U.S. patent application number 12/472182 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-17 for multi-step hinge and portable terminal having same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Laird Technologies MAP Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Chang Soo Kim.
Application Number | 20090231797 12/472182 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39342957 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090231797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Chang Soo |
September 17, 2009 |
MULTI-STEP HINGE AND PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING SAME
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a multi-step hinge. The hinge includes a
housing. A rotary member is rotatably installed inside of the
housing. The rotary member has a retainer groove formed in the
outer circumferential face thereof. A stopper is slidably installed
at either side of the rotary member inside of the housing. The
stopper has a retainer protrusion formed so as to be engaged with
the retainer groove. A resilient member is disposed between the
housing and the stopper. A portable terminal having the multi-step
hinge is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Kim; Chang Soo; (Bucheon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY, & PIERCE, P.L.C
7700 Bonhomme, Suite 400
ST. LOUIS
MO
63105
US
|
Assignee: |
Laird Technologies MAP Co.,
Ltd.
Bucheon-Si
KR
|
Family ID: |
39342957 |
Appl. No.: |
12/472182 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11806535 |
Jun 1, 2007 |
7536751 |
|
|
12472182 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.27 ;
16/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1626 20130101;
H04M 1/04 20130101; H04M 1/0214 20130101; Y10T 16/5385 20150115;
Y10T 16/54028 20150115; G06F 1/166 20130101; Y10T 16/5513 20150115;
G06F 1/1681 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.27 ;
16/297 |
International
Class: |
E05D 11/10 20060101
E05D011/10; E05F 1/08 20060101 E05F001/08; H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 3, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0042839 |
Claims
1. A multi-step hinge suitable for use with a portable terminal for
pivotably connecting a body of the portable terminal to a support
leg of the portable terminal, the hinge comprising: a housing; a
rotary member rotatably installed inside of the housing, the rotary
member having a retainer groove formed in the outer circumferential
face; a stopper slidably installed at either side of the rotary
member inside of the housing, the stopper having a retainer
protrusion formed so as to be engaged with the retainer groove; and
a resilient member disposed between the housing and the
stopper.
2. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the retainer groove is
formed in multiple numbers so as to extend along rotational axis of
the rotary member; and the retainer protrusion is formed
correspondingly to the retainer groove.
3. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper includes: a
front portion in which the retainer protrusion is formed; and a
guide portion extended from the front portion so as to receive and
support the resilient member.
4. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the rotary member is
formed with a rotation shaft; the housing is formed with an insert
hole through which the rotation shaft passes; he rotation shaft is
formed with a rotation limiter protrusion; and the insert hole is
formed with a rotation limiter step which engages the rotation
limiter protrusion to restrict rotation of the rotary member within
a predetermined angular range.
5. The hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the rotation limiter
protrusion protrudes from the outer face of the rotation shaft and
is received in the insert hole; and the rotation limiter step
protrudes from the inner face of the insert hole in a way to
embrace part of the rotation shaft.
6. The hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the stopper is
disposed at one side of the rotary member; and a rotational support
member is disposed at the other side of the rotary member so as to
slidably contact and embrace the outer surface of the rotary
member.
7. A portable terminal comprising: a main body equipped with a
display unit; a support leg for supporting the main body; and a
multi-step hinge pivotably connecting the support leg to the main
body, the multi-step hinge including: a housing; a rotary member
rotatably installed inside of the housing, the rotary member having
a retainer groove formed in the outer circumferential face; a
stopper slidably installed at either side of the rotary member
inside of the housing, the stopper having a retainer protrusion
formed so as to be engaged with the retainer groove; and a
resilient member disposed between the housing and the stopper.
8. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein: the
retainer groove is formed in multiple numbers so as to extend along
rotational axis of the rotary member; and the retainer protrusion
is formed correspondingly to the retainer groove.
9. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stopper
includes: a front portion in which the retainer protrusion is
formed; and a guide portion extended from the front portion so as
to receive and support the resilient member.
10. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein: the
rotary member is formed with a rotation shaft; the housing is
formed with an insert hole through which the rotation shaft passes;
the rotation shaft is formed with a rotation limiter protrusion;
and the insert hole is formed with a rotation limiter step which
engages the rotation limiter protrusion to restrict rotation of the
rotary member within a predetermined angular range.
11. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the
rotation limiter protrusion protrudes from the outer face of the
rotation shaft and is received in the insert hole; and the rotation
limiter step protrudes from the inner face of the insert hole in a
way to embrace part of the rotation shaft.
12. The portable terminal as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the
stopper is disposed at one side of the rotary member; and a
rotational support member is disposed at the other side of the
rotary member so as to slidably contact and embrace the outer
surface of the rotary member.
13. A multi-step hinge comprising: a housing; a rotary member
rotatably installed inside of the housing, the rotary member having
retainer grooves formed in the outer circumferential face; at least
two stoppers aligned with each other and slidably installed such
that at least one stopper is at both sides of the rotary member
inside of the housing, each stopper including: a retainer
protrusion formed so as to be engaged with a different one of the
retainer grooves of the rotary member; a guide portion; at least
two resilient members aligned with each other, each resilient
member being at least partially received within the guide portion
of a corresponding one of said stoppers and positioned between the
housing and the corresponding one of said stoppers.
14. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the stopper comprises
a pair of stoppers; the resilient member comprises a pair of
resilient members each positioned between the housing and a
corresponding one of the pair of stoppers.
15. The hinge as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the pair of stoppers
are linearly aligned with each other; and the pair of resilient
members are linearly aligned with each other.
16. The hinge as claimed in claim 14, the pair of stoppers are
slidably installed such that a stopper is at both sides of the
rotary member for engagement therewith; the pair of resilient
members are positioned relative to the pair of stopper such that
each resilient member biases a corresponding one of the pair of
stoppers towards engagement with the rotary member.
17. The hinge as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the rotary member
includes two or more retainer grooves; and the pair of stoppers are
positioned relative to the rotary member so that the retainer
protrusion of each stopper will engage a different one of the
retainer grooves than the retainer protrusion of the other
stopper.
18. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper includes:
a front portion in which the retainer protrusion is formed; and a
generally C-shaped guide portion extended rearwardly from the front
portion so as to receive therein and support the resilient
member.
19. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the resilient member
comprises a coil spring; and the stopper includes a guide portion
in which at least an end portion of the coil spring is
inserted.
20. A portable terminal comprising a main body equipped with a
display screen and a support leg pivotably connected to the main
body by the hinge as claimed in claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/806,535 filed Jun. 1, 2007 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,536,751 issued May 26, 2009) which, in turn, claimed priority
to Korean Patent Application Serial Number 10-2007-0042839 filed
May 3, 2007 (now Korean Patent Registration Number 10-0802558
registered Feb. 1, 2008). The entire disclosures of each of the
above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a multi-step hinge and a
portable terminal having the same. More specifically, the invention
relates to an angular adjustable hinge and a portable terminal
using the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Throughout the description, a portable terminal means
portable electronic devices including PDAs (Personal Digital
assistant), smart phones, handheld personal computers, hand phones,
MP3 players and the like. These devices may be equipped with a
desired communications module such as CDMA (Code Divisions
Multiplexing Access) module, Bluetooth module, IrDA (Infrared Data
Association) module, wired or wireless LAN card. In addition, such
portable terminals may be provided with a desired microprocessor
having a function of reproducing multi-media data, i.e., a desired
computational ability.
[0004] Recently, portable terminals have been popularized for
listening music, furthermore for watching movies or TVs according
to the advent of satellite DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting)
and ground wave broadcasting.
[0005] As such, users are quite often bound to use those portable
terminals for a long period of time.
[0006] Holding a portable terminal by hand for a long time causes
the users to become physically tired.
[0007] As another problem, a longer antenna became required for the
portable terminals to receive, for example, the satellite DMB
service.
[0008] In order to receive the satellite DMB, diversity technique
has been proposed, in which multiple antennas are employed, but
which results in a bulky and heavier device (e.g., cellular
phone).
[0009] The above problems in the art will be explained in
details.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a conventional portable terminal and an
electric charging station.
[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 1 is placed in an
electric charging station 10 to charge the terminal.
[0012] The bottom face 11 of the charging station 10 is flat so
that the charging station can be placed on a floor such as desks
and tables. On the top of the charging station 100 is formed a
recess 13 where the portable terminal 1 is placed when it is
charged.
[0013] The recess 13 of the charging station 10 is structured such
that the portable terminal 1 rested therein remains inclined at a
certain angle. Thus, a user can place the portable terminal on the
recess 13 to watch movies or TV being displayed on the display 12
for a long time.
[0014] With this electric charging machine, the user can see the
display 2 for a long time without excessive bowing of head and thus
without excessive fatigue. However, inconveniently the users must
carry the electric charging station 10.
[0015] In addition, the recess 13 of the charging station 10 has a
fixed angular position and shape, so that the user can not
arbitrarily adjust the angle of the portable terminal 1 with
respect to the floor.
[0016] That is, the angle of the display 2 to the floor can not be
adjusted according to the individual user's preferences and
choices.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, another conventional technique
will be explained.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable terminal, i.e., a
cellular phone having a tilting device. As shown in FIG. 2, the
tilting device 30 is pivotally installed in a portable terminal 20
at both end faces 22 and 23 thereof.
[0019] The front face of the portable terminal 20 is formed with a
display 21. The tilting device takes the form of "[", at both ends
of which a hinge 31 is pivotally attached to both lateral faces of
the portable terminal 20.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the portion III in FIG. 2.
[0021] At both lateral sides of the portable terminal 20 is formed
a stepped portion 24 for the tilting device 30 not to be protruded.
The stepped portion 24 is made up of a step 25 and a flat portion
26.
[0022] The above "[" shaped tilting device 30 is combined to the
flat portion 26 by means of a hinge 31. The hinge 31 pivots about
near the step 26 to the extent of 90 degrees.
[0023] The "[" shaped tilting device 30 pivots near the hinge 31
and then is stopped by the step 25. At this state, the tilting
device 30 contacts the floor and the bottom of the portable
terminal 20 contacts the floor, such that the portable terminal is
supported on the floor while forming a certain angle with the
floor.
[0024] When the tilting device 30 is not being used, it can rest on
the flat portion 26 of the stepped portion 24 to provide a
convenient portability. With this technique, however, the tilting
device supports the portable terminal 30 with a fixed inclination,
i.e., 90-degree all the time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention has been made in order to solve at
least part of the problems in the art. It is an object of the
invention to provide a multi-step hinge and a portable terminal
using the same.
[0026] In order to accomplish the above objects, according to one
aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-step hinge
comprising a housing, a rotary member rotatably installed inside of
the housing, and a stopper slidably installed at either side of the
rotary member inside of the housing. The rotary member has a
retainer groove formed in the outer circumferential face, and the
stopper has a retainer protrusion formed so as to be engaged with
the retainer groove. A resilient member is disposed between the
housing and the stopper.
[0027] The retainer groove is formed in multiple numbers so as to
extend along the rotational axis of the rotary member, and the
retainer protrusion is formed correspondingly to the retainer
groove.
[0028] The stopper includes a front portion in which the retainer
protrusion is formed, and a guide portion extended from the front
portion so as to receive and support the resilient member.
[0029] The rotary member is formed with a rotation shaft and the
housing is formed with an insert hole through which the rotation
shaft passes. The rotation shaft is formed with a rotation limiter
protrusion and the insert hole is formed with a rotation limiter
step which engages the rotation limiter protrusion to restrict
rotation of the rotary member within a predetermined angular
range.
[0030] The rotation limiter protrusion protrudes from the outer
face of the rotation shaft and is received in the insert hole, and
the rotation limiter step protrudes from the inner face of the
insert hole in a way to embrace part of the rotation shaft.
[0031] The stopper is disposed at one side of the rotary member,
and a rotational support member is disposed at the other side of
the rotary member so as to slidably contact and embrace the outer
surface of the rotary member.
[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a portable terminal comprising a main body equipped with a
display unit, a support leg for supporting the main body, and a
multi-step hinge combining the support leg with the main body.
Here, the multi-step hinge has the above structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more
fully understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a conventional portable phone and electric
charging station;
[0035] FIG. 2 shows another conventional portable terminal having a
tilting device;
[0036] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view for the portion III in FIG.
2;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable terminal
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the portable
terminal of FIG. 4;
[0039] FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of a multi-step
hinge according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 8 shows operations of the multi-step hinge of FIGS. 6
and 7;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portable terminal
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the portable
terminal of FIG. 9;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a multi-step hinge
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIGS. 12 and 13 are exploded perspective views of the
multi-step hinge of FIG. 11; and
[0045] FIG. 14 shows operations of the multi-step hinge of FIG.
11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0046] Hereafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be
explained, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable terminal
according to an embodiment of the invention and FIG. 5 is an
exploded perspective view of the portable terminal.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the portable terminal of this
embodiment includes a main body 100 equipped with a display, a
support leg 200, and a multi-step hinge 300 pivotally connecting
the main body and the support leg 200 to each other.
[0049] Part of the outer periphery of the main body 100 is
depressed to form a recess 110 into which the support let 200 is
inserted and rests thereon, when necessary. The depressed recess
110 forms a stepped-up portion 112 at both ends thereof, i.e.,
between the depressed recess 110 and the remaining un-depressed
portion.
[0050] The support leg 200 is formed in the form of "[" so as to
rest on the recess 110. Both ends of the support leg 200 are
pivotally attached to the recess 110 by means of the multi-step
hinge 300.
[0051] The support leg 200 is attached to the depressed recess 110
such that the end portion of the leg 200 is placed near the
stepped-up portion 112 and thus the support leg 200 is stopped by
the stepped-up portion 112, thereby not pivoting beyond the
stepped-up portion.
[0052] Of course, the support leg 200 may be hinged directly to the
main body 100, without the stepped-up portion 112 and the recess
110.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-step hinge 300 is mounted
inside of the main body 100 by means of a bolt 400 or the like. The
support leg 200 is coupled to the hinge 300 so as to be hinged with
the main body 100.
[0054] For this purpose, the main body 100 is provided with a
through-hole 120 formed at a desired position of the recess 110,
through which the support leg 200 is combined with the multi-step
hinge 300 using a bolt 400. A cap 450 or the like is mounted so as
not to expose the bolt or the like to the outside, thereby not
spoiling the appearance.
[0055] FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of a multi-step
hinge 300 according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the multi-step hinge 300 is
composed of a housing 310, 320, a rotary member 330, a stopper 340,
and a resilient member 350.
[0057] The housing is mounted inside of the main body 100, and
composed of a male housing 320 and a female housing 310 to be
combined with each other.
[0058] Here, the male housing 320 is formed with a latch protrusion
324 and the female housing 310 is formed with a latch groove 314
corresponding to the latch protrusion 324. Thus, the latch
protrusion 324 is snap-inserted into the latch groove 314 to
combine the male and female housings 320 and 310 with each
other.
[0059] Of course, a fastener means such as bolts, or an adhesive
may be used to combine the male housing 320 with the female housing
310.
[0060] The rotary member 330 takes a cylindrical form and is
mounted inside of the housing 310 and 320. The rotary member 330 is
provided with a retainer groove 334 formed at the outer face
thereof.
[0061] The rotary member 330 is formed with a rotation shaft 332.
The rotation shaft 332 passes through a first insert hole 312 or a
second insert hole 322 and then is coupled to the support leg
200.
[0062] Therefore, as the support leg 200 pivots, the rotary member
330 rotates inside of the housing 310, 320 while being supported on
the first and second insert holes 312 and 322.
[0063] The retainer groove 334 is formed in the outer
circumferential face of the rotary member 330 in such a manner to
extend lengthwise of the cylindrical rotary member 330.
[0064] Here, the retainer groove 334 is formed in multiple numbers
along the outer circumference at certain angular intervals, for
example, at regular intervals of 45-degree.
[0065] Further, formed at the top and bottom of the female housing
310 is a rotation recess 318 having an arcuate form so as to
receive and accommodate the rotary member 330.
[0066] The stopper 340 is mounted inside of the housing 310, 320 so
as to enable to slidably move towards and far away from the rotary
member 330. The stopper 340 may be disposed at either side of the
rotary member 330 or at both sides thereof.
[0067] The stopper 340 includes a front portion 342 disposed
adjacent to the rotary member 330, a guide portion 343 extended
backwards of the front portion 342, and a retainer protrusion 342
formed in the front portion 342.
[0068] The retainer protrusion 341 becomes engaged with the
retainer groove 334. The retainer protrusion and groove are rounded
off so as to be smoothly engaged with and released from each
other.
[0069] In addition, the retainer protrusion 341 is formed to extend
correspondingly to the retainer groove 334 of the rotary member
330.
[0070] In this way, the retainer protrusion 341 and groove 334 come
to have a larger contact surface to thereby further inhibit
arbitrary moving relative to each other.
[0071] The guide portion 343 is formed in a way to extend
backwardly from the top and lower end portions of the front portion
342. The resilient member 350 is inserted into the guide portion
343.
[0072] The resilient member 350 is formed of a coil spring or the
like, which urges the stopper 340 towards the original position
thereof.
[0073] Due to the resiliency of the resilient member 350, the
retainer protrusion 341 of the stopper 340 is engaged with and
retained on the retainer groove 334 of the rotary member, thereby
preventing the rotary member 330 from being arbitrarily
rotated.
[0074] At this time, the guide portion 343 has generally an arched
structure configured so as to prevent the resilient member, i.e.,
the coil spring 350 from being escaped sideways.
[0075] FIG. 8 shows operation of the multi-step hinge 300 having
the above configuration.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the retainer protrusion 341 of the
stopper 340 is rested on the retainer groove 334 of the rotary
member 330.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 8(b), as the rotary member 330 is rotated,
the retainer protrusion 341 is released from the retainer groove
334 and thus the stopper 340 moves far away from the rotary member
350 while compressing the resilient member 350 backwards.
[0078] If the rotary member 330 is further rotated, the retainer
protrusion 341 becomes rested onto an adjacent retainer groove 334,
due to the restoring force of the resilient member, as shown in
FIG. 8(a).
[0079] Here, the rotary member 330 can not be freely rotated by
means of engagement between the retainer protrusion 341 and the
retainer groove 334.
[0080] Since the support leg 200 is coupled to the main body 100
through the multi-step hinge 300 described above, the user can
place the portable terminal on the floor at various angles with
respect to the floor to view the display in a more comfortable
manner. Furthermore, because the retainer protrusion 341 of the
stopper 340 remains firmly on the retainer groove 334 of the rotary
member 330 by the elastic force of the resilient member 350, the
support leg 200 is prevented from arbitrarily pivoting so that the
portable terminal can remain at the state inclined with an angle
set-up by the user.
[0081] Here, the intervals of the retainer grooves 334 formed in
the rotary member 330 may vary and thus inclination angles of the
main body 100 may be adjusted in various ways of angles.
[0082] Hereafter, another embodiment of the invention will be
explained in detail, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0083] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portable terminal
according to another embodiment of the invention and FIG. 10 is an
exploded perspective view of the portable terminal.
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the portable terminal of this
embodiment includes a main body 100 equipped with a display, a
support leg 200, and a multi-step hinge 300 pivotally connecting
the main body 100 and the support leg 200 to each other.
[0085] Part of the outer periphery of the main body 100 is
depressed to form a recess 110 into which the support leg 200 is
fitted and rests thereon, when necessary. The depressed recess 110
forms a stepped-up portion 112 at both ends thereof, i.e., between
the depressed recess 110 and the remaining un-depressed
portion.
[0086] The support leg 200 is formed in the form of "[" so as to
rest on the recess 110. Both ends of the support leg 200 are
pivotally attached to the recess 110 by means of the multi-step
hinge 300.
[0087] The support leg 200 is attached to the depressed recess 110
such that the end portion of the leg 200 is placed near the
stepped-up portion 112 and thus the support leg 200 is stopped by
the stepped-up portion 112, thereby not pivoting beyond the
stepped-up portion.
[0088] Of course, the support leg 200 may be hinged directly to the
main body 100, without the stepped-up portion 112 and the recess
110.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 10, the multi-step hinge 300 is mounted
inside of the main body 100 by means of a bolt 400 or the like. The
support leg 200 is coupled to the hinge 300 so as to be hinged with
the main body 100.
[0090] For this purpose, the main body 100 is provided with a
through-hole 120 formed at a desired position of the recess 110,
through which the support leg 200 is combined with the multi-step
hinge 300 using a bolt 400. A cap 450 or like is mounted so as not
to expose the bolt or the like to the outside, thereby not spoiling
the appearance.
[0091] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a multi-step hinge
according to another embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 12 and 13
are exploded perspective views of the multi-step hinge of FIG.
11.
[0092] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the multi-step hinge 300 is
composed of a housing 310, 320, a rotary member 330, a stopper 340,
a resilient member 350, and a rotational support member 360.
[0093] The housing is mounted inside of the main body 100, and
composed of a male housing 320 and a female housing 310 to be
combined with each other.
[0094] Here, the male housing 320 is formed with a latch protrusion
324 and the female housing 310 is formed with a latch groove 314
corresponding to the latch protrusion 324. Thus, the latch
protrusion 324 is snap-inserted into the latch groove 314 to
combine the male and female housings 320 and 310 with each
other.
[0095] Of course, a fastener means such as bolts, or an adhesive
may be used to combine the male housing 320 with the female housing
310.
[0096] Furthermore, the upper front edge portion of the male
housing 320 is bent slightly upwards such that the female housing
310 can be easily inserted into the male housing 320 when being
assembled.
[0097] The rotary member 330 takes a cylindrical form and is
mounted inside of the housing 310 and 320. The rotary member 330 is
provided with a retainer groove 334 formed at the outer face
thereof.
[0098] The rotary member 330 is formed with a rotation shaft 332.
The rotation shaft 332 passes through a first insert hole 312 or a
second insert hole 322 and then is coupled to the support leg
200.
[0099] Therefore, as the support leg 200 pivots, the rotary member
330 rotates inside of the housing 310, 320 while being supported on
the first and second insert holes 312 and 322.
[0100] The retainer groove 334 is formed in the outer
circumferential face of the rotary member 330 in such a manner to
extend lengthwise of the cylindrical rotary member 330.
[0101] Here, the retainer groove 334 is formed in multiple numbers
along the outer circumference at certain angular intervals.
Preferably, the distance between a first retainer groove 334a and a
second retainer groove 334b is made longer than the distance
between the second retainer groove 334b and a third retainer groove
334c.
[0102] In this way, unnecessary retainer grooves can be saved in
the range of angles where the support leg 200 does not need to be
retained for inclination-supporting the main body 100. That is,
when slant-supporting the portable terminal, the support leg 200
can be turned up to a minimum angular position at one operation,
without being obstructed by unnecessary retainer protrusions and
grooves in-between.
[0103] Further, formed at the top and bottom of the female housing
310 is a rotation recess 318 having an arcuate form so as to
receive and accommodate the rotary member 330.
[0104] The stopper 340 is mounted inside of the housing 310, 320 so
as to enable to slidably move towards and far away from the rotary
member 330. The rotary member 340 may be disposed at either side of
the rotary member 330 or at both sides thereof.
[0105] The stopper 340 includes a front portion 342 to be placed
towards to the rotary member 330, a guide portion 343 extended
backwards of the front portion 342, and a retainer protrusion 342
formed in the front portion 342.
[0106] The retainer protrusion 341 becomes engaged with the
retainer groove 334. The retainer protrusion and groove are rounded
off so as to be smoothly engaged with and released from each
other.
[0107] In addition, the retainer protrusion 341 is formed so as to
extend correspondingly to the retainer groove 334 of the rotary
member 330.
[0108] In this way, the retainer protrusion 341 and groove 334 come
to have a larger contact surface to thereby further inhibit
arbitrary moving relative to each other.
[0109] The front portion 342 is formed to be concaved generally in
a way to wrap around the rotary member 330.
[0110] The guide portion 343 is formed in a way to extend
backwardly from the top and lower end portions of the front portion
342. The resilient member 350 is inserted into the guide portion
343.
[0111] The resilient member 350 is formed of a coil spring or the
like, which is disposed between the stopper 340 and the housing to
urge the stopper 340 towards the original position thereof.
[0112] Due to the resiliency of the resilient member 350, the
retainer protrusion 341 of the stopper 340 is engaged with and
retained on the retainer groove 334 of the rotary member, thereby
preventing the rotary member 330 from being arbitrarily
rotated.
[0113] At this time, the guide portion 343 has in general an arched
structure configured so as to prevent the resilient member, i.e.,
the coil spring 350 from being escaped sideways.
[0114] The stopper 340 is disposed at one side of the rotary member
330, and a rotational support member 360 is disposed at the other
side of the rotary member 330 in a way to contact and wrap around
the outer surface of the rotary member 330.
[0115] In other words, the rotational support member 360 is mounted
to slidably embrace the rotary member 330, such that the rotary
member 330 can be rotated in a steady and smooth manner without
wobbling.
[0116] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the rotation shaft
332 is provided with a rotation limiter protrusion 336 formed at a
desired position of the outer surface thereof. The first insert
hole 312 is formed with a rotation limiter step 316 in the inner
circumference, which allows the rotary member 330 to rotate within
a predetermined range of angles, in cooperation with the rotation
limiter protrusion 336 formed in the rotation shaft 332 of the
rotary member 330.
[0117] The rotation limiter protrusion 336 may be formed in both
sides of the rotation shaft 332. In this embodiment, it is formed
at one side only of the rotation shaft 332 as shown in FIG. 12.
Correspondingly, the rotation limiter step 316 may be formed at
both the first insert hole 312 and the second insert hole 322. In
this embodiment, it is formed at either one of the first and second
insert holes 312 and 322 so as to correspond to the rotation
limiter protrusion 336.
[0118] The rotation limiter protrusion 336 is inserted into the
first insert hole 312, along with the rotation shaft 332. Thus, the
radius of the first insert hole 312 is made to be slightly larger
than the radius of the rotation shaft 332 plus the height of the
rotation limiter protrusion 336.
[0119] The rotation limiter step 316 is formed so as to protrude
from the inner face of the first insert hole so as to embrace part
of the rotation shaft 332.
[0120] That is, the rotation limiter step 316 has a "C" shape to
slidably wrap around part of the rotation shaft, which is allowed
to rotate within the opening of the "C" shape. That is, the
rotation limiter protrusion 336 is stopped by both ends of the "C"
shape.
[0121] FIG. 14 shows operation of the multi-step hinge having the
above configuration.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 14(a), the retainer protrusion 341 of the
stopper 340 is rested on the first retainer groove 334a of the
rotary member 330.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 14(b), if the rotary member 330 is rotated,
the retainer protrusion 341 is released from the first retainer
groove 334a and thus the stopper 340 moves far away from the rotary
member 350 while compressing the resilient member 350.
[0124] If the rotary member 330 is further rotated, the retainer
protrusion 341 becomes rested onto the second retainer groove 334b,
due to the restoring force of the resilient member, as shown in
FIG. 14(c).
[0125] Here, the rotary member 330 can not be freely rotated by
means of engagement between the retainer protrusion 341 and the
second retainer groove 334b.
[0126] As the rotary member 330 is further rotated, the retainer
protrusion 341 is rested onto the third retainer groove 334c and
the fourth retainer groove 334d consecutively, as shown in FIG.
14(d). It can be seen from FIGS. 14(a) and 14(d) that the rotation
limiter protrusion 336 is stopped by the rotation limiter step 316
to thereby inhibit further rotation of the rotation shaft 332,
i.e., the rotary member 330.
[0127] Since the support leg 200 is coupled to the main body 100
through the multi-step hinge 300 described above, the user can
place the portable terminal on the floor at various angles with
respect to the floor to view the display in a more comfortable
posture. Furthermore, because the retainer protrusion 341 of the
stopper 340 remains firmly on the retainer groove 334 of the rotary
member 330 by the elastic force of the resilient member 350, the
support leg 200 is prevented from arbitrarily pivoting so that the
portable terminal can remain at the state inclined with an angle
set-up by the user.
[0128] Here, the intervals of the retainer grooves 334 formed in
the rotary member 330 may vary and thus inclination angles of the
main body 100 may be implemented in various ways of angles.
[0129] Further, the rotation limiter protrusion 336 and step 316
cooperates to avoid unnecessary rotation of the rotary member 330.
The rotational support member 360 allows for smooth rotation of the
rotary member 330, without wobbling.
[0130] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to several exemplary embodiments, the description is
illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as
limiting the invention. Various modifications and variations may
occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended
claims.
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