Tilting hinge

• US 6,154,925 A
• Filed: 01/15/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Company Limited
• Inventors: Miura, Fumiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/231,721
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 16/337, 16/338, 16/339, 16/340, 16/273, 16/274, 16/386, 403/111, 403/103, 403/119, 403/120, 361/682, 361/681
• US Class Current: 16/338
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/087 with substantially axial friction, e.g. friction disks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32541 Rotatable members resiliently biased to one position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32614 including circumferential biasing or damping means

Abstract

A tilting hinge, includes a bracket having mount plate portion and a bearing plate portion bent at a right angle in relation to the mount plate portion and in which a bearing hole is formed. A rotating shaft has a mount portion, a large-diameter portion and an externally threaded small-diameter portion supported rotatably in the bearing hole. A first friction washer is provided between the large-diameter portion and one side of the bearing plate of the bracket and has a hole in which the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft is inserted. A second friction washer is provided in engagement with the other side of the bearing plate and has formed thereof a hole in which the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft is inserted. A spring washer provided in engagement with the second friction plate and has formed thereof a hole in which the small-diameter portion of rotating shaft is inserted. A lock washer is provided in engagement with the spring washer and has formed thereof a hole in which the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft is inserted. A locking nut screwed on the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft presses the lock washer to the spring washer. A part of the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft, is being tapered and formed to have a noncircular cross section and the hole in the lock washer is formed to have a noncircular shape corresponding to the noncircular tapered part of the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft.

Claims

1. A tilting hinge, comprising;

a bracket comprising a mount plate to be mounted on an apparatus body side and a bearing plate bent from the mount plate to be perpendicular to the mount plate and having a bearing hole;

a rotating shaft rotatably supported in the bearing hole formed in the bearing plate of said bracket, said rotating shaft having a mounting portion to which an opening-closing body is attached, a large-diameter portion, and a small-diameter portion having an external thread portion, which are formed successively in the axial direction;

a first friction washer provided between said large-diameter portion of said rotating shaft and one side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said first friction washer;

a second friction washer provided in contact with one side surface of the other side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said second friction washer;

a spring washer provided in contact with said second friction washer such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said spring washer;

a lock washer provided in contact with the other side surface of said spring washer such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said lock washer and such that said lock washer rotates together with said small-diameter portion;

a locking nut screwed onto the external thread portion of said small-diameter portion in order to press said lock washer toward said spring washer;

a part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft, along which it is inserted into said hole of said lock washer, being tapered and formed to have a noncircular cross section; and

said noncircular tapered part tightly inserted into said hole in said lock washer being formed to have a noncircular shape corresponding to said noncircular tapered part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft.

2. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 1, including grease traps formed in one or both of the first and second friction washers.

3. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tapered part of the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft is formed to have a generally D-like cross section obtainable by axially cutting one side of a round small-diameter portion, or a generally elliptic cross section obtainable by axially cutting both sides of a round small-diameter portion.

4. A tilting hinge, comprising;

a bracket comprising a mount plate to be mounted on an apparatus body side and a bearing plate bent from the mount plate to be perpendicular to the mount plate and having a bearing hole;

a rotating shaft rotatably supported in the bearing hole formed in the bearing plate of said bracket, said rotating shaft having a mounting portion to which an opening-closing body is attached, a large-diameter portion, and a small-diameter portion having an external thread portion, which are formed successively in the axial direction;

a spring washer provided in contact with said large-diameter portion of said rotating shaft such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said spring washer;

a first friction washer provided between said spring washer and one side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said first friction washer, and such that said first friction washer engaged with said bearing plate;

a lock washer provided on said small-diameter portion such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said lock washer and such that said lock washer rotates together with said small-diameter portion;

a locking nut screwed onto the external thread portion of said small-diameter portion in order to press said lock washer toward said spring washer;

a second friction washer provided between the other side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket and said locking washer such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said second friction washer and such that said second friction washer rotates together with said lock washer;

a part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft, along which it is inserted into said hole of said lock washer, being tapered and formed to have a noncircular cross section;

said noncircular tapered part tightly inserted into said hole of said lock washer being formed to have a noncircular shape corresponding to said noncircular tapered part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft; and

whereby when said rotating shaft is rotated a friction torque is generated between said first friction washer and said spring washer on said large-diameter portion of said rotating shaft and between said bearing plate and said second friction washer on the external thread of the rotating shaft.

5. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 4, including grease traps formed in one or both of the first and second friction washers.

6. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 4, wherein the tapered part of the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft is formed to have a generally D-like cross section obtainable by axially cutting one side of a round small-diameter portion, or a generally elliptic cross section obtainable by axially cutting both sides of a round small-diameter portion.

7. A tilting hinge, comprising;

a bracket comprising a mount plate to be mounted on an apparatus body side and a bearing plate bent from the mount plate to be perpendicular to the mount plate and having a bearing hole;

a rotating shaft rotatably supported in the bearing hole formed in the bearing plate of said bracket, said rotating shaft having a mounting portion to which an opening-closing body is attached, a large-diameter portion, and a small-diameter portion having an external thread portion, which are formed successively in the axial direction;

a first friction washer provided between said large-diameter portion of said rotating shaft and one side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said first friction washer and such that said first friction washer rotates together with said rotating shaft;

a second friction washer provided in contact with the other side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said second friction washer and such that said second friction washer engaged with said bearing plate;

a spring washer provided in contact with said second friction washer such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said spring washer and such that said spring washer rotates together with said small-diameter portion;

a lock washer provided in contact with said spring washer such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said lock washer and such that said lock washer rotates together with said small-diameter portion;

a part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft, along which it is inserted into said hole of said lock washer, being tapered and formed to have a noncircular cross section;

a locking nut screwed onto the external thread portion of said small-diameter portion in order to press said lock washer toward said spring washer;

said noncircular tapered part tightly inserted into said hole in said lock washer being formed to have a noncircular shape corresponding to said noncircular tapered part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft; and

whereby when said rotating shaft is rotated a friction torque is generated between said first friction washer and said bearing plate and between said second friction washer and said spring washer.

8. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 7, including grease traps formed in one or both of the first and second friction washers.

9. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 7, wherein the tapered part of the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft is formed to have a generally D-like cross section obtainable by axially cutting one side of a round small-diameter portion, or a generally elliptic cross section obtainable by axially cutting both sides of a round small-diameter portion.

10. A tilting hinge, comprising;

a bracket comprising a mount plate to be mounted on an apparatus body side and a bearing plate bent from the mount plate to be perpendicular to the mount plate and having a bearing hole;

a rotating shaft rotatable supported in the bearing hole formed in the bearing plate of said bracket, said rotating shaft having a mounting portion to which an opening-closing body is attached, a large-diameter portion, and a small-diameter portion having an external thread portion, which are formed successively in the axial direction;

a first spring washer provided in contact with said large-diameter portion of said rotating shaft such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said spring washer;

a first friction washer provided between said spring washer and one side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said first friction washer and such that said first friction washer engaged with said bearing plate;

a second friction washer provided in contact with the other side surface of the bearing plate of said bracket such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said second friction washer and such that said second friction washer engaged with said bearing plate;

a second spring washer provided in contact with said second friction washer such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said second spring washer and such that said spring washer rotates together with said small-diameter portion;

a lock washer provided in contact with said spring washer such that said small-diameter portion passes through a hole provided at a center portion of said lock washer and such that said lock washer rotates together with said small-diameter portion;

a part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft, along which it is inserted into said hole of said lock washer, being tapered and formed to have a noncircular cross section; and

said noncircular tapered part tightly inserted into said hole in said lock washer being formed to have a noncircular shape corresponding to said noncircular tapered part of said small-diameter portion of said rotating shaft;

a locking nut screwed onto the external thread portion of said small-diameter portion in order to press said lock washer toward said spring washer; and

whereby when said rotating shaft is rotated, a friction torque is generated between said first friction washer and said first spring washer and between said second friction washer and said second spring washer.

11. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 10, including grease traps formed in one or both of the first and second friction washers.

12. The tilting hinge as set forth in claim 10, wherein the tapered part of the small-diameter portion of the rotating shaft is formed to have a generally D-like cross section obtainable by axially cutting one side of a round small-diameter portion, or a generally elliptic cross section obtainable by axially cutting both sides of a round small-diameter portion.