Ratchet hinge structure
First Claim
1. A variable position hinge structure comprising a male member with a first set of raised and non-raised portions, a female member with a second set of raised and non-raised portions, said female member having a slit to permit radial expansion and contraction of said female member, a portion of said first set of raised and non-raised portions meshing with a corresponding portion of said second set of raised and non-raised portions at various positions of relative rotation between said male member and said female member, at least one of said first and second sets of raised portions and non-raised portions being resiliently deformable to permit relative rotation between said male member and said female member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a structurally uncomplicated, lightweight and inexpensive variable position hinge structure. The hinge structure comprises a male component, a portion of which comprises a relatively raised and non-raised portion, and a female component, a portion of which comprises a relatively raised and non-raised portion. The raised and non-raised portions of the male and female components mesh to lock the male and female components relative to each other at various positions of rotation therebetween.
49 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A variable position hinge structure comprising a male member with a first set of raised and non-raised portions, a female member with a second set of raised and non-raised portions, said female member having a slit to permit radial expansion and contraction of said female member, a portion of said first set of raised and non-raised portions meshing with a corresponding portion of said second set of raised and non-raised portions at various positions of relative rotation between said male member and said female member, at least one of said first and second sets of raised portions and non-raised portions being resiliently deformable to permit relative rotation between said male member and said female member.
- 6. A variable position hinge structure comprising a male member with a first set of alternately raised and non-raised portions, a female member with a second set of alternately raised and non-raised portions, said female member having a split along its longitudinal axis to permit radial expansion and contraction of said female member relative to said male member, a portion of said first set of alternately raised and non-raised portions meshing with a corresponding portion of said second set of raised and non-raised portions at various positions of relative rotation between said male member and said female member, at least one of said first and second sets of alternately raised and non-raised portions being resiliently deformable to permit relative rotation between said male member and said female member.
- 10. A variable position hinge structure comprising a male member with a first set of raised and non-raised portions, a female member with a second set of raised and non-raised portions, said female member having a slit to permit radial expansion and contraction of said female member, at least a portion of said first set of raised and non-raised portions meshing with at least a corresponding portion of said second set of raised and non-raised portions at various positions of relative rotation between said male member and said female member, said female member being elastically deformable to permit relative rotation between said male and female members.
Specification