Patent ID: 7434296
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: H04M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hinge device for rotatably pivoting a first member and a second member open and closed, said hinge device comprising: a first hinge member provided in a first pivot portion provided in either one of a right and a left side of a pivot joint portion between said first member and said second member and a second hinge member provided in a second pivot portion provided opposite the first pivot portion, wherein said first hinge member comprises a first joint member coupled to the first member or the second member and a second joint member coupled to the second member or the first member, wherein when said first joint member is coupled to said first member, said second joint member is coupled to said second member and vice-versa; a cam portion operatively connected to either one of the first joint member and the second joint member of said first hinge member; a cam engagement portion which engages with the cam portion operatively connected to the other of the first joint member and the second joint member of said first hinge member not connected to the cam portion; at least one of the cam portion and the cam engagement portion adapted to slidably move in an engagement and disengagement direction; an engagement biasing member for biasing at least one of the cam portion and the cam engagement portion in the engagement direction; wherein when the second member is in a coupled and closed position and is rotated from the coupled and closed position to a predetermined open angle position the cam portion and the cam engagement portion are biased by said engagement biasing member and engage each other whereby a closing rotation biasing effect is generated to automatically urge the second member to the coupled and closed position; a rotational biasing member in said second hinge member operatively connected to at least one of said cam portion and said cam engagement portion for biasing at least one of the cam portion and the cam engagement portion in a rotational direction; wherein the cam portion and the cam engagement portion are biased by the rotational biasing member and are not disengaged from each other but rotated together so that an open rotational biasing effect is generated to automatically open the second member to a second predetermined open angle position; and a retainer member for releaseably engaging said cam portion or the cam engagement portion provided in either one of said first joint member and said second joint member of said first hinge member; and wherein when the retainer member is engaged at the cam portion or the cam engagement portion, the cooperative rotation of the cam portion and the cam engagement portion by said rotational biasing member is prevented; and wherein when the retainer member is disengaged from the cam portion or the cam engagement portion, the cooperative rotation between the cam portion and the cam engagement portion by the rotational biasing member is allowed, wherein said retainer member is slidingly moved by depressing a button provided in either one of the first joint member and the second joint member so that the engagement to said cam portion or the cam engagement portion is released.