(12) United States Patent
`Choi
`
`USOO6918159B2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,918,159 B2
`Jul.19, 2005
`
`(54) HINGE APPARATUS
`(75) Inventor: Kang-ho Choi, Yongin (KR)
`(73) Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.,
`Suwon-si (KR)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/223,476
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 20, 2002
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2003/004.6791 A1 Mar. 13, 2003
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Sep. 11, 2001
`(KR) ........................................ 2001-55731
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ E05D 11/10
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 16/347; 16/293; 16/297;
`16/321; 16/337
`(58) Field of Search .......................... 16/293,297, 304,
`16/321,337,343-344, 347
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,620,344 A 11/1986 Lewis, Jr. .................... 16/337
`5,022,778 A
`6/1991 Lu .............................. 16/273
`5,028,913 A 7/1991 Kitamura
`5,075,929 A * 12/1991 Chung ......................... 16/342
`5,109.570 A * 5/1992 Okada et al. ...
`... 16/289
`5,231,734. A * 8/1993 Rude .................
`... 16/342
`5,771,539 A * 6/1998 Wahlstedt et al.
`... 16/342
`5,894.633 A * 4/1999 Kaneko ..........
`... 16/306
`5,940,936 A
`8/1999 Lu .............................. 16/337
`
`
`
`5,970,580 A * 10/1999
`6,125,507 A * 10/2000
`6,481,057 B2 * 11/2002
`6,539,582 B1 * 4/2003
`6,568.034 B2 * 5/2003
`
`16/337
`... 16/329
`... 16/340
`16/340
`16/337
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`O6O17570 A * 1/1994 ........... EOSD/11/10
`WO
`95/33392
`12/1995
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Daniel P. Stodola
`Assistant Examiner-Christopher Boswell
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Staas & Halsey LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A hinge apparatus disposes a panel to be opened and closed
`with respect to a body of an appliance. The hinge apparatus
`includes a fixing bracket fixed on the body, a Supporting
`bracket fixed on the panel and a hinge shaft fixed on the
`fixing bracket to rotatably Support the Supporting bracket.
`The hinge apparatus also includes an automatic pivot unit to
`cause the panel to be opened with respect to the body by a
`predetermined free rotation angle when a locking State
`between the panel and the body is released. Further, the
`hinge apparatus includes a manual pivot unit to provide a
`frictional force between the Supporting bracket and the hinge
`shaft. The frictional force restricts the supporting bracket
`from being automatically rotated by the automatic pivot unit
`and also fixes the panel, which is opened further from the
`predetermined free rotation angle, in a fixed position. The
`hinge apparatus includes a fixing pin connected to one end
`of the hinge shaft to restrict the hinge Shaft, the Supporting
`bracket, the automatic pivot unit and the manual pivot unit
`from being Separated from each other.
`
`15 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul.19, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`FIG.1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul.19, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`FIG.3
`
`FIG.4A
`
`
`
`33C 31C 33
`
`A
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet S of 6
`
`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`FIG.6A
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul.19, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`1
`HINGE APPARATUS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
`No. 2001-55731, filed Sep. 11, 2001 in the Korean Industrial
`Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a hinge apparatus, and
`more particularly, to a hinge apparatus having a combined
`function of an automatic pop-up and forced hinging.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Recently, there has been a great improvement in and
`marketing of folder type home electronic appliances like
`camcorders or laptop computers in which an LCD panel is
`opened and closed with respect to an appliance body. To
`open and close the LCD panel with respect to the body, a
`hinge apparatus is required.
`FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional hinge appa
`ratus employed in a laptop computer. AS shown in FIG. 1,
`the hinge apparatus includes a fixing bracket 3 disposed on
`a body 1, a Supporting bracket 4 fixed on a panel 2 that is
`opened and closed with respect to the body 1, a hinge shaft
`5 connected to the fixing bracket 3 and the Supporting
`bracket 4, a plurality of washers 6 disposed on the hinge
`shaft 5, and a plate spring 7.
`In the above-described configuration, the Supporting
`bracket 4 is connected between the washers 6, while the
`plate Spring 7 is connected between the Supporting shaft 4
`and the washers 6. Accordingly, due to an elastic force of the
`plate Spring 7, a frictional force is generated between the
`supporting shaft 4 and the washers 6. Due to the frictional
`force, the panel 2 is prevented from free-pivoting with
`respect to the body 1 when the panel 2 opens or closes the
`body 1. When the panel 2 is opened with respect to the body
`1 by a predetermined angle, the panel 2 is fixed in its
`position by the frictional force. More specifically, a user may
`adjust the angle of the panel 2 with respect to the body 1
`manually by releasing a locking device disposed between
`the panel 2 and the body 1, and moving the panel 2 up or
`down.
`The above-described configuration is one of typical
`examples of the hinge apparatus, which needs an improve
`ment in terms of handling. That is, even when the locking
`device is released, the panel 2 remains tightly contacted with
`the body 1 and it is hard for the user to open the panel 2
`manually.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a hinge apparatus of an improved Structure that has
`an automatic pivoting Section and a manual pivoting Section
`for a releasing operation of a locking device.
`Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
`Set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
`will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by
`practice of the invention.
`The foregoing and other objects of the present invention
`are achieved by providing a hinge apparatus to dispose a
`panel to be opened and closed with respect to a body of an
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`appliance. The hinge apparatus includes a fixing bracket
`fixed on the body, a Supporting bracket fixed on the panel,
`and a hinge shaft fixed on the fixing bracket to rotatably
`Support the Supporting bracket. The hinge apparatus also
`includes an automatic pivot unit to cause the panel to be
`opened with respect to the body by a predetermined free
`rotation angle when a locking State between the panel and
`the body is released. The hinge apparatus further includes a
`manual pivot unit to provide a frictional force between the
`Supporting bracket and the hinge shaft. The frictional force
`is configured to restrict the Supporting bracket from being
`automatically rotated by the automatic pivot unit and is also
`configured to fix the panel, which is opened further from the
`predetermined free rotation angle, in a fixed position. The
`hinge apparatus includes a fixing pin connected to one end
`of the hinge shaft to restrict the hinge Shaft, the Supporting
`bracket, the automatic pivot unit and the manual pivot unit
`from being Separated from each other.
`According to an aspect of the invention, the automatic
`pivot unit includes a coil spring having one end fixed on the
`fixing bracket, and the other end movably Supported on the
`Supporting bracket to provide the Supporting bracket with a
`torsion in a direction that opens the panel with respect to the
`body. The automatic pivot unit also includes a portion
`defining a guide hole formed at a predetermined length in the
`Supporting bracket to guide the other end of the coil Spring.
`The one end of the coil spring restricts the other end of the
`coil Spring from moving when the panel is in a closed State,
`and guides a movement of the other end of the coil Spring
`after the panel is opened by the predetermined free rotation
`angle.
`According to an aspect of the invention, the manual pivot
`unit includes a plate Spring fixed on and pivoted together
`with the Supporting bracket, and a projection protruding
`from one side thereof. The manual pivot unit also includes
`a frictional plate fixed on the hinge Shaft in tight contact with
`the plate Spring. The frictional plate is formed at a prede
`termined length corresponding to the predetermined free
`rotation angle of the panel to guide a movement of the
`projection So that the projection is guided along a guide hole
`when the panel is automatically rotated. The projection
`escapes from the guide hole to contact with one side of the
`frictional plate to generate a frictional force when the panel
`is moved out of the predetermined free rotation angle.
`According to an aspect of the invention, the projection is
`provided in pairs that are formed at different distances from
`a center of rotation of the plate Spring, and the guide hole is
`provided in pairs that are formed with respect to a center of
`the frictional plate asymmetrically to correspond to the pair
`of projections.
`According to another aspect of the invention, a pivot
`angle restricting device is provided to restrict an angle of a
`manual rotation of the Supporting bracket. The pivot angle
`restricting device includes a locking portion protruding from
`an outline of the frictional plate, and a locking projection
`bent from one end of the Supporting bracket to be locked
`with the locking portion during the rotation of the Supporting
`bracket.
`According to an aspect of the invention, the hinge Shaft
`includes a body of a circular Section formed in a middle of
`the hinge apparatus to Support the coil Spring, and a fixing
`portion extended from both ends of the body, having a
`non-circular Section to correspond to a coupling hole of a
`non-circular Section formed on the fixing bracket and the
`frictional plate. The hinge Shaft also includes a Supporting
`portion extended between the fixing portion and the body to
`Support one side of the Supporting bracket in close contact
`therewith.
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`3
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The above and other objects and advantages of the
`invention will become apparent and more appreciated from
`the following description of the preferred embodiments,
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of
`which:
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic view showing a conventional hinge
`apparatus,
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic perspective view of a hinge
`apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the hinge apparatus
`of FIG. 2 connected;
`FIGS. 4A and 4B is a side view and a front view,
`respectively, showing the hinge apparatus of the present
`invention in a State in which a panel is closed with respect
`to an appliance body;
`FIG. 5 is a side view showing a supporting bracket of the
`hinge apparatus automatically rotated by approximately 45:
`FIGS. 6A and 6B is a side view and a front view,
`respectively, showing the Supporting bracket being rotated
`by approximately 180; and
`FIG. 7 is a Schematic Side view showing the Supporting
`bracket being rotated by approximately 210.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Reference will now be made in detail to the present
`preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples
`of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
`wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
`throughout.
`AS shown in FIG. 2, a hinge apparatus according to the
`present invention is employed to connect a panel 11 to a
`body 10 of an appliance So that the panel 11 is opened and
`closed with respect to the body 10. The hinge apparatus
`includes a fixing bracket 13 fixed onto the body 10, a
`supporting bracket 15 fixed on the panel 11, a hinge shaft 17,
`an automatic pivot unit 20, a manual pivot unit 30, and a
`fixing pin 40.
`Herein, a laptop computer will be taken as an example for
`the appliance, and accordingly, the body 10 is the laptop
`computer body, and the panel 11 is an LCD panel of the
`laptop computer. A general locking device is disposed
`between the body 10 and the panel 11. Accordingly, when a
`user desires to open the panel 11 with respect to the body 10,
`he/she may open it after releasing the locking device.
`The fixing bracket 13 is fixed onto the body 10 by a screw
`(not shown). The fixing bracket 13 has a fixing hole 13a to
`which the hinge shaft 17 is connected, and a Supporting hole
`13b to which one end of a coil spring 21, which will be
`described later, is fixed. The shape of the fixing hole 13a is
`non-circular.
`The Supporting bracket 15 is fixed onto the panel 11 by a
`screw (not shown). The supporting bracket 15 faces the
`fixing bracket 13 at a predetermined distance therefrom.
`Also, the Supporting bracket 15 has a shaft passing hole 15a
`through which the hinge Shaft 17 is passed, and a guide hole
`15b to which the other end of the coil spring 21 is connected.
`The shaft passing hole 15a may either be in a circular shape,
`or in a non-circular shape that is larger than an outer
`circumference of the hinge shaft 17. With the hinge shaft 17
`being connected to the shaft passing hole 15a, the Supporting
`bracket 15 is rotated relative to the hinge shaft 17.
`
`4
`The hinge shaft 17 includes a body 17a of a circular
`section formed in the middle thereof, fixing portions 17b of
`a non-circular section extended from both ends of the body
`17a, and a Supporting portion 17c extended between the
`fixing portion 17b and the body 17a. The body 17a is
`connected with the coil spring 21. The fixing portion 17b is
`connected to fixing hole 13a and shaft passing hole 15a. One
`end of the fixing portion 17b has a connecting hole 17d to
`which the fixing pin 40 is connected. The other end of the
`fixing portion 17b is connected to the fixing hole 13a of the
`fixing bracket 13 and then completely fixed by being
`caulked by a caulking device. Alternatively, the other end of
`the fixing portion 17b may also be fastened by the fixing pin
`40.
`The automatic pivot unit 20 is employed for the panel 11
`to automatically open with respect to the body 10 by a
`predetermined angle when the locking of the panel 11 and
`the body 10 is released. The automatic pivot unit 20 includes
`the coil spring 21 disposed on the hinge Shaft 17 to elasti
`cally bias the panel 11 in an open direction with respect to
`the body 10. The guide hole 15b formed in the supporting
`bracket 15 is also part of the automatic pivot unit 20.
`AS described above, one end of the coil Spring 21 is
`connected to the Supporting hole 13b of the fixing bracket
`13, while the other end is connected to the guide hole 15b
`of the supporting bracket 15. Thus, when the panel 11 is
`covering the body 10, the coil Spring 21 is in a compressed
`state with the other end connected to the guide hole 15b and
`fixed to one side of the guide hole 15b. Accordingly, the
`Supporting bracket 15 is pressed in a direction as indicated
`by an arrow A as shown in FIG. 4A. The direction as shown,
`indicates the opening of the panel 11 with respect to the body
`10. When the locking of the panel 11 and the body 10 is
`released, the Supporting bracket 15 is automatically pivoted
`by a predetermined angle in the arrow A direction by a
`torsion of the coil spring 21. When the coil spring 21 is fully
`decompressed and the torsion becomes Zero (0), the other
`end of the coil spring 21 is guided along the guide hole 15b
`instead of being compressed or decompressed by the Sup
`porting bracket 15 in the event that the Supporting bracket 15
`is further pivoted in the A direction. The torsion of the coil
`Spring 21 is Set at an appropriate level So that the panel 11
`is automatically opened with respect to the body 10 by an
`angle of approximately 45. The guide hole 15b is formed to
`have an appropriate length to correspond to the automatic
`opening angle of the panel 11.
`The manual pivot unit 30 restricts the angle of automatic
`rotation of the Supporting bracket 15 by the automatic pivot
`unit 20. The manual pivot unit 30 also provides a frictional
`force between the Supporting bracket 15 and the hinge shaft
`17 to fix the supporting bracket 15 in a fixed position. The
`Supporting bracket 15 is further opened by an external force
`from the automatic opening angle. The manual pivot unit 30
`has a plate Spring 31 fixed on the Supporting bracket 15, and
`a frictional plate 33 fixed on the hinge shaft 17 in tight
`contact with the plate Spring 31. The plate Spring 31 has a
`shaft hole 31a through which the hinge shaft 17 is passed,
`a pair of projections 31b, 31c protruding from one side of the
`plate Spring 31, and a coupling portion 31d bent from a
`portion of an outline of the plate Spring 31 opposite to the
`projections 31b, 31c. The plate spring 31 is fixed onto the
`Supporting bracket 15 and rotated together with the Support
`ing bracket 15. The shaft hole 31a has a circular shape. The
`projections 31b, 31c protrude from the one side of the plate
`spring 31. The projections 31b, 31c are also positioned such
`that their respective distances from the projections 31b, 31c
`to the shaft hole 31a are different. A coupling portion 31d is
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`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`S
`is positioned to be fixed on a coupling hole 15c that is
`formed in the Supporting bracket 15. Accordingly, the plate
`Spring 31 is fixed onto the Supporting bracket 15 and rotated
`together with the Supporting bracket 15.
`The frictional plate 33 is formed in tight contact with one
`surface of the plate spring 31. The frictional plate 33 has a
`coupling hole 33a corresponding to a Section of the fixing
`portion 17b So as to be connected to, and rotated together
`with the fixing portion 17b of the hinge shaft 17. The
`frictional plate 33 also has guide holes 33b, 33c correspond
`ing to the projections 31b, 31c of the plate spring 31. Each
`of the guide holes 33b, 33c receives the projections 31b, 31c
`to guide movement of the projections 31b, 31c. Each of the
`guide holes 33b, 33c are formed differently in distance with
`respect to the coupling hole 33a. Accordingly, when the
`plate Spring 31 is rotated by a predetermined angle with the
`projections 31b, 31c being inserted in the guide holes 33b,
`33c, there is no frictional force between the frictional plate
`33 and the plate Spring 31. However, the Supporting bracket
`15 is automatically rotated at a predetermined angle by the
`coil spring 21. When the projections 31b, 31c are guided to
`ends of the guide holes 33b, 33c, free rotation of the
`Supporting bracket 15 is restricted. Then, as the Supporting
`bracket 15 is forcedly rotated by an external force, the
`projections 31b, 31c are released from the guide holes 33b,
`33c to a direct contact with the frictional plate 33, thereby
`generating a frictional force. Accordingly, the Supporting
`bracket 15 is rotated out of an angle of free rotation by the
`external force. Once the Supporting bracket is rotated out of
`the angle of the free rotation, the Supporting bracket 15 is
`fixed in its position.
`Here, the Supporting bracket 15, the plate Spring 31 and
`the frictional plate 33 are connected to come into tight
`contact with the supporting portion 17c of the hinge shaft 17
`Sequentially. Separation from the hinge Shaft 17 is prevented
`by the fixing pin 40.
`Further provided is a pivoting angle restricting device to
`restrict the angle of rotation of the Supporting bracket 15.
`The pivoting angle restricting device includes a locking
`portion 33e protruding from an outline of the frictional plate
`33, and a locking projection 15e bent from an outline of the
`Supporting bracket 15 to be locked with the locking portion
`33e during rotation. The locking portion 33e is formed in a
`position that restricts a pivotal angle of the Supporting
`bracket 15 at a predetermined degree of, for example, 210.
`An operation of the hinge apparatus as configured above,
`will be described below.
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are a side view and a front view,
`respectively, showing a connecting State of the hinge appa
`ratus when the panel 11 is covering the body 10. As shown
`in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the projections 31b, 31c of the plate
`spring 31 are inserted into the guide holes 33b, 33c of the
`frictional plate 33. The other end of the coil spring 21 is
`compressingly Supported in one corner of the guide hole
`15b. Accordingly, the Supporting bracket 15 is resiliently
`biased in the A direction (as shown in FIG. 4A) by a
`compressed force, i.e., the torsion of the coil spring 21.
`Then, as the locking device between the body 10 and the
`panel 11 is released, as shown in FIG. 5, the Supporting
`bracket 15 is automatically pivoted by approximately 45,
`for example, by a recovery force of the coil Spring 21. Since
`a length of the guide holes 33b, 33c corresponds to the angle
`of 45, the projections 31b, 31c are guided along the guide
`holes33b, 33c by 45° without being interfered by frictional
`force or resistance. When the Supporting bracket 15 is
`automatically pivoted (opened) by approximately 45
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`US 6,918,159 B2
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`6
`together with the panel 11, the projections 31b, 31c are
`moved to the ends of the guide holes 33b, 33c, respectively.
`Thus, the free rotation of the supporting bracket 15 is
`restricted. Together with the fixing bracket 13, the hinge
`shaft 17 and the frictional plate 33 are in fixed position with
`respect to the body 10. The Supporting bracket 15 and the
`plate spring 31 are pivoted in the A direction (as shown in
`FIG. 4A) together with the panel 11.
`The panel 11 is moved to the state as shown in FIGS. 6A
`and 6B when the panel 11 is forcedly pivoted in the A
`direction as shown in FIG. 5 by approximately 180. Move
`ment by a user in addition to the free rotation angle of 45
`allows for the panel 11 to be positioned in the state as shown
`in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Accordingly, the projections 31b, 31c
`of the plate spring 31 escape from the guide holes 33b, 33c
`and are positioned in contact with the one Surface of the
`frictional plate 33. By the contact between the projections
`31b, 31c and the frictional plate 33, the frictional force is
`generated between the frictional plate 33 and the plate Spring
`31. The frictional force has indirectly influences on the hinge
`shaft 17 and the Supporting bracket 15. Accordingly, when
`the panel 11 is opened more than 45, the opening is enabled
`by an external force that overcomes the frictional force.
`When the pivoting is stopped, the panel 11 is fixed in
`position by the frictional force.
`FIG.7 shows the panel 11 being rotated by approximately
`210. Here, the locking projection 15e is locked with the
`locking portion 33e, thereby restricting the Supporting
`bracket 15 from further rotation. Here also, the other end of
`the coil spring 21 is freely guided along the guide hole 15b,
`and the coil spring 21 is kept from compression.
`AS described above, the hinge apparatus according to the
`present invention provides a first operation, which is
`automatic, and a Second operation, which is manual. By
`simply releasing the locking device (e.g., like pressing a
`button), the panel 11 is automatically opened by a predeter
`mined angle. As a result, a body of an appliance becomes
`easy to use. Also, a user is allowed to adjustably open the
`panel 11 within an angle ranging from about 45 to 210.
`Also, as described above, the hinge apparatus according
`to the present invention enables pivoting movement of the
`supporting bracket 15 with respect to the fixing bracket 13
`in a two operation manner. More specifically, Since opening
`in the first operation is performed automatically, while the
`opening in the Second operation is performed manually by
`the user, the appliance becomes easier to use.
`Although a few preferred embodiments of the present
`invention have been shown and described, it would be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be
`made in these embodiments without departing from the
`principles and Spirit of the invention, the Scope of which is
`defined in the claims and their equivalents.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A hinge apparatus to dispose a panel to be opened and
`closed with respect to a body of an appliance, comprising:
`a fixing bracket fixed on the body;
`a Supporting bracket fixed on the panel;
`a hinge shaft fixed on the fixing bracket to rotatably
`Support the Supporting bracket;
`an automatic pivot unit having a guide hole, to cause the
`panel to be opened with respect to the body by a
`predetermined free rotation angle when a locking State
`between the panel and the body is released, the guide
`hole being provided in the Supporting bracket;
`a manual pivot unit to provide a frictional force between
`the Supporting bracket and the hinge shaft, the fric
`
`Lenovo EX-1009,
`
`

`

`US 6,918,159 B2
`
`7
`tional force restricting the Supporting bracket from
`being automatically rotated by the automatic pivot unit
`and fixing the panel, which is opened further from the
`predetermined free rotation angle, in position; and
`a fixing pin connected to one end of the hinge shaft to
`restrict the hinge Shaft, the Supporting bracket, the
`automatic pivot unit and the manual pivot unit from
`being Separated from each other.
`2. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automatic
`pivot unit comprises:
`a coil spring having one end fixed on the fixing bracket,
`and the other end being movably Supported on the
`Supporting bracket to provide the Supporting bracket
`with a torsion in a direction that opens the panel with
`respect to the body;
`wherein the guide hole is provided at a predetermined
`length in the Supporting bracket to guide the other end
`of the coil spring, the guide hole restricts the other end
`of the coil Spring from moving when the panel is in a
`closed State, and guides a movement of the other end of
`the coil spring after the panel is opened by the prede
`termined free rotation angle.
`3. The hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hinge shaft
`comprises:
`a body of a circular section formed in a middle thereof to
`Support the coil Spring;
`a fixing portion extended from both ends of the body, and
`having a non-circular Section to correspond to a cou
`pling hole of a non-circular Section formed on the
`fixing bracket and the frictional plate; and
`a Supporting portion extended between the fixing portion
`and the body to Support one side of the Supporting
`bracket in close contact there with.
`4. The hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the Supporting
`bracket comprises a shaft passing hole through which the
`hinge shaft is passed, and a guide hole to which the other end
`of the coil spring is connected, the hinge shaft being
`connected to the Shaft passing hole So that the Supporting
`bracket is rotated relative to the hinge shaft.
`5. The hinge apparatus of claim 4, wherein the guide hole
`of the Supporting bracket has a length to correspond to an
`automatically opened angle of the panel.
`6. The hinge apparatus of claim 5, wherein the panel is
`opened by an external force beyond an opening of the
`automatically opened angle.
`7. The hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the torsion of
`the coil Spring is Set at a level in which the panel is
`automatically opened with respect to the body by an angle
`of 45.
`8. The hinge apparatus of claim 2, wherein the predeter
`mined free rotation angle is 45.
`9. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the manual
`pivot unit comprises:
`a plate Spring fixed on and pivoted together with the
`Supporting bracket, and having a projection protruding
`from one side thereof, and
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`15
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`25
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`8
`a frictional plate fixed on the hinge Shaft in tight contact
`with the plate Spring, the frictional plate formed with a
`guide hole of a predetermined length corresponding to
`the predetermined free rotation angle of the panel to
`guide a movement of the projection,
`wherein the projection is guided along the guide hole of
`the friction plate when the panel is automatically
`rotated, and escapes from the guide hole to contact with
`one side of the frictional plate to generate a frictional
`force when the panel is moved out of the predetermined
`free rotation angle.
`10. The hinge apparatus of claim 9, wherein the projection
`is provided in pairs that are formed at a different distance
`from a center of rotation of the plate Spring, and the guide
`hole of the friction plate is provided in pairs that are formed
`with respect to a center of the frictional plate asymmetrically
`to correspond to the pair of projections.
`11. The hinge apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
`a pivot angle restricting device to restrict an angle of a
`manual rotation of the Supporting bracket.
`12. The hinge apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pivot
`angle restricting device further comprises:
`a locking portion protruding from an outline of the
`frictional plate, and
`a locking projection bent from one end of the Supporting
`bracket to be locked with the locking portion during the
`rotation of the Supporting bracket.
`13. The hinge apparatus of claim 5, wherein the angle of
`which the manual rotation of the Supporting bracket is
`restricted is 210.
`14. A hinge apparatus to dispose a panel to be opened and
`closed with respect to a body of an appliance, comprising:
`an automatic pivot unit having a guide hole, to cause the
`panel to be opened with respect to the body by a
`predetermined free rotation angle when a locking State
`between the panel and the body is released;
`a manual pivot unit to provide a frictional force between
`a Supporting bracket fixed on the panel and a hinge
`shaft fixed on a fixing bracket on the body, the frictional
`force restricting the Supporting bracket from being
`automatically rotated by the automatic pivot unit and
`fixing the panel, which is opened further from the
`predetermined free rotation angle, in a fixed position,
`the guide hole being provided in the Supporting
`bracket; and
`a fixing pin connected to one end of the hinge shaft to
`restrict the hinge shaft, the automatic pivot unit and the
`manual pivot unit from being Separated from each
`other.
`15. The hinge apparatus of claim 14, wherein an opening
`of the panel ranges from 45 to 210.
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`k
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`k
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`k
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`Lenovo EX-1009,
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