Connecting device for portable computers

• US 4,976,007 A
• Filed: 06/22/1989
• Issued: 12/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Lam, Pak-Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidel, Richard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuda, Carmine
• Application Number:
  US07/369,961
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 16/282, 16/283, 16/302, 16/308, 16/337, 16/342
• US Class Current: 16/302
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1078 the maintaining means acting parallel to the pivot
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1215 with a canted-coil torsion spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/20 for furniture, e.g. cabinets
• 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 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683

Abstract

A connecting device for portable computers includes: a housing unit with an open section formed at one side, a pivot opening, a bolt stud with a bolt hole formed therethrough and a blind screw hole respectively provided at another side of the housing unit; a first pivot bolt movably disposed in the pivot opening through the open section of the housing unit; a second pivot bolt movably disposed in the bolt hole; a first torsional element disposed around a middle portion of the first pivot bolt; a second torsional element installed around the bolt stud in connection with the second pivot bolt; and a linking member formed in conjunction with the open section of the housing unit and provided with a plurality of through openings, a stud hole thereof being connected to the housing unit in conjunction with the first and second pivot bolts; whereby, different positioning effects of the connecting device can be achieved through the turning movements of the first and second pivot bolts.

Claims

1. A connecting device for portable computers, comprising:

a housing unit having an open section formed at one side thereof, a pivot opening, a bolt hole which passes through a bolt stud, and a blind screw hole respectively provided at another side thereof for making connections therewith;

a first pivot means movably disposed in said pivot opening through the open section of said housing unit for making pivotal connections therewith;

a second pivot means movably disposed in the bolt hole of said bolt stud through the open section of said housing unit for making pivotal connections therewith in conjunction with said first pivot means;

a linking member formed in conjunction with the open section of said housing unit, having an upper through hole, a lower through hole and a stud hole respectively provided therein being connected to said housing unit in the open section thereof through said stud hole and said blind hole with rear neck portions of said first and second pivot means separately located in said upper and lower through holes;

a first torsional means closely disposed around a middle portion of said first pivot means in a forward direction for providing a twisting force therewith in connection with a pivoting movement of said first pivot means; and

a second torsional means closely disposed around said bolt stud of said housing unit in a reverse direction in connection with said second pivot means for providing another twisting force therewith;

whereby, different turning movements of said first and second pivot means can be effected through said first and second torsional means.

2. A connecting device according to claim 1 wherein said first pivot means comprises a first pivot bolt having a front neck portion and a rear neck portion separately formed on an axis thereof with an outer diameter of said front and rear neck portions identical to an inner diameter of both the pivot opening in said housing unit and the upper through hole in said linking member, said first pivot bolt further including a stop pin fixed at a front portion thereof for keeping one end of said first torsional means in position thereat and a check pin provided at a rear portion thereof to govern the turning movement of said first pivot bolt.

3. A connecting device according to claim 1 wherein said second pivot means comprises a second pivot bolt having a front neck portion and a rear neck portion formed on an axis thereof, the front neck portion of said second pivot bolt being longer than said rear neck portion thereof with an outer diameter of said front neck portion being identical to an internal diameter of said bolt hole in said housing unit so that said front neck portion may be movably disposed therein and closely engaged with a portion of said second torsional means so as to govern the turning movement of said second pivot bolt.

4. A connecting device according to claim 1 wherein said linking member further comprises a vertical recess and a horizontal recess relatively formed around said upper through hole thereof so as to define an upper edge and a lower edge thereat which may be movably abutted by a check pin of said first pivot bolt during the turning movement thereof.