Abstract:
A sliding and rotating hinge module for supporting a display screen or the like, includes a bracket, a slider and a support member. The slider is capable of sliding movement relative to said bracket and said support member is capable of pivotal movement relative to said slider.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 60/704,325, filed on Aug. 1, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to hinge modules and, more particularly, to a sliding and rotating hinge module. 
         [0003]    Typically, hinges that provide constant-speed sliding and rotating motion have required motors or other actuators to do so. Such hinges are typically relatively complex and require electricity to power them. The added complexity of motorized hinges provides for an increased potential of failure, whether it be mechanical failure or failure to operate due to a power outage or a broken or faulty electrical connection. The added complexity also translates into higher costs for making, buying, using, and/or replacing the hinge. It would be desirable to have a less complex, less expensive hinge module that provides generally constant-speed sliding and rotating motion without the use of a motor or actuator or electricity to drive the hinge module. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0005]    In the drawings: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a bottom plan view of a hinge module in a stowed position in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the hinge module of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevational view of the hinge module of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of the hinge module of  FIG. 1  in a deployed position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a left rear perspective view of the hinge module of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a left rear perspective view of the hinge module of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a hinge module in a stowed position in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge module of  FIG. 7  taken along line  8 - 8 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view of the hinge module of  FIG. 7  in a deployed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a left side elevational view of the hinge module of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a left rear perspective view of the hinge module of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a right rear perspective view of the hinge module of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “upper,” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
         [0019]    Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-6  a first embodiment of a sliding and rotating hinge module, indicated generally at  30 , in accordance with the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the hinge module  10  includes fixed channel brackets  12  which are fastened to a vehicle (not shown) or an object (not shown) in which the hinge module  10  is to be used. Preferably, there are two fixed brackets  12 , although it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that there be more or less than two fixed brackets  12 . The two fixed brackets  12  are mounted to the vehicle or object so that the fixed brackets  12  are generally parallel to each other and similarly oriented such that fronts  12   a  of the fixed brackets  12  face in the same direction. Slidably mounted within each of the fixed brackets  12  is a slider  14 . Preferably, each slider  14  slides outwardly in a direction of arrow A ( FIG. 4 ) from the front  12   a  of the corresponding fixed bracket  12 , the sliders  14  having a retracted position in which the majority of the sliders&#39;  14  length is disposed within the fixed brackets  12  with only a front end  14   a  of each slider  14  extending outwardly from the front  12   a  of each fixed bracket  12 , and an extended position in which the majority of the sliders&#39;  14  length extends outwardly from the fronts  12   a  of the fixed brackets  12 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , preferably, constant force springs  24  are fixed to each fixed bracket  12 , proximate the front  12   a.  Preferably, the constant force springs  24  are flat coiled leaf springs, ends (not shown) of which are attached to the sliders  14 . The constant force springs  24  apply a constant force to bias the sliders  14  outwardly from the fixed brackets  12 . A damping grease(not shown) is preferably disposed between contacting surfaces of the sliders  14  and interiors of the fixed brackets  12  to damp the motion of the sliders  14  to cause the sliders  14  to extend outwardly from the fixed brackets  12  with a generally constant, smooth motion. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  6 , a drawer  16  is disposed between the fixed brackets  12  and is fixed to the sliders  14  to slide therewith. Preferably, the drawer  16  is generally U-shaped with the front ends  16   a  being fixed to the front ends  14   a  of the sliders  14  and L-shaped ears  16   b  extending upwardly and outwardly from proximate the back of the drawer  16 . The ears  16   b  effectively ride along top surfaces of the fixed brackets  12  to support the back of the drawer  16 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , a block  18  is fixedly engaged with each drawer ear  16   b  and is slidably disposed within each fixed bracket  12 . Each block  18  has a hole (not shown) extending into the block  18  from a front face thereof A spring  22  (shown partially extending from within the block  18  in  FIG. 3  and shown in phantom within the block  18  in  FIG. 4 ) is disposed within each of the holes of the blocks  18 . 
         [0023]    Preferably, an elongate rod  20  is slidably en-aged within each of the fixed brackets  12  to extend outwardly from the front  12   a  of each fixed bracket  12 , generally sliding with the sliders  14 . Back ends of the rods  20  are disposed within the holes of the blocks  18  in contact with the springs  22 , such that sliding of the blocks  18  and, consequently, the springs  22  in a forward direction pushes the rods  20  forwardly. Proximate the back end of each rod  20  is a radially extending circular flange  20   a.  Extending forwardly from a forward end of each rod  20  is a small protrusion or pin  20   b  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , preferably rotatably engaged with the front ends  14   a  of the sliders  14  are rotating arms  26 . The rotating arms  26  rotate in a direction of arrow B ( FIG. 4 ) from a first vertical position ( FIGS. 1-3  and  5 ) to a second position ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ), which is pivoted outwardly from the hinge module  10 . The rotating arms  26  are preferably biased toward the second position by torsion springs  28  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 5 ) disposed within the front ends  14   a  of the sliders  14 . Preferably, the rotating arms  26  are attached to the front ends  14   a  by cylinder-within cylinder joints having damping grease disposed between contacting surfaces of the rotating arms  26  and the front ends  14   a  to achieve damped rotation of the rotating arms  26 . Although this configuration is preferred it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that different configurations be used, provided that they can perform in the manner described herein. Referring specifically to  FIG. 6 , a hole  26   a  is disposed within an exterior surface of each rotating arm  26  to accommodate and retain the protrusion  20   b  of the rod  20 , as will be described below. Additionally, a protrusion  26   b  preferably extends inwardly from a side of each rotating arm  26 . A display screen (not shown) or other object (not shown) is intended to be attached to the rotating arms  26  to rotate therewith. 
         [0025]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-6 , preferably, the hinge module  10  has at least a stowed position ( FIGS. 1-3  and  5 ) in which the sliders  14  are in the retracted position and the rotating arms  26  are in the first position and a deployed position ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ) in which the sliders  14  are in the extended position and the rotating arms  26  are in the second position. The constant force springs  24  and the torsion springs  28  bias the hinge module  30  in the deployed position. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , a latch  32  is preferably used to retain the hinge module  10  in the stowed position. The latch  32  preferably includes a hook  32   a  rotatably mounted to the front  12   a  of each fixed bracket  12 , preferably proximate tops thereof, to engage the protrusion  26   b  of each rotating arm  26  in order to retain the hinge module  10  in the stowed position. The hooks  32   a  are preferably rotatably coupled by a shaft  32   b  extending between the hooks  32   a  in a direction generally perpendicular to the fixed brackets  12 . A tab  32   c  is preferably fixed to the shaft  32   b.  In this way, manipulation of the tab  32   c  causes rotation of the shaft  32   b  and, consequently, the hooks  32   a  to release the protrusions  26   b  of the rotating arms  26  in order to release the hinge module  10  from the stowed position. Preferably, an interface (not shown), such as a button (not shown) or lever (not shown), which is accessible to a user within the vehicle, is coupled to the tab  32   c  so that pushing of the button or rotating of the lever causes rotation of the tab  32   c.  ii this way, the user can release the hinge module  10 . Although the latch  32  discussed above is preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that another device be used with the hinge module  10 , provided it is capable of functioning to retain the hinge module  10  in the stowed position. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the above-discussed components of the hinge module  10  are formed from one of a polymeric material and a metallic material. Preferably, the fixed brackets  12 , the blocks  18 , the rods  20 , and the rotating arms  26  are made of die cast metal, such as, but not limited to zinc. Preferably, the block springs  22 , the constant force springs  24 , and the arm springs  28  are made of metal, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel for the constant force springs  24  and music wire for the block springs  22  and the arm springs  28 . It is preferably that the drawer  16 , the hooks  32   a,  the shaft  32   b,  and the tab  32   c  are also made of metal, such as, but not limited to, zinc plated steel the drawer  16 , the hooks  32   a,  and the tab  32   c  and nickel plated steel for the shaft  32   b.  Lastly, it is preferably that the sliders  14  are made of a polymeric material, such as, but not limited to, a plastic such as glass filled Delrin, for instance, although it is possible to make the sliders  14  out of a metal such as die cast zinc, if desired. Although these materials are preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the components be made of different materials, provided the components can still function in the manner described herein. 
         [0028]    In use, the hinge module  10  is preferably disposed within a motor vehicle for use with an in-dash navigation system (not shown). The fixed brackets  12  are fixed to and disposed substantially within a dashboard (not shown) of the vehicle and the display screen of the navigation system is attached to the rotating arms  26 . During normal operation, the hinge module  10  is kept in the stowed position so that the display screen is substantially vertically oriented and flush with the front of the dashboard. When the user wishes to open the hinge module  10  (to change a data disk (not shown) within the navigation system, for instance), the user actuates the interface button or lever to unlatch the latch  32 . The sliders  14  are then automatically pushed outwardly in the direction of arrow A ( FIG. 4 ) toward the extended position by the constant force springs  24 , in turn sliding the drawer  16  outwardly. Movement of the drawer  16  causes sliding movement of the locks  18  and springs  22  within the blocks  18  to push the back ends of the rods  20 , thereby pushing the rods  20  outwardly from the fronts  12   a  of the fixed brackets with the sliders  14 . Because the rods  20  move with the sliders  14 , the protrusions  20   b  of the rods  20  remain disposed within the holes  26   a  of the rotating arms  26  in order to prevent the rotating arms  26  from rotating. Just before the sliders  14  reach the extended position, the flanges  20   a  of the rods  20  abut portions of the fixed brackets  12  to prevent further sliding motion of the rods  20 . At this point the sliders  14 , the drawer  16 , and the blocks  18  continue sliding in the outward direction, compressing the springs  22  between the back ends of the (now stationary) rods  20  and the blocks  18 . In this way, the rotating arms  26  are able to move away from the protrusions  20   b  of the front ends of the rods  20  to disengage the protrusions  20   b  from the holes  26   a,  thereby unconstraining the rotating arms  26  to allow rotation of the rotating arms  26  in the direction of arrow B ( FIG. 4 ) from the first position to the second position to place the display screen in an orientation that is rotated from vertical, thereby placing the hinge module  10  in the deployed position and allowing access to the navigation system by the user. To place the hinge module  10  back into the stowed position, the user applies force to the display screen to rotate the rotating arms  26  back to the first position and then push the sliders  14  into the retracted position, allowing the latch  32  to re-engage the protrusions  26   b  of the rotating arms  26  and retain the hinge module  10  in the stowed position. 
         [0029]    In this way, the hinge module  10  provides relatively constant sliding motion followed by relatively constant rotating motion when moving from the stowed position to the deployed position without the use of a motor. It is important to note that, although described with respect to a navigation system, the hinge module  10  can be used in any application in which such sliding motion followed by rotating motion is desired. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-12 , a sliding and rotating hinge module  100  of a second embodiment is generally similar to the hinge module  10  of the first embodiment, in that it provides sliding motion followed by rotating motion. Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , the hinge module  100  includes a fixed bracket  112  which is fixedly attached to a vehicle (not shown) or other object (not shown). The fixed bracket  112  preferably has elongate tracks  112   a  disposed along inner sides thereof. It is preferable that there are two elongate tracks  112   a  mounted within the fixed bracket  112 , although it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that there be more or less than two elongate tracks  112   a.    
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  11 , and  12 , preferably riding along each track  112   a  is a slider  114  having a front end  114   a  and a hook  114   b  ( FIG. 12 ) extending rearwardly from a back end. Secured to each slider  114  is a constant force spring  124 , similar to the constant force spring  24  described above, having ends attached to the fixed bracket  112 . A rotating tray  126  is preferably rotatably attached with friction hinges  130  to the front ends  114   a  of the sliders  114 . Disposed proximate a bottom of the fixed bracket  112  are latches  132  for releasable engagement with the hooks  114   b  of the sliders  114 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-12 , the hinge module  100  preferably has at least a stowed position ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  11 ) in which the sliders  114  are downwardly disposed within the fixed bracket  112  such that the hooks  114   b  of the sliders  114  are engaged with and secured by the latches  132  and a deployed position ( FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  12 ) in which the sliders  114  are upwardly disposed within the fixed bracket  112 . The constant force springs  124  bias the sliders  114  upwardly, such that disengagement of the latches  132  automatically causes the sliders  114  to move upwardly along the tracks  112   a  in a direction of arrow X ( FIG. 9 ). It is intended that a display screen (not shown) or other object (not shown) is mounted to the rotating tray  126  to rotate therewith. 
         [0033]    The latches  132  are such that pushing downwardly on the display screen engaged with the rotating tray  126  when the hinge module  100  is in the stowed position causes disengagement of the latches  132  to allow the hinge module  100  to move toward the deployed position. Damping grease (not shown) is preferably disposed on the inside surface of the tracks  112   a  to contact an outer surface of the sliders  114  in order to damp the sliding motion of the sliders  114 . Preferably, rotational dampers  134  are engaged with the constant force springs  124  to damp rotation of the constant force springs  124  and provide additional damping of the sliding motion of the sliders  114 . In this way, the constant force springs  124 , the damping grease, and the rotational dampers  134  provide for generally constant sliding motion of the sliders  114  along the tracks  112   a.  Although it is preferred that the damping grease be used in conjunction with the rotational dampers  134 , it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that a different damping means be used instead of one or both of the damping grease and the rotational dampers  134  or, alternatively, if less damping is desired, that only one of the damping grease and the rotational dampers  134  be used with the hinge module  100 . If no damping is desired, it is further contemplated by the present invention that the hinge module  100  can be used without the damping grease and the rotational dampers  134 . 
         [0034]    Once in the deployed position, the rotating tray  126  can be manually rotated in a direction of arrow Y ( FIG. 10 ) by the user. Preferably, the friction hinges  130  allow the rotating tray  126  to maintain whatever rotational position is desired. Although friction hinges  130  are preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that alternate devices be used to allow the tray  126  to be rotated by the user, provided the alternate devices allow the tray  126  to be retained in the rotated orientation. It is further contemplated that the friction hinges  130  be replaced with spring-biased pivots similar to those described above with respect to the first embodiment to allow the tray  126  to rotate automatically without requiring the user to manually rotate the tray  126  into a desired position. Also, although the latches  132  discussed above are preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that other devices be used with the hinge module  100 , provided they are capable of functioning to retain the hinge module  100  in the stowed position. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the above-discussed components of the hinge module  100  are formed from one of a polymeric material and a metallic material. Preferably, the fixed bracket  112 , the tracks  112   a,  and the rotating tray  126  are made of metal, such as, but not limited to steel for the fixed bracket  112  and the rotating tray  126  and aluminum for the tracks  112   a.  Preferably, the constant force springs  124  are also made of metal, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel. Lastly, it is preferably that the sliders  14  and the latches  132  are made of a polymeric material, such as, but not limited to, a plastic such as glass filled Delrin, for instance, although it is possible to make the sliders  14  and/or the latches  132  out of a metal such as die cast zinc, if desired. Although these materials are preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the components be made of different materials, provided the components can still function in the manner described herein. 
         [0036]    In use, preferably, the hinge module  100  is intended to be vertically mounted in a rear seat center console (not shown) of a vehicle for mounting a DVD player display (not shown) therein. The fixed bracket  112  is secured within the console or other component (not shown) of the vehicle so that, when in the stowed position, a top of the display screen is generally flush with a top of the console. To open the DVD player, the user pushes downwardly on the top of the display screen to disengage the hooks  114   b  from the latches  132 . Unconstrained the constant force springs  124  pull the sliders  114 , and consequently the rotating tray  126  and display screen, upwardly along the tracks  112   a  until the sliders  114  reach their upwardmost position along the tracks  112   a,  thereby placing the hinge module  100  in the deployed position and exposing the entire display screen above the top of the console. The user can then rotate the display screen and the rotating tray  126  to obtain the desired viewing angle with the friction hinges  130  maintaining that viewing angle. To close the DVD player, the user rotates the display screen into a substantially vertical orientation and then pushes downwardly on the top of the display screen to move the rotating tray  126  and the sliders  114  downwardly along the tracks  112   a  until the hooks  114   b  re-engage with the latches  132  to retain the hinge module  100  in the stowed position. In this way, the hinge module  100  provides for generally constant speed sliding motion followed by manual rotation. Although described with respect to a DVD player, it is noted that the hinge module  100  could be used in any application in which such sliding and rotating motion is desired. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.