Patent ID: 7667959

Claim:
A foldable electronic device operable at least in a first position and a second position, said foldable device comprising: a first device part; a second device part; and a hinge for engaging the first device part to the second device part, the hinge comprising: a first shaft securely attached to the first device part, the first shaft having a first length defining a first shaft axis, the first shaft having a first shaft diameter, the first shaft having at least a coupling section in part of the first length, the coupling section having a first circumferential surface and a recess on the first circumference surface, the first circumferential surface having a first coupling diameter greater than the first shaft diameter; a second shaft securely attached to the second device part, the second shaft having a second length defining a second shaft axis, the second shaft having a second shaft diameter, the second shaft having at least a coupling section in part of the second length, the coupling section having a second circumferential surface and a recess on the second circumference surface, the second circumferential surface having a second coupling diameter greater than the second shaft diameter, wherein the second shaft is positioned in relationship to the first shaft such that the second shaft axis is substantially parallel to the first shaft axis; and a lock spring having a first end and an opposing second end, the lock spring comprising: a first curved section forming an open loop having an inner diameter substantially equal to the first coupling diameter of the first circumferential surface, the first curved section having a protruding portion protruding inwardly from the inner diameter; and a second curved section forming an open loop having an inner diameter substantially equal to the second coupling diameter of the second circumferential surface, the second curved section having a protruding portion protruding inwardly from the inner diameter, wherein the first curved section is movably engaged with the coupling section of the first shaft and the second curved section is movably engaged with the coupling section of the second shaft so as to allow the lock spring to rotate in a first rotation direction and an opposite second rotation direction relative to at least one of the first and second shafts, and wherein when the foldable device is operated in the first position, the protruding portion of the first curved section is engaged in the recess of the coupling section of the first shaft, and the protruding portion of the second curved section is located at an angular distance from the recess of the coupling section of the second shaft so as to allow the lock spring to rotate in a first rotation direction around the second shaft toward the second position of the foldable device, and when the foldable device is operated in the second position, the protruding portion of the second curved section also becomes engaged in the recess of the coupling section of second shaft.