Patent ID: 7047599

Claim:
A hinge assembly comprising a first and a second hinge member relatively turnably connected together about an axis of rotation and a friction member composed of an elastic material and disposed between said first and second hinge members, relative turning motion between said first hinge member and said second hinge member being restricted by friction resistance generated between contact surfaces of said friction member and said first and second hinge members, said first hinge member includes a main body and a movable portion disposed on said main body such that said movable portion is non-turnable but movable in a direction of the axis of rotation, said friction member is disposed between said movable portion and said second hinge member, interval restricting means disposed between said movable portion and said second hinge member and adapted to restrict intervals of the contact surfaces of said movable portion and said second hinge member with respect to said friction member, said interval restricting means includes a moving mechanism for moving said movable portion in the direction of the axis of rotation in response to the turning motion of said second hinge member within a predetermined turning range.