1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for use with a notebook computer or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,396, a hinge assembly comprises a pivot pin 10, a rotating leaf 20, a stationary leaf 30, and a spacer assembly 40. The spacer assembly 40 includes a L-shaped positioning element 43 which has a tab 431 adapted to insert into the stationary leaf 30. More specifically, the stationary leaf 30 has a hole 32 into which an end portion of the tab 431 insert into. Since the positioning element 43 is stationary and is only connected to the stationary leaf 30 by engagement of the tab 431 with the hole 32. The positioning element 43 often distorts after a period of time, causing an orifice 432 of the positioning element 43 into which the pintle insert become misaligned. In addition, when pivoting the hinge assembly, the rotating leaf 20 and the stationary leaf 30 are often susceptible to distortion by large torque forces.
The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to provide a hinge assembly which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
The hinge assembly includes a pintle, a first coupling member, a supporting member, and a biasing device. The first coupling member is pivotally installed on the pintle and includes a connecting portion, a pivotal portion into which the pintle is adapted to insert, a bend extending from the connecting portion, and the bend including an arm formed thereof The supporting member is pivotally installed on the pintle and includes a hole into which the arm is adapted to insert into. The biasing device is pivotally installed on the pintle and disposed between the pivotal portion and the supporting member, and wherein the biasing device urges the supporting member on the arm.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, a hinge assembly for use with a notebook computer comprises a pintle 10, a first coupling member 20, a supporting member 30, a second coupling member 40, a supporting bracket 50 and a biasing device 60.
The pintle 10 includes a first portion 11 for pivotally engaging with the second coupling member 40, a second portion 12 for pivotally engaging with the first coupling member 20, and a third portion 13 therebetween having a smaller diametrical section 131 and a larger diametrical section 132.
The first coupling member 20 is comprised of a connecting portion 21 to which a display connect. A pivotal portion 22 with which the pintle 10 pivotally engages. In this preferred embodiment, there is mounted a wear-resisting member 14 located against the pivotal portion 22 of the second coupling member 20 and the third portion 13 of the pintle 10. Additionally, the wear-resisting member 14 has two protrusions 141 hooked to the transition area (not numbered) between the smaller and the larger diametrical sections 131, 132. Further, the pivotal portion 22 has a projection 221 formed thereon. When the first coupling member 20 is pivoted with respect to the pintle 10, the protrusion 141 of the wear-resisting member 14 is adapted to stop the projection 221, such that the range in which the projection 221 can move with respect to the wear-resisting member 14 determines range of rotation angles of the notebook.
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Fasteners 51 are provided to connect the supporting bracket 50 to the bend 23 of the first coupling member 20 such that the supporting member 50 aids more strength to the first coupling member 20. The supporting bracket 50 is substantially L-shaped.
Referring to