Patent Publication Number: US-2021189779-A1

Title: Concealable hinge

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Hinges can be used for securing a frame to a surface, such as a picture frame to a wall surface. Such mountings enable the frame to cover an in-wall object or structure such as a safe and allow easy access. The hinges and assemblies are bulky. These bulky hinges make it visually obvious the frame is covering an object. This can not only be unsightly, but more importantly, an indicator to an intruder that valuable items may be hidden behind the frame. 
     To conceal the hinge and allow the picture frame to lay flush against the wall in the manner of a standard frame mounting, the hinges are mounted in a recessed area in the wall. In other embodiments, the frame of the wall is altered to have a recessed area or thicker frame to cover the hinge itself. However, in these arrangements, the pivotal range of the frame is limited and can be restricted to less than 90 degrees. 
     Other prior art methods of mounting a frame to a wall for covering an in-wall structure include sliding racks where the frame is flush against the wall but is mounted for sliding to one side to reveal the in-wall structure. This requires a large clearance on at least one side of the frame and is not practical in many spaces. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hinge having a plurality of leaves and a plurality of articulation points, wherein each leaf is connected to two different articulation points. 
     Each of the plurality of leaves is substantially flat. 
     A first leaf is provided with one or more apertures for securing the hinge to a mounting surface. A second leaf is provided with one or more apertures for securing an object to the hinge to pivotally secure the object to the mounting surface. 
     In a first position the hinge is substantially flat having a substantially consistent thickness of less than about 3/16 inch. 
     The hinge has four leaves and four articulation points. Each articulation point is a joint between two leaves which forms a knuckle for a pivot point. Each of the plurality of articulation points is actuated concurrently. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mounting for pivotally securing a frame substantially flush to a surface. The mounting includes a first hinge having a plurality of leaves and a plurality of articulation points wherein each leaf is connected to two articulation points; and a second hinge having a plurality of leaves and a plurality of articulation points wherein each leaf is connected to two articular points and wherein the second hinge is a mirror image of the first hinge. 
     The first and second hinge each have a thickness of about 3/16 inch or less for providing a mounting position wherein a space of about 3/16 inch or less is provided between the frame and the surface. 
     The first and second hinge each comprise a plurality of mounting apertures for receiving a fastener therethrough wherein mounting apertures are provided in two leaves of the plurality of leaves of each of the first and second hinge. 
     The plurality of leaves are comprised of metal, plastic, or combinations thereof. 
     Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a hinge for pivotally securing a frame substantially flush to a mounting surface, where the hinge has a plurality of leaves and a plurality of articulation points wherein each leaf is connected to two articulation points. Movement of at least one leaf connected to each articulation point occurs substantially simultaneously. 
     The hinge has four leaves and four articulation points wherein one leaf is mounted to the mounting surface and the three remaining leaves are pivoted concurrently with one leaf pivoting about two different articulation points concurrently. 
     The hinge is configured for mounting a first side of the frame to the mounting surface such that the frame can be pivoted away from the mounting surface about the first side by way of opening a second opposing side of the frame. 
     In a first position the hinge is a substantially flat hinge. In a second position the hinge has three sides to form an overall triangular shape. Two leaves form one side of the hinge in the second position. In the second position a first side of the hinge is secured to the mounting surface and a second side of the hinge supports the frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a hinge in a mounting position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the hinge in the mounting position. 
         FIG. 3  is top view of the hinge in the mounting position. 
         FIG. 4  is side view of the hinge in the mounting position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the hinge in a use position. 
         FIG. 6  is front view of the hinge in the use position. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the hinge in the use position. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a first leaf of the hinge. 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of the first leaf. 
         FIG. 10  is top view of a second leaf of the hinge. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the second leaf. 
         FIG. 12  is top view of a third leaf of the hinge. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the third leaf. 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of a fourth leaf of the hinge. 
         FIG. 15  is a back view of the fourth leaf 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a pin for the hinge. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a pin for the hinge. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of a second pin for the hinge. 
         FIG. 19  is a side of the second pin for the hinge. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A hinge for pivotally mounting an object to a surface is disclosed herein. The hinge allows for the object to be mounted substantially flush against the surface as the hinge, in a mounting position, is substantially flat and thin. The hinge has multiple articulation points, referred to herein as “joints” or “knuckles” for providing multiple articulation points or pivot points such that the object can be pivoted away from the mounting surface by use of one or more hinges described herein. In one embodiment a frame such as a picture frame can be mounted with one or more hinges to a wall to cover an in-wall device, such as a safe. The picture frame then is pivoted about the hinges to open in the manner of a door to expose the safe. The hinge or hinges are sufficiently low in profile in the mounting position such that the picture frame is nearly flush or otherwise substantially flat against the wall as the hinges provide a mounting mechanism that is concealed by the picture frame in the same manner other picture frame hanging or mounting equipment is fully hidden behind the picture frame without substantially spacing the frame away from the wall. The hinges do not have a protruding or visible joint, or knuckle, in the manner of ordinary or standard door hinges when used to pivotally mount an object to wall. 
     The hinge described herein is mountable on a pre-existing wall or mounting surface and does not require alteration of the surface or the frame. That is, the hinge or a pair of hinges can be used in the manner of ordinary hanging kits, meaning that no recesses in the wall or alteration of the frame construction are required to mount the frame to the surface in a manner substantially flush against the wall surface. Fasteners such as nails or screws can be used to secure one side of the hinge to the mounting surface and to secure a second side of the hinge to the frame. 
     While illustrative examples used herein may refer to a picture frame or mirror mounting to a flat surface such as a vertical section of wall, the use of the hinge described herein is not so limited. Any number of objects may be pivotally mounted to any number of surfaces in any orientation. That is, the hinge may be used to conceal storage openings in floors or walls with items appearing to be floor boards, other decorative items flat or flush to the surface, or mirrors, art or other framed items. 
     One or more hinges may be used to mounting a frame or mirror to a flat surface. When two or more hinges are used for mounting, the knuckles of each hinge may be inline or aligned along a same axis, for example, on a same side of the frame or mirror and in the same plane so as to enable smooth use and pivoting of the frame or frame with respect to the mounting surface and to prevent binding. 
     A hinge  10  for pivotally mounting an object to a surface is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-19 . The hinge comprises a plurality of articulation points  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  and a plurality of leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 . The leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  are connected to adjacent leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , or  18  via the articulation points knuckles in a manner that provides a multi articulation point hinge. In the embodiment illustrated there are four leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  which are connected by four articulation points  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26 . The leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  are connected to an articulation point on opposing ends of the leaf  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  such that each leaf  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  has two different joints connected thereto. 
     In a first position, a mounting position, the hinge  10  is substantially flat such that a thickness of the hinge  10  is only as great as a thickness of a thickest leaf or articulation point. That is, in the mounting position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  for example, the leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  and the articulation points  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  are substantially in a same plane, providing a flat hinge  10 . This allows a frame secured to the hinge to be substantially flush against a mounting surface to which the hinge is also secured. Moreover, the thickness of the hinge, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  may be as small as about 3/16 inch or less. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, one leaf is a surface mounting leaf  14  meaning the leaf  14  is provided with one or more apertures  34  for receiving a fastener there through. Examples of fasteners may include but are not limited to nails or screws. The leaf  14  is secured to a mounting surface or wall. 
     A second leaf is a frame supporting leaf  18  that is also provided with one or more apertures  36  for receiving a fastener there through. Examples of fasteners may include but are not limited to nails or screws. The frame is secured to leaf  18  to allow for pivoting of the frame attached thereto when the hinge is used. 
     In a second position, an open position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , the articulation points  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  cooperate to allow the displacement of leaves  12 ,  16 , and  18  with respect to the mounting leaf  14  which is secured to the mounting surface. When in the second, open, the hinge  10  may have an overall “V” shape such that the hinge  10  opens at a first end by way of the first articulation point  26  and at a second opposing end by way of articulation points  20 ,  22 , and  24 . 
     The articulation points  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  provide one or more positions of the leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  of the hinge  10  between the mounting and open positions. 
     In further detail, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the range of motion of the leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  is enabled by a hinge  10  arranged in one embodiment as illustrated in the figures. Each articulation point  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  illustrated is a joint that may be formed by interconnecting hollow portions on each leaf where a pin is slid therethrough. As used throughout this disclosure, the term knuckle refers to the articulation point and comprises hollow portions from each leaf which forms that respective articulation and having a pin for sliding there though to pivotally connect the respective leaves. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, a first end  14 A of leaf  14  is pivotally connected to a second end  12 A of leaf  12  via knuckle  22 . A second, opposing end  14 B of leaf  14  is pivotally connected to a second end  16 B of leaf  16  at knuckle  26 . A first opposing end  16 A of leaf  16  is then pivotally connected at knuckle  24  to a second end  18 B of leaf  18 . A first opposing end  18 A of leaf  18  is then pivotally connected at knuckle  20  to a first end  12 B of leaf  12 . That is, each leaf  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  is connected via two different joints or knuckles  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  to two different leafs  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 . 
     The knuckles  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  are formed by way of corresponding and/or alternating hollow portions  29  on ends of adjacent leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  wherein a pin  28  or  30  is received in the aligned hollow portions  29  to provide pivoting joints for the hinge  10 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the knuckles  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  are engaged concurrently such that movement of the leaves  12 ,  16 , and  18  occurs concurrently when the leaf  14  is mounted to the mounting surface. Thus, when a frame is attached to the frame supporting leaf  18  and the frame is moved, the hinge  10  provides a fluid movement as the leaves are moved together to pivot the frame away from the mounting surface with which it was covering. 
     In one embodiment, a frame can be mounted by one hinge or a pair of hinges positioned on one side of the frame to provide a pivot point on that side of the frame. The frame can then be “opened” in the manner of a door for example, by moving a side of the frame opposite the side behind which the hinges secure the frame to the mounting surface. Where a pair of hinges is used to mount the frame to the mounting surface, the two hinges provided may be mirror images of one another to provide for upper and lower mounting to a side opening frame, or to provide left and right mountings to a bottom or top opening frame. 
     Each of the leaves  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  may be a plate or plates comprised of a metal or a hard plastic material, or combinations thereof. The plates may be substantially flat plates. The articulation points  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  may provide the overall thickness to the hinge in a mounting position as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and thus the knuckles and hinge may have a thickness of about 4.76 mm or less (about 3/16 inch or less). However, larger or smaller dimensions for any one or all of the components of the hinge  10  are contemplated as the hinge  10  may be provided in various sizes for pivotally securing larger or smaller objects to any surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the first leaf  12  may be square or rectangular in shape and have knuckle portions  29  along lengths  12 A and  12 B of two opposing sides of the leaf  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-11 , the second leaf  14  is a mounting leaf  14  for securing to a mounting surface. The second leaf  14  has a first end  14 A and a second end  14 B where these ends extend in opposite directions from a main body  14 . For example, the first end  14 A extends upwardly away from the length of the main body  14  and the second end  14 B extends downwardly away from the main body  14  where the second leaf  14  may be a monolithic or an integral structure. The ends each support a knuckle portion  29  on one side length. While the terms “upwardly” and “downwardly” are used, such use is for purposes of illustration and such spatial orientation terms are merely for description, and are not limiting. The leaf  14  may also have one or more apertures  36  for receiving a fastener for securing the hinge  10  to a mounting surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-13 , a third leaf  16  is rectangular in shape, having a length that is greater than a width of the leaf  16 . Opposing ends  16 A and  16 B of the length terminate with connectable knuckle portions  29  coextending along the height thereof. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14-15 , a fourth leaf  18  has a tab or foot  19  extending outwardly from its length  17  such that the overall shape may be an “L” shape overall. This leaf  18  may have one or more apertures  34  therein for receiving a fastener for securing a frame or object for pivotal mounting to the hinge  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16-19 , pins may be used to provide the pivoting action of each knuckle  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  for the various articulations provided by the hinge  10  and as the diameter of each knuckle  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  may be consistent, the height or length of the knuckles may vary based on the dimensions of the leaves being pivotally joined at the respective knuckle and thus pins of one or more lengths may be used for connecting the hollow circular part of the joint to form a knuckle or articulation point. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, hinge  10  is arranged such that a center of the articulation points  20  and  22 , referred to as a lateral axis at the center of the respective pin for the knuckles  20  and  22 , are spaced approximately 1.49 inches apart laterally. Measuring from approximately the center of articulation point  20  to the center of articulation point  24 , these articulation points  20  and  24  are laterally spaced approximately 0.54 inches apart. Measuring from approximately the center of articulation point  22  to a center of articulation point  26 , these articulation points  22  and  26  are laterally spaced approximately 5.54 inches apart. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.