TODAY’S PATENT – FLEXIBLE HINGE AND REMOVABLE ATTACHMENT

The said invention (US8498100B1) was invented by David Otto Whitt, III, Eric Joseph Wahl, David C. Vandervoor, Todd David Pleake, Rob Huala, Summer L. Schneider, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin, Matthew David Mickelson, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Timothy C. Shaw, Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Christopher Harry Stoumbos & Karsten Aagaard. It was patented by USPTO on July 30^th, 2013. Currently, it stands assigned to Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC. 

The invention relates to flexible hinge and detachable attachment methods for mobile computing devices. It tackles the issue of balancing providing protection and making it easy to attach and remove protective cases. The innovative, flexible hinge design enables an input device to function as a protective cover, similar to a book cover, while yet keeping a strong physical and communicative connection with the computer device.

The hinge utilizes support layers and lowest bend radius techniques to safeguard internal conductors and components, using methods such as embossing and carefully selecting materials. In addition, the mechanical rigidity is increased by using a laminate structure with pins. Secure attachment is achieved by using protrusions aligning with specific axes and enabling the transfer of power and information. This design provides robust protection and effortless removal, representing a substantial advancement over traditional approaches and boosting user comfort and device safety.