Patent Publication Number: US-7210199-B2

Title: Hinge apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Some doors and gates have spring loaded hinges for assisting with opening or closing the door or gate. A common design for such a hinge is to employ a torsion spring within the hinge to provide spring loading. Tension of the torsional spring in some designs is adjusted by rotating or twisting one end of the torsional spring with a tool, such as a screwdriver. Typically, the blade of the screwdriver is inserted into a screwdriver slot in a rotatable member that is fixed to the end of the torsional spring. The rotatable member is then secured in the desired rotational position by a locking arrangement, such as interlocking surfaces, pins, etc. A drawback of such a method of adjustment is that the user must have a tool on hand to perform the adjustment. In addition, adjustment can become difficult to perform when attempting to adjust a spring to a level that requires a lot of torque to twist the spring. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention includes a spring loaded hinge in which the tension can be easily adjusted without using tools, even when a relatively large torque is required to adjust the spring. 
   The hinge includes a first hinge member and a second hinge member that is rotatably coupled to the first hinge member. The hinge can have a torsion spring with a first end of the spring secured relative to the first hinge member and a second end adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member. An adjustment mechanism can be included that is capable of disengaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and into engagement relative to the first hinge member to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring, and then re-engage the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting the torsional spring tension. 
   In particular embodiments, the adjustment mechanism can be hand operated and can include a push button that is secured to the second end of the torsion spring. The push button can have push button locking surfaces for engaging second hinge member locking surfaces for securing the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member. Depression of the push button can axially compress the spring and disengage the push button locking surfaces from the second hinge member locking surfaces and into engagement with first hinge member locking surfaces to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring. Release of the push button can re-engage the push button locking surfaces with the second hinge member locking surfaces. The push button locking surfaces and the second hinge member locking surfaces can be engageable in a series of different rotational positions for providing different torsional spring tensions. The second hinge member can have a series of markings that are positioned to correspond to the series of different rotational positions for indicating a series of spring tension settings. An indicator can be included on the push button for pointing to a particular marking associated with a chosen spring tension setting. The first and second hinge members can include alignment indicators for alignment with each other so that the hinge members can be moved in a position which allows depression of the push button. 
   The first hinge member can include an elongate bore for housing the spring. The second hinge member can include first and second spaced arms that are rotatably coupled to the elongate bore with inward surfaces of the arms rotatably contacting opposite ends of the bore. The first arm of the second hinge member can have an aperture through which a distal portion of the push button extends. The second hinge member locking surfaces can surround the aperture on the inward surface of the first arm. The push button locking surfaces can include a series of spaced radial protrusions for engaging with the first and second hinge member locking surfaces. The first hinge member locking surfaces can include a series of elongate longitudinal protrusions extending within the elongate bore of the first hinge member and spaced apart from each other. A spring securing member can be secured to the first end of the spring and secured to the first hinge member for securing the first end of the spring relative to the first hinge member. The spring securing member can have a distal portion for rotatably engaging an aperture in the second arm of the second hinge member. A removable cap can be included for snapping into place on the first arm of the second hinge member for covering the push button. The first and second hinge members can each include mounting flanges, one mounting flange for mounting to a fixed support member, and the other mounting flange for mounting to a swinging member. Each mounting flange can have right angle mounting surfaces for contacting and securing to the respective member on two right angled surfaces. The first and second hinge members can be formed of plastic. 
   The present invention also includes a hinge system including a fixed support member and a swinging member. At least one hinge is included having a first hinge member and a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member. The first and second hinge members each include mounting flanges. One mounting flange is secured to the fixed support member and the other mounting flange is secured to the swinging member. The hinge can have a torsion spring with a first end of the spring secured relative to the first hinge member and a second end adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member. An adjustment mechanism can be included that is capable of disengaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and into engagement relative to the first hinge member to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring, and then re-engage the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting the torsional spring tension. 
   The present invention additionally provides a method of adjusting a hinge where the hinge includes a first hinge member and a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member. The hinge can have a torsion spring with a first end of the spring secured relative to the first hinge member and a second end adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member. With an adjustment mechanism, the second end of the spring can be disengaged relative to the second hinge member and put into engagement relative to the first hinge member. The second hinge member is rotated relative to the first hinge member and the second end of the spring. The second end of the spring is re-engaged relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting the torsional spring tension. 
   In particular embodiments, the adjustment mechanism can be hand operated and can include a push button that is secured to the second end of the torsion spring. The push button can have push button locking surfaces for engaging second hinge member locking surfaces for securing the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member. The push button can be depressed to axially compress the spring and disengage the push button locking surfaces from the second hinge member locking surfaces and into engagement with first hinge member locking surfaces to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring. The push button can be released to re-engage the push button locking surfaces with the second hinge member locking surfaces. The push button locking surfaces and the second hinge member locking surfaces can be re-engaged in one of a series of different possible rotational positions for providing a different torsional spring tension. The second hinge member can have a series of markings positioned to correspond to the series of different rotational positions for indicating a series of spring tension settings. The push button can have an indicator for pointing to a particular marking associated with a chosen spring tension setting. The chosen spring tension setting can be selected by rotating the second hinge member relative to the first hinge member and the second end of the spring until the push button indicator points to the desired marking. Alignment indicators on the first and second hinge members can be aligned with each other so that the hinge members can be moved in a position which allows depression of the push button. The first and second hinge members can each include mounting flanges, one mounting flange for mounting to a fixed support member and the other mounting flange for mounting to a swinging member. The swinging member can be rotated for rotating the second hinge member relative to the first hinge member and the second end of the spring. Typically, the swinging member is a gate or door with a large leverage or moment arm relative to the hinge axis so that the torque required for adjusting the spring is easily obtained by rotation of the swinging member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic front view of a gate mounted to a fence post with hinges in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hinge in the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the hinge of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hinge of  FIG. 2  with the cap removed. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the hinge of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the second hinge member of the hinge of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the push button member. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a swinging member such as a door or gate  12  can be mounted to a fixed support member or post  14   a  by one or more hinges  10  in the present invention. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , hinges  10  mount to the gate  12  between the posts  14   a  and  14   b  of a fence  16 , where the gate  12  can be latched to post  14   b  with a latch  18 . It is understood that hinges  10  can be used in suitable exterior and interior applications which include a swinging member such as gates, doors, lids, etc. Embodiments of hinges  10  can be spring loaded, such as with a torsion spring  56  ( FIG. 5 ), to assist with the opening or closing of the swing member  12 . The tension of the spring  56  can be adjusted with a hand operated mechanism to suit the situation at hand. 
   An embodiment of the hinge  10  is now described in detail. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , hinge  10  can have a first or inner hinge member  20  and a second or outer hinge member  22  which are rotatably coupled together about a hinge axis A. The first hinge member  20  can have a generally cylindrical elongate bore portion  20   a  which is connected to a first mounting flange  24 . Reinforced portions or webs  34  can provide additional strength and rigidity between the bore portion  20   a  and the mounting flange  24 . The reinforced portions  34  can be located at opposite ends of the bore portion  20   a.    
   The second hinge member  22  has first and second hinge arms  28   a  and  28   b  which are connected to a second mounting flange  24 . The arms  28   a  and  28   b  of the second hinge member  22  are spaced apart from each other and are rotatably coupled to the bore portion  20   a  of the first hinge member  20  with respective inward surfaces  27   a  and  27   b  rotatably contacting respective opposite ends  21   a  and  21   b  of the bore portion  20   a . Reinforced portions or webs  34  can provide additional strength and rigidity between the arms  28   a  and  28   b  and the second mounting flange  24 . The mounting flanges  24  on the first  20  and second  22  hinge members allow the securement of the hinge members  20  and  22  to the fixed support member or post  14   a  and the swinging member  12 . Each mounting flange  24  can have two flange ears  24   a  and  24   b  which are at right angles to each other for mounting to the desired members  14   a  and  12  on two right angled surfaces. Mounting holes  26  in the flange ears  24   a  and  24   b  allow the use of fasteners, such as screws, bolts, etc. In other embodiments, the mounting flanges can have a single mounting surface. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4–7 , the hinge  10  can include a torsion spring member  56  ( FIG. 5 ) for spring loading hinge  10 . The spring  56  can be adjusted to vary the rotational spring force generated by spring  56  and the rotational direction of the spring force for assisting with the opening or closing of the swinging member  12 . The spring  56  can be housed within the interior  54  of the bore portion  20   a  of the first hinge member  20 . A first end  56   a  of the spring  56  is secured relative to the first hinge member  20  and a second end  56   b  is adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member  22 , for example, at the first arm  28   a.    
   The first end  56   a  of the spring  56  can be secured to a spring securing member or anchor  58  ( FIG. 5 ) which, in turn, is secured to the first hinge member  20  to secure the first end  56   a  of the spring  56  relative to the first hinge member  20 . The first end  56   a  of the spring  56  can be secured to the securing member  58  by positioning the inner diameter  55  of the spring  56  over a cylindrical tip  70  of the securing member  58  against shoulder  72  and inserting a longitudinally extending spring tip  59  into a hole  74  in the shoulder  72  adjacent to the cylindrical tip  70 . This prevents rotation of the first end  56   a  of the spring  56  relative to the securing member  58  about hinge axis A. The securing member  58  can be in turn secured in the bore portion  20   a  of first hinge member  20  by a pin  36   a  which is inserted in the first hinge member  20  through holes  36 , and in the securing member  58  through hole  78 . The securing member  58  can also be shaped to engage first hinge member locking surfaces  51  within the bore portion  20   a  to provide further rotational locking of the securing member  58 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the first hinge member locking surfaces  51  can be three equally spaced inwardly directed longitudinal protrusions  52  which extend along the inner wall in the interior  54  of the bore portion  20   a  and are engaged by three suitably shaped recesses  76  in the securing member  58 . The length of recesses  76  can be chosen so that the securing member  58  extends within the interior  54  of bore portion  20   a  only a given amount with the end of the recesses  76  acting as a stop. The portion of securing member  58  extending below the bore portion  20   a  can extend through and engage an aperture such as an opening or hole  50  within the second arm  28   b  of the second hinge member  22  for rotatably coupling arm  28   b  with the bore portion  20   a  along the hinge axis A. The securing member  58  can have a socket  80  on the outwardly facing end for insertion of a tool during assembly or maintenance. A drain channel or groove  77  can be formed on the outer lateral face of the securing member  58  for allowing any moisture or water within the bore portion  20   a  to drain out of the hinge  10 . The outer lateral face of the securing member  58  is typically shaped to generally correspond to the general shape of the interior  54  of the bore portion  20   a , and can be generally cylindrical. 
   The second end  56   b  of the spring  56  can be adjustably securable relative to the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22  for adjusting the spring tension and rotational direction of the spring force generated by the spring  56 . The second end  56   b  of the spring  56  can be secured to a hand operated push button member  40  which in turn is adjustably securable to the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22  for adjustably securing the second end  56   b  of the spring  56  relative to the second hinge member  22 . The second end  56   b  can be secured to the push button member  40  by positioning the inner diameter  55  of the spring over a cylindrical tip  60  of the push button member  40  against shoulder  66  and inserting a longitudinally extending spring tip  57  into a hole  64  in the shoulder  66  that is adjacent to the cylindrical tip  60 . This prevents rotation of the second end  56   b  of the spring  56  relative to the push button member  40 . The button  41  of push button member  40  can be generally cylindrical in shape to extend through and engage an aperture such as an opening or hole  42  within the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22  for rotatably coupling the second arm  28   a  to the bore portion  20   a  of the first hinge member  20  about the hinge axis A. 
   The push button member  40  includes push button locking surfaces  63 , which can include a series of spaced radial protrusions  62  that are separated from each other by a series of recesses  68  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ). In the embodiment shown, there can be six protrusions  62  and six recesses  68 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the protrusions  62  can be elongate with a generally trapezoidal cross section and extend from a diameter portion  65  over part of the diameter of the button  41 . The button  41  has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of portion  65 . As a result, protrusions  62  can have end portions  61  which are engageable with second hinge member locking surfaces  44  in the first arm that surround the opening  42  ( FIG. 5 ). The second hinge member locking surfaces  44  can include a series of recesses  48  having a generally trapezoidal cross section for mating with the end portions  61  of the protrusions  62  which have a corresponding generally trapezoidal cross section. The recesses  48  can be separated from each other by a series of protrusions  46  which mate with the recesses  68  of the push button member  40 . In one embodiment, there can be six recesses  48  and six protrusions  46 . The protrusions  62  can have raised radial portions  62   a  ( FIG. 7 ) for more closely engaging the opening  54  of the bore portion  20   a  of the first hinge member  20 . 
   When the push button locking surfaces  63  of push button member  40  are in engagement with the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22 , the button  41  extends through hole  42  in the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22  into recess  38 , the end portions  61  of the protrusions  62  extend into the recesses  48  surrounding the hole  42 , and the cylindrical portion  60  and diameter portion  65  are typically contained within the bore portion  20   a  of the first hinge member  20 . The protrusions  52  of the first hinge locking surfaces  51  are positioned a distance “d” away from the end  21   a  of the bore portion  20   a  which provides clearance from the push button locking surfaces  63  so that the push button member  40  can rotate within the bore portion  20   a  when the push button locking surfaces  63  are in engagement with the second hinge member locking surfaces  44 . This allows the spring loaded first  20  and second  22  hinge members to rotate relative to each other during normal use. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the second hinge member  22  has a series of markings  39  within the recess  38  of the first arm  28   a  surrounding hole  42  which are positioned to correspond to particular rotational positions of the recesses  48  and protrusions  46  of the second hinge member locking surfaces  44  for indicating a series of spring tension settings. In the embodiment shown, the markings  39 , for example, can be numbers  1 – 5  with a gap between the  1  and  5  to indicate a zero setting, thereby forming a total of six tension settings. The markings  39  can be at the bottom of recess  38  as shown, or other suitable locations, such as the top of the first arm  28   a . The button  41  can have an indicator  40   a  for pointing to the particular marking associated with a chosen spring tension setting. The button  41  can be protected or hidden from view by a cap  30 . The cap  30  can have a flange  31  which is snapped into the recess  38  until shoulder  30   b  engages the top of the first arm  28   a . The shoulder  30   b  of cap  30  can have notches or recesses  30   a  to allow the cap to be easily pried off the first arm  28   a.    
   In the embodiment shown, in order to adjust the spring tension of spring  56  after hinge  10  has been installed, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , first the cap  30  ( FIG. 4 ) is pried off the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22  with a screw driver, fingernail, etc. The swinging member, such as a gate or door  12 , is then rotated for rotating the first  20  and second  22  hinge members relative to each other for aligning alignment indicators  32   b  and  32   a  on respective first and second hinge members ( FIG. 3 ). The torsional spring tension of spring  56  may be increased or decreased in the alignment process. The leverage provided by the swinging member  12  allows this to be easily performed. The alignment of indicators  32   b  and  32   a  aligns the first  20  and second  22  hinge members so that the recesses  68  of push button locking surfaces  63  are aligned with the protrusions  52  of the first hinge member locking surfaces  51 . In this position, the user can press the button  41  downwardly with his/her thumb or finger which axially compresses the spring  56  and disengages the push button locking surfaces  63  from the second hinge member locking surfaces  44 . The top of the button  41  still engages the hole  42  for rotatably coupling the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22  to the bore portion  20   a  of the first hinge member  20  about hinge axis A. As the push button member  40  is depressed, the push button locking surfaces  63  simultaneously disengage from the second hinge member locking surfaces  44  and engage the first hinge member locking surfaces  51  where the recesses  68  of the push button locking surfaces  63  capture the protrusions  52  of the first hinge member locking surfaces  51 . Engagement of the push button locking surfaces  63  with the first hinge member locking surfaces  51  prevents spring  56  from unwinding so that the torsional tension of spring  56  obtained at the alignment position of indicators  32   b  and  32   a  is maintained. 
   While maintaining the push button member  40  in the depressed position so that the push button locking surfaces  63  are disengaged from the second hinge member locking surfaces  44  but in engagement with the first hinge member locking surfaces  51 , the second hinge member  22  is able to rotate freely in a non-spring-loaded manner relative to the first hinge member  20 , the push button member  40 , and the second end  56   b  of the spring  56 . The swinging member  12  is rotated until the indicator  40   a  on the button  41  is aligned with the desired spring tension setting marking on the first arm  28   a  of the second hinge member  22 . The button  41  is then released, disengaging the push button locking surfaces  63  from the first hinge member locking surfaces  51  and into re-engagement with the second hinge member locking surfaces  44  in a new position resulting in a different torsional spring tension setting. The markings  39  are aligned with the second hinge member locking surfaces  44  to allow re-engagement of the push button locking surfaces  63  when the indicator  41  is aligned with the desired marking. In the embodiment shown, the indicator  40   a  on the button  41  can be in six different rotational positions, but it is understood that, depending upon the situation at hand, the locking surfaces  44 ,  51  and  63  can be configured to provide more or fewer discrete settings. Once the desired torsional spring tension setting is obtained, the cap  30  can be snapped back over recess  38 . In applications where multiple hinges are employed, the process can be repeated for adjusting the tension on the other hinges  10 . In some situations, it might be desirable to have multiple hinges  10  biased in opposite directions. In addition, hinges  10  can be presets before installation, where the user rotates the first  20  and second  22  hinge members relative to each other without the leverage benefit of a swinging memeber  12 . 
   In one embodiment, the first hinge member  20 , the second hinge member  22 , and cap  30 , the push button member  40 , the spring securing member  58  and the pin  36   a  can be formed of high strength plastic, such as by injection molding or machining. Alternatively, one or more of these components can be made of other suitable materials such as metal. In outdoor applications, corrosion resistant materials are preferred such as plastic, stainless steel, metals or other materials with corrosion inhibitors, etc. The spring  56  can be a helical torsion spring. However, in other embodiments, spring  56  can be of other suitable configurations such as those including torsion bars. 
   While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 
   For example, although the locking surfaces  44 ,  51 , and  63  have been shown to have protrusions and recesses of particular shapes and configurations, different shapes and configurations can be used depending upon the situation at hand. For example, the protrusions can be short segments or bumps, or can be pins inserted into the various members at the appropriate locations. Also, one or more flats can be employed on various mating surfaces. In addition, although the interior  54  of bore portion  20   a  and the openings through arms  28   a  and  28   b  are described in one embodiment to be generally circular or cylindrical, in other embodiments, other suitable shapes can be employed, with the push button member  40 , spring  56 , and securing member  58  being shaped accordingly. In other embodiments, bore portion  20   a  can be replaced with two spaced arms which engage arms  28   a  and  28   b . In such a case, the second hinge member  22  can include a third arm therebetween.