# US 7,607,201 B2 · Multi-section hinge mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,201 B2 - Document ID: US7607201B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/450,193 - Filed: 2006-06-09 - Published: 2007-03-22 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-16 - Assignees: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited - Inventors: Chun-jen Lin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607201B2 ## CPC - H04M 1/0216: {Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge} - 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} - G06F 1/1681: {Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683)} - G06F 1/1686: {the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera} - E05D 11/105: {the maintaining means acting perpendicularly to the pivot axis} - E05Y 2999/00: Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - 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 ## Abstract A multi-section hinge mechanism includes a shaft (10), a rotary member (20), and an elastic member (30). The rotary member defines a through hole (26) running through the disk. The shaft is rotatably received in the through hole. The rotary member defines a plurality of concaves (282) in an inner circumferential surface portion thereof. The elastic member includes an elastic arm (32) and a fixing portion. The elastic arm engages in one of the concaves of the rotary member. The shaft non-rotatably connects with the fixing portion of the elastic member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hinge assembly, comprising: a shaft including a flange disposed at one end thereof; a rotary member defining a through hole running therethrough, the shaft rotatably received in the through hole, the rotary member having a groove defined therein by an inner circumferential surface portion thereof, the rotary member defining a plurality of concaves in the inner circumferential surface portion, the rotary member further comprising a securing portion, the securing portion comprising a plurality of jaws spaced apart from each other and defining a receiving space therebetween, and the flange received and locked in the receiving space; an elastic member including an elastic arm and a fixing portion, the elastic arm being received in the groove and selectively engaging in one of the concaves of the rotary member, the shaft extending through the elastic member; and a base non-rotatably connecting with the fixing portion of the elastic member, the base defining a hole in which the shaft is securely received. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotary member includes a disk, the groove is defined in one end of the disk. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the securing portion is integrally formed at another end of the disk. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the securing portion is a crosshead. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic arm is an annular arm with an opening, the elastic arm has a first end and a second end, the elastic arm having an arcuate protrusion on an outer periphery thereof adjacent to the second end, the elastic arm engaging in one of the concaves of the rotary member via the arcuate protrusion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fixing portion of the elastic member is a fanlike section including a central portion and a fanlike edge portion extending from the central portion, the first end being securely connected to one surface of the fanlike end portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base defines a receiving space corresponding to the fanlike part of the elastic member, the fanlike part of the elastic member non-rotatably received in the receiving space. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base includes a first end portion and a second end portion, the base is provided a first circular partition and an opposing second circular partition disposed adjacent to the first end portion, wherein the first partition and the second partition cooperatively form a round hole therebetween. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first end portion has a cutout defined therein and communicating with the round hole, the round hole and the cutout cooperatively form the receiving space. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second end portion of the base defines a containing groove communicating with the receiving space. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a cap received in the containing groove. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cap has a central opening securely receiving the shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one fixing projection is provided on an outer wall of the base. ### Claim 14 A multi-section hinge mechanism, comprising: a shaft including a flange disposed at one end thereof; a rotary member defining a through hole extending therethrough, the shaft rotatably received in the through hole, the rotary member defining a plurality of concaves in an inner circumferential surface portion thereof, the rotary member further comprising a securing portion the securing portion comprising a plurality of jaws spaced apart from each other and defining a receiving space therebetween, and the flange received and locked in the receiving space; and an elastic member including an elastic arm and a fixing portion, the elastic arm engaging in one of the concaves of the rotary member, the shaft non-rotatably connecting with the fixing portion of the elastic member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rotary member includes a disk, the groove is defined in one end of the disk. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 15, wherein the securing portion is integrally formed at another end of the disk. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the securing portion is a crosshead. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein the elastic arm is an annular arm with an opening, the elastic arm has a first end and a second end, the elastic arm has an arcuate protrusion on an outer periphery thereof adjacent to die second end, the elastic arm engaging in one of the concaves of the rotary member via the arcuate protrusion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The multi-section hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fixing portion of the elastic member is a fanlike part including a central portion and a fanlike edge portion extending from the central portion, the first end securely connected to one surface of the fanlike end portion.