Flexible hinge for portable electronic device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flip-type portable electronic device, comprising:
- a base portion;
a flip portion; and
a flexible hinge that couples the flip portion to the base portion, wherein the flexible hinge includes a plurality of interlocking links that rotate about a plurality of axles contained within the flexible hinge and the interlocking links rotate independently of one another and wherein the rotation of the interlocking links allows the flip portion to rotate with respect to the base portion.
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Abstract
The invention concerns a flip-type portable electronic device (100). The device can include a base portion (112), a flip portion (110) and a flexible hinge (114) that can couple the flip portion to the base portion. In one arrangement, the flexible hinge can include a plurality of interlocking links (115) that rotate about a plurality of axles (122) contained within the flexible hinge, and the interlocking links may rotate independently of one another. The rotation of the interlocking links can allow the flip portion to rotate with respect to the base portion.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A flip-type portable electronic device, comprising:
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a base portion;
a flip portion; and
a flexible hinge that couples the flip portion to the base portion, wherein the flexible hinge includes a plurality of interlocking links that rotate about a plurality of axles contained within the flexible hinge and the interlocking links rotate independently of one another and wherein the rotation of the interlocking links allows the flip portion to rotate with respect to the base portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A flexible hinge, comprising:
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a plurality of links, wherein the links include a shell portion and an engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion of a first link fits within the shell portion of a second link;
a plurality of cams having cam active surfaces; and
a plurality of cam springs coupled to the links and to a plurality of axles, wherein the cam springs ride along the cam active surfaces, wherein the links rotate around the axles a number of degrees as the cam springs ride along the cam active surfaces and wherein the rotation of the links enables the links to move between open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A flip-type portable electronic device, comprising:
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a base portion;
a flip portion; and
a flexible hinge that couples the flip portion to the base portion and enables the flip portion to rotate a number of degrees with respect to the base portion, wherein the flexible hinge has a plurality of links in which each link rotates a number of degrees such that the total sum of the degrees of rotation of the links at least substantially equals the number of degrees that the flip portion rotates. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification