The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 08, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 01, 2001
J. Andrew Yeh, Pleasant Hill, CA (US);
Tom A. Kwa, San Jose, CA (US);
Robertus Petrus Van Kampen, Fremont, CA (US);
AIP Networks, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
The micro-electromechanical hinged flap system includes a substantially horizontal substrate and a main flap hinged on one side thereof to the substrate. The system also includes at least one locking flap, preferably two, for securing the main flap in a substantially vertical position. The locking flap is coupled to the substrate by means of a biasing mechanism that continually forces the locking flap toward a position parallel to the substrate. Also provided is a method for assembling a micro-electromechanical hinged flap system. A locking flap is rotated through an acute angle against a biasing force. The biasing force is caused by a biasing mechanism coupling the locking flap to a substrate. A main flap is then raised, whereafter the locking flap is released, such that the biasing force causes the locking flap to engage with the main flap, thereby, securing the main flap in position at the predetermined angle.