Patent Publication Number: US-2015074944-A1

Title: Covered hinge assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field The present invention relates hinges, and more particularly, to a covered hinge assembly that has at least one removably attached cover for protective and esthetic purposes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Hinges have been extensively used as reliable hardware for holding and allowing operation of movable assemblies, like hatches, doors and casements. A conventional hinge is typically fixed to a wall, a plate or a board by fasteners like rivets or screws with the head of such rivets or screws left exposed. The exposed part of the rivet or screw, however, can degrade the appearance of the article using the hinge, and make the rivet or screw subject to rustiness or looseness. For improving the conventional hinge, many designs have been proposed in which one of the most effective solutions is the inventor&#39;s previous invention titled “Boat Hinge Cover” patented as U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,992. This patented approach implements a plate adhered to the hinge&#39;s leaf through an adhesive, thereby hiding the hinge&#39;s fasteners from view and unexpected impacts. While this patented approach relying on an adhesive or a two-way tape does fix the cover plate to the hinge leaf, it nevertheless leaves some needs unmet and may require further improvement. First, the adhesive combination between the cover plate and the hinge leaf is for one-time use only. Once the cover plate is forcedly detached from the hinge leaf when the hinge assembly needs repair or maintenance, the combination and, at least, the adhesive (two-way tape) is unavoidably destroyed. In an even worse case, the cover plate may be deformed or bent under an excessive pulling force and become unusable. Another problem of such a prior-art device is that the completely detached cover plate can be lost during the repair or maintenance of the hinge assembly even if it is not deformed. This risk causes a user has to prepare a lot of spares and renders this approach uneconomic. At last, there is possibility that the tape only sticks to the screw heads but not the hinge leaf itself. In this case, the cover plate can be easily removed by pressurized water column during washing or when hit otherwise. Even if the cover plate survives external impacts, it tends to be deformed under repeated stepping when installed on a boat deck or otherwise pressing. 
     Hence, there is a need for an improved hinge that address all the inconvenience, waste and unsafety existing in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the need as described above, one objective of the present invention is to provide a covered hinge assembly, which has a cover that is pivotable with respect to and removably engaged with a hinge leaf thereof and can be repeatedly used. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a covered hinge assembly, which has a cover that is assembled with a hinge pivot thereof and thus is totally free from loss. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a covered hinge assembly, which has a cover that can reliably conceal fasteners on a hinge leaf thereof from pressurized water column and external impacts, such as human kicks, so as to prevent the fasteners from rustiness or looseness. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a covered hinge assembly, which presents an integrated, esthetic appearance, making a high-end product using it look more valuable. 
     For achieving the above and other objectives, a covered hinge assembly according to the present invention comprises: a pivotal pin; at least one hinge leaf, extending between a proximal end adjacent the pivotal pin and a distal end, the hinge leaf extending between opposite first and second edges, the hinge leaf having at least one fastener penetrating therethrough, the fastener having a head; and at least one hinge cover, including: a plate extending between opposite first and second ends, the plate extending between opposite first and second edges, the plate having opposite upper and lower surfaces, the plate covering the hinge leaf and the fastener head; and a connecting portion being provided at the first end of the plate, the connecting portion rotatably combining with the pivotal pin so as to pivot, together with the plate, on the pivotal pin. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having the first end of the plate of the hinge cover juxtaposed with the proximal end of the hinge leaf, and the second end of the plate of the hinge cover juxtaposed with the distal end of the hinge leaf. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having the first and second edges of the plate of the hinge cover juxtaposed with the first and second edges of the hinge leaf, respectively. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having the hinge leaf provided with at least one raised portion such that when the hinge cover covers the hinge leaf, a top surface of the raised portion fittingly contacts the lower surface of the plate of the hinge cover and thereby props up the plate from below. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having the connecting portion being at least one ring or hook integratedly formed at the first end of the plate to be mounted around the pivotal pin. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having the hinge cover constructed of stainless steel. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having the hinge cover molded from plastic. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having the plate of the hinge cover provided with a skirt extending along the first and second edges and the second end of the plate, the skirt projecting outward from the lower surface of the plate, so as to cover the first and second edges and the distal end of the hinge leaf. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having a first fastening member provided at the distal end of the hinge leaf and a second fastening member provided on the skirt corresponding to the second end of the plate, such that when the hinge cover covers the hinge leaf, the first and second fastening members engage with each other and hold the hinge cover and the hinge leaf together. 
     Also provided is a covered hinge assembly as described further having a first fastening member provided at the distal end of the hinge leaf and a second fastening member provided on the second end of the plate, such that when the hinge cover covers the hinge leaf, the first and second fastening members engage with each other and hold the hinge cover and the hinge leaf together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a covered hinge according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the covered hinge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a cover used in the covered hinge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the cover used in the covered hinge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the cover used in the covered hinge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the covered hinge taken along Line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is another cross-sectional view of the covered hinge taken along Line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is an applied view of the covered hinge of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following preferred embodiments when read with the accompanying drawings are made to clearly exhibit the above-mentioned and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention. Through the exposition by means of the specific embodiment, people would further understand the technical means and effects the present invention adopts to achieve the above-indicated objectives. However, the accompanying drawings are intended for reference and illustration, but not to limit the present invention and are not made to scale. 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a covered hinge assembly  100  comprises a pivotal pin  10 , two hinge leaves  20  pivotally connected to the pivotal pin  10 , and two hinge covers  30 ,  30 ′ corresponding to the two hinge leaves  20 . 
     Each said hinge leaf  20  extends between a proximal end  21  adjacent to the pivotal pin  10  and a distal end  23 . The hinge leaf  20  also extends between opposite first and second edges  25 ,  27 . The hinge leaf  20  has plural fastening holes  22  for receiving fasteners penetrating through the hinge leaf  20 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , each of such fasteners  50  has a head  51 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ primarily includes a plate  31 ,  31 ′ and two connecting portions  33 ,  33 ′ integratedly formed with the plate  31 ,  31 ′. The hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ may be made from stainless steel through a stamping process, or made from plastic through a molding process. 
     The plate  31 ,  31 ′ extends between opposite first and second ends  311 ,  311 ′,  313 ,  313 ′. The plate  31 ,  31 ′ also extends between opposite first and second edges  315 ,  315 ′,  317 ,  317 ′. The plate  31 ,  31 ′ has opposite upper and lower surfaces  312 ,  312 ′,  314 ,  314 ′. The plate  31 ,  31 ′ covers the corresponding hinge leaf  20  and the fastener heads  51 . 
     The connecting portion  33 ,  33 ′ is provided at the first end  311 ,  311 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′. The connecting portion  33 ,  33 ′ rotatably combines with the pivotal pin  10  so as to pivot, together with the plate  31 ,  31 ′, on the pivotal pin  10 . As shown, the connecting portion  33 ,  33 ′ herein is a ring integratedly formed at the first end  311 ,  311 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′ and has a configuration allowing it to be mounted around the pivotal pin  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . However, the connecting portion  33 ,  33 ′ may be formed as a hook (not shown), as long as it can stably attach to the pivotal pin  10  and carry the plate  31 ,  31 ′ to pivot on the pivotal pin  10 . 
     Since the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ is connected to the pivotal pin  10  through the connecting portion  33 ,  33 ′ even when it is lifted from the hinge leaf  20 , the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ is totally free from loss, thereby eliminating the need of preparing spares. 
     With the above-described pivotal mechanism, the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ can repeatedly cover and uncover the hinge leaf  20  without the risk of getting damaged or lost, thus being economical. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the first end  311 ,  311 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′ of the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ is juxtaposed with the proximal end  21  of the hinge leaf  20 , and the second end  313  of the plate  31 ,  31 ′ of the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ is juxtaposed with the distal end  23  of the hinge leaf  20 . Furthermore, the first and second edges  315 ,  315 ′,  317 ,  317 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′ of the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ are juxtaposed with the first and second edges  25 ,  27  of the hinge leaf  20 , respectively. Thereby, the hinge leaf  20  is completely concealed by the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′, making the overall hinge assemble sightlier and secure to its user. In terms of appearance, its integrated, esthetic appearance makes a high-end product using it look more valuable. When talking about the structural strength, the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ can reliably conceal the fasteners  50  on the hinge leaf  20  thereof from pressurized water column and external impacts, such as human kicks, so as to reduce the chance of the fasteners  50  being rusted or loose. 
     As shown, the plate  31 ,  31 ′ of the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ has a skirt  32 ,  32 ′ extending along the first and second edges  315 ,  315 ′,  317 ,  317 ′ and the second end  313 ,  313 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′. The skirt  32 ,  32 ′ projects outward from the lower surface  314 ,  314 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′, so as to cover the first and second edges  25 ,  27  and the distal end  23  of the hinge leaf  20 . In manufacturing, the skirt  32 ,  32 ′ may be sized to fittingly wrap the hinge leaf  20 . In this case, the fasteners  50  and the hinge leaf  20  can be protected from external water, and in turn prevented from becoming rusty. This helps to lengthen the service life of the whole hinge assembly, thus saving the money and time for maintenance and repair. 
     In addition, a first fastening member  24  is provided at the distal end  23  of the hinge leaf  20  and a second fastening member  321 ,  321 ′ is provided on the skirt  32 ,  32 ′ corresponding to the second end  313 ,  313 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′, such that when the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ covers the hinge leaf  20 , the first and second fastening members  24  and  321 ,  321 ′ engage with each other and hold the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ and the hinge leaf  20  together. In the present embodiment, the first and second fastening members  24  and  321 ,  321 ′ are a recess and a bulge, respectively. 
     However, in other embodiments, the plate  31 ,  31 ′ of the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ may work without the skirt  32 ,  32 ′. In this case, the foregoing first and second fastening members (not shown) may be provided at the distal end  23  of the hinge leaf  20  and the second end  313 ,  313 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′, respectively, to engage with each other and hold the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ and the hinge leaf  20  together. 
     The first and second fastening members  24  and  321 ,  321 ′ serve to make the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ and the hinge leaf  20  combine stably without the risk of horizontal displacement. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the hinge leaf  20  is centrally provided with a raised portion  26  such that when the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ covers the hinge leaf  20 , a top surface  261  of the raised portion  26  fittingly contacts the lower surface  314 ,  314 ′ of the plate  31 ,  31 ′ of the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ and thereby props up the plate  31 ,  31 ′ from below, as shown in  FIG. 6 . With the raised portion  26 , the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′ and the hinge leaf  20  can combine even more stably without the risk of vertical displacement of the hinge cover  30 ,  30 ′. Meanwhile, the well supported plate  31 ,  31 ′ can better resist repeated stepping installed on a boat deck or better spread the external pressing force, and thus less tend to be deformed under long-term use. 
     To sum up, the present invention significantly improves the prior art by providing a covered hinge assembly that is safe and convenient in use and economical in maintenance With its unique configuration, the disclosed covered hinge assembly is perfect for marine applications, such as the installation on a boat deck, where the hinge assembly tends to contact water and receive stepping, kicking or other external impacts. 
     The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment and it is understood that the embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, as the contents disclosed herein should be readily understood and can be implemented by a person skilled in the art, all equivalent changes or modifications which do not depart from the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the appended claims.