Patent Application
20100180404
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hinge device, more particularly to a hinge device of the type having two substantially C-shaped clamp members which are back-to-back interconnected.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to
However, inconveniences are encountered during use of the game device because the hoops 12 are easily separable from the hinge devices 11 when hit by children and have to be reassembled frequently during use. Besides, as the hoops 12 are circular in cross section, a substantial height will be built up when multiple hoops 12 are stacked, thereby requiring a large space for storage and transport. If the hoops 12 are to be provided with flat cross sections in order to save space, the hinge devices 11 will be unsuitable for interconnecting the hoops 12.
An object of the invention is to provide a novel hinge device by which two hoops can be firmly hinged together, thereby reducing an incidence of undesirable or accidental hoop separation.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel hinge device which is suitable to hinge two hoops having a noncircular cross section that is substantially flat.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a hinge device comprises: a coupler including two substantially C-shaped outer clamp members which are interconnected back-to-back at a juncture and which respectively have open mouths opposite to the juncture; and two substantially cylindrical inner clamp members fitted rotatably and respectively in the outer clamp members. Each inner clamp member has a substantially cylindrical outer surface, and two clamping arms defining an axially extending clamping groove therebetween. The clamping groove has a groove opening alignable with the open mouth of one of the outer clamp members.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a hoop assembly comprises at least two hoops interconnected hingedly by the hinge device. Each of the hoops has a noncircular cross section that is substantially flat. Each of the hoops further has an annular inner rim, an annular outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and an annular intermediate section connected between the inner and outer rims. The inner and outer rims are thicker than the intermediate section.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Referring to
Each hinge device 2 includes two substantially cylindrical inner clamp members 4, and a coupler 5. The coupler 5 has two substantially C-shaped outer clamp members 51 which are interconnected back-to-back at a juncture 50 and which respectively have open mouths 52 opposite to the juncture 50. In an embodiment, the outer clamp members 51 are formed integrally as one piece.
The inner clamp members 4 are fitted respectively in the outer clamp members 51. Each inner clamp member 4 has a substantially cylindrical outer surface in contact with the corresponding outer clamp member 51, two clamping arms 41 defining an axially extending clamping groove 43 therebetween, and a connection web 40 connected between the clamping arms 41. The cylindrical outer surface of the inner clamp member 4 extends circumferentially around the clamping arms 41 and the connection web 40.
The clamping groove 43 has two diametrically opposite groove end sections 432, a middle groove section 431 between the groove end sections 432, and a groove opening 42 adjacent to one of the groove end sections 432 and opposite to the connection web 40. The groove opening 42 is alignable with the open mouth 52 of the corresponding outer clamp member 51. The clamping groove 43 has a width that decreases gradually from the groove end sections 432 to the middle groove section 431. Each inner clamp member 4 further has two axially opposite flanges 44 protruding circumferentially and outwardly from the cylindrical outer surface thereof for retaining therebetween the corresponding outer clamp member 51 which is disposed over the cylindrical outer surface thereof.
Each clamping arm 41 has an outer wall 413 extending circumferentially from the connection web 40 to the groove opening 42 along the cylindrical outer surface, a compressible inner wall 412 bounding the clamping groove 43 and opposite to the outer wall 413, and a hollow space 414 between the outer and inner walls 413, 412. The inner wall 412 is convexed toward the clamping groove 43 and has two ends one of which is connected to the outer wall 413 adjacent the connection web 40 and the other one of which is connected to the outer wall adjacent the groove opening 42. Due to the presence of the hollow space 414, the inner wall 412 is compressible.
In assembly, the two hoops 3 are coupled together by one hinge device 2. The hoops 3 are inserted into the clamping grooves 43 of the respective inner clamp members 4 through the respective groove openings 42 and are clamped by the clamping arms 41 of the respective inner clamp member 4, as best shown in
The inner clamp members 4 are rotatable within the respective outer clamp members 51 for adjusting the relative angle between the hoops 3. Referring to
As the groove opening 42 is out of alignment with the open mouth 52, the hoop 3 can be effectively prevented from being released from the inner clamp member 4 even when the hoop 3 is subjected to a hitting force. This is one of the advantages of the hinge device 2 of the present invention. Another advantage is that the hinge device 2 can effectively clamp the hoops 3 which are substantially flat in cross section. When the hoops 3 are stacked, the overall side thereof can be minimized compared to the prior art, thereby reducing the space needed for storage and transport of the hoops.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
