Patent Publication Number: US-2010122434-A1

Title: Advertising Device Used in a Hinge Assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an advertising device, in particular, to an advertising device which is adapted to be implemented in a hinge assembly for a portable electronic device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There have been many different prior arts as to a hinge assembly which is adapted to be implemented in a portable electronic device. One of the examples is a Taiwan patent which Pat. No. is M287031. Nevertheless, it seems that none of these prior arts teach a hinge assembly that is intended to accomplish an advertising effect. In fact, it should be appreciated how important a product image is related to sales and that customers nowadays don&#39;t just think utility is the only buying criteria. 
     The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, an advertising device which is adapted to be implemented in a hinge assembly for a portable electronic device includes a display unit having a displaying surface on which an advertising mark is adapted to be presented and an engaging surface which receives a pintle of the hinge assembly. Further, a connector is mounted between the engaging surface and the pintle and the connector inhibits the display unit pivoting relative to the pintle so that the advertising mark on the display unit is remained in an upright position. 
     In one embodiment, the connector includes two legs which are spaced from each other, and the engaging surface includes a cavity which receives an end of the pintle and two slots which is connected to and is in communication with the cavity and which receives the two legs respectively. Therefore, the two legs are adapted to abut two sides of the pintle respectively and then inhibit the display unit from rotation relative to the pintle. 
     In another embodiment, the connector includes a through hole through which the pintle is inserted and a peripheral edge which defines a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion having an inset. Further, the engaging surface includes a cavity which receives an end of the pintle, an engaging protrusion which is received by the first engaging portion of the connector and an engaging hook having a barb which is received by the inset of the connector. As such, the display unit is then inhibited from rotation relative to the pintle. 
     In another embodiment, the connector includes a shaft, and the engaging surface includes a cavity which receives an end of the pintle and a hole which is connected to and is in communication with the cavity and which receives the shaft. Therefore, the shaft is adapted to abut a side of the pintle and then inhibit the display unit from rotation relative to the pintle. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hinge assembly with an advertising device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the advertising device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is another side view of  FIG. 1  and illustrating operation of the hinge assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the hinge assembly and the advertising device are implemented in a portable electronic device, with the portable electronic device shown in phantom. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a hinge assembly with an advertising device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the advertising device shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a hinge assembly with an advertising device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the advertising device shown in  FIG. 12 , and with a display unit of the advertising device partially in section. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of the hinge assembly and the advertising device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1 through 7  show an advertising device  40  which is adapted to be implemented in a hinge assembly  10  for a portable electronic device which includes a base  101  and a cover  102 . Then, the base  101  is pivotal relative to the cover  102 . Preferably, the hinge assembly  10  includes a pintle  12 , a first coupling member  11  which is connected to the pintle  12  and is connectable to a one of a base  101  and a cover  102 , and a second coupling member  20  which is connected to the pintle  12  and is connectable to another of the base  101  and the cover  102 . Preferably, the hinge assembly  10  also includes a positioning member  31  which is operable to move to a position that the cover  102  is inhibited from further advancement relative to the base  101 . Preferably, the hinge assembly  10  further includes a cam device  32  for retaining the cover  102  at a predetermined angular position relative to the base  101 , and the cam device  32  includes a first cam member  321  and a second cam member  322  disposed in juxtapose and coacting with the first cam member  321  The first cam member  321  is operable to pivot relative to the second cam member  322  such that the relative pivotal moment therebetween results a relative axial movement between the first and second cam members  321  and  322 . Preferably, the hinge assembly  10  further includes a biasing device  40  having a plurality of discs (not numbered) through which the pintle  12  is inserted and each has a resilient characteristic. Preferably, the biasing device  40  is disposed between the cam device  32  and an end cap  13  and biasably moved by the cam device  32  and each of the plurality of discs are adapted to be depressed. 
     The advertising device  40  includes a display unit  41  having a displaying surface  411  on which an advertising mark “A” is adapted to be presented and an engaging surface  412  which connects the display unit  41  to the pintle  12 . Preferably, the engaging surface  412  includes a cavity  413  which receives an end of the pintle  12  such that the display unit  41  is connected to the pintle  12 . Additionally, the engaging surface  412  includes two slots  414  which is connected to and is in communication with the cavity  413  and which receives a connector  42 . Preferably, the connector  42  includes two legs  421  which are spaced from each other and are received in the slots  414  respectively. Therefore, the two legs  421  are adapted to abut two opposite sides of the pintle  12  respectively and then inhibit the display unit  41  from rotation relative to the pintle  12  so that the advertising mark “A” on the display unit  41  is remained in an upright position. 
     Preferably, the connector  42  is made of a metal wire that has a resilient characteristic so that the two legs  421  resiliently clutch the pintle  12 . 
     Preferably, the pintle  12  includes a groove  14  which extends along a peripheral edge thereof circumferentially and receives the two legs  421 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 through 11 , an advertising device  50  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention includes a connector  53  having a through hole  531  through which the pintle  12  is inserted and a peripheral edge which defines a first engaging portion  532  and a second engaging portion  533  having an inset  534 . Further, a display unit  51  includes a displaying surface  511  on which an advertising mark “A” is adapted to be presented and an engaging surface  512  which connects the display unit  51  to the pintle  12 . Preferably, the engaging surface  512  includes a cavity  513  which receives an end of the pintle  12  such that the display unit  51  is connected to the pintle  12 . Additionally, the engaging surface  512  includes an engaging protrusion  515  which is received by the first engaging portion  532  of the connector  53  and an engaging hook  514  having a barb  5141  which is received by the inset  534  of the connector  53 . As such, the display unit  51  is then inhibited from rotation relative to the pintle  12 . 
     Preferably, the advertising device  50  further includes a clipping member  52  for securely holding the connector  53  on the pintle  12 . Preferably, the clipping member  52  is disposed outside the connector  53 . 
     The clipping member  52  has two opposite ends abutting two sides of the pintle  12  respectively and is received in the groove  14 . 
     Preferably, the clipping member  52  is made of a metal wire that has a resilient characteristic so that the two opposite ends resiliently clutch the pintle  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 through 14 , an advertising device  60  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention includes a connector  62  having a shaft  621 . Further, a display unit  61  includes a displaying surface  611  on which an advertising mark “A” is adapted to be presented and an engaging surface  612  which connects the display unit  61  to the pintle  12 . Preferably, the engaging surface  612  includes a cavity  613  which receives an end of the pintle  12  such that the display unit  61  is connected to the pintle  12 . Additionally, the engaging surface  612  includes a hole  614  which is connected to the cavity  613  and which receives the shaft  621  so that the pintle  12  has a side abutted by the shaft  621  and as such the display unit  61  is then inhibited from rotation relative to the pintle. 
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.