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Self-locking hinge

  • US 4,131,378 A
  • Filed: 01/09/1978
  • Issued: 12/26/1978
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1977
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A self-locking hinge for interconnecting two relatively foldable structural elements comprising a pair of lugs for connection to the elements in opposed end-to-end relationship, the opposed ends of each lug having a pair of arms with a recess therebetween, at least one arm on one lug having a locking projection, at least one arm on the other lug having a locking groove for receiving said projection to lock said lugs in an open position;

  • a yoke extending from between the pair of arms of one lug to between the arms of the other lug;

    at least one slot in said yoke, pin means extending through each pair of arms and said slot in the yoke for pivotally connecting each lug to the yoke;

    the slot permitting limited movement of said pin means in a direction generally axially of said lugs, for consequent disengagement of said locking projection and groove, whereby both lugs can be rotated about the axis of the pin means to a closed position; and

    spring means in said slot biasing the pin means of one lug toward the pin means of the other lug, and consequently biasing the lugs towards each other to maintain the locking projection in said groove when the lugs are in the open position, the springs means permitting limited movement of the pin means and lugs away from each other for closing the hinge.

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