Hinge joint

A hinge joint comprises a hinge leaf, a closure element, a knuckle bearing, a hinge bolt defining a hinge joint axis and pivotally mounting the closure element via the knuckle bearing, a hinge bearing having a base securable adjacent to an edge of an opening, the hinge bearing having legs between which the knuckle bearing is positioned and which carries the hinge bolt, the knuckle bearing having at least one first protrusion extending axially outwardly and arranged concentrically relative to the hinge bolt, one of the legs having an axially inwardly extending protrusion which axially overlaps the first protrusion, the hinge leaf together with the closure element being arranged so that it can be removed from the hinge bearing only after removal of the hinge bolt and after opening the closure element through a predetermined pivot angle, the first protrusion being annular, the second protrusion being formed as an enclosing retainer of one of the legs and arranged radially outside of one of the first protrusions, the enclosing retainer at at least one side face of the leg being provided with an access passage for the first protrusion, and cam means provided on the hinge leaf, so that only in a pivoted position of the closure element is a minimum dimension of the cam means extending perpendicular to the hinge joint axis with the hinge bolt removed, so that the passage of the first protrusion through an associated one of the access passages is possible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a hinge joint, particularly for closure 
elements such as doors and the like, for openings of containers, vehicles, 
holding tanks etc. 
Door hinge joints of the above mentioned type are known in the art. One 
known door hinge joint is disclosed in the German patent document DE-OS 
No. 3,245,205. This document describes a door hinge joint which has a 
vertical hinge joint axis and custom security means. Two protrusions are 
provided of which a first protrusion is formed as a shell, and a second 
protrusion is formed circularly cylindrical. When the door is closed each 
shell engages beneath the associated cylindrical second protrusion. With a 
hinge bolt removed, the shells can come free even after comparatively 
small opening movement of the door panel without engagement with the 
second protrusions. Thus, the operating personnel are in danger, since the 
door panel can tilt and fall prematurely. This can cause damage to the 
hinges, door panel and door frame. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge 
joint which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
hinge joint which is secure against unauthorized opening of a closure 
element, which guarantees custom security and security against tampering 
and theft, and in which the operational safety of the hinge joint with the 
hinge bolt removed is greater than in known hinge joints. 
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent 
hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, 
in a hinge joint with a closure element having a knuckle bearing on a 
hinge bolt, and a hinge bearing secured by its base near an opening and 
comprising legs between which the knuckle bearing is arranged and which 
carry the hinge bolt, wherein at least one first protrusion which extends 
axially outwardly from the knuckle bearing is annular, at least one second 
protrusion extending axially inwardly from one of the legs is formed as an 
enclosing retainer of the associated leg and arranged radially outside the 
associated first protrusion, the enclosing retainer at least at one side 
face of the leg is provided with an access passage for the associated 
first protrusion, and cam means are provided on the hinge leaf so that 
only in a pivoted postion of the closure element corresponding to a 
predetermined first pivot angle there is a minimum dimension of the cam 
means extending perpendicular to the hinge joint axis with the hinge bolt 
removed, which permits passage of the first protrusion through the 
associated access passage. 
In this construction any angle of inclination of the hinge joint axis and 
in particular a horizontal or vertical arrangement of it can be realized. 
The hinge joint in accordance with the present invention is suitable 
equally well for doors and lids of containers, vehicles and holding tanks. 
The hinge joint in accordance with the invention provides for capability 
for custom inspection. A custom official can have completely unhindered 
sight into the hinge components which provide custom security. Tampering 
with these components can be seen without difficulty by the custom officer 
from outside. Because of the good possibilities of inspection of the 
hinge, a high security against unauthorized opening of the closure element 
is achieved, against tampering and theft in particular. Moreover, the 
operating reliability of the inventive hinge joint is considerably 
increased. The hinge leaf and consequently the door panel or lid secured 
to it is secured against falling from the hinge bearing unintentionally 
when the hinge bolt is removed, over the greater part of its possible 
range of pivotal movement. This reliability is a result of the special 
relative shape of the first and second protrusions and their cooperation 
with the cam means. In practice, one can achieve the situation that the 
door panel or the cover can be withdrawn from the hinge bearing or fitted 
in the hinge bearing only within a first pivot angle which is determined 
with a relatively small tolerance. This predetermined first pivot angle is 
known to the operating personnel so that with the hinge bolt removed, 
particular care on the part of the operating personnel is necessary during 
fitting or removal of the door panel or cover only when the door panel or 
cover lies within this predetermined first pivot angle. 
In accordance with another advantageous feature of the present invention, 
the first protrusions can be made annular, while the cam preferably 
extends over the full axial length of the knuckle bearing as far as the 
first protrusions. In this construction a reliable clamping lock is 
provided over the whole range of pivotal movement of the door panel or 
cover, with the inclusion of the above mentioned predetermined first pivot 
angle in which the fitting and removal of the closure element take place. 
Still another feature of the present invention is that a cam is arranged on 
the first protrusion and in the pivot position of the closure element 
corresponding to the first angle the minimum defined by the cam is at 
least approximately parallel to the access passage. This construction 
makes possible a particularly simple configuration of the knuckle bearing 
with equal functional reliability. 
The hinge joint is formed in accordance with the present invention so that 
with the hinge bolt inserted, at least a peripheral zone spaced from the 
base of the hinge bearing on a transition portion from the knuckle bearing 
to the first protrusion is shielded by a protective rim of the associated 
enclosing retainer of the hinge bearing. This provides for an additional 
security against unauthorized tampering, particularly by sawing across the 
transition portion. 
Another feature of the present invention is that with the hinge bolt 
inserted, there is a spacing between the hinge joint axis and the base of 
the hinge bearing, which is greater than the minimum dimension. In this 
construction the operational reliability is further improved. Fitting and 
removal of the hinge leaf must take place relative to the hinge bearing by 
following a path of movement which involves a change of direction. On the 
one hand, this increases the concentration of the operational personnel 
and on the other hand prevents unintentional falling of the closure 
element from the hinge bearing. 
The hinge joint of the invention can be provided with a bearing sleeve 
between the hinge bolt, on the one hand, and the knuckle bearing and the 
first protrusion, on the other hand. The bearing sleeve can be composed of 
a bearing metal or a plastic textile material. The material of the bearing 
sleeve is selected with the practical operational requirements. 
Still a further feature of the present invention is that the hinge joint is 
formed so that with the horizontal hinge joint axis the access passage at 
the respective leg of the hinge bearing is open only upwardly. This 
increases the operation reliability. With the hinge bolt removed, the 
closure element can not drop uncontrollably from the hinge bearing. It 
must be pushed upwardly from the hinge bearing or be set into the hinge 
bearing from above. It is therefore insured that the closure element is 
securably held in place until the hinge bolt is fitted and secured. 
The enclosing retainer of the hinge joint in accordance with the invention 
can be formed as a continuous member. This insures high operational 
reliability and in most cases sufficient accessibility for inspection by 
custom officials. 
Another feature of the present invention is that each enclosing retainer 
has two portions provided on the second protrusion, in which peripheral 
apertures are formed by the periphery of the associated leg. The width of 
each peripheral aperture is smaller than the minimum dimension of the 
associated first protrusion perpendicularly to the hinge joint axis. In 
this construction the visual inspection is easier for those who have to 
carry it out. Moreover, unintentional dropping of the closure element with 
the hinge bolt removed is prevented, particularly when with a horizontal 
hinge joint axis the access passage is open upwardly. 
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention 
are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, 
however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together 
with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood 
from the following description of specific embodiments when read in 
connection with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
A hinge joint in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is 
identified as a whole with reference numeral 1. It is used for a closure 
element 2 which in this case is formed as a door panel, for an opening 3 
of a container 4. The hinge joint has a hinge leaf 6 which is secured to 
the closure element 2 by means of round-headed square-shouldered screws 5 
formed in accordance with the German standard DIN 603. Only one of the 
screws is shown in FIG. 1. The hinge leaf 6 is pivotally mounted on a 
hinge bolt 9 by means of a knuckle bearing 7. The hinge bolt 9 defines a 
hinge joint axis 8. 
A hinge bearing 11 has a base 12 and is welded at the edge of the opening 3 
to a frame 10 of the container 4. The hinge bearing 11 has legs 13 and 14 
which carry the hinge bolt 9. The knuckle bearing 7 is positioned between 
the legs 13 and 14 of the hinge bearing 11. The hinge bolt 9 has a nut 15 
which is secured in place by a spring ring 16 and a weld point 17. The 
knuckle bearing 7 comprises two axially outwardly extending annular first 
protrusions which are formed as stubs 18 and 19 and arranged 
concentrically about the hinge bolt 9. The legs 13 and 14 are provided 
each with an axially extending second protrusion formed as shoulders 20 
and 21 and axially overlapping the associated projecting stubs 18 and 19. 
Each of the shoulders 20 and 21 is formed as an enclosing retainer 
arranged radially outwardly of the associated stub 18 and 19, 
respectively. An access passage 23 is provided at one side face 22 of the 
leg 14 so that the retaining shoulder for the associated stub 19 can pass 
through the passage, as shown in FIG. 2. A similar passage for the stub 18 
is provided in the leg 13. 
The hinge leaf 6 has a reinforcing rib 24 extending along its length. It is 
to be understood that instead of being secured to the closure element 2 by 
the screws 5, the hinge leaf 6 can alternatively be welded to the closure 
element. 
Transition portions 25 and 26 between the knuckle bearing 7 proper and the 
axial stubs 18 and 19 are spaced from the base 12 and shielded by 
protective rims 27 and 28 which are provided on the respective projecting 
shoulders 20 and 21. As a result of this, it is impossible for the hinge 
joint to be sawn through in the region of the transition portions 25 and 
26, without this damage becoming apparent to those interested. 
A bearing sleeve 29 is arranged between the hinge bolt 9, on the one hand, 
and the knuckle bearing 7 and its axial stubs 18 and 19, on the other 
hand. The bearing sleeve 29 can be composed of a textile material 
impregnated with a plastic material. 
A closure element 2 with its hinge leaf 6 is shown in FIG. 2 in its closed 
position by solid lines. In this position an axis 30 of the hinge leaf 6 
is inclined. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the closure element 2 and the 
hinge leaf 6 can be pivoted from this closed position in counterclockwise 
direction about the vertical hinge joint axis 8 to a limit position which 
is shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 2. In this position the closure element 
2 extends substantially parallel to the outside wall surface of the 
container 4. The reinforcing rib 24 fits in the limit position partially 
into a complementary recess 31 in the base 12 of the hinge bearing. One 
half of the recess 31 is visible in FIG. 4 from a different view point. 
The closure element 2 together with the hinge leaf 6 can be moved in use 
between two limit positions shown in FIG. 2. The closed closure element 2 
with its hinge leaves 6 is secured. Even if without authorization the 
hinge bolt 9 should be removed from the hinge joint 1, the closure element 
could still not be removed since then the axial stubs 18 and 19 would 
strike against the surrounding shoulders 20 and 21. For achieving this 
security it would be sufficient to provide only one axial stub 19 and the 
associated shoulder 21. With this vertical arrangement of the hinge joint 
axis 8, the hinge leaf 6 is supported by the axial stub 19 in the sense of 
an axial bearing on the leg 14 of the hinge bearing 11. 
If now the closure element 2 is to be removed from the container 4, then 
the hinge bolt 9 is first removed from each associated hinge joint 1. The 
closure element 2 is then pivoted through a predetermined first pivot 
angle 32 [see in FIG. 2] whose magnitude is determined in accordance with 
the construction of the closure element 2 and the container 4. After this 
pivotal movement, the hinge leaf axis 30 lies in a swiveled position 30'. 
In this swiveled position a flattest zone 33 of a cam 34 formed on the 
knuckle bearing 7 lies in the position of closest proximity to an abutment 
surface 35 on the base 12. A minimum dimension 37 for the knuckle bearing 
which is smaller than the clearance width of the access passage 23 is 
defined between the flattest zone 33 of the cam 34 and the diametrically 
opposite zone 36 on the periphery of the axial stub 18. 
If the difference between the size of the passage 23 and the minimum 
dimension 37 of the knuckle bearing is almost zero, the closure element 2 
with its hinge leaves 6 can be removed only through the access passage 23 
when the hinge leaf axis is actually in the swiveled position 30'. The 
greater the above mentioned difference between the two dimensions, the 
greater is the tolerance angle on each side of the true swiveled position 
30' within which fitting or removal of the closure element 2 with its 
hinge leaves 6 relative to the hinge bearings 11 is possible. Since the 
fitting or removal position for the closure element 2 is held within quite 
narrow limits, the operational safety is considerably increased. The 
operating personnel understand that only in this known fitting or removal 
position, there is any danger that the closure element 2 can fall out of 
the hinge bearings 11 if the hinge bolts 9 have been removed 
unintentionally or by unauthorized personnel. In the same way the closure 
element 2 can be fitted into place or removed only when it is in this 
position. 
Preferably, the cam 34 extends over the full axial length of the knuckle 
bearing 7 and is formed so that it is substantially circular. However, it 
has a radius which decreases toward the flattest zone 33. 
FIG. 3 shows the hinge leaf 6 in two positions important for the fitting 
and the removal of the closure element, in each of these positions the 
hinge leaf axis 30 is arranged in the swiveled position 30'. The hinge 
leaf 6 shown at the upper location in FIG. 3 is to be removed from the 
hinge bearing 11. For this purpose the hinge bolt has already been 
removed. The hinge leaf 6 is then moved so that the flattest zone 33 comes 
into contact with the abutment surface 35 on the base 12. Then the 
flattest zone 33 is moved downwards as viewed in FIG. 3, parallel to the 
abutment surface 35, until the hinge leaf 6 occupies the lower position 
shown in broken line in FIG. 3 where it is actually within the access 
passage 23. Instead of the above right-angle movement during the removal 
of the hinge leaf 6 from the hinge bearing 11, the longitudinal axis of 
the knuckle bearing 7 can alternatively be moved along an arcuate path 
around a quarter of a circle 38 as indicated in FIG. 3. It is to be 
understood that any other alternative type of movement between these limit 
positions can also be performed. 
The hinge leaf 6 cannot be removed from the hinge bearing 11 even if the 
hinge bolt 9 has been removed, in all positions on each side of the 
swiveled position 30', or possibly on each side of a tolerance angle about 
the true swiveled position 30'. In the above mentioned other pivoted 
positions, the removal of the hinge leaf 6 from the hinge bearing 11 is 
prevented either by a rear face 39 of the hinge leaf 6, or by the cam 34 
striking against the abutment surface 35 on the one hand, and by the axial 
stub 18 striking against the bottom edge of the passage 23 as shown in 
FIG. 2 on the other hand. 
Further figures of the drawing show further embodiments of the invention in 
which the parts corresponding to the parts of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 
are provided with the same reference numerals. 
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the bearing sleeve 29 is composed 
of bearing metal. Additionally, a protective rim corresponding to the 
protective rim 27 and 28 in the first embodiment is not provided here. 
FIG. 6 shows by three different positions of the hinge leaf 6 identified 
with broken lines, that the hinge leaf 6 can be fitted to and removed from 
the hinge bearing 11 even with a comparatively small first pivot angle as 
compared with angle 32 in FIG. 2. In this embodiment only the flattest 
zone 33 of the cam 34 lies at a different circumferential position as 
compared with that shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. All other 
functions of the hinge joint shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are the same as in the 
first embodiment. 
The hinge joint in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is 
arranged with its hinge joint axis 40 extending horizontally. The hinge 
leaves 6 carry a closure element 41 which is formed as a cover for an 
opening 42 of a holding tank 43. The access passage 23 is located here at 
the bottom of the hinge bearing 11. The construction and function of the 
hinge joint in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 corresponds 
to those of the hinge joint of FIGS. 1-4. 
In the hinge joint shown in FIG. 9 the hinge bearing 11 does not have a 
protective rim corresponding to the protective rims 27 and 28 of FIGS. 7 
and 8. It is to be understood, however, that in this embodiment such a 
protective rim can also be provided. In the hinge joint of FIG. 9 the 
shoulder 21 on the leg 14 has portions 44 which are spaced around the 
periphery of the leg 14. A peripheral aperture 45 is defined between each 
pair of adjacent portions 44 and between one of the portions 44 and the 
abutment surface 35 of the base 12. The width of each peripheral aperture 
45 is smaller than a minimum dimension 46 of the axial stub 19, which in 
the case of FIG. 9 is a minimum diameter. Although the axial stub 19 is 
visible by any interested person practically about the whole circumference 
of the leg 14, the axial stub 19 with the hinge bolt 9 removed 
nevertheless cannot be removed from the hinge bearing 11 unintentionally. 
To the contrary, the hinge leaf 6 for its removal from the hinge bearing 
11 must first be pivoted in the clockwise direction from the closed 
position which is not shown in FIG. 9 and in which the closure element 41 
shown in FIG. 9 closes the opening 42. This pivotal movement brings the 
axis 30 of the hinge leaf 6 from its closed position into the swiveled 
fitting and removal position 30'. 
The first pivot angle 32 thus traversed is smaller than the first pivot 
angle 32 required in the hinge joint in accordance with the embodiment of 
FIG. 7 for the fitting and removal of the hinge leaf 6. However, it is not 
necessary that the first pivot angle 32 of the hinge joint of FIG. 9 be 
smaller than that shown in FIG. 7. This is the question of the 
construction and configuration of the cam 34 as explained hereinabove. 
In the hinge joint of FIG. 9 the access passage 23 is provided only at the 
top of the leg 14, so that the removal of the hinge leaf 6 and 
consequently of the closure element 41 can take place only upwardly, for 
example along the quarter of a circle 38. The same is true in the reverse 
direction for the fitting of the closure element 41 and the hinge leaf 6. 
In this construction the risk of accidents is reduced in many situations 
which arise, and the operation of the closure element is facilitated. 
In the hinge joint of FIG. 10 the hinge bearing 11 which is shown in solid 
lines has a vertical hinge joint axis 8. It can be also arranged 
alternatively to have a horizontal hinge joint axis. Two oppositely 
disposed access passages 47 and 48 are provided in the leg 14 and limited 
on each side in each case by sections of the shoulder 21. In the hinge 
joint of FIG. 10 a cam 49 is provided on the axial stub 19. A minimum 
dimension 50 is defined exclusively by the cam 49 and consequently by the 
axial stub 19. The closure element 2 is shown in its closed position in 
which the axis 30 of the hinge leaf 6 lies as shown in FIG. 10. If now the 
closure element together with the hinge leaf 6 is pivoted through the 
first pivot angle 32 in counterclockwise direction, the axis moves into 
the swiveled position 30'. In this swiveled position shown in broken 
lines, the hinge leaf 6 can be removed from the hinge bearing 11 either 
through the access passage 47 or through the access passage 48, for 
example by following the quarter of a circle 38. 
Alternatively, a larger or smaller first pivot angle 32 can be used. 
However, in this case the cam 49 would have to be correspondingly arranged 
on the hinge leaf 6 in such a manner that in the fitting and removal 
positions the minimum dimension 50 lies at least approximately parallel to 
the relevant passage 47 or 48. 
In the hinge joint shown in FIG. 10 one of the access passages 47 and 48 
can be made not passable for the cam 49. For this purpose the shoulder 21 
can be made continuous, or an element corresponding to the portions 44 of 
FIG. 9 can be added. On the other hand, the legs 13 and 14 in all 
embodiments described earlier can alternatively be equipped with two 
oppositely arranged access passages corresponding to the passages 47 and 
48 in FIG. 10. In the hinge joint shown in FIG. 10, the knuckle bearing 7 
of the hinge leaf 6 never comes into contact with the base 12 of the hinge 
bearing 11. 
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or 
more together, may also find a useful application in other types of 
constructions differing from the types described above. 
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a 
hinge joint, particularly for closure elements, such as doors and lids, it 
is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various 
modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any 
way from the spirit of the present invention. 
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of 
the present invention that others can, by applying curren knowledge, 
readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, 
from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential 
characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.