Hinge detent mechanism in a computer system

• US 5,745,342 A
• Filed: 12/20/1996
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hernandez, Gilberto, Jeffries, John
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/770,400
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680-683, 361/686, 361/724-727, 361/610, 364/708.1, 312/223.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.6
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/188 Mounting of power supply units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/16 on hinges or pivots

Abstract

A multi-positionable power supply mounting hinge device includes first and second chassis members. The second chassis member is movably connected to the first chassis member. A bracket is fixedly mounted on the first chassis member. A flexible hinge detent member is connected to the second chassis member and extends to movably engage the bracket. The hinge detent member includes a wavy surface of sequentially variable protrusions and depressions. The wavy surface is in continuous friction engagement with the bracket in response to the hinge member being deflected when the second chassis member is moved relative to the first chassis member.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a chassis having first and second members for mounting a power supply;

said second chassis member movably connected to said first chassis member;

a microprocessor mounted on said first chassis member;

a memory module operably connected to the microprocessor;

a bracket fixedly mounted on the first chassis member; and

a flexible hinge detent member connected to the second chassis member and extending therefrom to movably engage the bracket, the hinge detent member having a wavy surface of sequentially variable protrusions and depressions, the wavy surface being in continuous friction engagement with the bracket in response to the hinge member being deflected when the second chassis member is moved relative to the first chassis member.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the second chassis member is pivotally connected to the first chassis member.

3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the bracket has an opening formed therethrough and the hinge detent member extends through the opening formed in the bracket.

4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein the hinge detent member has an I-beam cross-sectional shape and the opening in the bracket is of an I-beam shape for receiving the hinge detent member in mating engagement.

5. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the second chassis member is positionable in a closed position, an open position and multiple intermediate positions between said open and closed positions.

6. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein said friction engagement is sufficient to maintain said second chassis member in said open position and said intermediate positions.

7. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said hinge detent member is a cantilever beam having a first free end and a second end fixedly connected to the second chassis member.

8. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein the bracket has an opening formed therethrough and the hinge detent member is axially curved to travel through the opening when the second chassis member is pivoted.

9. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the hinge detent member is deflected in reciprocal directions as the wavy surface is guided relative to the bracket.

10. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein the wavy surface includes a plurality of sequentially variable undulations between the first end and the second end.

11. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein the undulations gradually diminish in size in a direction extending from the first end to the second end.

12. A computer system having a chassis for mounting a power supply therein, comprising:

a first chassis member;

a second chassis member pivotally connected to the first chassis member;

a bracket fixedly mounted on the first chassis member, the bracket having an opening formed therein; and

a cantilever hinge detent member having a first free end and a second end fixedly connected to the second chassis member and positioned to move in an arcuate path through the bracket opening when the second chassis member is pivoted relative to the first chassis member, the hinge detent member having a wavy surface of sequentially variable protrusions and depressions, the wavy surface being in continuous frictional engagement with the bracket so that the hinge detent member is deflected in reciprocal directions, transverse to the arcuate path, as the detent member is moved through the bracket opening.

13. The apparatus for mounting a power supply as defined in claim 12 wherein the hinge detent member has an I-beam cross-sectional shape and the opening in the bracket is of an I-beam shape for receiving the hinge detent member in mating engagement.

14. The apparatus for mounting a power supply as defined in claim 12 wherein the second chassis member is positionable in a closed position, an open position and multiple intermediate positions between said open and closed positions.

15. The apparatus for mounting a power supply as defined in claim 12 wherein the hinge detent member is axially curved to travel through the opening when the second chassis member is pivoted.

16. A method of positioning a computer system power supply comprising the steps of:

mounting a bracket on a first chassis member, the bracket having an opening formed therein;

connecting a second chassis member for movement relative to the first chassis member;

mounting a flexible hinge detent member on the second chassis member to extend therefrom and movably engage the bracket; and

providing a wavy surface on the hinge detent member, the wavy surface including sequentially variable protrusions and depressions, the wavy surface being in continuous friction engagement with the bracket in response to the hinge member being deflected when the second chassis member is moved relative to the first chassis member.

17. The method of positioning a power supply as defined in claim 16, wherein the steps of mounting the flexible hinge detent member comprises the step of forming the detent member to have a curvature and to include an I-beam cross-sectional shape.

18. The method of positioning a power supply as defined in claim 17, wherein the step of mounting the bracket comprises the step of providing the opening in the bracket with an I-beam shape for receiving the detent member in mating engagement.

19. The method of positioning a power supply as defined in claim 18, wherein the step of providing the opening with an I-beam shape comprises the step of providing spaced apart surfaces for simultaneously engaging opposed sides of a rib of the I-beam shaped detent member.

20. The method of positioning a power supply as defined in claim 19. wherein the step of providing the wavy surface comprises the step of flexing the detent member to move in reciprocal directions.

21. A computer system having a hinge detent mechanism, comprising:

a chassis for mounting a power supply;

said chassis having a first chassis member;

said chassis having a second chassis member movably connected to the first chassis member;

a bracket fixedly mounted on the first chassis member; and

a flexible hinge detent member connected to the second chassis member and extending therefrom to movably engage the bracket, the hinge detent member having a wavy surface of sequentially variable protrusions and depressions, the wavy surface being in continuous friction engagement with the bracket in response to the hinge member being deflected when the second chassis member is moved relative to the first chassis member.

22. The mechanism as defined in claim 21 wherein the second chassis member is pivotally connected to the first chassis member.

23. The mechanism as defined in claim 22 wherein the bracket has an opening formed therethrough and the hinge detent member extends through the opening formed in the bracket.

24. The mechanism as defined in claim 23 wherein the hinge detent member has an I-beam cross-sectional shape and the opening in the bracket is of an I-beam shape for receiving the hinge detent member in mating engagement.

25. The mechanism as defined in claim 22 wherein the second chassis member is positionable in a closed position, an open position and multiple intermediate positions between said open and closed positions.

26. The mechanism as defined in claim 25 wherein said friction engagement is sufficient to maintain said second chassis member in said open position and said intermediate positions.

27. The mechanism as defined in claim 22 wherein said hinge detent member is a cantilever beam having a first free end and a second end fixedly connected to the second chassis member.

28. The mechanism as defined in claim 27 wherein the bracket has an opening formed therethrough and the hinge detent member is axially curved to travel through the opening when the second chassis member is pivoted.

29. The mechanism as defined in claim 21 wherein the hinge detent member is deflected in reciprocal directions as the wavy surface is guided relative to the bracket.

30. The mechanism as defined in claim 27 wherein the wavy surface includes a plurality of sequentially variable undulations between the first end and the second end.

31. The mechanism as defined in claim 30 wherein the undulations gradually diminish in size in a direction extending from the first end to the second end.