Opening and closing mechanism for electronic device

Patent 5799079 Issued on August 25, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 23, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Device comprising two components that are hinged together and that are interconnected by an electrical connection
Patent #: 5141446
Issued on: 08/25/1992
Inventor: Ozouf, et al.

Hinge mechanism for portable electronic apparatus Patent #: 5500982
Issued on: 03/26/1996
Inventor: Hosoi

Inventor

Inoue, Tsutomu

Application

No. 734844 filed on 10/23/1996

US Classes:

379/433.13, Rotatable mechanism (e.g., hinge)379/433.05, Connector379/434Specified terminal configuration (e.g., novelty type)

Examiners

Primary: Chiang, Jack

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Kurz

Foreign Patent References

59-135959 JP. 08/13/1984
6152491 JP. 05/13/1994

International Class

H04M 001/00

Foreign Application Priority Data

1995-11-30 JP

Abstract

A portable phone incorporating an opening and closing mechanism comprises a main body, a sub-body, a hinge unit, and distribution cables. The main body and the sub-body respectively include electric circuits. The hinge unit includes a shaft disposed at one end of the sub-body, a cam having a center axis coupled to the shaft and used for regulating opening and closing angles of the sub-body, and a pair of leaf springs for maintaining turning angles of the cam. The distribution cables are connected to the electric circuits, and have their center portions wound around the shaft of the hinge unit. The distribution cables are stretched or compressed when the sub-body is opened or closed.