Tablet transformer
Mechanisms for the integration of the form and function of a drafting and note-taking tablet, a laptop computer, and a desktop computer with added enhancements for drop protection, portability, functionality, and ergonomics.
1. A hinge or clamp assembly comprising:
a first plate or arm including a slot and outer cylindrical bores on opposite sides of the slot, wherein the outer cylindrical bores are coaxial, and wherein at least one of the outer cylindrical bores includes an aperture with teeth or faceted sides;
a second plate or arm seated in the slot of the first plate or arm, wherein a width of the second plate or arm is narrower than a width of the slot and a gap is between a first side of the second plate and a first side of the slot;
a middle cylindrical bore in the second plate or arm and coaxial with the outer cylindrical bores, wherein the middle cylindrical bore has a first end facing an end of one of the outer cylindrical bores and an opposite end facing an end of an another one of the outer cylindrical bores such that the middle cylindrical bore does not extend into the outer cylindrical bores;
a hinge shaft extending through the middle cylindrical bore and extending into each of the outer cylindrical bores, wherein the second plate or arm pivots relative to the first plate or arm about the hinge shaft, and
a disk fixed to the second plate or arm and coaxial with the hinge shaft, the disk includes an outer circumferential surface having teeth or faceted sides configured to engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture of the at least one cylindrical bore, wherein the disk is fastened to the second plate or arm and the disk has a thickness narrower than the gap,
wherein the second plate or arm slides in the slot and traverses the gap, wherein the teeth or faceted sides of the disk engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture while the first side of the second plate is slid towards the first side of the slot such that the second plate is at a fixed rotational position with respect to the first plate or arm, and
the disk is removed from the aperture while the first side of the second plate is slid away from the first side of the slot such that the second plate may pivot with respect to the first plate or arm.
2. A casing for an electronic device comprising:
a back wall including a slot and outer cylindrical bores on opposite sides of the slot, wherein the outer cylindrical bores are coaxial and wherein at least one of the outer cylindrical bores includes an aperture with teeth or faceted sides;
a second plate or arm seated in the slot of the back wall, wherein a width of the second plate or arm is narrower than a width of the slot and a gap is between a first side of the second plate and a first side of the slot;
a middle cylindrical bore in the second plate or arm and coaxial with the outer cylindrical bores, wherein the middle cylindrical bore has a first end facing an end of one of the outer cylindrical bores and an opposite end facing an end of another one of the outer cylindrical bores such that the middle cylindrical bore does not extend into the outer cylindrical bores;
a hinge shaft extending through the middle cylindrical bore and extending into each of the outer cylindrical bores, wherein the second plate or arm pivots relative to the first plate or arm about the hinge shaft, and
a disk fixed to the second plate or arm and coaxial with the hinge shaft, the disk includes an outer circumferential surface having teeth or faceted sides configured to engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture of the at least one cylindrical bore, wherein the disk is fastened to the second plate or arm and the disk has a thickness narrower than the gap,
wherein the second plate or arm slides in the slot and traverses the gap, wherein the teeth or faceted sides of the disk engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture while the first side of the second plate is slid towards the first side of the slot such that the second plate is at a fixed rotational position with respect to the first plate or arm, and
the disk is removed from the aperture while the first side of the second plate is slid away from the first side of the slot such that the second plate may pivot with respect to the first plate or arm.
3. A hinge or clamp assembly comprising:
a first plate or arm including a slot and outer cylindrical bores on opposite sides of the slot, wherein the outer cylindrical bores are coaxial, and wherein at least one of the outer cylindrical bores includes an aperture with teeth or faceted sides;
a second plate or arm seated in the slot of the first plate or arm, wherein a width of the second plate or arm is narrower than a width of the slot and a gap is between a first side of the second plate and a first side of the slot;
a first hinge pin extending from the first side of the second plate or arm and extending into one of the outer cylindrical bores and a second hinge pin extending from a second side of the second plate and into another one of the outer cylindrical bores, wherein the first and second hinge pins are aligned along a common axis and coaxial with the outer cylindrical bores, and the second plate or arm pivots relative to the first plate or arm about the first and second hinge pins, and
a disk fixed to the second plate or arm and coaxial to the common axis, the disk includes an outer circumferential surface having teeth or faceted sides configured to engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture of the at least one cylindrical bore, wherein the disk is fastened to the second plate or arm and the disk has a thickness narrower than the gap,
wherein the second plate or arm slides in the slot to traverse the gap, wherein the teeth or faceted sides of the disk engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture while the first side of the second plate is slid towards the first side of the slot such that the second plate is at a fixed rotational position with respect to the first plate or arm, and
the disk is removed from the aperture while first side of the second plate is slid away from the first side of the slot such that the second plate may pivot with respect to the first plate or arm.
4. The hinge or clamp assembly of claim 3 wherein the first and second hinge pins are at opposite ends of a common hinge shaft which extends through the second plate or arm.
5. A casing for an electronic device comprising:
a back wall including a slot and outer cylindrical bores on opposite sides of the slot, wherein the outer cylindrical bores are coaxial and at least one of the outer cylindrical bores includes an aperture with teeth or faceted sides;
a second plate or arm seated in the slot, wherein a width of the second plate or arm is narrower than a width of the slot and a gap is between a first side of the second plate and a first side of the slot;
a first hinge pin extending from the first side of the second plate or arm and extending into one of the outer cylindrical bores and a second hinge pin extending from a second side of the second plate and into another one of the outer cylindrical bores, wherein the first and second hinge pins are aligned along a common axis and coaxial with the outer cylindrical bores, and the second plate or arm pivots relative to the first plate or arm about the first and second hinge pins, and
a disk fixed to the second plate or arm and coaxial to the common axis, the disk includes an outer circumferential surface having teeth or faceted sides configured to engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture of the at least one cylindrical bore, wherein the disk is fastened to the second plate or arm and the disk has a thickness narrower than the gap,
wherein the second plate or arm slides in the slot to traverse the gap, wherein the teeth or faceted sides of the disk engage the teeth or faceted sides of the aperture while the first side of the second plate is slid towards the first side of the slot such that the second plate is at a fixed rotational position with respect to the first plate or arm, and
the disk is removed from the aperture while first side of the second plate is slid away from the first side of the slot such that the second plate may pivot with respect to the first plate or arm.
6. The casing for an electronic device of claim 5 wherein the first and second hinge pins are at opposite ends of a common hinge shaft which extends through the second plate or arm.