HINGE MECHANISM FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. A hinge mechanism for a mobile electronic device, comprising:
- a first leaf comprising a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, the first and second pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the first leaf;
a second leaf comprising a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis, the third and fourth pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the second leaf, the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes being substantially parallel to one another;
a first linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the first pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the fourth pivot axis relative to the second leaf; and
a second linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the second pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the third pivot axis relative to the second leaf;
wherein the first leaf and the second leaf are pivotable, between a closed position and an open position, at least about 180°
relative to one another in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hinge mechanism for a mobile electronic device includes a first leaf comprising first and second fixed pivot axes and a second leaf comprising third and fourth fixed pivot axes, the four pivot axes being substantially parallel to one another. A first linkage is pivotally coupled to the first leaf at the first pivot axis and pivotally coupled to the second leaf at the fourth pivot axis. A second linkage is pivotally coupled to the first leaf such at the second pivot axis and pivotally coupled to the second leaf at the third pivot axis. The first and second leaves are pivotable at least about 180° relative to one another. A cam mechanism can be included to bias the pivotal motion of the leaves. An FPC or other electrical connector linking the leaves can pass through a passage in at least one of the linkages.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hinge mechanism for a mobile electronic device, comprising:
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a first leaf comprising a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, the first and second pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the first leaf; a second leaf comprising a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis, the third and fourth pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the second leaf, the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes being substantially parallel to one another; a first linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the first pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the fourth pivot axis relative to the second leaf; and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the second pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the third pivot axis relative to the second leaf; wherein the first leaf and the second leaf are pivotable, between a closed position and an open position, at least about 180°
relative to one another in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A hinged mobile electronic device, comprising:
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a first leaf comprising a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, the first and second pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the first leaf; a second leaf comprising a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis, the third and fourth pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the second leaf, the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes being substantially parallel to one another; a first linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the first pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the fourth pivot axis relative to the second leaf; and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the second pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the third pivot axis relative to the second leaf; wherein at least one of the first leaf and the second leaf comprises electronic user interface apparatus; and wherein the first leaf and the second leaf are pivotable, between a closed position and an open position, at least about 180°
relative to one another in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A hinged mobile electronic device, comprising:
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a first leaf comprising a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, the first and second pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the first leaf; a second leaf comprising a third pivot axis and a fourth pivot axis, the third and fourth pivot axes being spaced from one another and fixed relative to the second leaf, the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes being substantially parallel to one another; a first linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the first pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the first linkage is pivotable about the fourth pivot axis relative to the second leaf; a second linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the second pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the second linkage is pivotable about the third pivot axis relative to the second leaf, the second linkage comprising a longitudinal passage extending from adjacent the second pivot axis to adjacent the third pivot axis, the first and second linkages being nested with one another; a third linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the third linkage is pivotable about the first pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the third linkage is pivotable about the fourth pivot axis relative to the second leaf, the third linkage comprising a longitudinal passage extending from adjacent the second pivot axis to adjacent the third pivot axis; a fourth linkage pivotally coupled to the first leaf such that the fourth linkage is pivotable about the second pivot axis relative to the first leaf, and pivotally coupled to the second leaf such that the fourth linkage is pivotable about the third pivot axis relative to the second leaf, the third and fourth linkages being nested with one another and spaced apart from the first and second linkages; at least one cam mechanism for biasing the pivotal movement of first and second leaves relative to one another; a flexible printed circuit (FPC) extending between the first leaf and the second leaf, the FPC passing through the longitudinal passage in the second linkage and electrically connecting components of the first and the second leaves; and an electrical connector extending between the first leaf and the second leaf, the electrical connector passing through the longitudinal passage in the third linkage and electrically connecting components of the first and the second leaves; wherein the first leaf and the second leaf are pivotable, between a closed position and an open position, at least about 180°
relative to one another in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes, and when the device is in the closed position, the first linkage and the second linkage are transverse to one another and the third and fourth linkages are transverse to one another when viewed in an axial direction of the first, second, third and fourth pivot axes.
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Specification