Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6243920
-
Patent Number
6,243,920
-
Date Filed
Monday, June 21, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 12, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Knight; Anthony
- Sandy; Robert J.
Agents
- Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 016 357
- 016 361
- 016 366
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The hinge includes a first flange and a second flange which pivot and translate with respect to each other. The first flange includes a first laterally offset pivot axis. The second flange includes a second laterally offset pivot axis and a translational path. Additionally, a pivot plate is provided with first and second parallel passageways. The first laterally offset pivot axis of the first flange engages the first parallel passageway of the pivot plate and the translational path of the second flange. The second laterally offset pivot axis of the second flange engages the second parallel passageway of the pivot plate. Initially relative pivoting of the first flange and the second flange causes the first laterally offset pivot axis of the first flange and the first parallel passageway of the pivot plate to translate within the translational path. Subsequent relative pivoting of the first flange and the second flange causes the pivoting about the first laterally offset pivot axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rotational-translational double hinge-arm that can be operated linearly and can have various drive systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, hinges for double arm assemblies are known. However, these designs have frequently had a high torque required to break the joint between the two arms (frequently configured as an idler or non-driven arm and a torque or driven arm). Additionally, the smoothness of operation has been a substantial concern, particularly in consumer applications, such as freezers. Similarly, the sealing line, the hinge life and the panel weight distribution have all been a substantial design considerations in this field.
Examples of hinges in this field are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,558 entitled “Hinge Assembly”, issued on Oct. 18, 1994 to Vertanen; U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,349 entitled “Hinge Mechanism”, issued on Feb. 16, 1993 to Sakamoto; U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,941 entitled “Elevating and Traversing Hood Hinge”, issued on Jun. 20, 1989 to Orlando; U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,089 entitled “Hinge Assembly”, issued on May 17, 1966 to Fergison; U.S. Pat. No. 1,920,568 entitled “Cigar Box Hinge”, issued on Aug. 1, 1933 to Kling; and U.S. Pat. No. 472,622 entitled “Hinge”, issued on Apr. 12, 1892 to Linkletter.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly with a low torque requirement to break the joint between the idler arm and the torque arm.
It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly which has smooth operation.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly with an improved sealing line, particularly for use with a freezer, or similar applications.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly which has an improved hinge life.
It is therefore a final object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly which results in improved panel weight distribution.
These and other objects are attained by a hinge which includes a first flange affixed to a first arm and a second flange affixed to a second arm. The first flange includes a laterally offset first pivot axis formed by colinear offset apertures. The second flange includes a second pivot axis formed by colinear offset apertures and a translational path formed by offset slots. A first end of a pivot plate is pivotably attached to the first pivot point of the first flange and further travels within the translational path on the second flange. A second end of the pivot plate is pivotably attached to the second pivot axis.
The resulting rotational-translation double hinge-arm connecting a torque arm and an idler arm results in the center, in-line orientation of the arms of a bi-folding door, such as may be used for a freezer and many other applications. The double hinge allows for the low torque break of the joint between the arms. A drive system can be implemented with a round, grooved cam attached to a wire-rope cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is an exploded perspective view of the hinge assembly of the present invention.
FIGS. 2
a,
2
b
and
2
c
are plan views, partially in phantom, showing the sequence of the closed, partially open and open configurations of the hinge assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is an exploded perspective view of a typical bi-folding door configuration using the hinge assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a top view of a typical bi-folding door configuration using the hinge assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a side view of a typical bi-folding door configuration in the closed position using the hinge assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 6
is a side view of a typical bi-folding door configuration in the partially open position using the hinge assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 7
is a side view of a typical bi-folding door configuration in the open position using the hinge assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 8
is a top view of the arms in a typical bi-folding door configuration in the closed position using the hinge assembly of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, one sees that
FIG. 1
is an exploded perspective view of hinge
10
. Hinge
10
includes first flange
12
in hinged relation with second flange
14
. As shown in
FIGS. 2
a-
2
c,
first flange
12
and second flange
14
. are affixed to ends of first arm
100
and second arm
102
, respectively.
First flange
12
includes central support plate
16
which further includes apertures
18
,
20
for receiving bolts
22
,
24
to secure first flange
12
to first arm
100
. Central support plate
16
of first flange
12
further supports and separates pivot aperture support plates
26
,
28
in a parallel relationship. Pivot aperture support plates
26
,
28
include first laterally offset pivot point apertures
30
,
32
, respectively, in a colinear relationship thereby forming a first pivot axis which further serves as translational axis as will be described hereinafter.
Second flange
14
includes central support plate
34
which further includes apertures
36
,
38
for receiving bolts
40
,
42
to secure second flange
14
to second arm
102
. Central support plate
34
of second flange
14
further supports and separates pivot aperture and slot support plates
44
,
46
in a parallel relationship. Pivot aperture and slot support plates
44
,
46
include second laterally offset pivot point apertures
48
,
50
, respectively, in a colinear relationship thereby forming a second pivot axis. Additionally, pivot aperture and slot support plates
44
,
46
include laterally offset translational slots
52
,
54
, respectively, which are parallel to each other and formed along perpendicular projections of each other.
First laterally offset pivot point apertures
30
,
32
and laterally offset translational slots
52
,
54
are on a first lateral side
56
of hinge
10
while second laterally offset pivot apertures
48
,
50
are on a second lateral side
58
of hinge
10
.
Oblique block
60
includes relatively wider edge
62
on second lateral side
58
of hinge
10
and relatively narrower edge
64
on first lateral side
56
of hinge
10
. Oblique block
60
further includes two apertures
66
(one aperture being unillustrated due to the perspective of
FIG. 1
) which align with apertures
18
,
20
of first flange
12
. As shown in
FIGS. 2
a-
2
c,
aperture
66
is countersunk to receive head
25
of bolt
24
. The unillustrated aperture is similarly countersunk to receive head
23
of bolt
22
. Bolt
22
passes through the unillustrated aperture of oblique block
60
and aperture
18
of central support plate
16
of first flange
12
and into first arm
100
. Likewise, bolt
24
passes through aperture
20
and aperture
66
thereby securing oblique block
60
, first flange and first arm
100
together.
Orthogonal block
68
includes apertures
70
,
72
which align with apertures
36
,
38
of central support plate
34
of second flange
14
. Bolts
40
,
42
pass through apertures
70
,
72
and
36
,
38
, respectively, and into second arm
102
, thereby securing orthogonal block
68
, second flange
14
and second arm
102
together. As shown in
FIGS. 2
a-
2
c,
apertures
70
,
72
are countersunk to receive conical heads
41
,
43
of bolts
40
,
42
.
Pivot translational plate
74
is formed from central support plate
76
which separates two lateral parallel cylinders
78
,
80
through which passageways
82
,
84
are formed. Washers
86
are placed at the openings of passageway
82
. Likewise, washers
87
are placed at the openings of passageway
84
.
Rod
88
passes through laterally offset translational slots
52
,
54
of second flange
14
, first laterally offset pivot point apertures
30
,
32
of first flange
12
, passageway
82
of pivot translational plate
74
, and washers
86
. Rod
88
is secured against longitudinal movement at both ends by fasteners
92
,
94
. This configuration provides both a rotational and translational relationship between first flange
12
and second flange
14
. Rod
90
passes through second laterally offset pivot apertures
48
,
50
of second flange
14
and passageway
84
of pivot translational plate
74
. Rod
90
is secured against longitudinal movement at both ends by fasteners
96
,
98
. This configuration provides a pivoting or rotational relationship between second flange
14
and pivot translational plate
74
in response to translational motion between first flange
12
and second flange
14
.
FIGS. 2
a-
2
c
illustrate the opening sequence of first arm
100
and second arm
102
.
FIG. 2
a
illustrates the closed position wherein first arm
100
is aligned or colinear with second arm
102
. Central support plate
76
of pivot. translational plate
74
abuts oblique block
60
. First laterally offset pivot point apertures
30
,
32
of first flange
12
along with lateral parallel cylinder
78
of pivot translational plate
74
have translated to the furthest extended portion of laterally offset translational slots
52
,
54
of second flange
14
.
FIG. 2
b
illustrates the position of hinge
10
in the partially open position. Second flange
14
and arm
102
have rotated relative to first flange
12
and arm
101
so that pivot translational plate
74
abuts both oblique block
60
and orthogonal block
68
. First laterally offset pivot point apertures
30
,
32
of first flange
12
along with lateral parallel cylinder
78
of pivot translational plate
74
have translated to the least extended portion of laterally offset translational slots
52
,
54
of second flange
14
.
FIG. 2
c
illustrates the position of hinge
10
in the fully open position. Second flange
14
has rotated relative to first flange
12
about a pivot point established in
FIG. 2
b.
That is, first laterally offset pivot point apertures
30
,
32
of first flange
12
along with lateral parallel cylinder
78
of pivot translational plate
74
remain translated to the least extended portion of laterally offset translational slots
52
,
54
of second flange
14
. Second arm
102
has now rotated 180° relative to first arm
100
.
FIGS. 3-8
illustrate hinges
10
as implemented in bi-folding door configuration. First arms
100
are configured as non-driven or idler arms with ends
104
pivotably attached to stationary brackets
200
. Second arms
102
are configured as driven or torque arms and, as previously described, are pivotally and translationally attached to first arms
100
by hinges
10
. First arms
100
form the edge of panels
202
which are hinged to wall
206
colinearly with the pivotably relationship between ends
104
and stationary brackets
200
. Second arms
102
form the edge of panels
204
. The intersection of panels
202
and panels
204
is covered with PVC panels
208
to provide a temperature barrier in such applications as freezers. Similar PVC barriers
210
are provided at the inwardly facing edges of panels
204
. Those skilled in the art will realize that other barriers can be used for different applications. Round grooved cams
106
provide the driving mechanism to second arms
102
. Cams
106
include upper central pins
110
which rotatably engage roller carriages
118
and lower pins
114
which are affixed to second arms
102
. Roller carriages
118
travel within track
122
.
First end
124
of track
122
is terminated by endcap
126
. Idler roller support
128
is affixed inwardly adjacent from endcap
126
. Idler roller
130
is affixed upwardly adjacent from roller support
128
. Second end
134
of track is terminated by endcap
136
. Driven roller
138
is inwardly adjacent from endcap
136
and is driven by electric drive
140
. Looped drive chain
142
loops around idler roller
130
and driven roller
138
. The two roller carriages
118
are attached to opposite legs of looped drive chain
142
so that roller carriages
118
travel in the opposite direction of each other in order to effect the sequence shown in
FIGS. 5
,
6
and
7
.
Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A hinge for rotationally and translationally joining a first arm to a second arm, the hinge comprising:a first flange to be affixed to the first arm, said first flange including a first laterally offset pivot axis on a first side of the hinge; a second flange to be affixed to the second arm, said second flange including a second offset pivot axis on a second side of the hinge and a translational path on said first side of the hinge; a pivoting plate with a first end pivotally attached to said first laterally offset pivot axis and traveling within said translational path, and a second end pivotally attached to said second laterally offset pivot axis; and wherein said translational path comprises a pair of offset grooves.
- 2. A hinge for rotationally and translationally joining a first arm to a second arm, the hinge comprising:a first flange to be affixed to the first arm, said first flange including a first laterally offset pivot axis on a first side of the hinge; a second flange to be affixed to the second arm, said second flange including a second offset pivot axis on a second side of the hinge and a translational path on said first side of the hinge; a pivoting plate with a first end pivotally attached to said first laterally offset pivot axis and traveling within said translational path, and a second end pivotally attached to said second laterally offset pivot axis; and wherein said first laterally offset pivot axis comprises a first pair of offset colinear apertures for receiving a first rod.
- 3. The hinge of claim 2 wherein said second laterally offset pivot axis comprises a second pair of offset colinear apertures for receiving a second rod.
- 4. The hinge of claim 3 wherein said translational path comprises a pair of offset grooves.
- 5. The hinge of claim 4 wherein said first flange comprises a first central plate separating a first pair of parallel plates, said first pair of offset colinear apertures being formed on respective parallel plates of said first pair.
- 6. The hinge of claim 5 wherein said second flange comprises a second central plate separating a second pair of parallel plates, said second pair of offset colinear apertures being formed on respective parallel plates of said first pair, and said pair of offset grooves being formed on respective parallel plates of said second pair.
- 7. The hinge of claim 6 wherein said pivoting plate includes a first passageway and a second passageway, said first passageway and said second passageway being parallel to each other and being formed along said first laterally offset pivot axis and said second laterally offset pivot axis, respectively, said first passageway receiving said first rod, and said second passageway receiving said second rod.
- 8. The hinge of claim 7 wherein said first laterally offset pivot axis is at a first end of said translational path when the hinge is in a closed position, and said first laterally offset pivot axis translates to a second end of said translational path as the hinge moves from said closed position to a partially open position, and wherein said second flange rotates about said first laterally offset pivot axis at said second end of said translational path as the hinge moves from said partially open position to a fully open position.
- 9. The hinge of claim 8 further including an oblique block with a relatively narrower end on said first side of the hinge and a relatively wider end on said second side of the hinge, said oblique block abutting said first central plate.
- 10. The hinge of claim 9 wherein said pivoting plate abuts an oblique face of said oblique block when the hinge is in said open position.
- 11. The hinge of claim 10 further including a relatively orthogonal block abutting said second central plate.
- 12. The hinge of claim 11 wherein said pivoting plate abuts said relatively orthogonal block when the hinge is in said partially open position.
US Referenced Citations (8)