Patent ID: 6141831
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: E05D,E05F,E05Y,G06F,H04M,Y10T

Abstract:
A hinge adapted to pivotably connect a hinged member to a device housing and being adapted to maintain the hinged member in one of an open position and a closed position relative to the device housing, the hinge comprising:a first hinge part having an axis and a cam follower, the first hinge part being adapted to be connected to one of the hinged member and the device housing;a second hinge part aligned with and rotatable about the axis of the first hinge part, the second hinge part having a non-planar cam surface, the cam follower on the first hinge part contacting the cam surface in non-planar mating engagement for movement of the cam follower axially with respect to the cam surface, the cam surface having a first axial position and a second axial position, the second hinge part being adapted to be connected to the other of the hinged member and the device housing;a spring which urges the cam follower against the cam surface with a spring force;the spring applies less force on the cam follower when the cam follower is engaging the first axial position on the cam surface than when the cam follower is engaging the second axial position of the cam surface;the cam surface includes a third intermediate axial position which is offset axially from the first and second axial positions, the hinge being adapted to hold the hinged member in a closed position relative to the device housing when the cam follower moves from the first axial position past the second axial position to the third axial position such that a maximum spring force must be overcome to move the hinged member to or from the first axial position;the first and second hinge parts each have an axial bore defined therethrough; andan axial load bearing connector extends through the axial bores to connect the first and second hinge parts such that the forces generated by the spring are reacted in the axial load bearing connector, the connector having first and second ends to secure the first and second hinge parts and spring therebetween, wherein the hinge is adapted to hold the hinged member in an open position relative to the device housing when the cam follower is engaging the first axial position of the cam surface.