Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6618902
-
Patent Number
6,618,902
-
Date Filed
Monday, June 3, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 16, 200321 years ago
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 016 298
- 016 299
- 016 273
- 016 50
- 016 282
- 016 283
- 016 286
- 016 287
- 016 366
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A tubular spring hinge assembly includes a connecting tube for connecting two tubes, and two separation tubes mounted between the connecting tube and each of the two tubes. Each of the two separation tubes is made of a wear-resistant plastic, thereby eliminating noise due to friction when the two tubes are rotated relatively by the door plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tubular spring hinge assembly, and more particularly to a tubular spring hinge assembly that may efficiently eliminate noise due to friction when the two tubes are rotated relatively by the door plate.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional spring hinge in accordance with the prior art shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
comprises an upper tube
1
, a lower tube
2
, a torsion spring
3
, a central shaft
4
, and two tension adjusting seats
5
.
The upper tube
1
has an insertion section
101
pivotally inserted into the lower tube
2
. The upper tube
1
has a side provided with an ear plate
102
, and the lower tube
2
has a side provided with an ear plate
202
. The torsion spring
3
is mounted in the upper tube
1
and the lower tube
2
. Each of the two tension adjusting seats
5
is mounted on the top of the upper tube
1
and the bottom of the lower tube
2
. The central shaft
4
is mounted in the torsion spring
3
, and has two ends each passed through each of the two tension adjusting seats
5
and each screwed with a cover
401
. Each of the two tension adjusting seats
5
is formed with a positioning hole
501
for mounting a metallic protection tube
502
. Each of the two ends of the torsion spring
3
is inserted into the metallic protection tube
502
. Each of the two tension adjusting seats
5
has a periphery formed with multiple adjusting holes
503
for insertion of a first end of a pin
504
whose second end is rested on the side face of each of the two ear plates
102
and
202
. Each of the two tension adjusting seats
5
may be rotated by each of the two ear plates
102
and
202
, to twist the torsion spring
3
which may store the energy, so that the door may be restored automatically after being opened.
After the conventional spring hinge is mounted between the door plate and the door frame, the upper tube
1
and the lower tube
2
may be rotated relatively when the door plate is opened or closed, so that the insertion section
101
of the upper tube
1
is rubbed with the lower tube
2
, thereby producing noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional spring hinge.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a tubular spring hinge assembly including a connecting tube for connecting two tubes, and two separation tubes mounted between the connecting tube and each of the two tubes. Each of the two separation tubes is made of a wear-resistant plastic, thereby efficiently eliminating noise due to friction when the two tubes are rotated relatively by the door plate.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an exploded perspective view of a conventional spring hinge in accordance with the prior art;
FIG. 2
is a side plan cross-sectional assembly view of the conventional spring hinge as shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an exploded perspective view of a tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a side plan cross-sectional assembly view of the tubular spring hinge assembly as shown in
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 4A
is a partially cut-away enlarged view of the tubular spring hinge assembly as shown in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 5
is a partially cut-away side plan cross-sectional assembly view of a tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6
is an exploded perspective view of a tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6A
is a partially cut-away enlarged view of the tubular spring hinge assembly as shown in
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 7
is a side plan cross-sectional assembly view of the tubular spring hinge assembly as shown in
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 8
is an exploded perspective view of a tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a side plan cross-sectional assembly view of the tubular spring hinge assembly as shown in
FIG. 8
;
FIG. 9A
is a partially cut-away enlarged view of the tubular spring hinge assembly as shown in
FIG. 9
; and
FIG. 9B
is a partially cut-away enlarged view of the tubular spring hinge assembly as shown in FIG.
9
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and initially to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, a tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a first outer tube
10
, a second outer tube
20
, a central shaft
30
, a torsion spring
32
, and two regulators
40
.
The first outer tube
10
has a side provided with a leaf
12
, and the second outer tube
20
has a side provided with a leaf
22
, so that the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
may be locked on the door plate and the door frame respectively. The first outer tube
10
is pivotally mounted on the second outer tube
20
. The torsion spring
32
is mounted in the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
. Each of the two regulators
40
is mounted on an outer end of the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
respectively. The central shaft
30
is mounted in the torsion spring
32
, and has two ends each extended through each of the two regulators
40
.
Each of the two regulators
40
is an axial integrally formed stepped body including a base portion
42
, a positioning portion
44
, and a separation portion
46
. The base portion
42
has an outer diameter greater than that of the positioning portion
44
, and the positioning portion
44
has an outer diameter greater than that of the separation portion
46
. In addition, the positioning portion
44
is located between the base portion
42
and the separation portion
46
. The separation portion
46
is extended into each of two ends of the torsion spring
32
, for separating the torsion spring
32
from the central shaft
30
, thereby preventing the torsion spring
32
from rubbing the central shaft
30
. The positioning portion
44
is formed with a positioning hole
442
for mounting a metallic protection tube
48
, and each of the two ends of the torsion spring
32
is inserted into the metallic protection tube
48
. The base portion
42
of each of the two regulators
40
has a periphery formed with multiple adjusting holes
422
for insertion of a first end of a pin member
41
whose second end is rested on the side face of each of the leaf
12
and the leaf
22
. Each of the two regulators
40
may be rotated by each of the leaf
12
and the leaf
22
, to twist the torsion spring
32
which may store the torsion energy, so that the door plate may be restored automatically after being opened.
A connecting tube
34
is mounted between the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
for connecting the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
.
A first separation tube
14
is mounted in a first end of the first outer tube
10
, and a second separation tube
24
is mounted in a first end of the second outer tube
20
. Each of the first separation tube
14
and the second separation tube
24
is made of a wear-resistant plastic, such as PVC. The first separation tube
14
has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
142
rested on an end face of the first end of the first outer tube
10
, and the second separation tube
24
has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
242
rested on an end face of the first end of the second outer tube
20
, so as to separate the first outer tube
10
from the second outer tube
20
, thereby preventing the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
from rubbing and producing noise. The first separation tube
14
has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion
144
, and the second separation tube
24
has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion
244
.
The connecting tube
34
is mounted in the first separation tube
14
and the second separation tube
24
, and has two ends each retained by the annular retaining portion
144
of the first separation tube
14
and the annular retaining portion
244
of the second separation tube
24
, so that the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
may be co-axially rotated relatively.
In addition, the first separation tube
14
and the second separation tube
24
may separate the connecting tube
34
from the first outer tube
10
an the second outer tube
20
, thereby preventing the connecting tube
34
from contacting and rubbing the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
, so as to eliminate noise.
Further, a first separation ring
16
made of a wear-resistant plastic is mounted in a second end of the first outer tube
10
, and a second separation ring
26
made of a wear-resistant plastic is mounted in a second end of the second outer tube
20
. The positioning portion
44
of each of the two regulators
40
is mounted in the first separation ring
16
and the second separation ring
26
. The first separation ring
16
has one end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
162
mounted between the base portion
42
of one of the two regulators
40
and the first outer tube
10
, and the second separation ring
26
has one end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
262
mounted between the base portion
42
of the other of the two regulators
40
and the second outer tube
20
, thereby preventing each of the two regulators
40
from contacting and rubbing the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
, so as to eliminate noise and to increase the lifetime of each of the two regulators
40
.
The central shaft
30
has two ends each formed with an enlarged head
31
which is provided with a first washer
33
and a second washer
35
, wherein the second washer
35
is located between the first washer
33
and the enlarged head
31
. The base portion
42
of each of the two regulators
40
is formed with a recess
424
for receiving the first washer
33
and the second washer
35
as shown in FIG.
4
A. The first washer
33
has a periphery formed with multiple insertion openings
332
. The recess
424
is provided with multiple protruding insertion teeth
426
inserted into the multiple insertion openings
332
, thereby preventing the shaft hole of each of the two regulators
40
from being enlarged by the central shaft
30
. The second washer
35
may be used to support the enlarged head
31
during the punching process of the enlarged head
31
, thereby preventing the enlarged head
31
from jamming the regulator
40
, so as to increase the lifetime of the regulator
40
.
A cover
36
is mounted on each of the two regulators
40
for covering the enlarged head
31
of the central shaft
30
. The base portion
42
of each of the two regulators
40
is formed with multiple insertion recesses
428
. The cover
36
is provided with multiple snapping bosses
362
each inserted and snapped into one of the multiple insertion recesses
428
of the base portion
42
of each of the two regulators
40
, so that the cover
36
may be secured on each of the two regulators
40
.
The leaf
12
of the first outer tube
10
is provided with a shoulder
122
which is formed with an abutting edge
124
, and the leaf
22
of the second outer tube
20
is provided with a shoulder
222
which is formed with an abutting edge
224
, so that the door plate or the door frame may be rested on the abutting edge
124
of the shoulder
122
of the leaf
12
of the first outer tube
10
or the abutting edge
224
of the shoulder
222
of the leaf
22
of the second outer tube
20
, thereby facilitating assembly of the first outer tube
10
an the second outer tube
20
. In addition, the shoulder
122
of the leaf
12
of the first outer tube
10
is formed with a recessed resting portion
126
for positioning the pin member
41
, and the shoulder
222
of the leaf
22
of the second outer tube
20
is formed with recessed resting portion
226
for positioning the pin member
41
.
In assembly, after the central shaft
30
is in turn extended through the torsion spring
32
, each of the two regulators
40
, the first washers
33
and the second washers
35
, each of the two ends of the central shaft
30
is formed with the enlarged head
31
by a punching process, thereby positioning the parts. When the tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the door, the door plate and the door frame of the door may be rested on the abutting edge
124
of the first outer tube
10
and the abutting edge
224
of the second outer tube
20
, thereby enhancing convenience of assembly. In addition, the connecting tube
34
is used for connecting the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
, so that the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
may be made to have the same shape, thereby decreasing cost of fabrication.
When the door is opened or closed, the leaf
12
of the first outer tube
10
and the leaf
22
of the second outer tube
20
may drive the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
to rotate relatively. The first separation tube
14
and the second separation tube
24
may separate the connecting tube
34
from the first outer tube
10
an the second outer tube
20
, thereby preventing the connecting tube
34
from contacting and rubbing the first outer tube
10
and the second outer tube
20
, so as to eliminate noise.
Referring to
FIG. 5
, a tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The structure of the tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as that of the tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, and the difference is described as follows.
The inner wall of the first outer tube
10
′ is formed with a mounting section
18
′ for mounting the first separation tube
14
′, and the inner wall of the second outer tube
20
′ is formed with a mounting section
28
′ for mounting the second separation tube
24
′, thereby preventing the first outer tube
10
′ and the second outer tube
20
′ from deviating relatively due to effect of the gravity of the door plate. In addition, a connecting tube
34
′ is mounted in the first separation tube
14
′ and the second separation tube
24
′.
Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, a tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The structure of the tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as that of the tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, and the difference is described as follows.
The torsion spring
32
″ has a horn shape, and has an outer diameter gradually reduced from two ends toward a mediate portion thereof. The connecting tube
34
″ is mounted on the mediate portion of the torsion spring
32
″, and is mounted in the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″. The first separation tube
14
″ is mounted in the first outer tube
10
″, and the second separation tube
24
″ is mounted in the second outer tube
20
″. The inner diameter of the connecting tube
34
″ is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the torsion spring
32
″. The wall of the connecting tube
34
″ is axially formed with a slit
342
″, so that the connecting tube
34
″ may be mounted on the mediate portion of the torsion spring
32
″ by the slit
342
″.
The first separation tube
14
″ has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
142
″ rested on an end face of the first end of the first outer tube
10
″, and the second separation tube
24
″ has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
242
″ rested on an end face of the first end of the second outer tube
20
″, so as to separate the first outer tube
10
″ from the second outer tube
20
″, thereby preventing the first outer tube
10
″ and the second outer tube
20
″ from rubbing and producing noise. The first separation tube
14
″ has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion
144
″, and the second separation tube
24
″ has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion
244
″.
The connecting tube
34
″ is mounted in the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″, and has two ends each retained by the annular retaining portion
144
″ of the first separation tube
14
″ and the annular retaining portion
244
″ of the second separation tube
24
″, so that the first outer tube
10
″ and the second outer tube
20
″ may be co-axially rotated relatively.
In addition, the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″ may separate the connecting tube
34
″ from the first outer tube
10
″ an the second outer tube
20
″, thereby preventing the connecting tube
34
″ from contacting and rubbing the first outer tube
10
″ and the second outer tube
20
″, so as to eliminate noise.
As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 6A
, each of the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″ has a substantially C-shaped cross-section, and each of the annular separation flange
142
″ and the annular separation flange
242
″ has a first end formed with a cavity
148
″, and a second end provided with a snap portion
146
″ inserted into the cavity
148
″, thereby snapping the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″.
In assembly, the connecting tube
34
″ may be mounted on the mediate portion of the torsion spring
32
″ by opening and closing the slit
342
″. The inner diameter of the connecting tube
34
″ is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the torsion spring
32
″, so that the connecting tube
34
″ may be retained on the mediate portion of the torsion spring
32
″ without axial displacement. Then, the connecting tube
34
″ and the torsion spring
32
″ may be inserted into the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″. Then, the snap portion
146
″ may be snapped and inserted into the cavity
148
″, thereby snapping the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″, so that the connecting tube
34
″ and the mediate portion of the torsion spring
32
″ may be positioned in the first separation tube
14
″ and the second separation tube
24
″.
Referring to
FIGS. 8 and 9
, a two-shaft type spring hinge assembly in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a base
50
, and a pair of pivot structures
100
.
The base
50
includes two main tubes
51
, and a connecting plate
52
integrally mounted between the two main tubes
51
. Each of the pivot structures
100
is mounted on one of the two main tubes
51
, and includes an outer tube
60
, a central shaft
70
, a torsion spring
72
, a regulator
80
, and a positioner
90
. The outer tube
60
has a side provided with a leaf
62
, so that the outer tube
60
may be locked on the door plate or the door frame. The outer tube
60
is pivotally mounted on one end of the main tube
51
. The positioner
90
is mounted on the other end of the main tube
51
, and includes a pin
91
rested on the main tube
51
. The torsion spring
72
is mounted in the outer tube
60
and the main tube
51
. The regulator
80
is mounted on an outer end of the outer tube
60
. The central shaft
70
is mounted in the torsion spring
72
, and has two ends each extended through the regulator
80
and the positioner
90
.
The regulator
80
is an axial integrally formed stepped body including a base portion
82
, a positioning portion
84
, and a separation portion
86
. The base portion
82
has an outer diameter greater than that of the positioning portion
84
, and the positioning portion
84
has an outer diameter greater than that of the separation portion
86
. In addition, the positioning portion
84
is located between the base portion
82
and the separation portion
86
. The separation portion
86
is extended into one end of the torsion spring
72
, for separating the torsion spring
72
from the central shaft
70
, thereby preventing the torsion spring
72
from rubbing the central shaft
70
. The positioning portion
84
is formed with a positioning hole
842
for mounting a metallic protection tube
88
for insertion of one end of the torsion spring
72
. The base portion
82
of the regulator
80
has a periphery formed with multiple adjusting holes
822
for insertion of a first end of a pin member
81
whose second end is rested on the side face of the leaf
62
of the outer tube
60
. The regulator
80
may be rotated by the leaf
62
of the outer tube
60
to twist the torsion spring
72
which may store the torsion energy, so that the door plate may be restored automatically after being opened.
The positioner
90
is an axial integrally formed stepped body including a base portion
92
, a positioning portion
94
, and a separation portion
96
. The base portion
92
has an outer diameter greater than that of the positioning portion
94
, and the positioning portion
94
has an outer diameter greater than that of the separation portion
96
. In addition, the positioning portion
94
is located between the base portion
92
and the separation portion
96
. The separation portion
96
is extended into the other end of the torsion spring
72
, for separating the torsion spring
72
from the central shaft
70
, thereby preventing the torsion spring
72
from rubbing the central shaft
70
. The positioning portion
94
is formed with a positioning hole
942
for mounting a metallic protection tube
98
for insertion of the other end of the torsion spring
72
.
A first separation tube
54
is mounted in a first end of the outer tube
60
, and a second separation tube
64
is mounted in a first end of the main tube
51
. Each of the first separation tube
54
and the second separation tube
64
is made of a wear-resistant plastic, such as PVC. The first separation tube
54
has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
542
rested on an end face of the first end of the outer tube
60
, and the second separation tube
64
has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
642
rested on an end face of the first end of the main tube
51
, so as to separate the outer tube
60
from the main tube
51
, thereby preventing the outer tube
60
and the main tube
51
from rubbing and producing noise. The first separation tube
54
has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion
544
, and the second separation tube
64
has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion
644
.
A connecting tube
74
is mounted in the first separation tube
54
and the second separation tube
64
, and has two ends each retained by the annular retaining portion
544
of the first separation tube
54
and the annular retaining portion
644
of the second separation tube
64
, so that the outer tube
60
may be pivotally mounted on the main tube
51
. In addition, the first separation tube
54
and the second separation tube
64
may separate the connecting tube
74
from the outer tube
60
and the main tube
51
, thereby preventing the connecting tube
74
from contacting and rubbing the outer tube
60
and the main tube
51
, so as to eliminate noise.
Further, a separation ring
66
made of a wear-resistant plastic is mounted in a second end of the outer tube
60
. The positioning portion
84
of the regulator
80
is mounted in the separation ring
66
. The separation ring
66
has one end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange
662
mounted between the base portion
82
of the regulator
80
and the outer tube
60
, thereby preventing the regulator
80
from contacting and rubbing the outer tube
60
, so as to eliminate noise and to increase the lifetime of the regulator
80
.
The central shaft
70
has two ends each formed with an enlarged head
71
which is provided with a first washer
73
and a second washer
75
, wherein the second washer
75
is located between the first washer
73
and the enlarged head
71
.
The base portion
82
of the regulator
80
is formed with a recess
824
for receiving the first washer
73
and the second washer
75
as shown in FIG.
9
A. The first washer
73
has a periphery formed with multiple insertion openings
732
. The recess
824
is provided with multiple protruding insertion teeth
826
inserted into the multiple insertion openings
732
, thereby preventing the shaft hole of the regulator
80
from being enlarged by the central shaft
70
. The second washer
75
may be used to support the enlarged head
71
during the punching process of the enlarged head
71
, thereby preventing the enlarged head
71
from jamming the regulator
80
, so as to increase the lifetime of the regulator
80
.
The base portion
92
of the positioner
90
is formed with a recess
924
for receiving the first washer
73
and the second washer
75
as shown in FIG.
9
B. The first washer
73
has a periphery formed with multiple insertion openings
732
. The recess
924
is provided with multiple protruding insertion teeth
926
inserted into the multiple insertion openings
732
, thereby preventing the shaft hole of the positioner
90
from being enlarged by the central shaft
70
. The second washer
75
may be used to support the enlarged head
71
during the punching process of the enlarged head
71
, thereby preventing the enlarged head
71
from jamming the positioner
90
, so as to increase the lifetime of the positioner
90
.
A cover
76
is mounted on each of the regulator
80
and the positioner
90
for covering the enlarged head
71
of the central shaft
70
. The base portion
82
of the regulator
80
is formed with multiple insertion recesses
828
, and the base portion
92
of the positioner
90
is formed with multiple insertion recesses
928
. The cover
76
is provided with multiple snapping bosses
762
each inserted and snapped into one of the multiple insertion recesses
828
of the base portion
82
of the regulator
80
and one of the multiple insertion recesses
928
of the base portion
92
of the positioner
90
, so that the cover
76
may be secured on the regulator
80
and the positioner
90
.
The leaf
62
of the outer tube
60
is provided with a shoulder
622
which is formed with an abutting edge
624
, so that the door plate or the door frame may be rested on the abutting edge
624
of the shoulder
622
of the leaf
62
of the outer tube
60
, thereby facilitating assembly of the outer tube
60
. In addition, the shoulder
622
of the leaf
62
of the outer tube
60
is formed with a recessed resting portion
626
for positioning the pin member
81
.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A tubular spring hinge assembly, comprising a first outer tube, a second outer tube, a central shaft, a torsion spring, and two regulators, wherein:the first outer tube has a side provided with a leaf, the second outer tube has a side provided with a leaf, the first outer tube is pivotally mounted on the second outer tube, the torsion spring is mounted in the first outer tube and the second outer tube, each of the two regulators is mounted on an outer end of the first outer tube and the second outer tube respectively, the central shaft is mounted in the torsion spring, and has two ends each extended through each of the two regulators, the torsion spring has two ends each inserted into each of the two regulators, each of the two regulators has a periphery provided with a pin member which is rested on the leaf of each of the first outer tube and the second outer tube; and wherein: a first separation tube is mounted in a first end of the first outer tube, a second separation tube is mounted in a first end of the second outer tube, the first separation tube has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange rested on an end face of the first end of the first outer tube, the second separation tube has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange rested on an end face of the first end of the second outer tube, so as to separate the first outer tube from the second outer tube, thereby preventing the first outer tube and the second outer tube from rubbing and producing noise, the first separation tube has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion, the second separation tube has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion, a connecting tube is mounted between the first outer tube and the second outer tube, and is mounted in the first separation tube and the second separation tube, the connecting tube has two ends each retained by the annular retaining portion of the first separation tube and the annular retaining portion of the second separation tube.
- 2. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a first separation ring made of a wear-resistant plastic mounted in a second end of the first outer tube, and a second separation ring made of a wear-resistant plastic mounted in a second end of the second outer tube, wherein the first separation ring is formed with an annular separation flange mounted between one of the two regulators and the first outer tube, and the second separation ring is formed with an annular separation flange mounted between the other of the two regulators and the second outer tube, thereby preventing each of the two regulators from contacting and rubbing the first outer tube and the second outer tube, so as to eliminate noise and to increase the lifetime of each of the two regulators.
- 3. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the torsion spring has a horn shape and has an outer diameter gradually reduced from two ends toward a mediate portion thereof, the connecting tube is mounted on the mediate portion of the torsion spring, an inner diameter of the connecting tube is smaller than a maximum outer diameter of the torsion spring, a wall of the connecting tube is axially formed with a slit, so that the connecting tube may be mounted on the mediate portion of the torsion spring by the slit, and the annular separation flange of each of the first separation tube and the second separation tube has a first end formed with a cavity, and a second end provided with a snap portion that may be snapped and inserted into the cavity, thereby snapping each of the first separation tube and the second separation tube.
- 4. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central shaft has two ends each formed with an enlarged head for positioning each of the two regulators.
- 5. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein the enlarged head of each of the two ends of the central shaft is provided with a first washer and a second washer, the second washer is located between the first washer and the enlarged head, and a base portion of each of the two regulators is formed with a recess for receiving the first washer and the second washer.
- 6. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first washer has a periphery formed with multiple insertion openings, and the recess is provided with multiple protruding insertion teeth inserted into the multiple insertion openings.
- 7. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a cover mounted on each of the two regulators, wherein a base portion of each of the two regulators is formed with multiple insertion recesses, and the cover is provided with multiple snapping bosses each inserted and snapped into one of the multiple insertion recesses of the base portion of each of the two regulators, so that the cover may be secured on each of the two regulators.
- 8. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein the leaf of each of the first outer tube and the second outer tube is provided with a shoulder which is formed with an abutting edge.
- 9. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein the shoulder of the leaf of each of the first outer tube and the second outer tube is formed with a recessed resting portion for positioning the pin member.
- 10. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein an inner wall of the first outer tube is formed with a mounting section for mounting the first separation tube, and an inner wall of the second outer tube is formed with a mounting section for mounting the second separation tube.
- 11. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of the two regulators is an axial integrally formed stepped body including a base portion, a positioning portion, and a separation portion, the base portion has an outer diameter greater than that of the positioning portion, the positioning portion has an outer diameter greater than that of the separation portion, the positioning portion is located between the base portion and the separation portion, the separation portion is extended into each of two ends of the torsion spring, for separating the torsion spring from the central shaft, thereby preventing the torsion spring from rubbing the central shaft, and the positioning portion is formed with a positioning hole for mounting a metallic protection tube for insertion of each of the two ends of the torsion spring.
- 12. A tubular spring hinge assembly, comprising a base, and a pair of pivot structures, wherein, the base includes two main tubes, and a connecting plate mounted between the two main tubes, each of the pivot structures is mounted on one of the two main tubes;each of the pivot structures includes an outer tube, a central shaft, a torsion spring, a regulator, and a positioner, wherein: the outer tube has a side provided with a leaf, the outer tube is pivotally mounted on one end of the main tube, the positioner is mounted on the other end of the main tube, the torsion spring is mounted in the outer tube and the main tube, the regulator is mounted on an outer end of the outer tube, the central shaft is mounted in the torsion spring and has two ends each extended through the regulator and the positioner; the torsion spring has two ends each inserted into the regulator and the positioner respectively, the regulator has a base portion having a periphery provided with a pin member that is rested on the leaf; a first separation tube is mounted in a first end of the outer tube, and a second separation tube is mounted in a first end of the main tube, the first separation tube has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange rested on an end face of the first end of the outer tube, the second separation tube has a first end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange rested on an end face of the first end of the main tube, so as to separate the outer tube from the main tube, thereby preventing the outer tube and the main tube from rubbing and producing noise, the first separation tube has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion, the second separation tube has a second end having an inner wall formed with an annular retaining portion, and a connecting tube is mounted in the first separation tube and the second separation tube, and has two ends each retained by the annular retaining portion of the first separation tube and the annular retaining portion of the second separation tube.
- 13. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a separation ring mounted in a second end of the outer tube, wherein the regulator is mounted in the separation ring, the separation ring has one end having an outer wall formed with an annular separation flange mounted between the base portion of the regulator and the outer tube, thereby preventing the regulator from contacting and rubbing the outer tube, so as to eliminate noise and to increase the lifetime of the regulator.
- 14. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the central shaft has two ends each formed with an enlarged head for positioning the regulator and the positioner.
- 15. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 14, wherein the enlarged head of each of the two ends of the central shaft is provided with a first washer and a second washer, the second washer is located between the first washer and the enlarged head, the base portion of the regulator is formed with a recess for receiving the first washer and the second washer, and a base portion of the positioner is formed with a recess for receiving the first washer and the second washer.
- 16. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first washer has a periphery formed with multiple insertion openings, and the recess is provided with multiple protruding insertion teeth inserted into the multiple insertion openings.
- 17. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a cover mounted on the regulator and the positioner, wherein each of the regulator and the positioner is formed with multiple insertion recesses, and the cover is provided with multiple snapping bosses each inserted and snapped into one of the multiple insertion recesses, so that the cover may be secured the regulator and the positioner.
- 18. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 12, wherein the leaf is provided with a shoulder which is formed with an abutting edge.
- 19. The tubular spring hinge assembly in accordance with claim 18, wherein the shoulder of the leaf is formed with a recessed resting portion for positioning the pin member.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
90216084 U |
Sep 2001 |
TW |
|
US Referenced Citations (8)
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Feb 2002 |
BE |
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Jun 1977 |
DE |
19912335 |
Mar 1999 |
DE |
08-193616 |
Jul 1996 |
JP |
1782846 |
Dec 1992 |
SU |