Method of forming a hinge structure

• US 5,561,893 A
• Filed: 05/01/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Wayman
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHAN
• Application Number:
  US08/431,419
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 29/434, 29/505, 29/11, 29/243.5, 29/898.07, 16/254, 16/259, 16/378, 16/267, 312/223.2, 361/683-685, 361/753, 361/754, 361/796, 361/801
• US Class Current: 29/434
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 53/40 hinges, e.g. door hinge plates
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/009 Elongate hinges, e.g. piano-hinges
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 9/00 Flaps or sleeves specially designed for making from particular material, e.g. hoop-iron, sheet metal, plastics
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/24 Hinge making or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A personal computer includes a metallic main chassis section and a metallic subchassis hinged thereto. The subchassis includes a side wall and a floor forming a corner therebetween. The corner is formed by integral pieces of the subchassis extending between the side wall and floor, the pieces being spaced in a longitudinal direction. The pieces are bent to form first pockets opening transversely to the longitudinal direction. First tabs extend from the side wall in the transverse direction. The main chassis section includes an edge having second tabs spaced longitudinally and bent into U-shaped pockets. To assemble the hinge, the second pockets are inserted into spaces formed between the first pockets and first tabs, so that the first and second pockets become aligned. A hinge pin is inserted into the pockets so as to lie in the longitudinal direction. The first and second tabs are bent around the hinge pin.

Claims

1. A method of forming a hinge connection between first and second edges of respective first and second metallic members to provide for relative rotation between said first and second members about a longitudinally extending axis, said method comprising the steps of:

A) providing said first edge of said first member with a plurality of first pockets spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, each of said first pockets being open in a transverse direction extending transversely of said longitudinal direction;

B) providing said first edge with first tabs extending in said transverse direction, each first tab disposed between adjacent pairs of said first pockets;

C) providing said second edge of said second member with second tabs bent to form generally U-shaped second pockets spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;

D) positioning said second pockets into respective spaces between said first pockets, and in longitudinally offset relationship to said first tabs, such that said second pockets are open in the same direction as said first pockets and are aligned therewith in said longitudinal direction;

E) inserting a cylindrical hinge pin into said first and second pockets such that said hinge pin extends in said longitudinal direction; and

F) bending said first and second tabs around said hinge pin.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first edge of said first member comprises a corner between a side wall and a floor or said first member, said floor and side wall forming a right angle therebetween, step A comprising forming said corner in the form of longitudinally spaced strips interconnecting said floor and side wall and deformed to define said first pockets.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step E comprises arranging said first and second pockets to open upwardly, and inserting said hinge pin downwardly into said pockets.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second tabs and said first pockets are arranged so that no space therebetween is greater than one quarter inch.

5. The method according to claim 1 further including providing a dimple in at least some of said tabs to push material of said tabs into contact with said hinge pin.

6. A method of forming a hinge connection between a first chassis member and a second chassis member of a personal computer, said second chassis member including a side wall and a floor intersecting to form a corner defined by strips having spaces formed therebetween in a longitudinal direction, said first chassis member including an edge disposed at said corner, said method comprising the steps of:

A) forming said strips to define first pockets open in a transverse direction extending transversely of said horizontal direction;

B) providing said side wall with first tabs extending in said transverse direction, each first tab disposed between adjacent pairs of said first pockets;

C) providing said edge of said second chassis member with second tabs bent to form generally U-shaped second pockets spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;

D) positioning said second pockets in respective spaces between said first pockets., and in longitudinally offset relationship to said first tabs, such that said second pockets are open in the same direction as said first pockets and are aligned therewith in said longitudinal direction;

E) inserting a cylindrical hinge pin into said first and second pockets such that said hinge pin extends in said longitudinal direction; and

F) bending said first and second tabs around said hinge pin.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein step E comprises arranging said first and second pockets to open upwardly, and inserting said hinge pin downwardly into said pockets.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said first and second tabs and said first pockets are arranged so that no space therebetween is greater than one quarter inch.

9. The method according to claim 6 further including providing a dimple in at least some of said tabs to push material of said tabs into contact with said hinge pin.