Patent ID: 7594299
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: E05D,E05Y,G06F,H04M,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A foldable device, comprising: a first part; a second part; a hinge; said first and second parts hingedly connected to one another and arranged for pivotal movement with respect to one another about a longitudinal folding axis passing through said hinge, said first and second parts pivoting from a closed folded position through a pre-determined angular range to an open position, wherein said foldable device is configured in an infinite number of stable operative positions through the pre-determined angular range; and a stabilizing mechanism including at least one elastic member having one end fixedly attached to said first part and an opposite end fixedly attached to said second part, said elastic member having a bending section defined between said first and second ends and transverse to the longitudinal folding axis, such that said pivotal movement of said first part with respect to said second part causes said bending section to extend a proportional distance beyond a plane substantially perpendicular to the major face surfaces of said first and second parts and passing through said longitudinal folding axis as said first part is pivoted through said pre-determined angular range to provide an increasing contact surface area to keep the device from tipping over when the device is placed on a resting surface, wherein said bending section is formed between two spaced apart knuckles such that said elastic member bends with a controlled variable displacement to provide a greater rate of available contact surface as said first and second parts pivot relative to one another, said two spaced apart knuckles comprising a first knuckle located nearest said first part and a second knuckle located nearest said second part, said first knuckle having a dimension that is thinner than a dimension of said second knuckle such that the first knuckle deforms and bends at a faster rate than the second knuckle when the first part pivotably moves from said open position to said closed position.