Hinge structure for flat visual display device

• US 7,472,459 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Hong Ki, Lee, Gang Hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Batson; Victor
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reese; David C
• Application Number:
  US10/500,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20050102796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,355 Days
• Field of Search: 162/97, 163/42, 163/37, 163/38, 163/41, 162/52, 411/544
• US Class Current: 16/342
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64

Abstract

A hinge structure for a flat visual display device comprising: a pivotal plate connected to the flat visual display device; a fixing plate connected to a supporting portion for supporting the flat visual display device; a rotational shaft inserted to vertical planes of the pivotal plate and the fixing plate, for rotation of the flat visual display device in one degree of freedom; a frictional member which is formed on an outer periphery of the rotational shaft for enclosing the rotational shaft, and whose both ends have a frictional member tightening plane of a planar shape on which a second inserting hole is formed; and a tightening member inserted to the second inserting hole, for tightening the frictional member tightening plane, thereby tightening the rotational shaft by means of the frictional member, and generating strong breaking force accordingly.

Claims

1. A hinge structure for a flat visual display device, comprising:

a plurality of pivotal plates connected to the flat visual display device, for rotation of the flat visual display device;

a fixing plate connected to a supporting portion that supports the flat visual display device;

a rotational shaft inserted into vertical planes of the plurality of pivotal plates and the fixing plate, for rotation of the plurality of pivotal plates in one degree of freedom;

a frictional member mounted around an outer periphery of the rotational shaft, so as to enclose the rotational shaft, both ends of which have a frictional member tightening plane of a planar shape in which an inserting hole is formed;

a tightening member inserted into the inserting hole, so as to tighten the frictional member tightening plane, thereby tightening the rotational shaft by means of the frictional member, and generating strong breaking force accordingly; and

a plate shaped spacer inserted between the frictional member tightening planes, so as to provide a predetermined gap between the lightening planes, wherein one of the plurality of pivotal plates is provided on one side of the frictional member and another of the plurality of pivotal plates is provided on the other side of the frictional member.

2. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one frictional member is formed on a center of the rotational shaft.

3. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a washer is inserted between contact planes of the fixing plate and each of the plurality of pivotal plates to provide a swift pivoting operation of the fixing plate and the pivoting plates.

4. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a frictional housing is formed around an outer periphery of the frictional member, so as to prevent destruction of the frictional member in spite of strong force exerted by the lightening member.

5. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a fixing portion of non circular shape is formed on an outer periphery of both ends of the rotational shaft, and a shaft fixing portion of each of the plurality of pivotal plates is formed in the same shape as the fixing portion, so as to receive the fixing portion, whereby the plurality of pivotal plates and the rotational shaft are rotated together simultaneously.

6. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

guiding protuberances extended to an outside of vertical planes of the fixing plate;

a pivotal guiding portion formed on a vertical plane of each of the plurality of pivotal plates in an arc shape, so as to receive the guiding protuberances, respectively, and restrict a pivoting angle of the plurality of pivotal plates accordingly.

7. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a washer of plastic material is inserted on a contact plane between the fixing plate and each of the plurality of pivotal plates, so as to prevent abrasion and provide swift operation.

8. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the frictional member is made of engineering plastic.

9. A hinge structure for a flat visual display device, comprising:

a plurality of pivotal plates connected to the flat visual display device, for rotation of the flat visual display device;

a fixing plate connected to a supporting portion that supports the flat visual display device;

a rotational shaft inserted into vertical planes of the plurality of pivotal plates and the fixing plate, for rotation of the plurality of pivotal plates in one degree of freedom;

a frictional member mounted around an outer periphery of the rotational shaft, so as to enclose the rotational shaft, both ends of which have a frictional member tightening plane of a planar shape in which an inserting hole is formed;

a tightening member inserted into the inserting hole, so as to tighten the frictional member tightening plane, thereby tightening the rotational shaft by means of the frictional member, and generating strong breaking force accordingly;

elastic members, both ends of each of the elastic members being hooked to the fixing plate and one of the plurality of pivoting plates, respectively, and mounted around the rotational shaft, so as to generate elastic force in a circumferential direction upon rotation of the rotational shaft;

guiding protuberances extended to an outside of vertical planes of the fixing plate;

a pivotal guiding portion formed on a vertical plane of each of the plurality of pivotal plates in an arc shape, so as to receive the guiding protuberances and restrict a pivoting angle of the plurality of pivotal plates accordingly;

a plurality of cylindrical spacers mounted around a contact plane between the elastic members and the rotational shaft, respectively, so as to prevent direct contact of the elastic members with the rotational shaft and reduce noise and abrasion accordingly; and

a plate spacer inserted between the frictional member tightening planes, so as to provide a predetermined gap between the tightening planes, wherein one of the plurality of cylindrical spacers is provided on one side of the frictional member and another of the plurality of cylindrical spacers is provided on the other side of the frictional member.

10. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the elastic member consists of a torsion spring comprising a predetermined iron wire stacked in a coil shape.

11. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the one end of each of the elastic members is hooked on a horizontal plane of the fixing plate and the other end of each of the elastic members is hooked on an elastic member hooking protuberance extended to an inside from an horizontal plane of a respective one of the plurality of pivotal plates.

12. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set fort in claim 9, wherein the frictional member is made of engineering plastic.

13. A hinge structure for a flat visual display device, comprising:

a plurality of pivotal plates connected to the flat visual display device, for rotation of the flat visual display device;

a fixing plate connected to a supporting portion that supports the flat visual display device;

a rotational shaft inserted into vertical planes of the plurality of pivotal plates and the fixing plate, for rotation of the plurality of pivotal plates in one degree of freedom;

a frictional member mounted around an outer periphery of the rotational shaft, so as to enclose the rotational shaft, and both ends of which have a frictional member tightening plane of a planar shape in which an inserting hole is formed;

a tightening member inserted into the inserting hole, so as to tighten the frictional member tightening plane, thereby tightening the rotational shaft by means of the frictional member, and generating strong breaking force accordingly;

elastic members both ends of each of the elastic members being hooked at the fixing plate and one of the plurality of pivoting plates, respectively, and mounted around the rotational shaft, so as to generate elastic force in a circumferential direction upon rotation of the rotational shaft;

a plurality of cylindrical spacers mounted around a contact plane between the elastic members and the rotational shaft, respectively, so as to prevent direct contact of the elastic members with the rotational shaft and reduce noise and abrasion accordingly; and

a plate shaped spacer inserted between the tightening planes, so as to provide a predetermined gap between the tightening planes, wherein one of the plurality of cylindrical spacers is provided on one side of the frictional member and another of the plurality of cylindrical spacers is provided on the other side of the frictional member.

14. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the elastic member consists of a torsion spring comprising a predetermined iron wire stacked in a coil shape.

15. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the one end of each of the elastic members is hooked on a horizontal plane of the fixing plate and other end of each of the elastic members is hooked on an elastic member hooking protuberance extended to an inside from an horizontal plane of a respective one of the plurality of pivotal plates.

16. The hinge structure for a flat visual display device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the frictional member is made of engineering plastic.