Patent Publication Number: US-2011061196-A1

Title: Compression hinge

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/276,702 filed on Sep. 16, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application discloses and claims embodiments generally related to hinges, and more particularly, to a compression hinge. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Door hinges, and particularly, automobile door hinges are generally constructed of a pair of metal stampings each having flanges struck thereover, so as to provide four overlapped flanges. A hinge pin is fitted in aligned holes in the four overlapped flanges. Such configuration creates substantial friction between the respective moving parts, including corresponding wear, resulting in misaligned components, and doors which sag or fail to open and close properly. 
     In addition, conventional vehicle and vessel door hinges often become damaged and inoperable during vehicle/vessel accidents, thus preventing occupants from egressing the vehicle or vessel. 
     Accordingly, a long felt need has been realized for a hinge for a vehicle and/or vessel door adapted and configured to allow the door to remain openable in the event the motor vehicle and/or vessel, and particularly, the door and door frame elements, become damaged, thereby allowing vehicle and/or vessel occupants to egress and ingress from the vehicle and/or vessel. The development of the compression hinge fulfills this need. 
     This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe a compression hinge, the compression hinge comprising a pair of hinge blocks, a pair of ball bearings, and a hinge arm pivotally mounted between the pair of hinge blocks via the pair of ball bearings, wherein the compression hinge providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the devices, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any product, device, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compression hinge is disclosed for hingedly supporting a door or a hatch, the compression hinge comprises a pair of hinge blocks between which a hinge arm is pivotally mounted via a pair of ball bearings. The pair of hinge blocks comprises a first hinge block and a second hinge block. The first and second hinge blocks are mounted, preferably, via welding, to a door/hatch frame or a door/hatch support. 
     The first and second hinge blocks each comprise a top side, a bottom side, a forward side, a rearward side, a left side, and a right side. 
     The right side of the first hinge block includes a concave recess being shaped and configured for receiving a first ball bearing therein. The rearward side of first hinge block includes a hole defined longitudinally therein for receiving a grease fitting. 
     The left side of the second hinge block includes a concave recess being shaped and configured for receiving a second ball bearing therein. The rearward side of second hinge block includes a hole defined longitudinally therein for receiving a grease fitting. 
     The hinge arm is defined as having an elongated body, the body comprising a front end opposing a rear end, a top side opposing a lower side, a left side, and a right side. The lower side comprises a recessed cavity configured to prevent the hinge arm from shearing in the event the compression hinge, and particularly the hinge arm thereof, undergoes deformation. 
     The left side of the body of the hinge arm includes a left concave recess defined therein. The left concave recess is shaped and configured for receiving the first ball bearing therein. 
     The right side of the body of the hinge arm includes a right concave recess defined therein. The right concave recess is shaped and configured for receiving the second ball bearing therein. 
     The hinge arm further comprises a hole defined longitudinally therein. The hole has a lower end which extends into a transverse bore, wherein the transverse bore being in fluid communication with the hole. The hole of hinge arm receives a grease fitting. 
     The concave recess of the first hinge block and the left concave recess of the left side of the body of the hinge arm jointly form a first socket into which the first ball bearing is compressionally received so as to pivotally mount the first hinge block to the hinge arm. The concave recess of the second hinge block and the right concave recess of the right side of the body of the hinge arm jointly form a second socket into which the second ball bearing is compressionally received so as to pivotally mount the second hinge block to the hinge arm. 
     Compression forces are applied simultaneously to the first hinge block and the second hinge block, respectively, via a compression jig, in order to facilitate pivotally secured mounting of the hinge arm between the first hinge block and the second hinge block. In order to control the swing of the door or hatch, the compression or compressive forces, which are applied simultaneously to the first hinge block and the second hinge block, must be less than the weight of the door or hatch. For example, in the event the door or hatch weighs 200 lbs., the compression forces applied simultaneously to the first and second hinge block, respectively, must be less than 200 lbs. of compressive force. The term “control”, as used herein, means to regulate or govern the speed and smoothness at which door or hatch swings. Thus, in the above example, where the door weighs 200 lbs. and the compression hinge is placed under a compression force of 198 lbs., the door is allowed to swing in a smooth and controlled manner. 
     The use of the present invention allows a vehicle and/or vessel door or hatch to remain in an operable condition, and thus openable in the event the door, hatch, and/or door frame elements become damaged. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a compression hinge, shown from rear, above, and left side, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the compression hinge of the present invention, shown from rear, below, and right side according to the preferred embodiment thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the compression hinge of the present invention, shown from front, below, and left side, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side perspective view of the compression hinge of the present invention, shown from below, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the compression hinge, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a hinge arm taken along lines VI-VI of FIG.  5 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the compression hinge taken along lines VII-VII of  FIG. 5 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the compression hinge taken along lines VIII-VIII of  FIG. 7 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention illustrated as a pair, and shown in-use. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Detailed Description of the Figures 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , a compression hinge  10  is disclosed, according to one embodiment of the present invention, for hingedly supporting a door  12  or hatch of, e.g, a motor vehicle (not shown), the compression hinge  10  comprises a pair of hinge blocks  20  between which a hinge arm  80  is pivotally mounted via a pair of ball bearings  70 . The hinge arm  80  is adapted and configured to pivot about a longitudinal axis Y. The pair of hinge blocks  20  comprises a first hinge block  22  and a second hinge block  40 . The first hinge block  22  and the second hinge block  40  is each defined as being solid, and having a generally square configuration with six sides. While the first hinge block  22  and the second hinge block  40  preferably define a square shape, other geometric shapes are contemplated and within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the first hinge block  22  and the second hinge block  40  may alternatively each comprise geometric shapes which include, but are not limited to rectangular, oval, ovoid, triangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, heptagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal. 
     The six sides defining the first hinge block  22  include a top side  23 , a bottom side  24 , a forward side  25 , a rearward side  26 , a left side  27 , and a right side  28 . The rearward side  26  integrally joins the top side  23  at first interface  30 , wherein first interface  30  is defined as a first chamfer  31 . The left side  27  integrally joins the top side  23  at second interface  32 , wherein second interface  32  is defined as a second chamfer  33 . The right side  28  integrally joins the top side  23  at third interface  34 , wherein third interface  34  is defined as a third chamfer  35 . The chamfers  31 ,  33 , and  35  facilitate welding of the first hinge block  22  to a door frame  14 /hatch frame or door support/hatch support. 
     The right side  28  of first hinge block  22  includes a concave recess  29  defined centrally therein, the concave recess  29  being shaped and configured for receiving a first ball bearing  72  therein. 
     The rearward side  26  of first hinge block  22  includes a hole  26   a  defined longitudinally therein, proximal to the right side  28  and oriented parallel therewith, the hole  26   a  receives a grease fitting  60  being suitably mounted therein. The hole  26   a  extends longitudinally to a depth so as to be in fluid communication with an inner circumferential surface of the concave recess  29 . The hole  26   a  is adapted to facilitate lubrication of a first socket  130  (to be described later in greater detail). 
     The six sides defining the second hinge block  40  include a top side  43 , a bottom side  44 , a forward side  45 , a rearward side  46 , a right side  47 , and a left side  48 . The rearward side  46  integrally joins the top side  43  at first interface  50 , wherein first interface  50  is defined as a first chamfer  51 . The right side  47  integrally joins the top side  43  at second interface  52 , wherein second interface  52  is defined as a second chamfer  53 . The left side  48  integrally joins the top side  43  at third interface  54 , wherein third interface  54  is defined as a third chamfer  55 . The chamfers  51 ,  53 , and  55  facilitate welding of the second hinge block  40  to a door/hatch frame or door/hatch support. 
     The left side  48  of second hinge block  40  includes a concave recess  49  defined centrally therein, the concave recess  49  being shaped and configured for receiving a second ball bearing  74  therein. 
     The rearward side  46  of second hinge block  40  includes a hole  46   a  defined longitudinally therein, proximal to the left side  48  and oriented parallel therewith, the hole  46   a  receives a grease fitting  64  being suitably mounted therein. The hole  46   a  extends longitudinally to a depth so as to be in fluid communication with an inner circumferential surface of the concave recess  49 . The hole  46   a  is adapted to facilitate lubrication of a second socket  132  (to be described later in greater detail). 
     The hinge arm  80  is defined as being solid and having an elongated body  82 , the body  82  comprising a front end  83  opposing a rear end  84 . The body  82  further comprises a top side  85  opposing a bottom side  86 , a left side  87 , and a right side  88 . The top side  85  includes first segment  85   a  and a second segment  85   b,  the first segment  85   a  extending longitudinally from the rear end  84  to a margin  85   c  from which the second segment  85   c  integrally slopes downward at an angle of approximately 168°. 
     The front end  83  is defined as having a flat surface  83   a,  the flat surface  83   a  being flanked by a left interface  90  and a right interface  91 , wherein the left interface  90  integrally joining the front end  83  at margin  90   a  so as to form an obtuse angle, and the right interface  91  integrally joining the front end  83  at margin  91  a so as to form an obtuse angle. 
     The bottom side  86  defines a mid portion  86   c  integrally joining a first portion  86   a  and a second portion  86   b,  wherein the first portion  86   a  includes a flat surface  86   aa  having a perimeter from which a chamfered sidewall  86   ab  upwardly depends angularly therefrom and integrally joining left side  87 , right side  88 , front end  83 , left interface  90 , and right interface  91 . The chamfered sidewall  86   ab  facilitates welding of the hinge arm  80  to a door  12  or hatch. 
     The mid portion  86   c  defines a planar surface  86   d  terminating at opposing first and second lateral incurvate ends  86   e  and  86   ee , the first and second lateral incurvate ends  86   e  and  86   ee  downwardly depending from the planar surface  86   d  so as to form a recessed cavity  86   f.  Significantly, the first and second lateral incurvate ends  86   e  and  86   ee , and the recessed cavity  86   f  are configured to prevent the hinge arm  80  from shearing or binding in the event the compression hinge  10 , and particularly the hinge arm  80  thereof, undergoes deformation or extreme deformation. The term “binding”, as used herein, means to hamper or restrain the normal operation or action. 
     In addition, in the event compression hinge  10  undergoes deformation or extreme deformation, the first and second ball bearings  72  and  74  nevertheless allow the hinge arm  80  to pivot thereabout, thereby ensuring a vehicle door  12  or hatch, or vessel door/hatch is openable. 
     The second portion  86   b  includes a flat surface  86   bb  integrally joining the second lateral incurvate end  86   ee  at interface  86   g.    
     The rear end  84  is defined as having a flat surface  84   a,  the flat surface  84   a  being flanked by an upper interface  94  and a lower interface  95 , wherein the upper interface  94  integrally joining the flat surface  84   a  of rear end  84  at margin  96  so as to form an obtuse angle, and the lower interface  95  integrally joining the flat surface  84   a  of rear end  84  at margin  97  so as to form an obtuse angle. The lower interface  95  integrally joins the flat surface  86   bb  of second portion  86   b  of bottom side  86  at margin  98 . The upper interface  94  and the lower interface  95  are configured to provide clearance by the rear end  84  of hinge arm  80  with the door frame  14 /hatch frame or door support/hatch support when opening the door  12  or hatch thereof. 
     The left side  87  of the body  82  of the hinge arm  80  includes a left concave recess  100  defined therein, adjacent the rear end  84  of the body  82 . The left concave recess  100  being shaped and configured for receiving the first ball bearing  72  therein. 
     The right side  88  of the body  82  of the hinge arm  80  includes a right concave recess  104  defined therein, adjacent the rear end  84  of the body  82 . The right concave recess  104  being shaped and configured for receiving the second ball bearing  74  therein. 
     The hinge arm  80  further comprises a hole  110  defined longitudinally therein, adjacent the upper interface  94  which flanks the flat surface  84   a  of the rear end  84  of the elongated body  82  of hinge arm  80 . The hole  110  has a lower end which extends into a transverse bore  112 , the transverse bore  112  being in fluid communication with the hole  110 . The transverse bore  112  extends horizontally so as to be in fluid communication with an inner circumferential surface of each the left concave recess  100  and the right concave recess  104 . The hole  110  receives a grease fitting  120  being suitably mounted therein. 
     The concave recess  29  of first hinge block  22  and the left concave recess  100  of the left side  87  of the body  82  of the hinge arm  80  jointly form a first socket  130  into which the first ball bearing  72  is compressionally received so as to pivotally mount the first hinge block  22  to hinge arm  80 . Likewise, the concave recess  49  of second hinge block  40  and the right concave recess  104  of the right side  88  of the body  82  of the hinge arm  80  jointly form a second socket  132  into which the second ball bearing  74  is compressionally received so as to pivotally mount the second hinge block  40  to hinge arm  80 . 
     Pivotal mounting by the first hinge block  22  to the hinge arm  80  forms a first variable radius, indicated by R 1  in  FIG. 5 . The first variable radius R 1  is more specifically defined as the distance from the left side  87  of the body  82  of hinge arm  80  to the right side  28  of the first hinge block  22 . The radius R 1  is variable because should the hinge arm  80  undergo deformation in a longitudinal direction (with respect to longitudinal axis Y illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), the radius R 1  increases where hinge arm  80  undergoes deformation in a downward, longitudinal direction, and the radius R 1  decreases where the hinge arm  80  undergoes deformation in an upward, longitudinal direction. 
     Pivotal mounting by the second hinge block  40  to the hinge arm  80  forms a second variable radius, indicated by R 2  in  FIG. 5 . The second variable radius R 2  is more specifically as the distance from the right side  88  of the body  82  of hinge arm  80  to the left side  48  of the second hinge block  40 . Radius R 2  is variable because should the hinge arm  80  undergo deformation in a longitudinal direction (with respect to longitudinal axis Y illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), the second variable radius R 2  decreases where hinge arm  80  undergoes deformation in a downward, longitudinal direction, and the second variable radius R 2  increases where the hinge arm  80  undergoes deformation in an upward, longitudinal direction. The first and second variable radii R 1  and R 2  further aid in preventing the hinge arm  80  from shearing or binding in the event hinge arm undergoes deformation or extreme deformation, and thereby allowing the hinge arm  80  to pivot about longitudinal axis Y. 
     Compression forces, as indicated by force direction arrows F 1  and F 2 , are applied simultaneously to the first hinge block  22  and the second hinge block  40 , respectively, via a compression jig, in order to facilitate pivotally secured mounting by the hinge arm  80  to and between the first hinge block  22  and the second hinge block  40 . Preferably, the compression hinge  10  is mounted to a door frame  14 /hatch frame or door support/hatch support during the course of applying compression forces F 1  and F 2  to first hinge block  22  and second hinge block  40 , respectively. 
     In order to control the swing of the door  12  or hatch, the compression or compressive forces, which are applied simultaneously to the first hinge block  22  and the second hinge block  40 , must be less than the weight of the door  12  or hatch. For example, in the event the door  12  or hatch weighs 200 lbs., the compression forces applied simultaneously to the first and second hinge block  22  and  40 , respectively, must be less than 200 lbs. of compressive force. The term “control”, as used herein, means to regulate or govern the speed and smoothness at which door  12  or hatch swings. Thus, in the above example, where the door  12  weighs 200 lbs. and the compression hinge  10  is placed under a compression force of 198 lbs., the door  12  is allowed to swing in a smooth and controlled manner. 
     While the hinge arm  80  preferably defines an elongated body  82  as described hereinabove, other geometric shapes are contemplated and within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the hinge arm  80  may alternatively comprise geometric shapes which include, but are not limited to rectangular, oval, ovoid, triangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, heptagonal, hexagonal, and octagonal. 
     The compression hinge  10  is constructed of a metal material. 
     It is envisioned that the various embodiments, as separately disclosed, are interchangeable in various aspects, so that elements of one embodiment may be incorporated into one or more of the other embodiments, and that specific positioning of individual elements may necessitate other arrangements not specifically disclosed to accommodate performance requirements or spatial considerations. 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specific embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims. 
     Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions. 
     Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. It is intended that the application is defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.