Patent US6182330B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6182330B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-latching hinge
Assignee: Southco Inc
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Filing: 1998-11-20
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2018-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member is provided. The hinge comprises a hinge housing connected to one of the first and second members. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, with the shaft being connected to the other of the first and second members. A cam is located on the shaft. A rotatable roller is located in the housing adjacent to the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller. Contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft. A portable computer is also provided having a self-latching hinge located between the display housing and the processor housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene Novin
- 👤 David A. Lowry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1675; G06F1/1681; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1679; E; E05; E05D; E05D11/00; E05D11/08; E05D11/082; E05Y; E05Y2999/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to one of the first and second members; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the other of the first and second members; a cam located on the shaft, the cam includes a projection; and a rotatable roller having a recess, the roller being located adjacent to the cam which contacts the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the projection on the cam by engagement of the projection into the recess to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to one of the first and second members; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the other of the first and second members; a cam located on the shaft, the cam includes a projection; and a rotatable roller having a recess, the roller being located adjacent to the cam which contacts the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the projection on the cam by engagement of the projection into the recess to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The hinge of claim 1 wherein the roller is made of an elastomeric material which deflects upon interference between the roller and the projection on the cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hinge of claim 1 wherein the cam and the shaft are made as a unitary structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hinge of claim 1 wherein the roller is located in a cavity in the housing, and the cavity has an opening adjacent to the cam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The hinge of claim 1 wherein the cam includes a plurality of projections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatable coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to one of the first and second members; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the other of the first and second members; a cam located on the shaft; a rotatable roller located adjacent to the cam which contacts the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft; and a frictional torque applying element located in the hinge housing which applies a frictional torque to the shaft as it is rotated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatable coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to one of the first and second members; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the other of the first and second members; a cam located on the shaft; a rotatable roller located adjacent to the cam which contacts the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft; and a frictional torque applying element located in the hinge housing which applies a frictional torque to the shaft as it is rotated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The hinge of claim 6 wherein the frictional torque applying element comprises at least one C-shaped spring element secured to the housing, the C-shaped spring element having an internal surface with a generally cylindrical opening, the shaft being located in the opening of the spring element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
184 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatable coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to one of the first and second members; a shaft rotatable disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the other of the first and second members; a cam located on the shaft; and a rotatable roller located adjacent to the cam which contacts the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft; wherein the cam is generally cylindrical and has an outer surface defined by radii which vary circumferentially to a point of maximum outer surface displacement from the axis, the point of maximum outer surface displacement being located at the specified angle of rotation between the first and second members such that the first and second members are forced to a closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
184 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatable coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to one of the first and second members; a shaft rotatable disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the other of the first and second members; a cam located on the shaft; and a rotatable roller located adjacent to the cam which contacts the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft; wherein the cam is generally cylindrical and has an outer surface defined by radii which vary circumferentially to a point of maximum outer surface displacement from the axis, the point of maximum outer surface displacement being located at the specified angle of rotation between the first and second members such that the first and second members are forced to a closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hinge of claim 8 further comprising a recess in the roller located in a complementary position to the point of maximum outer surface displacement on the outer surface of the cam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to the first member; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the second member; a cam located on the shaft, the cam includes an outer surface having a plurality of projections; and a rotatable roller having at least one recess, said roller located in the hinge housing such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and at least one of the plurality of projections on the cam by engagement of the projection into one of the at least one recesses to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
149 words
A self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member, said hinge comprising: a hinge housing for being connected to the first member; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft for being connected to the second member; a cam located on the shaft, the cam includes an outer surface having a plurality of projections; and a rotatable roller having at least one recess, said roller located in the hinge housing such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and at least one of the plurality of projections on the cam by engagement of the projection into one of the at least one recesses to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The hinge of claim 10 wherein the projections are semi-cylindrically shaped.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hinge of claim 10 wherein the roller contains a plurality of recesses which correspond to the projections on the cam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hinge of claim 10 further comprising a frictional torque applying element located in the hinge housing which applies frictional torque to the shaft as it is rotated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The hinge of claim 13 wherein the frictional torque applying element comprises at least one C-shaped spring element secured to the housing, the C-shaped spring element having an internal surface defining a generally cylindrical opening, the shaft being located in the opening of the spring element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
165 words
A portable computer comprising: a screen housing; a processor housing; a hinge pivotally connecting the screen housing to the processor housing, the hinge includes, a hinge housing connected to one of the processor housing and the screen housing; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft being connected to the other of the processor housing and the screen housing; a frictional torque applying element located in the hinge housing for applying frictional torque to the shaft as it is rotated; a cam located on the shaft, the cam having a projection; and a rotatable roller having a recess, said roller located in the housing such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam by engagement of the projection into the recess to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
165 words
A portable computer comprising: a screen housing; a processor housing; a hinge pivotally connecting the screen housing to the processor housing, the hinge includes, a hinge housing connected to one of the processor housing and the screen housing; a shaft rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, the shaft being connected to the other of the processor housing and the screen housing; a frictional torque applying element located in the hinge housing for applying frictional torque to the shaft as it is rotated; a cam located on the shaft, the cam having a projection; and a rotatable roller having a recess, said roller located in the housing such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller, and contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam by engagement of the projection into the recess to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |