Abstract:
The present disclosure includes a hinge assembly for use in a hinged attachment of a panel relative to a frame and providing movement of the panel relative to the frame. A link which provides an extension or reach motion and positioning of the assembly, shown for purposes of illustration and not limitation in the form of a gooseneck arm, is provided in the hinge assembly to facilitate an extended range of motion of the hinge assembly. A first spherical bearing assembly and a second spherical bearing assembly are operatively associated with a bearing end of the link to provide multiple degrees of motion while securely retaining the panel relative to the frame. The hinge is intended to provide universal application of a single version of a hinge which can be used in multiple locations as facilitated by the multiple degrees of motion provided by the bearing end of the link.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. nationalization under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2013/065525, filed Oct. 17, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/714,916, filed Oct. 17, 2012. The disclosures set forth in the referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure includes a hinge assembly for use in a hinged attachment of a panel relative to a frame and providing movement of the panel relative to the frame. A link which provides an extension or reach motion and positioning of the assembly, shown for purposes of illustration and not limitation in the form of a gooseneck arm, is provided in the hinge assembly to facilitate an extended range of motion of the hinge assembly. A first spherical bearing assembly and a second spherical bearing assembly are operatively associated with a bearing end of the link to provide multiple degrees of motion while securely retaining the panel relative to the frame. The hinge is intended to provide universal application of a single version of a hinge which can be used in multiple locations as facilitated by the multiple degrees of motion provided by the bearing end of the link. 
     By way of background, a variety of gooseneck hinges have been developed for attachment of a panel or door to a frame. Such gooseneck assemblies provide a plate and flange attached to a frame with a gooseneck arm pivotally attached to the flange. A point of rotation allows the arm to move relative to the flange. The arm generally extends along a predefined path and includes attachment points such as a corresponding plate and flange assembly on an end distal from the frame end attached to the flange. The distal end of the arm is attached to the panel at a specific location so that when the panel is closed relative to the frame the gooseneck can retain the hinge end of the panel. Often times a latch assembly is positioned spaced from the hinges to provide a locking feature to retain the panel in a closed position over the opening defined by the frame. 
     Some gooseneck hinges are provided with a locking mechanism to allow the hinge to lock in an open position once the panel is displaced relative to the frame. This allows the panel to be held by the hinges in an open position. The locking feature of the gooseneck hinge can be useful to further reduce the number of parts that are required in an assembly. It may be useful to reduce the number of parts because it can decrease initial installation time and can reduce the cost associated with the hinge assembly maintenance, and repair. As an example, prior art designs may have used a separate hold open rod to hold the panel in the open position relative to the frame once it is displaced to the open position. The use of a locking mechanism associated with the hinge helps eliminate such a hold open rod assembly space use, installation, cost, weight, and maintenance. 
     As an additional matter, some prior art hinge assemblies are custom designed for each specific application. In this regard, multiple hinge assemblies may be designed to hold and hinge a single panel. Other hinge assemblies can be designed for other panels. However, it would be useful to reduce the number of parts managed, parts inventories maintained, and increase the number of parts bought by having a single more universal hinge assembly which can be used for a variety of panel and frame assemblies. In this regard, it would be useful to provide a hinge assembly which increases the degree of motion to facilitate movement of the panel relative to the frame thereby facilitating the use of a single type of hinge for multiple applications. The use of a gooseneck hinge can be useful in this application because it can provide extended displacement of the panel relative to the frame. 
     This background information is provided to provide some information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is intended, nor should such admission be inferred or construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure. Other aims, objects, advantages and features of the disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as a non-limiting example only, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view to illustrate a panel in a closed position over an opening defined by a corresponding body portion, the body portion being a section of an aircraft with the panel being displaceable on a hinge assembly disclosed herein to facilitate access to areas within the body of the aircraft; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration showing the panel displaced relative to the body to provide an opening facilitating access to the inside of the aircraft for a variety of purposes including such activities as maintenance of components retained within the aircraft; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hinge assembly showing a frame mounting portion, a link in the form of a gooseneck arm portion, and a panel mounting portion with a latch retained relative to the frame mounting portion for facilitating retaining the hinge in an open position; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of the latch as shown in  FIG. 3  which has been displaced to rotate a bearing end of the gooseneck arm relative to the frame mounting and showing displacement of the panel away from an opening defined by the frame with the latch assembly retaining a portion of the bearing end; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the components of the hinge assembly showing the various specific components comprising the frame mounting, bearing assembly carried on the bearing end of the gooseneck arm, a panel mounting portion, and the latch assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side elevational view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 3  showing the relationship of the various structures of the hinge assembly; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 3  providing additional information about the relationship of a first spherical bearing to a second spherical bearing which helps facilitate multiple degrees of motion of the bearing end to facilitate movement of a panel attached to the mounting end of the gooseneck arm. 
     
    
    
     The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure that are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure. The disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of structure, function, construction, or the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of various phrases and terms is meant to encompass the items or functions identified and equivalents thereof as well as additional items or functions. Unless limited otherwise, various phrases, terms, and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass all variations of such phrases and terms. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the disclosure. However, other alternative structures, functions, and configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the present disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the term “or” is to be considered inclusive. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  various aircraft and other devices have an outer portion or body which may be interrupted, as needed by design, to provide access to equipment and other systems located within the body  20 . In such circumstances, the body is formed with an opening  22  which may be defined in general by a frame element  24  having a panel  26  being used to close the opening  22 .  FIG. 1  shows the panel  26  in a generally closed position over the opening  22 .  FIG. 2  shows the panel  26  displaced from the opening  22  showing the panel oriented in an open position. In the closed position a latch or other locking device  28  alone or in combination with other similar systems is used to retain the panel in the closed position. As shown in  FIG. 2 , one or more hinge assemblies  30  may be attached to the panel to retain it relative to the frame  24 . The hinge assemblies  30  facilitate displaceable retention and movement of the panel  26  relative to the frame  24 . With further reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hinge assembly  30  is shown in a closed position ( FIG. 3 , analogous to  FIG. 1 ) and an open position ( FIG. 4 , analogous to  FIG. 2 ). These structures and functions of the hinge assembly  30  will be described in greater detail herein below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hinge assembly  30  includes the frame mounting portion  34  and a panel mounting portion  38 . A link  42  is illustrated in the form of a gooseneck arm. References is broadly made to the link  42  so that the broadest possible interpretation of the structure moveably attached to the frame mounting  34  and attached to the panel mounting  38  can be defined in the present description. While a “gooseneck” structure can be used, a variety of other configurations presently known or hereafter developed are also considered to be appropriate for the link  42 . While the link  42  is illustrated as a single component it is possible that a multipiece link which is fixed or articulable could be used While the following description will make reference to the link  42  as being a gooseneck configuration the structure is intended to be interpreted in the broadest possible manner and is provide as an illustration but not a limitation of the present invention. 
     Similarly, while the panel mounting portion  38  is typically a pair of brackets  46  attached to a distal end  50  of the link  42  other variations on the panel mounting  38  can be envisioned. As such, the panel mounting portion, while shown as being a fixed element could be any version of elements required to achieve the structural and functional objections of the hinge assembly  30 . As such, the panel mounting portion  38  as shown herein is provided by way of illustration and not limitation. 
     The frame mounting portion  34  includes a pair of frame brackets  54  which are defined by corresponding pairs of slate  58  and extending flanges  60 . The flanges include mounting passages  152  for a shaft  64  extending from one flange to the other flange providing an axis  68  of attachment and movement relative to the frame bracket  54 . As will be described in greater detail below, a first spherical bearing assembly  70  is carried on and moves relative to the shaft  64  along the axis of attachment and movement. The spherical bearing assembly  70  includes the end of the link at the bearing end  74  which provides structure to house and retain a spherical bearing  78 . 
     A second spherical bearing assembly  82  is spaced from the first spherical bearing assembly  70 . The second spherical bearing assembly  82  includes a shaft  88  extending through the bearing assembly  82 . A pair of generally arcuate passages  90  are defined in the corresponding flanges  60 ,  60  of the corresponding frame bracket  54 ,  54 . The shaft  88  helps maintain the position of the link  42  relative to the frame mounting assembly  34 . 
     As noted above, the first spherical bearing assembly  70  is retained along the axis of attachment and movement  68 . As such, a degree of side to side movement or angular movement of the link  42  is facilitated by the bearing assembly  70 . This helps to allow the hinge attached to the panel  26  to be securely retained relative to the frame  24  but to provide a degree of linear as well as angular displacement movement of the panel  26  relative to the frame  24 . 
     The second spherical bearing assembly  82  similarly provides a degree of movement but generally limits movement to translational movement along an axis  94  extending through the shaft  88  associated with the second spherical bearing assembly  82 . The combination of the first and second spherical bearing assemblies provides a degree of movement or articulation of the hinge which compensates for panel contours relative to the frame assembly. For example, if a panel provides a variety of contours the movement of the hinge may not merely be along a linear path. Rather, movement of the panel relative to the frame using the hinge may require more complex adjustable movements during the opening and closing of the panel relative to the frame. The hinge assembly as disclosed herein accommodates the variations associated with panels and frames. Also, the use of the hinge as disclosed facilitates use of a single type of hinge with a variety of panels having a variety of contours. 
     The hinge assembly  30  as described herein also includes a latching feature which allows the hinge to be latched in an opening position (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ) thereby eliminating the need for an additional structure to maintain the panel  26  in an open position relative to the frame  24 . In this regard, the shaft  88  includes ends  98  which extend beyond the outboard surfaces of the corresponding flanges  60 . These ends provide a structure which can be captured by a latching notch  100  defined by a latching arm  104  carried on a latch assembly  108 . The latch assembly includes the latching arm, a rod  112  extending through the latching arms  104 , the corresponding flanges  60 . The rod  112  defines an axis of rotation  114  to facilitate movement of the latching arms  104  relative to the flanges  60 . 
     In the unlocked position, a spring  118  biases the latch assembly  108  in a “locking” position. In this position, the latching arms  104  are positioned in a spring biased orientation towards the frame  24 . As the shaft  88  is rotated towards a head  120  of the latching arms  104  it draws against the arms and the spring force to engage in the latching notch  100 . The extent of movement of the shaft  88  in the arcuate passages  90  is designed to be at approximately the same position as the latching notch  100 . As such, the shaft  88  can dead stop in the arc  90  and be retainably latched by the latching arms  104  in a locked “open” position. 
     When the latching assembly  108  is to be disengaged the operator presses against the arms  122  on the latch to overcome the spring force and disengage the shaft  88  from the latching notch  100 . Rotary movement of the latching assembly  108  about the axis of rotation  114  results in disengaging the notch  100  from the corresponding ends  98  of the shaft  88 . Disengagement of the latching assembly  108  from the shaft  88  of the second spherical bearing assembly  82  allows the panel to be repositioned over the opening  22  to close the opening. 
     Turning now to more detail discussion of the individual parts used in the described operation, referenced made to the exploded perspective view of the hinge assembly  30  as shown in  FIG. 5  in combination with the cross sectional illustrations as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 5 , the exploded perspective view shows the numerous components of the latch assembly identified in relation to the other corresponding components. For example, it can be seen that the gooseneck arm  42  has a bearing end  74  and a distal end  50 . The bearing end includes the first bearing assembly  70  and the second bearing assembly  82 . Both bearing assemblies include corresponding sleeves  130  positioned on either side of the corresponding circle bearings which include a race  132  and a corresponding ball  134  retained within the race  132 . The assembled sleeves and bearings are retained in the corresponding bores  138 ,  140 . The first bearing assembly  70  also includes corresponding spacers  142  positioned on either side of the bearing assembly  78  to facilitate angular movement that restrict translational movement. The spacers  142  are not provided with regard to the second bearing assembly  82  so as to provide some degree of translational movement relative to the shaft  88 . 
     The distal end  50  includes the brackets  46  with corresponding fasteners  144 , shown in the form of a rivet, to retain the brackets  46  on the distal end  50 . A passage  146  has been formed in the distal end to provide additional weight reduction of the overall assembly. Similarly, a recessed area  148  is formed a central arcuate portion  150  of the gooseneck  42 . This area has also been engineered to reduce the mass of the assembly without compromise of the structural function and integrity of the assembly. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 5 , the shaft  64  extends along the axis  68  through the corresponding passages  152  formed through the flanges  60 . The central portion of the shaft  64  extends through the corresponding spacers  142 , sleeves  130 , bearing assembly  78  and bore  138 . Corresponding washers  154  are provided on either end of the flange  60  with a threaded end  156  of the shaft  64  engaging the corresponding nut  158  to retain the assembly  70  in engagement at the bearing end  74 . 
     The second bearing assembly  82  is similarly assembled with the shaft  88  extending through the passages  90 , sleeve  130 , bearing assembly  78  and bore  140 . Corresponding washers  160 , bushings  162 , flat washers  164  and engaging screws  166  retain the second assembly  82  in position at the bearing end  74 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 5 , the latch assembly  108  is shown with the latching arms  104  extending from a corresponding cross bar  168  with the arms  122  extending therefrom. Pivot knuckles  170  include passages  172  extending there through for receipt of the rod  112 . The rod extends through the corresponding bushings  176  and passages  178  on the corresponding flanges  60 . As assembled the latch assembly  108  positions the pivot knuckles  170  on the outside portion of the flanges  60  with the biasing spring  118  contained inwardly of the corresponding flanges  60 . Retained ends  180 ,  180  of the spring  118  are engaged in the corresponding flanges  60 ,  60  and a leading end  182  of the spring  118  between the coils  184  is positioned against the cross bar  168 . The bushings  176  are positioned between the pivot knuckles  170  and the corresponding outside surface of the flanges  60 . 
     With regard  FIGS. 6 and 7 , cross sectional views have been taken along corresponding lines  6 - 6  in  FIGS. 3 and 7-7  in  FIG. 3 . These cross sectional views show the assembled relationship of the bearing assembly  70  ( FIG. 7 ) and the corresponding assembled relationship of the latch assembly  108 . 
     In use, the hinge assembly  30  is attached to a corresponding frame  24  and panel  26  with the frame mounting end  34  and the panel mounting end  38 , respectively. A pair of bearing assemblies  70 ,  82  is operatively retained on the frame mounting end  34  whereas the panel mounting end  38  is generally fixed to the panel. A gooseneck arm extends between these mounting locations to facilitate movement of the panel  26  relative to the frame  24 . In an open position a latch assembly  108  can retain the hinge assembly  30  in an open position. At the discretion of the user, the latch assembly  108  can be released to allow the hinge to facilitate closure of the panel  26  over the opening  22  in the frame element  24 . 
     The first bearing assembly  70  includes the spherical bearing  78  to facilitate a degree of angular motion relative to the mounting  34 . Similarly, the second bearing assembly  82  includes a second bearing  78  to facilitate additional angular motion. However, the operative association of the components facilitates translational motion of the second bearing assembly  82  carried on shaft  88  along and coaxial with the axis  94 . The combination of the bearing assemblies  70 ,  82  facilitates additional movement and control of the hinge assembly  30 . 
     The foregoing terms as well as other terms should be broadly interpreted throughout this application to include all known as well as all hereafter discovered versions, equivalents, variations and other forms of the abovementioned terms as well as other terms. The present disclosure is intended to be broadly interpreted and not limited. 
     While the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications, uses, adaptations, and equivalent arrangements based on the principles disclosed. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within at least the known or customary practice within the art to which it pertains. It is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalent structures and functions without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as recited in the following claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.