Hinge arrangement
AssigneeNokia Corporation
InventorJani C. Maenpaa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hinge arrangement including a living hinge adapted to movably connect two members to each other; and at least one plate spring adapted to connect to the two members. When the two members are in a folded position, the living hinge has a general “U” shape and the plate spring has a general “U” shape aligned with and generally overlapping the general “U” shape of the living hinge.
Claims35
A hinge arrangement for a portable communication device comprising:
- a living hinge adapted to movably connect two members to each other;
- and at least one leaf spring adapted to connect to the two members, wherein, when the two members are in a folded position, the living hinge has a general “U” shape and the leaf spring has a general “U” shape aligned with and generally overlapping the general “U” shape of the living hinge, and wherein a first one of the at least one leaf spring has a first end which is sized and shaped to be longitudinally slidably connected to a first one of the two members.
A portable electronic or communication device comprising:
- a first housing member comprising electronic circuitry;
- a second housing member pivotably connected to the first housing member by a pivotable connection;
- and a first leaf spring connected to the first and second housing members proximate the pivotable connection, wherein the leaf spring is adapted to bend between a general “U” shape when the first and second housing members are in a folded position and a substantially straight shape when the first and second members are in an open un-folded position, wherein the first leaf spring comprises an auditory signaling system when the first and second housing members are over-folded past the open un-folded position, wherein the leaf spring has a first end longitudinally slidably connected to the first housing member.
A portable electronic or communication device comprising:
- a first housing member comprising electronic circuitry;
- a second housing member pivotably connected to the first housing member by a pivotable connection between a closed folded position and an open unfolded position;
- and a system for audibly signaling when the first and second housing members are over-rotated past the open un-folded position, wherein the system for audibly signaling comprises a leaf spring connected to the first and second housing members at the pivotable connection, and wherein the leaf spring has a first end which is longitudinally slidably connected to the first housing member.
A method of manufacturing a portable electronic or communication device comprising:
- providing a pivotable connection between a first housing member and a second housing member, wherein the pivotable connection comprises a living hinge, and wherein the first and second housing members are movable between a folded position and an un-folded position;
- and
- connecting at least one spring to the first and second housing members to bias the first and second housing members towards the un-folded position, wherein the at least one spring comprises a leaf spring which has a general “U” shape when the first and second housing members are in the folded position, and wherein the leaf spring has a substantially straight shape when the first and second housing members are in the un-folded position, and wherein a first end of the leaf spring is longitudinally slidable on the first housing member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.