Swing hinge module for portable communication device

Abstract

Disclosed is a swing hinge module for a portable communication device, which includes a first housing; a second housing opened from and closed onto the first housing by a hinge about a first hinge axis; a third housing disposed between the first and second housings, the third housing being rotated about a second hinge axis, which is separated from the first hinge axis and follows a vertical direction, so as to be disposed parallel to the first and second housings, the third housing folded or unfolded about a third hinge axis perpendicular to the second hinge axis; and a swing hinge module connecting the third housing to the first housing, so that the third housing can be rotated about the second and third axes. The swing hinge module includes: a shaft assembly having a first shaft providing the third hinge axis and a second shaft providing the second hinge axis and extending in a direction perpendicular to the first shaft; an upper hinge member engaged with the second shaft so as to be rotated together with the second shaft; a lower hinge member restricted by a mounting member so as to be coaxial with the upper hinge, the lower hinge member being independent from the movement of the second shaft; a resilient member disposed between the upper and lower hinge members, for applying a constant force when the third housing is swung; and a stopping means disposed between the upper and lower hinge members, for limiting the rotation angle of the second shaft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.