Computing device
View Patent ↗A computing device can include a processor; memory accessible by the processor; a first housing that includes a first pair of axles; a second housing that includes a second pair of axles and a display operatively coupled to the processor; and a hinge assembly that couples the first housing and the second housing, where the hinge assembly includes a first bar supported by one of the first pair of axles and one of the second pair of axles, a second bar supported by another one of the first pair of axles and another one of the second pair of axles, and an alignment mechanism for the first bar and the second bar, where the first bar and the second bar overlap at an angle of 180 degrees of the first housing and the second housing and cross at angles other than 180 degrees of the first housing and the second housing.
1. A computing device comprising:
a processor;
memory accessible by the processor;
a first housing that comprises a first pair of axles;
a second housing that comprises a second pair of axles and a display operatively coupled to the processor; and
a hinge assembly that couples the first housing and the second housing, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first bar supported by one of the first pair of axles and one of the second pair of axles, a second bar supported by another one of the first pair of axles and another one of the second pair of axles, and an alignment mechanism for the first bar and the second bar, wherein the first bar and the second bar overlap at an angle of 180 degrees of the first housing and the second housing and cross at angles other than 180 degrees of the first housing and the second housing,
wherein the alignment mechanism comprises a slidable pin that contacts the first bar and the second bar, wherein the slidable pin comprises a body portion and a head portion, wherein the first bar comprises a slot that receives the head portion of the pin and wherein the second bar comprises a slot that receives the body portion of the pin.
2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein, at an angle of 0 degrees, the first housing and the second housing are in a closed position.
3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the alignment mechanism prevents the first bar and the second bar from uncrossing at angles other than 180 degrees.
4. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first hinge assembly and further comprising a second hinge assembly.
5. The computing device of claim 4 , wherein the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly are spaced toward opposing sides of the first housing and the second housing.
6. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first housing comprises a first thickness and the second housing comprises a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
7. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first bar has a first shape and the second bar has a second shape, wherein the first shape and the second shape differ.
8. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first bar is formed from plate stock material.
9. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the second bar is formed from the plate stock material.
10. A method comprising:
in a computing device that comprises a first housing that comprises a first pair of axles, a second housing that comprises a second pair of axles, and a hinge assembly that couples the first housing and the second housing, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first bar supported by one of the first pair of axles and one of the second pair of axles, a second bar supported by another one of the first pair of axles and another one of the second pair of axles, and an alignment mechanism for the first bar and the second bar, preventing, via the alignment mechanism, uncrossing of the first bar and the second bar, wherein the preventing comprises sliding a pin disposed in part in a first slot of the first bar and disposed in part in a second slot of the second bar, wherein the first slot is disposed between the first pair of axles and wherein the second slot is disposed between the second pair of axles.
11. A computing device comprising:
a processor;
memory accessible by the processor;
a first housing that comprises side plates and an intermediate plate disposed between the side plates, and a first pair of axles that comprise an axle that extends between one of the side plates and the intermediate plate and another axle that extends between another one of the side plates and the intermediate plate;
a second housing that comprises a display operatively coupled to the processor, side plates and an intermediate plate disposed between the side plates, and a second pair of axles that comprise an axle that extends between one of the side plates and the intermediate plate and another axle that extends between another one of the side plates and the intermediate plate; and
a hinge assembly that couples the first housing and the second housing, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a first bar supported by one of the first pair of axles and one of the second pair of axles, a second bar supported by another one of the first pair of axles and another one of the second pair of axles, and an alignment mechanism for the first bar and the second bar, wherein the alignment mechanism is formed by one of the plates of the first housing having a prong or a socket and one of the plates of the second housing having a corresponding socket or a corresponding prong, wherein the first bar and the second bar overlap at an angle of 180 degrees of the first housing and the second housing and cross at angles other than 180 degrees of the first housing and the second housing, and wherein, at the angle of 180 degrees, the alignment mechanism is engaged by the prong being received by the socket.
12. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the prong, the first pair of axles and the second pair of axles align at an angle of 180 degrees of the first housing and the second housing.