Microsoft patents hinge design that keeps laptop gaps consistent
This filing describes a hinge mechanism for laptops or tablets that uses three specific pivot points to connect two parts. By aligning these pivots, the hinge ensures the gap between the screen and keyboard stays the same size no matter how far you open the device.
In the filing’s own words
Laptop or tablet computing devices may utilize various hinge types and styles to connect a display component with a keyboard component of a laptop or a kickstand or other accessory to a tablet. Presenting a continuous visual impression to the user suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device and is thus desirable. The presently disclosed multi-axis pin joint hinge both hides aspects of the hinge and maintains a minimal and consistent gap between connected components. The hinge includes a trio of pin joints that connect first and second links to a tablet and a kickstand, for example. As each pin joint rotates through the range of motion of the hinge, pivot axes all remain intersecting with a point coincident with the rotation axis. As a result, the rotation axis remains in a fixed position throughout the range of motion of the hinge.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A multi-axis pin joint hinge comprising: a first link; a second link; a first pin joint connecting the first link to a first hinged component, the first pin joint rotatable about a first pivot axis; a second pin joint connecting the first link to the second link, the second pin joint rotatable about a second pivot axis; and a third pin joint connecting the second link to a second hinged component, the third pin joint rotatable about a third pivot axis, the hinge to permit the first hinged component to rotate relative to the second hinged component about a rotation axis, wherein the first, second, and third pivot axes intersect at a first point on the rotation axis.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- MULTI-AXIS PIN JOINT HINGE
- Publication number
- US20260277279A1
- Application number
- 19081276
- Filed
- Mar 17, 2025
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 1/1681 Physics & computingF16M 13/005 Mechanical engineeringG06F 1/1626 Physics & computingG06F 1/166 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in Phones & computers
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.