Positioning mechanisms of double-pintle hinge

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a double-pintle hinge and, particularly, to position mechanisms of the double-pintle hinge.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] TW Pat. No. M452593 shows a double-pintle hinge. The hinge includes positioning mechanisms including a first and second cams and a cam follower disposed therebetween to interact therewith. The first and second cams each have a recess in which the cam follower selectively engages.

[0005] In order for the cam follower to movably engage in the recesses of the first and second cams, the size of the cam follower has to be smaller than the recesses. Furthermore, in order to reduce noise caused by interactions between the cams and the cam follower, a rubber sleeve is sleeved on the cam follower. Unfortunately, the sleeve wears out after a long use and wearing rubber bits clog up other components of the hinge.

[0006] The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

[0007] According to the present invention, a double-pintle hinge includes a first pintle, a second pintle, and positioning mechanisms configured to allow the first and second pintles to rotate relative to each other to releasably retained positions. The positioning mechanisms include first and second joining members interconnecting the first and second pintles, with each including a first end thereof coupled to the first pintle in a manner that the first pintle is rotatable about a first axis relative to the first and second joining members and a second end thereof coupled to the second pintle in a manner that the second pintle is rotatable about a second axis relative to the first and second joining members. Furthermore, the first and second joining members sandwich a first and second cams, a first and second cam followers, and a biasing member. The first cam is coupled to the first pintle in a manner that the first cam rotates when the first pintle rotates. The second cam is coupled to the second pintle in a manner that the second cam rotates when the second pintle rotates. The first and second cam followers are positioned between the first and second cams, and respectively abut the first and second cams, and are movably connected with each other such that the first cam follower is able to slide on the second cam follower. The biasing member is positioned between the first and second cam followers such that the first and second cam followers are biased axially by the biasing member.

[0008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0009] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0010] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0011] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[0012] Other objectives, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings.

[0021] A double-pintle hinge in accordance with the present invention includes a first pintle 20, a second pintle 30, and positioning mechanisms 40 configured to allow the first and second pintles 20 and 30 to rotate relative to each other to releasably retained positions.

[0022] The positioning mechanisms 40 include first and second joining members 41 and 42 interconnecting the first and second pintles 20 and 30, with each including a first end thereof coupled to the first pintle 20 in a manner that the first pintle 20 is rotatable about a first axis relative to the first and second joining members 41 and 42 and a second end thereof coupled to the second pintle 30 in a manner that the second pintle 30 is rotatable about a second axis relative to the first and second joining members 41 and 42. The first and second joining members 41 and 42 sandwich a first and second cams 43, a first and second cam followers 44, and a biasing member 45.

[0023] The first cam 43 is coupled to the first pintle 20 in a manner that the first cam 43 rotates when the first pintle 20 rotates. The second cam 43 is coupled to the second pintle 30 in a manner that the second cam 43 rotates when the second pintle 30 rotates.

[0024] The first and second cam followers 44 are positioned between the first and second cams 43. The first and second cam followers 44 respectively abut the first and second cams 43. The first and second cams 43 each have a periphery and include a recess 431 defined by the periphery. The first and second cam followers 44 each have an outer surface and include a protrusion 441 extending from the outer surface. The first and second pintles 20 and 30 have a first releasably retained position in which one of the protrusions 441 is releasably engaged with the respective recess 431, and a second releasably retained position in which the two protrusions 441 are releasably engaged with the respective recesses 431. The first and second cam followers 44 are movably connected with each other such that the first cam follower 44 is able to slide on the second cam follower 44. The first and second cam followers 44 each have a L-shaped body and include a slot 442 recessed in a first extension of the body and a tab 443 protruded from a second extension of the body. The slot 442 and the tab 443 of one of the first and second cam followers 44 respectively engage with the tab 443 and the slot 442 of the other of the first and second cam followers 44 when the first and second cam followers 44 are connected. The protrusion 441 on each of the first and second cam followers 44 is located on the first extension of the body thereof. The first and second joining members 41 and 42 include a first projection 413 and a second projection 413 extending therebetween. The first and second projections 413 are defined by two walls of one of the first and second cam followers 44. The first and second cam followers 44 are sandwiched between the first projection 413 and the second projection 413. The second extension of the body of the first cam follower 44 is movable and abuts the first projection 413. The second extension of the body of the second cam follower 44 is movable and abuts the second projection 413. Each of the first and second cam followers 44 includes the body thereof having two lateral edges and includes the protrusion 441 extending therefrom located between the two lateral edges. The two lateral edges of each of the first and second cam followers 44 are sandwiched between inner surfaces of the first and second joining members 41 and 42. The two lateral edges of each of the first and second cam followers 44 are defined by two lateral sides of the first extension as well as two lateral sides of the second extension.

[0025] The biasing member 45 is positioned between the first and second cam followers such that the first and second cam followers 44 are biased axially by the biasing member 45. The biasing member 45 is a coil spring. The first and second cam followers 44 each include a cavity to hold a distal end of the biasing member 45. As such, the biasing member 45 is stably positioned between the first and second cam followers 44.

[0026] The first and second pintles 20 and 30 each include a plurality of elastomeric members 50 engaged therewith. The plurality of elastomeric members 50 on the first pintle 20 are restrained between one of the first and second joining members 41 and 42 and a first retainer 60 and the plurality of elastomeric members 50 on the second pintle 30 are restrained between one of the first and second joining members 41 and 42 and a second retainer 60. The first retainer 60 and the first pintle 20 are in thread engagement. The second retainer 60 and the second pintle 30 are in thread engagement.

[0027] The double-pintle hinge 10 is a hinge for electronic devices and, particularly for an electronic device including a first member and a second member. As such, the first and second members are pivotally coupled to each other by the double-pintle hinge 10. Furthermore, one of the pintles 20 and 30 coupled to the first member rotates when the first member is pivoted. Likewise, the other of the pintles 20 and 30 coupled to the second member rotates when the second member is pivoted. The first pintle 20 is rotatable about a first axis. The second pintle 30 is rotatable about a second axis, which is parallel to the first axis.

[0028] The double-pintle hinge 10 has a fully open position and a closed position defined from two releasably retained positions of the first and second pintles 20 and 30. The first and second pintles 20 and 30 are limited to rotate between the fully open position and the closed position. The first and second pintles 20 and 30 respectively have an outer surface and include a first ridge 21 and 31 extending from the outer surface. The first joining member 41 has an outer surface and includes a second ridge 411 extending from the outer surface. The double-pintle hinge 10 in the fully open position includes the first ridge 21 of one of the first and second pintles 20 and 30 releasably engaged with the second ridge 411. The first ridge 21 of the respective first and second pintles 20 and 30 has two distal ends spaced radially and a curved outer edge joining the two distal ends. In addition, the outer surface of the first joining member 41 includes a third ridge 412 extending therefrom adapted to releasably engage with another first ridge 31. In view of the forgoing, the first and second cam followers 44 can move stably, thereby avoiding unwanted vibration and making noise. As set forth, the first and second cam followers 44 are positioned between the first and second cams 43, and respectively abut the first and second cams 43, and are movably connected with each other such that the first cam follower 44 is able to slide on the second cam follower 44. Each of the firsts and second cam followers 44 includes the lateral edge

[0029] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.