot when the display member is in a closed position with respect to the base member.

10. A computer, comprising:
a base member;
a display member comprising a foot that curves behind the base member; and
a hinge assembly to stabilize the computer, the hinge assembly comprising:
a hinge for pivotably connecting the base member of the computer to the display member of the computer, when the display member rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member, the base member and the display member are elevated by the foot; and
an actuator fixed to the hinge.

11. The computer of claim 10 , wherein the base member and the display member rest on the foot when the display member rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member.

12. The computer of claim 10 , wherein the computer is supported by the hinge assembly and the base member when the display member rotates towards the open position with respect to the base member.

13. The computer of claim 10 , wherein the base member and the display member are lowered by the hinge assembly when the display member rotates towards a closed position with respect to the base member.

14. The computer of claim 10 , wherein the actuator is a cam.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Ho Chi-Chung

Classifications

• G06F1/1616 Primary

  with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position · CPC title

• E05F1/00

  Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass · CPC title

• F16M2200/08

  Foot or support base · CPC title

• G06F1/166

  related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle · CPC title

• 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