Elastomeric tensioner and mobile stations using same

• US 20060089182A1
• Filed: 10/21/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Gartrell, Andrew Julian
• Application Number:
  US10/970,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089182A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.300
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 1/02 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/12 Mechanisms in the shape of hinges or pivots, operated by springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1284 with a leaf or similar spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/538 Interior lids
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved hinge design for a mobile station or other electronic device that simplifies hinge assembly and thus, provides a more cost-effective manufactured product. Moreover, the improved hinge assembly complements the aesthetic appeal of the foldable mobile station and provides less stress on various internal elements. In particular, the present invention includes a foldable mobile station or other foldable electronic device having a first functional component coupled to a second functional component via an elastomeric tensioner. The elastomeric tensioner functions to bias the first and second functional components in either an open or folded position.

Claims

1. A foldable mobile station, comprising:

a first component having interior and exterior surfaces;

a second component having interior and exterior surfaces, wherein said first component is foldably coupled to said second component via a hinge; and

an elastomeric tensioner for biasing said first and second components between open and folded positions, wherein said elastomeric tensioner engages said exterior surface of said first component and said exterior surface of said second component.

2. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner is one or more continuous ring-shaped bands.

3. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner includes two opposed C-shaped bands.

4. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner is maintained adjacent said first and second components by first and second couplers.

5. The foldable mobile station of claim 4, wherein:

said first and second couplers are rivets.

6. The foldable mobile station of claim 5, wherein:

said first coupler includes two or more rivets and said second coupler includes two or more rivets.

7. The foldable mobile station of claim 4, wherein:

said first and second couplers include one or more adhesives.

8. The foldable mobile station of claim 4, wherein:

said first and second couplers are flanges that are configured to restrain said elastomeric tensioner from sliding along said exterior surfaces of said first and second components in a first direction and further configured to allow said elastomeric tensioner to slide along said exterior surfaces of said first and second components in a second direction.

9. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner is comprised of rubber.

10. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner is comprised of polymer materials.

11. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner includes a contact surface that engages said exterior surface of said first component and said exterior surface of said second component substantially uniformly in said folded position, and wherein at least a portion of said contact surface of said elastomeric tensioner is disengaged from said exterior surface of said first component and said exterior surface of said second component in said open position.

12. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner applies a nominal force to said exterior surface of said first component and said exterior surface of said second component in said folded position, and wherein said elastomeric tensioner applies a non-nominal force to said exterior surface of said first component and said exterior surface of said second component when said foldable mobile station is partially opened.

13. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said interior surface of said first component includes a foldable portion, said interior surface of said second component includes a foldable portion, and wherein a clamp is provided for capturing said foldable portion of said interior surface of said first component against said foldable portion of said interior surface of said second component.

14. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said interior surface of said first component, said interior surface of said second component, and said hinge combine to define an interface member.

15. The foldable mobile station of claim 14, wherein:

said interface member further comprises a keypad.

16. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said interior surface of said first component, said interior surface of said second component, and said hinge are integrally formed to define an interface member, and wherein said hinge is a foldable portion of said interface member.

17. The foldable mobile station of claim 16, wherein:

said interface member further comprises a keypad.

18. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner is configured to at least partially enclose said first and second components adjacent said hinge.

19. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner is configured to at least partially enclose opposed lateral edges of said first and second components.

20. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric tensioner includes a foldable region and opposed bi-stable lobes disposed on opposite sides of the foldable region, said opposed bi-stable lobes having a first stable form for biasing the first and second components in the folded position and a second stable form for biasing the first and second components in the open position.

21. The foldable mobile station of claim 20, wherein:

at least one of the opposed bi-stable lobes define a formed edge that is generally concave in said first stable form and generally convex in said second stable form.

22. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said first component is configured relative to said second component to define an operating angle in said open position, and

wherein said operating angle is substantially between 90 to 180 degrees.

23. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, wherein:

said first component is configured relative to said second component to define an operating angle in said open position, and

wherein said operating angle is substantially between 150 to 180 degrees.

24. The foldable mobile station of claim 1, further comprising a communication member for electrically connecting said first component to said second component.

25. The foldable mobile station of claim 24, wherein:

said communication member includes a flexible printed circuit.

26. An elastomeric tensioner, comprising:

one or more elastic bands configured to at least partially enclose a hinge region of a mobile station, said hinge region comprising a first component foldably coupled to a second components, wherein said first and second components are at least partially separable to define an operating angle therebetween, wherein said operating angle is configurable between an open angle, a flip angle, and a folded angle; and

wherein said one or more elastic bands apply a folding tension to said first and second components when said operating angle is between said flip angle and said folded angle; and

said one or more elastic bands apply an opening tension to said first and second components when said operating angle is between said flip angle and said open angle.

27. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said one or more elastic bands are continuous ring-shaped bands.

28. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said one or more elastic bands are C-shaped bands.

29. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said one or more elastic bands are comprised of rubber.

30. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said one or more elastic bands are comprised of polymer materials.

31. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said one or more elastic bands include a contact surface for engaging an exterior surface of said first component and an exterior surface of said second component substantially uniformly at said folded angle, and wherein at least a portion of said contact surface of said one or more elastic bands is disengaged from said exterior surface of said first component and said exterior surface of said second component at said open angle.

32. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said one or more elastic bands are configured to at least partially enclose opposed lateral edges of said first and second components.

33. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said operating angle is substantially between 90 to 180 degrees at said open angle.

34. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said operating angle is substantially between 150 to 180 degrees at said open angle.

35. The elastomeric tensioner of claim 26, wherein:

said operating angle is substantially between 0 to 30 degrees at said folded angle.

36. A foldable mobile station, comprising:

a first component;

a second component foldably coupled to said first component by a hinge;

an elastomeric tensioner for biasing said first and second components between open and folded positions, said elastomeric tensioner comprising;

a foldable body,

one or more laterally disposed bi-stable lobes extending from one or more edges of said foldable body adjacent said hinge, wherein said one or more bi-stable lobes each define a formed edge, wherein the formed edge defines a generally concave shape for biasing said first and second components toward said folded position and further defines an elongate generally convex shape for biasing said first and second components toward said open position.

37. The foldable mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

said first and second components define a flip position between said open and folded positions wherein said one or more bi-stable lobes of said elastomeric tensioner apply a folding force to said first and second components between said folded position and said flip position, and wherein said one or more bi-stable lobes of said elastomeric tensioner apply an opening force to said first and second components between said flip position and said open position.

38. The foldable mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

said one or more bi-stable lobes of said elastomeric tensioner are configured to provide a tactile gripping surface.

39. The foldable mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

said one or more bi-stable lobes of said lateral elastic members are comprised of a resilient polymer, said one or more bi-stable lobes form a substantially conical shape when said first and second components are in said folded position, and said one or more bi-stable lobes form an elongate generally flattened shape when said first and second components are in said open position.

40. The foldable mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

said first component includes an exterior surface and said second component includes an exterior surface; and

wherein said foldable body of said elastomeric tensioner at least partially encloses said exterior surfaces of said first and second components.

41. The foldable mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

said operating angle is substantially between 90 to 180 degrees at said open angle.

42. The foldable mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

said operating angle is substantially between 150 to 180 degrees at said open angle.

43. The foldable mobile station of claim 36, wherein:

said operating angle is substantially between 0 to 30 degrees at said folded angle.

44. A hinge for foldably coupling a mobile station, the hinge comprising:

a first portion having a first folding region;

a second portion having a second folding region; and

wherein said first folding region of said first portion is captured against said second folding region of said second portion via a binding device.

45. The hinge of claim 44, wherein said binding device is a clamp.