Lockable hinge assembly
First Claim
1. A lockable hinge assembly for selectively rotatably locking a first hinge member to a second hinge member, said assembly comprising:
- (a) a first generally cylindrical member;
(b) a second member directly rotatably disposed on said first member;
(c) a wrap spring interconnected between said first and second members, said wrap spring being movable with respect to said first member to control an amount of frictional torque applied between said wrap spring and said first member;
(d) an actuator member in operative engagement with the wrap spring, said actuator being movable between first and second positions to move said wrap spring with respect to said first member to control the amount of frictional torque applied between said wrap spring and said first member such that when said actuator is in said first position a first amount of frictional torque is applied between said wrap spring and said first member to allow said first and second members to rotate with respect to each other and when said actuator is in said second position a second amount of frictional torque is applied between said wrap spring and said first member to rotatably lock said first member to said second member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lockable hinge assembly for selectively rotatably locking a first hinge member to a second hinge member includes a first generally cylindrical member and a second member rotatably coupled to the first member. A wrap spring is interconnected between the first and second members. The wrap spring is movable with respect to the first member to control an amount of frictional torque applied between the wrap spring and the first member. An actuator member is in operative engagement with the wrap spring. The actuator is movable between first and second positions to move the wrap spring with respect to the first member to control the amount of frictional torque applied between the wrap spring and the first member such that when the actuator is in the first position a first amount of frictional torque is applied between the wrap spring and the first member to allow the first and second members to rotate with respect to each other, and when the actuator is in the second position a second amount of frictional torque is applied between the wrap spring and the first member to rotatably lock the first member to the second member.
47 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A lockable hinge assembly for selectively rotatably locking a first hinge member to a second hinge member, said assembly comprising:
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(a) a first generally cylindrical member; (b) a second member directly rotatably disposed on said first member; (c) a wrap spring interconnected between said first and second members, said wrap spring being movable with respect to said first member to control an amount of frictional torque applied between said wrap spring and said first member; (d) an actuator member in operative engagement with the wrap spring, said actuator being movable between first and second positions to move said wrap spring with respect to said first member to control the amount of frictional torque applied between said wrap spring and said first member such that when said actuator is in said first position a first amount of frictional torque is applied between said wrap spring and said first member to allow said first and second members to rotate with respect to each other and when said actuator is in said second position a second amount of frictional torque is applied between said wrap spring and said first member to rotatably lock said first member to said second member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A lockable hinge assembly for selectively rotatably locking a first hinge member to a second hinge member, said assembly comprising:
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(a) a first generally cylindrical member; (b) a second member rotatably coupled to said first member; (c) a double acting coil wrap spring interconnected between said first and second members, said wrap spring comprising; (i) a first coil positioned about said first member and including an operating end extending therefrom, said operating end of said first coil being movable with respect to said first coil to control an amount of frictional torque applied between said first coil and said first member; (ii) a second coil positioned about said first member and including an operating end extending therefrom, said operating end of said second coil being movable with respect to said second coil to control an amount of frictional torque applied between said second coil and said first member; (iii) a connecting member interconnected between said first and second coils, said connecting member being fixed to said second member; (d) an actuator member in aperture engagement with tile operating ends of said first and second coils, said actuator being movable between first and second positions to move said operating ends with respect to said first and second coils to control the amount of frictional torque applied between said first and second coils and said first member such that when said actuator is in said first position a first amount of frictional torque is applied between said first and second coils and said first member to allow said first and second members to rotate with respect to each other and when said actuator is in said second position a second amount of frictional torque is applied between said first and second coils and said first member to rotatably lock said first member to said second member. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification