| Hinge assembly having a torque device to provide an assistance to assist a pivotal movement of a display relative to a base of a laptop computer -> Monitor Keywords |
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Hinge assembly having a torque device to provide an assistance to assist a pivotal movement of a display relative to a base of a laptop computerRelated Patent Categories: Supports, Brackets, Adjustable, Single Joint, Horizontal PivotHinge assembly having a torque device to provide an assistance to assist a pivotal movement of a display relative to a base of a laptop computer description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070090249, Hinge assembly having a torque device to provide an assistance to assist a pivotal movement of a display relative to a base of a laptop computer. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a hinge assembly, and more particularly to a hinge assembly able to provide a torque in response to the opening and closing movements of a laptop computer. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] As well known in the art, a hinge is provided between two objects so as to provide a pivotal relationship between the two objects. Examples can be seen everywhere in our daily lives. A common example is the display and the base of a laptop computer, wherein the display pivots about a central axis of the hinge so that various observation angles are provided to different operators. In order to protect the display from damage resulted from excessive pivotal movement of the display relative to the base of the computer, the pivotal angle of the display is limited within a certain range. However, when the display is pivoted away from the base, the user normally has to apply a force first to hold the weight of the display and then pivots the display relative to the base. In other word, the hinge assembly provides no assistance in the opening of the laptop computer. When the laptop computer is closing, the user also has to provide a force to hold the display so that the display will not collide the base and the laptop computer is protected from damage. [0005] That is, the current existing hinge assembly provides only pivotal relationship between two objects and has nothing to do with the body weight of each of the two objects. As a result, when the user is about to pivot one object relative to the other, the user also has to provide a force to hold the body weight of the object so that the two objects will not collide with each other especially in the closing movement of the two objects. [0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved hinge assembly to mitigate the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a hinge assembly able to provide a torque to assist the opening movement between two objects and protect the two objects from collision in the closing movement. [0008] In order to accomplish the aforementioned objective, the hinge assembly of the present invention includes a shank, a first bracket securely mounted on the shank, a limiting plate, a resilient member, a securing member and a second bracket. The shank is composed of an elongated body, a connecting portion extending from a free end of the body and a securing portion extending from a free end of the connecting portion. The second bracket is securely mounted on the connecting portion and the limiting plate, the resilient member as well as the securing member are securely mounted on the securing portion. Furthermore, a sleeve is formed on a free side face of the first bracket and a gap is defined between the first bracket and a free end face of the sleeve. [0009] The first bracket is adapted to connect to the base of a laptop computer and the second bracket is adapted to connect to the display of the laptop computer. When the display is pivoted relative to the base, the sleeve is able to provide assistance enhancing the pivotal movement of the display away from the base and protecting the base as well as the display when the display is pivoted toward the base. [0010] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hinge of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge in FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first sleeve and the second sleeve; [0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic side plan view showing that the second bracket is pivoted toward the first bracket; [0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic side plan view showing that the first bracket is engaged with the second bracket so that a force is exerted on the sleeve trying to close the gap; [0016] FIG. 6 is an operational side plan view showing that when the second bracket is pivoted away from the base, assistance is provided to the pivotal movement of the display by the sleeve due to the recovery force of the sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0017] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is noted that the hinge assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a shank (10), a first bracket (20), a limiting plate (30), resilient member (40) and a securing member (50). A second bracket (60) is also provided to the assembly to adapt to connect to a display of a laptop computer. [0018] The shank (10) is composed of an elongated body (11) with a positioning boss (111) formed on one free end of the elongated body (11), a connecting portion (12) extending from the other free end of the body (111) and a securing portion (13) extending from a free end of the connecting portion (12). The connecting portion (12) has a diameter smaller than that of the body (11) but larger than that of the securing portion (13). An outer periphery of the securing portion (13) is provided with a threading (131). [0019] The first bracket (20) includes a plate (21) and a sleeve (22) formed on a free end face of the plate (21) with a gap (23) defined between a free end of the sleeve (22) and the plate (21). A boss (221) is formed on an outer peripheral edge of the sleeve (22). [0020] The securing plate (30) has a through hole (31) defined therein and is mounted on the securing portion (13). The securing plate (30) further has a wedged-shape boss (32) axially formed on an outer periphery of the securing plate (30). Continue reading about Hinge assembly having a torque device to provide an assistance to assist a pivotal movement of a display relative to a base of a laptop computer... 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