Patent ID: 6460221
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: E05F,E05Y,G06F,H04M,Y10T

Abstract:
A hinged, foldable electronic device comprising a cover part and a base part, a hinge rotatably attaching said cover part to said base part for rotation between a closed position, in which the cover part overlies and covers the base part, and a fully opened, operating position in which the cover part extends at an angle greater than a predetermined limit angle relative to the base part, said electronic device further comprising a tensioned spring element for restricting the free operation of said hinge, said spring element having a first end rotatably-connected to said cover part and a second end rotatably-connected to said base part, the rotatable connections being about axes which are spaced from and parallel to the rotation axis of said hinge; said tensioned spring element having a spring force, when said first and second ends thereof are flexed apart, which urges the cover part into closed position against the base part when the cover part is rotated to an angle less than said predetermined limit angle, and which also urges the cover part into opened, operating position when the cover part is rotated to an angle greater than the predetermined limit angle relative to the base part.