# US 6,297,946 B2 · Portable computer having a sealed hinge clutch

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- Number: US 6,297,946 B2
- Document ID: US6297946B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/825,222
- Filed: 2001-04-03
- Published: 2001-08-09
- Granted: 2001-10-02
- Earliest claimed: 1999-08-30
- Assignees: Dell USA, L.P.
- Inventors: Sean P. O'Neal; Reynold Liao
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6297946B2

## CPC

- G06F 1/1681: {Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683)}
- G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position}
- E05D 11/082: {with substantially radial friction, e.g. cylindrical friction surfaces}
- E05Y 2999/00: Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
- Y10S 248/917: Video display screen support
- Y10T 29/24: Hinge making or assembling
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00)
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hinge assembly, comprising:
a first hinge body including a bore formed therein;
a second hinge body including an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore; and
the shaft having a plurality of grooves formed therein, at least one of the grooves having a friction member mounted therein, and another of the grooves having a resilient seal member mounted therein, the seal member and the friction member being in friction contact with the bore, and the seal member having a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The hinge assembly of claim 1 further comprising a lubricant disposed within the bore of the first hinge body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The hinge assembly of claim 2 wherein the lubricant is grease.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The hinge assembly of claim 2 wherein the lubricant is a flowable material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The hinge assembly of claim 1 wherein the seal member is an O-ring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The hinge assembly of claim 1 wherein the grooves are formed on an outer surface of the shaft.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The hinge assembly of claim 1 wherein the first hinge body includes a tube portion having a closed end and an open end, the bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the tube portion and wherein the seal member is positioned adjacent to the open end of the bore.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The hinge assembly of claim 7 wherein the friction member is positioned between the seal member and the closed end of the tube portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The hinge assembly of claim 8 wherein the friction member is formed of a low carbon steel.

### Claim 10

A portable computer hinge assembly, comprising:
a base;
a top pivotally connected to the base by at least one hinge;
a generally cylindrical tube portion of the hinge, the tube portion having an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface;
a shaft of the hinge having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, the shaft being pivotally mounted within the tube, the first end of the shaft being positioned adjacent to the closed end of the tube and the second end of the shaft being positioned adjacent to the open end of the tube;
a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft, at least one of the grooves having a friction member mounted therein, and another of the grooves having a resilient seal member mounted therein; and
the resilient seal member and the friction member being in friction contact with the tube, and the seal member having a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the tube is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the tube.