Patent ID: 7578628
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A portable electronic device, comprising: a first housing member; a second housing member; and a hinge comprising at least a first hinge element and a second hinge element physically coupling the second housing member to the first housing member, for pivotal movement about a first axis between an opened position that provides access to an interior of the portable electronic device formed between the first and the second housing members from the exterior thereof and a closed position that limits access to the interior of the portable electronic device from the exterior thereof; where at least a portion of each of the first and the second hinge elements is accessible from the exterior of the portable electronic device; and wherein each of the first and the second hinge elements is electrically conductive and provides at least a portion of respective electrical paths from the exterior of the portable electronic device to the interior of the portable electronic device when the first and the second housing members are in the closed position.