Patent ID: 8522401

Claim:
A hinge apparatus for a portable communication device having a body, a folder, and a rotary hinge module mounted between the body and the folder, the hinge apparatus comprising: a first gear hinge part on a first hinge axis linearly opposed to a second gear hinge part on the first hinge axis, the first gear hinge part and the second gear hinge part for opening and closing the folder by rotation, with respect to the body, on the first hinge axis; and a hinge connection part for coupling the first gear hinge part and the second gear hinge part to the rotary hinge module, wherein the rotary hinge module allows for rotation of the folder about a second hinge axis perpendicular to the first hinge axis, and wherein the first and second gear hinge parts comprise: a first gear shaft, having a first gear part and a hinge cam, coupled to the hinge connection part, which is screwed to a side of the body; a second gear shaft, having a second gear part rotatably engaged with the first gear part and a hinge cam, coupled to the hinge connection part, which is screwed to a side of the folder; a gear hinge shaft that is through-connected to the first and second gear shafts, and faces hinge cams of the first and second gear shafts; an elastic member that is through-connected to the first and second gear shafts, and applies pressure to an end of the gear hinge shaft; and a gear hinge housing that embeds therein the first and second gear shafts, the gear hinge shaft and the elastic member.