U.S. patent application number 11/985536 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for variable resistance hinge.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tzu-Yu Lin.
Application Number | 20090126153 11/985536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40635871 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090126153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Tzu-Yu |
May 21, 2009 |
VARIABLE RESISTANCE HINGE
Abstract
A variable resistance hinge is mounted in a notebook computer
having cover and a base and the hinge has a stationary leaf, a
pivoting leaf and a pressing assembly. The stationary leaf is
attached to the base and has a keyed shaft. The pivoting leaf is
mounted pivotally on the shaft and is attached to the cover. The
pressing assembly is mounted around the shaft, presses the pivoting
leaf against the stationary leaf and has a pivoting ring and a
stationary ring. The pivoting ring rotates around the shaft, is
attached to the pivoting leaf and has at least one stepped detent.
The stationary ring engages the shaft, abuts the pivoting ring and
has at least one friction protrusion. Each friction protrusion
corresponds a stepped detent and provides variable friction when
opening the cover to enhance lifespan of the hinge and facilitate
opening of the notebook.
Inventors: |
Lin; Tzu-Yu; (Shulin City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACKSON WALKER, L.L.P.
112 E. PECAN, SUITE 2400
SAN ANTONIO
TX
78205
US
|
Assignee: |
Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
40635871 |
Appl. No.: |
11/985536 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/273 ;
16/341 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 16/54035 20150115;
Y10T 16/540255 20150115; Y10T 16/537 20150115; G06F 1/1681
20130101; Y10T 16/540345 20150115; G06F 1/1616 20130101; Y10T
16/5387 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/273 ;
16/341 |
International
Class: |
E05D 11/08 20060101
E05D011/08; E05D 11/00 20060101 E05D011/00; E05D 3/02 20060101
E05D003/02 |
Claims
1. A variable resistance hinge comprising a stationary leaf having
a proximal end; a distal end; an inner surface being formed
perpendicularly on the distal end of the stationary leaf; and a
shaft being formed on and extending coaxially from the distal end
of the stationary leaf, being keyed and having a proximal end; and
a distal end; a pivoting leaf being mounted rotatably on the shaft,
abutting the inner surface of the stationary leaf and having a
pivoting hole being formed coaxially through the pivoting leaf and
being mounted rotatably around the shaft; and a mounting bracket
being formed on and protruding from the pivoting leaf; and a
pressing assembly being mounted around the shaft, pressing the
pivoting leaf against the inner surface of the stationary leaf and
having a pivoting ring being mounted rotatably around the shaft,
being connected to the pivoting leaf and having an outer surface; a
through hole being formed longitudinally through the pivoting ring
and being mounted rotatably around the shaft; and at least one
stepped detent being formed radially in the outer surface of the
pivoting ring, concentric to the through hole of the pivoting ring
and having a central recess; at least one step recess being
sequentially shallower than and adjacent to the central recess of
the pivoting ring; and multiple gradient surfaces graduating from
the central recess to the at least one step recess and them from
the at least one step recess to the outer surface of the pivoting
ring and being separated by the central recess and the at least one
step recess; and a stationary ring being mounted around and
engaging the shaft, abutting and pressing against the outer surface
of the pivoting ring and having an inner surface; an outer surface;
a keyed hole being formed through the stationary ring,
corresponding to and engaging the shaft; and at least one friction
protrusion being formed on and protruding from the inner surface of
the stationary ring, corresponding to and abutting the stepped
detent, selectively abutting the outer surface of the pivoting ring
and selectively sliding along the gradient surfaces of the at least
one stepped detent.
2. The variable resistance hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
shaft further has a friction cylinder being formed concentrically
on the proximal end of the shaft; the pivoting leaf further has a
barrel being rotatablyi mounted tightly around the friction
cylinder and having a neck; a connecting protrusion being formed on
and extending from the neck of the barrel and being attached
securely to the mounting bracket of the pivoting leaf; and an
opening being formed longitudinally in the barrel adjacent to the
neck of the barrel and being disposed adjacent to the connecting
protrusion.
3. The variable resistance hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
pivoting leaf further has a stop mount being formed in the pivoting
leaf; the pivoting ring further has a protruding stop being formed
on and extending from the pivoting ring and being mounted in the
stop mount of the pivoting leaf.
4. The variable resistance hinge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
shaft further has a threaded segment being formed on the distal end
of the shaft; the stationary ring further has at least one tab
being formed on and protruding from the outer surface of the
stationary ring; the pressing assembly further has a washer being
mounted securely around the shaft between the pivoting leaf and the
pivoting ring; a protecting washer being mounted securely around
the shaft, being attached securely to the outer surface of the
stationary ring and having an outer surface; and at least one slot
being formed in the protecting washer and engaging a corresponding
tab of the stationary ring; a biasing element comprising at least
one resilient ring, being mounted rotatably around the shaft,
abutting and pressing against the outer surface of the protecting
washer and having an outer surface; a friction washer being mounted
securely around the shaft and abutting the outer surface of the
biasing element; and a fastener being mounted securely around the
threaded segment of the shaft.
5. The variable resistance hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein
each friction protrusion has two inclined surfaces.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a hinge, and more
particularly to a variable resistance hinge mounting a cover
pivotally to a base of a notebook computer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Arts
[0004] A conventional hinge is mounted between a cover having a
display and a base of a notebook computer to allow the cover to
pivot relative to the base, but is often designed with a constant
resistance throughout an entire pivoting movement so that the cover
can be pivoted open to any desired angle. However, if the
resistance of the conventional hinge is too great, people opening
the notebook computer may struggle to open up the cover, or the
base may lift with the cover. If the resistance is too low, people
have to hold the cover to prevent the cover from rapidly falling
and damaging the base or display and the cover cannot be held at a
desired angle. Therefore, the conventional hinge with constant
resistance makes opening difficult and may not be reliable at
holding the cover open.
[0005] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides
a variable resistance hinge to mitigate or obviate the
aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a variable resistance hinge being mounted in a notebook computer to
provide a variable resistance during opening of a cover for a
notebook computer.
[0007] The variable resistance hinge is mounted in the notebook
computer between the cover having a display and a base and
comprises a stationary leaf, a pivoting leaf and a pressing
assembly. The stationary leaf is attached to the base and has a
keyed shaft. The pivoting leaf is mounted pivotally on the shaft
and is attached to the cover. The pressing assembly is mounted
around the shaft, presses the pivoting leaf against the stationary
leaf and has a pivoting ring and a stationary ring. The pivoting
ring rotates around the shaft, is attached to the pivoting leaf and
has at least one stepped detent. The stationary ring engages the
shaft, abuts the pivoting ring and has at least one friction
protrusion. Each friction protrusion corresponds to a stepped
detent and provides variable friction when opening the cover to
enhance lifespan of the hinge and facilitate opening of the
notebook.
[0008] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a variable resistance hinge
in accordance with the present invention mounted in a notebook
computer, shown open;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the variable
resistance hinge in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the variable
resistance hinge in FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the variable resistance hinge in
FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the variable resistance hinge in
FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of friction
elements of the variable resistance hinge in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the friction elements in
FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an operational side view of the variable
resistance hinge in FIG. 2;
[0017] FIGS. 9 to 11 are enlarged operational cross-sectional views
of the friction elements of the variable resistance hinge in FIG.
2; and
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second variant of a
variable resistance hinge in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 12, a variable resistance
hinge in accordance with the present invention is mounted in a
notebook computer comprising a cover (80) and a base (90) to allow
the cover (80) to pivot relative to the base (90). The variable
resistance hinge comprises a stationary leaf (10, 10A), a pivoting
leaf (20, 20A) and a pressing assembly (30).
[0020] With further reference to FIG. 3, the stationary leaf (10,
10A) is attached to the base (90) of the notebook computer and has
a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and a shaft (11,
11A).
[0021] The proximal end of the stationary leaf (10, 10A) is
attached securely to the base of the notebook computer.
[0022] The inner surface is formed perpendicularly on the distal
end of the stationary leaf (10).
[0023] The shaft (11, 11A) is formed on and extends coaxially from
the distal end of the stationary leaf (10, 10A), is keyed, has a
proximal end, a distal end and an optional friction cylinder (112A)
and may have a threaded segment (111).
[0024] The friction cylinder (112A) is formed concentrically on the
proximal end of the shaft (11A).
[0025] The threaded segment (111) is formed on the distal end of
the shaft (11, 11A).
[0026] With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pivoting leaf
(20, 20A) is mounted rotatably on the shaft (11, 11A), abuts the
inner surface of the stationary leaf (10, 10A), is attached
securely to the cover (80) of the notebook computer to allow the
cover (80) to pivot relative to the base (90), has a pivoting hole
(21), a mounting bracket (22) and an optional barrel (24A) and may
have a stop mount (23).
[0027] The pivoting hole (21) is formed coaxially through the
pivoting leaf (20, 20A) and is mounted rotatably around the shaft
(11, 11A) of the stationary leaf (10, 10A).
[0028] The mounting bracket (22) is formed on and protrudes from
the pivoting leaf (20, 20A) and is attached securely to the cover
(80).
[0029] The barrel (24A) is rotatably mounted tightly around the
friction cylinder (112A) to provide a friction for pivoting
movement of the pivoting leaf (20A) and has a connecting protrusion
(241A), a neck and an opening (242A). The connecting protrusion
(241A) is formed on and protrudes from the neck of the barrel (24A)
and is attached securely to the mounting bracket (22) of the
pivoting leaf (20A). The opening (242A) is formed longitudinally in
the barrel (24A) adjacent to the neck and is disposed adjacent to
the connecting protrusion (241A) towards a direction of closing the
cover (80). Therefore, when a person opens the cover (80), the
opening (242A) will be enlarged to provide less friction and
facilitate opening and more friction when folding the cover (80) to
prevent damage to the cover (80).
[0030] The stop mount (23) is formed in the pivoting leaf (20,
20A).
[0031] The pressing assembly (30) is mounted around the shaft (11,
11A) near the distal end, presses the pivoting leaf (20) against
the inner surface of the stationary leaf (10) to provide friction
against rotation relative to the stationary leaf (10), has a
pivoting ring (32) and a stationary ring (33) and may have a washer
(31), a protecting washer (34), a biasing element (35), a friction
washer (36) and a fastener (37).
[0032] With further reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the pivoting ring
(32) is mounted rotatably around the shaft (11, 11A), is connected
to the pivoting leaf (20), has an outer surface, a through hole
(321) and at least one stepped detent (323) and may have a
protruding stop (322).
[0033] The through hole (321) is formed axially through the
pivoting ring (32) and is mounted rotatably around the shaft (11,
11A).
[0034] Each stepped detent (323) is an arc formed in the outer
surface of the pivoting ring (32), concentric to the through hole
(321) of the pivoting ring (32) and has a central recess (3231), at
least one step recess (3232) and multiple gradient surfaces.
[0035] Each step recess (3232) is sequentially formed shallower
than and adjacent to the central recess (323), is parallel with the
outer surface of the pivoting ring (32) and may be formed shallower
than a previous step recess (3232).
[0036] The gradient surfaces graduate from the central recess
(3231) to the step recess (3232), graduate from the step recess
(3232) to the outer surface and may further obliquely connect two
adjacent step recesses (3232). The adjacent gradient surfaces are
separated by a detent (3233).
[0037] The protruding stop (322) is formed on and extends from the
pivoting ring (32), is mounted in the stop mount (23) of the
pivoting leaf (20) to securely attach the pivoting ring (32) to the
pivoting leaf (20).
[0038] The stationary ring (33) is mounted around and engages the
shaft (11, 11A), abuts and presses against the outer surface of the
pivoting ring (32), has an inner surface, an outer surface, a keyed
hole (331) and at least one friction protrusion (332) and may have
at least one tab (333).
[0039] The keyed hole (331) is formed through the stationary ring
(33), corresponds to and engages the shaft (11, 11A).
[0040] With further reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, each friction
protrusion (332) is formed on and protrudes from the inner surface
of the stationary ring (33), corresponds to and abuts the stepped
detent (323) and may have two inclined surfaces. When the cover
(80) is opened, the pivoting ring (32) rotates around the friction
protrusion (332) causing the friction protrusion (332) to abut and
travel along the gradient surfaces. Flowed by the step recesses
(3232) thereby gradually increasing frictional resistance until the
friction protrusion (332) is abutting the outer surface of the
pivoting ring (32). When the cover (80) is fully opened, a maximum
friction is provided. Therefore, the cover (80) is held shut by the
detent (3233) and is progressively harder to open until the cover
(80) is held at a convenient angle, when the frictional resistance
is greatest.
[0041] The at least one tab (333) is formed on and protrudes from
the outer surface of the stationary ring (33).
[0042] The washer (31) is mounted securely around the shaft (11,
11A) between the pivoting leaf (20) and the pivoting ring (32).
[0043] The protecting washer (34) is mounted securely around the
shaft (11, 11A), is attached securely to the outer surface of the
stationary ring (33) and has at least one slot (341) and an outer
surface.
[0044] The at least one slot (341) is formed in the protecting
washer (34), corresponds to and engages the at least one tab
(333).
[0045] The biasing element (35) comprises at least one resilient
ring, is mounted rotatably around the shaft (11, 11A), abuts and
presses against the outer surface of the protecting washer (34) and
has an outer surface.
[0046] The friction washer (36) is mounted securely around the
shaft (11, 11A) and abuts the outer surface of the biasing element
(35).
[0047] The fastener (37) is mounted securely around the threaded
segment (111) of the shaft (11, 11A) to mount the pressing assembly
(30) on the shaft (11, 11A).
[0048] Consequently, with cooperation of the stepped detent (323)
and the friction protrusion (332), the variable resistance hinge
provides a variable resistance for pivoting movement of the cover
(80) between opened and folded (the resistance is largest with the
cover (80) being opened, smallest when being closed). Therefore,
when closed, the biasing elements (35) are not under stress and
lifespan of the biasing elements is increased. Moreover, since the
frictional resistance progressively increases as the cover (80) is
opened, the cover is easily separated from the base (90) and need
not be pried open.
[0049] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and features of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *