Portable computer having a sealed hinge clutch
First Claim
1. A hinge assembly, comprising:
- a first hinge body including a bore formed therein;
a second hinge body including an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore; and
the shaft having a plurality of grooves formed therein, at least one of the grooves having a friction member mounted therein, and another of the grooves having a resilient seal member mounted therein, the seal member and the friction member being in friction contact with the bore, and the seal member having a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.
65 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A hinge assembly, comprising:
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a first hinge body including a bore formed therein;
a second hinge body including an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore; and
the shaft having a plurality of grooves formed therein, at least one of the grooves having a friction member mounted therein, and another of the grooves having a resilient seal member mounted therein, the seal member and the friction member being in friction contact with the bore, and the seal member having a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable computer hinge assembly, comprising:
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a base;
a top pivotally connected to the base by at least one hinge;
a generally cylindrical tube portion of the hinge, the tube portion having an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface;
a shaft of the hinge having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, the shaft being pivotally mounted within the tube, the first end of the shaft being positioned adjacent to the closed end of the tube and the second end of the shaft being positioned adjacent to the open end of the tube;
a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft, at least one of the grooves having a friction member mounted therein, and another of the grooves having a resilient seal member mounted therein; and
the resilient seal member and the friction member being in friction contact with the tube, and the seal member having a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the tube is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the tube.
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Specification