Hinge structure for portable type electronic equipment

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a hinge structure for a portable type electronic equipment.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#The above and many other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become manifest to those skilled in the art upon making reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.

#FIGS. 1A to 1C respectively show a conventional example, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an example of the hinge structure, FIG. 1B is a partial plan view showing a state wherein the hinge cover is removed, and FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view of the hinge portion;

#FIGS. 2A and 2B show another conventional example, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a portable type electronic equipment in a carrying state, and FIG. 2B is a partial enlarged view showing an example of the carrying means;

#The several preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#The first embodiment according to the present invention will be described in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIG. 4, FIGS. 5A and 5B, and FIGS. 6A and 6B. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a protection cover 8 for protecting a tablet type display 12, and a case 9 as the main body of a portable type electronic equipment are connected to each other with a hinge structure as the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a state wherein the protection cover 8 is open, and FIG. 3B shows a state wherein the protection cover 8 is closed.

#As is apparent from FIG. 4, in the structure of a hinge portion 18 of the first embodiment, a substantially cylindrical trunk portion 1 having a predetermined length is formed, and a pair of joint portions 5 are integrally formed on the two ends of the trunk portion 1, thereby constituting the hinge main body. The pair of joint portions 5 project from the two ends of the trunk portion 1 for a predetermined length in one direction perpendicular to the axis of the trunk portion 1, so that the joint portions 5 and the trunk portion 1 form a bracket. First shaft projections 7 are formed on the proximal-side end faces, near the trunk portion 1, of the joint portions 5 of the hinge main body to project for a predetermined length in the axial direction of the trunk portion 1 so as to fit in the predetermined portions of the protection cover 8 of the portable type electronic equipment. Second shaft projections 6 are formed on the distal-side end faces of the joint portions 5 to project for a predetermined length in a direction parallel to the axis direction of the trunk portion 1 so as to fit in the predetermined portions of the case 9 of the portable type electronic equipment.