Patent Publication Number: US-8533916-B2

Title: Swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims, pursuant to 35 USC 119(a), priority to, and the benefit of the earlier filing date of that patent application, entitled “Swivel Hinge Apparatus for Electronic Device, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 1, 2010 and assigned Serial No. 10-2010-0121144, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of hinge mechanisms and in particular to a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As used in the context herein, the term electronic devices refer to portable communication devices, computers, portable electronic calculators, etc. The term ‘portable communication device’ (PCD) refers to devices carried and in some cases may perform a type of radio or wireless communication (e.g., cellular, Wi-Fi, 3G, and/or 4G. For example, portable communication devices may include a hand-held phone (HHP), cordless telephone (CT2) cellular phone, a digital phone, a personal communications systems (PCS) phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA) and other similar types devices. For example, smartphones, such as the SAMSUNG GALAXY S, and the SAMSUNG TAB, commercially available from SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., are portable communication devices. Typically, PCDs are sorted into various types according to their shapes. For example, devices (i.e., terminals) are classified based on their shape or operation. For example, terminals may be classified as a bar-type terminal, flip-type terminal, or a folder-type terminal. The bar-type terminal has a single housing shaped like a bar. The flip-type terminal has a flip or cover pivotably mounted to a bar-shaped housing by a hinge unit. The folder-type terminal has a folder coupled to a single bar-shaped housing by a hinge unit in such a manner that the folder can be rotated to fold to or unfold from the housing. 
     With the miniaturization of communication or receiving devices such as the portable communication devices, portable mini cassettes, MP3 players, radio players, etc., earsets connected to the electronic devices for listening have been widely used to allow the electronic devices to be easily carried. 
     The earset may also operate as a microphone, which may wired to device or wirelessly connected to the device. For example, a headset including a BLUETOOTH wireless transceiving (transmitting/receiving) device, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., may operate to receive communications from a portable communication device or transmit communication to the portable communication device. BLUETOOTH technology is a well-known short range wireless communications technology, technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., and need not be discussed in detail herein. 
     A headset containing the BLUETOOTH technology, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., is advantageous in that it is free from the restrictions of action and movement that exist when the earset is connected to the portable communication device by an electric wire. Moreover, a user can access the Internet and make a call or receive a call without having to access the portable communication device directly, as commands may be issued through the BLUETOOTH wireless protocol, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., to the PCD. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a conventional wireless headset  1  includes a BLUETOOTH module  2 , with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., a microphone portion  3 , a speaker portion  4 , and a hinge apparatus  5  for rotating the speaker portion  4 . The BLUETOOTH module  2 , with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., includes at least a transceiving device that is adapted for the BLUETOOTH communication protocol, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC. 
     However, a hinge apparatus  5  of a conventional portable communication device and a hinge apparatus  5  of a conventional headset are structured such that a speaker portion  4  of the communication device and a speaker portion  4  of the headset  1  are folded or unfolded merely by being rotated in a vertical direction along the hinge apparatus  5 . As a result, when the speaker portion  4  is positioned at a user&#39;s ear, a microphone portion  3  may move away from a user&#39;s mouth, such that user&#39;s sound is not accurately delivered to the partner in a communication mode. Moreover, since the speaker portion  4  linearly rotates in the vertical direction, the speaker portion  4  of the communication device and the speaker portion  4  of the headset  1  may unintentionally rotate, thus executing the communication mode, or may be closed, thus being suddenly disconnected. 
     Korean Patent Publication No. 2008-0107876 discloses a bending apparatus of a BLUETOOTH headset, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a bending apparatus  10  of a BLUETOOTH headset, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., is structured such that an earphone portion  20  and a body portion  30  coupling a left body and a right body are coupled upright, face to face, through inclined surfaces  21  and  31 , and a pivoting apparatus  40  is provided in a coupling portion of the earphone portion  20  and the body portion  30  to adjust a bending angle of the earphone portion  20  according to inclinations of the inclined surfaces  21  and  31 . 
     However, the conventional bending apparatus  10  of the BLUETOOTH headset, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., is structured such that the pivoting apparatus  40  is mounted along the inclined surfaces  21  and  31  of the earphone portion  20  and the body portion  30 . As a result, the pivoting apparatus  40  is separated along the inclined surfaces  21  and  31 , thus being difficult to install and reducing an applicable force for retaining the pieces in position, whereby the strength of engagement and assembly processing of a product are difficult and a time for assembly processing also increases. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus which assembles a hinge apparatus to an electronic device in a simple and easy way and improves the strength of engagement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device in which engagement portions of the swivel hinge apparatus are bent to be inclined at a predetermined angle, thereby improving the strength of engagement of the swivel hinge apparatus with respect to the electronic device and facilitating assembly processing. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device in which a plurality of hinge members are inclined, thereby improving rotation of an element of the product with respect to another element and further improving the strength of engagement of the swivel hinge apparatus. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device that includes a first housing having a first inclined surface formed thereon and a second housing having a second inclined surface formed thereon, the second housing rotating in a bent manner while facing the first inclined surface. The swivel hinge apparatus includes a first hinge member that is inclined, a second hinge member that is inclined and is coupled with the first hinge member to rotate while facing the first hinge member, a guide portion provided between the first hinge member and the second hinge member to guide rotation of the second hinge member, an elastic member provided on a rear side of the first hinge member to provide an elastic force for allowing rotation and linear movement of the first hinge member and the second hinge member, and a shaft from which a cylindrical housing protrudes, the cylindrical housing being coupled with the first hinge member, the second hinge member, the elastic member, and a support cover portion by passing through them. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device that includes a first housing having a first inclined surface formed thereon and a second housing having a second inclined surface formed thereon, the second housing rotating in a bent manner while facing the first inclined surface. The swivel hinge apparatus includes a first hinge member that faces the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface and has formed therein a first engagement portion that is bent, a second hinge member that faces the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, has a cylindrical housing protruding therefrom, and has formed therein a second engagement portion that is bent and is coupled with the first hinge member to rotate around a hinge axis while facing the first hinge member, a guide stopper portion provided between the first hinge member and the second hinge member to guide and restrict rotation of the second hinge member, an elastic member provided in the first hinge member to provide an elastic force for allowing rotation and linear movement of the first hinge member and the second hinge member, a washer that is coupled with and supports the elastic member, and an E-ring engaged with an end portion of the cylindrical housing. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic device comprising first and second housings joined along inclined surfaces by a hinge apparatus. The hinge apparatus comprising a first hinge member, a second hinge member that rotates around a hinge axis normal to at least one of a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface while facing the first hinge member; a guide stopper portion provided between the first hinge member and the second hinge member to guide and restrict rotation of the second hinge member; an elastic member provided in the first hinge member to provide an elastic force for allowing rotation and linear movement of the first hinge member and the second hinge member; a washer which is coupled with and supports the elastic member; and an E-ring engaged with an end portion of the cylindrical housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional headset having BLUETOOTH technology embedded therein, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC.; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a conventional swivel hinge apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a coupled state of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view showing a rear side of a coupled state of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view showing a post-operation state (after-operation state) of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view showing a post-operation state of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion A of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view showing an operation state of a stopper protrusion of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view showing another example of a guide portion of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view showing another example of a guide portion of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view showing an internal structure of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing a coupled state of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view showing a post-operation state (after-operation state) of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged perspective view showing a post-operation state (after-operation state) of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a plane view showing a pre-operation state (before-operation state) of a guide stopper portion of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 19  is a plane view showing a post-operation state (after-operation state) of a swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments disclosed in the specification and structures shown in the drawings are merely exemplary ones of the present invention, and it should be understood that various variations capable of substituting for the embodiments may exist at the time of filing the application. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 11 , which represent a first embodiment of the invention claimed, a swivel hinge apparatus  100  for an electronic device includes a first housing  110  having a first inclined surface  111  formed thereon, a second housing  120  having a second inclined surface  121  formed thereon, a first hinge member  130  having a bent first engagement portion  131  formed thereon, a second hinge member  140  having a bent second engagement portion  141  formed thereon, a guide portion  150 , an elastic member  160 , a support cover portion  170 , and a shaft  180  having a protruding cylindrical housing  181  formed thereon. 
     The first housing  110  is coupled with the second inclined surface  121  of the second housing  120  ( FIG. 3 ) in a way to rotate around a hinge axis A 1  (which is perpendicular or normal to the inclined surface of the first or second housing, see  FIG. 6 ), so that the first housing  110  can support the rotation of the second housing  120  while facing the second inclined surface  121  of the second housing  120 . The second housing  120  is rotatably coupled to the first inclined surface  111  of the first housing  110 , so that the second housing  120  can rotate in a manner around the hinge axis A 1  while facing the first inclined surface  111  of the first housing  110 . The first hinge member  130  faces the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 , is inclinedly bent, and is engaged with an end portion of the first housing  110  by the bent first engagement portion  131  to support the rotation of the second hinge member  140 . The second hinge member  140  faces the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 , is inclinedly bent, and is engaged with an end portion of the second housing  120  by the bent second engagement portion  141 . The guide portion  150  is provided between the first hinge member  130  and the second hinge member  140  to guide the rotation of the second hinge member  140 . The elastic member  160  is provided on a rear side of the first hinge member  130  to provide an elastic force for allowing linear movement of the first hinge member  130  along the hinge axis A 1  and an elastic force for allowing rotation of the second hinge member  140  around the first hinge axis A 1 . The shaft  180  is coupled with the first hinge member  130 , the second hinge member  140 , the elastic member  160 , and the support cover portion  170  by passing them therethrough. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first hinge member  130  includes the first engagement portion  131 , at least one engagement hole  132 , and a through-hole  133 . The first engagement portion  131  has bent portions  131  a formed therein, and is engaged with the first housing  110 . The first engagement portion  131  is formed in the first hinge member  130  such that the first hinge member  130  is bent in a longitudinal direction of the first housing  110  while facing the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 . The engagement holes  132  are formed in the first engagement portion  131  for engaging with the first housing  110 , and the through-hole  133  is formed in the first hinge member  130  to pass the cylindrical housing  181  therethrough. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second hinge member  140  includes the second engagement portion  141 , at least one engagement hole  142 , and a rotation hole  143 . The second engagement portion  141  has a bent portion  141   a  formed therein and is coupled with the second housing  120 . The second engagement portion  141  is formed in the second hinge member  140  such that the second hinge member  140  is bent along a longitudinal direction of the second housing  120  while facing the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 . The engagement holes  142  are formed in the second engagement portion  141  for engagement with the second housing  120 , and the rotation hole  143  is formed in the second hinge member  140  to be rotatably coupled with the cylindrical housing  181  while passing the cylindrical housing  181  therethrough. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  8 , the guide portion  150  includes at least one engagement/disengagement hole  151  and at least one hemispheric emboss portion  152 . The engagement/disengagement holes  151  are formed in the first hinge member  130  to correspond to the hemispheric emboss portions  152 , and the hemispheric emboss portions  152  protrude from the second hinge member  140  to be engaged with or disengaged from the engagement/disengagement holes  151  and to provide a clicking sense in an initial position or end position of the second hinge member  140 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the elastic member  160  includes a disc spring. However, it would be recognized that other forms of elastic members, e.g., twist springs, may be used without altering the scope of the invention claimed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 9 , in the first hinge member  130  is formed a stopper protrusion  134  for stopping rotation of the second hinge member  140  by contacting the second hinge member  140 . 
     The swivel hinge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to an electronic device as a representative example. However, the present invention may be applied to various types of terminals adopting a swivel hinge apparatus without being limited to an electronic device. 
     Examples of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include not only mobile communication terminals or PCDs operating in accordance with communication protocols corresponding to various communication systems, but also any information communication apparatus or multimedia apparatus, such as headsets having BLUETOOTH functions, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., Portable Multimedia Players (PMPs), MP3 players, game players, notebooks, advertisement boards, digital broadcasting players, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and smart phones, and so forth, and their application apparatuses. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in case of a communication headset, the embedded BLUETOOTH technology device (not shown) , with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., is turned on when the second housing  120  rotates around the hinge axis A 1  into a second position, and the embedded BLUETOOTH technology device is turned off, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., when the second housing  120  rotates to an original or first position. In the illustrated example of a headset device shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, an original position may be when the first and second housings are linearly joined along a longitudinal axis (i.e., zero degree rotation). In this original or first position, the embedded BLUETOOTH technology device is turned off, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC. However, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the second housing is rotated to form a ninety (90) degree angle, then the embedded BLUETOOTH technology device is turned on, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC. In this illustrative example, the first housing  110  and the second housing  120  form an “L” shape as the second housing  120  rotates 180 degrees in a bent manner. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is another example of the guide portion  150  which includes at least one engagement/disengagement holes  1501 , at least one ball hole  1502 , and at least one ball  1503 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the engagement/disengagement holes  1501  are formed in the first hinge member  130  to correspond to the balls  1503 . The ball holes  1502  are formed in the second hinge member  140  to pass the balls  1503  therethrough and allow the balls  1503  to correspond to the engagement/disengagement holes  1501 . The balls  1503  are coupled with the ball holes  1502  by passing through the ball holes  1502 , such that the balls  1503  closely contact the engagement/disengagement holes  1501  and are engaged with or disengaged from the engagement/disengagement holes  1501  by rotation of the second hinge member  140  to provide a clicking sense in a rotation initial or end position of the second hinge member  140 . Although there is illustrated a pair of balls and corresponding ball holes, it would be recognized that the invention operates in a similar manner whether there is one ball and corresponding hole or a plurality of balls and corresponding balls. The pair illustrated is only for purposes of presenting the subject matter claimed in a manner that would enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention described without undue experimentation. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 through 11 , a detailed description will be made of an operating process of the above-described swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 9 , the swivel hinge apparatus  100  includes the first housing  110  having the first inclined surface  111  formed thereon, the second housing  120  having the second inclined surface  121  formed thereon, the first hinge member  130  having the bent first engagement portion  131  formed thereon, the second hinge member  140  having the bent second engagement portion  141  formed thereon, the guide portion  150 , the elastic member  160 , the support cover portion  170 , and the shaft  180  having the protruding cylindrical housing  181  formed thereon. 
     As shown in . FIGS. 3 through 6 , and referring to a headset  101  having BLUETOOTH technology embedded therein, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., as a representative example of the electronic device, the first housing  110  includes a speaker portion  400  ( FIG. 6 ) and the second housing  120  includes a microphone portion  300  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 9 , the through-hole  133  formed in the first hinge member  130  is coupled with the cylindrical housing  181  having the shaft  180  formed therein by passing the cylindrical housing  181  therethrough. The cylindrical housing  181  is also coupled with the rotation hole  143  formed in the second hinge member  140  in a way to rotate around the hinge axis A 1 , and is then coupled with the elastic member  160  and the support cover portion  170  by passing through the elastic member  160  and the support cover portion  170 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  8 , the guide portion  150  includes the at least one engagement/disengagement hole  151  and the at least one hemispheric emboss portion  152 . The first hinge member  130  and the second hinge member  140  are coupled to each other while facing each other, and the hemispheric emboss portions  152  are inserted into the engagement/disengagement holes  151 . 
     In this state, as shown in  FIGS. 3 through 9 , the first engagement portion  131  of the first hinge member  130  is engaged with the first housing  110  and the second engagement portion  141  of the second hinge member  140  is engaged with the second housing  120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 5 , the first engagement portion  131  and the second engagement portion  141  of the first hinge member  130  and the second hinge member  140 , which correspond to the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121  of the first housing  110  and the second housing  120  respectively, are bent, and engaged along a longitudinal direction of the first housing  110  and the second housing  120 , thereby facilitating engagement with the first housing  110  and the second housing  120  and improving the strength of the engagement. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 through 9 , when the second housing  120  rotates from the first housing  110  around the hinge axis A 1 , a cap  500  coupled with the second housing  120  is removed from the second housing  120 . In this state, the second hinge member  140  rotates and the hemispheric emboss portions  152  of the guide portion  150  also rotate. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the hemispheric emboss portions  152  leave the engagement/disengagement holes  151  and are inserted into the engagement/disengagement holes  151  again in the rotation end position of the second hinge member  140 , while providing a clicking sense. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the elastic member  160  provides an elastic force for allowing linear movement of the first hinge member  130  along the hinge axis A 1 , and an elastic force for allowing linear movement of the engagement/disengagement holes  151  of the first hinge member  130  such that the engagement/disengagement holes  151  are engaged with or disengaged from the hemispheric emboss portions  152 . The elastic member  160  provides an elastic force for allowing rotation of the second hinge member  140  around the hinge axis A 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 through 9 , the second hinge member  140  rotates around the hinge axis A 1  and contacts the stopper protrusion  134  formed on the first hinge member  130 , such that rotation of the second hinge member  140  is restricted. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the first housing  110  and the second housing  120  form an “L” shape as the second housing  120  rotates 180 degrees with respect to the first housing. In this state, the speaker portion  400  provided in the first housing  110  is inserted into a user&#39;s ear and the microphone portion  300  provided in the second housing  120  is brought in close contact with a user&#39;s mouth. 
     Herein, when the second housing  120  rotates 180 degrees around the hinge axis A 1 , the embedded BLUETOOTH technology, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., is turned on and thus the headset  101  is used; when the second housing  120  rotates to the original position, the embedded BLUETOOTH technology, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., is turned off and thus the headset  101  does not operate. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , to rotate the second housing  120  to the original position, the second hinge member  140  rotates around the hinge axis A 1  again, together with the hemispheric emboss portions  152 . If the second hinge member  140  rotates to the rotation initial position around the hinge axis A 1 , the hemispheric emboss portions  152  leave the engagement/disengagement holes  151 , thus providing a clicking sense in the rotation initial position. 
     Shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is another example of the guide portion  150  which includes the at least one engagement/disengagement hole  1501 , the at least one ball hole  1502 , and the at least one ball  1503 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the engagement/disengagement holes  151  are formed in the first hinge member  130  to correspond to the balls  1503 . The ball holes  1502  are formed in the second hinge member  140  to pass the balls  1503  therethrough and allow the balls  1503  to correspond to the engagement/disengagement holes  1501 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the balls  1503  are coupled with the ball holes  1502  by passing through the ball holes  1502 , such that the balls  1503  closely contact the engagement/disengagement holes  1501  and are engaged with or disengaged from the engagement/disengagement holes  1501  by rotation of the second hinge member  140  to provide a clicking sense in the rotation initial or end position of the second hinge member  140 . In this state, by rotating the second housing  120  around the hinge axis A 1 , the second hinge member  140  also rotates and the balls  1503  also rotate and leave the engagement/disengagement holes  151 . The balls  1503  are inserted into the engagement/disengagement holes  151  again in the rotation end position of the second hinge member  140 , thus providing a clicking sense. 
     Once the second hinge member  140  rotates around the hinge axis A 1  again to rotate the second housing  120  to the original position, the second hinge member  140  also rotates and the balls  1503  rotate and leave the engagement/disengagement holes  151 , such that the balls  1503  are inserted again into the engagement/disengagement holes  151  in the rotation initial position of the second hinge member  140 , thus providing a clicking sense. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12 through 19 , a detailed description will be made of an operating process of the above-described swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 through 19 , a swivel hinge apparatus  200  includes the first housing  110  having the first inclined surface  111  formed thereon, the second housing  120  having the second inclined surface  121  formed thereon, a first hinge member  210  having a bent first engagement portion  211  formed thereon, a second hinge member  220  having a bent second engagement portion  221  formed thereon, a guide stopper portion  230 , an elastic member  240 , a washer  250 , and an E-ring  260 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 through 19 , the first housing  110  is coupled with the second inclined surface  121  of the second housing  120  in a way to rotate around the hinge axis A 1 , so that the first housing  110  can support bent rotation of the second housing  120  while facing the second inclined surface  121  of the second housing  120 . The second housing  120  is rotatably coupled to the first inclined surface  111  of the first housing  110 , so that the second housing  120  can rotate in a bent manner around the hinge axis A 1  while facing the first inclined surface  111  of the first housing  110 . The first hinge member  210  faces the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 , is inclinedly bent, and is engaged with an end portion of the first housing  110  by the bent first engagement portion  211  to support the rotation of the second hinge member  220 . The second hinge member  220  faces the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 , is inclinedly bent, and is engaged with an end portion of the second housing  120  by the bent second engagement portion  221 , such that the second hinge member  220  is coupled with the first hinge member  210  in a way to rotate while facing the first hinge member  210 . In the second hinge member  220  is formed a cylindrical housing  223  to be coupled with the first hinge member  210 , the elastic member  240 , the washer  250 , and the E-ring  260 . The guide stopper portion  230  is provided between the first hinge member  210  and the second hinge member  220  to guide and restrict rotation of the second hinge member  220 . The elastic member  240  is provided on a rear side of the first hinge member  210  to provide an elastic force for allowing linear movement of the first hinge member  210  along the hinge axis A 1  and an elastic force for allowing rotation of the second hinge member  220  around the first hinge axis A 1 . The washer  250  is provided in the first hinge member  210  to be coupled with and support the elastic member  240 . The E-ring  260  is engaged with an end portion of the cylindrical housing  223  to allow rotation of the first hinge member  210  and the second member  220 , couple them with each other, and couple the elastic member  240  with the washer  250 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 through 14 , the first hinge member  210  includes the first engagement portion  211 , at least one engagement holes  212 , a through-hole  213 , and a coupling recess  214 . The first engagement portion  211  has formed a bent portion  211   a  therein, is engaged with the first housing  110 , and is formed in the first hinge member  210  such that the first hinge member  210  is bent in the longitudinal direction of the first housing  210  while facing the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 . The engagement holes  212  are formed in the first engagement portion  211  to be engaged with the first housing  110 , and the through-hole  213  is formed in the first hinge member  210  to pass the cylindrical housing  223  therethrough. The coupling recess  214  is formed in the first hinge member  210  to be coupled with the elastic member  240  and the washer  250 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 through 14 , the second hinge member  220  includes the second engagement portion  221 , at least one engagement hole  222 , and the cylindrical housing  223 . The second engagement portion  221  has a bent portion  221   a  formed therein and is coupled with the second housing  120 . The second engagement portion  221  is formed in the second hinge member  220  such that the second hinge member  220  is bent along a longitudinal direction of the second housing  120  while facing the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121 . The engagement holes  222  are formed in the second engagement portion  221  for engagement with the second housing  120 , and the cylindrical housing  223  is formed on the second hinge member  220  to pass through the elastic member  240 , the washer  250 , and the through-hole  213  of the first engagement portion  211 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  18 , and  19 , the guide stopper portion  230  includes a guide cam  231  and a stopper groove  232 . The guide cam  231  is formed in the first hinge member  210  to be inserted into the stopper groove  232 . The stopper groove  232  is coupled with and guides the guide cam  231 , and is formed in the second hinge member  220  such that the stopper groove  232  contacts the guide cam  231  in the rotation initial or end position of the second hinge member  220  to restrict rotation of the second hinge member  220 . On an end portion of the stopper groove  232  is formed a first stopper portion  232   a  for restricting rotation of the second hinge member  220  by contacting the guide cam  231  in the rotation initial position of the second hinge member  220 . On the other end portion of the stopper groove  232  is formed a second stopper portion  232   b  for restricting rotation of the second hinge member  220  by contacting the guide cam  231  in the rotation end position of the second hinge member  220 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  18 , and  19 , in the second hinge member  220  are formed a pair of click grooves  224  that engage with or disengage from a pair of click protrusions  215  protruding from the first hinge member  210  during rotation of the second hinge member  220  to provide a clicking sense in the rotation initial or end position of the second hinge member  220 . Although there is illustrated a pair of click grooves and corresponding click protrusions, it would be recognized that the invention operates in a similar manner whether there is one click groove and corresponding protrusion or a plurality of click grooves and corresponding protrusions. The pair illustrated is only for purposes of presenting the subject matter claimed in a manner that would enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention described without undue experimentation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the click protrusions  215  and the click grooves  224  are provided with guide inclined surfaces  215   a  and a guide inclined surface  224   a , respectively, to facilitate engagement/disengagement. 
     The elastic member  240  includes a disc spring. 
     The swivel hinge apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to an electronic device as a representative example. However, the present invention may be applied to various types of terminals adopting a swivel hinge apparatus without being limited to an electronic device. 
     The electronic device may be a portable communication device or a headset having BLUETOOTH embedded therein, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 through 19 , the swivel hinge apparatus  200  includes the first housing  110  having the first inclined surface  111  formed thereon, the second housing  120  having the second inclined surface  121  formed thereon, the first hinge member  210  having the inclinedly bent first engagement portion  211  formed thereon, the second hinge member  220  having the inclinedly bent second engagement portion  221  formed thereon, the guide stopper portion  230 , the elastic member  240 , the washer  250 , and the E-ring  260 . 
     Herein, as shown in  FIG. 16 , in case of the headset  101  having BLUETOOTH embedded therein, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., as a representative example of the electronic device, the speaker portion  400  is provided in the first housing  110  and the microphone portion  300  is provided in the second housing  120 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the cylindrical housing  223  formed in the second hinge member  220  is coupled with the through-hole  213  formed in the first hinge member  210  such that the cylindrical housing  223  passes through the through-hole  213  and rotates around the hinge axis A 1 . The cylindrical housing  223  is also coupled with the elastic member  240  and the washer  250  by passing through the elastic member  240  and the washer  250 . The E-ring  260  is engaged with an end portion of the cylindrical housing  223  protruding through the washer  250 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  18 , and  19 , the guide stopper portion  230  includes the guide cam  231  and the stopper groove  232 . The first hinge member  210  and the second hinge member  220  are coupled with each other while facing each other, the guide cam  231  is inserted into the stopper groove  232 , and the pair of click protrusions  215  formed on the first hinge member  210  is inserted into the pair of click grooves  224 . 
     In this state, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the first engagement portion  211  of the first hinge member  210  is engaged with the first housing  110 , and the second engagement portion  221  of the second hinge member  220  is engaged with the second housing  120 . The first hinge member  210  and the second hinge member  220  correspond to the first inclined surface  111  and the second inclined surface  121  of the first housing  110  and the second housing  120 , and the inclinedly bent first engagement portion  211  and the inclinedly bent second engagement portion  221  are engaged in the longitudinal direction of the first housing  110  and the second housing  120 , thereby facilitating engagement with the first housing  110  and the second housing  120  and improving the strength of the engagement. 
     Herein, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , when the second housing  120  rotates from the first housing  110  around the hinge axis A 1  in a bent manner, the cap  500  coupled with the second housing  120  is removed from the second housing  120 . In this state, the second hinge member  220  rotates and the stopper groove  232  of the guide stopper portion  230  also rotates. 
     In this state, as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the first stopper portion  232   a  of the stopper groove  232  leaves the guide cam  231 , and the stopper groove  232  rotates such that the second stopper portion  232   b  of the stopper groove  232  contacts the guide cam  231  in the rotation end position, thereby restricting rotation of the second hinge member  220 . 
     At this time, the pair of click grooves  224  formed in the second hinge member  220  also rotate, and the pair of click protrusions  215  formed on the first hinge member  210  is inserted into the pair of click grooves  224  in the rotation end position of the second hinge member  220 , thereby providing a clicking sense. 
     In this case, as shown in  FIGS. 13 ,  17 , and  19 , the elastic member  240  provides an elastic force for allowing linear movement of the first hinge member  210  along the hinge axis A 1  and an elastic force for allowing linear rotation of the pair of click protrusions  215  of the first hinge member  210  such that the pair of click protrusions  215  is engaged with or disengaged from the pair of click grooves  224 . The elastic member  240  also provides an elastic force for allowing the second hinge member  220  to rotate around the hinge axis A 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the first housing  110  and the second housing  120  form an inverted “L” shape as the second housing  120  rotates 180 degrees. In this state, the speaker portion  400  provided in the first housing  110  is inserted into a user&#39;s ear and the microphone portion  300  provided in the second housing  120  is brought to close contact with a user&#39;s mouth. 
     Herein, when the second housing  120  rotates 180 degrees around the hinge axis A 1 , the BLUETOOTH technology, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., is turned on and thus the headset  101  is used; when the second housing  120  rotates to the original position, the BLUETOOTH technology is turned off, with BLUETOOTH being a short range wireless communications technology at the 2.4 GHz band, commercially available from the BLUETOOTH SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP, INC., and thus the headset  101  does not operate. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  18 , and  19 , to rotate the second housing  120  to the original position around the hinge axis A 1 , the second hinge member  220  also rotates around the hinge axis A 1 , together with the stopper groove  232  of the guide stopper portion  230 . If the second hinge member  220  rotates to the rotation initial position, the second stopper portion  232   b  of the stopper groove  232  leaves the guide cam  231  and the stopper groove  232  rotates such that the second stopper portion  232   b  of the stopper groove  232  contacts the guide cam  231  in the rotation initial position, thereby restricting rotation of the second hinge member  220 . 
     In this state, as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the pair of click grooves  224  formed in the second hinge member  220  also rotate again, and the pair of click protrusions  215  formed on the first hinge member  210  is inserted into the pair of click grooves  224  in the rotation initial position of the second hinge member  220 , thus providing a clicking sense. 
     It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the swivel hinge apparatus for an electronic device according to the present invention described above is not limited by the foregoing embodiments and drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made.