Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes – Direct application of fluid pressure differential to... – Including application of internal fluid pressure to hollow...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-12-04
McDowell, Suzanne E. (Department: 1732)
Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
Direct application of fluid pressure differential to...
Including application of internal fluid pressure to hollow...
C264S515000, C264S531000, C264S534000, C264S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325962
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a blow-molded plastic hinge. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an easily manufactured blow-molded hinge made with a tongue and recessed portion that may be assembled in a first position and that are retained but allowed to pivot when rotated to any other position.
2. Description of the Related Arts
It is useful to produce plastic parts with integral hinges. Various hinge constructions may be formed into the part to provide the rotation between the components. One construction utilizes a “living hinge” which includes a portion of plastic material connecting the various components. Living hinges experience fatigue when used repeatedly or when used over a wide pivot range.
Another hinge construction includes pins and sockets formed directly within the parts to be joined. This construction can be used with both blow-molding and injection molding. U.S. Pat. No. RE 31,086 teaches a method of forming a blow-molded container having an integrally formed pin and socket (journal). The socket is formed from a flexible wall portion that extends beyond the main body of the lid. The socket flexes over the pins when the lid and base are brought together. The sockets are generally centered at the midpoint of the pins.
While this construction enables the fabrication of an assembly having an integrally blow-molded hinge, the assembly has several disadvantages overcome by the present invention. The assembly in the U.S. Pat. No. RE 31,086 patent requires that the flexible extending sockets flex over the pins. This requires that at least a portion of the assembly be made of relatively thin flexible plastic material. The assembly process also includes the difficulty of forcibly assembling the two components by flexing the socket over the pins. Additionally, the hinge is not self-centering. The socket is made to have a spacing that lies at the mid point of the pins when the base and lid are assembled. This allows the lid to slide transversely along the pins. This transverse movement may result in a misalignment that impairs the ability to open or close the members. The movement also presents an unwanted “play” between the members.
Plastic articles having integrally molded hinges are increasingly used in automotive applications. Cargo carriers, glove box doors, console covers, ash trays, cup holders and access panels are examples of parts that may utilize an integrally formed hinge. It is desirable to fabricate the members to having the hinge components integrally formed thereon in the molding operation. This patent is directed to components that have their hinge components integrally formed in the blow-molding operation. The components are made without additional fasteners, pins or sockets. The parts are made from a rigid plastic material that need not flex to be assembled. This enables the repeatability needed for high speed manufacturing operations and also reduces the possibility of inadvertently damaging the hinge by over flexing one of the components.
The present invention also overcomes the unwanted play in the hinge by providing a self centering feature that aligns the components when assembled. These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the hinge construction described and claimed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a blow-molded hinge assembly. The hinge assembly is made from a first and a second member. The first member has a first body and a T-shaped tongue portion. The first body and tongue portion are integrally from a single plastic wall. The tongue portion has a shank portion and two opposed barrel protrusions that form the hinge pins.
The second member has a second body and a recessed portion formed therein. The recessed portion has two opposed keyways and two opposed slots. The keyways accept the tongue when the first member is inserted into the second member when the first member is in a first position. The protrusions are rotatably engaged within the keyways. The slots and keyways retain the first member about a pivoting axis when the first member is rotated from the first position.
The first and second member are joined to provide a self centering hinge assembly that has little or no play. The first and second members may be easily disassembled by moving the first member to the first position and withdrawing the first member from the second member.
The assembly may be made from relatively thick plastic materials because the components need not flex or bend to be assembled. The keyways provide an insertion path for the tongue assembly. A stop surface may be added to either the first or second member to prevent the second member from being moved “over center”.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent when viewed in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals correspond to like components.
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patent: 5288453 (1994-02-01), Rutenbeck et al.
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patent: 5745953 (1998-05-01), Golden
patent: 2558512 (1985-07-01), None
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Dusseau Lisa Kay
Kmiecik Daniel J.
Pariseau Dave
McDowell Suzanne E.
Shelton Larry
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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