Articulation arrangement for connecting folding structure elements
US5509747A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/593
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An articulation arrangement connects individual elements of a folding structure which consists of two or more individual elements and is configured to be unfolded and locked in an unfolded position and swivellably disposed on a central body. The arrangement comprises two hinge parts each rigidly fastened at one of two adjacent individual elements and swivellable about a common hinge axle, a slotted disk provided with a slot and forming part of one of the two hinge parts, a lever swivellably disposed on the other of the two hinge parts and provided with a pin. The pin is configured and arranged such that, before the unfolded position is completely reached, the pin slides on an edge of the slotted disk and, in the completely unfolded position at which locking occurs, the pin is engaged in the slot. For unlocking of the folding structure there are provided a rotatable cam plate with an edge curve of changing radius to disengage the pin and pulleys as well as driving and transmitting devices to rotate the cam plate and to transmit the rotation to the respective adjacent elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.