Hinge assembly having cam follower

• US 5,640,690 A
• Filed: 08/21/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kudrna, Paul John
• Primary Examiner(s): URBAN, EDWARD F
• Application Number:
  US08/517,565
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 455/89, 455/90, 455/128, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/351, 379/433, 16/337, 16/341, 16/342, 16/362, 16/374, 16/386, 16/321, 16/330
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/007 with spring means
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1223 with a compression or traction spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/602 for containers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge

Abstract

A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a cover and a housing theretogether, such as a keypad cover and a housing of a portable radiotelephone. A generally tubular hinge arm is formed at an end portion of the cover, and two hinge pins, each having identical cam surfaces formed upon edge surfaces thereof are inserted into the hinge arm and positioned such that the cam surfaces of the respective hinge pins extend beyond opposing sides of the hinge arm such that the hinge pins are caused to rotate in unison with rotation of the cover. A spring member is tandemly-positioned between the two hinge pins to exert spring forces thereupon. Two cam followers are affixed to the housing in a manner such that the cam surfaces of the hinge pins abut against the cam followers. The cover may be rotated between an opened and a closed position and forces exerted upon the cam surfaces of the hinge pin by their abutting engagement with the cam followers urge the cover into or out of the open and closed positions during rotation of the cover, and urge the cover to remain in the open or the closed position in the absence of rotational moments exerted thereupon by the spring forces exerted upon the hinge pin by the spring member.

Claims

1. A telephone device having a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a first substrate and a second substrate theretogether, thereby to permit positioning of the first substrate in a closed position whereat a face surface of the first substrate and a face surface of the second substrate abut against one another and in at least one open position whereat the first substrate extends beyond the substrate at an angled orientation relative thereto, said hinge assembly comprising:

a hinge arm coupled to at least the first substrate, the hinge arm forming a transversely-extending, hinge receiving chamber defined by inner sidewalls of the hinge arm;

at least one axially-extending hinge pin having a cylindrical body with an open cavity therein, a cam surface formed on an edge surface of the cylindrical body near the open cavity, the cam surface defining a continuous profile comprising first and second valley portions separated by a peak portion, wherein a first slope of the profile between the first valley portion and the peak portion is steeper than a second slope of the profile between the peak portion and the second valley portion, wherein the at least one axially-extending hinge pin has dimensions permitting insertion thereof through the hinge receiving chamber such that, when inserted therein, rotational moments exerted upon the first substrate to cause rotational movement thereof, cause corresponding rotational movement of the hinge pin;

at least one circularly-shaped bushing formed in the second substrate;

at least one axle concentrically disposed within the circularly-shaped bushing for placement inside of the open cavity in the cylindrical body of the hinge pin; and

at least one cam follower disposed between a portion of the circularly-shaped bushing and the axle for engaging with the profile of the cam surface formed upon the edge surface of the at least one axially-extending hinge pin such that exertion of rotational moments upon the first substrate to cause rotation thereof in a first direction to position the first substrate in the closed position causes positioning, of the first valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the first slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower, and such that exertion of rotational moments upon the first substrate in an opposing direction to position the first substrate in the open position causes positioning, of the second valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the second slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower to urge the first substrate into the open position with a different force characteristic than the first substrate is urged into the closed position.

2. A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a cover and a housing theretogether, thereby to permit positioning of the cover in a closed position whereat a face surface of the cover and a face surface of the housing abut against one another and in at least one open position whereat the cover extends beyond the housing at an angled orientation relative thereto, said hinge assembly comprising:

a hinge arm coupled to at least the cover, the hinge arm having inner sidewalls defining a transversely-extending, hinge receiving chamber;

at least one axially-extending hinge pin having a cylindrical body with an open cavity therein, a cam surface formed on an edge surface of the cylindrical body near the open cavity, the cam surface defining a continuous profile comprising first and second valley portions separated by a peak portion, wherein a first slope of the profile between the first valley portion and the peak portion is steeper than a second slope of the profile between the peak portion and the second valley portion, wherein the at least one axially-extending hinge pin has dimensions permitting insertion thereof through the hinge receiving chamber such that, when inserted therein, rotational moments exerted upon the cover to cause rotational movement thereof, cause corresponding rotational movement of the hinge pin;

at least one circularly-shaped bushing formed in the second substrate;

at least one axle concentrically disposed within the circularly-shaped bushing for placement inside of the open cavity in the cylindrical body of the hinge pin; and

at least one cam follower disposed between a portion of the circularly-shaped bushing and the axle for engaging with the profile of the cam surface formed upon the edge surface of the at least one axially-extending hinge pin such that exertion of rotational moments upon the cover to cause rotation thereof in a first direction to position the cover in the closed position causes positioning, of the first valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the first slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower, and such that exertion of rotational moments upon the cover in an opposing direction to position the cover in the open position causes positioning, of the second valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the second slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower to urge the cover into the open position with a different force characteristic than the cover is urged into the closed position.

3. The hinge assembly of claim 2 wherein the hinge arm is integrally formed with the cover at an end portion thereof.

4. The hinge assembly of claim 2 wherein the at least one axially-extending hinge pin, once inserted into the hinge receiving chamber, is permitted translation therealong to position the cam surface of the hinge pin beyond the hinge receiving chamber of the hinge arm.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 2 wherein the inner sidewalls of the hinge arm defining the transversely extending hinge receiving chamber define the transversely extending hinge receiving chamber to be of a tubular configuration having a proximal side and a distal side.

6. The hinge assembly of claim 5 wherein the inner sidewalls of the hinge arm defining the transversely-extending hinge receiving chamber are slightly tapered such that a cross section of the hinge receiving chamber taken at a distal side thereof is of diametrical dimensions slightly less than diametrical dimensions taken of a cross section at a proximal side thereof.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 5 wherein the at least one axially-extending hinge pin comprises a first hinge pin and a second hinge pin, each of the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin having the continuous profile of the cam surface formed on the respective edge surfaces of the cylindrical body, wherein the profiles are mirror images of one another.

8. The hinge assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least one cam follower comprises a first cam follower and a second cam follower with the first cam follower being affixed to a distal side of the housing and the second cam follower being affixed to a proximal side of the housing.

9. The hinge assembly of claim 8 wherein the first hinge pin, once inserted into the hinge receiving chamber, is permitted translation through the hinge receiving chamber to position the cam surface of the first hinge pin beyond the distal side of the hinge receiving chamber, and the second hinge pin, once inserted into the hinge receiving chamber, is positioned such that the cam surface of the second hinge pin extends beyond the proximal side of the hinge-receiving chamber.

10. The hinge assembly of claim 9 further comprising a spring member of dimensions permitting insertion thereof into the hinge receiving chamber whereby positioning of the spring member in tandem between the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin and compressing the spring member causes translation forces to be exerted upon both the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin to urge the first hinge pin toward the first cam follower and to urge the second hinge pin toward the second cam follower.

11. The hinge assembly of claim 9 wherein, when the first and second hinge pins are inserted into the hinge receiving chamber, the first and second hinge pins are positioned in a relative, out-of-phase relation such that the cam surfaces formed on the edge surfaces of the first and second hinge pins are rotated axially with respect to one another.

12. The hinge assembly of claim 2 further comprising means for transmitting rotational moments exerted upon the housing to the at least one axially-extending hinge pin such that rotational movement of the housing responsive to exertion of the rotational moment thereupon causes corresponding movement of the at least one axially-extending hinge pin.

13. The hinge assembly of claim 12 wherein said means for transmitting rotational moments comprises at least one key member formed to extend axially along at least a portion of a surface of the at least one axially-extending hinge pin, and at least one axially-extending slot formed to extend axially along an inner sidewall of the hinge arm which defines the hinge receiving chamber, said axially-extending slot permitting mated engagement with the key member.

14. The hinge assembly of claim 2 further comprising means for exerting translation forces upon the at least one hinge pin for maintaining the cam surface of the hinge pin in position beyond the hinge receiving chamber of the hinge arm and in supportive engagement at the means for receiving formed upon the housing.

15. A telephone device having a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a keypad cover to a radiotelephone housing having a radiotelephone keypad disposed upon a face surface of the radiotelephone housing, thereby to permit positioning of the cover in a closed position whereat the keypad cover covers the radiotelephone keypad and in an open position whereat the keypad cover extends beyond the radiotelephone housing at an angled orientation relative thereto, said hinge assembly comprising:

a hinge arm coupled to at least the cover, the hinge arm having inner sidewalls defining a transversely-extending, hinge receiving chamber,

at least one axially-extending hinge pin having a cylindrical body with an open cavity therein, a cam surface formed on an edge surface of the cylindrical body near the open cavity, the cam surface defining a continuous profile comprising first and second valley portions separated by a peak portion, wherein a first slope of the profile between the first valley portion and the peak portion is steeper than a second slope of the profile between the peak portion and the second valley portion, wherein the at least one axially-extending hinge pin has dimensions permitting insertion thereof through the hinge receiving chamber such that, when inserted therein, rotational moments exerted upon the cover to cause rotational movement thereof, cause corresponding rotational movement of the hinge pin;

at least one circularly-shaped bushing formed in the second substrate;

at least one axle concentrically disposed within the circularly-shaped bushing for placement inside of the open cavity in the cylindrical body of the hinge pin; and

at least one cam follower disposed between a portion of the circularly-shaped bushing and the axle for engaging with the profile of the cam surface formed upon the edge surface of the at least one axially-extending hinge pin such that exertion of rotational moments upon the cover to cause rotation thereof in a first direction to position the cover in the closed position causes positioning, of the first valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the first slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower, and such that exertion of rotational moments upon the cover in an opposing direction to position the cover in the open position causes positioning, of the second valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the second slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower to urge the cover into the open position with a different force characteristic than the cover is urged into the closed position.

16. In a radio transceiver having transceiver circuitry housed within a transceiver housing, a keypad disposed upon a face surface of the transceiver housing, and a keypad cover for covering the keypad, the combination with the transceiver housing and the keypad cover of a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting the keypad cover and the housing together, thereby to permit positioning of the keypad cover in a closed position whereat the keypad cover extends beyond the radiotelephone housing at an angled orientation relative thereto, said housing assembly comprising:

a hinge arm coupled to at least the cover, the hinge arm having inner sidewalls defining a transversely-extending, hinge receiving chamber;

at least one axially-extending hinge pin having a cylindrical body with an open cavity therein, a cam surface formed on an edge surface of the cylindrical body near the open cavity, the cam surface defining a continuous profile comprising first and second valley portions separated by a peak portion, wherein a first slope of the profile between the first valley portion and the peak portion is steeper than a second slope of the profile between the peak portion and the second valley portion, wherein the at least one axially-extending hinge pin has dimensions permitting insertion thereof through the hinge receiving chamber such that, when inserted therein, rotational moments exerted upon the cover to cause rotational movement thereof, cause corresponding rotational movement of the hinge pin;

at least one circularly-shaped bushing formed in the second substrate;

at least one axle concentrically disposed within the circularly-shaped bushing for placement inside of the open cavity in the cylindrical body of the hinge pin; and

at least one cam follower disposed between a portion of the circularly-shaped bushing and the axle for engaging with the profile of the cam surface formed upon the edge surface of the at least one axially-extending hinge pin such that exertion of rotational moments upon the cover to cause rotation thereof in a first direction to position the cover in the closed position causes positioning, of the first valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the first slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower, and such that exertion of rotational moments upon the cover in an opposing direction to position the cover in the open position causes positioning, of the second valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the second slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower to urge the cover into the open position with a different force characteristic than the cover is urged into the closed position.

17. A portable electronic device having a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a first substrate and a second substrate theretogether, thereby to permit positioning of the first and second substrates in a closed position whereat a face surface of the first substrate and a face surface of the second substrate abut against one another and in at least one open position whereat the first and second substrates extend beyond one another at an angled orientation relative thereto, said hinge assembly comprising:

a hinge arm coupled to at least the first substrate, the hinge arm forming an axially-extending, hinge receiving chamber defined by inner sidewalls of the hinge arm;

at least one axially-extending hinge pin having a cylindrical body with an open cavity therein, a cam surface formed on an edge surface of the cylindrical body near the open cavity, the cam surface defining a continuous profile comprising first and second valley portions and at least one peak portion, wherein a first slope of the profile between the first valley portion and the peak portion is steeper than a second slope of the profile between the peak portion and the second valley portion, wherein the at least one axially-extending hinge pin has dimensions permitting insertion thereof through the hinge receiving chamber such that, when inserted therein, rotational moments exerted upon the substrates to cause rotational movement thereof, cause corresponding rotational movement of the hinge pin;

at least one circularly-shaped bushing formed in the second substrate;

at least one axle concentrically disposed within the circularly-shaped bushing for placement inside of the open cavity in the cylindrical body of the hinge pin; and

at least one cam follower disposed between a portion of the circularly-shaped bushing and the axle for engaging with the profile of the cam surface formed upon the edge surface of the at least one axially-extending hinge pin such that exertion of rotational moments upon the substrates to cause rotation in a first direction to position the first and second substrates in the closed position causes positioning, of the first valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the first slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower, and such that exertion of rotational moments upon the substrates in an opposing direction to position the substrates in the open position causes positioning, of the second valley portion of the cam surface of the hinge pin by operation of the second slope, in abutting engagement with the cam follower to urge the first and second substrates in the open position with a different force characteristic than in the closed position.