Patent Application
20170268266
The present invention relates generally to a double axial hinge for a console. More so, a double jointed hinge creates myriad folding, closing, opening, extending, retracting combinations for a console by providing a central panel having a pair of outer edges; whereby two pivoting axes are arranged in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship at the outer edges of the central panel and are configured to enable pivoting about the central panel at between 0° to 360°; whereby a first L-shaped bracket is disposed in axial alignment with a first one of the pivoting axes; whereby a second L-shaped bracket is disposed in axial alignment with a second one of the pivoting axes; whereby each L-shaped bracket may join with a door, panel, or window of a console and enable between 0° to 360° rotation thereof.
Typically, a hinge is a mechanical bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. Two objects connected by an ideal hinge rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation. Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components.
A variety of hinge, latch, and hinge and latch devices exist that can be used to allow for the opening and/or closing of console or cabinet doors and other pivoting and/or latch type devices. Some such devices only allow for the door or other pivoting device to only be opened in a single direction. Other devices allow for the door or other pivoting device to be operated in two different directions.
Generally, over the years, a number of hinge devices have been developed for the purpose of permitting the opening and closing of the doors of console furniture and other cabinets from either the left or right side of the console or cabinet. Early embodiments of this concept enabled a person to select the side of the console or cabinet that would serve as a pivot axis. Thereafter, unless the hardware were altered, the door would open from that side. When it became necessary to change the hinge side, a screwdriver, wrench and other tools were needed to mechanically transfer the pivot axis from one side to the other.
More recent modifications have utilized a combination of springs and latches to allow the door to be opened alternatively from the left or from the right. This design consists of a double sided removable axle arrangement that permits the door to be opened from one of the two sides. In order to prevent an unintentional opening of the door, a locking mechanism is provided for each axle arrangement. This mechanism has to be released by the user by activating an opening button prior to opening the door. This locking mechanism consists of a multitude of elements which when in the closed position are interlocked. As soon as one of the locking mechanisms is released on one side of the door, the door could then be rotated around the closed axle arrangement whereby a cam slides into a curved guide while at the same time the central opening in the door area of the locking mechanism blocks and the release button is locked.
Other proposals have involved double sided hinges that open and close a door from multiple sides. The problem with these devices is that they do not provide a full 360° of pivoting rotational motion for the various doors, panels, and windows of a console. Thus, an unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. Even though the above cited methods for furniture hinges meets some of the needs of the market, a double axial hinge that hingedly fastens to a mounting surface, such as a console, and specifically the doors, panels, and windows of a console, and enables multiple combinations of opening, closing, and folding of the doors, panels, and windows of the console between 0° to 360° is still desired.
The present invention is directed to a double axial hinge that hingedly fastens to a mounting surface, such as a console, and specifically the doors, panels, and windows of a console. The double axial hinge is configured to enable multiple combinations of opening, closing, and folding of the doors, panels, and windows of the console. The double axial hinge enables rotation of the doors, panels, and windows between 0° to 360°. In this manner, the door, panel, or window may be rotated into multiple open and close positions, from a left side, a right side, a top side, and a bottom side, and in multiple folding configurations relative to the fixed components of the of the console.
One aspect of a double axial hinge, comprises:
In another aspect, the central panel is generally rectangular in shape.
In another aspect, the hinge is fabricated from metal.
In another aspect, the central panel, the first mounting panel, and the second mounting panel are configured to mount on a mounting surface.
In another aspect, the mounting surface comprises a door, panel, or window of a console.
In another aspect, the first pivoting axis comprises a first hinge rod and a first hinge interlock.
In another aspect, the second pivoting axis comprises a second hinge rod and a second hinge interlock.
In another aspect, the first mounting panel and the second mounting panel orient in the same direction when the first L-shaped bracket and the second L-shaped bracket are coplanar.
In another aspect, the at least one tab is disposed to orient in the opposite direction than the second mounting panel.
In another aspect, the at least one tab comprises two spaced-apart tabs.
In some embodiments, the double axial hinge may include a central panel having a pair of edges. The central panel may have a generally rectangular shape, and further include at least one central aperture for enabling fastening to the mounting surface, such as the door, panel, or window of the console.
In some embodiments, a first pivoting axis and a second pivoting axis are arranged in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship at the edges of the central panel. The pivoting axes are configured to enable pivoting about the central panel at about between 0° to 360° in a first and second direction. This wide range of pivoting from two sides creates great flexibility for opening, closing, and folding of the doors, panels, and windows of the console.
In some embodiments, a first L-shaped bracket is disposed in axial alignment with the first pivoting axis. The first L-shaped bracket is defined by a first hinging panel that forms a generally perpendicular junction with a first mounting panel. The first mounting panel, having at least one first aperture, is configured to fixedly fasten to the mounting surface. The first hinging panel is configured to join with the first pivoting axis. In this manner, the entire first L-shaped bracket may pivot between 0° to 360° about the central panel.
In one embodiment, the orientation of the first L-shaped bracket is described as such: the first hinging panel lies coplanar to the central panel at 0° and 360° relative to the central panel. Additionally, the first L-shaped bracket may include at least one first aperture for enabling fastening to the mounting surface, such as the door, panel, or window of the console.
In some embodiments, a second L-shaped bracket is disposed in axial alignment with the second pivoting axis. The first L-shaped bracket is defined by a second hinging panel that forms a generally perpendicular junction with a second mounting panel. The second mounting panel, having at least one second aperture, is configured to fixedly fasten to the mounting surface. The second hinging panel is configured to join with the second pivoting axis. In this manner, the entire second L-shaped bracket may pivot between 0° to 360° about the central panel, and the first L-shaped bracket.
In one embodiment, the orientation of the second L-shaped bracket is described as such: the second hinging panel lies coplanar to the central panel at 0° and 360° relative to the central panel. Also, when the first and second L-shaped brackets are coplanar, the first and second mounting panels are oriented in the same direction. Additionally, the second L-shaped bracket may include at least one second aperture for enabling fastening to the mounting surface, such as the door, panel, or window of the console.
In one alternative embodiment, the second pivoting axis comprises at least one tab. The at least one tab is disposed to orient in the opposite direction than the second mounting panels. The tab is configured to restrict rotation of the central panel to 90° while pivoting in a first direction towards the second L-shaped bracket. This is because when the central panel pivots towards the second L-shaped bracket, the tab extending from the second pivoting axis, engages the second hinging panel at 90° . The second hinging panel, thus acts as a barrier to pivoting by the central panel beyond 90°.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a double axial hinge that hingedly fastens to a mounting surface, such as a console, and specifically the doors, panels, and windows of a console.
Another objective is to create myriad combinations of folding, opening, closing, and extending of doors, panels, and windows of a console.
Another objective is to provide independent pivoting from two opposite sides of a hinge.
Yet another objective is to provide at least one tab that restricts pivoting in a first direction to 90°.
Yet another objective is to provide a durable, multipurpose double axial hinge.
Yet another objective is to provide cost effective hinging mechanism for a console.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as may be further described or explained by the entire written specification of which this detailed description is an integral part. The drawings are intended to be read together with the specification and are to be construed as a portion of the entire “written description” of this invention as required by 35 U.S.C. §112.
In one embodiment of the present invention presented in
Further, the hinge 100 provides a first L-shaped bracket 114 and a second L-shaped bracket 122 that pivot independently of each other about their respective pivoting axes 108, 110. The L-shaped brackets 114, 122 have broad L-shaped mounting panels 118, 126 that can be mounted on various mounting surfaces. In yet another unique configuration of the hinge 100, at least one tab 112a, 112b extends from the second pivoting axis 110 to restrict pivoting about the central panel 102 in a first direction to 90°. Conversely, the tab 112a, 112b may extend from the first pivoting axis 108 to restrict pivoting about the central panel 102 in a second direction to 90°. This 90° restrictive configuration of the hinge 100 provides even greater amount of hinging combinations that can be applied on the mounting surface.
Thus in one exemplary use of the hinge 100, it is possible for a console door, a cabinet door, a window, or a refrigerator door to be opened or closed from either of two sides without the necessity of making mechanical changes in the configuration of either hinge, the door, or the cabinet. Further, the console door, cabinet door, window, or refrigerator door can be expanded or compressed relative to the body of the console, cabinet, window pane, or refrigerator, respectively. In another exemplary use, multiple pivoting motions in multiple directions may be possible for each console door, cabinet door, window pane, or refrigerator door in relation to the body of the console, cabinet, or refrigerator. In yet another exemplary use, multiple hinges work together along one side of a double-hinged console or cabinet door.
As illustrated in
Turning now to
In some embodiments, a first L-shaped bracket 114 is disposed in axial alignment with the first pivoting axis 108. The first L-shaped bracket 114 is defined by a first hinging panel 116 that forms a generally perpendicular junction with a first mounting panel 118. The first mounting panel 118 may include at least one first aperture 120a, 120b that is configured to fixedly fasten to the mounting surface. The first hinging panel 116 is configured to join with the first pivoting axis 108 and pivot about the central panel 102. In this manner, the entire first L-shaped bracket 114 may pivot between 0° to 360° about the central panel 102.
In one embodiment, the orientation of the first L-shaped bracket 114 is described as such: the first hinging panel 116 lies coplanar to the central panel 102 at 0° and at 360° relative to the central panel 102. Additionally, the first L-shaped bracket 114 may include at least one first aperture 120a, 120b for enabling fastening to the mounting surface, such as the door, panel, or window of the console. In one embodiment, a fastener, such as a screw may pass through the first aperture 120a, 120b to fix the central panel 102 in the mounting surface. The first aperture 120a, 120b may have a generally circular or oval shape.
In some embodiments, a second L-shaped bracket 122 is disposed in axial alignment with the second pivoting axis 110. The second L-shaped bracket 122 is defined by a second hinging panel 124 that forms a generally perpendicular junction with a second mounting panel 126. The second mounting panel 126 may include at least one second aperture 128a, 128b that is configured to fixedly fasten to the mounting surface. The second hinging panel 124 is configured to join with the second pivoting axis 110 and pivot about the central panel 102. In this manner, the entire second L-shaped bracket 122 may pivot between 0° to 360° about the fixed central panel 102.
As
In one alternative embodiment shown in
It is also significant to note that the tab 112a, 112b may also extend from the first pivoting axis 108. This configuration operates in substantially the same manner as described above, except that pivoting in the second direction is restricted by the central panel 102 beyond 90°. Specifically, the tab 112a, 112b is configured to restrict rotation of the central panel 102 to 90° while pivoting in the second direction towards the first L-shaped bracket 114. This is because when the central panel 102 pivots towards the first L-shaped bracket 114, the tab 112a, 112b extending from the first pivoting axis 108 engages the first hinging panel 116 at 90°.
The 90° angle is further illustrated in an elevated side view of
Continuing with the folding exercise of the console panels 138, 140,
Continuing with
In another alternative embodiment shown in
In conclusion, a double axial hinge 100 creates myriad combinations of folding, opening, closing, and extending of doors, panels, and windows of a console. The hinge 100 provides a fixed central panel 102 having a pair of edges 104a, 104b. A first pivoting axis 108 and a second pivoting axis 110 are disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship, so as to enable pivoting about the central panel 102 up to 360° from two directions.
The ends of the hinge 100 utilize a first L-shaped bracket 114 and a second L-shaped bracket 122 that pivot independently of each other and have a broad L-shaped mounting panel 118, 126 that can be mounted on various mounting surfaces. The mounting panels 118, 126 of the L-shaped brackets 114, 122 can mount to the console. The L-shaped brackets 114, 122 further include a hinging panel 116, 124 that pivot about their respective pivoting axes 108, 110. In an alternative embodiment of the hinge 100, at least one tab 112a, 112b extends from the second pivoting axis 110 to restrict the central panel 102 from pivoting in a first direction beyond 90°.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
