Abstract:
A portal ultrasound imaging apparatus having an adjustable hinge assembly, which includes a key having a narrower end and an end wider in the circumferential direction of the hinge assembly. The key is movable in a slot in an axial direction of the hinge assembly to a locked position, where the side surfaces of the key presses against the walls of the slot to eliminate circumferential gaps between the key and the slot. When at the locked position in the slot, the key can be pushed towards the opposite of the axial direction to an unlocked position where an angular lock of the hinge assembly is released, allowing the hinge assembly to be adjusted to a desired angular coupling. The key can then be pushed in the axial direction back to the locked position in the slot to prevent change in the coupling angle of the hinge assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     The present disclosure relates to ultrasound imaging devices in general, and more particularly but not limited to, portal devices with adjustable support components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Chinese Patent Application Nos. 201110178175.8 and 201120223929.2, published Jan. 4, 2012 and Mar. 7, 2013 respectively, and entitled “Handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus”, discloses portable ultrasonic diagnostic devices that have an adjustable support component. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments are summarized in this section. 
     In one aspect, a portable ultrasound imaging apparatus includes: a housing; a display device amounted on the housing; a processor disposed within the housing and coupled with the display device to present ultrasound images; a beamformer disposed within the housing and coupled with the processor to control an ultrasound transducer; a support component hingedly coupled with the housing to allow the support component to rotate with respect to the housing about an axis parallel to an edge of the display device; and an adjustable assembly coupled between the support component and the housing. 
     When the adjustable assembly is in a first configuration, the support component is locked to the housing with respect to rotation about the axis. When the adjustable assembly is in a second configuration, the support component is rotatable about the axis with respect to the housing. 
     The adjustable assembly can include: a key extending in parallel to the axis; and walls extending in parallel to the key to define a slot configured to accommodate the key. When the key moves in a first direction parallel to the axis to a first position in the slot, at least a portion of side surfaces of the key is in contact with the walls to prevent the key from moving in the slot in the first direction beyond the first position; when the key is at the first position in the slot, the adjustable assembly is locked in the first configuration, and the key is movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a second position in the slot to provide a gap between the walls and the side surfaces of the key; and when the key is at the second position in the slot, the adjustable assembly is in the second configuration and allows the support component to rotatable about the axis with respect to the housing. 
     For example, the key has a first end and a second end; the key extending from the first end to the second end in the first direction; a width of the second end of the key is smaller than a width of the first end of the key; the side surfaces of the key extends from the first end to the second end; and the side surfaces are separated in a circumferential direction about the axis. 
     For example, a height of the second end of the key in a radial direction about the axis is equal to a height of the first end of the key in the radial direction about the axis. In another example, a height of the second end of the key in a radial direction about the axis is smaller than a height of the first end of the key in the radial direction about the axis. 
     For example, when the key is at the first position in the slot, a distance between the walls at the first end of the key is equal to the width of the first end of the key, and a distance between the walls at the second end of the key is equal to the width of the second end of the key. 
     For example, the adjustable assembly includes a spring element configured to push the key in the first direction. 
     For example, the adjustable assembly further includes a push knob configured to be pushed by a user against the spring element to move the key in the second direction. 
     For example, when the key is at the first position in the slot, the gap is eliminated. 
     For example, the an adjustable assembly further includes a first set of teeth and a second set of teeth corresponding to the first set of teeth; both the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth are evenly distributed in a circumferential direction about the axis; when the key is at the first position in the slot, the first set of teeth engages with the second set of teeth to lock the support component to the housing with respect to rotation about the axis; and when the key is at the second position in the slot, the first set of teeth disengages with the second set of teeth to allow the support component rotate about the axis with respect to the housing. 
     For example, the housing includes a back cover; the walls defining the slot are fixedly coupled with the support component; the first set of teeth is fixedly coupled with the back cover; and the second set of teeth is fixedly coupled with the key. 
     For Example, adjustable assembly further includes a tubular component having a first end and a second end; the first end of the tubular component is hingedly coupled with the back cover and rotatable about the back cover along the axis; and the key is on an outer surface of the second end of the tubular component. 
     For example, the second set of teeth is formed on the tubular component. 
     In another aspect, a portable display apparatus includes: a display device; a support component hingedly coupled with the display device to allow the support component to rotate with respect to the display device along an axis; and an adjustable assembly coupled between the support component and the display device. 
     The adjustable assembly may include: a key having a first end and a second end, the key extending from the first end to the second end in a first direction parallel to the axis, the key having side surfaces extending from the first end to the second end, the side surfaces of the key separated by a distance in a circumferential direction about the axis; and walls substantially in parallel with the side surfaces of the key to define a slot for the key. 
     When the key moves along the first direction to a first position in the slot, contacting between at least a portion of the side surfaces of the key and the walls prevents the key from moving in the first direction in the slot beyond the first position; when the key is at the first position in the slot, the key is movable only in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the key movable in the second direction to a second position in the slot; when the key is at the first position in the slot, the support component is locked to the display device with respect to rotation along the axis; and when the key is at the second position in the slot, the support component is rotatable along the axis with respect to the display device. 
     For example, a width of the second end of the key is smaller than a width of the first end of the key. 
     For example, when the key is at the first position in the slot, a distance between the walls at the first end of the key is equal to the width of the first end of the key, and a distance between the walls at the second end of the key is equal to the width of the second end of the key. 
     For example, the adjustable assembly can include: a spring element configured to push the key in the first direction; a push knob configured to be pushed by a user against the spring element to move the key in the second direction; a first set of teeth evenly distributed along a circumferential direction about the axis; and a second set of teeth evenly distributed along a circumferential direction about the axis. When the key is at the first position in the slot, the first set of teeth are in gaps between second set of teeth, and the second set of teeth are in gaps between first set of teeth to look the support component to the display device with respect to rotation about the axis; and when the key is at the second position in the slot, the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth are not in contact with each other to allow the support component to rotate about the axis with respect to the display device. 
     For example, the display device includes a back cover; the first set of teeth is fixedly coupled with the back cover; the walls defining the slot are fixedly coupled with the support component; and the second set of teeth is fixedly coupled with the key. 
     For example, adjustable assembly further includes a tubular component having a first end and a second end; the first end of the tubular component is hingedly coupled with the back cover and rotatable about the back cover along the axis; and the key is positioned on an outer surface of the second end of the tubular component. 
     For example, the set of teeth is formed on the tubular component; and the component defining a set of slots is disposed along the axis between the set of teeth and the key. 
     In a further aspect, an adjustable hinge assembly includes: a tubular component having a first end and a second end, the tubular component extending from the first end to the second end in a first direction along an axis and having 1) a key formed on the second end and extending in parallel to the axis, the key having side surfaces extending in the first direction and separated by a distance in a circumferential direction about the axis, and 2) a plurality of first teeth evenly distributed in the circumferential direction about the axis. The adjustable hinge assembly includes: a first component having a ring structure defining an opening configured to accept the second end of the tubular component, the ring structure having walls extending in the first direction and separated by a distance in the circumferential direction about the axis, the walls defining a slot for the key; a second component having a plurality of second teeth corresponding to the plurality of the first teeth and evenly distributed in the circumferential direction about the axis; a spring element configured to push the tubular component in the first direction; and a push knob coupled with the second end of the tubular component to allow a user to push against the spring element to move the tubular component in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
     When the spring element pushes the tubular component in the first direction to a first position, contacting between the side surfaces of the key and the walls prevents the tubular component from moving further in the first direction beyond the first position; and the plurality of first teeth engages with the plurality of second teeth to lock the first component with respect to the second component with respect to rotation about the axis; 
     When the push knob is pushed to move tubular component in the second direction to a second position, a gap is provided between the side surfaces of the key and the walls defining the slot; and the plurality of first teeth disengages with the plurality of second teeth to allow the first component to rotate about the axis relative to the second component. 
     For example, the key has a first key end and a second key end; the key extending from the first key end to the second key end in the first direction; the side surfaces are separated by: a first distance in the circumferential direction about the axis at the first key end; and a second distance in the circumferential direction about the axis at the second key end, where the first distance is larger than the second distance. 
     Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a portable ultrasound imaging apparatus having an adjustable support component adjustable and locked to different positions relative to the housing of the portable ultrasound imaging apparatus 
         FIGS. 3-4  illustrate an adjustable support component coupled with a back cover of a portable ultrasound image apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates adjustable positions of an adjustable support component with respect to a back cover. 
         FIG. 6  shows components of an adjustable assembly according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  show coupling of components of an adjustable assembly according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of an adjustable hinge assembly according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 10 to 14  illustrate a mechanism to adjust a hingedly coupling angle according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 15 to 17  show structural details of components of an adjustable hinge assembly according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding. However, in certain instances, well known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure are not necessarily references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a portable ultrasound imaging apparatus having an adjustable support component adjustable and locked to different positions relative to the housing of the portable ultrasound imaging apparatus. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a portable ultrasound imaging apparatus  1  includes a housing  6  and a support component  2 . The support component  2  is hingedly  3  coupled to a back cover  4  of the housing  6 . 
     The portable ultrasound imaging apparatus  1  has a display device  10  mounted on the front side of the housing  6 , a processor disposed within the housing  6  and coupled with the display device  10  to present ultrasound images, and a beamformer disposed within the housing  6  and coupled with the processor to control an ultrasound transducer  5 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the hinge coupling  3  between the back cover  4  and the support component  2  is adjusted to, and locked at, an angle suitable for placing the portal ultrasound imaging apparatus  1  on a flat surface  8  in a position where the display device  10  is raised up to an angle  7  on the surface  8  for viewing. The angle  7  is adjustable via adjusting the coupling angle between the back cover  4  and the support component  2 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the ultrasound transducer  5  is attached to the side of the housing  6 . The ultrasound transducer  5  can be detached from the housing  6  for handheld operations, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the support component  2  is adjusted to a position to allow the portable ultrasound imaging apparatus  1  to rest on an arm of a user. 
       FIGS. 3-4  illustrate an adjustable support component coupled with a back cover of a portable ultrasound image apparatus. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the back cover  4  is hingedly coupled with the support component  2  via a ring structure  14 , and an angular locking mechanism  20 , and a hinge support  16 . The ring structure  14  and the hinge support  16  are fixedly coupled with the support component  2 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , a push knob  12  is coupled with locking mechanism  20 . The push knob can be pushed towards the hinge support  16  to release the angular locking mechanism  20 . When the angular locking mechanism  20  is released, the back cover  4  can be rotated relative to the support component  2  along an axis along the center of the hinge support  16  to the center of the ring structure  14 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a tubular element  18  hingedly coupled the left side of the back cover  14  to the hinge support  16 . The coupling among the hinge support  16 , the left side of the back cover  14  and the tubular element  18  allows the left side of the back cover  14  to rotate freely about the axis relative to the hinge support  16 . 
     Details of the locking mechanism  20  are illustrated in  FIG. 9  and other figures and discussed further below. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates adjustable positions of the adjustable support component  2  with respect to the back cover  4 . In  FIG. 5 , the push knob  12  can be pushed in to release the locking mechanism  20  and thus allow the support component  2  to be rotated to various positions (e.g.,  22   a  to  22   h ) relative to the back cover  4 . After the support component  2  is adjusted to a desirable position (e.g., from  22   e  to  22   f ), the pressure on the push knob  12  can be released to engage the locking mechanism  20 . 
     When the locking mechanism  20  is engaged, the locking mechanism  20  prevents the support component  2  from rotating relative to the back cover  4 . 
       FIG. 6  shows components of an adjustable assembly according to one embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , the hinge assembly has an axis  52  along the center of the hinge support  16  to the center of the ring structure  14 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the left side of the back cover  4  has a circular portion  32  with a circular opening; and the tubular portion  36  of the tubular element  18  is configured to be inserted through the circular opening of the circular portion  32  of the back cover  4  near the hinge support  16  and inserted into the hinge support  16 . The circular portion  32  of the back cover  4  is configured to be sandwiched between the hinge support  16  and an end portion of the tubular element  18 . Thus, the left side of the back cover  4  can rotate freely about relative to the hinge support  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a circular bracket  40  is configured to be attached to the back cover  4 . A left end  38  of a tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  is hingedly coupled with the circular bracket  40  such that the left end  38  of the tubular component  46  can rotate within the circular bracket  40 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  has a tooth portion  44 . A spring element  42  is coupled between the circular bracket  40  and the tooth portion  44  to push the tubular component  46  of the lock mechanism  20  towards the ring structure  14 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the right end  50  of the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  has a key  48 . The right end  50  with the key  48  is to be inserted into the opening of the ring structure  14  through an opening in a tooth portion  34  at the right side of the back cover  4 . Thus, the tooth portion  34  of the back cover  4  is configured to be sandwiched between the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46  and the ring structure  14 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46  has a set of teeth evenly distributed in a circumferential direction relative to the axis  52  of the hinge assemble. The tooth portion  34  of the back cover  4  has a set of teeth corresponding to the set of teeth of the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46 . 
     When the teeth of the tooth portion  44  engage with the teeth of the back cover  4 , each of the teeth of the tooth portion  44  is inserted between a gap between two teeth of the back cover  4 ; and each of the teeth of the back cover  4  is inserted between a gap between two teeth of the tooth portion  44 . Thus, when the teeth of the tooth portion  44  engage with the teeth of the back cover  4 , the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  is locked to the back cover  4  to prevent the tubular component  46  from rotation about the back cover  4  along the axis  52  of the hinge assembly. 
     When the tubular component  46  of the lock mechanism  20  is pushed towards to the hinge support  16 , the tooth portion  44  moves along the axis  52  of the hinge assembly relative to the teeth of the back cover  4 ; thus teeth of the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46  disengage with the teeth of the back cover  4 ; and the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  is then free to rotate along the axis  52  of the hinge assembly relative to the teeth of the back cover  4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the key  48  is fixedly coupled on the right end  50  of the tubular component  46 . The key  48  is configured to be inserted in a slot in the ring structure  14 . The side walls of the slot can contact the side surfaces of the key  48  to limit the rotation of the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  with respect to the ring structure  14 . 
     When the right end  50  of the tubular component  46  and the key  48  of the tubular component  46  of the lock mechanism  20  are moved in a direction pointing from the hinge support  16  towards the ring structure  14 , the gap between the side walls of the slot and the key  48  is reduced and eventually eliminated at a locked position where the contact between the side walls of the slot and the key  48  prevents the key  48  from moving further in the direction pointing from the hinge support  16  to the ring structure  14 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when the key  48  is at the locked position inside the slot in the ring structure  14 , the teeth of the tooth portion  44  are configured to engage with the teeth of the back cover. Thus, when the key  48  is at the locked position inside the slot in the ring structure  14 , the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  is locked to both the ring structure  14  and the back cover  4 , via the key  48  and the teeth of the tooth portion  44  respectively; and thus, the support component  2  and the back cover  4  are locked into a particular angular coupling relative to the axis  52  of the hinge assembly. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the push knob  12  has a click-to-lock portion  66  that can be inserted into the right end  50  of the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  and click into the opening  64  to attach the push knob  12  to the tubular component  46 . Thus, when the push knob  12  is pushed along the direction pointing from the ring structure  14  towards the hinge support  16 , the coupling between the click-to-lock portion  66  of the push knob  12  and the opening  64  of the tubular component  46  allows the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  to be pushed against the spring element  42  to move to an unlocked position, where the teeth of the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46  disengage with the teeth of the back cover  4 , and a gap is provided between the side walls of the slot in the ring structure  14  and the key  48 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show coupling of components of an adjustable assembly according to one embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 7 , a cross section through the axis  52  of the hinge assembly is shown. In  FIG. 7 , the pushed knob  12  is inserted in and clicked into the right end  46  of the tubular component of the locking mechanism  20 . The right end  50  of the tubular component  46  is inserted in the ring structure  14 . The spring element  42  pushes the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  so that the teeth of the tooth portion  44  engage with the teeth of the back cover  4 . The left end  38  of the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  is in the circular bracket  44  to allow rotation about the axis  52  of the hinge assemble. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the push knob  12  can be pushed in a direction  26  to move the tooth portion  44  towards the hinge support  16  and release the angular locking mechanism. 
       FIG. 8  shows a front view of the back cover  4 , with a cross section view of the ring structure. 
       FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of an adjustable hinge assembly according to one embodiment. The adjustable hinge assembly allows the coupling between two components, such as the tooth portion  34  of the back cover  4  for a display device  10  of a portable ultrasound imaging apparatus  1  and the support component  2  of the portable ultrasound imaging apparatus  1 , to be adjusted to, and then locked at, a desirable angle, in accordance with the spacing determined by the number of teeth configured on the tooth portion  44  of the angular locking mechanism  20 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , the tooth portion  34  of the hinge assembly is illustrated to be connected to the back cover  4  of the housing  6  of a portable ultrasound imaging device. The tooth portion  34  can be connected to other display devices, such as a computer monitor, an all-in-one computer, a touch screen of a portable computer, etc., or other devices. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a portion of the support component  2  is not shown. It is understood that the support component  2  can have a shape and design different from the support component  2  illustrated in various figures, such as  FIGS. 1, 3-4 and 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the tubular portion  50  is configured to be inserted through the opening of the tooth portion  34  of the component  4  and inserted into the ring structure  14  of the component  2 . 
     The keys  48  on the outer surface of the tubular portion  50  of the tubular component  46  are configured to be inserted into the slots  54  in the ring structure  14  and thus limit and/or eliminate relative rotation between the tubular portion  50  and ring structure  14 , with respect to the axis  52  of the hinge assembly. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the use of two keys  48  in two slots  54 . More or less key/slot pairs can be used in alternative configurations. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the tubular portion  38  is configured to be inserted into the spring  42  and the circular bracket  40  such that the tubular portion  38  is hingedly coupled with the circular bracket  40 . 
     The circular bracket  40  can be fixedly coupled to one of the component  4  and the component  2  to provide stability for the assembly along the axis  52 . 
     The tooth portion  44  between the tubular portions  38  and  50  is configured to be insertable into the opening of the tooth portion  34  of the component  4 . When the tooth portion  44  is inserted into the tooth portion  34 , each tooth in the tooth portion  44  is between a corresponding gap between two teeth in the tooth portion  34 ; and each tooth in the tooth portion  34  is between a corresponding gap between two teeth in the tooth portion  44 . The teeth in the tooth portions  44  and  34  are evenly distributed circumferentially about the axis  52 . Thus, the tooth portion  44  can be rotated about the axis  52  and then be inserted in the opening of the tooth portion  34  of the component  4 . The number of teeth in the tooth portion determines the minimum angle that the tubular component can be rotated between insertions into the opening of the tooth portion  34  of the component  4 . 
     When the tooth portion  44  is not inserted into the opening of the tooth portion  34 , the component  4  and the tubular component can be rotate relative to each other along the axis  52 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , the push knob  12  has two click-to-lock tips  66  for locking to the openings  64  on the tubular portion  50 . More or less click-to-lock tips may be used in alternative configurations. In an alternative configuration, the push knob  12  is not used; and the end of the tubular portion  50  may be pushed directly to move the tubular component  46 . 
     After the push knob  12  is locked with the tubular portion  50 , the tubular component  46  can be pushed along the axis to compress the spring element  42  to an unlocked position where the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component is not in the opening of the tooth portion  34  of the component  4 . 
     When the push knob  12  is not pressed, the spring element  42  is configured to press the tooth portion  44  such that, when the teeth of the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46  is aligned with the tooth portion  34  of the component  4 , the tooth portion  44  is inserted into the opening of the tooth portion  34  of component  4 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , the key  48  has a circumferential width that is smaller at an end close to the push knob  12  and larger at an opposite end. Thus, when the key  48  is inserted into the slot  54  along the axis, a gap between the side surfaces of the key  48  and the side walls of the slot  54  is reduced and eventually eliminated when the key  48  is a locked position in the slot  54 , as further illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIGS. 10 to 14  illustrate a mechanism to adjust a hingedly coupling angle according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a locked position where the tooth portion  44  of the tubular component  46  is inserted in the direction  60  into the opening of the tooth portion  34  of the component  4 . The contacting between the teeth of the tubular component  46  and the teeth of the component  4  prevents the component  4  from rotating with respect to the tubular component  46 ; and the contacting between the side surfaces of the key  48  and side walls of the slot  54  in the ring structure  14  prevents the component  2  from rotating with respect to the tubular component. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a unlocked position, after the tubular component moves a distance  28  along the direction  62  relative to the tooth portion  34  of the component  4 . Since the teeth of the tubular component  46  and the teeth of the component  4  are not in contact with each other, the component  4  is free to rotate with respect to the tubular component  46  and thus the component  2 ; and a gap is provided between the side surfaces of the key  48  and side walls of the slot  54  in the ring structure  14 . 
     In  FIG. 12 , a portion of the ring structure  14  and the tooth portion  34  of the component  4  are not shown to illustrate the keys  48   a  and  48   b  in the respective slots  54   a  and  54   b  in the ring structure  14  in a unlocked position. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the key  48   b  in the slot  54   b . In  FIG. 13 , the circumferential width  72  of the end of the key  48   b  in the slot is smaller than the circumferential width  70  of the opposite end of the key  48   b ; and the circumferential width of the slot  54   a  at the end  74  is small than the circumferential width of the slot  54   a  at the end  76 . Thus, the more key  48   b  is inserted into the slot  54   b  towards the end  74 , the smaller is the circumferential gap between the key and the side walls of the slot  54   b.    
       FIG. 14  shows a top view of the key  48   a  in relation with the slot  54   b . In  FIG. 14 , there is a gap between the side surfaces  71  of the key  48   b  and the side walls  73  of the slot  54   b . Since the width  70  of the left end of the key  14  is larger than the width  72  of the right end of the key  14 , the gap is reduced when the key  48   b  is moved into the slot  54   b  in the direction  60 . When the key  48   b  moves in the direction  60  to a position where the slot  54   b  having a shape matching the shape of the key  48   b , the gap is eliminated and the key  48   b  cannot move further in the direction  60 . When the key  48   b  moves to in the direction  62 , the gap is provided and increased. 
     Eliminating the gap between the side surfaces of the key  48  and the side walls of the slot  54  eliminates unwanted rotation between the components  2  and  4  when the hinge assembly is in the locked position. 
     Optionally, the thickness (or height in the radial direction about the axis  25 ) of the key  48   b  can also be configured to vary from small at the end  72  to large at the end  70 . The depth of the slot  54   b  varies from small to large according to the thickness profile of the key  48   b , such that when the key  48   b  is inserted into the slot, the top surface of the key  48   b  is in contact with the roof of the slot  54   b , in a way similar to the side surfaces of the key  49   b  in contact with the side walls of the slot  54   b.    
       FIGS. 15 to 17  show structural details of components of an adjustable hinge assembly according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 15  shows a view of the support component  2  in relation with the tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20 . The support component  2  has the hinge support  16  and the ring structure  14 . The tubular component  46  of the locking mechanism  20  has tubular portions  38  and  50 , the keys  48 , the tooth portion  44 , and openings  64  for coupling with click-to-lock tips  66  of the push knob  12 . The ring structure  14  has slots  54  for the respective keys  48 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a view of the tubular component  46  being inserted into the ring structure  14  of the support component  2 . A cross section view, along the line A-A, of the hinge support  16  the tubular component  46  and the ring structure  14  is provided in  FIG. 17 . 
     In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.