Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Having cover
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-04-10
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Hinge
Having cover
C016S074000, C049S383000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212735
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for closing hinged objects and preventing foreign materials from entering the hinge area. More specifically, the invention relates to an elastic member for maintaining hinged members in a closed arrangement while deterring stray matter from entering the hinge area.
Description of the Related Art
Any number of hinged devices can be found in use today. Some hinged devices are biased to an open position, while others are biased to a closed position. Still others are not biased to either position. Hinged members include doors and box lids and may be horizontal, vertical or somewhere in between. Regardless of the orientation, an immediate advantage of biasing a box lid in the closed position is to keep the desirable items in and undesirables out. This is especially apparent when the box houses electrical components and is exposed to the elements.
Hinges and devices for closing hinged members are well known in a wide variety of products. One need look no further than to an automatically closing door to see one variety of closing devices. All manner of springs and motor driven devices can be found to close or maintain closure of hinged members such as doors and lids.
Because of the nature of the components housed therein, electrical boxes often include a hinged cover attached to a base. The cover protects the delicate and even dangerous wires and electrical components housed within the box from tampering and nature's elements. Typically, the cover is closed with a manually activated latch to keep the cover closed. The latched cover is important to shield against wind and rain in outdoor applications. Occasionally, the latch is broken or inadvertently left in an unlatched position. The unlatched cover is subject to the forces of nature, especially wind which can open the cover and expose its contents to rain, wind and other elements. A closed box is also less tempting to animals or people that might be drawn to an open box filled with electrical components. It would be beneficial to provide electrical boxes and other hinged devices with a mechanism for closing and maintaining a closed position, when the box is left unattended, even where the latch is not used or fails.
Another problem encountered in boxes housing electrical components involves stray or loose wires. These wires often wander and find their way into the hinge area of the box. In order to close the box, a person has to tuck the wires into a position away from the hinge area with their fingers while closing the box lid. Unfortunately, this method is unreliable and often results in pinched fingers. Repeated attempts are often necessary before the box lid will even close. In some instances, the wires are crimped or otherwise damaged by the closing action of the box lid. In a worst case scenario, the box lid guillotines the wire, severing it completely. This is not only inconvenient, but potentially hazardous.
Despite advances in wire control, electrical systems are plagued by stray or loose wires. In some instances, a certain amount of slack is needed in the wire due to its position in a certain application. This is often the case where a wire runs from, for example, the base portion of an electrical box over the hinge area and up to the cover area of the box. To allow the hinged cover to open, a certain amount of slack is necessary. This situation subjects wires to potential damage if they wander into the hinge area. Often, wires are damaged or sliced completely when they are caught between two closing hinged members. This scenario is also seen in other hinged devices, such as jewelry boxes where an errant necklace or bracelet may be ruined when the chain is accidentally caught between the lid and the base. It would, therefore, be beneficial to have an apparatus which would hinder the entrance of foreign material into the hinge area.
Some hinges are specifically designed to maintain a lid or other hinged member in an open position. One such hinge is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,106. The hinge is designed to maintain a cover portion at a defined position. This hinge mechanism has been employed in a layered box design for housing electrical components. The hinge allows unhindered access to the box interior. Once the cover is displaced to a certain angle, it is held in place by the shape of the hinge parts. Similarly, once the displaced angle is reached in the opposite direction, the cover is free to return to its closed position. This type of hinge is not immune to the type of problems associated with other hinged members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for use with hinged members is provided. The apparatus is an elastomeric member affixed to hinged members on opposing sides of a longitudinal axis of rotation. The elastomeric member is affixed in a stretched state to facilitate the resilient return of the hinged members to a closed position. The elastomeric member occupies substantially the entire length of the hinge area. The elastomeric member bridges the hinge area between the two hinged members. Thus, the hinge area is protected against the entrance of stray wires or materials.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1444398 (1923-02-01), Shepherd
patent: 1524765 (1925-02-01), Van Arnhem
patent: 1626844 (1927-05-01), Kuhn
patent: 2504635 (1950-04-01), Bradley
patent: 2641792 (1953-06-01), Peeler
patent: 5001862 (1991-03-01), Albenda
patent: 5220708 (1993-06-01), Lucas et al.
patent: 5419084 (1995-05-01), Sankey et al.
patent: 5669106 (1997-09-01), Daoud
patent: 3716654 (1988-12-01), None
patent: 0273087 (1989-11-01), None
patent: 2565622 (1985-12-01), None
Avaya Technology Corp.
Mah Chuck Y.
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
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