Articulating friction hinge for a mountable lighting device
First Claim
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1. A lighting device that is releasably mountable to a mounting surface, the lighting device comprising:
- a housing assembly comprising at least one light-emitting portion; and
a bracket assembly comprising a first leaf that is releasably attachable to the housing assembly and including a first knuckle, a second leaf that is releasably attachable to the mounting surface and including a second knuckle, and a hinge assembly that rotatably connects the first leaf to the second leaf about an axis of rotation, the hinge assembly comprising the first knuckle, the second knuckle, a pin routed between the first knuckle and the second knuckle along the axis of rotation, and a washer located between the first knuckle and the second knuckle, the washer being centered about the axis of rotation and having a center opening that at least partially surrounds the pin, the washer being comprised of a deformable material, the washer having an uncompressed width when not under pressure,wherein when the hinge assembly is assembled, a space is provided between the first knuckle and the second knuckle, the space having a width that is smaller than the uncompressed width of the washer, such that the washer is compressed within the space such that it supplies pressure against both of the first knuckle and the second knuckle.
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Abstract
A lighting device comprising an improved hinge assembly, and methods of assembly thereof, are disclosed.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lighting device that is releasably mountable to a mounting surface, the lighting device comprising:
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a housing assembly comprising at least one light-emitting portion; and a bracket assembly comprising a first leaf that is releasably attachable to the housing assembly and including a first knuckle, a second leaf that is releasably attachable to the mounting surface and including a second knuckle, and a hinge assembly that rotatably connects the first leaf to the second leaf about an axis of rotation, the hinge assembly comprising the first knuckle, the second knuckle, a pin routed between the first knuckle and the second knuckle along the axis of rotation, and a washer located between the first knuckle and the second knuckle, the washer being centered about the axis of rotation and having a center opening that at least partially surrounds the pin, the washer being comprised of a deformable material, the washer having an uncompressed width when not under pressure, wherein when the hinge assembly is assembled, a space is provided between the first knuckle and the second knuckle, the space having a width that is smaller than the uncompressed width of the washer, such that the washer is compressed within the space such that it supplies pressure against both of the first knuckle and the second knuckle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of assembling a hinge assembly of a bracket assembly for releasably mounting a housing assembly comprising at least one light-emitting portion to a mounting surface, the method comprising:
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placing a first side of a first knuckle of a first leaf that is releasably attachable to the housing assembly adjacent to a first side of a washer having a center opening, the washer being comprised of a deformable material, the washer having an uncompressed width when not under pressure; placing a first side of a second knuckle of a second leaf that is releasably attachable to the mounting surface adjacent to a second side of the washer such that the washer is compressed between the first knuckle and the second knuckle, the second side of the washer opposing the first side of the washer; inserting a pin through the first knuckle, the center opening of the washer, and the second knuckle about an axis of rotation of the hinge assembly; and securing the pin in place to complete the hinge assembly such that the pin does not supply any frictional force to the hinge assembly in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification