The present invention relates to a hinge for a cabinet, including an integrated hinge that mounts a frame to the cabinet.
An integrated hinge is described. The integrated hinge may be used to hingedly connect a frame to a cabinet. The frame provides a door to the cabinet. The frame may include sliding panels to cover the opening of the cabinet. A combination hinged door with sliding panels may be used to cover the opening of the cabinet—commonly called a restocking closure. The integrated hinge is well suited for use in cabinets and frames on emergency vehicles, such as ambulance, fire trucks, etc. The cabinets and frame may be used for storage on such vehicles. The frames with sliding panels and hinged connections to the cabinet may be used to close the cabinets and prevent the contents of the cabinet from falling out of the cabinet.
The cabinets may further include the frame with the restocking closure, which includes the hinged door with built-in sliding closures. This allows for the cabinet to be completely opened for restocking the cabinet, and also allows the cabinet to be accessed by sliding the closures, such as Plexiglas panels, to an open position for immediately retrieve items from the cabinet.
The integrated hinge hingedly connects the frame to the cabinet. The integrated hinge includes a central portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion rotatably engaged to a hinge pin. The first and second lateral portions engage to the cabinet. The central portion engages to the frame. The central portion includes a first outer edge and a second outer edge. The first lateral portion includes a first inner edge. The second lateral portion includes a second inner edge. The first outer edge and the first inner edge are angled toward the hinge pin at a positive angle relative to the hinge pin, and the second outer edge and the second inner edge are angled toward the hinge pin at a negative angle relative to the hinge pin.
The integrated hinge is commonly installed on a top of the frame and allows a “lift-up” arrangement. In other aspects, the integrated hinge may be installed on a side of the frame for a “swing out” configuration. In other aspects, the integrated hinge may be installed on a bottom of the frame for a “drop down” configuration.
In a closed position, the first inner edge of the first lateral portion inter-locks with the first outer edge of the central portion. Likewise, in the closed position, the second inner edge of the second lateral portion inter-locks with the second outer edge of the central portion. The first and second outer edges of the central portion taper inward—when moving toward the hinge pin. The outer edge of the central portion is generally the widest portion of the central portion. From the outer edge, the first and second outer edges of the central portion angle or taper inward to a connection portion that engages with a hinge. The portions of the first and second lateral portions that engage with the hinge are generally the widest portions of the first and second lateral portions. The first and second inner edges are angled to correspond with the first and second outer edges of the central portion that are tapering inward toward the hinge. The positive and negative angles of the first and second outer edges and the first and second inner edges provide interlocking structures that provide strength and rigidity to the hinge in the event of a vehicle crash or impact.
In the closed position, the angled outer edges of the central portion are approximately adjacent to the angled inner edges of the lateral portions. This assists in providing a hinge capable of withstanding impact from a vehicle crash. In the closed position, gaps separate the angled outer edges of the central portion and the angled inner edges of the lateral portions. During a crash, these gaps close to reduce and/or absorb the stress on the hinge and to reduce the likelihood of the hinge failing. The integrated hinge provides a robust design that is stronger than conventional hinge designs. The integrated hinge may withstand accidents and collisions that could occur while in use on an emergency vehicle.
In one aspect, the first outer edge of the central portion and the first inner edge of the first lateral portion angle toward the hinge pin at a positive angle relative to the hinge pin, while the second outer edge of the central portion and the second inner edge of the second lateral portion angle toward the hinge pin at a negative angle relative to the hinge pin. This provides for the central portion to lock into place between the lateral portions when there is an accident.
In one aspect, the integrated hinge includes a central portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion. The first lateral portion includes a first connecting portion generally perpendicular to a first attachment portion, and the second lateral portion includes a first connecting portion generally perpendicular to a second attachment portion. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion rotatably engage to a hinge pin. The first and second attachment portions typically mount to the cabinet, and the central portion typically mounts or engages to the frame or door. During an impact, collision, or other instances of increased stress, the generally perpendicular angle between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion relative to the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion will deflect or widen by several degrees or more, for example to approximately 95 degrees or 100 degrees. During an impact, the central member will move forward with the frame or door, while the attachment portions are fixed to the cabinet. The central portion, the first lateral portion, and the second lateral portion include angled sides, and under normal use, there is a gap between the angled sides on the center portion and the two lateral portions. When the central member move forwards during the impact, the angled sides will eventually close the gap and lock-up with each other. The movement prior to lock-up reduces resulting impact forces, and then the lock-up prevents additional movement forward. These two features allow for greater impact absorption and greater retention strength of the hinge.
In another aspect, the integrated hinge includes outer fixed leafs attached to a top wall of a cabinet and a center moving leaf attached to a frame. The outer fixed leafs both have an inner side surface that will engage to outer side surfaces of the center moving leaf when the center moving leaf moves forward. The fixed leafs and the moving leaf are rotatably engaged to hinge pin. If a very high force hits the frame directly behind the integrated hinge, the outer fixed leafs yield and unbend slightly which allows the center leaf and frame to move forward. As the frame moves forward, the movement reduces a gap between the side surfaces of the outer leafs and the center leaf. When the forward movement results in the being gap reduced to zero, the integrated hinge locks up preventing additional movement of the frame.
With reference to
The cabinet includes an upper wall 20 opposite of a lower wall 40 and a left side wall 60 opposite of a right side wall 80. The walls 20, 40, 60, and 80 may be fastened together with or without a rear wall 90. The frame 100 includes an upper frame section 120 opposite of a lower frame section 140 and a left frame section 160 opposite of a right frame section 180. The cabinet 10 may be formed to have a generally rectangular or square shape. One or more gas-springs may be incorporated between the cabinet 10 and frame 100 to control the opening and closing of the frame 100.
The integrated hinge 200 includes a central portion 220, a first lateral portion 240, and a second lateral portion 260. The first and second lateral portions 240, 260 engage to the cabinet 10. The central portion 220 engages to the frame 100. The central portion 220 provides for a center moving leaf for the hinge 200.
The central portion 220 interlocks with the upper section 120 of the frame 100. As shown in
The first and second lateral portions 240 and 260 include a semi-triangular shape with a base side proximate the hinge pin 300. The first and second lateral portions 240 and 260 include one or more openings 202. Fasteners 204 pass through the openings 202 of the first and second lateral portions 240 and 260 and engage the first and second lateral portions 240 and 260 to the cabinet 10. The first and second lateral portions 240 and 260 provide outer fixed leafs for the hinge 200.
The central portion 220 includes central hinge passage 222. The first lateral portion 240 includes a first lateral hinge passage 242. The second lateral portion 260 includes a second lateral hinge passage 262. A hinge pin 300 passes through the central hinge passage 222, the first lateral hinge passage 242, and the second lateral hinge passage 262. The hinge pin 300 rotatably connects the central portion 220 with the first and second lateral portions 240, 260. The central portion 220 includes a flared or semi-triangular shape that narrows in width at the central hinge passage 220.
With respect to
The central portion 220 includes the central connecting portion 224 generally perpendicular to a central engagement portion 226. The central connecting portion 224 includes the central hinge passage 222 opposite to the central engagement portion 226.
A first inner edge 250 of the first lateral portion 240 is angled. The first inner edge 250 includes a generally straight portion. A first outer edge 230 of the central portion 220 is angled in the same direction moving toward the hinge pin 300 such that the inner edge 250 is flush with the first outer edge 230. The first outer edge 230 also includes a generally straight portion. A second inner edge 270 of the second lateral portion 260 is also angled. The second inner edge 270 also includes a generally straight portion. Similarly, a second outer edge 235 of the central portion 220 is angled in the same direction moving toward the hinge pin 300 such that an inner edge 270 of the second lateral portion 260 is flush with the second outer edge 235. The second outer edge 270 also includes a generally straight portion. For example, in the aspect shown in
The central portion 220 includes the outer edges 230 and 235 that angle inward toward the hinge pin 300. The outer edges 230 and 235 angle inward with generally opposite angles. The first and second lateral portion 240 and 260 include the inner edges 250 and 270 that angle inward toward the hinge pin 300. The outer edge 230 angle inwards toward the hinge pin 300 in an amount that is approximately opposite of an amount the outer edge 235 angles inward toward the hinge pin 300. The outer edges 230 and 235 are slightly spaced from the inner edges 250 and 270. There is generally a gap 255 or space between the outer edges 230 and 235 the inner edges 250 and 270.
With respect to
This forward movement of the connecting portions 244, 264 is movement relative to the cabinet face, but the central hinge passage 222 moves with the lateral hinge passages 242 and 262 as the hinge passages 222, 242, and 262 are engaged with the hinge pin 300. This displacement causes the gap 255 between the outer edges 230 and 235 of the central portion 220 and the inner edges 250 and 270 of the lateral portions 240, 260 to decrease until they contact each other. At this point, the deformation of the angles on the connecting portions 244, 264 cannot continue and the central portion 220 (and thus the frame 100) are “locked up” and cannot move further outward. The movement prior to lock-up reduces resulting impact forces and then the lock-up prevents additional movement forward. These features allow for greater impact absorption and greater retention strength of the hinge 200.
As described above, under normal use, there is normally the gap 255 between the outer edges 230 and 235 of the central portion 220 and the inner edges 250 and 270 of the first and second lateral portion 240 and 260. The gap 255 may be approximately 1/16 inch to approximately ¼ inch in width. In the aspect shown, the gap 255 is approximately ⅛ inch in width. Under normal use, the outer edge 230 is generally aligned parallel to the inner edge 250 and the outer edge 235 is generally aligned parallel to the inner edge 270. During and/or after a collision, the gap 255 may be reduced or no longer exist as the outer edges 230 and 235 of the central portion 220 may now contact the inner edges 250 and 270.
In other aspects, with reference to
The shim 400 may include a generally rectangular shape. The shim 400 has an upper surface 405 opposite of a lower surface 410. The shim 400 has a front edge 415 opposite of a rear edge 420. The shim 400 has a first lateral edge 425 opposite of a second lateral edge 430. The shim 400 includes one or more slots 435 that are formed from an opening 440 in the front edge 415. The slots 435 provide an opening to receive the fasteners 204. A plane of the slots 435 is generally perpendicular to the fasteners 204. The slots 435 may extend a majority of the depth of the shim 400. In the aspect shown in
In the aspect shown in
The openings 440 of the slots 435 may include rounded corners or a radius at the beginning of the openings 440 in order to aid the installer in aligning the slots 435 with the fasteners 204. If during the installation process the user finds that the frame 100 needs to be lowered, then the user may loosen the fasteners 204 and insert the shim 400 in between the cabinet 10 and the first and second lateral portions 240 and 260 of the integrated hinge 100. The user is not required to fully remove the frame 100 in order to install the shim 400 between the cabinet 10 and the first and second lateral portions 240 and 260 of the integrated hinge 100.
An optional layer or application of a double sided adhesive may further optionally be incorporated into the assembly process. For example, adhesive pads 500 may be applied to an upper surface of the first and second lateral portions 240 and 260. The adhesive pads 500 may ease the installation process by holding the integrated hinge 100 to the cabinet 10. The adhesive pads 500 may ease the installation process by holding the shim 400 in the proper position over the upper surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 240 and 260. The adhesive pads 500 may be shaped to match the outline of the upper surfaces of the first and second lateral portions 240 and 260.
As such, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular aspects described herein, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this novel concept as defined by the following claims. Further, many other advantages of applicant's disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the claims below.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/393,379 filed Sep. 12, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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Entry |
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Office Action dated Aug. 8, 2019 for Canadian Patent Application No. 2,978,926; (2 pages). |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20180073289 A1 | Mar 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62393379 | Sep 2016 | US |