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US 8,800,111 B2Granted
Coaxial hinge apparatus
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsJonathan M. Haylock, Gordon C. Cameron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hinge apparatus includes an inner cylindrical housing having a first slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the inner cylindrical housing, and an outer cylindrical housing having a second slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the outer cylindrical housing and being configured to engage with the inner cylindrical housing. The first slot and second slot form unique paths which prevent complete alignment of the first slot and the second slot during axial rotation of the hinge apparatus.
Claims16
A clutch assembly configured to pivotally couple a lid portion to a base portion of a portable computing device, the clutch assembly comprising:
- a first hinge apparatus and a second hinge apparatus, each hinge apparatus comprising:
- an inner cylindrical housing having a first slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the inner cylindrical housing, and
- an outer cylindrical housing having a second slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the outer cylindrical housing and being configured to engage with an exterior surface of the inner cylindrical housing to create a friction fit between the inner and outer cylindrical housings;
- and
- a clutch assembly housing disposed between the first hinge apparatus and the second hinge apparatus and enclosing an electronic component, an electrical connector cable associated with the electronic component installed within the hinge apparatus by passing the electrical connector cable through the first slot and the second slot of the first hinge,
- wherein the first slot and the second slot form unique paths which prevent complete alignment of the first slot and the second slot during axial rotation of the hinge apparatus.
3 more elements
A hinge apparatus, comprising:
- a first cylindrical member, the first cylindrical member comprising:
- a channel aligned with a longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical member, and
- a first outer cylindrical surface having a first slot formed through the first outer cylindrical surface extending between distal ends of the first cylindrical member;
- a base member integrally formed with the first cylindrical member, the base member comprising a notch aligned with the channel and a support surface configured to support at least a portion of a printed circuit board (PCB);
- a second cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member having a second outer cylindrical surface and having a second slot formed through the second outer cylindrical surface extending between distal ends of the second cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member being configured to engage with the first outer cylindrical surface to create a friction fit between the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member;
- and
- a signal cable routed through the channel of the first cylindrical member, the signal cable comprising a first end larger than a cross-section of the channel, and a second end coupled to the printed circuit board,
- wherein the first slot and second slot form unique paths along respective outer cylindrical surfaces which prevent complete alignment of the first slot and the second slot during axial rotation of the first cylindrical member relative to the second cylindrical member.
5 more elements
A clutch assembly of a personal electronic device, comprising:
- at least one hinge apparatus configured to pivotally attach a lid portion and a base portion of the personal electronic device, the at least one hinge apparatus comprising:
- an inner cylindrical housing having a first slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the inner cylindrical housing, and
- an outer cylindrical housing having a second slot formed therethough extending between distal ends of the outer cylindrical housing and being configured to engage with an exterior surface of the inner cylindrical housing to create a friction fit between the inner and outer cylindrical housings, wherein the first slot and second slot form unique paths which prevent complete alignment of the first slot and the second slot during axial rotation of the hinge apparatus;
- and
- a clutch assembly housing disposed proximate the hinge apparatus and enclosing an electronic component, an electrical connector associated with the electronic component passing through an inner cylindrical cavity longitudinally disposed within the inner cylindrical housing.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.