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 method of coupling first and second devices of a mobile device, 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;
- 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;
- and
- providing a first stop member within the female friction hinge and a second stop member in the male friction hinge, the first stop member and the second stop member for cooperatively preventing separation of the male friction hinge from the female friction hinge.
An assembly for coupling first and second devices that together make a mobile device, comprising:
- the first device having a first end and the second device having a second end;
- a male friction hinge attached to the first device adjacent to the first end;
- a female friction hinge attached to the second device adjacent the second end;
- and
- wherein the male friction hinge has a first stop member and the female friction hinge has a second stop member, the first stop member and the second stop member for cooperatively preventing separation of the male friction hinge from the female friction hinge;
- wherein the male friction hinge includes a first coupling member having an elongated extension member and wherein the female friction hinge includes a second coupling member having a recess therein;
- wherein the elongated extension member fits with a friction fit within the recess to create a connection between the first friction hinge and the second friction hinge.
A method of coupling first and second portions of a mobile device, comprising:
- providing a male friction hinge coupled to the first device, the male friction hinge having an elongated extension member and a first stop member;
- providing a female friction hinge coupled to the second device, the female friction hinge having a recess therein and a second stop member;
- inserting the elongated extension member of the male friction hinge into the recess of the female friction hinge to couple the male friction hinge to the female friction hinge;
- and
- wherein the first stop member and the second stop member cooperatively prevent separation of the male friction hinge from the female friction hinge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.