Locking hinge
US5479678A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05Y2201/638
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A hinge includes a first clevis (30), defining a vee-block support (12) and a first limiter surface (44, 46, 48). A cylindrical hinge shaft is supported by the vee-block (12). A second clevis (140) is affixed to the shaft, whereby the second clevis may rotate in response to torques. The second clevis has a limiter surface (148) which coacts with the first limiter to limit rotation of the shaft and second clevis past the deployed state. The second clevis (140) has a cam follower (158) at a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation (2). A cam (100, 104) affixed to the first clevis (30) rotates about a cam axis (3'). The deployed-state engagement between the cam and the follower snugs one end of the shaft into the vee-block, while the rotation limiters snug the other end. A rotational driver (50, 54, 70, 75, 90, 110) urges the cam (100, 104) to rotate in a direction which tends to move the second clevis (140) from the stowed state toward the deployed state. The use of vee-blocks reduces manufacturing tolerances, and the hinge is loose, and rotates easily, from a first (stowed) state until it reaches the second (deployed) state. In the deployed state, the camming action, in conj…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.