Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Hinge – Including transversely moving pin in slot
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-21
2001-06-12
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Hinge
Including transversely moving pin in slot
C016S357000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243920
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rotational-translational double hinge-arm that can be operated linearly and can have various drive systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, hinges for double arm assemblies are known. However, these designs have frequently had a high torque required to break the joint between the two arms (frequently configured as an idler or non-driven arm and a torque or driven arm). Additionally, the smoothness of operation has been a substantial concern, particularly in consumer applications, such as freezers. Similarly, the sealing line, the hinge life and the panel weight distribution have all been a substantial design considerations in this field.
Examples of hinges in this field are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,558 entitled “Hinge Assembly”, issued on Oct. 18, 1994 to Vertanen; U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,349 entitled “Hinge Mechanism”, issued on Feb. 16, 1993 to Sakamoto; U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,941 entitled “Elevating and Traversing Hood Hinge”, issued on Jun. 20, 1989 to Orlando; U.S. Pat. No. 3,251,089 entitled “Hinge Assembly”, issued on May 17, 1966 to Fergison; U.S. Pat. No. 1,920,568 entitled “Cigar Box Hinge”, issued on Aug. 1, 1933 to Kling; and U.S. Pat. No. 472,622 entitled “Hinge”, issued on Apr. 12, 1892 to Linkletter.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly with a low torque requirement to break the joint between the idler arm and the torque arm.
It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly which has smooth operation.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly with an improved sealing line, particularly for use with a freezer, or similar applications.
It is therefore a still further object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly which has an improved hinge life.
It is therefore a final object of this invention to provide a hinge for a double arm assembly which results in improved panel weight distribution.
These and other objects are attained by a hinge which includes a first flange affixed to a first arm and a second flange affixed to a second arm. The first flange includes a laterally offset first pivot axis formed by colinear offset apertures. The second flange includes a second pivot axis formed by colinear offset apertures and a translational path formed by offset slots. A first end of a pivot plate is pivotably attached to the first pivot point of the first flange and further travels within the translational path on the second flange. A second end of the pivot plate is pivotably attached to the second pivot axis.
The resulting rotational-translation double hinge-arm connecting a torque arm and an idler arm results in the center, in-line orientation of the arms of a bi-folding door, such as may be used for a freezer and many other applications. The double hinge allows for the low torque break of the joint between the arms. A drive system can be implemented with a round, grooved cam attached to a wire-rope cable.
REFERENCES:
patent: 472622 (1892-04-01), Linkletter
patent: 1920568 (1933-08-01), Kling
patent: 3251089 (1966-05-01), Fergison
patent: 3344462 (1967-10-01), Webster
patent: 4712828 (1987-12-01), Albrecht
patent: 4839941 (1989-06-01), Orlando
patent: 5186349 (1993-02-01), Sakamoto
patent: 5355558 (1994-10-01), Vertanen
Albany International Corp.
Knight Anthony
Pitney Hardin Kipp & Szuch LLP
Sandy Robert J.
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