Hinge

• US 6,442,799 B1
• Filed: 08/29/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carlos Duarte, Fred S. Romero
• Original Assignee: Carlos Duarte, Fred S. Romero
• Inventors: Duarte, Carlos, Romero, Fred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/650,181
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 162/77, 162/81, 162/82, 162/86, 162/87, 162/88, 163/72, 163/74, 163/75, 163/77, 163/66--70, 493/81, 493/99, 492/91, 493/79, 312/325, 312/327, 312/328, 449/8, 449/4, 423/6, 424/0, 220/263, 220/264, 220/823, 220/824, 220/348
• US Class Current: 16/277
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/084 with lifting mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1058 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/60 for other use

Abstract

A hinge comprising a base and a plate rotataby coupled to the base about a turn axis fixed in the base. The hinge further includes a swing member rotably coupled to the plate about a pivot axis fixed relative to the plate and a spring coupled between the base and the plate which urges the plate to rotate about the turn axis in a first direction. The plate has limited rotation in the first direction about the turn axis as the swing arm has limited movement relative to the plate about the pivot axis in a second direction, opposite of the first direction. The limited movement of the swing arm is defined by a pivot limit. Movement of the swing arm toward and away from the pivot limit occurs about the pivot axis without effect of the spring on the arm. During contact of the swing arm with the pivot limit, the arm and the plate can move about the turn axis against the effect of the spring.

Claims

1. A hinge mountable between two relatively movable articles and comprising a base member mountable to one of the articles, a first movable member mountable to the other article, and an intermediate member rotatable about a first axis fixed to the base and relative to which the first member is rotatable about a second axis fixed relative to the intermediate member, a spring coupled between the intermediate member and to one of the base and the first members to impose a selected bias effect upon relative rotation of the members between which it is coupled, and a rotation stop engagable between the intermediate member and the other of the base and first members, and in which a first portion of motion between the base and first members occurs without effect of the spring and a remainder portion of motion between the base and first members occurs with effect of the spring.

2. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the bias effect is resistive to relative rotation.

3. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the first and second axes are collinear.

4. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the first and second axes are parallel and spaced apart.

5. A hinge comprising a base, a plate carried on the base and rotatable relative to the base about a turn axis fixed in the base, a swing arm rotatable relative to the plate about a pivot axis fixed relative to the plate, a spring coupled between the base and the plate urging the plate to rotate about the turn axis in a first direction, the plate having an optional turn limit of rotation in the first direction about the turn axis, the swing arm having a pivot limit of movement relative to the plate about the pivot axis in a pivot direction which is substantially the opposite of the first direction, and in which movement of the swing arm toward and away from the pivot limit occurs about the pivot axis without effect of the spring on the arm, and in which the arm and the plate can move about the turn axis with effect of the spring thereon during contact of the swing arm with the pivot limit.

6. The hinge of claim 5 wherein the turn and pivot axes are spaced from and parallel to each other.

7. The hinge of claim 5 wherein the spring is operatively connected between the base and the plate.

8. The hinge of claim 5 wherein the plate has a second turn limit of rotation in a direction opposite the first direction, about the turn axis.

9. The hinge of claim 5 wherein the turn and pivot axes are collinear.

10. A hinge mechanism connectible between a spa foundation and a spa cover having a closed position atop the foundation and an open position, the mechanism comprising:

a base plate attachable to a side of a spa foundation;

a crank plate rotably coupled to the base plate about a first axis fixed in the base platel;

a swing arm having proximal and distal ends, the arm being rotably coupled at its proximal end to the crank plate about a second axis fixed in the crank plate and spaced apart from the first axis, the distal end being connectible to a spa cover;

a stop mounted onto the crank plate for limiting rotation of the swing arm about the second axis;

a spring operatively connected between the base plate and the crank plate at a location on the crank plate apart from the second axis, and exerting a force on the crank plate creating a first moment in a first rotational direction about the first axis;

whereby a spa cover connected to the arm at its distal end can travel along a path from its closed position to an open position along a first path segment from the first closed position to an intermediate position in which the crank plate does not rotate relative to the base plate, and a second path segment of motion from the intermediate position and an open position of the cover relative to the foundation in which the crank plate turns about the second axis and acts against the force of the spring.

11. A hinge for opening and closing a panel relative to a frame, the hinge comprising:

a base member connectible to the frame;

a first member rotably coupled to the base member about a first pivot;

a second member connectible to the panel and rotably coupled to the first member about a second pivot; and

a spring coupled between the base member and the first member at a location of the first member apart from the second pivot, the spring exerting a force against the first member creating a moment about the first axis in a first rotational direction, the second member having a limit of rotation in the opposite direction relative to the first member.

12. A hinge comprising:

a base plate;

a crank plate coupled to the base plate and rotatable relative to the base plate about a first axis;

a swing arm coupled to the crank plate and rotatable relative to the crank plate about a second axis;

A biasing member coupled between the base plate and the crank plate, the biasing member biasing the crank plate toward a first angular position relative to the base plate and exerting a force on the crank plate urging the crank plate toward the first angular position of the crank plate relative to the base plate, the force being adequate to hold the crank plate from moving about the first axis during movement of the swing arm about the second axis relative to the crank plate.

13. The hinge of claim 12 including a retainer on the crank plate limiting rotation of the swing arm relative to the crank plate.

14. The hinge of claim 13 wherein the swing arm is rotatable, free of effect of the biasing member, toward and away from engagement of the swing arm with the retainer.

15. The hinge of claim 14 in which hinge motion about the first axis with effect of the biasing member can occur in response to an application of force to the swing arm, inducing rotation of the arm and crank plate about the first axis while the swing arm is engaged with the retainer.

16. The hinge of claim 15 including a stop on the base plate engageable by the crank plate defining a limiting position of the crank plate relative to the base plate.

17. The hinge of claim 16 wherein the force exerted on the crank plate by the biasing member increases as the crank plate rotates under load applied to the crank plate by the swing arm in engagement with the retainer.

18. The hinge of claim 12 wherein the first axis is parallel to and spaced apart from the second axis.

19. The hinge of claim 12 wherein the first and second axes are collinear.