BREAKAWAY HINGE RECEPTACLE

• US 20100024163A1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
• Inventors: Collene, James J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,307,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/233
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/00 Hinges or pivots of special construction used for special suspension arrangements E05D15/00; so as to be self-closing E05F1/06, E05F1/12; with means for raising wings before being turned E05F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/12 to allow easy detachment of the hinge from the wing or the frame E05D15/507 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1261 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/416 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/40 Protection E05Y2400/50, E05Y2400/52 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/424 against unintended use
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/30 for domestic appliances
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/308 for ovens

Abstract

A breakaway hinge receptacle includes a base including first and second hinge arm mounting structures. The second hinge arm mounting structure is movable between an operative position and a breakaway position. A breakaway lever is connected to the base and includes inner and outer ends, wherein the inner end is operatively engaged with the second hinge arm mounting structure. A spring is operatively engaged between the breakaway lever and the base. The spring biases the breakaway lever to a first position in which the inner end of the breakaway lever biases the second mounting structure to its operative position. The second hinge arm mounting structure is selectively movable from its operative position to its breakaway position against the biasing force exerted by the inner end of said breakaway lever and the spring. Alternatively, the second hinge arm mounting structure is defined by or is connected to or is otherwise included on the inner end of the breakaway lever.

Claims

1. A breakaway hinge receptacle comprising:

a base including first and second hinge arm mounting structures, said second hinge arm mounting structure movable between an operative position and a breakaway position;

a breakaway lever connected to the base and including inner and outer ends, wherein said inner end is operatively engaged with said second hinge arm mounting structure;

a spring operatively engaged between said breakaway lever and said base, said spring biasing said breakaway lever to a first position in which said inner end of said breakaway lever biases said second mounting structure to its operative position;

wherein said second hinge arm mounting structure is selectively movable from its operative position to its breakaway position against said biasing force exerted by said inner end of said breakaway lever and said spring.

2. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said breakaway lever is pivotally connected to said base between its inner and outer ends.

3. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said spring comprises either a tension spring or a compression spring.

4. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said base includes first and second side walls and wherein said second mounting structure extends between and is connected to said first and second side walls, said first and second side walls comprising respective first and second elongated slots with which opposite first and second ends of the second mounting structure are respectively engaged.

5. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 4, wherein said base comprises a front wall that extends between said first and second side walls, and wherein said first and second slots have respective lower ends that are located vertically below respective upper ends, the lower end of each slot is farther from said front wall as compared to the upper end of the slot.

6. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 5, wherein said inner end of said breakaway lever is located between said first and second side walls.

7. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 5, wherein said front wall of said base includes an opening adapted for receipt of an associated hinge arm, and wherein said first mounting structure is located adjacent a lower edge of said opening.

8. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first mounting structure comprises a portion of said base that defines a lower edge of said opening.

9. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said spring comprises a tension spring that is connected to and extends between said outer end of said breakaway lever and said base.

10. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said base comprises a projecting tail, and wherein said spring comprises a compression spring coaxially located about a spring rod, said spring rod including:

(i) a first end slidably engaged with said projecting tail; and

, (ii) a second end pivotally connected to said outer end of said breakaway lever.

11. A breakaway hinge receptacle comprising:

a base including a first hinge arm mounting structure;

a breakaway lever movably connected to the base and including inner and outer ends, wherein said inner end includes a second hinge arm mounting structure that moves relative to said base between an operative position and a breakaway position when said breakaway lever moves relative to said base between first and second positions, said first position of said breakaway lever corresponding to said operative position of said second hinge arm mounting structure and said second position of said breakaway lever corresponding to said breakaway position of said second hinge arm mounting structure;

a spring operatively engaged between said breakaway lever and said base, said spring biasing said breakaway lever to its first position in which said second hinge arm mounting structure is located in its operative position;

said second hinge arm mounting structure selectively movable against said biasing force of said spring from its operative position to its breakaway position by movement of said breakaway lever relative to said base from its first position to its second position.

12. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 11, wherein said breakaway lever is pivotally connected to said base between its inner and outer ends.

13. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said spring comprises either a tension spring or a compression spring.

14. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 13, wherein said base includes first and second side walls between which said inner end of said breakaway lever is located.

15. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 14, wherein said base comprises a front wall that extends between said first and second side walls, wherein said front wall includes an opening adapted for receipt of an associated hinge arm, and wherein said first mounting structure is located adjacent a lower edge of said opening.

16. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 15, wherein said first mounting structure comprises a portion of said base that defines a lower edge of said opening.

17. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 13, wherein said spring comprises a tension spring that is connected to and extends between said outer end of said breakaway lever and said base.

18. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 13, wherein said base comprises a projecting tail, and wherein said spring comprises a compression spring coaxially located about a spring rod, said spring rod including:

(i) a first end slidably engaged with said projecting tail; and

, (ii) a second end pivotally connected to said outer end of said breakaway lever.

19. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a lock for holding said breakaway lever in its second position against said biasing force of said spring.

20. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 19, wherein said lock comprises:

at least one tooth defined by said inner end of said breakaway lever; and

,

a resilient pawl connected to the base and adapted to selectively engage and retain said at least one tooth when said breakaway lever moves from its first position to its second position.

21. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 11, wherein said base comprises:

a front wall including an opening adapted for insertion of an associated hinge arm therethrough;

a first side wall that projects outwardly from said front wall, wherein said breakaway lever is pivotally connected only to said first side wall.

22. The breakaway receptacle as set forth in claim 21, wherein said base further comprises a second side wall that projects from said front wall, wherein said first mounting structure is connected to both said first and second side walls.