EXTENDABLE MULTI-AXIS DOOR HINGE

• US 20080083090A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoffman Group LLC (Hoffman Group)
• Original Assignee: Hoffman Group International Company LLC (Hoffman Group)
• Inventors: Hoffman, Lawrence Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,832,057 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/367
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/06 with two or more pins E05D7/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/10 with non-parallel pins
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/122 Gear hinges
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/062 specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/71 Toothed gearing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors

Abstract

Embodiments of multi-axis vehicle door hinges are provided that are adapted to facilitate pivotal motion of a vehicle door about a substantially vertical axis of rotation for swing-out rotation, lateral motion of a vehicle door about a substantially horizontal plane, as well as to facilitate pivotal motion of a vehicle door about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation for vertical-lift rotation and providing means for adjusting the opening angle of the hinge in both the horizontal and vertical axis of rotation.

Claims

1. A multi-axis vehicle door hinge, comprising:

a first leaf;

a second leaf;

a third leaf;

a fourth leaf;

a first gear;

a second gear; and

a third gear, the first leaf and the second leaf pivotally coupled about a first pivot pin defining a swing-out hinge adapted so as to enable rotation in a substantially horizontal plane about a substantially vertical axis of rotation, the second leaf and the third leaf pivotally coupled about a second pivot pin defining a swing-out hinge adapted so as to enable rotation in the substantially horizontal plane about the substantially vertical axis of rotation, the third leaf and the fourth leaf pivotally coupled about a third pivot pin defining a swing-out hinge adapted so as to enable rotation in the substantially horizontal plane about the substantially vertical axis of rotation,

the first gear pivotally coupled to the second pivot pin and rigidly coupled to the third leaf, the third gear pivotally coupled to the first pivot pin and rigidly coupled to the first leaf, the second gear pivotally coupled to the second leaf and in operative engagement with the first gear and the third gear.

2. The hinge of claim 1, wherein the first leaf adapted for coupling to a hinge mount body surface of a doorjamb of a vehicle, the third leaf adapted for coupling to a hinge mount door surface of a door.

3. A multi-axis vehicle door hinge, comprising:

a first leaf;

a second leaf;

a third leaf;

a fourth leaf, the first leaf comprising;

a first leaf first edge;

a first leaf second edge opposite the first leaf first edge;

a first leaf first side;

a first leaf second side opposite the first leaf first side;

a first leaf third edge;

and a first leaf fourth edge opposite the first leaf third edge; and

two spaced apart first swing knuckles depending from the first leaf second side adjacent the first leaf fourth edge defining a swing notch there between, the first swing knuckles each define a first swing knuckle bore there through, the axis of the first swing knuckle bores are in substantially coaxial alignment and define a substantially vertical axis;

the second leaf comprising;

a second leaf first end;

a second leaf second end opposite the second leaf first end;

a second leaf first edge;

a second leaf second edge opposite the second leaf first edge;

a second leaf first side;

a second leaf second side opposite the second leaf first side, the second leaf second end comprising a second swing knuckle bore extending between the second leaf first edge and the second leaf second edge defining a second swing knuckle, the second swing knuckle is adapted to be received within the swing notch of the first leaf with the axis of the first swing knuckle bores and second swing knuckle bore in substantially coaxial alignment, the hinge pin adapted to be received within the first swing knuckle bores and the second swing knuckle bore pivotally coupling the second leaf to the first leaf; and

a lift hub defining a cylindrical shape depending substantially perpendicular from the second leaf first side adjacent the second leaf first end and defining an axis substantially perpendicular to the second swing knuckle bore, the lift hub defining a first half of a lift bearing;

the third leaf comprising;

a third leaf first end;

a third leaf second end opposite the third leaf first end;

a third leaf first side;

a third leaf second side opposite the third leaf first side;

a third leaf first edge;

a third leaf second edge opposite the third leaf first edge, the third leaf first and second end, the third leaf first and second side, and the third leaf first and second edge defining a mount plate, the mount plate adapted for coupling to a hinge mount door surface of a door; and

a lift arm depending from the third leaf second side adjacent the third leaf second end, the lift arm comprising an arm first end coupled with the third leaf second side and an arm second end opposite the arm first end, the lift arm comprising an arm first side and an arm second side opposite the arm first side, the arm second end comprising an arm bore extending from the arm first side to the arm second side and having an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the arm first side, the arm bore adapted to receive the lift hub therein in substantially coaxial alignment therewith, the arm bore defining a second half of the lift bearing;

the fourth leaf comprising;

a fourth leaf first end;

a fourth leaf second end opposite the fourth leaf first end;

a fourth leaf first side;

a fourth leaf second side opposite the fourth leaf first side;

a fourth leaf first edge;

a fourth leaf second edge opposite the fourth leaf first edge; and

a fourth leaf knuckle depending from the fourth leaf second side adjacent the fourth leaf second end, the fourth leaf knuckle having a bore there through, the bore having an axis substantially parallel to the fourth leaf second end;

the first leaf further comprising two spaced apart second swing knuckles depending from the first leaf first side adjacent the first leaf third edge defining a swing notch there-between, the second swing knuckles each define a second swing knuckle bore therethrough having an axis in substantially coaxial alignment, the second swing notch adapted to accept the fourth leaf knuckle of the fourth leaf,

the first gear pivotally coupled to the second pivot pin and rigidly coupled to the second leaf, the third gear pivotally coupled to the first pivot pin and rigidly coupled to the fourth leaf, the second gear pivotally coupled to the second leaf and in operative engagement with the first gear and the third gear.

4. The hinge of claim 3, further comprising a cap and a fastener, the cap having a through hole there through, the lift hub further comprising a threaded bore to receive the fastener therein, the cap adapted for coupling the arm second end to the lift hub by engagement of the fastener passing through the through hole to threadably engage the threaded bore in the lift hub.

5. The hinge of claim 3, the second leaf second end comprising a bevel portion defined therein, the bevel portion substantially facing the first leaf and adapted to prevent rotation of the second leaf greater than a predefined bevel angle by the impingement of the bevel portion with a bevel impact surface on the first leaf second side adjacent the first leaf fourth edge.

6. The hinge of claim 3, the second leaf second end defining one or more threaded swing-limiting bores extending through to the bevel portion and having axes extending substantially perpendicular with the bevel portion, end portions of suitable fasteners adapted to be received by the threaded swing-limiting bores and depend beyond the bevel portion to contact the bevel impact surface when the second leaf is at a predetermined swing angle to provide adjustability to the maximum swing angle.

7. The hinge of claim 4, the second leaf further comprising a sag limiter rest comprising a threaded bore depending from the second leaf first edge towards the second leaf second edge, the threaded bore adapted to receive a suitable fastener so as a portion of the fastener depends beyond the sag limiter rest and towards the second leaf second edge, the third leaf further comprising an engagement step a predetermined location adjacent the arm second end, the engagement step depends from adjacent the arm second end a predetermined distance so as to engage the fastener depending from the sag limiter rest when the third leaf is at a predetermined minimum lift angle to provide adjustability to the minimum lift angle, the engagement and movement of fastener about the threaded bore adapted for the adjustment of the fastener to depend from the sag limiter rest a predetermined distance so as to provide adjustability to the minimum lift angle of the third leaf, suitable for adjusting a level of a door within a door frame of a vehicle.

8. The hinge of claim 7, the second leaf further comprising a sag limiter comprising a threaded bore and a fastener, the threaded bore extending from adjacent the second leaf second end in a direction towards the second leaf first end, the threaded bore adapted to receive the fastener therein, the fastener depending a predetermined distance beyond the sag limiter so as to engage the lift arm surface on the lift arm at a predetermined minimum lift angle.

9. The hinge of claim 4, further comprising a lift hinge retention element adapted to restrict the vertical motion of the vertical-lift hinge until the swing-out hinge has opened equal to or greater than a predetermined angle .delta., the lift hinge retention element depending a predetermined distance from the first leaf second side adjacent the first leaf second edge and the first leaf third edge defining angle .delta., the lift hinge retention element comprising a first engagement surface adjacent the lift arm when the lift arm is in a down position, the first engagement surface adapted for cooperative engagement with a first lift arm engagement surface to restrict the function of the vertical-lift hinge until the swing angle of the second hinge leaf exceeds the predetermined angle .delta., the lift hinge retention element terminating at a second engagement surface adapted for cooperative engagement with the lift arm when the swing angle of the second leaf is at the predetermined angle .delta. and the lift arm is rotated greater than a minimum lift angle .beta., so as to restrict the function of the swing hinge when the lift arm is pivoted greater than the minimum lift angle .beta.

10. The hinge of claim 9, the lift hinge retention element further comprising a third engagement surface opposite the first engagement surface, the third engagement surface adapted such that when the lift arm is rotated a predetermined angle .beta. or more and the second leaf is pivoted a predetermined angle .delta. or less, the lift arm and the third engagement surface are adapted for cooperative engagement to restrict the third leaf from rotating down to less than the predetermined angle .beta.

11. The hinge of claim 3, further comprising a lift hinge retention element depending from the first leaf defining a predetermined angle .delta., the lift hinge retention element adapted to restrict the vertical motion of the vertical-lift hinge until the swing-out hinge has opened equal to or greater than angle .delta., the lift hinge retention element comprising a first engagement surface adjacent the lift arm when the lift arm is in a down position, the first engagement surface adapted for cooperative engagement with the lift arm to restrict the function of the vertical-lift hinge until the swing angle of the second hinge leaf exceeds the predetermined angle .delta., the lift hinge retention element terminating at a second engagement surface adapted for cooperative engagement with the lift arm when the swing angle of the second leaf is at the predetermined angle .delta. and the lift arm is rotated greater than a minimum lift angle .beta., so as to restrict the function of the swing hinge when the lift arm is pivoted greater than the minimum lift angle .beta.

12. The hinge of claim 11, the lift hinge retention element further comprising a third engagement surface opposite the first engagement surface, the third engagement surface adapted such that when the lift arm is rotated a predetermined angle .beta. or more and the second leaf is pivoted a predetermined angle .delta. or less, the lift arm and the third engagement surface are adapted for cooperative engagement to restrict the third leaf from rotating down to less than the predetermined angle .beta.

13. A hinge comprising:

a first leaf;

a second leaf;

a third leaf; and

a lift hub hinge, the first leaf pivotally coupled to the second leaf, and the second leaf pivotally coupled to the third leaf, the lift hub hinge coupled to the third leaf.

14. The hinge of claim 13, the first leaf comprising:

a first leaf first end, a first leaf second end opposite the first leaf first end, a first leaf first side, and a first leaf second side opposite the first leaf first side, a plurality of first leaf knuckles depending from the first leaf second side adjacent the first leaf second end, the first leaf knuckles have a generally cylindrical shape including a bore therethrough having an axis substantially parallel to the first leaf second end;

the second leaf comprising;

a second leaf first end, a second leaf second end opposite the second leaf first end, a second leaf first side, a second leaf second side opposite the second leaf first side, a second leaf first edge, and a second leaf second edge opposite the second leaf first edge, a plurality of spaced-apart second leaf first knuckles depend from the second leaf first side adjacent the second leaf first end defining one or more second leaf notches therebetween, the second leaf first knuckles having a generally cylindrical shape, each with a bore therethrough having an axis substantially coaxial and substantially parallel to the second leaf first end, the first leaf knuckles of the first leaf adapted to be interleaved within the second notches of the second leaf with the axes of the bores in substantially coaxial alignment therewith;

a first pivot pin extending through the respective bores pivotally coupling the first leaf with the second leaf, a plurality of second leaf second knuckles depending from the second leaf second side and adjacent to the second leaf second end, the second leaf second knuckles having a generally cylindrical shape with a bore therethrough having an axis substantially parallel with the second leaf second end, the second leaf second knuckles of the second leaf adapted to be interleaved within one or more third leaf notches of the third leaf with the axes of the bores in substantially coaxial alignment;

the third leaf comprising a third leaf first end, a third leaf second end opposite the third leaf first end, a third leaf first side, a third leaf second side opposite the third leaf first side, a third leaf first edge, and a third leaf second edge opposite the third leaf first edge, a plurality of spaced-apart third leaf first knuckles depend from the third leaf first side adjacent the third leaf first end defining one or more third leaf notches therebetween, the third leaf first knuckles having a generally cylindrical shape, each with a bore therethrough having an axis substantially coaxial and substantially parallel to the third leaf first end, the second leaf knuckles of the second leaf adapted to be interleaved within the third leaf notches of the third leaf with the axes of the bores in substantially coaxial alignment therewith, a second pivot pin extending through the respective bores pivotally coupling the second leaf with the third leaf,

the lift hub hinge coupled to the third leaf about the second end, the lift hub hinge adapted to provide rotation about an axis that is orthogonal to the pivot axes of pivot pins.

15. The hinge of claim 14, further comprising:

a first gear;

a second gear; and

a third gear, the first gear pivotally coupled with the second pivot pin, the first gear rigidly coupled to the third leaf, the third gear pivotally coupled with the first pivot pin, the third gear rigidly coupled to the first leaf, the second gear in operative engagement with the first gear and the third gear such that when the first gear rotates, the third gear rotates in the same direction, and wherein the first leaf is moved away from the second leaf, the first gear drives the second gear which drives the third gear so as to move the third leaf away from the second leaf.

16. A hinge comprising:

a first leaf;

a second leaf;

a third leaf; and

a lift hub hinge coupled to the third leaf, the first leaf pivotally coupled to the second leaf, the second leaf pivotally coupled to the third leaf, the first leaf, second leaf and third leaf provide a combination of lateral and pivoting motion about a first axis, the lift hub providing a rotation about a plane substantially orthogonal to the first axis.

17. The hinge of claim 16, the first leaf comprising:

a first leaf first end, a first leaf second end opposite the first leaf first end, a first leaf first side, and a first leaf second side opposite the first leaf first side, a plurality of first leaf knuckles depending from the first leaf second side adjacent the first leaf second end, the first leaf knuckles have a generally cylindrical shape including a bore therethrough having an axis substantially parallel to the first leaf second end;

the second leaf comprising;

a second leaf first end, a second leaf second end opposite the second leaf first end, a second leaf first side, a second leaf second side opposite the second leaf first side, a second leaf first edge, and a second leaf second edge opposite the second leaf first edge, a plurality of spaced-apart second leaf first knuckles depend from the second leaf first side adjacent the second leaf first end defining one or more second leaf notches therebetween, the second leaf first knuckles having a generally cylindrical shape, each with a bore therethrough having an axis substantially coaxial and substantially parallel to the second leaf first end, the first leaf knuckles of the first leaf adapted to be interleaved within the second notches of the second leaf with the axes of the bores in substantially coaxial alignment therewith;

a first pivot pin extending through the respective bores pivotally coupling the first leaf with the second leaf, a plurality of second leaf second knuckles depending from the second leaf second side and adjacent to the second leaf second end, the second leaf second knuckles having a generally cylindrical shape with a bore therethrough having an axis substantially parallel with the second leaf second end, the second leaf second knuckles of the second leaf adapted to be interleaved within one or more third leaf notches of the third leaf with the axes of the bores in substantially coaxial alignment;

the third leaf comprising a third leaf first end, a third leaf second end opposite the third leaf first end, a third leaf first side, a third leaf second side opposite the third leaf first side, a third leaf first edge, and a third leaf second edge opposite the third leaf first edge, a plurality of spaced-apart third leaf first knuckles depend from the third leaf first side adjacent the third leaf first end defining one or more third leaf notches therebetween, the third leaf first knuckles having a generally cylindrical shape, each with a bore therethrough having an axis substantially coaxial and substantially parallel to the third leaf first end, the second leaf knuckles of the second leaf adapted to be interleaved within the third leaf notches of the third leaf with the axes of the bores in substantially coaxial alignment therewith, a second pivot pin extending through the respective bores pivotally coupling the second leaf with the third leaf,

the lift hub hinge coupled to the third leaf about the second end, the lift hub hinge adapted to provide rotation about an axis that is orthogonal to the pivot axes of pivot pins.

18. The hinge of claim 16, further comprising:

a first gear;

a second gear; and

a third gear, the first gear pivotally coupled with the second pivot pin, the first gear rigidly coupled to the third leaf, the third gear pivotally coupled with the first pivot pin, the third gear rigidly coupled to the first leaf, the second gear in operative engagement with the first gear and the third gear such that when the first gear rotates, the third gear rotates in the same direction, and wherein the first leaf is moved away from the second leaf, the first gear drives the second gear which drives the third gear so as to move the third leaf away from the second leaf.