Micro-electromechanical hinged flap structure
First Claim
1. A micro-electromechanical hinged flap system comprising:
- a substantially horizontal substrate;
a main flap hinged on one side thereof to said substrate; and
at least one locking flap for securing said main flap in a substantially vertical position, where said locking flap is coupled to said substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces said locking flap toward a position parallel to said substrate.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system includes a substantially horizontal substrate and a main flap hinged on one side thereof to the substrate. The system also includes at least one locking flap, preferably two, for securing the main flap in a substantially vertical position. The locking flap is coupled to the substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces the locking flap toward a position parallel to the substrate. Also provided is a method for assembling a micro-electromechanical hinged flap system. A locking flap is rotated through an acute angle against a biasing force. The biasing force is caused by a biasing mechanism coupling the locking flap to a substrate. A main flap is then raised, whereafter the locking flap is released, such that the biasing force causes the locking flap to engage with the main flap, thereby, securing the main flap in position at the predetermined angle.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A micro-electromechanical hinged flap system comprising:
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a substantially horizontal substrate;
a main flap hinged on one side thereof to said substrate; and
at least one locking flap for securing said main flap in a substantially vertical position, where said locking flap is coupled to said substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces said locking flap toward a position parallel to said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
at least one locking flap torsion bar coupled on a side thereof to said locking flap, and coupled on another side thereof to said substrate; and
a bending mode spring coupled on a side thereof to said locking flap, and coupled on another side thereof to said substrate.
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5. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 1, further comprising an additional locking flap coupled to said substrate, where said additional locking flap is disposed n ear an opposing side of said main flap to where said locking flap is disposed.
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6. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 1, wherein said main flap is hinged to said substrate along a hinge axis that is substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of said locking flap.
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7. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 1, wherein said main flap is hinged to said substrate by means of multiple hinges.
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8. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 7, wherein said multiple hinges are spring-loaded structures.
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9. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 1, wherein said main flap is additionally coupled to said substrate by means of an additional torsion bar.
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10. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 1, wherein said locking flap is additionally coupled to said substrate by means of an additional hinge.
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11. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 10, wherein said additional hinge is a staple hinge.
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12. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 1, wherein said main flap and said locking flap also include a ferrous metal tab configured to attract a magnetic source.
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13. The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system of claim 1, wherein said main flap includes a stress relieving mechanism that distributes a biasing force directed at said main flap from said locking flap.
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14. A method for assembling a micro-electromechanical hinged flap system, comprising:
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rotating a locking flap through an acute angle against a biasing force caused by a biasing mechanism coupling said locking flap to a substrate;
raising a main flap;
releasing said locking flap, such that said biasing force causes said locking flap to engage with said main flap, thereby, securing said main flap in position at a predetermined angle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification