Hinge module

• US 7,562,417 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Liu, Chih-Kuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Batson; Victor
• Assistant Examiner(s): SULLIVAN, MATTHEW J
• Application Number:
  US11/727,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20080172831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 163/66, 163/67, 163/71, 163/27, 162/50, 494/63, 494/64, 494/65
• US Class Current: 16/367
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/10 with non-parallel pins
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/11 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/162 changing, e.g. reversing, the face orientation of the screen with a two degrees of freedom mechanism, e.g. for folding into tablet PC like position or orienting towards the direction opposite to the user to show to a second user
• 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: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling

Abstract

A hinge module is described. A T-shaped frame is pivotally connected with a base portion at one end such that the T-shaped frame rotates around a first axis relative to the base portion. A pair of connection members are pivotally connected with the other two opposite ends of the T-shaped frame such that the pair of connection members rotates around a second axis relative to the T-shaped frame, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, and led through a cavity of the T-shaped frame. A U-shaped casing is manual-detachably connected with the T-shaped frame to fully cover a cavity of the T-shaped frame.

Claims

1. A hinge module comprising:

a base portion;

a T-shaped frame, pivotally connected with the base portion at one end such that the T-shaped frame rotates around a first axis relative to the base portion, wherein the T-shaped frame has a position hole, a notch, and a cavity through which the first axis is led;

a pair of connection members, pivotally connected with the other two opposite ends of the T-shaped frame such that the pair of connection members rotates around a second axis relative to the T-shaped frame, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis;

a U-shaped casing, manual-detachably connected with the T-shaped frame to fully cover the cavity, the U-shaped casing comprising first and second opposite bottom sides, and having a position pin and a hook disposed on a bottom surface of the first bottom side of the U-shaped casing, wherein the position pin engages within the position hole of the T-shaped frame, and the hook engages within the notch of the T-shaped frame; and

a sector casing slidingly connected with the T-shaped frame to secure the second bottom side of the U-shaped casing;

wherein the T-shaped frame comprises a rotation restrictor, and the base member comprises a block member to stop the rotation restrictor such that the T-shaped frame rotates with a limited range.

2. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein a concave portion of the U-shaped casing houses the T-shaped frame.

3. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein the sector casing comprises a slot, and the U-shaped casing comprises another hook at the second bottom side to engage within the slot of the sector casing.

4. The hinge module of claim 1, wherein the T-shaped frame comprises a track on an outer surface thereof, and the U-shaped casing comprises rails within the concave portion thereof to slide on tracks when the U-shaped casing is assembled to the T-shaped frame.