Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
No, thank you Accept
X
Apple Vision Pro Hands-OnBest Meal Delivery ServicesCNET CouponsNew Apple Watch PerksBest Solar CompaniesAI and Your Job SearchBest Satellite Internet ProvidersMortgage Rates
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Microsoft's fancy hinge patent could mean folding phones

But would Microsoft actually build one?

seanhollister.jpg
seanhollister.jpg
Sean Hollister Senior Editor / Reviews
When his parents denied him a Super NES, he got mad. When they traded a prize Sega Genesis for a 2400 baud modem, he got even. Years of Internet shareware, eBay'd possessions and video game testing jobs after that, he joined Engadget. He helped found The Verge, and later served as Gizmodo's reviews editor. When he's not madly testing laptops, apps, virtual reality experiences, and whatever new gadget will supposedly change the world, he likes to kick back with some games, a good Nerf blaster, and a bottle of Tejava.
See full bio
Sean Hollister
determinative-hinge-microsoft-patent-6
USPTO
Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

Samsung is building a folding phone. ZTE already did. And now, there are pictures of some cleverly articulated screens in a new Microsoft patent application -- pictures that show off a pretty intriguing new hinge. 

The ZTE Axon M shows off dual screens -- and a big gap.

 CNET

Wait, isn't Microsoft done building phones? Not necessarily: We've heard rumors about a Surface Phone for years, and recently the company got the full Windows 10 operating system working on smartphone-style chips again.

But I digress. Microsoft's hinge is interesting because it could theoretically solve one of the biggest issues with dual-screen tablets and phones we've seen so far -- the huge gap when you lay them flat. 

determinative-hinge-microsoft-patent-0
USPTO

Tradtionally, devices need to leave a gap between the two screens to keep them from being damaged when you fold the device, but not Microsoft's fancy "determinative hinge." It flexes slightly as you open and close the screen, pushing the two pieces slightly apart, to keep them from being damaged. 

determinative-hinge-microsoft-patent-1

 

 USPTO

Of course, there's nothing to say that this design will ever be used, or that it'd necessarily be used in a phone. Microsoft could easily apply it to a larger laptop or tablet design instead, if the company employs it at all.

The application was spotted by Twitter user WalkingCat and reported by MSPowerUser. Microsoft did not immediately return a request for comment.

determinative-hinge-microsoft-patent-5
USPTO