Patent ID: 7028373
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: E05D,E05F,E05Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus having a hinge useable in a portable electronic device comprising: a first housing portion having a contoured surface portion wherein said first housing portion is capable of enclosing electronic circuitry; a second housing portion pivotally coupled to said first housing portion, said second housing portion pivoting relative to said first housing portion about a first axis; a yielding element coupled to said second housing portion exerting a yielding element force in at least a first direction; and a follower coupled between said yielding element and said contoured surface portion wherein said follower traverses said contoured surface portion as a result of the yielding element force and the angle of the slope of the contoured surface portion relative to the direction of the yielding element force, wherein said contour surface portion has a contour surface electrical conducting portion, wherein said follower has an follower electrical conducting portion, and wherein said contour surface electrical conducting portion couples to said follower electrical conducting portion at at least one position of rotation of said first housing portion relative to said second housing portion to form an electrical path for carrying electrical signals from said first housing portion to said second housing portion.