Dual screen folding display hinge

• US 8,854,834 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multifold International Incorporated Pte. Ltd. (Transpacific IP Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: O'Connor, Mike, Kimbell, Marty, Gaynes, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tuan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MUKUNDBHAI G
• Application Number:
  US13/298,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20120120627A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 361/807, 361/679.27, 163/11, 163/25, 163/74, 162/21, 162/23, 162/32, 162/39, 162/43, 162/52, 162/59, 163/75, 163/44, 163/66, 248/274.1, 248/276.1, 248/284.1, 248/291.1, 248/292.13
• US Class Current: 361/807
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/105 the maintaining means acting perpendicularly to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• 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: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Dual screen display devices are disclosed. The device is able to be a mechanical hinge capable of joining multiple screens to form a single display or a substantially continuous display. The device is also capable of splitting a jointed display into separated screens. In some embodiments, the device comprises detaining mechanisms allowing the device to instantly interchange among several pre-defined angles or positions.

Claims

1. A device for forming a joined display comprising:

a. a core member;

b. a first movable member capable of moving around the core member in a rotational manner, wherein the first movable member comprises a first surface and one or more first inner recesses adjacent the core member;

c. a second movable member capable of moving around the core member in a rotational manner, wherein the second movable member comprises a second surface and one or more second inner recesses adjacent the core member;

d. at least one detaining member comprising an elastic element and one or more cams, wherein the detaining member is positioned through the core member such that the cams are adjacent the first and second inner recesses and selectively detain the first moveable member, the second moveable member, or both at one or more of pre-defined detaining locations on the first moveable member, the second moveable member, or both; and

wherein when the first surface and the second surface are rotated to be parallel with each other a single display is formed comprising an edge of the first surface adjacent to an edge of the second surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first surface, the second surface, or both comprise one or more screens of an electronic device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the one or more screens comprise an LCD, an LED, or a plasma screen.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the single display comprises a substantially continuous display having joined screens.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the core member comprises a first and a second pivot hinges.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first movable member is capable of moving in a rotational manner along the first pivot hinge.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a detaining mechanism, such that a movement of the first movable member, the second movable member, or both is able to be stopped at a pre-defined angle.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the pre-defined angle comprises a position having the single display formed when a first display on the first movable member couples with a second display on the second movable member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the pre-defined angle further comprises a position having a first display on the first movable member parallel to a second display on the second movable member.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the pre-defined angle further comprises a position having a first display on the first movable member non-parallel to a second display on the second movable member.

11. The device of claim 7, further comprising an elastic member positioned in a direction non-parallel to the first and the second pivot hinges.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the elastic member comprises a spring.

13. A mechanical device comprising:

a. a body;

b. a first bracket rotatably coupling with the body with a first pivot and having a first surface and one or more first inner recesses adjacent the body;

c. a second bracket rotatably coupling with the body with a second pivot and having a second surface and one or more second inner recesses adjacent to the body; and

d. at least one detaining member comprising an elastic element and one or more cams, wherein the detaining member is positioned through the body such that the cams are adjacent the first and second inner recesses and selectively detain the first bracket, the second bracket, or both at one or more of pre-defined detaining locations on the first bracket, the second bracket, or both;

wherein when the first surface and the second surface are rotated to be parallel with each other a single display is formed comprising an edge of the first surface adjacent to an edge of the second surface.

14. The mechanical device of claim 13, wherein the pre-defined detaining locations comprise a first terminal location perpendicular to a second terminal location on a first rotating axis of the first bracket or a second rotating axis of the second bracket.

15. The mechanical device of claim 14, wherein the pre-defined detaining locations comprise an intermediate location between the first and the second terminal locations.

16. The mechanical device of claim 14, wherein the first bracket couples with a first screen and the second bracket couples with a second screen.

17. The mechanical device of claim 14, wherein the first screen and the second screen encompass the single display.