Panel articulation system
First Claim
1. An articulation system for two panels comprising a flexible hinge arranged between said panels over the length thereof, and edge sections secured to the panels and so configured as to retain the flexible hinge, characterized in that:
- (a) the flexible hinge (4) comprises a central tubular portion (13) positioned in the vicinity of the median plane (X, X'"'"') of the panels and two flanges (14,
15) attached at opposite sides of said tubular portion and having snap-locking heads (14a, 15a),(b) said panel edge sections (1, 2;
3) comprising;
channels (L1, L2) opening on the edge in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels and having shapes adapted to receive and retain said snap-locking heads (14a, 15a) of the flanges of the hinge,rotational guide surfaces (Sx, Sc;
Sax, Sac, AL) arranged on either side of the median planes of the panels such that the guide surfaces of one edge section come into contact with the guide surfaces of the other edge section for guiding the pivoting of the panels about an axis of rotation passing through the central tubular portion (13) of the flexible hinge or in proximity thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An articulation system for two panels, comprising a flexible hinge (4) and edge sections (1, 2; 3) for the panels, for receiving and retaining the flexible hinge, a flexible hinge (4) having a central tubular portion (13) arranged in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels is provided and includes two flanges (14, 15) adapted to snap lock into the edge sections; the latter comprise channels (L1, L2) permitting this snap locking engagement, and guide surfaces (S, Sc; Sax, Sac, AL) are arranged on respective parts about the median plane of the panels, for guiding their pivotal movement about an axis of rotation passing through the central tubular portion of the flexible hinge. The invention may in particular be used with sectional doors.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An articulation system for two panels comprising a flexible hinge arranged between said panels over the length thereof, and edge sections secured to the panels and so configured as to retain the flexible hinge, characterized in that:
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(a) the flexible hinge (4) comprises a central tubular portion (13) positioned in the vicinity of the median plane (X, X'"'"') of the panels and two flanges (14,
15) attached at opposite sides of said tubular portion and having snap-locking heads (14a, 15a),(b) said panel edge sections (1, 2;
3) comprising;channels (L1, L2) opening on the edge in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels and having shapes adapted to receive and retain said snap-locking heads (14a, 15a) of the flanges of the hinge, rotational guide surfaces (Sx, Sc;
Sax, Sac, AL) arranged on either side of the median planes of the panels such that the guide surfaces of one edge section come into contact with the guide surfaces of the other edge section for guiding the pivoting of the panels about an axis of rotation passing through the central tubular portion (13) of the flexible hinge or in proximity thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Edge sections for connecting two panels, said edge sections being secured to said panels, and comprising:
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channels (L1, L2) opening on the edge in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels and having shapes adapted to receive and retain portions of a flexible hinge, and rotational guide surfaces (SZx, SC;
Sax, Sac, AL) arranged on either side of the median planes of the panels such that the guide surfaces of one edge section come into contact with the guide surfaces of the other edge section for guiding the pivoting of the panels about an axis of rotation passing through the flexible hinge.
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Specification