Patent ID: 6505381
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: B64G,Y10T

Abstract:
A hinge mechanism for deploying a folding panel relative to a base panel, comprising:a telescope housing mounted within the base panel; a telescope fitting slidably mounted within the telescope housing; a base arm, attached to the telescope fitting; a folding arm, attached to the folding panel; an intermediate arm, attached to the folding arm by a first rotating joint and attached to the base arm by a second rotating joint; a first tensioning pulley, disposed on the folding arm; a second tensioning pulley, disposed on the base arm; a folding arm spring, attached to the second rotating joint and the first tensioning pulley; a base arm spring, attached to the first rotating joint and the second tensioning pulley; a tensioning actuator disposed upon the base panel; and a deployment cable, one end of the deployment cable being anchored to the folding panel, threaded over at least the first rotating joint, the first tensioning pulley, the second tensioning pulley, and over the second rotating joint, along the telescope housing and onto the tensioning actuator, the tensioning actuator controlling the tension within the deployment cable and the length of the deployment cable; said hinge mechanism being positionable in at least two configurations, a stowed configuration, in which the folding arm and intermediate arm are disposed substantially perpendicularly to each other, the intermediate arm and base arm are disposed substantially perpendicularly to each other, and the telescope fitting is substantially extended from the telescope housing, and a deployed configuration, in which the folding arm and intermediate arm are disposed substantially linearly with relation to each other, the intermediate arm and base arm are disposed substantially linearly with relation to each other, and the telescope fitting is substantially withdrawn into the telescope housing, and the hinge mechanism being adjustable from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by increasing the tension applied to the deployment cable by the tensioning actuator, such increase in tension causing the folding arm and intermediate arm to rotate about the first rotating joint and the intermediate arm and base arm to rotate about the second rotating joint and the telescope fitting to slide within the telescope housing.