초록 ▼

A hinge mechanism is disclosed which couples the flat-panel display of a portable apparatus to the housing of the apparatus. The flat-panel display can be folded upon the housing, and the apparatus looks like an attache case. The hinge mechanism has a torsion bar. The torsion bar is fastened, at one

A hinge mechanism is disclosed which couples the flat-panel display of a portable apparatus to the housing of the apparatus. The flat-panel display can be folded upon the housing, and the apparatus looks like an attache case. The hinge mechanism has a torsion bar. The torsion bar is fastened, at one end, to the hinge mechanism. The other end portion of the torsion bar is flat and held by a holder such that the torsion bar is prevented from rotating around its axis, but can move in its axial direction. The axis of the hinge mechanism is defined by hollow cylindrical bosses inserted in circular holes cut in the hinge mechanism. The force which the torsion bar generates when it is twisted comes into equilibrium with the force urging the display to fall down toward the housing when the display reaches a position close to the housing. Hence, the panel display stops at this position. The gap between the housing and the panel display held in this position is so broad that an operator never has his or her fingers pinched between the housing and display. Safety can thus be secured to the operator in case display suddenly falls down toward the housing. In addition, the risk of damages to the panel display and the housing can be minimized.

대표청구항 ▼

A portable apparatus comprising: a display unit; a base means for pivotally supporting the display unit, the base means having an upper surface, a recess within the upper surface and a first torsion bar stopper within the base means, the recess being defined by a pair of side walls, the side walls h

A portable apparatus comprising: a display unit; a base means for pivotally supporting the display unit, the base means having an upper surface, a recess within the upper surface and a first torsion bar stopper within the base means, the recess being defined by a pair of side walls, the side walls having a first connecting means for connecting and rotating the display unit; and a hinge means for connecting the display unit with the base means, the hinge means including a second connecting means, connected at the first connecting means, for pivotally rotating the display unit, a second torsion bar stopper within the hinge means and a torsion bar having a first and a second end portion, the torsion bar passing through the first and second connecting means, the first end portion of the torsion bar being supported by the first torsion bar stopper and the second end portion of the torsion bar being supported by the second torsion bar stopper, rotation of the torsion bar being prevented by the first and second torsion bar stopper.