US 11,028,628 B2 · Hinge mechanism

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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A hinge for coupling at least first and second devices, comprising:

a first coupling member for coupling to the first device;
a second coupling member for coupling to the second device;
at least a first flexible connection member being substantially S-shaped with the first and second devices in an open tablet configuration, the first flexible connection member coupled at one end to the first coupling member and at an opposite end to the second coupling member;
a second flexible connection member that is a mirrored S-shape and coupled between the first and second coupling members;
and
a termination block directly coupled to both an end of the first flexible connection member and an end of the second flexible connection member so as to couple together the first flexible connection member and the second flexible connection member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hinge mechanism

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Hinge mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20