Crescent hinge

Details Crescent hinge Crescent hinge

2000-04-14

2001-09-25

Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,

Hinge

Including transversely moving pin in slot

C016S361000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06292981

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the art of hinges, and more particularly to an improvement in hinges wherein the hinge is concealed on the inside of an enclosure.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known to pivotally join a pair of members, such as panels, using a hinge comprising two leaves joined by a pivot pin. The uniqueness of the present invention results from replacing the pivot pin with a crescent-shaped channel in a first leaf, and a pair of studs attached to the first leaf slidably secured within the crescent-shaped channel. The resulting virtual pivot point is not located on the hinge itself.
The invention is particularly applicable to hinges for enclosures or cabinet doors wherein it is desirable to have a clean, hardware-free appearance on the outside of the enclosure or doors, with the hinge components located entirely on the inside of the door.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to hinges in general. More particularly, the invention is concerned with hinges wherein it is desired to have no parts of the hinge visible on the outside of a door or enclosure, where, typically in prior art hinges, a hinge pin is located about which the door rotates about the enclosure frame. The hinge of the present invention is visible from only one side of a door and has a first crescent member having a mounting means for mounting to the door and an arcuate cutout, the arcuate cutout describing a radius about a point that is an actual hinge point of the door relative to the frame, a second crescent member having a mounting means for mounting to a frame, and a pair of protruding cylindrical members adapted to be received within the arcuate cut out, the cylindrical members adapted to secure the first crescent member to the second crescent member. The first crescent member is movable about the actual hinge point with respect to said second crescent member.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hinge having an invisible point of rotation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hinge for mounting a door to a frame, that is invisible on one side of the door and frame.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hinge for mounting a door to a frame, that is invisible on one side of the door and frame, that may be held in an open position by the hinge.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a hinge for mounting a door to a frame, that is invisible on one side of the door and frame, that opens and closes smoothly with relatively little friction.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hinge for mounting a door to a frame, that is invisible on one side of the door and frame, that may be opened at least 180 degrees.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2056805 (1936-10-01), Reichard
patent: 2770834 (1956-11-01), Jannace
patent: 5107401 (1992-04-01), Youn
patent: 5169221 (1992-12-01), Wheeler
patent: 5735021 (1998-04-01), Briggs
patent: 5946774 (1999-09-01), Ramsey et al.
Unknown handbook, by Lamp, unknown date, and unknown catalogue page.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Crescent hinge does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Crescent hinge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Crescent hinge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2436958