Spring-effect hinge arrangement, for example for one-piece injec

Details Spring-effect hinge arrangement, for example for one-piece injec Spring-effect hinge arrangement, for example for one-piece injec

1998-03-16

2000-03-28

Knight, Anthony

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,

Hinge

Pliant or elastic hinge

16DIG13, 215235, 220337, F16C 1112

Patent

active

060414774

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371 of prior PCT International Application No. PCT/EP96/02780 which has an International filing date of Jun. 26, 1996 which designated the United States of America, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a hinge structure and more particularly to a hinge structure provide snap action especially using resilient thin film hinges according to the preamble to patent claim 1.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various resilient hinges, such as those which are used, in particular, for one-piece extruded plastics closing means, are known from the prior art. As a rule, a so-called snap effect is to be achieved in such hinges for plastics closing means. The term `snap effect` designates an automatic opening of the hinge after a specific initial deflection (dead centre) forced upon the hinge system, and an analogous effect during closing, in that the hinge automatically returns into a closed position once it has passed a dead centre. This effect is, basically, brought about by special spring elements. Within the context of such snap effects, the snapping force and the working angle are characteristic quantities. The term `snapping force` designates the resistance of the hinge system to opening or closing. The working angle is defined by the region which the parts of the hinge need to overcome automatically, on the basis of spring action, and is, accordingly, defined by the region between the resting positions of the hinge parts.
In the greater majority of such hinges, the basic principle resides in a pivoting of a cover member about a defined rotational movement axis.
European Patent EP 0 056 469 describes a hinge for a plastics closing means, the rotational axis of which is clearly defined and is formed by a defined principal film hinge interconnecting the cover and the sealing body. The snap effect is achieved by a co-operation with spring arms which are arranged on the side of this principal hinge. In one embodiment, the snap effect is based on the bending of U-shaped intermediate elements, while, in another embodiment, it is based on a bending of wall regions of the sealing members, the sealing cap, as a rule, undergoing a bending in the centre region. In this instance, too, the snap effect is brought about by bending actions about the narrow side.
The hinge arrangements known from the WO 92/13775 or EP 0 331 940 patents use primary bending effects in combination with a rotational axis in order to achieve a spring effect for a snap effect. Because of the available geometric rotational axes, the corresponding closing means open along a substantially circular path. In the constructions mentioned, certain parts protrude beyond the outer contour of the closing means, when the closing means is closed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,912 describes a hinge arrangement for a closing means comprising a closure body and a cap, wherein the closing means has the same circular cross-section as the closure body itself. The cap and the closure body are interconnected via two flexible strap-like connecting arms which are trapezoidal in design. These connecting arms are designed to be flexible and are secured to the closing means and to the closure body by means of thin-film regions. The film hinges of the thin-film regions on the side of the closure body are arranged at an angle relative to each other. When the closing means is viewed from the rear, these film hinges are, of necessity but co-incidentally, arranged in the form of a downwardly open V. The arrangement of the two film hinges on the side of the cap are arranged mirror-symmetrically relative thereto. This hinge does not have a good snap effect, since appropriate spring forces cannot develop.
The known hinge arrangements have various drawbacks. In all known hinges comprising a rotational axis, relative to which taut strips or similar elements are arranged so as to be offset (articulation axis offset), it is necessary for this rotational axi

REFERENCES:
patent: 4386714 (1983-06-01), Roberto et al.
patent: 4503991 (1985-03-01), Joyce
patent: 4594816 (1986-06-01), Goldstein
patent: 4854473 (1989-08-01), Dubach
patent: 5007555 (1991-04-01), Beck
patent: 5735418 (1998-04-01), Erb et al.

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