Patent Application
20050011046
There may have been many attempts to provide a self-closing hinge for doors, gates, and the like. Problems with current configurations may include complexity, cost, ease of installation, and ease of assembly and disassembly. What is needed is a low-cost, low complexity self-closing hinge that is easy to install and easy to assemble and disassemble.
Provided is a self-closing hinge system, including a first member, and a second member rotationally coupled to the first member, wherein the first and second members each include an oblique edge abutting each other, such that a horizontal force on one of the members is translated into a horizontal and vertical force.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description also sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Second leaf member 40 typically includes a second cylinder portion 42 and a second oblique edge 44. Again, the cylinder portion is configured to extend around shaft 12 such that first leaf member 20 and second leaf member 40 are rotationally coupled. Second oblique edge 44 may abut first oblique edge 24 such that when a horizontal force is exerted on either member that horizontal force is translated into a horizontal and vertical force such that one member moves vertically with respect to the other member. With this configuration, it will be appreciated that the hinge may be self-closing in that when it is open, as shown in
First leaf member 20 may also include a door coupling portion 34 configured to couple to a door or a frame as desired. Similarly, second leaf member 40 typically includes a frame coupling portion 54 which is configured to couple to a door or a frame as desired. With one member attached to a door and the other member attached to a frame, this configuration would allow for a self-closing hinge and door.
System 10 also typically includes one or more stops 14 that are typically coupled to shaft 12 such that the leaf members will remain coupled to shaft 12. Shaft 12 is typically a pin used in a door hinge, however it may be integrally formed with either leaf member or other configuration, as desired. The hinge is typically made of a rigid material such as a metal, however other materials may be utilized, as desired.
Leaf members typically include apertures 60 that are typically configured to receive screws therethrough to couple a door or a frame to each of the leaf members. It will be appreciated however that other coupling configurations and methods may be utilized, as desired.
In this exemplary embodiment, first leaf member 80 again includes a first oblique edge 82 and also includes a top stay 84 and a bottom stay 86. Similarly, second leaf member 40 includes a second oblique edge 92 as well as a top stay 94 and a bottom stay 96. With this configuration when the door is in the open position, the top stay portions will abut each other such that the hinge may remain in the open position until acted upon by a horizontal force such that oblique edges will abut each other and the hinge may move toward a closed position and one member will move vertically with respect to the other. Also with this configuration, with top stays abutting each other, the force may be reduced on shaft 72 such that the shaft could be removed easily and/or the system may easily be disassembled.
Similarly when bottom stays 86 and 96 abut each other, the door will remain in a closed position until acted upon by a horizontal force. In this configuration also the forces may be reduced on shaft 72 such that it may be removed from the system easily. This configuration would allow a person to easily remove the shaft and thus be able to decouple the leaf members and remove a door from a frame very easily.
Again, the system 100 may typically include apertures 62 that are configured to allow a screw to pass therethrough to couple a door, frame, or the like, to the hinge system. This system is simple, inexpensive, easy to assemble and disassemble, and still provides a self-closing system for doors and the like. It will be appreciated that a door may have to move vertically with respect to a frame for this system to operate. The frame configuration and size may have to be adjusted to allow for this, and faciaboard or other could be placed across the gap above or below the door to minimize the gap or visual gap, as desired.
In closing, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.
