Hinge for component attachment

• US 9,766,663 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2015
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Siddiqui, Kabir, Groene, Ralf, Aagaard, Karsten, Reed, Anthony Christian, Cummings, Stephan Alexander, Jensen, Darryl I., Gault, Joseph B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, James
• Application Number:
  US14/847,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20150378392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 36167902, 36167926, 36167927, 36167955, 36167958, 36167959, 16277, 16303, 16308, 16337, 16341
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A hinge for component attachment is described. In at least some implementations, a kickstand is rotatably attached to a mobile computing device. The kickstand can be rotated to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some implementations, hinges are employed to attach a kickstand to a mobile computing device. One example hinge utilizes preset hinge stops that enable the kickstand to be placed at different preset positions. Another example hinge exerts pressure on an edge of the kickstand, providing stability and vibration dampening to the kickstand.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a kickstand rotatably attached to a portion of the housing and configured to support the housing in one or more positions relative to an adjacent surface; and

a hinge attached to the housing and that attaches a portion of the kickstand to the housing, the hinge including;

a hinge body including an upper portion;

a hinge sled positioned at least partially within the hinge body such that a channel is formed between the upper portion and the hinge sled;

a spring positioned within the hinge body to exert pressure against the hinge sled; and

a pivot portion attached to the kickstand and slidably engaged in the channel such that the hinge sled exerts pressure from the spring against the pivot portion, the pivot portion being slidable within the channel to enable opening of the kickstand to one or more open positions relative to the housing, the hinge sled including a first notch and a second notch positioned on different respective portions of the hinge sled, and a first contact portion and a second contact portion between the first notch and the second notch,

and the pivot portion including a protrusion positioned such that when the pivot portion slides within the channel, the protrusion contacts one or more of the first contact portion or the second contact portion and catches within one or more of the first notch or the second notch to cause the kickstand to assume one or more of a first preset position or a second preset position.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the hinge includes one or more stop positions that enable the kickstand to be opened to one or more preset positions to support the housing relative to the adjacent surface.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the hinge further includes a sled pivot positioned within the hinge body, the hinge sled being pivotably positioned on the sled pivot such that movement of the pivot portion between two or more positions causes the hinge sled to pivot relative to the sled pivot.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the protrusion is positioned to catch within the first notch to cause the kickstand to assume a closed position and to catch within the second notch to cause the kickstand to assume a preset open position.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first contact portion has a shallower contact angle with the protrusion than the second contact portion such that resistance of the pivot portion to transitioning from the first preset position to the second preset position is less than resistance of the pivot portion to transitioning from the second preset position to the first preset position.

6. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the kickstand is removably attached to the pivot portion such that the kickstand can be detached from the apparatus.

7. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the hinge has a center of rotation that substantially coincides with a seam between abutting edges of the kickstand and the housing.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising an additional hinge attached to the kickstand and the housing, and configured to apply spring pressure to an edge of the kickstand to stabilize the edge of the kickstand during movement.

19. The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the spring is positioned against a lip of the hinge sled and exerts upward pressure against the lip.

9. A hinge comprising:

a hinge body including an upper portion;

a hinge sled positioned at least partially within the hinge body such that a channel is formed between the upper portion and the hinge sled;

a spring positioned within the hinge body to exert pressure against the hinge sled; and

a pivot portion slidably engaged in the channel such that the hinge sled exerts pressure from the spring against the pivot portion, the pivot portion being attachable to a component and slidable within the channel to enable movement of the component relative to the hinge body, the hinge sled including a first notch and a second notch positioned on different respective portions of the hinge sled, and a first contact portion and a second contact portion between the first notch and the second notch,

and the pivot portion including a protrusion positioned such that when the pivot portion slides within the channel, the protrusion contacts one or more of the first contact portion or the second contact portion and catches within one or more of the first notch or the second notch to cause the kickstand to assume one or more of a first preset position or a second preset position.

10. The hinge as described in claim 9, further comprising a sled pivot positioned within the hinge body, the hinge sled being pivotably positioned on the sled pivot such that movement of the pivot portion between two or more positions causes the hinge sled to pivot relative to the sled pivot.

11. The hinge as described in claim 9, wherein, the protrusion is positioned to catch within the first notch to cause the hinge to assume a closed position and to catch within the second notch to cause the hinge to assume a preset open position.

12. The hinge as described in claim 9, wherein the first contact portion has a shallower contact angle with the protrusion than the second contact portion such that resistance of the pivot portion to transitioning from the first preset position to the second preset position is less than resistance of the pivot portion to transitioning from the second preset position to the first preset position.

13. The hinge as described in claim 9, further comprising a damper formed from an elastic material and positioned on the hinge sled to form a notch relative to the hinge sled, and wherein the protrusion of the pivot portion is positioned to catch within the notch to cause the hinge to assume a preset open position.

20. The hinge as described in claim 9, wherein the first contact portion has a shallower contact angle with the protrusion than the second contact portion.

14. A computing device comprising:

a housing with a display;

a kickstand rotatably attached to a rear portion of the housing opposite the display and configured to support the housing in one or more positions relative to an adjacent surface; and

a hinge attached to the housing and that attaches a portion of the kickstand to the rear portion of the housing, the hinge including;

a hinge body including an upper portion;

a hinge sled positioned at least partially within the hinge body such that a channel is formed between the upper portion and the hinge sled;

a spring positioned within the hinge body to exert pressure against the hinge sled; and

a pivot portion attached to the kickstand and slidably engaged in the channel such that the hinge sled exerts pressure from the spring against the pivot portion, the pivot portion being slidable within the channel to enable opening of the kickstand to one or more open positions relative to the rear portion of the housing, the hinge sled including a first notch and a second notch positioned on different respective portions of the hinge sled, and a first contact portion and a second contact portion between the first notch and the second notch,

and the pivot portion including a protrusion positioned such that when the pivot portion slides within the channel, the protrusion contacts one or more of the first contact portion or the second contact portion and catches within one or more of the first notch or the second notch to cause the kickstand to assume one or more of a first preset position or a second preset position.

15. The computing device as described in claim 14, wherein the hinge includes one or more stop positions that enable the kickstand to be opened to one or more preset open positions relative to the housing to support the housing on an adjacent surface.

16. The computing device as described in claim 15, wherein the kickstand is removably attached to the pivot portion such that the kickstand can be detached from the rear portion of the housing.

17. The computing device as described in claim 14, wherein the hinge has a center of rotation that substantially coincides with a seam between abutting edges of the kickstand and the rear portion of the housing.

18. The computing device as described in claim 14, wherein the first contact portion has a different contact angle with the protrusion than the second contact portion.