Friction hinges and devices
OwnerHon Kit Peter Nginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A friction joint includes a housing having a channel. A first tension ring member is arranged within the channel, and has an outer dimension that is resiliently expandable. A first rotor member is received within the central opening of the first tension ring member. The first rotor member causes the outer dimension of the first tension ring member to expand within the channel of the housing and press against at least a portion of the housing. The first rotor member is frictionally engaged with and rotatable relative to the first tension ring member when the first rotor member is received within the central opening of the first tension ring member.
Claims20
A friction joint comprising:
- a housing having a channel;
- a first tension ring member arranged within the channel, the first tension ring member having an outer dimension that is resiliently expandable, the first tension ring member having a central opening;
- a first rotor member configured to be received within the central opening of the first tension ring member while the first tension ring member is within the channel of the housing, the first rotor member causing the outer dimension of the first tension ring member to expand within the channel of the housing and press against at least a portion of the housing when the first rotor member is received within the central opening of the first tension ring member, the first rotor member being frictionally engaged with and rotatable relative to the first tension ring member when the first rotor member is received within the central opening of the first tension ring member;
- and
- a first lever member secured to the first rotor, to rotate with the first rotor, relative to the first tension ring member.
A support system comprising:
- a first structural element;
- a second structural element;
- a friction joint connecting the first structural element and the second structural element for relative pivotal motion, the friction joint comprising:
- a housing having a channel, the housing being fixed to the first structural element;
- a first tension ring member arranged within the channel, the first tension ring member having an outer dimension that is resiliently expandable, the first tension ring member having a central opening;
- a first rotor member configured to be received within the central opening of the first tension ring member while the first tension ring member is within the channel of the housing, the first rotor member causing the outer dimension of the first tension ring member to expand within the channel of the housing and press against at least a portion of the housing when the first rotor member is received within the central opening of the first tension ring member, the first rotor member being frictionally engaged with and rotatable relative to the first tension ring member when the first rotor member is received within the central opening of the first tension ring member;
- and
- a first lever member secured to the first rotor, to rotate with the first rotor, relative to the first tension ring member, the first lever member being fixed to the second structural element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.