Abstract: The object of the present invention is to reduce the angle of automatic opening of a liquid crystal portion to a value less than a central angle of 70° to 90° of conventional portable phones, etc.

Abstract: This display support mechanism comprises a support shaft provided in the form of a plate, a display screen support member, having a first hole receiving the platelike support shaft, provided on the side of a display screen and a base support member, having a second hole receiving the platelike support shaft, provided on the side of a base, and at least either the first hole or the second hole receiving the platelike support shaft is provided in the form of a sector while the display screen support member is rotatable about the platelike support shaft serving as an axis of rotation in the angular range of the sector.

Abstract: A swing-type portable communication apparatus includes a body housing having a first display part, a swing housing having a second display part and capable of being obliquely slid and juxtaposed with the body housing at the same angle without a height difference after being swung from the body housing. A hinge mechanism is provided at one end of the body housing for obliquely sliding the swing housing after the swing housing is swung from the body housing.

Abstract: A collapsible device includes a cover, a base, and a hinge. The cover includes a display on a top of the cover. The base defines a groove extending through a front and a rear sides of the base. The groove defines a keyboard region adjacent to the front side, and a fixing slot adjacent to the rear side. The hinge is connected to a bottom of the cover and the fixing slot. The cover is rotatably received in the groove, and the cover is operable of rotating relative to the display around the hinge, to cover or expose the keyboard region.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed. The hinge can include an axle, a first member coupled to the axle, and a second member coupled to the axle and configured to rotate relative the first member and around the axle. The hinge can further include a stop mechanism configured to stop the second member from rotating, relative to the first member, in a first direction and beyond a first range when the stop mechanism is in a first position and the second member is in the first range. The stop mechanism can be further configured to allow the second member to rotate, relative to the first member, in the first direction, beyond the first range, and into a second range when the stop mechanism is in a second position and the second member is in the first range.

Abstract: A self-lock hinge is mounted between a cover and a base of an electronic device and has a receiving bracket, an outer resilient sleeve, an inner resilient sleeve and a pintle. The pintle is connected to the cover and the receiving body is connected to the base. The outer resilient sleeve is mounted in the receiving bracket. The inner resilient sleeve is mounted in the outer resilient sleeve and has a positioning protrusion. The pintle is mounted through the inner resilient sleeve and has a flat wall selectively abutting against the positioning protrusion. When the cover is closed relative to the base, the flat wall of the pintle abuts the positioning protrusion to lock the cover. Therefore, the cover is self-locked when closing.

Abstract: A hinge assembly and a portable electronic device are provided. The portable electronic device includes a lid, a main body, and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly pivotly connects the lid to the main body. The hinge assembly includes a pivot element, a torsion spring, and a hinge brace. The pivot element is formed on the lid and partially and rotatably received in the main body. The torsion spring is assembled between the lid and the main body. When the lid is in a closed position with respect to the main body, the torsion spring becomes constricted and accumulates potential energy. When the lid is opened from the main body, the potential energy of the torsion spring is released to drive the lid to rotate to an open position with respect to the main body. The hinge brace is attached to the main body for blocking an excessive rotation of the lid with respect to the main body.

Abstract: A self-lock hinge is mounted between a cover and a base of an electronic device and has a resilient sleeve and a pintle. The resilient sleeve has a tubular body with a positioning protrusion formed on an inside wall thereof. The pintle has a rod. The rod is mounted rotatably through the tubular body and has a flat wall selectively abutting the positioning protrusion. When the cover is closed relative to the base, the flat wall of the rod abuts the positioning protrusion to lock the cover. Therefore, the cover is self-locked when closing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge, preferably a furniture hinge, comprising a hinge arm which is pivotably supported on a joint axle which is non-displaceably held in a cup-shaped hinge part and which is provided with a tongue projecting beyond the joint axle or with a cam eccentric with respect to the joint axle or with a control edge which slide on a leaf spring whose one end region is held at the pivotable hinge part and which generates a closing torque in the closing region. In accordance with the invention, the leaf spring has at least two portions of different widths, with the at least one narrower portion of the leaf spring passing through a center recess of the hinge arm, with a tongue being cut from the lower edge of said recess. The at least one wider portion of the leaf spring is pressed against the base of the hinge cup by a transversely extending pin and thus fixedly held by a transversely extending pin.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket and a shaft assembly rotatably connecting with the first bracket and the second bracket. The shaft assembly includes a shaft and an elastic member sleeved on the shaft. The shaft extends through the first bracket and the second bracket. The first bracket has a connecting end with a protrusion, the second bracket has a connecting portion defining a curved latching slot and a passing slot communicating with the curved latching slot. The width of the curved latching slot decreases along the curved extending direction, and the width of the protrusion is substantially the same as the width of one end of the curved latching slot, and wider than the other end of the curved latching slot.

Abstract: A wide-angle double-hinge structure to allow an electronic device to flip at different angles includes a coupling plate, a resistant hinge and a cam hinge. The double-hinge structure couples a first chassis and a second chassis of the electronic device to enable users to selectively flip in an ordinary notebook computer operating condition or a back-to-back operating condition according to their preference. Thus the users can selectively perform input operation in a handheld or desktop fashion.

Abstract: A hinge includes a shaft, a rotation bracket rotatably mounted to the shaft, an interference element fixedly mounted to the shaft, a biasing member mounted to the shaft, and a fastener fixed to a distal end of the shaft. The rotation bracket includes a combination portion engaging and capable of rotating relative to the interference element. The interference includes a first end surface located on a first cone angling down from a center towards a side of the first end surface, the combination portion includes a second end surface located on a second cone angling down from a side towards a center of the second end surface, to engage the first end surface of the interference element.

Abstract: A compact, low-cost hinge assembly for mounting a door to a household appliance. A stay bar has first and second elongate edge surfaces extending between opposing first and second ends. The first end is pivotally connected to a door-mounting bracket on which an abutment is located. A torsion spring is mounted to a body-mounting bracket, and an arm of the spring resiliently engages the first edge surface to urge the second surface into engagement with the abutment, urging the door, in a closed position, toward the closed position. A detent recess in the second surface receives the abutment to hold the door partially open. A stop face projects from the first edge surface, and the spring arm contacts the stop face to hold the door horizontal, in a fully open position.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a portable device, the hinge mechanism comprising: a base having a planar surface; a sliding plate having a planar surface; a revolving member located adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the base, the revolving member being capable of revolving and projecting from the base; a dampener located in the base for restraining movement of the revolving member to retain the revolving member in its revolved and projected position; a first joint for coupling the revolving member to the sliding plate, and a plurality of guides arranged longitudinally and transversely in the sliding plate, wherein in a first mode of operation, the sliding plate is slidable over the base in the longitudinal or transverse directions of the base while the planar surface of the sliding plate faces the planar surface of the base, the plurality of guides facilitates the sliding plate to slide over the respective longitudinal and transverse directions of the base by guiding the first joint to run along the longitudinal and

Abstract: A hinge device for a mobile device of folding type has a first body being a main body and a second body being a cover. The second body is rotatable with respect to the first body upwardly or downwardly. The hinge device is connected to a first hinge arm formed at one side of an upper end of the first body and a second hinge arm at the other side of an upper end of the second body.

Abstract: A transverse-positioning hinge has a seat, at least one elastic ball, a shaft and a fastening washer. The elastic ball is mounted in the seat. The shaft is mounted through the seat and has at least one positioning detent selectively engaging the elastic ball. The fastening washer is attached to the end of the shaft. Adjusting the tightness for attaching the fastening washer changes the deformation of the elastic ball, and then the resilient force provided by the elastic ball is also adjusted. Therefore, the positioning force provided by the elastic ball is adjustable without changing the elastic ball.

Abstract: An exemplary hinge positioning structure (20) includes a pair of first leaves (22), a pivot shaft (262) rotatably engaged in the pair of first leaves, and a pair of pivot shaft grippers (24) sleeved on the pivot shaft. An end of each pivot shaft gripper engaged with each of the first leaves respectively so that the end of each pivot shaft gripper is fixed relative to each of the first leaves. The hinge positioning structure further includes a resilient member (266), two ends of the resilient member connected to the pair of pivot shaft grippers respectively, and applying a force on the pair of pivot shaft grippers so that the pair of pivot shaft grippers tightly grip the pivot shaft, such that the pivot shaft is prevented from rotating relative to the first leaves.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a cam, a follower, and an resilient member. The follower is mounted on the shaft. One end of the follower has a first cam surface. The first cam surface defines a groove. The cam is mounted on the shaft and adjacent to the follower. The cam has a second cam surface, and the second cam surface engages with the first cam surface. The second cam surface forms a protrusion, and the protrusion is received in the groove. The resilient member is placed around the shaft forcing the first cam surface to engage with the second cam surface.

Abstract: A friction hinge assembly includes a spring that assists the opening of a first member relative to a second member by storing energy in the spring during the closing operation. The spring is of a unique multilayered torsion bar design.

Abstract: A hinge includes a rack, a bracket rotatably surrounding the rack, and a mounting member in tight contact with a side opposite to the rack of the bracket. The mounting member defines two opposite curved through slots. A resilient portion is formed between each through slot and an edge of the mounting member. A locating block extends from the resilient portion to engage the bracket, to deform the resilient portions of the mounting member generating elastic force to bias the mounting member onto the bracket, which stabilizes the hinge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinge apparatus for a door, and more particularly, to a separated type hinge apparatus with an automatic return function, in which a restoring device and a damping device are installed separately so that the overall length of the hinge apparatus is reduced, and thus the hinge apparatus may be buried less deeply. A separated type hinge apparatus comprises: an elastic casing; a first elastic member that provides a restoring force; a clutch device which is combined with one end of the first elastic member and controls the elastic force of the first elastic member to remain constant; a shaft penetratively combined through the clutch device in order to transmit a rotational force; and a spring fixing member which is coupled to the other end end of the first elastic member and has a gear groove to control a spring elastic force.

Abstract: Provided is a portable terminal including a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge apparatus rotatably coupling the first housing and the second housing. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge housing fixed to the first housing, a hinge member fixed to the second housing and coupled to the hinge housing, the hinge member rotating around a hinge axis which extends perpendicular to a surface of the first housing, an interference protrusion provided on one of the hinge housing and the hinge member, and a stopper groove formed in the other of the hinge housing and the hinge member wherein the hinge member rotates around the hinge axis while being spaced apart from the hinge housing.

Abstract: A hinge device includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a locking member. The first connecting member defines a connecting portion hole therein. A positioning arm with an angled surface is located on the first connecting member. The second connecting member defines a connecting body hole therein. A connecting body post is located on the second connecting member. The locking member engages in the connecting portion hole and the connecting body hole so that the first connecting member is rotatable relative to the second connecting member. The connecting body post abuts on the angled surface and the first connecting member is rotated between a first position where a first friction is generated between the connecting body post and the angled surface, and a second position where a second friction is generated between the connecting body post and the angled surface and greater than the first friction.

Abstract: Provided is a hinge device for connecting one member and another member so that the hinge device allows opening and closing, including: a movable shaft; a first bracket non-rotatably fixed to the movable shaft and fixed to the one member; a second bracket rotatably and axially movably installed on the movable shaft and fixed to the other member; and a plate spring member formed in a curved configuration, having at a top of the curved configuration of the plate spring member a projection whose surface in contact with the second bracket is flat, and non-rotatably and axially movably installed on the movable shaft, in which the second bracket and the plate spring member are pressed against and held in contact with each other and make relative rotation.

Abstract: A hinge includes a rack, a shaft, a bracket, a number of elements, and a fastener. The shaft includes a rectangular-shaped post and a rectangular-shaped engaging portion secured to the rack. The bracket defines a pivot hole for rotatably receiving the post of the shaft. The number of elements is unrotatably arranged around the rectangular-shaped post of the shaft. The fastener is screwed on a distal end of the post to limit the bracket and the number of elements on the shaft.

Abstract: A hinge provides swiveling of a display relative to one side of a host body including a first fastening seat, a pintle, a second fastening seat, a main torsion anchor member, a torsion rotary member, an ancillary torsion anchor member, a compressed elastic reed assembly and a nut. The main torsion anchor member and the torsion rotary member are compressed by a returning force of the compressed elastic reed assembly. When the pintle pivots to a selected angle, the protrusion rapidly slides in a retaining latch trough of the main torsion anchor member through a steep sloped surface so that the display automatically and fully folds over the host body. The torsion rotary member pivots concurrently so that the bulged edge slides on a gradual sloped surface of different gradients so that adequate friction resistance is generated due to compression of the returning force of the compressed elastic reed assembly.

Abstract: A hinge provides swiveling of a display relative to one side of a host body includes a first fastening seat, a pintle, a second fastening seat, a main twisting set, a positioning friction plate, an ancillary twisting set, a compressed elastic reed assembly and a nut. The main twisting set has a main rotary member compressed by a returning force of the compressed elastic reed assembly. When the pintle pivots to a selected angle, the protrusion of the main rotary member rapidly slides in a retaining latch trough through a steep sloped surface so that the display can automatically and fully fold over the host body. The main rotary member and the ancillary rotary member turn concurrently and respectively on the steep sloped surface and a gradual sloped surface so that adequate friction resistance is generated due to compression of the returning force of the compressed elastic reed assembly.

Abstract: A knee brace has push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a damping member, and a torsion resilient member. The first bracket defines a damping protrusion. The second bracket is rotatable relative to the first bracket. The damping member defines a depression. The damping protrusion is configured to engage with the depression. The torsion resilient member urges the first bracket to rotate relative to the second bracket and the damping member. The engagement of damping protrusion and the depression prevents the first bracket from rotating when the first bracket rotates through a predetermined angle. When the first bracket rotates through the predetermined angle relative to the second bracket and the damping member, the first bracket together with the damping member are rotatable relative to the second bracket to any desired angle.

Abstract: A hinge (10) comprising an elongate base (11) and first and second hinge plates (12, 13) pivotally mounted on said base (11) for carrying hinged structures (21, 22). The base (11) has two parallel spaced holes (14, 15) for receiving two parallel spaced pivot pins (16, 17) that extends at right angles to the length of the base (11) across the width of the base. Each of the hinge plates (12, 13) has an upstanding portion (23) extending in a direction extending along the length of the base (11) and encompassing a part of the perimeter of the base (11). Flange means (24) are provided for fixing the hinge plate (12, 13) to the hinged structures (21, 22). Each hinge plate (12, 13) has two aligned holes (27) that align with one of the holes (14,15) in the base (11) for receiving one of said pivot pins (16, 17) thereby enabling each hinge plate (12, 13) to pivot relative to the base (11) about a respective one of the pivot pins (16 or 17).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automatic hinge module for a cellular phone, which is capable of automatically opening the cellular phone in a one-touch manner. The automatic hinge module of the present invention automatically opens a cellular phone by simply pressing a button. When the button is pressed, a housing coupled to a folder portion of the cellular phone is rotated by an elastic restoring force of a compressed torsion spring, thereby opening the cellular phone.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, a rotary member, an elastic member, and a limiting member. The rotary member includes a first pivot portion to engage with the first connecting member and a second pivot portion to engage with the second connecting member. The elastic member is disposed between the second connecting member and the rotary member. The limiting member is positioned on the second connecting member. A sidewall of one of the second pivot portion of the rotary member and the second connecting member defines a limiting structure. The limiting member is disposed on a sidewall of the other one of the second pivot portion of the rotary member and the second connecting member. The limiting member slidably engages with the limiting structure.

Abstract: A wide-angle double-hinge structure to allow an electronic device to flip at different angles includes a coupling plate, a resistant hinge and a cam hinge. The double-hinge structure couples a first chassis and a second chassis of the electronic device to enable users to selectively flip in an ordinary notebook computer operating condition or a back-to-back operating condition according to their preference. Thus the users can selectively perform input operation in a handheld or desktop fashion.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a rotatable stand, a fixed stand, a torsion spring, and a restricting member. The rotatable stand is non-rotatably connected to the pivot shaft. The torsion spring is connected to the rotatable stand and the fixed stand, to generate a torsion force to rotate the rotatable stand. The restricting member is sleeved on the pivot shaft. The fixed stand has a positioning portion. The positioning portion defines a plurality of sliding grooves. The restricting member forms a plurality of sliding protrusions received in the sliding grooves. A first sloping surface is formed at an end of each sliding groove. The sliding protrusions are smaller than the sliding grooves. When the rotatable stand rotates relative to the fixed stand, the sliding protrusions accelerate in the sliding grooves, and decelerate on the first sloping surface.

Abstract: A multi-staged hinge assembly and a portable electrical device comprising the multi-staged hinge assembly are provided. The multi-staged hinge assembly utilizes a spindle with a non-circular cross-section and the relative movement resulting from the movable components disposed on the spindle, such that one of the body portions of the portable electrical device automatically tilts in an angle after the body portions slides with each other. The user could further adjust the angle to meet various use conditions.

Abstract: A hinge is mounted between a cover and a base of an electronic device. A lid covers the hinge and is attached securely to the base. The hinge has an arced surface and a rotating shaft. When the cover is pivoted to a certain angle, the rotating shaft abuts the arced surface to lift up the cover so the cover is selectively distant away from the lid. Therefore, the shape of the electronic device does not need to be disfigured and the cover still does not bump against the lid.

Abstract: A hinge includes a first connecting member, a shaft fixed to the first connecting member, a second connecting member rotatably mounted to the shaft, a positioning member, an elastic ring, and a fastener. The shaft includes a fixing end. The second connecting member includes a positioning post having a slant resisting surface. The positioning member is unrotatably mounted to the fixing end, and includes a positioning protrusion resisting against the positioning post. The positioning protrusion includes a withstanding surface corresponding to the resisting surface. The elastic ring is rotatably mounted to the shaft and abutted against the positioning member. The fastener is adjustably fixed to a distal end of the fixing end. During rotation of the second connecting member relative to the first connecting member to a predetermined degree, the resisting surface resists against the corresponding withstanding surface for driving the positioning member to deform the at elastic ring.

Abstract: A hinge includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a shaft. The second connecting member includes a sleeve. An elastic positioning tab extends from the second connecting member and neighbors the sleeve. The shaft includes a fixing portion fixed to the first connecting member, and a fixing rod rotatably passed through the sleeve. A positioning surface is defined in the shaft for resisting against the positioning tab. A collapsible device utilizing the hinge is disclosed.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism comprises a follower, a cam and a first spring. The first spring is spiral, one end of the first spring is mounted to the follower, another end of the first spring is mounted to the cam. The cam rotates relative to the follower about a rotating axis, the first spring is compressed to accumulate elastic force, until the line connecting two ends of the first spring is parallel to the rotating axis where the first spring is mostly compressed to accumulate maximum of the elastic force and the hinge mechanism is in an intermediate state. Once the cam is rotated over the intermediate state, the first spring is expanded under previously accumulated elastic force, which drive the cam continuously rotated relative to the follower.

Abstract: A rotating mechanism for an electronic device has a stationary seat with a limiting recess, a limiting ring mounted through the stationary seat with inner and outer limits, a shaft mounted through the stationary seat and the limiting ring with a limiting protrusion. With the limiting protrusion pushing the inner limit and the outer limit sliding in the limiting recess, the shaft achieves two stages of rotation to enhance the rotating angle in both directions. Moreover, with the adjusting of the sizes of the components, the rotating mechanism may provide rotating angle by 360 to 700 degrees.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus of an engine hood for a vehicle which is provided between a hood panel and a vehicle body panel to ensure rotation of the hood panel. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge bracket mounted to a vehicle body panel, a hinge arm mounted to the hood panel and hinged to the hinge bracket by a hinge shaft and including a rail slot formed at one end thereof, a support link unit pivotally linking the hinge bracket to the hinge arm, and a return link unit pivotally linking the support link unit and the rail slot of the hinge arm so that the support link unit is selectively locked by the return link unit.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a cam, a follower, and an resilient member. The cam, the follower, and the resilient member are mounted with the shaft in turn. One end of the cam has a first outer cam portion and a first inner cam portion. One end of the follower has a second outer cam portion and a second inner cam portion respectively engaging with the first outer and inner cam portions. The resilient member is contained in such a manner that the cam portions of the follower resist the cam portions of the cam due to the decompression of the resilient member, and when the follower is manually rotated relative to the cam about a small original angle, the follower is automatically rotated relative to the cam due to the decompression of the resilient member.

Abstract: A rotary hinge module with a hinge holder having a housing with a receiving space, a first elastic member and a cam member accommodated in the receiving space of the hinge holder, and a rotary shaft vertically movably provided in the receiving space, the rotary shaft passing through the first elastic member, the cam member, and the receiving space. The cam member and the receiving space to be rotatable, and the rotary shaft has a rotating cam which contacts and corresponds to the cam member. The rotary hinge module is applied to a folder type mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: A multi-link hinge for a door includes a fastening element that is securable to a furniture body. A pivotable door bearing is movable with respect to the fastening element. The pivotable door bearing defines an opened position, a closed position, and a pivot range between the opened position and the closed position. Several levers are connected to one another in a scissored arrangement. The levers connect the fastening element to the pivotable door bearing. A spring is operably disposed between the fastening element and the pivotable door bearing. The spring is pre-tensioned to bias the pivotable door bearing into the closed position. A linear damper is operably disposed between the fastening element and the pivotable door bearing. The linear damper dampens a closing movement of the door bearing. The multi-link hinge may be employed to prevent slamming of refrigerator doors, for example.

Abstract: A hinge includes a positioning member, and a first rotational assembly rotatably mounted to the positioning member. The first rotational assembly comprises a first shaft rotatably mounted to the positioning member, an interference member, a resilient member fixed to the first shaft, and a securing member fixed to the first shaft. The interference member is fixed to the first shaft, and slide relative to the positioning member to engage with or disengage from the positioning member. The resilient member comprises an aseismatic block and a spring clamping a circumference of the aseismatic block. The resilient member is sandwiched between the interference member and the securing member, and the interference member abuts against the aseismatic block.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing (12) having a first face (14) and a second housing (11) having a first face (13), the apparatus comprising a hinge (15) arranged towards the edge of the first faces to allow the first faces to be folded towards and away from one another between respective closed and open configurations of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a biasing mechanism (17) arranged to bias the apparatus between the open and closed configurations, the biasing mechanism comprised with the first and/or second housings and not with the hinge.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a rotatable leaf rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft, a fixing leaf non-rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft, a first magnet fixed to the rotatable leaf, a second magnet fixed to the fixing leaf, and a fixing member. A polarity of the second magnet faces an opposite polarity of the first magnet in a predetermined position such that the first and second magnets experience attraction. The attraction is changeable when the rotatable leaf is rotated relative to the fixing leaf. The fixing member is fixed at an end of pivot shaft to prevent the rotatable leaf and the fixing leaf from detaching from the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a follower and an elastic element. The shaft forms a projection. The follower defines a through hole and forming an inner peripheral wall surrounding the through hole. A threaded portion is formed on the inner peripheral wall, and the projection engages with the threaded portion of the follower. The elastic element provides an axial force to push the follower rotatable about and simultaneously longitudinally movable along the shaft.

Abstract: An exemplary hinge assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a rotatable stand, a fixed stand, an elastic member, and a retaining ring. The rotatable stand is non-rotatably connected to the rotatable shaft. The fixed stand and an elastic member are connected to the rotatable shaft. A flange is formed on a proximal end of the rotatable shaft, and a positioning groove is defined in a distal end of the rotatable shaft. The rotatable stand, the fixed stand and the elastic member are positioned between the flange and the positioning groove of the rotatable shaft. The retaining ring engages in the positioning groove of the rotatable shaft, thereby producing an elastic force along the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A support arm having a proximate support arm segment, a distal support arm segment, and a hinge system having a proximate end pivotally connected to the proximate support arm segment at a proximate pivot, and a distal end pivotally connected to the distal support arm segment at a distal pivot. A tensile member having a first end and a second end, has the first end extending into and secured at a termination point on or beyond either the proximate support arm segment or the distal support arm segment, and the second end extending into and secured at a termination point on or beyond either the proximate support arm segment or the distal support arm segment. The tensile member thereby biases one or both of the proximate support arm segment and the distal support arm segment with respect to the hinge system.