Digital apparatus having a display section adjusted by a hinge assembly with rolling resistance

• US 5,008,976 A
• Filed: 03/03/1989
• Issued: 04/23/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Corporate Services Corporation
• Inventors: Busch, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spruill, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuda, Carmine
• Application Number:
  US07/318,575
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 16/276, 16/337, 16/338, 16/340, 16/342, 16/DIG. 33
• US Class Current: 16/276
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/04 relating to the use of free balls as bearing-surfaces E05D7/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/082 with substantially radial friction, e.g. cylindrical friction surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/105 the maintaining means acting perpendicularly to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• 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 hinge assembly has a plurality of rollers which are pressed against an elastic washer by a shaft. The rollers and elastic washer are contained within a cylindrical retainer which is held in a fixed position relative to a first bracket, while the shaft is held in a fixed position relative to a second bracket so that, when either or both the first and second brackets are moved relative to each other, the roller move around the outside diameter of the shaft resisted by the elastic washer, providing a smooth resistance to the movement of the first bracket and/or second bracket relative to the other. An electronic digital device, having a display section with an adjustable viewing angle utilizing the improved hinge assembly, is shown in which the hinge assembly provides a smooth resistance for the movement of the display section relative to the base of the device.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for rotation between a fully closed position and a fully opened position comprising:

(a) a first bracket having an opening therethrough;

(b) a second bracket having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, respectively, the shaft and the opening in the second bracket being configured to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired fixed position between the first and second brackets when a rotational force is selectively impressed therebetween and selectively removed therefrom, the mechanism including;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of cylindrical rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retaining surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the elastic means comprises an elastic washer having an outer surface contacting the inner retaining surface, and an inner surface, the plurality of rollers being positioned around the shaft and pressed into the inner surface of the elastic washer.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the first bracket is attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical retainer to prevent rotation therebetween so that when a rotational force is applied between the first and second brackets, the cylindrical retainer rotates with respect to the shaft.

4. A hinge assembly for rotation between a fully closed position and a fully opened position comprising:

(a) a first bracket having an opening therethrough, wherein the first bracket is attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical retainer to prevent rotation therebetween so that when a rotational force is applied between the first and second brackets, the cylindrical retainer rotates with respect to the shaft;

(b) a second bracket having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, respectively, the shaft and the opening in the second bracket being configured to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired fixed position between the first and second brackets when a rotational force is selectively impressed therebetween and selectively removed therefrom, the mechanism including;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retaining surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means wherein the elastic means comprises an elastic washer having an outer surface contacting the inner retaining surface, and an inner surface, the plurality of rollers being positioned around the shaft and pressed into the inner surface, of the elastic washer, and wherein the plurality of rollers is disposed so that each roller contacts adjacent rollers.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of rollers comprises an engineering plastic roller.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the elastic washer comprises an elastomeric washer.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the first and second brackets are flat sections, positioned in parallel.

8. An electronic digital device having a base, and a display section with an adjustable viewing angle, comprising:

(a) a first bracket, attached to the display section, having an opening therethrough;

(b) a second bracket, attached to the base, having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, respectively, wherein the shaft and the second bracket are connected to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired viewing angle of the display section when a rotational force is applied between the base and the display section, and then removed, wherein the elastic roller mechanism includes;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of cylindrical rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retainer surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the elastic means comprises an elastic washer having an outer surface contacting the inner retaining surface, and an inner surface, the plurality of rollers being positioned around the shaft and pressed into the inner surface of the elastic washer.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the first bracket is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical retainer to prevent rotation therebetween so that when a rotational force is applied between the base and the display section, the cylindrical retainer rotates with respect to the shaft.

11. A portable computer having a base, and a display section with a viewing angle adjustable with respect to the base, from a fully closed to a fully opened position, comprising:

(a) a first bracket, attached to the display section, having an opening therethrough;

(b) a second bracket, attached to the base, having a keyed opening therethrough;

(c) a stationary shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, keyed at its end to engage the second bracket to prevent any rotation therebetween, and allowing the first bracket to rotate with respect to the shaft; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft, including a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes, a plurality of cylindrical rollers, and an elastic washer with an outer surface contacting and retained by the inner retaining surface and an inner surface, the plurality of rollers being positioned around the shaft and pressed into the inner surface of the elastic washer, whereby rotation of the display section with respect to the base causes rotation of the cylindrical retainer and of the elastic washer, causing resistance to the rotation by the plurality of rollers pressing into the elastic washer.

12. A hinge assembly for rotation between a fully closed position and a fully opened position comprising:

(a) a first bracket having an opening therethrough;

(b) a second bracket having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, respectively, the shaft and the opening in the second bracket being configured to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired fixed position between the first and second brackets when a rotational force is selectively impressed therebetween and selectively removed therefrom, the mechanism including;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retaining surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means, wherein the elastic means comprises an outer elastic washer having an outer surface contacting the inner retaining surface, and an inner surface, and an inner elastic washer having an inner surface contacting the shaft and an outer surface, the plurality of rollers being positioned between and pressed into the inner surface of the outer elastic washer and the outer surface of the inner elastic washer.

13. A hinge assembly for rotation between a fully closed position and a fully opened position comprising:

(a) a first bracket having an opening therethrough;

(b) a second bracket having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the opening in the first and second brackets, respectively, the shaft and the opening in the second bracket being configured to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired fixed position between the first and second brackets when a rotational force is selectively impressed therebetween and selectively removed therefrom, the mechanism including;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retaining surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means wherein the elastic means comprises an elastic washer having an inner surface contacting the shaft, and an outer surface around which and pressed into is the plurality of rollers, held in place by the inner retaining surface.

14. An electronic digital device having a base, and a display section with an adjustable viewing angle, comprising:

(a) a first bracket, attached to the display section, having an opening therethrough;

(b) a second bracket, attached to the base, having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, respectively, wherein the shaft and the second bracket are connected to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired viewing angle of the display section when a rotational force is applied between the base and the display section, and then removed, wherein the elastic roller mechanism includes;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retaining surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means, wherein the elastic means comprises an outer elastic washer having an outer surface contacting the inner retaining surface, and an inner surface, and an inner elastic washer having an inner surface contacting the shaft, and an outer surface, the plurality of rollers being positioned between and pressed into the inner surface of the outer elastic washer and the outer surface of the inner elastic washer.

15. An electronic digital device having a base, and a display section with an adjustable viewing angle, comprising:

(a) a first bracket, attached to the display section, having an opening therethrough;

(b) a second bracket, attached to the base, having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, respectively, wherein the shaft and the second bracket are connected to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired viewing angle of the display section when a rotational force is applied between the base and the display section, and then removed, wherein the elastic roller mechanism includes;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retaining surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means, wherein the elastic means comprises an elastic washer having an inner surface contacting the shaft, and an outer surface around which and pressed into is the plurality of rollers, held in place by the inner retaining surface.

16. An electronic digital device having a base, and a display section with an adjustable viewing angle, comprising:

(a) a first bracket, attached to the display section, having an opening therethrough wherein the first bracket is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical retainer to prevent rotation therebetween so that when a rotational force is applied between the base and the display section, the cylindrical retainer rotates with respect to the shaft;

(b) a second bracket, attached to the base, having an opening therethrough, the opening of the first bracket and the opening of the second bracket being axially aligned;

(c) a shaft extending through the openings in the first and second brackets, respectively, wherein the shaft and the second bracket are connected to prevent rotation therebetween; and

(d) an elastic roller mechanism surrounding the shaft and having means for engaging one of the first or second brackets to provide any desired viewing angle of the display section when a rotational force is applied between the base and the display section, and then removed, wherein the elastic roller mechanism includes;

a cylindrical retainer having an inner retaining surface and a central opening through which the shaft passes,

a plurality of rollers wherein the plurality of rollers is disposed so that each roller contacts adjacent rollers, and

elastic means, retained between the shaft and the inner retaining surface, the plurality of rollers surrounding the shaft and positioned to press into the elastic means, wherein the elastic means comprises an elastic washer having an outer surface contacting the inner retaining surface, and an inner surface, the plurality of rollers being positioned around the shaft and pressed into the inner surface of the elastic washer.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of rollers comprises an engineering plastic roller.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the elastic washer comprises an elastomeric washer.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the first and second brackets are flat sections, positioned in parallel.