THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
NATURE OF THE INVENTION

HINGE MECHANISM IN PORTABLE SCANNING SYSTEMS
A) Technical field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to portable ultra sound scanning systems and more particularly to the hinge mechanism used for coupling the service and accessing modules with the chassis of the ultrasound scan systems.
B) Background of this invention
[0002] Generally several functional modules of a complete system are mounted removably using fasteners like screw and bolts or by using slidable channels. The modules are required to be removed from the main body of the device during a trouble shooting process. Hence longer cables are required to connect the removed modules with the main system electrically. Moreover large maintenance space is also required to hold the removed functional modules during a service process. Sometimes there is also the possibility of the loss of fasteners during the service period due to the complete removal of the functional modules from the main body. Since the system has a rigid chassis enclosed in all the four sides, it is very difficult to service the modules during a running condition. Further it takes more time to assemble and disassemble the multiple functional modules from the main body.
[0003] Hence there is a need to improve the hinge mechanism used for coupling the functional modules with the main body to perform the servicing of the functional modules more easily and efficiently and also to reduce the assembling and disassembling periods.

[0004] The US patent 6 330 161 issued to Smith et al., discloses a rotatable removable computer power supply. The device has a power supply assembly that may be rotated into two positions for operating the computer and for servicing the components within the computer, or for removing the computer. The power supply assembly is mounted to a chassis via two pivot pins that define an axis of rotation and engage two bearing surfaces. The first pivot pin may be disengaged from the first bearing surface without removing a fastener. In one embodiment, the first pivot pin is disengaged from the first bearing surface by relative movement between the first pivot pin and the first bearing surface along the axis of rotation.
[0005] The US patent 5 745 342 issued to Jeffries et al., discloses a hinge dent mechanism in a computer system. The system has two chassis members mounted with a bracket and flexible hinge detent member so that the two chassis members are frictionally engaged with one another to deflect the hinge.
[0006] The US patent 6 788 542 issued to Rumney discloses a hinged cover for rack mountable modules. The cover is mounted to the device housing by a hinge assembly provided with fixed and movable hinge rods.
[0007] The US patent 6 615 452 issued to Mueller et al., discloses a cabinet hinge. The hinge has an adjusting device that is directly or indirectly coupled to a cabinet. The side adjusting device has a side adjusting screw with at least one eccentric- or cam disks so that the side adjusting screw is turned. A hinge arm is moved in side ways and shifted simultaneously to correct the depth adjustment of the door by a pre set amount.
[0008] The US patent 4 712 336 issued to Backer discloses an interconnecting full bleed modular panel provided with a rigid internal frame having a recessed channel at the outer surface for engaging with the adjacent channels.

[0009] The US pre grant publication 2004 0045 225 Al issued to Weiss, Nir discloses a panel for modular construction. The panel has profiles with recesses and elongated hook so that the hook is inserted into the recesses for interlocking with the adjacent panels.
[0010] Thus none of the prior art devices provide a simple and effective hinge mechanism to connect the removable functional modules with a main body of a device easily and quickly and to enable access to the functional modules during a trouble shooting process easily and without removing the modules completely from the main body.
[0011] Hence there is a need to connect and remove the functional modules easily and quickly and to provide an access to the modules during the trouble shooting process easily and without removing the modules completely from the main body of the device.
C) OBJECT OF THIS INVENTION
[0012] The prime object of this invention to provide an improved hinge mechanism to provide better accessibility and serviceability to various modules attached detachably to a main body.
[0013] Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hinge mechanism to reduce the assembling and dismantling time of various modules during a trouble shooting process to execute a maintenance service operation easily.
[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide a hinge mechanism to open a device or a system easily during the working condition of the device or system to simplify the trouble shooting process.

D) SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION
[0015] The above mentioned short comings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
[0016] According to one embodiment of this invention, a portable scanning system such as a portable ultrasound scanning system is provided with an improved hinge mechanism to connect the various modules like mother board & scan converter, CRT & TVM board, hard disk, beam former and power supply modules with the main body. The hinge mechanism has a thin sheet fastener (TSF) to connect the first and the second chassis members provided respectively in a top panel and side panel respectively. The first chassis consists of a hole along the axis of the thin sheet fastener in the second chassis so that the diameter of the hole is more than that of the mounting screw.
[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG.l shows a perspective view of a portable ultrasound scanning device provided with a hinge mechanism according to one embodiment of this invention.
[0019] FIG.2 shows a top side exploded perspective view of a portable ultra sound scanning device in a disassembled condition in which the removably attached functional modules are separated from the main body.

[0020] FIG.3 shows the front side perspective view of a portable ultra sound scanning device according to one embodiment of this invention in which the top panel and one side panel are removed from the main body of the device.
[0021] FIG.4 shows a partially enlarged front perspective view of a potable ultra sound scanning device indicating the hinge mechanism.
[0022] Although specific features of this invention are shown is some drawings and not others, this is done for the convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention.
F) Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
[0023] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the preferred embodiment which may be practiced, is shown by way of illustration. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Therefore the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0024] According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, a portable ultrasound scanning system is provided with a main body consisting of several functional modules such as mother board and scan converter module, CRT & TVM module, hard disk drive module, beam former module, and power supply module. Each module is detachably attached to the main body through a respective hinge unit. Each module is connected to either top or side or back cover panels through a hinge unit so that each unit is individually removed from the main body for servicing

during a trouble shooting process. Each hinge unit has two chassis members that are provided with a thin sheet fastener (TSF) and a hole respectively so that the thin sheet fastener is inserted in to the hole and a mounting screw is inserted into the hole to secure an individual functional module with a top or side or back cover panel of the device. The diameter of the hole is sized so that the diameter of the hole is more than the diameter of the head of a mounting screw. The thin sheet fastener is press stamped into the chassis member in one embodiment. According to another embodiment, the thin sheet fastener is insert molded into the chassis member. The thin sheet fastener is made up any hard, rigid material.
[0025] According to one embodiment of this invention, the thin sheet fastener is made up of metals such as stainless steel, brass etc. According to another embodiment of this invention, the hinge mechanism is made up plastic. In such hinge mechanism made of plastic, boss with inserts are used instead of thin sheet fastener.
[0026] The FIG.l shows a back side perspective view of a portable ultra sound scanning device according to one embodiment of this invention, in which the CRT display module 1 is removed from the front panel of the device. The CRT display module 1 is attached to the top panel 2 and to a side panel 3 rigidly.
[0027] The FIG.2 shows a top side exploded perspective view of a portable ultra sound scanning device according to one embodiment of this invention, in which the top panel and one side panel are removed to expose the various functional modules like mother board module 4, beam former module 5, connector panel 6, scan converter module 7, and TVM board 8. The mother board module 4 is connected to a base plate in the device. The beam former module 5 is attached to a side panel and hingedly connected to the main body. A connector panel 6 is coupled to a back side panel in the main body. A scan converter module 7 is attached to the back panel and to the connector panel 6. A TVM board 8 is mounted on sliding mechanism.

[0028] The FIG.3 shows a front side perspective view of a portable ultra sound scanning system according to one embodiment of this invention, with the top panel, back panel and one side panel in removed condition. A SMPS module 9 is connected to the front panel in the main body and arranged below the CRT display panel.
[0029] The FIG.4 shows a partially enlarged perspective view of a portable ultra sound scanning device according to one embodiment of this invention, illustrating the hinge mechanism used to couple the top panel with the main body. The top panel is connected to the main body of the device through a thin screw fastener 10 and a mounting screw 11. The thin screw fastener 10 stamped in a chassis member is inserted into a hole provided in another chassis member. A mounting screw 11 is inserted into the hole to secure the two chassis.
[0030] Thus various embodiments of this invention provide a portable ultra sound scanning system with an improved hinge mechanism. Although the hinge mechanism is explained with reference to a portable ultra sound scanning system, the hinge mechanism can be attached to any portable device or to any other system or to any hinge mechanism used to connect modules or units or any cases without departing from the scope of this invention.
[0031] It will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice this invention with several modifications. However all those modifications will be deemed to be covered within the scope of this invention as covered in the under mentioned claims.
G) Advantages
[0032] The following advantages will be easily understood from the above mentioned summary, drawings and the detailed description of the embodiments.

[0033] The main advantage of the hinge mechanism is that no rods are used but only a thin sheet fastener is used to couple the modules with the main body of the device thereby simplifying the assembling and the dismantling operations. The hinge mechanism provides easier and better access to the various functional modules during a trouble shooting process thereby eliminating the need for larger cable and harnesses. No extra kit is required to be carried to the field by service personnel. This arrangement helps to draw the modules from the main body without completely removing the modules from the main body thereby eliminating the loss of modules or small and fine fastener components or elements. The power supply can be removed easily from the main unit and put back without disturbing the setup while the device is in running condition, as the power supply is mounted on a separate plate and the whole sub assembly is fixed to the main assembly with the hinge mechanism. Since the modules are connected through an improved hinge mechanism, the assembling and the disassembling time are shortened. The hinge mechanism helps in simplifying the service maintenance operation and enables to perform a maintenance operation even during the device operating condition.
[0034] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of this invention described herein and all statements of the scope of this invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
[0035] Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A portable ultrasound scanning system, comprising:
a) a mother board and scan converter module
b) a CRT & TVM board module;
c) a hard disk drive module;
d) a beam former module;
e) a power supply module; and
f) a hinge mechanism to connect mother board and scan converter module,
CRT&TVM board module, hard disk drive module, beam former module
and power supply module with main body having top panel, side panels,
base plate and a back cover panel.

2. A portable ultrasound scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the hinge
mechanism has a thin sheet fastener and a hole provided respectively at two chassis
members in the top panel and side panel.
3. A portable ultrasound scanning system according to claim 1 further comprising a
mounting screw inserted into the hole to secure thin screw fastener and chassis.

4. A portable ultrasound scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of
the hole is more than the diameter of the head of a mounting screw.
5. A portable ultrasound scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the thin sheet
fastener is attached to the chassis member by a press stamping process.
6. A portable ultrasound scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the thin sheet
fastener is insert welded to a chassis.
7. A portable ultrasound scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the thin sheet
fastener is made up of hard and rigid material.
8. A portable ultrasound scanning system according to claim 1 wherein the thin sheet
fastener is made up of metallic material.

Dated this the 29th day of January, 2007

To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent office,
At Chennai