Hinge mechanism for a wireless communication device
First Claim
1. A hinge mechanism for a wireless communication device, comprising:
- a first hinge part;
an indexing pin rotatable relative to the first hinge part about a pivot axis and movable axially along the pivot axis;
a second hinge part rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the first hinge part between closed and open positions and non-rotatably engaged with the indexing pin; and
a spring applying an axial force to the indexing pin to bias the indexing pin into contact with the first hinge part, and further applying a rotational force to the indexing pin to rotate the indexing pin about the pivot axis to move the second hinge part from the closed position to the open position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present application is directed to a hinge for a clamshell-type wireless communication device or other electronic device. In one embodiment, the communication device includes a base portion and a flip portion. A hinge mechanism movably couples the flip portion to the base portion so that the flip portion may pivot between a closed position and an open position. The hinge mechanism comprises first and second hinge parts, an indexing pin, and a spring. The indexing pin is rotatable relative to the first hinge part about a pivot axis. Additionally, the indexing pin is movable axially along the pivot axis. The second hinge part is non-rotatably engaged with the indexing pin and is rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the first hinge part between closed and open positions. The spring applies both an axial force and a rotational force to the indexing pin. The axial force biases the indexing pin into contact with the first hinge part, and the rotational force rotates the indexing pin to move the second hinge part from the closed to the open position.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hinge mechanism for a wireless communication device, comprising:
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a first hinge part; an indexing pin rotatable relative to the first hinge part about a pivot axis and movable axially along the pivot axis; a second hinge part rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the first hinge part between closed and open positions and non-rotatably engaged with the indexing pin; and a spring applying an axial force to the indexing pin to bias the indexing pin into contact with the first hinge part, and further applying a rotational force to the indexing pin to rotate the indexing pin about the pivot axis to move the second hinge part from the closed position to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A portable electronic device comprising:
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a first housing section; a second housing section; a hinge mechanism pivotally connecting the first and second housing sections for relative movement between open and closed positions, the hinge mechanism including a first hinge part, an indexing pin rotatable relative to the first hinge part about a pivot axis and movable axially along the pivot axis, a second hinge part rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the first hinge part between closed and open positions and non-rotatably engaged with the indexing pin, and a spring applying an axial force to the indexing pin to bias the indexing pin into contact with the first hinge part, and further applying a rotational force to the indexing pin to rotate the indexing pin about the pivot axis to move the second hinge part from the closed position to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A hinge mechanism for a wireless communication device, comprising:
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first and second hinge parts connected respectively to first and second housing sections; an axially movable indexing pin rotatably connecting the first and second hinge parts, said indexing pin rotatably engaged with the first hinge part and non-rotatably engaged with the second hinge part; and a spring applying an axial force to the indexing pin to bias the indexing pin into contact with the first hinge part, and further applying a rotational force to the indexing pin to rotate the indexing pin about the pivot axis to effect relative rotation between the first and second hinge parts.
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Specification