Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an electronic device including a hinge structure disposed on a plate, and a stand member disposed to be rotated at a predetermined angle from the plate by using the hinge structure. The hinge structure includes a base member including at least one guide hole, a first rotatable member disposed on the base member and rotatable about a first axis, a second rotatable member disposed on the first rotatable member and rotatable about the first axis, and fixed to the stand member, at least one link each including one portion rotatably arranged with respect to a second axis disposed near the first axis, another portion guided through the at least one guide hole in accordance with a movement of the second axis, and a torque generating structure including an axis coinciding with the second axis, and providing a torque in accordance with a rotation of the second rotatable member.

<CIT> discloses a hinge mechanism with multiple preset positions that enables a support component to be adjustably attached to an apparatus, such as a computing device. In at least some embodiments, the hinge mechanism utilizes preset hinge positions that enable the support component to be placed at different preset positions.

<CIT> discloses mechanical and electromagnetic shielding features of an electronic device case formed of two housings, each housing having integrated snaps, channels, or other retaining features used to secure the housings together, and including integrated retaining features used to secure electronic components within the device case. The housings and retaining features are formed of amorphous metals or other materials with high elasticities.

The invention is defined by the attached set of claims.

Examples are disclosed that relate to hinge assemblies for computing devices and methods for assembling hinge assemblies. In one example, a hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first substrate of a computing device to a second substrate comprises a hinge frame affixed to the first substrate and a hinge arm member affixed to the second substrate. The hinge arm member includes a first arcuate arm guide slot on a first side and a second arcuate arm guide slot on a second side opposite the first side.

An arm support member moveably couples the hinge arm member to the hinge frame. The arm support member comprises a first side including a first arcuate support guide slot that receives a first frame guide of the hinge frame. A second side opposite to the first side comprises a second arcuate support guide slot that receives a second frame guide of the hinge frame. A first arcuate inner support guide is received within the first arcuate arm guide slot of the hinge arm member, and a second arcuate inner support guide is received within the second arcuate arm guide slot of the hinge arm member. An elongated bridge member connects the first side of the arm support member to the second side, where the bridge member comprises a unitary structure fabricated from bulk metallic glass.

The method includes providing a hinge assembly as described above and aligning the first side of the arm support member with the first side of the hinge arm member and the second side of the arm support member with the second side of the hinge arm member. To enable the arm support member to move over the hinge arm member, the first side of the arm support member is biased away from the first side of the hinge arm member and the second side of the arm support member is biased away from the second side of the hinge arm member. The arm support member is then moved over the hinge arm member, and the biasing of the first side and the second side of the arm support member is released, thereby allowing the first arcuate inner support guide to be received within the first arcuate arm guide slot and the second arcuate inner support guide to be received within the second arcuate arm guide slot.

Different types of mobile computing devices may utilize two substrates that are rotatably coupled via one or more hinges. In some examples, tablet computing devices utilize a rotatable kickstand that may be stowed or deployed at different angles to conveniently position the tablet on a surface, such as for providing input via typing on a keyboard, viewing media, or reading. In a laptop device, a display is rotatably coupled to another substrate containing one or more input devices, such as a keyboard and a trackpad. Some devices may utilize two or more displays that are rotatable coupled via one or more hinges.

In mechanical assemblies such as hinges, structural components are often fabricated from high strength materials such as steel to provide extended duty cycles and a long useful life. Because these materials also embody relatively high elastic moduli, such as between approximately <NUM> GPa - <NUM> GPa for some steel alloys, they can also impose limitations in manufacturing and fabrication of these assemblies, particularly in smaller form factor devices. For example, to enable assembly around a smaller component, a single steel component may be split into two parts that are separately positioned over the smaller component and then joined together, such as by welding. However, separating a component into two parts that are joined in this manner complicates the assembly process, adding additional steps and manufacturing line setups to accomplish the assembly. Further, joining the two parts creates a potentially weaker location at the joint.

Accordingly, examples are disclosed that relate to hinge assemblies for computing devices and methods for assembling hinge assemblies that simplify assembly processes and provide reliable operation over extended duty cycles. In the following discussion, an example computing device is described that employs the hinges and assembly techniques described herein. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the example device, and may be utilized with a variety of devices that rotatably couple two substrates and have different form factors and functions.

With reference now to <FIG>, one example of a computing device is illustrated in the form of a tablet computing device <NUM>. In other examples, the computing device may take the form of a laptop computing device, dual-screen mobile computing device, or any other suitable computing device. In the example of <FIG>, the tablet computing device <NUM> includes a first substrate <NUM> that comprises a touch screen display <NUM> (facing away in this view) and a rear panel <NUM> opposite to the display. The first substrate <NUM> is rotatably coupled to a kickstand <NUM> (second substrate) by a pair of hinge assemblies 120A and 120B. In other examples, a single hinge assembly <NUM> or three or more hinge assemblies <NUM> may be utilized to couple a first substrate to a second substrate. As described in more detail below and with reference to <FIG>, each of the hinge assemblies <NUM> comprises a hinge frame <NUM> that includes a first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> are joined to rotatably contain a hinge arm member <NUM> that is affixed to the kickstand <NUM>. In different examples, the hinge arm member <NUM> is permanently affixed or removably affixed to the kickstand <NUM>. As described and illustrated further below, an arm support member <NUM> moveably couples the hinge arm member <NUM> to the hinge frame <NUM>. In this manner, the kickstand <NUM> can be rotated at the hinge assemblies <NUM> to a variety of angles relative to the rear panel <NUM>, including from a closed orientation (at zero degrees) abutting the rear panel to a maximum open orientation, such as approximately <NUM> degrees.

In other examples and as noted above, the first substrate and second substrate may take other suitable forms, such as the display screen and input surface of a laptop computer, first and second display screens of a foldable and/or wearable device, or other types of computing devices.

With reference now to <FIG>, descriptions of example hinge assemblies according to the present disclosure will now be provided. As shown in <FIG>, in one example the hinge arm member <NUM> is rotatably coupled to an arm support member <NUM> that enables the hinge arm member to rotate from the closed orientation shown in <FIG> to the maximum open orientation shown in <FIG>. More particularly and with reference also to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hinge arm member <NUM> includes a first arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> on a first side <NUM> of the hinge arm member, and a second arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> on a second side <NUM> opposite to the first side. As shown in <FIG>, a first arcuate inner support guide <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> is received within the first arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> of the hinge arm member <NUM>. Similarly, a second arcuate inner support guide <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> is received within the second arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> of the hinge arm member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, this configuration guides the hinge arm member <NUM> to rotate relative to the hinge frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> to an intermediate position shown in <FIG>. From this intermediate position and with reference to <FIG>, further rotation of the hinge arm member <NUM> causes the arm support member <NUM> to rotate outwardly relative to the hinge frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> to correspondingly allow the hinge arm member <NUM> to rotate to the maximum open orientation shown in <FIG>. In one example, the intermediate position of <FIG> corresponds to an angle between the kickstand <NUM> and rear panel <NUM> of approximately <NUM> degrees, and the maximum open orientation of <FIG> corresponds to an angle between the kickstand <NUM> and rear panel <NUM> of approximately <NUM> degrees. In other examples, a variety of angles for the intermediate position and the maximum open orientation may be utilized.

In some examples at the intermediate position of <FIG>, and with reference also to <FIG>, a first shoulder <NUM> of the first arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> contacts a first engagement surface <NUM> of the of the arm support member <NUM>, and a second shoulder <NUM> of the second arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> contacts a second engagement surface <NUM> of the of the arm support member. Accordingly, as the hinge arm member <NUM> is further rotated past the intermediate position, the hinge arm member pulls the arm support member <NUM> to rotate relative to the first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> of the hinge frame <NUM>. The hinge arm member <NUM> and arm support member <NUM> rotate together until the maximum open orientation is reached as shown in <FIG>. At this position, a first and second protruding stops of the arm support member <NUM> contact corresponding stop features in the first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> of the hinge frame <NUM>.

With reference also to <FIG>, to guide the arm support member <NUM> for arcuate movement relative to the first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> of the hinge frame <NUM>, the first side <NUM> of arm support member comprises a first arcuate support guide slot <NUM> that receives a first frame guide <NUM> of the first portion of the hinge frame <NUM>. Similarly, the second side <NUM> of arm support member <NUM> comprises a second arcuate support guide slot <NUM> that receives a second frame guide <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> of the hinge frame <NUM>. In this manner, the first and second frame guides <NUM>, <NUM> cooperate with the first and second arcuate support guide slots <NUM>, <NUM> to allow the arm support member <NUM> to smoothly rotate outwardly with respect to the first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM> of the hinge frame <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first side <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> is connected to the second side <NUM> by an elongated bridge member <NUM>. With reference also to <FIG>, to assemble the hinge arm member <NUM> inside the arm support member <NUM> to enable the relative movement between these two components as described above, the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> would need to be bent outwardly to provide clearance for the sides to move over the hinge arm member <NUM> and then released to move into their operational configuration as shown in <FIG>.

As noted above in mechanical assemblies such as hinges, components such as the hinge arm member <NUM> and arm support member <NUM> are typically fabricated from high strength materials, such as steel. However, and particularly in smaller form factor components such as these, the elasticity of steel restricts the material's structural behavior to allow for only limited relative movements before permanent deformations and/or failure of a component occurs. For example, were an arm support member <NUM> to be fabricated from steel, an attempt to bias the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> to the configuration shown in <FIG> would cause the elongated bridge member <NUM> to fail and snap into two pieces.

Also and as noted above, to enable assembly around a smaller component, in some examples a single component may be fabricated in two parts that are separately positioned relative to the smaller component and then joined together, such as by welding. However, separating a component into two parts in this manner complicates the assembly process, adding additional steps and manufacturing line setups to accomplish the assembly. Additionally, and with respect to the elongated bridge member <NUM>, separating the bridge member near its center portion and welding the two ends together could create a structurally weaker location at this center portion.

In some examples of arm support member <NUM>, and due to manufacturing tolerances and/or other factors, the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> of the arm support member may be slightly canted relative to one another (e.g., not perfectly parallel). In these examples, movement of the first and second arcuate support guide slots <NUM>, <NUM> of arm support member <NUM> relative to the corresponding first and second frame guides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the hinge frame <NUM>, respectively, can create two bending moments that act on the bridge member <NUM> and have their greatest magnitudes near the central portion of the bridge member. In examples where the arm support member <NUM> comprises two parts that are joined at or near the central portion of the bridge member <NUM>, when the hinge arm member <NUM> and arm support member are repeatedly rotated, over time the repeated application of such moments to the central portion of the bridge member can correspondingly load the joint and weaken structural integrity at this location.

Accordingly, examples of the present invention utilize an arm support member <NUM> that comprises at least a bridge member <NUM> fabricated as a unitary structure from a bulk metallic glass material that enables simplified assembly of the arm support member over the hinge arm member <NUM> and provides extended duty cycles of relative movement between the components. For purposes of the present disclosure, bulk metallic glass is defined as an amorphous metal alloy that has a critical cooling rate low enough to allow formation of amorphous structures in layers greater than <NUM> millimeter. Advantageously, such materials embody relatively high strength coupled with a lower modulus of elasticity, thereby allowing for greater non-permanent deformations than other high strength materials. Accordingly and as described in more detail below, utilizing bulk metallic glass at least for the bridge member <NUM> enables this component to be fabricated as a unitary structure for greater structural integrity, while also allowing for substantial bending and flexing to enable assembly over the hinge arm member <NUM>.

In some examples and as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the entire arm support member <NUM> is fabricated from bulk metallic glass. In these examples, and in one potential advantage of the present invention, the bridge member <NUM> is a unitary structure that is integrally formed with the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> from bulk metallic glass. Accordingly and as described in more detail below, the first side <NUM>, second side <NUM>, and bridge member <NUM> embody a measure of flexibility that enable sufficient biasing of the two sides and corresponding flexing of the bridge member to allow the arm support member <NUM> to be moved over the hinge arm member <NUM> and then released to allow the first arcuate inner support guide <NUM> to be received within the first arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> and the second arcuate inner support guide <NUM> to be received within the second arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> (see <FIG>).

With reference now to <FIG>, a cross section of the bridge member <NUM> taken at line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> is illustrated. In this example, the bridge member <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> has a uniform cross section along its length in the x-axis direction from a first end <NUM> to an opposing second end <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates a cross section of bridge member <NUM> at central portion <NUM> midway between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. In one potential advantage of this example configuration, the uniform cross section of the bridge member <NUM> along its length may evenly distribute bending loads imparted on the bridge member during assembly and operation. As shown in <FIG>, in this example the cross-sectional profile of bridge member <NUM> takes the form of a <NUM>-sided polygon in which the height H1 of a front edge <NUM> is less than a combined width W1 of adj acent first side <NUM> and second side <NUM>. In some examples, the ratio of the height H1 to the width W1 is approximately <NUM>. In one example, the height H1 of front edge <NUM> is approximately <NUM> and the width W1 of the first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> is approximately <NUM>. In other examples, other suitable dimensions for the cross-sectional profile of bridge member <NUM> also may be utilized. Accordingly, and in one potential advantage of the present embodiment, by reducing the height H1 of front edge <NUM> with respect to the width W1 of sides <NUM> and <NUM>, the bending stresses in the x-axis direction experienced by the bridge member <NUM> when bending during assembly (as described further below) are correspondingly reduced.

In some examples, a bulk metallic glass utilized for arm support member <NUM> may have a maximum stress (yield strength) of approximately <NUM> MPa and a modulus of elasticity of approximately <NUM> GPa. Advantageously in these examples, and in another potential benefit of the present configuration, a structural analysis of the loads imparted on arm support member <NUM> during assembly of the arm support member to the hinge arm member <NUM> (described below) shows a maximum stress of below approximately <NUM> MPa, which is well below the <NUM> MPa yield strength of the bulk metallic glass. Accordingly, the present configuration enables easy assembly of an arm support member <NUM> utilizing a unitary bridge member <NUM> that also provides high strength and high duty cycle performance.

In other examples of the present invention, the bridge member <NUM> may utilize a non-uniform cross section along its length. With reference now to <FIG> and in one alternative example, an arm support member <NUM>' utilizes a bridge member <NUM> that comprises a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM>, and a central portion <NUM> midway between the first end and the second end. <FIG> illustrates the cross section of bridge member <NUM> at central portion <NUM> midway between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. In this example and as shown in <FIG>, the cross-sectional area of the bridge member <NUM> tapers from a first cross-sectional area at the first end <NUM> (<FIG>) and the second end <NUM> to a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area at the central portion <NUM> (<FIG>). Accordingly, and in one potential advantage of this configuration, tapering the cross-sectional area in this manner reduces an amount of bulk metallic glass utilized for the bridge member <NUM> to reduce material costs. Additionally, providing larger cross-sectional areas at the ends of the bridge member <NUM> may better accommodate loads experienced in these locations.

In some alternative examples of the present invention, the bridge member is fabricated from bulk metallic glass while one or more other portions of the arm support member are fabricated from materials other than bulk metallic glass. In one example and with reference to <FIG>, the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> of another alternative example of an arm support member <NUM>" are fabricated from an alloy having a crystalline atomic structure, such as steel. In this example, the bridge member <NUM> is fabricated from bulk metallic glass and is affixed to the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> via any suitable technique. In the present example, bridge member <NUM> is laser welded to first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> at its first end <NUM> and second end <NUM>, respectively. Accordingly, and in one potential benefit of this alternative configuration, by utilizing less expensive, high strength materials having a crystalline atomic structure for the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM>, material costs for the arm support member <NUM> may be further reduced.

With reference now to <FIG>, an example method <NUM> of assembling a hinge assembly that rotatably couples a first substrate of a computing device to a second substrate of the computing device will now be described. <FIG> illustrates a flow diagram depicting the method <NUM>. The following description of method <NUM> is provided with reference to the components described herein and shown in <FIG>.

It will be appreciated that following description of method <NUM> is provided by way of example and is not meant to be limiting. Therefore, it is to be understood that method <NUM> may include additional and/or alternative steps relative to those illustrated in <FIG>. Further, it is to be understood that the steps of method <NUM> may be performed in any suitable order. Further still, it is to be understood that one or more steps may be omitted from method <NUM> without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It will also be appreciated that method <NUM> also may be performed in other contexts using other suitable components.

With reference to <FIG>, at <NUM> the method <NUM> includes providing a hinge assembly <NUM> as described herein and comprising a hinge frame <NUM>; a hinge arm member <NUM> comprising a first arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> on a first side <NUM> of the hinge arm member and a second arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> on a second side <NUM> opposite the first side of the hinge arm member; and an arm support member <NUM> configured to moveably couple the hinge arm member to the hinge frame, the arm support member comprising: a first side <NUM> comprising a first arcuate support guide slot <NUM>; a second side <NUM> opposite to the first side and comprising a second arcuate support guide slot <NUM>; a first arcuate inner support guide <NUM>; a second arcuate inner support guide <NUM>; and an elongated bridge member connecting the first side of the arm support member to the second side, wherein the bridge member comprises a unitary structure fabricated from bulk metallic glass.

At <NUM> and with reference also to <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes aligning the first side <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> with the first side <NUM> of the hinge arm member <NUM> and the second side <NUM> of the arm support member with the second side <NUM> of the hinge arm member. As shown in the example of <FIG> and with reference also to <FIG>, in this example the arm support member <NUM> and hinge arm member <NUM> are aligned in the intermediate position described above with respect to <FIG>, which corresponds to an angle <NUM> of approximately <NUM> degrees between the extended portion <NUM> of the hinge arm member and the faces <NUM>, <NUM> of arm support member first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> respectively. As described further below, in this orientation the first and second sides <NUM>, <NUM> of arm support member <NUM> may be flexed outwardly to enable the arm support member to move over the hinge arm member <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG> and as shown in <FIG>, at <NUM> the method <NUM> includes biasing the first side <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> away from the first side <NUM> of the hinge arm member <NUM> and the second side <NUM> of the arm support member away from the second side <NUM> of the hinge arm member to enable the arm support member to move over the hinge arm member. As noted above, and in one potential advantage of the present invention, by utilizing bulk metallic glass for at least the bridge member <NUM>, the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> of the arm support member may be moved outwardly to provide clearance for the arm support member <NUM> to be moved over the hinge arm member <NUM>. Further, such flexibility is provided while maintaining the bridge member <NUM> as a unitary structure and thereby avoiding joints along the length of the member that could reduce structural integrity.

With reference again to <FIG> and as shown in <FIG>, at <NUM> the method <NUM> includes moving the arm support member <NUM> over the hinge arm member <NUM>. At <NUM> and with reference also to <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes releasing the biasing of the first side <NUM> and the second side <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> to allow the first arcuate inner support guide <NUM> to be received within the first arcuate arm guide slot <NUM> and the second arcuate inner support guide <NUM> to be within the second arcuate arm guide slot <NUM>.

At <NUM> the method <NUM> includes enclosing the hinge assembly <NUM> between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the hinge frame <NUM> to cause the first frame guide <NUM> of the first portion to be received within the first arcuate support guide slot <NUM>, and to cause the second frame guide <NUM> of the second portion <NUM> to be received within the second arcuate support guide slot <NUM>. At <NUM> the method <NUM> may include wherein the first side <NUM> and the second side <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> are fabricated from bulk metallic glass. As noted above, in some examples the entire arm support member <NUM> is fabricated from bulk metallic glass. At <NUM> the method <NUM> may include wherein the first side <NUM> and second side <NUM> of the arm support member <NUM> are fabricated from an alloy having a crystalline atomic structure, and the bridge member <NUM> is affixed to the first side and the second side. As noted above, in other examples the first side and second side of an arm support member are fabricated from an alloy having a crystalline atomic structure, such as steel, while the bridge member <NUM> is fabricated from bulk metallic glass and joined to the first and second sides.

The following paragraphs provide additional support for the claims of the subject application. One aspect provides a hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first substrate of a computing device to a second substrate of the computing device, the hinge assembly comprising: a hinge frame affixed to the first substrate; a hinge arm member affixed to the second substrate, the hinge arm member comprising a first arcuate arm guide slot on a first side of the hinge arm member and a second arcuate arm guide slot on a second side opposite the first side of the hinge arm member; and an arm support member moveably coupling the hinge arm member to the hinge frame, the arm support member comprising: a first side comprising a first arcuate support guide slot, the first arcuate support guide slot receiving a first frame guide of the hinge frame; a second side opposite to the first side and comprising a second arcuate support guide slot, the second arcuate support guide slot receiving a second frame guide of the hinge frame; a first arcuate inner support guide received within the first arcuate arm guide slot of the hinge arm member; a second arcuate inner support guide received within the second arcuate arm guide slot of the hinge arm member; and an elongated bridge member connecting the first side of the arm support member to the second side, wherein the bridge member comprises a unitary structure fabricated from bulk metallic glass. The hinge assembly may additionally include, wherein the first side and the second side of the arm support member are fabricated from bulk metallic glass. The hinge assembly may additionally include, wherein the first side and second side of the arm support member are fabricated from an alloy having a crystalline atomic structure, and the bridge member is affixed to the first side and the second side.

The hinge assembly may additionally include, wherein the bridge member has a cross sectional profile in which a height of the profile is less than a width of the profile. The hinge assembly may additionally include, wherein a ratio of the height to the width is approximately <NUM>. The hinge assembly may additionally include, wherein the bridge member has a uniform cross section along its length. The hinge assembly may additionally.

include, wherein the bridge member has a non-uniform cross section along its length The hinge assembly may additionally include, wherein the bridge member comprises a first end, a second end, and a central portion midway between the first end and the second end, and a cross sectional area of the bridge member tapers from a first cross sectional area at the first end and at the second end to a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area at the central portion.

Another aspect provides a computing device, comprising: a display substrate; and a kickstand rotatably coupled to the display substrate via a hinge assembly, wherein the hinge assembly comprises: a hinge frame affixed to the display substrate; a hinge arm member affixed to the kickstand, the hinge arm member comprising a first arcuate arm guide slot on a first side of the hinge arm member and a second arcuate arm guide slot on a second side opposite the first side of the hinge arm member; and an arm support member moveably coupling the hinge arm member to the hinge frame, the arm support member comprising: a first side comprising a first arcuate support guide slot, the first arcuate support guide slot receiving a first frame guide of the hinge frame; a second side opposite to the first side and comprising a second arcuate support guide slot, the second arcuate support guide slot receiving a second frame guide of the hinge frame; a first arcuate inner support guide received within the first arcuate arm guide slot of the hinge arm member; a second arcuate inner support guide received within the second arcuate arm guide slot of the hinge arm member; and an elongated bridge member connecting the first side of the arm support member to the second side, wherein the bridge member comprises a unitary structure fabricated from bulk metallic glass. The computing device may additionally include, wherein the first side and the second side of the arm support member are fabricated from bulk metallic glass. The computing device may additionally include, wherein the first side and second side of the arm support member are fabricated from an alloy having a crystalline atomic structure, and the bridge member is affixed to the first side and the second side.

The computing device may additionally include, wherein the bridge member has a cross sectional profile in which a height of the profile is less than a width of the profile. The computing device may additionally or alternative include, wherein a ratio of the height to the width is approximately <NUM>. The computing device may additionally include, wherein the bridge member has a uniform cross section along its length. The computing device may additionally include, wherein the bridge member has a non-uniform cross section along its length. The computing device may additionally include, wherein the bridge member comprises a first end, a second end, and a central portion midway between the first end and the second end, and a cross sectional area of the bridge member tapers from a first cross sectional area at the first end and at the second end to a second cross sectional area less than the first cross sectional area at the central portion.

Another aspect provides a method of assembling a hinge assembly that rotatably couples a first substrate of a computing device to a second substrate of the computing device, the method comprising: providing the hinge assembly comprising: a hinge frame; a hinge arm member comprising a first arcuate arm guide slot on a first side of the hinge arm member and a second arcuate arm guide slot on a second side opposite the first side of the hinge arm member; and an arm support member configured to moveably couple the hinge arm member to the hinge frame, the arm support member comprising: a first side comprising a first arcuate support guide slot; a second side opposite to the first side and comprising a second arcuate support guide slot; a first arcuate inner support guide; a second arcuate inner support guide; and an elongated bridge member connecting the first side of the arm support member to the second side, wherein the bridge member comprises a unitary structure fabricated from bulk metallic glass; aligning the first side of the arm support member with the first side of the hinge arm member and the second side of the arm support member with the second side of the hinge arm member; biasing the first side of the arm support member away from the first side of the hinge arm member and the second side of the arm support member away from the second side of the hinge arm member to enable the arm support member to move over the hinge arm member; moving the arm support member over the hinge arm member; and releasing the biasing of the first side and the second side of the arm support member to allow the first arcuate inner support guide to be received within the first arcuate arm guide slot and the second arcuate inner support guide to be received within the second arcuate arm guide slot. The method may additionally include, wherein the hinge frame comprises a first portion and a second portion, the method comprising: enclosing the hinge frame between the first portion and the second portion to cause a first frame guide of the first portion to be received within the first arcuate support guide slot, and to cause a second frame guide of the second portion to be received within the second arcuate support guide slot. The method may additionally include, wherein the first side and the second side of the arm support member are fabricated from bulk metallic glass. The method may additionally include, wherein the first side and second side of the arm support member are fabricated from an alloy having a crystalline atomic structure, and the bridge member is affixed to the first side and the second side.

Claim 1:
A hinge assembly (<NUM>) for rotatably coupling a first substrate (<NUM>) of a computing device (<NUM>) to a second substrate (<NUM>) of the computing device (<NUM>), the hinge assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a hinge frame (<NUM>) configured to be affixed to the first substrate (<NUM>);
a hinge arm member (<NUM>) configured to be affixed to the second substrate (<NUM>), the hinge arm member (<NUM>) comprising a first arcuate arm guide slot (<NUM>) on a first side (<NUM>) of the hinge arm member (<NUM>) and a second arcuate arm guide slot (<NUM>) on a second side (<NUM>) opposite the first side (<NUM>) of the hinge arm member (<NUM>); and
an arm support member (<NUM>) moveably coupling the hinge arm member (<NUM>) to the hinge frame (<NUM>), the arm support member (<NUM>) comprising:
a first side (<NUM>) comprising a first arcuate support guide slot (<NUM>), the first arcuate support guide slot (<NUM>) receiving a first frame guide (<NUM>) of the hinge frame (<NUM>);
a second side (<NUM>) opposite to the first side (<NUM>) and comprising a second arcuate support guide slot (<NUM>), the second arcuate support guide slot (<NUM>) receiving a second frame guide (<NUM>) of the hinge frame (<NUM>);
a first arcuate inner support guide (<NUM>) received within the first arcuate arm guide slot (<NUM>) of the hinge arm member (<NUM>);
a second arcuate inner support guide (<NUM>) received within the second arcuate arm guide slot (<NUM>) of the hinge arm member (<NUM>); and
an elongated bridge member (<NUM>, <NUM>) connecting the first side (<NUM>) of the arm support member (<NUM>) to the second side (<NUM>), wherein the bridge member (<NUM>) comprises a unitary structure,
characterized in that:
the unitary structure is fabricated from bulk metallic glass.