David Leroy Shriver

US Patent:

48253952, Apr 25, 1989

Filed:

May 29, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/868401

Inventors:

Ralph W. Kinser - Corvallis OR
David L. Shriver - Corvallis OR
Judith A. Layman - Corvallis OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto, CA

International Classification:

G06F 100

US Classification:

364708

Abstract:

Conductors of a flexible printed circuit routed through a hollow two axis articulated hinge allow a calculator with rotating case halves to possess a keyboard portion in each half of the case. The conductors routed through the hollow articulated hinge are generally centered about one axis of hinge rotation for approximately half the length of the axis, whereupon they transition by either a U-turn or a jog to continue as centered about the other axis of hinge rotation. The conductors may be an integral part of a flexible membrane keyboard assembly having portions located in both halves of the calculator's case. Strain reliefs at the locations where the conductors traverse the case halves, and two in the hinge, at about the center thereof, limit and apportion the torsional flexing experienced by the conductors. The torsional flexing experienced by the flexible conductors increases the number of cycles of rotation they can undergo without breaking, as compared to conventional bending. The hollow articulated hinge allows one case half to rotate one full revoltuion about the other, so that the calculator can be opened and held in one hand.

US Patent:

48782939, Nov 7, 1989

Filed:

Aug 31, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/238708

Inventors:

Ralph W. Kinser - Corvallis OR
David L. Shriver - Corvallis OR
Judith A. Layman - Corvallis OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H05K 302

US Classification:

29850

Abstract:

Conductors of a flexible printed circuit routed through a hollow two axis articulated hinge allow a calculator with rotating case halves to possess a keyboard portion in each half of the case. The conductors routed through the hollow articulated hinge are generally centered about one axis of hinge rotation for approximately half the length of the axis, whereupon they transition by either a U-turn or jog to continue as centered about the other axis of hinge rotation. The conductors may be an integral part of a flexible membrane keyboard assembly having portions located in both halves of the calculator's case. Strain reliefs at the locations where the conductors traverse the case halves, and two in the hinge, at about the center thereof, limit and apportion the torsional flexing experieced by the conductors. The torsional flexing experienced by the flexible conductors increases the number of cycles of rotation they can undergo without breaking, as compared to conventional bending. The hollow articulated hinge allows one case half to rotate one full revolution about the other, so that the calculator can be opened and held in one hand.

US Patent:

48854301, Dec 5, 1989

Filed:

Aug 31, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/239105

Inventors:

Ralph W. Kinser - Corvallis OR
David L. Shriver - Corvallis OR
Judith A. Layman - Corvallis OR

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H05K 100

US Classification:

174254

Abstract:

Conductors of a flexible printed circuit routed through a hollow two axis articulated hinge allow a calculator with rotating case halves to possess a keyboard portion in each half of the case. The conductors routed through the hollow articulated hinge are generally centered about one axis of hinge rotation for approximately half the length of the axis, whereupon they transition by either a U-turn or a jog to continue as centered about the other axis of hinge rotation. The conductors may be an integral part of a flexible membrane keyboard assembly having portions located in both halves of the calculator's case. Strain reliefs at the locations where the conductors traverse the case halves, and two in the hinge, at about the center thereof, limit and apportion the torsional flexing experienced by the conductors. The torsional flexing experienced by the flexible conductors increases the number of cycles of rotation they can undergo without breaking, as compared to conventional bending. The hollow articulated hinge allows one case half to rotate one full revolution about the other, so that the calculator can be opened and held in one hand.