Hinge device

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Having stop or abutment

Patent

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Details

16375, E05D 1106

Patent

active

060474459

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hinge device.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Motor vehicles are normally fitted with a bonnet or hood which covers a compartment in which the vehicle's engine is arranged. The hood is normally pivotably arranged by means of two hinge devices, one on each side of the hood, for allowing the hood to be raised to a position in which it defines an angle of approximately 60-90.degree. with reference to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
A hinge device which allows the hood to be opened and raised to an "inspection position," corresponding to an angle of approximately 60.degree., or a "service position," corresponding to an angle of approximately 90.degree., is previously known. For this purpose, the known hinge device comprises a release mechanism which can be manually operated so as to select the 60.degree. position or the 90.degree. position.
A problem which occurs with such a previously known device is that the hood cannot be locked in the 90.degree. position, which of course may inflict injuries if the hood were to fall down. Another problem is that the release mechanism might be "too easily" activated by the user; i.e. the hood may unintentionally be raised to the 90.degree. position if for example the owner of the car, who normally should not need to open the hood to the 90.degree. position, activates the release mechanism. If for example the windscreen wipers are in their folded out position, this may result in the hood being damaged.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is therefore to provide a hinge device for a vehicle which solves the above-mentioned problems and which provides a simple, cheap and functionally secure hinge device.
In accordance with the present invention, this and other objects have now been accomplished by the invention of a hinge for a vehicle hood comprising a first hinge member for mounting on the vehicle, a second hinge member pivotably mounted with respect to the first hinge member, the second hinge member including a projecting portion including an edge defining a predetermined path upon pivoting of the second hinge member with respect to the first hinge member, a stop associated with the first hinge member for cooperating with the projecting portion of the second hinge member to define a first end position for the second hinge member, and a spacer mounted on the first hinge member at a position at least partially along the predetermined path of the edge for defining a second end position for the second hinge member. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the spacer is movably mounted on the first hinge member.
In accordance with one embodiment of the hinge of the present invention, the first hinge member includes an aperture, and the spacer comprises a bolt projecting through the aperture and a cooperating nut for the bolt.
In accordance with another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention, the spacer is removably mounted on the first hinge member, whereby upon removal of the spacer the second hinge member may be pivoted into the first end position, and upon remounting of the spacer the second hinge member is prevented from being pivoted towards the second end position.
The present invention thus comprises a first hinge element and a second hinge element which are pivotably arranged in relation to each other. The second hinge element is preferably fastened to the hood of a vehicle. The first hinge element comprises a stop element which cooperates with a projecting element on the second hinge element, thus defining the "inspection position." Furthermore, the first hinge element comprises an arrangement with a bolt and a nut which defines the "service position." This gives a simple and effective hinge device, which also allows the hood to be locked in the "service position."
Consequently, the hinge device according to the present invention has both a stop function, for allowing the hood to be raised to the 60.degree. position or the 90.degree. position, and locking func

REFERENCES:
patent: 1390579 (1921-09-01), Norquist
patent: 1762489 (1930-06-01), Stinson et al.
patent: 2067559 (1937-01-01), Bloom
patent: 2201594 (1940-05-01), Sitts
patent: 2990572 (1961-07-01), Schwartzberg
patent: 4012807 (1977-03-01), Kern
patent: 4530412 (1985-07-01), Sigety, Jr.
patent: 4727621 (1988-03-01), Emery et al.

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