Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Having means to reduce friction between hinge parts
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-22
2001-01-16
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Hinge
Having means to reduce friction between hinge parts
C016S389000, C016S385000, C016SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173475
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to hinges and, more particularly, to an economical hinge assembly including an aluminum hinge plate provided with bearing structure which moves with the hinge plate and journals a pivot member to enhance performance of the hinge assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Trailer bodies are typically provided with a pair of side-by-side swing doors for closing an open end of the trailer body. Each swing door is pivotally interconnected to the trailer body by a plurality of vertically spaced hinges. Each hinge is configured to permit the swing door to move through an arc of about 270°. The door to which the hinge is connected is typically formed from wood with steel or aluminum sheeting covering the inner and outer sides or surfaces thereof
As is well known, a series of attachment members, i.e., threaded bolts and nuts, are used to secure each hinge to a swing door. Because they are secured outside the trailer body and door, the hinges are exposed to all environmental conditions such as rain, sleet, snow as well as road salts, greases, dust, dirt and related debris which is thrown rearwardly as the trailer body moves over the road. Manufacturing costs and exposure to such environmental conditions has led many manufacturers to form the hinge assembly from aluminum. Besides its ability to withstand rust and corrosion, aluminum hinges are lightweight and yet offer significant strength.
A typical hinge assembly includes an elongated hinge plate having a mounting portion and a hinge portion. The mounting portion has a generally flat configuration and, as mentioned, is typically secured to the swing door of the trailer body. The hinge portion of the hinge plate typically fits between vertically spaced and axially aligned apertured projections of a hinge butt. Moreover, the hinge portion of the hinge plate defines an elongated passage or opening for accommodating a steel pivot member. As will be appreciated, the steel pivot member passes endwise through an aperture defined by the upper projection of the hinge butt, downwardly through the elongated passage defined by the hinge portion of the hinge plate, and, ultimately, through the aperture on the lower projection of the hinge butt. During swinging movements of the door, the inner diameter or margin of the elongated passage defined by the hinge portion of the hinge plate rotates on the steel pivot member. Steel or nylon washers are commonly provided between upper and lower surfaces of the hinge portion of the hinge plate and the projections on the hinge butt. These washers are free to rotate relative to the pivot member and to the hinge plate.
Although generally beneficial to hinge performance, using washers in combination with the hinges presents certain problems. Such problems are furthermore exacerbated when the hinge plate is formed from aluminum. Many times the washers catch on or are frozen to the hinge butt, and remain stationary with the hinge butt as the door swings between open and closed positions. In such an instance, during rotation of the hinge, the ends of the hinge portion of the hinge plate rub against the washers. Whether the washer is made from steel or nylon, the softer aluminum on the hinge plate wears. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, wearing of the hinge portion of the hinge plate can result in the door sagging and, thus, presenting a myriad of additional problems.
The use of washers in combination with the hinge furthermore complicates the installation process. During installation, the pivot member must pass through the hole or aperture in one end of the hinge butt, through a washer, through the elongated opening in the hinge portion of the hinge plate, through a second washer, and, ultimately through the other hole or aperture at the opposite end of the hinge butt. As will be appreciated, difficulties arise in lining up all the holes while maintaining the relatively small washers in place as the pivot member is being inserted through the various components of the hinge assembly.
In some aluminum hinges, bearings are press fit into the elongated passage defined by the hinge plate. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such bearings must be press fit into the hinge plate or the tolerances between the parts would result in an unacceptable product. In such heretofore known aluminum hinges, and because of the press fit established between the bearings and the hinge plate, it is substantially impossible to replace the bearings when they wear. Instead, the entire hinge plate with the bearings pressed thereinto must be replaced. In addition to the cost of the bearings, providing such bearings in combination with the hinge plate involves a labor intensive operation along with appropriate tooling costs, thus, leading to a relatively expensive hinge assembly. Of course, the cost of each hinge assembly is multiplied by the number of hinges used to interconnect the door to the trailer body.
Thus, there is a continuing need and desire for a hinge assembly utilizing an economic aluminum hinge plate provided with bearings to enhance the wearability of the hinge assembly over an extended period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, and in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hinge assembly for connecting a door to trailer body in a manner permitting pivotal movements of the door about a generally vertical axis. The hinge assembly includes a hinge plate having a mounting portion and a hinge portion. The mounting portion of the hinge plate is configured to permit attachment to the door. The hinge portion of the hinge plate defines an elongated passage open at opposite ends thereof The hinge assembly of the present invention furthermore includes bearing structure non-rotatably accommodated within the elongated passage in the hinge plate. The bearing structure is provided to form a bearing connection between the hinge plate and a pivot member endwise extending through the hinge portion of the hinge plate. At opposite ends thereof, the bearing structure is provided with a cap formed as an integral part of the bearing structure and extending from opposite ends of the passage defined by the hinge portion of the hinge plate.
In a preferred form of the invention, the hinge plate of the hinge assembly is formed from aluminum. Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the mounting portion of the hinge plate has a generally planar configuration and defines a series of apertures or holes for allowing attachment members, such as threaded fasteners, to pass endwise therethrough. In a most preferred form of the invention, and to facilitate swinging movements of the door to which the hinge assembly is attached through an arcuate path of 270°, the mounting portion and hinge portion of the hinge plate are offset relative to each other. That is, the mounting portion and the hinge portion of the hinge plate are offset in generally parallel planes relative to each other and are joined to each other through an angled neck portion
In a preferred form of the invention, the bearing structure includes a pair of bearings inserted from opposite ends into the passage defined by the hinge portion of the hinge plate. Each bearing defines an elongated opening which journals the steel pivot member and a cap as an integral part thereof for limiting axial insertion of the bearing into the passage. In a most preferred form of the invention, the bearing structure is formed from an elastomeric material to enhance the wearability of the bearings.
As mentioned above, the bearing structure is non-rotatably accommodated within the hinge portion of hinge plate. Preferably, a positive locking relationship is established between the bearing structure and the hinge plate of the hinge assembly. In a preferred form of the invention, the hinge plate defines a keyway as part of the elongated passage defined in the hinge portion of the hinge plate. In a most preferred form of the invention, the keyway extends into the neck portion of the hinge
Kerr Ronald W.
Senn Brian A.
Toms, Jr. Robert S.
Harbst John W.
Mah Chuck Y.
Powerbrace Corporation
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