Lid with movement control device

• US 5,041,818 A
• Filed: 05/21/1990
• Issued: 08/20/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lapro Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lapro Corporation
• Inventors: Liu, Chyi-Hsying
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidel, Richard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HONG, PATTY
• Application Number:
  US07/526,003
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 16/342, 16/319, 16/337, 16/306, 16/307, 340/700, 364/708
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/02 Parts for attachment, e.g. flaps
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1215 with a canted-coil torsion spring
• 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 lid arrangement for a computer or the like. One side of the lid is movably connected to a casing and has a device for controlling movement of the lid with respect to the causing. The device comprises an ear portion protruding from the movably connected side of the lid, a cover member cooperating with the ear portion to define a hollow space therebetween, a shaft member longitudinally extending between the ear portion and cover member in the hollow space, and a torsion spring fitted to and surrounding the shaft. The torsion spring has a helical portion with first and second endmost turns. Each endmost turn has an arm extending from the shaft including a straight portion and a bending portion. The bending portion of each endmost turn each has a bent portion and a tip opposite the bent portion. When the lid moves towards the casing, the bending portions are compressed in opposing directions by the ear portion and cover member, thereby controlling the lid'"'"'s motion with respect to the casing.

Claims

1. A data processing device lid with a movement control device, for retarding closing movement of the lid with respect to a casing, comprising:

a lid having an ear portion protruding therefrom, for joining the lid to the casing, the ear portion having a pair of walls projecting perpendicularly therefrom;

a cover member having a pair of walls projecting perpendicularly therefrom and facing the ear portion walls, for covering the ear portion and defining a hollow space between the cover member and ear portion;

a shaft longitudinally extending between the ear portion walls and cover member walls in the hollow space and having a pair of ends fixed relative to the casing; and

a torsion spring press-fitted to and surrounding the shaft, the torsion spring having a helical portion with first and second endmost turns, the first endmost turn comprising an arm extending from the shaft including a straight portion adjacent to the cover member walls and a bending portion at an angle extending toward the ear portion walls, the bending portion having;

a bent portion adjacent to the straight portion and spaced apart from the cover member walls when the lid is open with respect to the casing; and

a tip opposite the bent portion and spaced apart from the ear wall portion;

the second endmost turn comprising an arm extending from the shaft including a straight portion adjacent to and in contact with the ear portion walls, and a bending portion at an angle extending toward and in contact with the cover member walls, the second endmost turn bending portion being longer than the first endmost turn bending portion and having;

a bent portion adjacent to the straight portion of the second endmost turn and in contact with the ear portion walls; and

a tip opposite the bent portion of the second endmost turn and in contact with the cover member walls; and

the first and second endmost turn bending portions are compressed in opposing directions by the ear portion walls and cover member walls when the lid moves towards the casing.