US Patent 7334294 Hinge and foldable electronic device using the hinge

A hinge (20) is for joining housings of a foldable electronic device together. The hinge includes an axle (22), a clip (220) at one end of the axle, a spring (24), and a block (26) at an opposite end of the axle. The axle has a screw thread (224) thereon. The block has a screw hole (262) therein. Through engagement of the screw thread in the screw hole, the block is retained on the axle. The spring is retained between the clip and the block. The structure of the hinge is stable, by reason of the connection provided by the axle between the clip and the block. The mobile phone using the hinge can reduce or eliminate damaging impact that would otherwise occur when the cover is opened up from the main housing and reaches an open state.