Abstract:
A hinge includes a hinge portion having a pair of external opposed grooves and a first locking portion. A hinge cap is removably attached to the hinge portion by a pair of external deflecting arms received by the opposed grooves and a second locking portion received by the first locking portion. In response to mounting the hinge in the first member, the hinge cap seats in and defines a gap with a cover plate on the first member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and is a divisional of co-owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/899,915, filed Jul. 27, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The description herein relates generally to portable computers, and more particularly to portable computer hinge caps. 
     Portable laptop or notebook computers include a base and a top which is pivotally connected to the base at a hinged connection. When the top is raised, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel mounted therein is exposed. The top of a portable computer is typically connected to the base by a hinge on one edge and by at least one latch located on at least one other edge. When unlatched, the top is rotated open thus exposing a keyboard on the base and the LCD panel mounted in the top. The latch which secures the base and top is typically mounted along an edge of the top. 
     Some hinge assemblies have been provided with clutch mechanisms. Such clutch mechanisms can include a friction component and a torsion spring component. The spring counteracts the weight of the display housing when the display housing is open, such that the friction component need only be strong enough to support the open display housing during times when the computer is subjected to vibration or the like. 
     The clutch assemblies may be covered with hinge caps which are often used when a chassis has clutch assemblies that reside in the far end corners of the chassis and are positioned adjacent the LCD display. One disadvantage of current hinge caps is that they are separate parts which often become loose resulting in movement and noise when the top portion is rotated open or closed. In some cases, the hinge caps can fall off or break off. There may also be alignment issues with mating parts resulting in fit and finish problems. 
     Some hinge caps are glued or heat staked into the chassis or the clutch. The glue may not adhere to mating metal parts due to machine oil or internal lubrication contamination. Heat stakes may break off or fall off if they become loose. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a hinge cap solution which is free of the disadvantages described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, accordingly, there is disclosed a hinge interconnecting a first member and a second member. The hinge includes a hinge portion having a pair of external opposed grooves and a first locking portion. A hinge cap is removably attached to the hinge portion by a pair of external deflecting arms received by the opposed grooves and a second locking portion received by the first locking portion. In response to mounting the hinge in the first member, the hinge cap seats in and defines a gap with a cover plate on the first member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an information handling system (“IHS”). 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are perspective views of an embodiment of a portable information handling system. 
         FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are perspective views of an embodiment of a portion of a portable information handling system. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable information handling system. 
         FIGS. 4   b ,  4   c  and  4   d  are perspective views of an embodiment of a portion of a portable information handling system. 
         FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are perspective views of an embodiment of a top panel and hinges of a portable information handling system. 
         FIGS. 5   c ,  5   d  and  6  are perspective views of an embodiment of a portion of a top panel and a hinge of a portable information handling system. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge suitable for use with a portable information handling system. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge cover suitable for use with a portable information handling system. 
         FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c  are perspective views of an embodiment of a hinge assembly suitable for use with a portable information handling system. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of mating surfaces of a hinge cap and a chassis cover plate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system (“IHS”) includes any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. Example of an IHS include, personal computer (“PC”), a network storage device, personal digital assistant, or any other suitable device with variations in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. An IHS also includes other components such as, random access memory (“RAM”), one or more processing resources (e.g., central processing unit (“CPU”), hardware or software control logic, read only memory (“ROM”), other types of memory, one or more disk drives, one or more network interfaces, one or more input/output devices and/or one or more buses. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an IHS indicated generally at  100 , according to one embodiment. IHS  100  includes processor  105  (e.g., an Intel Pentium series processor). Intel Hub Architecture (IHA) chipset  110  provides IHS  100  with graphics/memory controller hub functions and I/O functions. More specifically, IHA chipset  110  acts as a host controller which communicates with integrated video controller  125  coupled thereto. Display device  130  is coupled to the integrated video controller  125  (e.g., on-board video controller). Although display device  130  is coupled to integrated video controller  125  as shown in  FIG. 1 , display device  130  is also capable of being coupled instead to add-in video controller  135 . Add-in video controller  135  may be an advanced graphics port (“AGP”) video controller, or alternatively, any other suitable video controller such as Peripheral Component Interconnect (“PCI”) video controller or PCI Express video controller. Add-in video controller  135  includes a video connection interface such as a digital video connection interface (e.g., a Digital Visual Interface (“DVI”)) or an analog video interface in this particular embodiment. 
     Chipset  110  further acts as a controller for main memory  115  which is coupled thereto. Chipset  110  also acts as an input/output (“I/O”) controller hub (ICH) which performs I/O functions. General purpose input/output (“GPIO”)  160  is coupled to chipset  110  via GPIO controller  165 . USB controller  170  is coupled to chipset  110  so that devices such as USB devices  175  can be connected to chipset  110  and processor  105 . USB devices  175  include, for example, floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD-ROM drives and other devices which support the USB standard. System basic input-output system (“BIOS”)  140  is coupled to chipset  110 , as shown. BIOS  140  is stored in CMOS or FLASH memory so that it is nonvolatile. 
     Local area network (LAN) controller  145 , alternatively called a network interface controller (NIC), is coupled to chipset  110  to facilitate connection of IHS  100  to other information handling systems. Media driver controller  150  is coupled to chipset  110  so that devices such as media drives  155  can be connected to chipset  110  and processor  105 . Examples of media drives  155  capable of being coupled to the media controller  150  include CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, hard disk drives and other fixed or removable media drives. Expansion bus  120 , such as a PCI bus, PCI Express bus, serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) bus or other bus is coupled to the chipset  110  as shown. Expansion bus  120  includes one or more expansion slots  122  for receiving expansion cards which provide IHS  100  with additional functionality. IHS  100  also includes speaker (e.g., loudspeaker)  138  for outputting audio signals. Speaker  138  is coupled to chipset  110 . 
     In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a , and  3   b , IHS  100  is a portable IHS  200 . Portable IHS  200  includes a top panel  204  hingedly connected to a chassis  206  by a pair of hinges  208 . Because the hinges  208  are similar, only one will be described in detail. Chassis  206  includes a latch  210  to secure top panel  204  to chassis  206  in a closed position. Chassis  206  also includes a keyboard  212 , a mousepad  214 , a chassis cover plate portion  216 , which may include a palmrest portion adjacent the keyboard  212 , and a hinge cover  218 . Top panel  204  has an LCD display  230  mounted therein. 
     A hinge cap  222  is provided for each hinge  208  adjacent chassis cover plate portion  216 . The hinge cap  222  provides an aesthetic appearance to chassis  206 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c , and  4   d , portable IHS  200  is illustrated with hinge cover  218  removed. Top panel  204  is connected to chassis  206  by hinges  208 . A clutch assembly  220  is rotatably connected to each hinge  208 . Clutch assembly  220  is connected to top panel  204  with screws (not shown) covered by a screw cover  232 , and hinges  208  are connected to chassis  206 , for example with a screw. Clutch assembly  220  rotates within each hinge  208  to allow top panel  204  to move from an open to a closed position, and vice versa. 
     A portion of each hinge  208  is within chassis  206 , and is covered by a hinge cap  222 . With hinge cover  218  removed, a portion of a circuit board  240  is visible. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c ,  5   d , top panel  204  and hinges  208  are illustrated after having been removed from chassis  206 . Each clutch assembly  220  is rigidly connected to top panel  204  by screw  234 . Each clutch assembly  220  is rotatably connected to each hinge  208 , respectively. Each hinge cap  222  is releasably connected to each hinge  208  respectively. Top panel  204  is provided with positioning pins  236 , which are received within corresponding holes of clutch assembly  220 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , top panel  204  and hinge  208  of a portable IHS are illustrated. Each hinge  208  includes a top portion  310 , a middle portion  312 , and a post portion  314 . In one embodiment, top portion  310  may be hingedly connected to top panel  204 , for example with a clutch assembly. Middle portion  312  includes a pair of opposed grooves  316 , each having a protrusion  318 , and a female connector  320 . 
     Hinge cap  222  is releasably attached to middle portion  312 . Hinge cap  222  includes a cosmetic top portion  324  and a bottom portion  326 . Bottom portion  326  includes a pair of deflectable arm portions  328  which are received within groove  316  of middle portion  312 . Each deflectable arm portion  328  includes a male connector (not shown) which can slide through groove  316  and over protrusion  318  by bending deflectable arm portion  328 , and then be received by female connector  320 . To release hinge cap  222  from hinge  208 , deflectable arm portion  328  can be bent outwards to disengage the male connector from female connector  320 , and then can slide out of groove  316 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , hinge  208  is illustrated. Hinge  208  includes top portion  310 , middle portion  312 , and post portion  314 . Top portion  310  includes a cylindrical opening  421 , adapted to receive an axle, for example a clutch assembly, to connect top portion  310  to a portable IHS chassis or top panel. Middle portion  312  includes opposed grooves  316 . Grooves  316  each include protrusion  318  and female connector  320 , adapted to receive a male connector. Post portion  314  includes connectors  419 , adapted to connect to a portable IHS chassis or top panel. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , hinge cap  222  is illustrated. Hinge cap  222  includes cosmetic top portion  324  and bottom portion  326 . Bottom portion  326  includes deflectable arm portions  328 , having a pair of male connectors  530 , respectively. Arm portions  328  are adapted to be received within grooves  316 , and male connectors  530  are adapted to be received within female connectors  320 , as described above. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b , and  9   c , hinge assembly  600  is illustrated. Hinge assembly  600  includes hinge  208 , hinge cap  222 , and clutch assembly  220 . 
     Hinge  208  includes top portion  310 , middle portion  312 , and post portion  314 . Top portion  310  includes cylindrical opening  421 . Middle portion  312  includes grooves  316 . Grooves  316  include protrusions  318  and female connectors  320 . Post portion  314  includes connectors  419 , adapted to connect to a portable IHS chassis or top panel. 
     Hinge cap  222  includes cosmetic top portion  324  and bottom portion  326 . Bottom portion  326  includes deflectable arm portions  328 . Deflectable arm portions  328  are adapted to be received within grooves  316 , respectively. Deflectable arm portions  328  include male connectors  530 , adapted to be received by female connectors  320 , respectively. 
     Clutch assembly  220  includes screw holes  642  and positioning pin holes  644 , adapted to connect clutch assembly  220  to a portable IHS chassis or top panel. Clutch assembly  220  also includes shaft  646  received within cylindrical opening  421 . Shaft  646  rotates within cylindrical opening  421  to allow clutch assembly  220  to rotate relative to hinge  208 . 
     To engage hinge cap  222  with hinge  208 , hinge cap  222  is moved in the direction of arrow  660  while deflectable arm portions  328  are received within grooves  316 . Hinge cap  222  is moved until male connectors  530  of deflectable arm portions  328  move over protrusions  318 , and snap into and engage female connectors  320 , respectively. The result is a sliding and snap-in engagement of hinge cap  222  and hinge  208 . Although the hinge cap  222  is snapped into engagement with hinge  208 , the hinge cap  222  is in a loose or floating engagement with the hinge  208 . A combination of features on the hinge cap  222  and on the chassis cover plate  216  can provide the X, Y and Z location of the hinge cap  222  relative to the chassis cover plate  216 . For example, when the hinge  208  is mounted in the chassis  206 , at least three sides of the hinge cap  222  engage the chassis cover plate  216 , as is best shown in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   d . An angled surface  222   a ,  FIG. 10 , is provided on a portion of the hinge cap  222  which seats in engagement with a mating angled surface  216   a  provided on the chassis cover plate  216 . It is this mating engagement which determines the X, Y and Z location of the hinge cap  222  relative to the chassis cover plate  216 . Another example could include a keyed member provided on one of the hinge cap  222  and the cover plate  216 , combined with a keyway on the other mating member. Thus, the location of the hinge cap  222 , relative to the chassis cover plate  216 , is determined by the chassis cover plate  216  and not the hinge  208 . This provides an aesthetically even gap G, see also  FIG. 4   b , between the hinge cap  222  and the chassis cover plate  216 . 
     To disengage hinge cap  222  from hinge  208 , deflectable arm portions  328  are bent outwardly to disengage male connectors  530  from female connectors  320 . Hinge cap  222  is then moved in a sliding manner in the direction opposite of arrow  660 , until deflectable arm portions  328  are no longer received within grooves  316 . 
     Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and in manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.