Bistable pivot hinge

Abstract

Embodiments described herein take the form of a bistable hinge. The bistable hinge typically includes an elastic element and a pair of rigid structures. Each rigid structure in the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of pivot cylinders connected to a rotating surface, as well as a detent formed on a portion of the rotating surface. The elastic element is retained by the detent, such that the spring force of the elastic element, when stretched, is transmitted to the rigid structure. The rigid structure may incorporate any suitable protrusions, retainers, or the like around which the elastic element extends in lieu of the illustrated detents. As the elastic element is stretched during operation of the hinge, the elastic element maintains contact with the detents. Further, as the hinge transitions from a closed state to an open state, the detents stretch the elastic element, thereby applying tension to it.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.