14 DAY TRIAL // One of the key features of Microsoft’s Surface Pro is the built-in kickstand, which makes switching from tablet to laptop modes a super-seamless process.
And as it turns out, despite the current design working neatly, Microsoft wants to make the whole mechanism not only simpler, but also easier to use even when less force is applied.
A recently-discovered patent describes an improved kickstand that relies on new parts to enhance the process of opening and closing the kickstand.
Adjustable resistance
“A hinge includes a shaft, a hinge blade engaging the shaft, a belt clamped about the shaft for rotation about the shaft, and pivotal movement relative to the hinge blade and a coupling disposed between the belt and the shaft,” the patent reads.
“The clutch includes a collar disposed between the shaft and the band. The coupling is configured to lock and unlock the collar with the shaft. The rotation of the band about the shaft in a first direction locks the collar on the shaft for frictional movement of the band about the shaft at a first resistance level. The rotation of the belt around the shaft in a second direction unlocks the sleeve from the shaft for frictional movement of the belt about the shaft at a second resistance level lower than the first resistance level.”
In other words, the new Surface Pro kickstand design would give Microsoft more control over the opening and closing resistance, and the software giant itself could opt for a different setup. At the same time, the patent states that the resistance can be adjusted to a desired level, which could technically make it possible for users themselves to control this setting if Microsoft comes up with an easy-to-use implementation.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is still working on the next-generation Surface Pro, possibly called Surface Pro 7, and by the looks of things, this model is on the table for a late-2019 release.
Via WU