Patent ID: 7779510
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: E05D,E05Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A multi-axis vehicle door hinge, comprising: a first leaf; a second leaf; a third leaf, the first leaf and the second leaf pivotally coupled defining a swing-out hinge adapted so as to enable rotation in a substantially horizontal plane about a substantially vertical axis of rotation, the second leaf and the third leaf pivotally coupled about a lift bearing defining a vertical-lift hinge adapted so as to enable rotation in a substantially vertical plane about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation; a lift rotation limiter removably coupled to the third leaf and adapted to provide adjustment means for setting a predetermining maximum extent of the vertical-lift hinge; and a hinge pin, the first leaf comprising: a first leaf first edge; a first leaf second edge opposite the first leaf first edge; a first leaf first side; a first leaf second side opposite the first leaf first side; a first leaf third edge; and a first leaf fourth edge opposite the first leaf third edge; and two spaced apart first swing knuckles extending from the first leaf second side adjacent the first leaf fourth edge defining a swing notch there between, the first swing knuckles each define a first swing knuckle bore there through, the axis of the first swing knuckle bores are in substantially coaxial alignment and define a substantially vertical axis; the second leaf comprises: a second leaf first end; a second leaf second end opposite the second leaf first end; a second leaf first edge; a second leaf second edge opposite the second leaf first edge; a second leaf first side; a second leaf second side opposite the second leaf first side, the second leaf second end comprising a second swing knuckle bore extending between the second leaf first edge and the second leaf second edge defining a second swing knuckle, the second swing knuckle is adapted to be received within the swing notch of the first leaf with the axis of the first swing knuckle bores and second swing knuckle bore in substantially coaxial alignment, the hinge pin adapted to be received within the first swing knuckle bores and the second swing knuckle bore pivotally coupling the second leaf to the first leaf; and a lift hub defining a cylindrical shape extending substantially perpendicular from the second leaf first side adjacent the second leaf first end and defining an axis substantially perpendicular to the second swing knuckle bore, the lift hub defining a first half of a lift bearing; the third leaf comprising: a third leaf first end; a third leaf second end opposite the third leaf first end; a third leaf first side; a third leaf second side opposite the third leaf first side; a third leaf first edge; a third leaf second edge opposite the third leaf first edge, the third leaf first and second end, the third leaf first and second side, and the third leaf first and second edge defining a mount plate, the mount plate adapted for coupling to a hinge mount door surface of a door; and a lift arm extending from the third leaf second side adjacent the third leaf second end, the lift arm comprising an arm first end coupled with the third leaf second side and an arm second end opposite the arm first end, the lift arm comprising an arm first side and an arm second side opposite the arm first side, the arm second end comprising an arm bore extending from the arm first side to the arm second side and having an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the arm first side, the arm bore adapted to receive the lift hub therein in substantially coaxial alignment therewith, the arm bore defining a second half of the lift bearing, the arm second end defining a semi-cylindrical edge having an axis substantially coaxial with the axis of the arm bore and having a radius larger than a radius defined by the arm bore, the edge including a plurality of spaced-apart edge fastener bores arranged in a radial pattern substantially radial with an axis of the arm bore, the edge fastener bores are threaded for receiving a threaded fastener, the lift rotation limiter comprising a partial cylindrical-shaped piece defining an arc having an inner radius substantially the same as an outer radius defined by the edge of the arm second end, the lift rotation limiter having an outer radius and a thickness adapted to define an abutment end, the lift rotation limiter further comprises a plurality of limiter fastener bores arranged in a radial pattern from the inner radius, the plurality of limiter fastener bores adapted for cooperative coaxial alignment with corresponding edge fastener bores, each limiter fastener bore is adapted to slidingly receive a threaded fastener extending through the thickness of the lift rotation limiter, the lift rotation limiter removably coupled to the edge by one or more fasteners threadably engaged with the edge fastener bore, so as to couple the lift rotation limiter to the edge of the arm second end, the plurality of edge fastener bores provided to allow adjustable placement of the lift rotation limiter about the circumference of the edge so as to change the maximum lift of the lift arm, the second leaf further comprising a sag limiter rest which partially defines the second leaf first edge and extends from the second leaf first side adjacent the second leaf first end, the abutment end of the lift rotation limiter adapted to abut the sag limiter rest at a maximum lift angle of the lift arm.