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US 9,447,620 B2Granted
Hinge mechanism with multiple preset positions
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorsDaniel C. Park, Yi-Min Huang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hinge mechanism with multiple preset positions is described. According to various embodiments, the hinge mechanism enables a support component to be adjustably attached to an apparatus, such as a computing device. In at least some embodiments, the hinge mechanism utilizes preset hinge positions that enable the support component to be placed at different preset positions. For instance, the hinge mechanism is configured such that an attached support component tends to “snap” into various preset positions. In at least some embodiments, the hinge mechanism includes an emergency escape position that enables the support component to be rotated beyond normal operating positions without damaging the support component.
Claims15
A hinge mechanism comprising:
- a hinge frame with at least one support plate slidably mounted on an arcuate plate guide on an interior surface of the hinge frame;
- a cam slidably mounted on an arcuate cam guide on an interior surface of the at least one support plate, the cam including an inner cam surface, at least one outer cam surface, and a mounting portion for mounting a moveable component to the cam, the inner cam surface and the at least one outer cam surface having different surface profiles;
- a cam follower pivotably mounted within the hinge frame and including an inner follower surface positioned to be engageable with the inner cam surface, and at least one outer follower surface positioned to be engageable with the at least one outer cam surface, the inner follower surface and the at least one outer follower surface having different surface profiles;
- and
- a hinge spring mounted within the hinge frame and that applies force to the cam follower such that the cam follower is held in contact with the cam in at least some positions of the hinge mechanism,
- the hinge mechanism being configured such that during movement of the cam, contact between the cam and the cam follower transitions between contact between the inner cam surface and the inner follower surface, to contact between the at least one outer cam surface and the at least one outer follower surface, thus enabling the hinge mechanism to snap into different preset open positions.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a chassis;
- and
- a hinge mechanism that attaches a support component to the chassis and that is positionable in multiple preset open positions, the hinge mechanism including:
- a hinge frame with at least one support plate slidably mounted on an arcuate plate guide on an interior surface of the hinge frame;
- a cam slidably mounted on an arcuate cam guide on an interior surface of the at least one support plate, the cam including an inner cam surface, at least one outer cam surface, and a mounting portion for mounting a moveable component to the cam, the inner cam surface and the at least one outer cam surface having different surface profiles;
- a cam follower pivotably mounted within the hinge frame and including an inner follower surface positioned to be engageable with the inner cam surface, and at least one outer follower surface positioned to be engageable with the at least one outer cam surface, the inner follower surface and the at least one outer follower surface having different surface profiles;
- and
- a hinge spring mounted within the hinge frame and that applies force to the cam follower such that the cam follower is held in contact with the cam in at least some positions of the hinge mechanism,
- the hinge mechanism being configured such that during movement of the cam, contact between the cam and the cam follower transitions between contact between the inner cam surface and the inner follower surface, to contact between the at least one outer cam surface and the at least one outer follower surface, thus enabling the hinge mechanism to snap into different preset open positions.
6 more elements
A mobile device comprising:
- a support component movably attached to a rear portion of the mobile device;
- and
- a hinge mechanism that attaches a portion of the support component to the mobile device, the hinge mechanism including:
- a hinge frame with at least one support plate slidably mounted on an arcuate plate guide on an interior surface of the hinge frame;
- a cam slidably mounted on an arcuate cam guide on an interior surface of the at least one support plate, the cam including an inner cam surface, at least one outer cam surface, and a mounting portion for mounting a moveable component to the cam, the inner cam surface and the at least one outer cam surface having different surface profiles;
- a cam follower pivotably mounted within the hinge frame and including an inner follower surface positioned to be engageable with the inner cam surface, and at least one outer follower surface positioned to be engageable with the at least one outer cam surface, the inner follower surface and the at least one outer follower surface having different surface profiles;
- and
- a hinge spring mounted within the hinge frame and that applies force to the cam follower such that the cam follower is held in contact with the cam in at least some positions of the hinge mechanism,
- the hinge mechanism being configured such that during movement of the cam, contact between the cam and the cam follower transitions between contact between the inner cam surface and the inner follower surface, to contact between the at least one outer cam surface and the at least one outer follower surface, thus enabling the hinge mechanism to snap into different preset open positions.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.