HINGE

• US 20110072619A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cheng UEI Precision Industry Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Cheng UEI Precision Industry Company Limited
• Inventors: Yang, Mei-Chuan, Chiu, Chin-Te, Wang, Hung-Chi
• Application Number:
  US12/568,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20110072619A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/339
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/082 with substantially radial friction, e.g. cylindrical friction surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/125 Non-removable, snap-fitted pins removable snap-fitted pins E05D7/1022, E05D7/1055
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• 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: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge

Abstract

A hinge includes a second connector having a hollow pivotal device of which a peripheral outside protrudes outward to form a locking rib, and a first connector having a pivotal sleeve which is pivotally sleeved to the pivotal device to make the first connector rotatable relative to the second connector. The locking rib is able to slide along and abut against a peripheral inside of the pivotal sleeve to produce friction resistance force therebetween for positioning the first connector at any inclined angle relative to the second connector. A fastening pin is disposed in the pivotal device of the second connector and spaced from a peripheral inside of the pivotal device so that can make the pivotal device pressed inward to produce an outward elasticity to strengthen the friction resistance force between the locking rib and the peripheral inside of the pivotal sleeve.

Claims

1. A hinge adapted to be connected between a display apparatus and a host body of a foldable electronic appliance for permitting the display apparatus to be swiveled relative to the host body, the hinge comprising:

a second connector having a hollow pivotal device and a second fastening member adapted to be fastened to the host body of the electronic appliance, a peripheral outside of the pivotal device protruding outward to form a locking rib;

a first connector having a pivotal sleeve and a first fastening member adapted to be fastened to the display apparatus of the electronic appliance, the pivotal sleeve being pivotally sleeved to the pivotal device to make the first connector rotatable relative to the second connector and further make the display apparatus swivelable relative to the host body, the locking rib of the pivotal device being able to slide along and abut against a peripheral inside of the pivotal sleeve to produce friction resistance force therebetween for positioning the display apparatus at any inclined angle relative to the host body; and

a fastening pin disposed in the pivotal device of the second connector and spaced from a peripheral inside of the pivotal device so that can make the pivotal device pressed inward to produce an outward elasticity to strengthen the friction resistance force between the locking rib and the peripheral inside of the pivotal sleeve.

2. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening pin includes an inserting bar and a handle portion connected with one end of the inserting bar, the diameter of the inserting bar is gradually reduced from the one end of the inserting bar to the other end of the inserting bar, the inserting bar is inserted in the pivotal device of the second connector.

3. The hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein a peripheral outside of the one end of the inserting bar is provided with a male thread adjacent to the handle portion, a free end of the peripheral inside of the pivotal device is provided with a female thread screwed with the male thread by means of turning around the handle portion inwardly.

4. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral inside of the pivotal sleeve of the first connector defines a buckling groove for locking the locking rib of the second connector therein.

5. The hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking rib of the second connector has two oppositely protruded and parallel to the axis of the pivotal device, and the buckling groove has two parallel with and symmetrical about the axis of the pivotal sleeve.

6. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivotal device of the second connector includes a prop pillar connected with the second fastening member and a cylindrical hollow pintle extending from a middle of an end surface of the prop pillar, a peripheral outside of a free end of the pintle protrudes outward to form a restraining portion, the pivotal sleeve of the first connector is pivotally sleeved to the pintle through the restraining portion and is restrained between the prop pillar and the restraining portion, the locking rib is formed at the peripheral outside of the pintle and between the prop pillar and the restraining portion.

7. The hinge as claimed in claim 6, wherein restraining portion is of hollow cone shape having one end with the shortest diameter adjacent to a free end mouth of the pintle.

8. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivotal device of the second connector includes a prop pillar connected with the second fastening member and a cylindrical hollow pintle extending from a middle of an end surface of the prop pillar, the pintle defines a plurality of slots which are parallel with and symmetrical about the axis of the pintle and penetrate through a free end of the pintle, each of the slots further radially penetrates through the pintle, and the pivotal sleeve of the first connector is pivotally sleeved to the pintle of the pivotal device.

9. The hinge as claimed in claim 8, wherein a peripheral outside of the free end of the pintle protrudes outward to form a restraining portion, the slots further penetrate through the restraining portion, the pivotal sleeve is restrained between the prop pillar and the restraining portion through the restraining portion.

10. The hinge as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking rib is formed at the peripheral outside of the pintle and parallel to the slots.

11. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fastening member of the first connector includes a coupling flap and a connection plate connecting the pivotal sleeve and the coupling flap, the coupling flap is further connected with a peripheral outside of the pivotal sleeve along a generatrix of the pivotal sleeve for always showing an oblique angle between the coupling flap and a corresponding diameter which passes through the junction of the coupling flap and the pivotal sleeve, and further an oblique angle is formed between the connection direction of the connection plate and the plane of the coupling flap.

12. The hinge as claimed in claim 11, wherein the coupling flap defines a plurality of fastening holes each penetrating therethrough for fastening the coupling flap to the display apparatus.

13. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second fastening member of the second connector includes a fastening dock and a connection board connecting the pivotal device and the fastening dock, the plane of the fastening dock is perpendicular to that of the connection board and parallel to the pivotal device, and further shows an oblique angle about the extension direction of the connection board, the pivotal device is connected at the same side of the connection board as the fastening dock.

14. The hinge as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fastening dock defines a plurality of fastening apertures each penetrating therethrough for fastening the fastening dock to the host body.