Case with hinged lid

• US 20050224508A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Communication Technologies, Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kimura, Yasushi, Kamimura, Osamu, Tajiri, Takeshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,341,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/844
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/205 Inserted
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/165 these elements being assembled by a separate pin-like member
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 2005/102 Pins
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/10 Pins, sockets or sleeves; Removable pins E05D15/522 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/128 the pin having a recess or through-hole engaged by a securing member
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/602 for containers

Abstract

A case includes a case body, a lid, hinges supporting the lid on the case body and a waterproof seal placed on the joining surface of the case body. The lid can be turned for closing on the hinges so as to compress the waterproof seal perpendicularly to the joining surface of the case body. Each hinge is provided with a hinge pin having opposite cylindrical end parts and an offset middle part defining a groove together with the cylindrical end parts. The grooves of the hinges permit first knuckles formed integrally with the lid to sink therein so that the lid held with its joining surface parallel to the joining surface of the case body can be moved toward the case body perpendicularly to the joining surface of the case body to compress the waterproof seal perpendicularly between the joining surfaces of the lid and the case body. The hinge pin is restrained from coming off by the first knuckles when the first knuckles are engaged in the groove.

Claims

1. A case comprising:

a case body, said case body having a joining surface;

a lid hingedly connected to said case body, said lid having a joining surface;

a seal disposed between said joining surface of said case body and said joining surface of said lid, wherein said seal is in contact with both joining surfaces when said lid is in a closed position; and

a hinge comprising;

a first knuckle formed on one of said case body and said lid;

two second knuckles formed on the other of said case body and said lid, said second knuckles spaced apart to receive said first knuckle in interdigitated fashion; and

a hinge pin comprising a shaft, said shaft comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a recessed segment disposed between said first and second segments, thereby forming a groove between said first and second segments, said shaft further comprising a pin axis about which said lid can pivot,

said first and said second knuckles each having an opening through which said hinge pin can be inserted,

said first and second segments and said recessed segment being configured such that said first and second segments are in alignment with said second knuckles and said recessed segment is in alignment with said first knuckle.

2. The case of claim 1 wherein said first and second segments of said shaft are clear of said first knuckle, wherein said first knuckle can be partially received in said groove during operation of said lid.

3. The case of claim 2 wherein said hinge pin further comprises a flanged end, wherein one of said second knuckles has a first flat surface, wherein said flanged end has a second flat surface such that said first flat surface engages said second flat surface when said hinge pin is inserted in said knuckles, thereby preventing rotation of said hinge pin about said pin axis during opening and closing operations of said lid.

4. The case of claim 2 wherein said first knuckle is formed on said lid and said second knuckles are formed on said case body.

5. The case of claim 2 further comprising a second hinge.

6. The case of claim 1 wherein said seal is a waterproof material.

7. The case of claim 1 wherein said seal is a compressive material.

8. The case of claim 1 wherein said seal is disposed on said joining surface of said case body.

9. The case of claim 1 wherein said first knuckle is formed on said lid and said second knuckles are formed on said case body.

10. The case of claim 1 further comprising a second hinge.

11. The case of claim 1 wherein said hinge pin further comprises a flanged end, wherein one of said second knuckles has a first flat surface, wherein said flanged end has a second flat surface such that said first flat surface engages said second flat surface when said hinge pin is inserted in said knuckles, thereby preventing rotation of said hinge pin about said pin axis during opening and closing operations of said lid.

12. The case of claim 11 wherein said seal is disposed on said joining surface of said case body.

13. The case of claim 11 wherein said first knuckle is formed on said lid and said second knuckles are formed on said case body.

14. The case of claim 11 further comprising a second hinge.

15. A case comprising:

a case body, said case body having a first contacting surface;

a lid hingedly connected to said case body, said lid having a second contacting surface;

a seal disposed between said first and second contacting surfaces, said seal being pressed between said first and second contacting surfaces when said lid is in a closed position; and

a first hinge and a second hinge,

each of said first and second hinges comprising;

a first knuckle formed on one of said case body and said lid;

two second knuckles formed on the other of said case body and said lid; and

a hinge pin comprising a shaft having a generally cylindrical shape and a recessed region formed along said cylindrical shape, said shaft further comprising a pin axis about which said lid can pivot,

said first knuckle being interleaved between said second knuckles and connected by said hinge pin,

said recessed region spanning a width greater than a width of said first knuckle and aligned with said first knuckle so that during closing and opening operations of said lid said first knuckle is partially received in said recessed region and said second knuckles are journaled on said hinge pin other than on said recessed region.

16. The case of claim 15 wherein said seal is a waterproof material.

17. The case of claim 15 wherein said seal is a compressive material.

18. The case of claim 15 further comprising a seal disposed on one of the first and second contacting surfaces.

19. The case of claim 15 wherein said hinge pin of each of said hinges is configured to prevent rotation about its pin axis during operation of said lid.

20. The case of claim 15 wherein for each of said hinges its hinge pin further comprises a flanged end, wherein one of its second knuckles has a first flat surface, wherein said flanged end has a second flat surface such that said first flat surface engages said second flat surface when said each hinge pin is inserted in its knuckles, thereby preventing rotation of said each hinge pin about its pin axis during opening and closing operations of said lid.