Hinges of the double knuckle type

Abstract: In a hinge of the double-knuckle type in which a leaf member (2) is carried from a bracket member (1) by means of at least one link (3, 4) which defines a knuckle, and the link is pivotally connected at opposite ends between the bracket and the leaf by means of a pair of spaced parallel hinge pins (5, 6), an exposed end of a hinge pin (6) between one of the members and the link is adapted to be shielded by an extension (14, 15) or part of the other member at least when the hinge is in a closed position in which the link lies in a plane parallel to the planes containing the leaf and the bracket. Thus when a door is closed, and preferably locked in a closed position, the hinge pins (5, 6) cannot be removed or tampered with sufficiently to enable the hinge to be dismantled to permit pilfering of the contents of a container provided with such a hinged connection between its doors and its frame to take place.

Description: This invention relates to hinges of the double-knuckle type of the kind in which a leaf member is carried from a bracket member by means of at least one link defining knuckles, and the link is pivotally connected at opposite ends between the bracket and the leaf by means of a pair of spaced parallel hinge pins according to the preamble of claim 1. The preamble of the claim is known from US-A-2 205 484. Hinges of the kind set forth are often used to provide hinged connections between frames and doors of containers for the transport and storage of freight and other goods, and of freight carrying vehicles themselves. The provision of the hinged links enables the doors to be hinged back on themselves through substantially 270°, with the hinges moving angularly from an inoperative closed position in which the link lies in a plane parallel to planes containing the leaf and the bracket, and into fully open positions to facilitate loading and unloading in a minimum of space. It is a problem however to ensure that when a door is closed, and preferably locked in a closed position, the hinge pins cannot be removed or tampered with sufficiently to enable the hinge to be dismantled to permit pilfering of the contents of the container to take place. Our invention comprises a 270° vehicle door hinge of the double-knuckle type in which a leaf member is carried from a bracket member by means of at least one link defining knuckles, the link being pivotally connected at opposite ends between the bracket and the leaf by means of a pair of spaced parallel hinge pins, wherein an exposed end of a first hinge pin between one of the members and the link is shielded by an extension or part of the other member at least when the hinge is in a closed position in which the link lies in a plane parallel to planes containing the leaf and the bracket and whereby mounting holes in the other member to receive bolts for securing the said other member to a frame, are positioned with respect to the axis of the second hinge pin between the at least one link and the other member so that when the bolts are in position, the head of a bolt obstructs an exposed end of the second hinge pin. Thus, when a door is in a closed position security is improved since the exposed end of the hinge pin is covered by the extension and is therefore externally inaccessible. When both ends of a single pin are exposed preferably the said other member is provided with two extensions or parts adapted to cover both ends of the pin when the hinge is in the closed position. In a hinge in which the pin forming a connection between the leaf and a pair of links is exposed at both ends, spaced parallel end walls formed in the bracket are the parts adapted to cover both ends of the pin when the hinge is in the closed position. In such a construction the end of the leaf is adapted to be received in a recess in the bracket of the hinge when the hinge is in the closed position, and the walls of the ends of the recess define the said parallel end walls. The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a plan view of a hinge according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a side view of the hinge of Figure 1. Referring to the accompanying drawings, a double-knuckle hinge according to the invention comprises four parts: a bracket member 1, a leaf member 2, links 3,4 defining knuckles, and a pair of spaced parallel hinge pins 5,6 pivotally connecting the members 1,2 to the links. The bracket member 1 and leaf member 2 are provided with holes 7,8,9,10,11,12 through which bolts, screws or similar fastenings may extend to secure the respective members in use. The bracket member 1 shown in Figure 1 is provided with a blind bore 13 in which a first hinge pin 5 is located. In use the open end of this bore will be closed by the presence of a head on the bolt or other fastening means passing through the hole 7 in the bracket member 1 adjacent the open end of the bore 13. The part of the bracket member 1 containing the bore 13, together with the bore 13 itself is interrupted by gaps, in which the links 3,4 will be located. The bracket member 1 is also provided at either end with extensions or arms 14,15 extending away from the axis of the blind bore 13, thereby defining a recess in the bracket member. A second bore 16 is formed at a first end 17 of the leaf member 2, by mechanical deformation, or by any other suitable method. In use, the first end 17 of the leaf member 2 is located between the arms 14,15 of the bracket member 1. The first end of the leaf member 2 and the bore 16 are interrupted by gaps through which the links 3,4 will be located. In use the first end 17 of the leaf member 2 is located between the arms 14,15 of the bracket member 1 in the recess defined thereby. In the closed position the leaf member 2 rests flush with the bracket member. The links 3,4 are each provided with two spaced parallel bores 18,19;20,21. In use, a first hinge pin 5 extends through the bore 13 in the bracket member 1, locating a first end of each of the links, by extending through a first bore 18,20 in each link 3,4. A second hinge pin 6 extends through the bore 16 formed in the leaf member 2, locating a second end of each of the links, by extending through the second bore 19,21 in each link 3,4. The first hinge pin 5 is held within the blind bore 13 by the presence of a head on the bolt or other fastening means passing through the hole 7 - the bracket member 1 adjacent the open end of the bore. In the closed position the ends of the second hinge pin 6 are shielded by the arms 14,15 and so cannot easily be tampered with.

Claims: A 270° vehicle door hinge of the double-knuckle type in which a leaf member (2) is carried from a bracket member (1) by means of at least one link (3,4) defining knuckles, the link being pivotally connected at opposite ends between the bracket and the leaf by means of a pair of spaced parallel hinge pins (5,6), characterised in that an exposed end of a first hinge pin (6) between one of the members (1,2) and the link (3,4) is shielded by an extension or part (14,15) of the other member (1,2) at least when the hinge is in a closed position in which the link lies in a plane parallel to planes containing the leaf and the bracket and whereby mounting holes (7,8) in the said other member (1,2) to receive bolts for securing the said other member (1,2) to a frame, are positioned with respect to the axis of the second hinge pin (5) between the at least one link and the other member (1,2) so that when the bolts are in position, the head of a bolt obstructs an exposed end of the second hinge pin (5). A 270° vehicle door hinge accordinq to claim 1, characterised in that the said other member is provided with two extensions or parts (14,15) adapted to cover both ends of the pin (6) providing said shielding when the hinge is in the closed position. A 270° vehicle door hinge according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the hinge pin (6) forming a connection between the leaf member and a pair of links (3,4) is exposed at both ends, and the bracket (1) is formed with spaced parallel end walls (14,15) which cover both ends of the pin providing said shielding when the hinge is in the closed position. A 270° vehicle door hinge according to claim 3, characterised in that the end of the leaf (2) is adapted to be received in a recess in the bracket (1) of the hinge when the hinge is in the closed position, and in which the walls of the ends of the recess define the said parallel end walls (14,15).

Inventors: FOLKARD BARRY PETER, FOLKARD, BARRY PETER
Applicants: BLOXWICH ENG, BLOXWICH ENGINEERING LIMITED
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E05D3
IPC codes: E05D5, E05D3