Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Specific leaf structure
Utility Patent
1998-07-22
2001-01-02
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Hinge
Specific leaf structure
C016S388000, C016S307000, C016S277000
Utility Patent
active
06167591
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of hinges, in particular to a hinge providing an electrically-conductive path therethrough.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In certain applications, for example, electrical devices for outdoor use, electrical and electronic components (hereinafter “components”) are mounted on a cover and base of box, such as an electrically-conductive box. In such systems, the components are connected to ground through the use of a grounding cable forming an electrically-conductive path between the box and the components. The grounding cable is usually heavy and does not bend easily. Thus, it is generally connected to the stationary part of the box, that is, the base, not the movable cover. A stranded cable is used to form an electrically-conductive path between the cover and the base of the box to allow the components mounted on the cover to also be grounded to the base of the box. Although utilizing a stranded wire to form an electrically-conductive path between the cover and the base of the box to ground components therein has generally been accepted, such a technique interferes with the user's access to the components mounted on the box. Users may disconnect the stranded cable to access the components, however, disconnecting the stranded cable is time consuming and may result in it not being reconnected. In this case, the components will not be grounded and may be rendered nonfunctional or susceptible to damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is providing a contact member which is resiliently displaceable and establishes an electrical connection with another member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge which can establish a proper electrical connection.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a hinge having contact members which maintain the hinge in an open state.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a hinge which can provide a proper electrical connection between a cover and base while allowing a user easy access to the components therein.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a hinge which can provide a proper electrical connection between a cover and base of a box and prevent the components from nonfunctioning and damage.
An aspect of the present invention provides a contact member which includes an attachment portion, a contact portion, and a middle portion connected to the attachment portion and contact portion. The contact portion is resiliently displaceable with respect to the attachment portion. Further, the attachment portion is adapted to attach to a pin and the contact portion is adapted to make electrical contact with another member.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a hinge which includes a first leaf member, a second leaf member, and a pin rotatably connecting the first leaf member to the second leaf member. The hinge also includes a first contact member which is connected to a first leaf member and a second contact member which is connected to a second leaf member. The first contact member and the second contact member exert force on the first leaf member and the second leaf member, respectively. Further, contact portions of the first contact member and the second contact member respectively establish an electrical connection with each other. The contact portions respectively maintain the electrical connection with each other throughout a range of angular displacement between the first leaf member and the second leaf member.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a hinge is provided for movably connecting a cover and a base of a box. The hinge includes a first leaf member connected to the base of the box and a second leaf member connected to the cover of the box. A pin rotatably connects the first leaf member to the second leaf member. The hinge also includes a first contact member which is connected to the first leaf member and a second contact member which is connected to the second leaf member. The contact portions of the first contact member and second contact member respectively form an electrical connection with each other. Further, the contact portions of the first contact member and the second contact member maintain the electrical connection with each other throughout a range of angular displacement between the first leaf member and the second leaf member.
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patent: 367588 (1923-01-01), None
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Baker & McKenzie
Knight Anthony
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Williams Mark
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