EP1022419B1

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Info

Publication number: EP1022419B1
Application number: EP20000101461
Authority: EP
Inventors: John E. Richard; Craig E. Schinzel; Wallace H. Polzin; Clifford A. Klinger; William J. Nephsa; Marvin J. Thibodeau
Original assignee: Hoffman Enclosures Inc
Current assignee: Hoffman Enclosures Inc
Priority date: 1999-01-25
Filing date: 2000-01-25
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-25
Also published as: EP1022419A2; JP2000352256A; DE60037051D1; EP1022419A3

Description

Background

1.Field

The present invention is directed to a hinge, and in particular, to a hinge providing two pivot axes for two degrees of movement and greater range of motion.

2.Prior Art

Enclosures utilize hinges on covers or doors to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. Hinges often mount along the side of the enclosure so that the door does not close under its own weight. It can be appreciated that a device for preventing an enclosure door from closing and swinging freely would be advantageous to provide access to the interior of the enclosure for an extended period of time. Normal door and hinge construction often do not have closure devices and the balance and weight of the door prevent accidental closure. However, in some instances, it may be advantageous to have a door that includes a structural stop that allows opening and closing, but requires greater force to close so that the door may be held in an open position. This is especially important in outdoor conditions where wind may engage the planar surface area of the door and tend to open or close a door. Another common problem with doors and the hinges is providing sufficient mobility to the cover. In hinge and door combinations wherein the door opens only approximately 180 degrees, the door is extended away from the enclosure and as it is exposed, the door may be subject to closure from the wind or may endure forces in an opposite direction to closing that may cause damage to the hinge or even break off the hinge. This situation also occurs in enclosures having a cover on the top that opens and the door lies substantially horizontal and exposed in the open position. Although there are doors that open to a greater range of motion, workers often will place objects on the door or lean on the door in the open position, often damaging the hinge or breaking the door.
A hinge system with a wide range of motion is known fromGB 413 393 A, which shows a hinge mechanism with two rotation axes and a lever between the axes. To open a window mounted with this hinge mechanism to a window frame, the lever is rotated around the first pivot pin. For further rotation a mounting plate mounted to the window cover is rotated around a second pivot pin mounted on the far end of the lever of the hinge mechanism. The disadvantage of this mechanism is that even in the open position of the window cover parts of the window cover would cover the window frame. A further disadvantage is that a high leverage expresses to the pivot elements and the pivot axes of the mechanism due to the longitudinal extension of the lever. Further, this hinge mechanism needs a relatively large space to be mounted on the window cover and the window frame.
Other door and hinge systems are known that provide a great range of motion. However, such systems typically require special mounting arrangements and decrease the utility or the exterior appearance. Such systems may also limit the access to the interior of the enclosure. In addition, the systems do not provide any resistance to the door closing, so that the door may still accidentally swing shut such as when exposed to wind forces. Further disadvantages of such systems are the type of motion required often causes damage to gaskets that are wiped or rubbed by the cover during some portion of the opening and closing motion.
It can be seen then that a new and improved closure and hinge system is needed. Such a system should provide free range of motion so that the door may open against the side of the closure to minimize wind effect. Such a system should also provide resistance to accidental closure and provide a range of motion that does not damage or wear gaskets on the enclosure cover. The present invention addresses these as well as other problems associated with enclosures and hinges.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hinge, and in particular to a compound hinge, that provides two axes of rotation and a wide range of motion between the hinged elements.
The compound hinge includes a first base hinge link mounting to a first element. The first link includes raised knuckle portions for receiving a hinge pin therethrough. The base portion has recesses formed therein for receiving mounting devices such as screws or bolts for attachment to the first element. Intermediate the knuckles are arcing surfaces configured for receiving and aligning lug portions of a second link. The receiving portions are proximate a pair of opposed stop members that flex slightly and are flexed when pushed by the corresponding lugs. The stop portions act as a toggle to retain the hinge in position. The knuckles may also include stop portions for positioning the second link relative to the first link. A second link includes two sets of knuckles for receiving hinge pins. The first knuckle is configured for aligning with and having orifices coaxial with the knuckles of the first link. The second link is aligned so that the first set of knuckles and second set of knuckles are parallel with lugs extending substantially perpendicular to and aligned with the axes of the knuckles. The lugs are configured to extend into the receiving portions of the first link. The first knuckle is aligned with the knuckles of the first element and the second set of knuckles on the second link receive the pin for attaching to the second element. In this manner, the second link is hinged relative to the first link and the second link is also hinged relative to the second element. The first knuckle also includes complementary stop portions cooperating with the stop portions of the knuckles of the first link to limit relative rotation. The knuckles may also form a toggle device in one embodiment, providing further rotational resistance at a predetermined rotational position.
When assembled, the lugs engage the receiving surface and are held in place by the stop portions of the base on the first link member. As the cover or door is opened and rotated relative to a second link, it will reach its full range of motion, but it will be possible to open the door further relative to the first element, such as a housing. At this point, continued rotation will press the lugs against the stop elements and cause the stop elements to flex slightly until the lugs push beyond the stop elements. The second hinge member is then free to rotate relative to the first hinge member and an additional range of rotation is achieved.
To close the hinge, the second element rotates relative to the second hinge member, wherein the complementary stop portions engage and resist rotation. However, as further rotation occurs and the second element reaches its full range of motion relative to the second hinge member, further rotation of the second element causes the lugs to flex the stop elements and allow the lugs to push past the stop portions and return to the original position.
The arrangement of the present invention provides a simple, reliable hinge that provides a wide range of motion. In addition, the toggling effect from the lugs engaging the stop elements act as a retainer to hold the door in either the opened or closed position. However, with continued pressure, the door can be easily closed. The present invention is easy to assemble and can be retrofitted to other existing door and enclosures.
These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in that there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows an end sectional view of a compound hinge according to the principles of the present invention in a closed position;
Figure 2 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in Figure 1 in a partially open position;
Figure 3 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in Figure 1 in a fully open position;
Figure 4 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in Figure 1 in a partially open position;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a first link for the compound hinge shown in Figure 1;
Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the first link taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second link for the hinge shown in Figure 1 complementary to the link shown in Figure 5;
Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the second link taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a bottom plan view of a door for an enclosure according to the principles of the present invention;
Figure 10 shows a sectional view of the door taken along line 10-10 of Figure 9;
Figure 11 shows a top plan view of an enclosure according to the principles of the present invention;
Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the enclosure taken along line 12-12 of Figure 11;
Figure 13 shows an end sectional view of a second embodiment of a compound hinge according to the principles of the present invention in a closed position;
Figure 14 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in Figure 13 in a partially open position;
Figure 15 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in Figure 13 in a fully open position;
Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a first link for the compound hinge shown in Figure 13;
Figure 17 shows a sectional view of the first link taken along line 17-17 of Figure 16;
Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a second link for the hinge shown in Figure 13 complementary to the link shown in Figure 16; and
Figure 19 shows a perspective view of the second link for the hinge shown in Figure 13 complementary to the link shown in Figure 16 with a pin element replacing a flange portion.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to Figure 1, there is shown a portion of anenclosure20 having acompound hinge22. Thehinge22 pivotally connects a cover ordoor26 to ahousing24. As shown in Figures 2-4, thecompound hinge22 provides two separate axes of rotation, providing a greater range of motion and freedom of movement between thedoor26 and thehousing24.
Referring now to Figure 9, thedoor26 is shown in greater detail. The door typically includes bracing around the periphery thereof, the door forms achannel42 receiving agasket44, as shown in Figure 10, for forming a seal with thehousing24, as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 9, the cover includesrecesses46 formed along one edge of thedoor26 for mounting thehinge22 and alignedbores48 for receiving a hinge pin28 (not shown in Figure 9) for providing pivotal movement between thehinge22 and thedoor26. Along the opposite edge of thedoor26 is alatch40.
Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, the door receiving portion of the housing orenclosure24 is shown. Although thehousing24 may be a molded monolithic element, it may include acollar30 forming a rectangular opening fitting against upper edges of sides of thehousing24, as shown in Figure 12. Thecollar30 includes aninner ridge32 that extends upward and engages thegasket44 in the closed position, as shown in Figure 1.
Thecollar30 also may include mountingholes38 andalignment studs34 that engage the base of the first link member, as explained hereinafter. Thecollar30 also forms achannel36 that inserts over the top of the wall edges of thehousing24.
Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, afirst link member50 is shown. Thefirst link member50 includes abase portion52 having a pair of mountingholes58 formed therethrough. The mounting holes58 are aligned even withfirst hinge knuckles54 that are coaxially aligned to receive ahinge pin28. Thefirst knuckles 54 includestop portions56 of about 90 degrees. The radially extending end surfaces of thestop portions56 cooperate with complementary surfaces on a second link member, as explained hereinafter. Intermediate thefirst knuckles54 arelug receiving recesses60 formed in thebase portion52. The lug receiving recesses60 are receive the corresponding lugs of the second link, as explained hereinafter. Stopfingers62 are spaced apart from the lug receiving recesses60. Thestop fingers62 act as a surface engaging the lugs. With spaces on both sides of thefingers62 and with the fingers being attached at only one end, thefingers62 flex, allowing the lugs to toggle so that the second link may rotate, as explained hereinafter.
Referring to Figure 7, asecond link member70 is shown that is configured for pivotally mounting, as shown in Figures 1-4, to thedoor26 and thefirst link member50. Thesecond link member70 includes asecond knuckle72,third knuckles74 andlug portions76. Thesecond knuckle72 includes abore88 formed therethrough and is configured to receive ahinge pin28 for pivotally mounting to thecover26. Thesecond knuckle72 includes an arcingsurface78 to provide clearance during rotation relative to thecover26. Ends of thesecond knuckle72 includestop portions92 of approximately90 degrees. The radial end surfaces of thestops92 are complementary to and cooperate with the ends of thestop portions56. Referring again to Figure 7,third knuckles74 include an arcingouter surface82 providing for rotation relative to thebase52 of thefirst link member50. Thethird barrel74 also includes abore90 receiving a hinge pin for connection to thefirst knuckle54 of thefirst link member50. Extending downward from the lower portion of thethird barrel74 are thelugs76. Thelugs76 include acamming surface84 forming acorner86. Thelugs76 are spaced and configured for inserting into therecesses60 on thefirst link member50. Thesecond link member70 is aligned relative to thefirst link member50 by thecorner portion86 of thelugs76 engaging thecorresponding stop fingers62. The rotation can be accomplished by thelugs76 pushing against thestop members62 until thefingers62 flex and allow rotation. Thecamming surface84 rotates, sliding against the flexed associatedstop finger62.
Referring again to Figure 1, with thecompound hinge22 in the closed position, thecover26 is shut against thehousing24 so that thegasket44 presses against theridge32 of thecollar30 to form a seal. Thesecond link70 is in a substantially vertical position with thecamming surface84 of thelug76 resting against the lug engaging surfaces60. Thecorners86 of thelugs76 rest against thestop finger62 of thefirst link member50.
The radially extending ends of thestop portions92 of thesecond knuckle72 of thesecond link member70 cooperate with thecorresponding stop portions56 of thefirst link member50 to prevent further rotation in the clockwise direction, as taken from the end view in Figure 1.
As thecover26 is opened, thecover26 rotates relative to thesecond link member70, which remains stationary from the closed position. The resistance of thefingers62 engaging thelugs76 prevents rotation of thesecond link member70 relative to thefirst link member50 while thecover26 rotates with less resistance.
Thecover26 reaches its maximum range of motion relative to thesecond link member70 at approximately 180 degrees of travel by the outer edge of the recessedportion46 of thecover26 engaging the outer side of thesecond link70. Further rotation of thecover26 relative to thesecond link member70 is not possible so that in normal use, thecover26 tends to stay at the position shown in Figure 2. Further rotational force applied to thecover26 tends to rotate thesecond link member70 in a counter clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 2. This pressure causes a torque around thehinge pin28 extending through the first and second knuckles, applying pressure against thefingers62. As thelugs76 push thefingers62 and cause thefingers62 to flex out of the way, thehinge20 passes through a toggle point until thecover26 reaches the position shown in Figure 3. This provides approximately a 270 degree range of motion. At the position shown in Figure 3, thecover26 is substantially parallel to and extending along the edge of thehousing24 so that there can be almost no effect from wind catching the door and closing it.
When thecover26 is closed, thestop fingers62 are again pushed by thelugs76, but in the opposite direction and resist clockwise rotation, as shown in Figure 4. However, thedoor26 is free to rotate above the axis of rotation passing through thesecond knuckle72 and rotate back to the position shown in Figure 4. Thecover26 rests against the side of thesecond link70 and further rotation of thecover26 relative to thesecond link member70 is not possible. In addition, thefingers62 resist rotation so that the door will not close until additional pressure is applied and thefingers62 are forced to flex by thelugs76. As thefingers62 flex to the right as viewed in Figures 1-4, thelugs76 can travel back to the position shown in Figure 1 and thecover26 is again closed. However, the additional resistance needed to flex thefingers62 provides slightly increased resistance so that thecover26 stays in the open position without the additional force to overcome the resistance being applied.
Referring to Figures 13-19, there is shown a second embodiment of a compound hinge, generally designated120, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Thecompound hinge120 is similar to thehinge20, except that atoggle device180 is added to provide more rotational resistance for holding the hinge in a predetermined position. Thetoggle device180 includes arecess182 formed in afirst knuckle154 of afirst hinge member150, and asecond knuckle172 of asecond hinge member170. The arcing periphery of thefirst knuckle154, or the complementary surface of thesecond knuckle172, includes a raisedflange portion184 which is configured for extending partially into acomplementary recess182 in the other of thefirst knuckle154 or second knuckle174 at the toggle position.
When thetoggle device180 is engaged, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the first andsecond knuckles154 and172 have greater resistance to relative rotation. As thecover26 is rotated about thesecond hinge member170, the first andsecond knuckles154 and172 have a mechanical stop which prevents thefirst hinge member150 andsecond hinge member170 from rotating relative to one another. Further rotation requires slightly more effort to disengage thetoggle assembly180 and allow rotation between thefirst hinge member150 and thesecond hinge member170. As shown in Figure 18, theflange portion184 may be molded into thesecond knuckle172. In addition, as shown in Figure 19, thesecond knuckle172 may include arecess186 with apin member188 extended into both therecess182 and therecess186. As with theflange184, thepin member188 also provides resistance and the same toggle effect. Thetoggle assembly180 provides proper resistance so that thehinge120 may be held in a predetermined position. Although thetoggle assembly180 is shown at the apex of thefirst knuckle154, it can be appreciated that, if a toggle position is required at a different location along the range of rotation, it may be easily moved. In addition, therecess182 and raisedportion184 may be reversed while still achieving the desired toggle effect.
The design of the present invention provides a simple hinge mechanism that allows a 270 degree range of motion. In addition, thecollar30 and hinge20 or120 provide for retrofitting enclosures to accept such a system. The system also has rotation about a two different axes and fingers that act as a stop member that prevents the door from swinging closed without force sufficient to cause flexure of thefingers62. Since thecover26 rotates about an axis remote from theenclosure housing24, the cover does not rub the gaskets, so that a better and longer seal is maintained.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in that the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

An enclosure (20), comprising:
a housing (24);
a cover (26) adapted to fit over the housing;
a first hinge member (50) mounted to the housing to define a second axis;
a second hinge member (70) rotatably mounted to the cover at a first axis and to the first hinge member at the second axis;
wherein the first and second hinge members (50, 70) cooperate to move the cover (26) between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first and second hinge members (50, 70) form a toggle point and the hinge rotates about the first axis, and wherein after passing through the toggle point as the cover is moved between the open and closed positions, the hinge rotates about the second axis.
An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the second hinge member (70) and cover (26) are a monolithic element.
An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the first and second hinge members (50, 70) are molded.
An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure (20) includes a gasket (44) and wherein the cover (26) rotates about the first axis spaced apart from the gasket (44), so that the cover (26) does not rub against the gasket (44) during rotation.
An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge member (50) includes a finger portion (62) adapted to flex when engaging the second hinge member (70).
An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second hinge members (50, 70) includes a flange (184), and the other of the first and second hinge members (50, 70) defines a channel portion (182) configured for engaging the flange (184) in the closed position.
An enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the flange(184) comprises a pin (188), and wherein the one of the first and second hinge members defines a recess (186, 182) receiving the pin (188).
An enclosure according to claim 7, wherein the flange (184) comprises a raised portion.
An enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the flange (184) and the recess (186, 182) extend substantially parallel to an axis of rotation between the first and second hinge members (50, 70).
An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge member includes a flexible finger portion (62) and the second hinge member includes a lug portion (76) with the flexible finger portion adapted to flex when engaging the lug portion of the second hinge member.
An enclosure according to claim 10, wherein the first and second hinge members cooperate such that when the cover rotates about the first axis relative to the second hinge member, the second hinge member remains stationary due to the lug portion abutting the flexible finger portion.