Hinged detent

A method for operating an adjustable hinge of an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus having a first hinged portion that includes at least one key, a second hinged portion that includes at least one key, and a detent, said detent operatively connected to said first and second hinged portions therebetween and including a detent adjustor, the method comprising:

• rotating said first hinged portion with respect to said second hinged portion to a first predetermined angle measurable between said first hinged portion and said second hinged portion;
• adjusting said detent adjustor, said detent adjustor adjustable from a first position establishing said first predetermined angle to a second position establishing a second predetermined angle by, at least in part, rotating said detent adjustor while said first hinged portion remains in an approximately constant angular relationship with said second hinged portion;
• and
• rotating said first hinged portion with respect to said second hinged portion to said second predetermined angle measurable between said first hinged portion and said second hinged portion.

An electronic device having an adjustable hinge, comprising:

• a first hinged portion, said first hinged portion including at least one key;
• a second hinged portion, said second hinged portion including at least one key;
• a hinge portion, said hinge portion enabling said first hinged portion to rotate with respect to said second hinged portion;
• and
• detent means in operative association with said first and second hinged portions and said hinge portion for setting at least one operable angle from between or among a plurality of possible operable angles between said first and second hinged portions, said detent means including at least one substantially disc-shaped component, said at least one substantially disc-shaped component adapted for operational rotation while said first hinged portion does not rotate with respect to said second hinged portion.

An electronic device having an adjustable hinge, comprising:

• a first hinged portion, said first hinged portion including at least one key;
• a second hinged portion, said second hinged portion including at least one key;
• a hinge portion, said hinge portion enabling said first hinged portion to rotate with respect to said second hinged portion;
• detent means in operative association with said first and second hinged portions and said hinge portion for setting at least one operable angle from between or among a plurality of possible operable angles between said first and second hinged portions, said detent means including at least one substantially disc-shaped component;
• and
• wherein:
• said at least one substantially disc-shaped component comprises a detent adjustor;
• and
• said detent means is disposed between said first and second hinged portions and further includes
• a detent instrument and
• a spring, said spring biasing said detent adjustor.

An electronic device having an adjustable hinge, comprising:

• a first hinged portion, said first hinged portion including at least one key;
• a second hinged portion, said second hinged portion including at least one key;
• a hinge portion, said hinge portion enabling said first hinged portion to rotate with respect to said second hinged portion;
• detent means in operative association with said first and second hinged portions and said hinge portion for setting at least one operable angle from between or among a plurality of possible operable angles between said first and second hinged portions, said detent means including at least one substantially disc-shaped component;
• and
• wherein:
• said at least one substantially disc-shaped component comprises a detent plate;
• and
• said detent means further includes
• a dial,
• a key for engaging said detent plate, said key extending from said dial, and
• a spring, said spring biasing said detent plate.

An electronic device having an adjustable hinge, comprising:

• a first hinged portion, said first hinged portion including at least one key;
• a second hinged portion, said second hinged portion including at least one key;
• a hinge portion, said hinge portion enabling said first hinged portion to rotate with respect to said second hinged portion;
• detent means in operative association with said first and second hinged portions and said hinge portion for setting at least one operable angle from between or among a plurality of possible operable angles between said first and second hinged portions, said detent means including at least one substantially disc-shaped component;
• and
• wherein:
• said at least one substantially disc-shaped component comprises a first detent plate;
• and
• said detent means further includes
• a dial,
• a second detent plate,
• a first key for engaging said first detent plate,
• a second key for engaging said second detent plate, and
• first and second springs for biasing said detent means.

An electronic device having a hinge with an adjustable detent mechanism for providing snap-feedback to a user, the hinge comprising:

• a first portion, said first portion including a locating groove and at least one key;
• a second portion, said second portion including at least one first mating structure and at least one key;
• a hinge portion, at least part of said hinge portion disposed between said first and second portions, said hinge portion enabling said first portion to rotate with respect to said second portion;
• a detent adjustor, at least part of said detent adjustor disposed between said first and second portions, said detent adjustor including at least one notch and at least one second mating structure in operative alignment with said at least one first mating structure;
• a detent instrument shaped to fit within said locating groove;
• and
• wherein said first and second portions are rotatably connected via said hinge portion, and said at least one first mating structure and said at least one second mating structure are adjustably engaged so as to hold said detent adjustor in a constant angular position with respect to said second portion.

An electronic device having a hinge with an adjustable detent mechanism for providing snap-feedback to a user, the hinge comprising:

• a first portion, said first portion including a locating groove and at least one key;
• a second portion, said second portion including at least one first mating structure and at least one key;
• a hinge portion, at least part of said hinge portion disposed between said first and second portions, said hinge portion enabling said first portion to rotate with respect to said second portion;
• a detent adjustor, at least part of said detent adjustor disposed between said first and second portions, said detent adjustor including at least one notch and at least one second mating structure in operative alignment with said at least one first mating structure;
• a detent instrument shaped to fit within said locating groove;
• wherein said first and second portions are rotatably connected via said hinge portion, and said at least one first mating structure and said at least one second mating structure are adjustable engaged so as to hold said detent adjustor in a constant angular position with respect to said second portion;
• and
• wherein the hinge further comprises a spring to bias said detent adjustor against said second portion, said spring permitting said detent adjustor to be depressed away from said second portion and rotated with respect thereto to thereby establish a different angular position with respect to said second portion.

An electronic device having an adjustably hinged keyboard, comprising:

• a first portion of a keyboard;
• a second portion of said keyboard;
• a hinge, at least part of said hinge disposed between said first and second portions of said keyboard, said hinge rotatably connecting said first and second portions and thereby enabling said first portion to rotate with respect to said second portion to a first predetermined position;
• and
• a detent adjustor, at least part of said detent adjustor disposed between said first and second portions of said keyboard, said detent adjustor establishing said first predetermined position from between or among a plurality of predetermined positions, said detent adjustor adapted for establishing a second predetermined position from between or among said plurality of predetermined positions by operably rotating said detent adjustor while said first portion of said keyboard remains in an approximately constant angular position with respect to said second portion of said keyboard.