SUPPORT FOR A FLEXIBLE DISPLAY
First Claim
1. A support for a flexible display of a portable electronic device, the support comprising:
- a first hinge element coupled to a second hinge element in a side-by-side arrangement, the first hinge element comprising;
a display-receiving surface extending at least partway along a length of the first hinge element, the display-receiving surface for coupling to the flexible display; and
a guide coupling the first hinge element to the second hinge element and guiding movement of the second hinge element relative to the first hinge element along a path between a first stop and a second stop, the first stop for limiting movement in a first direction and the second stop for limiting movement in a second direction;
wherein a neutral plane associated with movement of the first hinge element relative to the second hinge element is external to the support and located adjacent to the display-receiving surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A support for a flexible display of a portable electronic device includes: a first hinge element coupled to a second hinge element in a side-by-side arrangement, the first hinge element having: a display-receiving surface extending at least partway along a length of the first hinge element, the display-receiving surface for coupling to the flexible display; and a guide coupling the first hinge element to the second hinge element and guiding movement of the second hinge element relative to the first hinge element along a path between a first stop and a second stop, the first stop for limiting movement in a first direction and the second stop for limiting movement in a second direction; a neutral plane associated with movement of the first hinge element relative to the second hinge element is external to the support and located adjacent to the display-receiving surface.
103 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A support for a flexible display of a portable electronic device, the support comprising:
a first hinge element coupled to a second hinge element in a side-by-side arrangement, the first hinge element comprising; a display-receiving surface extending at least partway along a length of the first hinge element, the display-receiving surface for coupling to the flexible display; and a guide coupling the first hinge element to the second hinge element and guiding movement of the second hinge element relative to the first hinge element along a path between a first stop and a second stop, the first stop for limiting movement in a first direction and the second stop for limiting movement in a second direction; wherein a neutral plane associated with movement of the first hinge element relative to the second hinge element is external to the support and located adjacent to the display-receiving surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A support for a flexible display of a portable electronic device, the support comprising:
a hinge assembly comprising a plurality of hinge elements, each hinge element comprising; a display-receiving surface; and a guide extending from a surface adjacent a bottom surface, the guide coupling the hinge element to an adjacent hinge element and guiding movement of the adjacent hinge element relative to the hinge element along a path between a first stop and a second stop, the first stop for limiting movement in a first direction and the second stop for limiting movement in a second direction; wherein the display-receiving surface of the hinge element is maintained at a constant distance from a bottom surface of the adjacent hinge element when the hinge element moves along the path between the first stop and the second stop. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A hinge assembly for supporting a flexible membrane, the hinge assembly having a length and a width and being foldable along the width, the hinge assembly comprising:
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a plurality of hinge elements coupled to one another in a side-by-side arrangement across the width; and display-receiving surfaces located on a display-receiving side of the hinge assembly, the display-receiving surfaces for coupling to the flexible display; wherein a length of the display-receiving side of the hinge assembly is constant during folding of the hinge assembly from a starting position in which the hinge assembly is generally flat toward a first position in which the display-receiving surfaces oppose one another and toward a second position in which the display-receiving surfaces face one another. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A support for a flexible display of a portable electronic device, the support comprising:
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hinge elements; means for coupling the flexible display to the hinge elements; means for coupling the hinge elements to one another, the hinge elements being movable relative to one another from a starting position in which the flexible display is generally flat; and means for limiting movement of the hinge elements relative to adjacent hinge elements to maintain a constant distance between locations at which the flexible display is coupled to the hinge elements and locations at which the flexible display is coupled to the adjacent hinge elements when the hinge elements move relative to one another.
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23. A support for a flexible display of a portable electronic device, the support comprising:
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hinge elements; means for coupling the flexible display to the hinge elements; means for coupling the hinge elements to one another, the hinge elements being movable relative to one another from a starting position in which the display is generally flat; and means for controlling a bend radius of the flexible display when the hinge elements move relative to one another.
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Specification