US5509176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torque hinge
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1994-05-12
•
Granted: 1996-04-23
•
Expires: 2014-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A torque hinge 20 includes a shaft 14 surrounded with a coating 22 fixed to the shaft 14. The coated shaft 18 fits within a housing cavity 26 such that the coated shaft 18 is in frictional contact with the housing cavity 26. The frictional contact provides sufficient torque to torque hinge 20 to provide constant resistance through the torque hinge's entire range of motion.
Inventors
- 👤 Rex A. Karl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1675; G06F1/1681; E; E05; E05D; E05D11/00; E05D11/08; E05D11/082; E05Y; E05Y2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity, the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; a shaft positioned in the cavity, the shaft having a transverse cross-sectional area smaller than that of the cavity; and an annular, resiliently compressible coating covering the shaft, wherein the outer diameter of the annular coating covering the shaft has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of the cavity thereby creating an interference frictional fit between the shaft, coating and cavity and causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity, the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; a shaft positioned in the cavity, the shaft having a transverse cross-sectional area smaller than that of the cavity; and an annular, resiliently compressible coating covering the shaft, wherein the outer diameter of the annular coating covering the shaft has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of the cavity thereby creating an interference frictional fit between the shaft, coating and cavity and causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 1 wherein the cavity is cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 1 wherein the shaft is cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity; an annular coating formed in the cavity, the annular coating being resiliently compressible, and having an opening, the opening having a transverse cross-sectional area; and a shaft positioned in the opening, wherein the shaft has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of the opening, thereby causing the coating to compress and create an interference frictional fit between the shaft, coating and cavity, causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity; an annular coating formed in the cavity, the annular coating being resiliently compressible, and having an opening, the opening having a transverse cross-sectional area; and a shaft positioned in the opening, wherein the shaft has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of the opening, thereby causing the coating to compress and create an interference frictional fit between the shaft, coating and cavity, causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 4 wherein the cavity is cylindrical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 4 wherein the shaft is cylindrical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 5 wherein the coating comprises microcellular urethane foam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity; the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; and an annular microcellular urethane foam coating within the cavity and having an outside transverse cross-sectional area smaller than the transverse cross-sectional area of the cavity, the annular coating being resiliently compressible and having an opening; and a shaft positioned in the opening, wherein the shaft has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of the opening thereby causing the coating to compress and create an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and shaft, thereby causing sufficient friction resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity; the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; and an annular microcellular urethane foam coating within the cavity and having an outside transverse cross-sectional area smaller than the transverse cross-sectional area of the cavity, the annular coating being resiliently compressible and having an opening; and a shaft positioned in the opening, wherein the shaft has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of the opening thereby causing the coating to compress and create an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and shaft, thereby causing sufficient friction resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 8 wherein the cavity is cylindrical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 8 wherein the shaft is cylindrical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity, the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; an annular resiliently compressible coating positioned within the cavity and having an opening, the opening having a transverse cross-sectional area; and a cross-sectional part having a larger transverse cross-sectional area than that of the opening and is positioned within the opening such that the coating is compressed and an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and cross-sectional part is achieved causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer system having a torque hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity, the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; an annular resiliently compressible coating positioned within the cavity and having an opening, the opening having a transverse cross-sectional area; and a cross-sectional part having a larger transverse cross-sectional area than that of the opening and is positioned within the opening such that the coating is compressed and an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and cross-sectional part is achieved causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 11 wherein the cross-sectional cavity is an N-sided polygon wherein N is greater than two.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system having a torque hinge of claim 11 wherein the resiliently compressible coating comprises a microcellular urethane foam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer, comprising: a computer housing having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a cross-sectional cavity and the second portion has a protruding fitting that extends into the cross-sectional cavity, wherein the cross-sectional cavity has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the protruding firing, thereby creating a clearance between the cross-sectional cavity and the protruding fitting; and a resiliently compressible coating positioned between the cross-sectional cavity and the protruding fitting, wherein the coating is thicker than the clearance so as to be compressed between the cross-sectional cavity and the protruding fitting and an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and protruding fitting is achieved and a hinge formed, thereby causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer, comprising: a computer housing having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a cross-sectional cavity and the second portion has a protruding fitting that extends into the cross-sectional cavity, wherein the cross-sectional cavity has a larger transverse cross-sectional area than the protruding firing, thereby creating a clearance between the cross-sectional cavity and the protruding fitting; and a resiliently compressible coating positioned between the cross-sectional cavity and the protruding fitting, wherein the coating is thicker than the clearance so as to be compressed between the cross-sectional cavity and the protruding fitting and an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and protruding fitting is achieved and a hinge formed, thereby causing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the hinge's entire range of motion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer of claim 14 wherein the first portion of the computer housing comprises a base portion for the computer, wherein the base serves as a data input for the computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer of claim 14 wherein the second portion of the computer housing comprises a lid for the computer, wherein the lid serves as a visual monitor for the computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer of claim 14 wherein the protruding fitting comprises an N-sided polygon wherein N is greater than two.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer of claim 14 wherein the cross-sectional cavity comprises an N-sided polygon wherein N is greater than two.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer of claim 14 wherein the compressible coating comprises a microcellular urethane foam.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
102 words
A computer system having a joint hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity, the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; an appendage having a transverse cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cavity and positioned within the cavity, thereby creating a clearance between the cavity and appendage; and a resiliently compressible coating within the cavity between the housing and the appendage, wherein the coating is thicker than the clearance so as to be compressed and an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and appendage is achieved providing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the entire range of motion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
102 words
A computer system having a joint hinge, comprising: a computer housing having a cavity, the cavity having a transverse cross-sectional area; an appendage having a transverse cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cavity and positioned within the cavity, thereby creating a clearance between the cavity and appendage; and a resiliently compressible coating within the cavity between the housing and the appendage, wherein the coating is thicker than the clearance so as to be compressed and an interference frictional fit between the cavity, coating and appendage is achieved providing sufficient friction to provide resistance throughout the entire range of motion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-23 | 1999-10-23 | 2000-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | 2004-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-23 | 2007-10-23 | 2008-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |