Hinge structure

• US 7,644,472 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2007
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Tsai, Wen-Ji, Lin, Wan-Chi, Chang, Jung-Wen
• Primary Examiner(s): Batson; Victor
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/712,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20080104800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 163/30, 164/22, 163/29, 163/61, 361/680, 379/433.11, 403/113, 403/117, 248/917, 248/919, 248/922, 248/923, 248/291.1
• US Class Current: 16/330
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1078 the maintaining means acting parallel to the pivot
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 2011/1035 with circumferential and evenly distributed detents around the pivot-axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support

Abstract

A hinge structure is described. A hollow cylinder has a positioning slot in an inner wall thereof. A movable part has a positioning convex portion and a plurality of engraved portions. The positioning convex portion engages with the positioning slot such that the movable part slides within the hollow cylinder. A cover is fixed to the hollow cylinder to secure the movable part and the resilient part within the hollow cylinder. A resilient part is disposed between the cover and the movable part so as to provide the movable part a resilient recovery force. The engraved portions of the movable part are for engaging a rotatable member.

Claims

1. A device having a hinge module, comprising:

a stationary member;

a rotatable member, having a bar; and

a hinge module interconnecting the stationary member and the rotatable member such that the rotatable member rotates relative to the stationary member, wherein the hinge module comprising;

a hollow cylinder, having a first opening and a second opening at two respective opposite ends, a cutout partially formed at the end around the second opening, and a positioning slot in an inner wall thereof, the bar of the rotatable member is restricted within the cutout of the hollow cylinder to provide rotational limitation of the rotatable member;

a movable part, having a positioning convex portion, a first hole and a plurality of engraved portions, wherein the positioning convex portion is engagable with the positioning slot such that the movable part is slidable within the hollow cylinder, the engraved portions radially extending from the first hole of the movable part and being engagable with the bar of the rotatable member;

a resilient part, disposed within the hollow cylinder; and

a cover, fixed to the hollow cylinder to cover the first opening to secure the movable part and the resilient part within the hollow cylinder, the resilient part being disposed between the cover and the movable part so as to provide the movable part a resilient recovery force,

wherein all of the engraved portions are visible through the second opening when the movable part is secured within the hollow cylinder.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the resilient part and the cover all have a second hole, and each of the second holes is aligned with the first hole of the movable part.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the rotatable member comprises a screw hole.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the stationary member comprises second opening.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a screw to be led through the second opening of the stationary member and the aligned holes of the hinge module, and secured into the screw hole of the rotatable member.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the stationary member comprises a circular concave section for accommodating the hinge module, and the second opening is disposed in the circular concave section.

7. The device of claim 5, further comprising a washer disposed between the screw and the stationary member.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the stationary member comprises another circular concave section where the washer is disposed within.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the rotatable member comprises a connection interface having a plurality of input and output ports.

10. A device having a hinge module, comprising:

a stationary member;

a rotatable member having two bars respectively disposed on two opposite sides thereof; and

two hinge modules interconnecting the stationary member and the rotatable member, the rotatable member being sandwiched between the two hinge modules such that the rotatable member rotates relative to the stationary member, wherein each of the two hinge modules comprising;

a hollow cylinder, having a first opening and a second opening at two respective opposite ends, a cutout partially formed at the end around the second opening, and a positioning slot in an inner wall thereof, each of the two bars being restricted within the cutout of the hollow cylinder to provide rotational limitation of the rotatable member;

a movable part, having a positioning convex portion, a first hole and a plurality of engraved portions, wherein the positioning convex portion is engagable with the positioning slot such that the movable part is slidable within the hollow cylinder, the engraved portions radially extending from the first hole of the movable part and engaging with each of the two bars;

a resilient part, disposed within the hollow cylinder; and

a cover, fixed to the hollow cylinder to cover the first opening to secure the movable part and the resilient part within the hollow cylinder, the resilient part being disposed between the cover and the movable part so as to provide the movable part a resilient recovery force,

wherein all of the engraved portions are visible through the second opening when the movable part is secured within the hollow cylinder.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the stationary member comprises two circular concave sections to respectively accommodate the two hinge modules and a concave fastening portion disposed within each of the two circular concave sections, the hollow cylinder including a convex fastening portion on an outer surface thereof engagable with the concave fastening portion.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the engraved portions of the two hinge modules face each other when the two hinge modules are respectively accommodated within the two circular concave sections.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the stationary member comprises a second opening within each of the two circular concave sections.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the rotatable member comprises two screw holes on the two opposite sides thereof.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a screw to be led through the second opening of the stationary member and each hinge module, and secured into the corresponding screw hole of the rotatable member.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a washer disposed between the screw and the stationary member.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the stationary member comprises another circular concave section within which the washer is disposed.