HINGE ARRANGEMENT

Abstract: Hinge arrangement which is arranged to join elements (1, 2) so that they can adopt different positions relative to each other. The arrangement comprises main components (7, 8) which are arranged to be fastened to the different elements and to be joined by means of one or several hinge joints (14, 20) so that the main components and by this means the elements fastened thereto can be swivelled in relation to each other. Each hinge joint is formed by lugs (14) bent essentially into cylindrical shape proceeding from one main portion (7, 8) which is joined to the hinge joint and arranged to extend into apertures (21) of restricted length in the other main portion (17) which is connected to the hinge joint. By this means the hinge joint is formed by the lugs which extend into the apertures, which lugs form caps around an edge portion (20) of the second main component which is embraced by the respective lug (14). A number of such edge portions form together the hinge joint pin. Preferably there are two elements (1, 2) which are foldable and a third element (22) which is fixed. The first-mentioned elements (1, 2) are foldable between an initial position, folded outwards from each other mainly in line with each other with one surface forming essentially one plane (3) and a second position folded inwards towards each other.

Description: Title: Kinge arrangement Technical field: The present invention relates ' to a hinge arrangement for joining two or more elements so that they become foldable in relation to each other. Background: The conventional type of hinge comprises at least three compon¬ ents * * Two of these components -are -arranged to be attached to the elements which, by means of the hinge or a row of hinges, are designed to be capable of folding in relation to each other. The third com¬ ponent comprises a pin which joins the pin journals on the two first- mentioned components. As such the pin involves a cost. Furthermore it has to be assembled to ' the two components and these have to be man¬ u ctured with high precision so that a suitable bearing play is obtained. Kence the costs which are linked with the pin represent a relatively high proportion of the entire cost of the hinge. The method is already known, e.g. from German display copy of specification 27 - ~ O^Λ, of designing hinges for two foldable com¬ ponents which are to be capable of being folded in relation to a fixed component so that the two foldable components in one position can form a level plane without any hinge components projecting out— wards into the joint between them, as is the case with conventional hinges. The fixed component i-s designed in the form of a trough and a hinge arrangement of this type is often manufactured with consid¬ erable length. The fact that the hinge contains two hinge joints, that these are located in cramped fashion at the side of the trough * and that the hinge is of considerable length involves particularly severe difficulties during assembly and difficulties in making the hinge move either without ja-mming or free pl-ay, which involves both increased production difficulties -and greatly increased production costs because the pins are essential. Technical problem: The problem to be solved by the present invention relates, as OMPI . IPO indicated by what has been stated above, to the pin and its connection with the remaining components of the hinge. The solution: The present invention solves the problems which are related to the pin, in that this has been entirely eliminated, A hinge of the said type with a trough-shaped fixed component and two foldable com¬ ponents can by e-ans of the present invention thus be designed with a total of only three components and absolutely without pins. Advantages: The invention gives the advantage, as mentioned, that the hinge arrangement can be designed with fewer components which, apart from reduced costs due to eliminating the manufacture of the co-Ξponents * concerned, also signifies a greatly reduced assembly cost. Further¬ more in many cases handling is fa ilitated because the hinge arrange- * ment, when fastening it to the appropriate foldable and ixed elements can be handled as separate components, which are joined together in a suitable assembly phase, whilst a hinge of the conventional type would have,to be assembled with its-pin in place already from the production stage. Brief description of drawings: The appended drawings show two embodiments of the invention. Pig 1 illustrates a hinge arrangement in accordance with the first embodi¬ ment in the assembled state, in the form of an end view in the first folding position; fig. 2 illustrates the same arrangement in a sec¬ ond folding position; fig.3 illustrates a variant of the arrange¬ ment in fig. 1 and 2; fig. * illustrates the second embodiment in cross-section; ' and fig. 5 illustrates the hinge arrangement in accor¬ dance with the second embodiment in the form of a perspective exploded view. Best mode of carrying out the invention: -Fig. 1 -and 2 illustrate a first element 1 and a second element 2. It is assumed that these elements have the shape of discs with top faces which, in the position of the discs 1 and 2 illustrated form OMPI a plane 3 » in the following designated as the frontal surface, and a surface •+ opposite this which is designated as the rear surface. The frontal surface -has a covering, in the case illustrated a relativ¬ ely thick textile mat- » Elements 1 -and.2.are joined by means of a hinge arrangement 6. The hinge arrangement 6 consists of two side portions 7 and 8, of which side portion 7 is joined with the disc 1 by means of rivets 9 and the side portion 8 with disc 2 by means of rivets 10. The side portions7 » 8 are made in Z-shape with an outer portion 11, an inter- veiling portion 12 and an inner ledge-shaped portion 13, which port¬ ions are in turn connected with each other at an angle of 0. The side portions 7» 8 are held by means of the rear portion 11 to the discs 1, 2 by means of the rivets 9 » 10 which extend through holes in the outer portions11 and the * discs 1, 2. • ' . The object is that portions 7» 8 should have the shape of elong¬ ated rails along which are " stamped-out lugs 1 of the corner edges formed between portions 12, 13 in which apertures 16 are thus formed. The lugs are several in number and are arranged at a uniform distance along the flange edges. The corner portions 15 which have not been bent downwards between and beyond the lugs 1-+ form cavities^together with the lugs which have been bent to a curved shape^which are to form the bearing journals. The hinge arrangement has as a further component a trough-shaped middle section 17 with a web 18 and two flanges 19 * The middle sec- tion is preferably fixed, fastened for example by screws to a portion 22. Each of the flanges 19 has punched out portions 21 -along the outer edges. The punched out portions 21 fit with some play in the centre of the downwardly bent portions 1-+ in the side portions 7j 8 in the intended assembly position. Outside the punched out portions 21 portions are formed which can occupy the space formed by the lugs Λ-\- when the unbent portions 15 o components 7 -and 8 rest against the outer edges of the flanges. As mentioned, the space which extends in the longitudinal direction of the flanges between the lugs 1 and the portions 15 vhich have not been bent downwards. orms the journals and the flange edges with portions 20 can be regarded as comprising the pin, which facilitates the swivelling of the side portions 7 and 8 in relation to the trough-shaped centre portion. Swivel ability εi ni- fies that the outer portions 7, 8 with discs 1, 2 seated thereon can be swivelled between the positions illustrated in fig. 1 and 2. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 and 2 the lugs 1 during assembly must be bent outwards from the opposing intermediate portion 12 to such n extent that sections 20 of the flanges 19 can be intro¬ duced into the position illustrated in fig. 1. With the embodiment in accord-ance with these diagrams it has been assumed that the lugs are bent in advance and after assembly are bent further inwards so that they penetrate into the stamped out portions 21. Alternatively it is posεi— ble however to dispense with bending them inwards and thus in the fold¬ ing position illustrated in fig. 1 they are not introduced into the stamped out apertures 21. This signifies that the side components 7 and 8 axe not locked at the centre portion 17 in the position illu¬ strated in fig. 1, but are on the other hand in other folding positions. If however the components are guided in such a way laterally that the lugs 1*-+ are always located " in the centre of the stamped out apertures 21, then as soon as a folding moveπent is to be performed the lugs will act as bearing caps and hence the uplift capacity in the position illustrated in fig. 1 is not a disadvantage if the elements 1 and 2 are loaded downwards in this position. On occasion it can be an advantage if elements 1 and 2 are upliftable in one position. If however locking is required in all positions, it is necessary to have the said inward bending. Fig. 3 however illustrates an alter¬ native embodiment which does no * fc- require- any subsequent bending. Here "the intermediate portions 12 are made at an oblique angle to the inner and outer portions 11 and 13, which provides facilities for further downward folding of side sections 7-» 8. As shown i fig. 3-j this pro¬ vides the said play between the lugs ~ -- and the opposing intermediate portion 12, so that assembly and dismantling can take place.- If how- ever with the hinge arrangement in the assembled position elements 1 and 2 can never be folded to the lower position, so that the lugs can be freed from the apertures, the side sections are locked in relation to the centre portion after ass-embly has finished. The second embodiment as shown in fig. and 5 has the same fun- ction as the first embodiment. However, whilst the former is suitable for manufacture in metal plate by punching and bending operations, the second embodiment is appropriate for manufacture in extruded sections. Fig. 4 does not show the discs 1 -and 2, but ere, as with the first embodiment, the components of the actual hinge arrangement are three in number and they are designated by the. same notation numbers, i.e. the side portions 7 and 8.and the centre portion 17- On the other hand new notation numbers have been employed for the sub-components forming part. Thus the side components f 8 have external portions 23» inter¬ mediate portions 4.and inner portions 25« As previously the outer portions are designed to be fastened to discs or similar elements. From the inner corner between the intermediate portion 24 and the inner portion 25 arc-shaped hinge caps 2β extend which together with ' a radius in the corner form an open bearing position 27, the arc- shaped bearing surface of which extends through about 270 • Between the end of the hinge cap 26 and the inside of the frontal portion 25 '. an aperture 28 is formed. When extruding the section, which is assu¬ med to be the method of production for this, the hinge cap 26 origi¬ nally extends along the entire length of the outer components 7, 8, which are designed as extended rails, but by means of a punching or milling operation the cap is cut off in line with the inside of the intermediate portion 24 to form short pieces. In this case also the centre portion 17 is trough-shaped with a web 29 and 'two flanges 30. The flanges are terminated by cylindrical edge portions 31 j the diameter of which fits with some play into the bearing position 27. Stamped out apertures 31 are made in the flanges ' 0 - ~ --& these form windows, their length corresponding to the length of the remaining pieces of hinge cap 26. The edge portions 31, which as shown in fig. 4 are to form pins inserted in the bearing position 27 1 are displaced outwards in relation to the flanges 30 and so as to provide a support for the side portion 7 when these are in their out- wardly folded position, so that the centre sections 24 are parallel with the flanges 30, ledges 33 are provided. The apertures 28 at the end of the cap 26 are somewhat wider than the thickness of the flanges 30. As shown in fig. 4 the intention is thus that the side section 8 should be mounted on the centre portion 17 because the bearing posi¬ tions 27 can swivel around the edge portions 31 forming the pins. Since the gap 28 is considerably smaller than the edge portions 31 forming the pins, -the side sections 7 » 8 cannot be pulled downwards from their assembly position and the side edges of the punched out re¬ cesses 32 ensure lateral guidance. During assembly of the side sections 7ι 8 they must be swivelled straight upwards with the inner surfaces of the forward portions 25 resting against the insideε of . the flanges 30. In this position the apertures 28 are located centrally in respect of the flanges 30 and the caps 26 are thus in a position outside the punched out apertures 32. Here there is nothing to prevent the side portions 7» 8 being pushed in from the side over the edge portions 3 1 after which they are locked when they are folded downwards. In the folded state, i. e. the said assembly position, to ensure that it is not possible inadvertently to displace the components in relation to each other, so that it is no longer possible for the side portions to fold downwards, some type of side stop can be provided. On the other hand with certain applications - it can be advantageous to obtain locking in the folded position and * locking thus occurs if, in the folded up position, the side portions 7, 8 are displaced somewhat sideways in relation to the centre por¬ tion 17. In the position-illustrated in fig. 2 for the first embodiment, which position can be designated as the lowered position, ' thus ele— * ments 1 and 2 are in line with each other and the surface 3 is level. The forward portions 13 have their outer portions located in this plane and exhibit a slight gap between ' them. Thus the mat 5 receives supp- ort practically for the entire distance across the joint between the two elements and the surface 3 can be regarded as a continuous plane without either recesses or projecting portions. When the elements 1, 2 are folded to the position shown in fig. 3} which can be designated as the raised position, the forward portions 13 form a gap between them of such a width that the mat 5 can occupy the space between them when double-folded. Such a small amount of space is required for this swivelling downwards of portions 13 that the hinge arrangement has relatively only a negligible height, so that generally it does not need to project~beyond, or if so only slightly* the rear, surface'4. to elements 1, 2. Usually it can be assumed that the mat is glued to elements 1, 2. However a certain portion of the mat with the hinge arrangement 6 MPI must remain unglued, as shown in fig. 3- The unglued length depends on the requirements imposed as regards the folding of elements 1, 2. If these are folded together synchronously with each other, then the unglued portion need not be large, see fig. 3« -If only one or other element is to be folded, then as can easily be seen a longer unglued length is required, e.g. betv/een the edges of elements 1, 2. The hinge arrangements in accordance with the second embodiment can be employed in the same manner. The way in which the different portions function as bearings for folding of the side portions 7j 8 in relation to the centre portion 17 should be evident from the fore¬ going. The hinge arrangement can be modified within the framework of the following patent claims. Thus the extruded embodiments can par- a-n ticularly be given • --inverted' 1 design so that the side members are provided with a cylindrical ledge or bead, for which a bearing poεi- •-. tion is provided in each flange of the centre portion. The fixing - - arrangements * for the elements can be varied within wide limits so as to match the element, design, v/hich can be in the form of thick or thin flat or profiled discs. :; Industrial applicability: As mentioned in the introduction the ' conventional type of hinge suffers from the disadvantage that at least half of the actual hinge has to be located outside the elements which are to be joined by the hinge. This results in a projecting portion being encountered, which can prove an obstacle at those assembly points where it is desired to form one plane from the elements combined by the hinge. This is for example a case with the floor for loading areas in delivery vans and the like. Very often the floor is designed in the form of hatches which should be capable of being folded upwards so that the space under¬ neath the floor becomes accessible or so as to form a support, e.g. for a seat. If conventional hinges are employed here the floor is thus not level because the hinges will project. In cases where a long hinge is employed, known as a piano hinge, a long projecting ridge is encountered across the entire floor. Another disadvantage of the conventional hinge is that the sur¬ faces on the elements which are joined;to each other perform such a OMPI movement that the length measured along the surface is changed. The result is that if a mat or other so t covering is placed over the hinge links, when any of the elements are in the raised position thiswrinkles and there is not sufficient space to accommodate it between the elements. 5 The hinge arrangement in accordance with the present invention is particularly suitable for use in the loading areas, particularly in "combination vehicles". By means of this arrangement an extremely sim¬ ple arrangement is thus obtained which does not require any pins and which is easily assembled. It also complies with the said requ i rement 10 of making it possible to form a level surface across the joint between the folding portions which can be provided with a mat and without any wrinkling occurring. 15. 20 25 30 5 OMPI IPO

Claims: Patent claims: 1. Hinge arrangement which is arranged to join elements (1,2; 22) so that they can adopt different positions in relation to each other, and exhibiting main components (7» 8j 17) which are arranged to be fastened to the different elements and to be joined by me-ans of one or several hinge joints (1-+, 20; 26, 31) so that the main components and by this means the elements fastened thereto can be swivelled in rela¬ tion to each other, characterised in that each hinge joint is formed by lugs bent essentially into cylindrical shap (1*+; 26) proceeding from the one main component (7, 8) which joins the hinge joint and arr¬ anged to extend into apertures (21; 32) of restricted length in the other main component (17) which is connected to the hinge joint, so that the hinge joint is formed by the lugs extending into the aper¬ tures, which lugs form a cap around one edge portion (20; 31) embra- ced by the respective lug (14; 26) of the other main components, of ' .which a number of edge portions together form the pin of the hinge joint. 2. Hinge arrangement as. in patent claim 1 in which the element is formed by two elements (1, 2) which are foldable and a third element (22) which is fastened in foldable fashion by means of the first men¬ tioned element (1,2) between a first position folded outwards from each other mainly in line with each other with a surface forming mainly one plane (3) and a second position folded towards each other whereby the hinge arrangement comprises three main components, .two side por- tions (7, 8) to which the foldable elements (1, 2) are fastened and a centre portion (17) which is preferably fixed, with the two side portions (7, 8) and hence the element (1, 2) fastened thereto being foldably arranged at the centre portion (17) each by means of a hinge joint (1-+, 20; 26, 31) , which hinge joints are essentially parallel with each other, characterised in that the centre portion (17) is trough-shaped and has flanges, along the edges of which apertures (21; 32) are arranged, which apertures are preferably elongated and extend lengthwise in the longitudinal direction of the flange, where s id-ecg ' eportions ( ' 20;31) alqngtheouteredges of the flanges are formed beyond each .of the apertures, whilst the lugs (1*+; 26) are arranged on the side portions. 3. ELnge arrangement in accordance with any of the preceding patent ?* claims characterised in that the trough-shaped centre portion (17) is formed from a U-shaped section, the outer flange ends of which are des¬ igned with edge beads (31)» inside which in the respective flange (30) the said apertures (32) . are located with restricted length, and that the lugs of the side portions ι 8) are designed as open caps (26), which caps partially surround the respective edge bead • in such a manner that they cannot be drawn radially outwards from the bead, but even so exhibit such an aperture (28) that the side portion can be dis¬ placed along the flange in one of the hinge arrangement positions so that the side portions can be pushed on the centre portion lengthwise in this position and locked to the latter in the lengthwise direction by being folded' from this position so that the lugs (26) penetrate in¬ to the said apertures (32).

Inventors: OSBECK ERIK
Applicants: OSBECK ERIK, SUNDQVIST & WINDT SUNWIND AB
Application year: 1982
Main classification: E05D1
IPC codes: E05D1, E05D3, E05D7