Hinge with free-stop function
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorEsa-Sakari Määttä
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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
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 having a recess defined therein and 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 coordinatedly coupled within the recess of the female friction hinge member so that the female friction hinge member and male friction hinge member rotate in unison.
A method of coupling first and second devices, comprising:
- providing a first mounting plate of a male friction hinge coupled to the first device, the first mounting plate having a first female receptacle coupled thereto;
- providing a second mounting plate of a female friction hinge coupled to the second device, the second mounting plate having a second female receptacle coupled thereto;
- inserting a pin of a male friction hinge into the first female receptacle of the first mounting plate with a friction fit, wherein the male friction hinge includes a coupling portion including an elongated extension member;
- inserting a pin of a female friction hinge into the second female receptacle of the second mounting plate with a friction fit, the female friction hinge including a coupling portion with a recess therein;
- and
- inserting the elongated extension member of the male friction hinge to the recess of the coupling portion of the female friction hinge to couple the first friction hinge to the second friction hinge.
An assembly, comprising:
- a first device having a first end and the second device having a second end;
- a first friction hinge attached to the first device adjacent to the first end;
- a second friction hinge attached to the second device adjacent the second end;
- and
- wherein the first friction hinge and second friction hinge have a geared connection there between so that they rotate in unison as the first and second devices are rotated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.