EP0535912A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hinge mechanism for foldable electronic apparatus
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1992-09-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A hinge mechanism for a foldable electronic apparatus having a first and a second casing. A first and a second cylindrical hinge are provided on the first and second casings, respectively. The second hinge is formed with lugs each having two contact faces having angles α and β (smaller than α). A locking member is received in the first hinge and provided with recesses each contacting one of the lugs at either of the angles α and β, depending on the direction of rotation, i.e., the folding direction or the unfolding direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Fumiyuki C/O Nec Corporation Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:56
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05D; E05D7/00; H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/0206; H04M1/0208; H04M1/0214; H04M1/0216; E05D11/00; E05D11/10; E05D11/1028; E05D11/1078; E05Y; E05Y2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A hinge mechanism for rotatably connecting a first and a second casing of a foldable electronic apparatus, comprising: first hinge means provided on the first casing and having first engaging means; and second hinge means provided on the second casing and having second engaging means mating with said first engaging means of said first hinge means such that the first and second casings are locked in positions spaced apart by a predetermined angle from each other; said second engaging means mating with said first engaging means in a condition which differs from one direction of rotation to the other direction of rotation of the first and second casings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first hinge means comprises a cylindrical hinge member and a locking member received in said hinge member, said second hinge means comprising a cylindrical hinge member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first engaging means comprises recesses formed in one end of said locking member which faces said cylindrical hinge member of said second hinge means, said second engaging means comprising lugs formed on one end of said cylindrical hinge member which faces said one end of said locking member and each mating with one of said recesses of said locking member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lugs of said second engaging means each contacts one of said recesses of said first engaging means at a contact angle which differs from one direction of rotation to the other direction of rotation of the first and second casings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein assuming that the contact angle is α when the first and second casings are rotated in a folding direction, α is selected to be greater than or equal to 45 degrees while, assuming that the contact angle is β when said first and second casings are rotated in an unfolding direction, β is selected to be smaller than 45 degrees.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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