Patent Publication Number: US-6701575-B2

Title: Hinge mounting assembly for a storage rack

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a door mount assembly for mounting a door panel to a storage rack arrangement. More particularly, the invention pertains to a self-closing, reversible hinge mounting assembly for pivotally mounting a door to a storage rack arrangement. 
     A wide variety of storage systems, such as shelves, racks, and the like are used in both retail and wholesale trades for storing and displaying items for sale. One common type of heavy-duty shelf system that is used, particularly in home improvement centers, and “warehouse-club” types of establishments is commonly referred to as a pallet rack. 
     Such storage systems typically include vertical risers or posts for supporting one or more shelves. The shelves generally span the area between the vertical posts and are primarily used to store consumer accessible items, or to store merchandise stock. To this end, doors or covers can be mounted in front of these storage shelves in order to deter consumer access or to prevent what might otherwise be an unsightly or unaesthetically appealing storage arrangement of merchandise. Additionally, these doors can be used as a type of signage for displaying product or service advertisements, as well as other useful information. 
     Known door mount systems suffer from numerous drawbacks. First, such systems are generally installation intensive, requiring numerous parts and thus considerable labor and cost to install. In addition, such systems often include a large number of small parts, such as hinges, nuts, bolts and the like, which can be lost or misplaced. Moreover, many hinge assemblies are limited in that they are not reversible meaning that they can only be mounted to either the right or left posts. This requires the extra feature of “separate” left-only and right-only post hinges. 
     Further, many of the self-closing types of hinges use springs and the like to return the door to a closed position. This also has its drawbacks or disadvantages in that springs can stretch or break, thus requiring service or replacement. In addition, such spring type hinges may not permit positioning the door in a “held-open” position while retaining a self-closing feature. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a hinge assembly for pivotally mounting doors to a storage rack. It is desirable that such hinge assembly is “self-closing” but permits positioning the door in a “held-open” position when it is fully opened. More desirably, such a hinge assembly can be reversibly installed on either the right post or the left post as desired, enabling the connected door to open outwardly in opposing directions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A hinge mounting assembly for an associated door panel is used for mounting to a storage rack. The rack generally includes at least one post having a front face and a side face. The front face has slots therein and the door panel generally has at least one bore defined therein. 
     The hinge mounting assembly comprises a post plate mountable to the post. The post plate includes a base portion for positioning adjacent to the front face of the post, a post return for positioning adjacent to a side face of the post, and a body. The base portion has at least one post lock extending generally outwardly therefrom and is configured to be inserted into the post slots. The post lock has a lip portion for securely locking the post plate to the post slot. The body has a hinge portion with a first end and a second end. The first end has first and second post bearing surfaces and an intermediate helically extending surface between the first and second post bearing surfaces. 
     The door clamping member is pivotally mounted to the post plate. The door clamping member has a body, a hinge post, a tongue support and at least one locking tab. The locking tab extends in a generally transverse direction from the body for engagement with a first surface of the panel. The locking tab includes an opening and a finger that extends into the opening and is configured for insertion into the bore in the panel. 
     The tongue support extends generally outwardly from the body for providing an abutting surface with a second surface of the panel. The tongue support and locking tabs cooperate with one another to provide secure mounting of the door panel. The hinge post has a first clamp bearing surface, a second clamp bearing surface and a helically extending clamp bearing surface between the first and second clamp bearing surfaces. The hinge mount assembly includes a hinge pin pivotally connecting the post plate and the door clamping member. 
     When the hinge mounting assembly is in an open position, the second clamp bearing surface bears on the first post bearing surface and when in a closed position the second clamp bearing surface bears on the second post bearing surface. When the hinge mount assembly is in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions, the post helical surface and clamp helical surface slide relative to each other such that the hinge assembly tends to move to the closed position. 
     In a preferred embodiment the base portion has two post locks for insertion into respective post slots. In another embodiment, door clamping member has two locking tabs for engagement with the first surface of the panel. In yet another embodiment, the finger includes a detent portion for insertion into the bore in the panel. 
     In still another embodiment, the second end of the post plate body includes first post and second post bearing surfaces and an intermediate helically extending surface between the first and second post bearing surfaces. In yet another embodiment, the door clamping member has two hinge posts positioned at respective first and second ends of the door clamping member for engagement with the respective first and second ends of the post plate body so as to enable the hinge mounting assembly to be reversibly pivoted. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage shelf system having a door mounted thereto by a reversible hinge mounting assembly embodying the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hinge mounting assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating a post plate and door-clamp member; 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the post plate of the hinge assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of the post plate of the hinge assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4A is perspective view of the door-clamp member of the hinge assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4B is a side view of the door-clamp member of the hinge assembly of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment of the present invention that is discussed in greater detail hereafter. It should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section of this application, namely “Detailed Description of the Invention” relates to a requirement of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and should not be found to be limiting to the subject matter disclosed herein. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary storage rack arrangement  10  having a door panel  12  mounted thereto by a reversible hinge assembly  14  embodying the principles of the present invention. The exemplary storage rack  10  includes one or more vertically oriented posts  16  or uprights (one shown), spaced apart from one another. Typically, the posts  16  are in parallel relationship to one another to provide the storage rack arrangement  10  with additional vertical support. In a typical arrangement, each post  16  defines a mounting region and has a plurality of openings or slots  18 . The slots  18  are used to secure the hinge assembly  14  to the posts  16 . Preferably, the slots  18  are vertically arranged on a first surface or front face  20  of the post  16 , as shown. Those skilled in the art will recognize from a study of the following description and the figures that the present hinge assembly, although described with reference to mounting to a vertical post, can be adapted for mounting to a shelf or like horizontal support. For ease of description only, the following makes reference to a vertical mount, but, it is to be understood that other (e.g., horizontal mounts) are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     The reversible hinge assembly  14  engages the post  16  at slots  18 , enabling the assembly  14  to be securely connected to the post  16 . The hinge assembly  14  mounts the door panel  12  to the post  16 , such that the panel  12  can be pivotally moved into an open or closed position relative to the rack  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is an exploded view of one embodiment of the hinge assembly  14 . The hinge assembly  14  includes a mounting plate or post plate  22  configured for secure connection to the post  16  and a door-clamp member  24  for connecting to the door panel  12 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the post plate  22  includes a base portion  26 , a post-return  28 , a body  30  and at least one, and preferably two mounting or post locks  32 , for securing the hinged mounting assembly  14  to the post  16 . The base portion  26  and post-return  28  are arranged in a generally perpendicular manner such that when the post plate  22  is mounted to the post  16 , the base portion  26  engages the front wall  20  of the post  16  and the post return  28  engages a second face or side wall (not shown) of the post  16 . The base portion  20  includes a first surface  36  that lies on or abuts the posts front face  20 . 
     Post locks  32  are hook-like elements that extend outwardly from the first surface  36  to securely connect the base portion  26  to the post  16 . The locks  32  include transversely extending upper and lower locking lips  38 ,  40  respectively. Although the lips  38 ,  40  are referred to as upper and lower, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that when used on an opposing post (i.e., left-to-right or right-to-left), the “position” (e.g., upper or lower) will be reversed. The lips  38 ,  40  permit positioning the first surface  36  on the front wall  20  of the post  16  to insert the locks  32  into the post slots  20 . The plate  22  is then urged or forced downward, thereby engaging the lips  38 ,  40  with an inner wall surface (not shown) of the post  16 , locking the plate  22  to the post  16 . The base portion  26  can include one or more bores (not shown) for receiving a fastening member (not shown), such as a screw, bolt, or the like to lock the plate to the post  16 . 
     The post return  28  lies on (e.g., abuts) the side wall  34  of the post  16 . Like the base  26 , the post return  28  can include an opening  44  for receiving a fastening member to secure the plate  22  to the post  16 . In a mounted position, the post return  28  is locked to the side wall of the post  16 . 
     The body  30  includes a hinge portion  46  that has a generally cylindrical shape. The hinge  46  includes a central, longitudinal bore  48  that extends lengthwise through the body  36  from an upper or first end  50  to a lower or second end  52 . The bore  48  is configured to receive a hinge pin  54 , which pivotally connects the post plate  22  to the door-clamp member  24 . In the connected arrangement (as will be discussed in more detail below), the clamp member  24  pivots and slides relative to the post plate  22 , along the hinge pin  54 . 
     The hinge portion  46  has a first end  56  (illustrated as the upper end) and second end  58  (illustrated as the lower end). The first end  56  of the hinge portion  46  has first and second bearing surfaces  60 ,  62 , and a helically-curved surface  64  extending between the bearing surfaces  60 ,  62 . The intermediate curved surface  64  has a generally helical shape, extending in an inclined, angular manner as it transverses between and connects surfaces  60  and  62 . In a preferred embodiment, the hinge portion  46  upper and lower ends  50  and  52  each include a “set” of bearing and helical surfaces  60 ,  62 ,  64 , (and  60 ′,  62 ′,  64 ′). As illustrated, each “set” of surfaces  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  60 ′,  62 ′,  64 ′ is a mirror image of the other, enabling the hinge assembly  14  to be reversibly mounted. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is shown a door-clamp member  24  that includes a body portion  66 , at least one and preferably two hinge posts  68 , a tongue support  70  and at least one and preferably two locking tabs  72 . The door-clamping member  24  connects the door panel  12  to the hinge assembly  14 , enabling the panel  12  to be pivoted into an open or closed position relative to the storage rack  10 . 
     The body portion  66  has a first end  74 , a second end  76 , a front portion  78 , a rear portion  80 , and first and second edges  82 ,  84 . Notably, it is contemplated that the body portion  66  of the door-clamping member  24  can have various configurations without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. 
     The locking tabs  72  are integrally formed with the body portion  66 . Preferably the locking tabs  72  are positioned adjacent to the first edge  82 , extending in an outward, generally transverse direction relative to the front portion  78 . It is preferable that at least one locking tab  72  is positioned at each of the respective first and second ends  74 ,  76  in order to provide a secure mounting connection with the panel  12 . 
     The locking tab  72  has an opening  86  defined therein, and a biased finger  88 . The biased finger  88  extends from a peripheral portion  90  of the tab  72 , to flex generally into the opening  86  from a peripheral portion  90  of the tab  72 , to flex generally transversely to the tab opening  86 . The biased finger  88  has a hub or detent portion  92  that extends generally transversely from the finger  88 . Preferably, the biased finger  88  is formed of a relatively resilient material to permit the finger  88  to flex. 
     The tongue support  70  is integrally formed with the body portion  66  and is positioned in a spaced, generally parallel relationship to the locking tabs  72 , adjacent to the second edge  84  of the body portion  66 . The tongue  70  extends in an outward, generally transverse direction from the front portion  78  parallel to and between the tabs  72 . The tongue  70  has a panel  12  engaging or bearing surface  94 . 
     To connect the panel  12  to the door clamp member  24 , the panel  12  is positioned between the tongue support  70  and locking tabs  72  and is urged into the space (indicated at  96  in FIG. 4B) between the tongue  70  and tabs  72 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the holes  98  in the panel  12  must be space to align with the finger detents  92  of the door clamp member  24  so as to properly lock the panel  12  to the member  24 . In this manner, the locking tabs  72  engage the panel first surface  100 , providing a biasing force against the first surface  100 , and the tongue support  70  engages the second surface  102 , to secure the panel  12  in the member  24 . That is, the panel  10  is sandwiched between the tongue  70  and tabs  72 . When the panel  12  is fully engaged with the door-clamp member  24 , the fingers  88  tend to return to their “at rest” state, which urges the detents  92  into the holes  98  in the panel  12 , thus locking the panel  12  to the member  24 . 
     The hinge post  68  is also integrally formed with the body portion  66 . Preferably, hinge posts  68  are positioned at respective first and second ends  74 ,  76  of the body portion  66 . In a current embodiment, the hinge post  68  has a generally cylindrical shape. Each hinge post  68  has first and second bearing surfaces  104  and  106  and a helically curved surface  108 , located intermediate the bearing surfaces  104 ,  106 . The curved surface  108  has a generally helical shape, which extends in an angled or inclined manner from the first bearing surface  104  to the second bearing surface  106 . 
     The post plate  22  cooperates with the door-clamp member  24  to enable the panel  12  to be pivoted into an open or closed position relative to the storage rack  10 . The post plate  22  has a curved outer edge  25 , which facilitates pivoting movement with the door clamp member  24 . In a fully open position, the door clamp member second bearing surface  106  rests on the post plate first bearing surface  60 . In a fully closed position, the door clamp member first bearing surface  104  rests on the post plate second bearing surface  62 . During pivoting i.e., between the open and closed positions, helical surface  64  transverses (e.g., slides) along surface  108  to urge or move the panel  12  to the closed position. 
     To move the panel  12  from the open position to the closed position, the panel  12  is pivoted such that surface  108  rides up along surface  64  until bearing surface  106  rests on bearing surface  60 . Because these surfaces are “flat” the panel will remain in the open position. However, the slightest urging of the panel  12  toward the closed position moves these “flat” surfaces  106  and  60  out of engagement, positions the helical surfaces  64 ,  108  in engagement and the panel  12  will thus pivot to the closed position. In this arrangement, the curved surface  108  of the hinge post  68  engages the curved surface  66  of the post plate  22  in a generally complementary manner, enabling the curved surfaces  66  and  108  to slide relative to each other. The pivotal sliding movement causes the hinge assembly  14  and associated door panel  12  to rotate, thereby moving the panel  12  and hinge assembly  14  into a closed position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the post plate  22  and door-clamping member  24  each have a generally symmetrical configuration, which enables the assembly  14  to be reversibly mounted to either the left post  16  or the right post, as desired. When positioned on the left post, the connected door panel  12  extends from the left post of the rack  10  into a space in front of the shelf and opens in a generally clockwise manner (as viewed from the top) away from the shelf, exposing the contents on the rack. For reversed positioning on the right post, the post plate  22  slides along the pin  54  from one end of the door-clamping member  24  to the other. When positioned on the right post  16 , the connected door panel  12  extends from the right side of the rack  10  into a space in front of the shelf and opens in a generally counterclockwise manner relative to the left post  16 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is only the upper hinge post  68  and hinge portion upper end  36  that are used for pivoting/closing the panel  12  that the lower hinge post  68  is used only to provide a secure mounting for the hinge pin  54 . It is only when the hinge assembly  14  is reversed (i.e., used on the opposite door) that the hinge posts  68  and hinge portion “upper” and “lower” ends  50 ,  52  are reversed and thus used. Those skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that the hinge assembly  14  can be fabricated as a “left-only” or “right-only” member and thus require only one “set” of bearing and helical bearing surfaces on the door clamping member and door post hinge portion. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that although the present hinge assembly  14  is described as being mounted to a vertical post  16 , the assembly  14  can readily be adapted for mounting to a horizontal member, such as a shelf, using an arrangement such as that illustrated in Conway et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,956, (which patent is commonly assigned with the resent application and is incorporated herein by reference), and can be mounted for pivoting in a horizontal plane as well as a vertical plane. All such mountings and adaptations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically do so within the text of this disclosure. 
     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims when the claims are properly interpreted.