Micro-hinge for an electronic device

Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, which includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of the electronic device may include a low profile hinge design that includes a micro-hinge. The micro-hinge can couple a first element to a second element and can include a first attachment that couples to the first element, a second attachment that couples to the second element, and a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment. The low profile hinge can further include a plurality of micro-hinges and a plurality of support rods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A low profile hinge, comprising:
 a micro-hinge that couples a first element to a second element, wherein the micro-hinge includes:
 a first attachment that couples to the first element; 
 a second attachment that couples to the second element; and 
 a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment. 
   
     
     
         2 . The low profile hinge of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-hinge can rotate about three hundred and sixty degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The low profile hinge of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of micro-hinges; and   a plurality of support rods.   
     
     
         4 . The low profile hinge of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible covering.   
     
     
         5 . The low profile hinge of  claim 1 , wherein the low profile hinge extends about the length of the first element and the second element. 
     
     
         6 . The low profile hinge of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The low profile hinge of  claim 1 , wherein the first element is a base portion of an electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The low profile hinge of  claim 1 , wherein the second element is a display portion of an electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic device comprising:
 a base portion;   a display portion; and   a micro-hinge that couples the base portion to the display portion, wherein the micro-hinge includes:
 a first attachment that couples to the base portion; 
 a second attachment that couples to the display portion; and 
 a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment. 
   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the micro-hinge can rotate about three hundred and sixty degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a plurality of micro-hinges; and   a plurality of support rods.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the micro-hinge further includes a flexible covering. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the micro-hinge extends about the length of the base portion and the display portion. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the micro-hinge is a low profile hinge. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 rotating a display portion around a base portion using a low profile micro-hinge, wherein the low profile micro-hinge includes:
 a first attachment that couples to the base portion; 
 a second attachment that couples to the display portion; and 
 a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of micro-hinges and a plurality of support rods are used to rotate the display portion around the base portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the low profile micro-hinge further includes a flexible covering. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the low profile micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit. 
     
     
         20 . A system, comprising:
 means for rotating a display portion around a base portion using a low profile micro-hinge, wherein the low profile micro-hinge includes:
 a first attachment that couples to the base portion; 
 a second attachment that couples to the display portion; and 
   a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment.   
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a processor; and   a micro-hinge that couples a first element to a second element, wherein the micro-hinge includes:
 a first attachment that couples to the first element; 
 a second attachment that couples to the second element; and 
 a plurality of linkages that couples the first attachment to the second attachment. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the micro-hinge can rotate three hundred and sixty degrees. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of micro-hinges and a plurality of support rods. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the micro-hinge further includes an electrical conduit. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first element is a base portion and the second element is a display portion.