# Patent

## Title
Locking hinge assembly

## Abstract

A locking hinge assembly (32) has first and second hinge members (38, 40) having a respective hinge section (50, 51), proximate wall (46, 47) and mounting flange section (42, 43) for mounting on respective first and second panels (24, 26). The first and second hinge members are pivotably connected together at the hinge sections and are pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. The mounting flange section (42) has a channel (54) extending along the proximate wall section (48) for slidably receiving a locking member (56). The locking member (56) has at least one locking flange (60) extending through aligned apertures in the proximate walls. The locking flange has a hook section (62) at a distal end such that when the locking member slides to a locking position, the hook section engages a proximate wall to lock the hinge members in the first position.

## Background
TECHNICAL FIELD
The field of this invention relates to a lockable hinge for a floor panel system for use in motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Stowable seats in motor vehicles have long been a desired feature in motor vehicles where the seats in the second and third row may fold down to form a flat cargo floor in order to easily receive and maneuver large pieces of cargo.
Recent developments have provided stowable seats that are stowed under the cargo area and covered by a flat panel system to provide the flat cargo floor. The flat panel system is also used as a floor surface for passengers' feet when the seats are deployed to their upright seating position. The flat panel system is made from a plurality of panels pivotably connected together to move between a flat closed position and a folded up open position. The cargo space under the panel system is usable as cargo storage space for other items when the seats are deployed in the upright seating position.
One needs to open the panels to access the cargo space. Hence, the area above the panels must be free from obstruction, for example free from interference of another seat or center console to allow room for the pivoting panels to freely operate in their intended fashion. In previous systems, either the entire motor vehicle needed to be extended to provide the necessary clearance for the panels or certain seats needed to be moved to a certain position to allow the panels to freely move between open and closed positions.
Cargo space access needs to be convenient in order for the consumer to use the space in its intended fashion. Thus any interference or obstacle introduced by a movable seat or a seat track will limit the use of the cargo area. It is desirable to access the cargo area independent of any fore and aft adjustment of seats. Previous cargo panel systems were feely operational only if the front seats were in a forward position.
What is needed is an improved panel system that can be adaptable to be substantially opened independent of any position of an adjacent seat for ease of access to the under panel cargo space. What is also needed is a cargo panel that has a hinge that can be either in a locked or release position. What is also needed is a lockable hinge in which the lock mechanism is substantially concealed under the panels.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a locking hinge assembly pivotably connects first and second panels. The hinge assembly has a first and second hinge member with respective mounting flange sections for mounting respective first and second panels at the bottom sides of the panels. Proximate wall sections of the first and second hinge member extend between the first and second panels and extend toward opposite upper sides of the panels. Hinge sections of the first and second hinge members engage each other between the two panels in proximity to the opposite upper sides for providing pivotal motion of one panel with respect to the other panel. A mounting flange section of the first hinge member has a recessed channel under the bottom side of the respective panel.
A locking bar is slidably mounted between a locking position and a release position in the channel. The proximate wall section of the first hinge member has at least one respective aperture therethrough that receives at least one locking flange of the locking bar. The proximate wall of the second hinge member has locking surfaces axially spaced there along and release spaces interposed therebetween. Each locking flange has a distal lock section that is slidable between a release position to be aligned with the respective release spaces of the proximate wall section to allow the hinge members to pivotably move with respect to one another and a lock position misaligned from the released spaces and engagable with the locking surfaces to lock the first hinge member to the second hinge member.
To help prevent rattling within the channel, the locking bar preferably has protrusions that extend downward from bar and the upper surface of the bar abuts against the bottom side of the first panel.
It is also preferable that the locking bar has a width that substantially extends across the entire width of the channel. A leaf spring mounted is preferably installed under the bar to bias the bar to abut the bottom side of the first panel. It is preferable that the release spaces are in the form of apertures to allow the distal lock section to pass through the apertures and lock the hinge assembly when the panels are planar with respect to each other. The distal lock section is in the form of a hook to engage the proximate wall of the second hinge member at an opposing surface from the first hinge member. In one embodiment, the locking bar extends substantially the length of the hinge and has a handle at one end thereof.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a locking hinge assembly has first and second hinge members having a respective hinge section, proximate wall, and mounting flange section for mounting on respective first and second panels. The first and second hinge members are pivotably connected together at the hinge sections and are pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. The mounting flange section has a channel extending along the proximate wall section for slidably receiving a locking member. The locking member has at least one locking flange extending through aligned apertures in the proximate walls. The locking flange has a hook section at a distal end such that when the locking member slides to a locking position, the hook section engages a proximate wall to lock the hinge members in the first position.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a locking hinge assembly has a first hinge member and a second hinge member hingeably connected to the first hinge member along a pivot axis for pivotable motion between a first lockable position and a second position. The first and second hinge member have respective first and second proximate walls extending from the pivot axis and proximate to each other when in the first lockable position.
At least one aperture is in the first proximate wall aligned with at least one aperture in the second proximate wall when the hinge assembly is in the first lockable position. A locking member extends through at least one of the apertures of the first and second proximate walls and movable between a lock position to engage the proximate walls of the first and second hinge member and a release position where the locking member disengages from at least one of the proximate walls and allows the hinge assembly to pivot.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a foldable panel assembly for a storage area of motor vehicle has a first panel and a second panel being connected together along first and second edges of the respective panels. A hinge assembly has first and second hinge members each with a mounting plate mounted to an underside of the respective first and second panel. The first and second hinge members each have a respective proximate wall that abuts the first and second edges of the respective panels extending transversely from the mounting plates. The proximate walls each end with a hinge section that engages each other to pivotably connect the first panel to the second panel. The hinge section is in proximity to upper sides of the panels. A locking bar is slidably mounted to the mounting plate of the first hinge member under the first panel for sliding motion along the edges of the first panel between a first locking position and a second release position. The mounting plate of the second hinge member has a locking surface for engaging a flange of the locking bar when in the first locking position for preventing the hinge assembly from pivoting.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a motor vehicle interior illustrating one embodiment of the panel assembly in the closed position according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is perspective view of the panel assembly shown in FIG. 1 in an intermediate position;
FIG. 3 is view similar to FIG. 2 showing the panel assembly in the first open mode with the hinge 32 in the locked position for retrieving and stowing the stowable seat;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the panel assembly in a second open mode position;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the hinge assembly in the locked position;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the hinge assembly in the release position;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged close up view of a hook portion shown in the locked position;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged close up view of a hook portion shown in the release position;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 shown in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the lock bar handle in the release position.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a motor vehicle 10 has front adjustable seats 12 and rear stowable seats 14 that can be stowed in a cargo space 16 under floor panel assembly 18. The panel assembly 18 forms part of a flat cargo area floor 19 when the rear seats 14 are stowed in the cargo space 16 and also form the floor for passengers' feet when the seats 14 are in the deployed upright seating position as shown in FIG. 1. The panel assembly can move between the closed position shown in FIG. 1, an intermediate position shown in FIG. 2, a first open mode in FIG. 3 or a second open mode shown in FIG. 4.
The panel assembly 18 includes a rear flap 20 and three panels 22, 24, and 26 all connected together with piano hinge assemblies 28, 30, and 32. The third panel is pivotably connected to a floor rim assembly 34 through hinges 36. The entire panel assembly 18 lies flat to form the floor 19 with the hinge 28 completely concealed and hinges 30, 32 mostly concealed with only a pivoting hinge sections 39 visible between the panels 22, 24, 26.
Reference now is made to 5-10 for describing the hinge assembly 32. Hinge assembly 32 has a first hinge member 38 and a second hinge member 40 with respective mounting flanges 42, 43 mounted to the underside 44, 45 of each panel 24 and 26. Fasteners or adhesive may be used to affix the mounting flanges 42 and 43 to the panels 24 and 26. The mounting flanges 42 and 43 each are integrally formed with a proximate wall section 46 and 47 which extends upward transversely from the mounting flanges 42, 43 between the two panels 24 and 26 and abut the edges 48 and 49 of the two adjacent panels 24 and 26. The hinge section 39 is formed by hinge sections 50 and 51 of member 38 and 40 pivotably connected together with a pin member 52.
Mounting flange section 42 has a channel section 54 spaced from the underside 44 of the panel to provide for a locking bar 56 to be slidably movable between a lock position as shown in FIG. 5 and an unlock or release position in FIG. 6. The bar 56 has a width that substantially extends across the entire width of the channel 54, a height that spans substantially the entire distance between the channel 54 and underside 44 of panel 24. The height may be made up by embossments 57 both axially spaced and laterally spaced along the bar to contact the channel 54. Leaf springs 58 may be positioned in the channel 54 under the bar 56 to bias it upward against the underside 44 of panel 24. This construction reduces any rattling from the bar 56 with respect to its surrounding members and mostly conceals bar 56 from above.
The bar has three flanges 60 axially spaced therealong. Each flange 60 has a hook section 62. Each proximate wall 46 and 47 has aligned apertures 66, 67 that receive the flanges 60 and hook sections 62. The flanges 60 extend through the apertures 66, 67 and are slidably received in channel section 55 of mounting flange 43 of hinge member 40 beneath the underside 45 of panel 26. When the bar is in the release position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the hook section 62 and flange 60 are free to laterally pass through the apertures 67 as the hinge members 38 and 40 pivotably move with respect to each other. When the bar is moved to the locked position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the hook abuts the proximate wall 47 at its opposing surface 53 to prevent the hinge members 38 and 40 from pivotably moving with respect to each other.
The bar is moved between its release and locked position by a handle 64 that is situated at one end of the bar at a lateral edge of the panel assembly 18. The handle 64 may extend upward to be accessible above the panels 24 and 26. Alternatively and as shown in the drawings, the handle 64 may be located to be received in a recess 70 in rim assembly 34 as it moves to the release position as shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, panel 24 has a notch 72 to allow handle 64 to slide to the lock position as shown in FIG. 10. With this construction, handle 64 is accessible by an operator but remains below the floor 19 when the panel 24 is in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 10 and 11. The handle 64 may have a rubber or plastic cap 65 thereon that is color coordinated with the panels 24 and 26. The locking bar may have an orange or other bright color indicator section 68 located in proximity to the handle that becomes visible at the lateral edge of the panels through notch 72 when the handle is in the release position. The color indicates, when visible through notch 72, that the hinge is in the release or second open mode of operation. Conversely, when the section 68 is concealed, the hinge is in the locked or first open mode of operation.
In operation, the panel can open in a first or second open mode. When the handle and locking bar are in the locked position, the hinged panels 24 and 26 are locked together as a single panel. When such a lockup occurs between the panels 24 and 26, they then move as one. When one desires to deploy or stow the seat 14 from in the cargo space 16, the hinge panels 24 and 26 are preferred to lock together by locked hinge 32. The front seat 12 needs to be in a forward position to clear the front hinge 36. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, after the rear flap 20 and panel 22 are pivoted to the open position, the combined panels 24 and 26 are lifted to the first open mode position. After the seat is either stowed or deployed as desired, the process is then reversed and the panels 24 and 26 close together flat with floor 19. The panel 22 and rear flap 20 are then closed to again achieve the closed position shown in FIG. 1.
It is foreseen that the deployment and storage of the seats 14 are a relatively infrequent occurrence compared to the opening and closing of the panel assembly 18 for access to the cargo area 16 for other storage purposes. For these purposes, it is not necessary to move the front seats 12 forward to provide access to the cargo space 16. The handle can be operated to move the bar to the unlock position which allows the panel 24 to pivot with respect to panel 26, such that upon opening the rear flap 20 and first panel 22 as shown in FIG. 2, the panel 24 can be pivoted open while panel 26 remains flat as illustrated in FIG. 4 to achieve a second open mode position. The open panels 22 and 24 along with flap 20 can rest over centered against the front seat 12 as the seat 12 may extend rearwardly as illustrated in FIG. 4, over the panel 26. Thus, even while the front seats 12 may be in the rear extended position and prevent panel 26 from opening at hinge 36, the cargo area 16 can be accessed because a substantial portion of the panel assembly 18 may be opened in a second mode as shown in FIG. 4.
Panels 22, 24 and 26 may have different widths than the widths shows and the hinge 32 may be aligned just rearward of the most rearward position of the front seats to allow the hinge 32 to pivot the panels 22 and 24 over center and allow the panels to rest in the open position.
As such, the panel assembly may be opened in one of two modes, one for storing and deploying the stowable seat and the other for otherwise accessing the cargo space 16. The front seats 12 need to be moved forward only when the stowable seats 14 need to be stowed or deployed. Otherwise, the cargo space 16 is accessible regardless of the position of the front seats 12. Opening of the panel assembly 18 in the second open mode greatly increases the convenience accessibility of the cargo space 16.
Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

## Claims

1. A locking hinge assembly that pivotably connects first and second panels; said hinge assembly comprising:
a first and second hinge member having respective mounting flange sections for mounting respective first and second panels at the bottom sides thereof;
proximate wall sections of said first and second hinge member extending between said first and second panels and extending toward opposite sides of said panels;
hinge sections of said first and second hinge members engaging each other between said two panels in proximity to said opposite sides for providing pivotal motion of one panel with respect to the other panel;
a mounting flange section of said first hinge member having a recessed channel under said bottom side of the respective panel;
said proximate wall section of said first hinge member having at least one respective aperture therethrough;
said proximate wall of said second hinge member having locking surfaces axially spaced there along and release spaces interposed therebetween;
a locking bar slidably mounted between a locking position and a release position in said channel with at least one locking flange extending through said aperture of said proximate wall; and
said flange having a distal lock section that is slidable between a release position to be aligned with said respective release spaces of said proximate wall section to allow said hinge members to pivotably move with respect to one another and a lock position misaligned from said released spaces and engagable with said locking surfaces to lock said first hinge member to said second hinge member.

2. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
said locking bar has protrusions that extend downward from bar and said upper surface of said bar abuts against said bottom side of said first panel.

3. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 2 further comprising:
a leaf spring mounted under said bar to bias said bar to abut said bottom side of said first panel.

4. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 3 further comprising:
said locking bar extend substantially the length of said hinge and has a handle at one end thereof.

5. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 4 further comprising:
said locking bar having a width that substantially extends across the entire width of said channel.

6. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
said proximate wall section of said second hinge member having its release spaces in the form of apertures to allow said distal lock section to pass through said aperture and lock said hinge assembly when said panels are planar with respect to each other; and
said distal lock section being in the form of a hook to engage the proximate wall of said hinge member at an opposing surface from said first hinge member.

7. A locking hinge assembly comprising:
first and second hinge members having a respective hinge section, proximate wall in proximity to said first and second hinge members, and mounting flange section for mounting on respective first and second panels;
said first and second hinge members pivotably connected together at said hinge sections and pivotably movable between a first position and a second position;
said mounting flange section having a channel extending along said proximate wall section for slidably receiving a locking member along its longitudinal axis; and
said locking member having at least one locking flange extending through aligned apertures in said proximate walls, said locking flange having a hook section at a distal section such that when said locking member slides along its longitudinal axis to a locking position, said hook section engages a proximate wall to lock said hinge members in said first position.

8. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 7 further comprising:
said locking member having a width substantially extending across the entire width of said channel, and a length substantially extending the entire length of said channel; and
said locking member has an operating handle at one end thereof.

9. A locking hinge assembly comprising:
a first hinge member;
a second hinge member hingeably connected to said first hinge member along a pivot axis for pivotable motion between a first lockable position and a second position;
said first and second hinge members having respective first and second proximate walls proximate to said respective first and second hinge members extending from said pivot axis and proximate to each other when in the first lockable position;
at least one aperture in said first proximate wall aligned with at least one aperture in said second proximate wall when said assembly is in said first lockable position said first and second hinge members each having a mounting plate that extends substantially transverse from said respective proximate wall section; and
locking member extending through at least one of said apertures of said first and second proximate walls and movable between a lock position to engage the proximate walls of the first and second hinge member and a release position where the locking member disengages from at least one of the proximate walls and allows said hinge assembly to pivot.

10. A foldable panel assembly for a storage area of motor vehicle, said assembly comprising;
a first panel and a second panel being connected together along first and second edges of said respective panels;
a hinge assembly having first and second hinge members each with a mounting plate mounted to an underside of said respective first and second panels;
said first and second hinge members each have a respective proximate wall that abuts said first and second edges of said respective panels extending transversely from said mounting plates;
said proximate walls ending with a hinge section that engage each other to pivotably connect said first panel with said second panel, said hinge section being in proximity to upper sides of said panels;
a locking bar slidably mounted to said mounting plate of said first hinge member under said first panel for sliding motion along said edges of said first panel between a first locking position and a second release position without disengaging from said first hinge member; and
the proximate wall of said second hinge member having a locking surface for engaging a flange of said locking bar when in the first locking position for preventing said hinge assembly from pivoting.

11. A foldable panel assembly as defined in claim 10 further comprising:
said locking bar and said flanges interposed between said mounting plates and said underside of said first and second panels with said flanges extending through apertures in said proximate wall sections.

12. A foldable panel assembly as defined in claim 11 further comprising:
said locking bar having an operating handle at a lateral end of one of said panels.

13. A foldable panel assembly as defined in claim 10 further comprising:
said locking bar having an operating handle at a lateral edge of one of said panels.

14. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 7 further comprising:
said proximate wall of said second hinge member having its aperture positioned to allow said hook to pass through said apertures and lock said locking hinge assembly when said panels are planar with respect to each other.

15. A foldable panel assembly as defined in claim further comprising:
said locking surface of said mounting plate of said second hinge member positioned to allow said lock bar to lock said hinge assembly when said panels are planar with respect to each other.

16. A locking hinge assembly as defined in claim 9 further comprising:
said proximate wall of said second hinge member having its aperture positioned to allow said locking member to pass through said apertures and lock said locking hinge assembly when said mounting plates are substantially planar with respect to each other.