Extendable connecting link
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsDavid D. Bohn, Paul M. O'Brien
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In embodiments of an extendable connecting link, a first link section attaches in a first housing part of a device and a second link section attaches in a second housing part of the device. The first and second link sections interlock and slide-engage relative to each other. An interconnection channel routes an electrical interconnection between the first housing part and the second housing part of the device, where the interconnection channel is formed when the first and second link sections are slide-engaged. The first and second link sections also slide relative to each other to increase or decrease a length of the extendable connecting link.
Claims20
An extendable connecting link, comprising:
- a first link section configured for attachment in a first housing part of a device;
- a second link section configured for attachment in a second housing part of the device, the first and second link sections interlocking and configured to slide-engage relative to each other;
- and
- an interconnection channel configured to route an electrical interconnection between the first housing part and the second housing part of the device, the interconnection channel formed when the first and second link sections are slide-engaged.
A portable device, comprising:
- a first housing part integrated with a display device;
- a second housing part movably coupled to the first housing part, which is operable to open and close relative to the second housing part, the first and second housing parts configurable from a closed position to an open position at approximately one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°);
- a hinge operable to movably couple the first and second housing parts of the portable device;
- and
- an extendable connecting link operable to movably couple the first and second housing parts, the extendable connecting link comprising first and second link sections that slide relative to each other to increase or decrease a length of the extendable connecting link.
A method, comprising:
- interlocking a first link section of an extendable connecting link with a second link section of the extendable connecting link, the first and second link sections sliding relative to each other when slide-engaged, the first link section configured for attachment in a first housing part of a device and the second link section configured for attachment in a second housing part of the device;
- and one of:
- increasing a length of the extendable connecting link when the first and second housing parts of the device are opened from a closed position at zero degrees (0°) to ninety degrees (90°), and when the first and second housing parts of the device are closed from an open position at one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to said ninety degrees (90°);
- or
- decreasing the length of the extendable connecting link when the first and second housing parts of the device are closed from ninety degrees (90°) to the closed position at zero degrees (0°), and when the first and second housing parts of the device are opened from said ninety degrees (90°) to the open position at one-hundred and eighty degrees (180°).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.