Patent ID: 8272103
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: E05D,E05Y,H04M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A step hinge suitable for supporting a portable communication terminal on a support surface at a plurality of inclination angles, the step hinge comprising: a housing having an opening and at least one guide receiving portion; a rotating member in the housing, the rotating member including a plurality of first cam protrusions and a rotating shaft; a friction member in the housing, the friction member including an opening, a plurality of second cam protrusions in contact with the first cam protrusions, and at least one guide extending outwardly from the friction member, the at least one guide slidably received in the at least one guide receiving portion of the housing such that rotation of the friction member relative to the housing is prevented; a pair of belleville springs in the housing and configured to press the friction member and the rotating member for a tight contact therebetween, each belleville spring including an opening and a portion in contact with a corresponding portion of the other belleville spring; the rotating shaft passes through the opening in each of the housing, the two belleville springs, and the friction member, wherein: rotation of the rotating member relative to the friction member generates vibrations from the first cam protrusions passing over the second cam protrusions; the rotating member includes a first stopper; the friction member includes a second stopper configured for contacting the first stopper to restrict the rotation range of the rotating member; the at least one guide includes a pair of guides extending outwardly from the friction member; and the at least one guide receiving portion includes a pair of guide receiving portions configured to slidably receive the corresponding guide therein, to prevent rotation of the friction member relative to the housing while allowing the guides of the friction member to slide back and forth in the guide receiving portions of the housing in the direction of the rotating axis of rotating member.