Free stop hinge

• US 7,832,054 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Piolax Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Piolax Incorporated
• Inventors: Nakasone, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Batson; Victor
• Assistant Examiner(s): SULLIVAN, MATTHEW J
• Application Number:
  US11/998,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20080120809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 163/37, 163/42, 163/28, 162/77, 163/80, 163/38, 163/39, 163/40, 379/433.13, 248/371, 493/86, 493/87, 493/97, 493/98, 220/264, 220/829, 220/263, 220/830, 220/844
• US Class Current: 16/337
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/087 with substantially axial friction, e.g. friction disks
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1215 with a canted-coil torsion spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/538 Interior lids
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle, the hinge having a structure in which a pressing force by means for pressing can be set with little variation and can be adjusted easily. The free stop hinge of the present invention connects an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, which includes a hinge base and a hinge arm rotatably connected to the hinge base through an intermediation of a support shaft. The hinge base and the hinge arm are provided with bearing plates having shaft holes, respectively. Between the bearing plates, a friction plate having a shaft hole is disposed and the hinge arm is supported by a support shaft so as to be rotatable with respect to the hinge base. There is disposed a compression coil spring for biasing one of the bearing plates so as to be pressed to another of the bearing plates through an intermediation of the friction plate the friction plate.

Claims

1. A free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle for connecting an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, the free stop hinge comprising:

a hinge base to be fixed to one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge base being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a hinge arm to be fixed to the other one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a support shaft inserted through said shaft holes to connect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to thereby support the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hinge base;

a friction plate having a shaft hole disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm; and

a compression coil spring,

wherein;

the compression coil spring is disposed to press one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compression coil spring is biased to the other one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm through an intermediation of the friction plate;

the support shaft has a shaft portion inserted through the shaft holes and a receiving seat of a flange shape formed on a base end of the shaft portion;

the compression coil spring is disposed to an outer periphery of the support shaft, a base end portion of the compression coil spring abutting on the receiving seat and a distal end portion of the compression coil spring abutting on the bearing plate;

the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate, said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate of the hinge base at a predetermined interval;

the support shaft has one end thereof inserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate of the hinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked in a second shaft hole formed in the receiving plate; and

the compression coil spring is disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the receiving plate.

2. A free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle for connecting an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, the free stop hinge comprising:

a hinge base to be fixed to one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge base being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a hinge arm to be fixed to the other one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a support shaft inserted through said shaft holes to connect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to thereby support the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hinge base;

a friction plate having a shaft hole disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm;

a compression coil spring; and

a resin cover having a shaft hole through which the support shaft is inserted,

wherein;

the compression coil spring is disposed to press one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compression coil spring is biased to the other one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm through an intermediation of the friction plate;

the resin cover is provided between the compression coil spring and either one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm which is pressed by the compression coil spring;

the resin cover is prevented from rotating with respect to either one of the hinge base or the hinge arm which has the other one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm;

the support shaft has a shaft portion inserted through the shaft holes and a receiving seat of a flange shape formed on a base end of the shaft portion;

the compression coil spring is disposed to an outer periphery of the support shaft, a base end portion of the compression coil spring abutting on the receiving seat and a distal end portion of the compression coil spring abutting on the bearing plate directly or through the resin cover;

the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate, said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate of the hinge base at a predetermined interval;

the support shaft has one end thereof inserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate of the hinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked in a second shaft hole formed in the receiving plate; and

the compression coil spring is disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the receiving plate.

3. A free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle for connecting an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, the free stop hinge comprising:

a hinge base to be fixed to one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge base being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a hinge arm to be fixed to the other one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a support shaft inserted through said shaft holes to connect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to thereby support the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hinge base;

a friction plate having a shaft hole disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm;

a compression coil spring;

a resin cover having a shaft hole through which the support shaft is inserted; and

a torsion coil spring,

wherein;

the compression coil spring is disposed to press one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compression coil spring is biased to the other one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm through an intermediation of the friction plate;

the resin cover is provided between the compression coil spring and either one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm which is pressed by the compression coil spring;

the resin cover is prevented from rotating with respect to either one of the hinge base or the hinge arm which has the other one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm;

the resin cover has a tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft;

the compression coil spring is disposed on an inner periphery of the tube portion;

the torsion coil spring is disposed on an outer periphery of the tube portion in a circumferential fashion;

the torsion coil spring biases the hinge base and the hinge arm so that the hinge arm rotates with respect to the hinge base in a direction of opening the opening and closing member;

the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate, said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate at a predetermined interval;

the support shaft has one end thereof inserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate of the hinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked in a second shaft hole formed in the receiving plate;

the tube portion of the resin cover has a distal end formed with one or more of protruding pieces each axially extending from an end surface thereof;

the second shaft hole has a periphery provided with a notch portion in which the protruding piece fits; and

the compression coil spring has an outer diameter which is smaller than an inner diameter of the second shaft hole.

4. A free stop hinge according to claim 3, wherein:

the resin cover has an outer tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft and has, on an inner side of the outer tube portion, an inner tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft as well;

the compression coil spring is disposed between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion; and

the torsion coil spring is disposed on an outer periphery of the outer tube portion in a circumferential fashion.

8. A free stop hinge according to claim 4, wherein:

the inner tube portion extends to have a length shorter than a length of the outer tube portion; and

the support shaft is inserted through an inside of the inner tube portion and provides a portion extruding from the inner tube portion, said portion extruding from the inner tube portion having a tapered shape whose diameter gradually increases.

5. A free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle for connecting an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, the free stop hinge comprising:

a hinge base to be fixed to one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge base being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a hinge arm to be fixed to the other one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a support shaft inserted through said shaft holes to connect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to thereby support the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hinge base;

a friction plate having a shaft hole disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm; and

a compression coil spring,

wherein;

the compression coil spring is disposed to press one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compression coil spring is biased to the other one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm through an intermediation of the friction plate;

the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate, said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate of the hinge base at a predetermined interval; and

the compression coil spring is mounted between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the receiving plate while being compressed by said bearing plate and said receiving plate.

6. A free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle for connecting an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, the free stop hinge comprising:

a hinge base to be fixed to one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge base being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a hinge arm to be fixed to the other one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a support shaft inserted through said shaft holes to connect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to thereby support the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hinge base;

a friction plate having a shaft hole disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm; and

a compression coil spring; and

a resin cover having a shaft hole through which the support shaft is inserted,

wherein;

the compression coil spring is disposed to press one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compression coil spring is biased to the other one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm through an intermediation of the friction plate;

the resin cover is provided between the compression coil spring and either one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm which is pressed by the compression coil spring;

the resin cover is prevented from rotating with respect to either one of the hinge base or the hinge arm which has the other one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm;

the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate, said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate of the hinge base at a predetermined interval; and

the compression coil spring is mounted between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the receiving plate while being compressed by said bearing plate and said receiving plate.

7. A free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle for connecting an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, the free stop hinge comprising:

a hinge base to be fixed to one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge base being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a hinge arm to be fixed to the other one of the main body portion and the opening and closing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole;

a support shaft inserted through said shaft holes to connect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to thereby support the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hinge base;

a friction plate having a shaft hole disposed between the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm;

a compression coil spring;

a resin cover having a shaft hole through which the support shaft is inserted; and

a torsion coil spring,

wherein;

the compression coil spring is disposed to press one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compression coil spring is biased to the other one of the bearing plate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm through an intermediation of the friction plate;

the resin cover is provided between the compression coil spring and either one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm which is pressed by the compression coil spring;

the resin cover is prevented from rotating with respect to either one of the hinge base or the hinge arm which has the other one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm;

the resin cover has a tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft;

the compression coil spring is disposed on an inner periphery of the tube portion;

the torsion coil spring is disposed on an outer periphery of the tube portion in a circumferential fashion;

the torsion coil spring biases the hinge base and the hinge arm so that the hinge arm rotates with respect to the hinge base in a direction of opening the opening and closing member;

the resin cover has an outer tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft and has, on an inner side of the outer tube portion, an inner tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft as well;

the compression coil spring is disposed between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion;

the torsion coil spring is disposed on an outer periphery of the outer tube portion in a circumferential fashion;

the inner tube portion extends to have a length shorter than a length of the outer tube portion; and

the support shaft is inserted through an inside of the inner tube portion and provides a portion extruding from the inner tube portion, said portion extruding from the inner tube portion having a tapered shape whose diameter gradually increases.