Patent Abstract:
A compound hinge system includes a first link and a second link. The first link includes knuckles and arcing engaging surfaces next to stop portions that are configured for receiving engaging lug portions on a second link member. A second link member includes first and second sets of knuckles. One of the sets of knuckles cooperates with a hinged pin to pivot relative to the first link while the second set of knuckles receives a hinge pin to pivot relative to the second element. The lugs slide relative to the engaging surface and push against the stop portions to flex them outward and require additional force to move between various stops in the range of motion.

Full Description:
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/188,596 filed Jan. 14, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention is directed to a hinge, and in particular, to a hinge providing two pivot axes for two degrees of movement and greater range of motion. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Enclosures utilize hinges on covers or doors to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. Hinges often mount along the side of the enclosure so that the door does not close under its own weight. It can be appreciated that a device for preventing an enclosure door from closing and swinging freely would be advantageous to provide access to the interior of the enclosure for an extended period of time. Normal door and hinge construction often do not have closure devices and the balance and weight of the door prevent accidental closure. However, in some instances, it may be advantageous to have a door that includes a structural stop that allows opening and closing, but requires greater force to close so that the door may be held in an open position. This is especially important in outdoor conditions where wind may engage the planar surface area of the door and tend to open or close a door. Another common problem with doors and the hinges is providing sufficient mobility to the cover. In hinge and door combinations wherein the door opens only approximately 180 degrees, the door is extended away from the enclosure and as it is exposed, the door may be subject to closure from the wind or may endure forces in an opposite direction to closing that may cause damage to the hinge or even break off the hinge. This situation also occurs in enclosures having a cover on the top that opens and the door lies substantially horizontal and exposed in the open position. Although there are doors that open to a greater range of motion, workers often will place objects on the door or lean on the door in the open position, often damaging the hinge or breaking the door. 
     Door and hinge systems are known that provide a greater range of motion. However, such systems typically require special mounting arrangements and decrease the utility or the exterior appearance. Such systems may also limit the access to the interior of the enclosure. In addition, the systems do not provide any resistance to the door closing, so that the door may still accidentally swing shut such as when exposed to wind forces. Further disadvantages of such systems are the type of motion required often causes damage to gaskets that are wiped or rubbed by the cover during some portion of the opening and closing motion. 
     It can be seen then that a new and improved closure and hinge system is needed. Such a system should provide free range of motion so that the door may open against the side of the closure to minimize wind effect. Such a system should also provide resistance to accidental closure and provide a range of motion that does not damage or wear gaskets on the enclosure cover. The present invention addresses these as well as other problems associated with enclosures and hinges. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hinge, and in particular to a compound hinge, that provides two axes of rotation and a wide range of motion between the hinged elements. 
     The compound hinge includes a first base hinge link mounting to a first element. The first link includes raised knuckle portions for receiving a hinge pin therethrough. The base portion has recesses formed therein for receiving mounting devices such as screws or bolts for attachment to the first element. Intermediate the knuckles are arcing surfaces configured for receiving and aligning lug portions of a second link. The receiving portions are proximate a pair of opposed stop members that flex slightly and are flexed when pushed by the corresponding lugs. The stop portions act as a toggle to retain the hinge in position. The knuckles may also include stop portions for positioning the second link relative to the first link. A second link includes two sets of knuckles for receiving hinge pins. The first knuckle is configured for aligning with and having orifices coaxial with the knuckles of the first link. The second link is aligned so that the first set of knuckles and second set of knuckles are parallel with lugs extending substantially perpendicular to and aligned with the axes of the knuckles. The lugs are configured to extend into the receiving portions of the first link. The first knuckle is aligned with the knuckles of the first element and the second set of knuckles on the second link receive the pin for attaching to the second element. In this manner, the second link is hinged relative to the first link and the second link is also hinged relative to the second element. The first knuckle also includes complementary stop portions cooperating with the stop portions of the knuckles of the first link to limit relative rotation. The knuckles may also form a toggle device in one embodiment, providing further rotational resistance at a predetermined rotational position. 
     When assembled, the lugs engage the receiving surface and are held in place by the stop portions of the base on the first link member. As the cover or door is opened and rotated relative to a second link, it will reach its full range of motion, but it will be possible to open the door further relative to the first element, such as a housing. At this point, continued rotation will press the lugs against the stop elements and cause the stop elements to flex slightly until the lugs push beyond the stop elements. The second hinge member is then free to rotate relative to the first hinge member and an additional range of rotation is achieved. 
     To close the hinge, the second element rotates relative to the second hinge member, wherein the complementary stop portions engage and resist rotation. However, as further rotation occurs and the second element reaches its full range of motion relative to the second hinge member, further rotation of the second element causes the lugs to flex the stop elements and allow the lugs to push past the stop portions and return to the original position. 
     The arrangement of the present invention provides a simple, reliable hinge that provides a wide range of motion. In addition, the toggling effect from the lugs engaging the stop elements act as a retainer to hold the door in either the opened or closed position. However, with continued pressure, the door can be easily closed. The present invention is easy to assemble and can be retrofitted to other existing door and enclosures. 
    
    
     These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in that there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows an end sectional view of a compound hinge according to the principles of the present invention in a closed position; 
     FIG. 2 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1 in a partially open position; 
     FIG. 3 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1 in a fully open position; 
     FIG. 4 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1 in a partially open position; 
     FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a first link for the compound hinge shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the first link taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second link for the hinge shown in FIG. 1 complementary to the link shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the second link taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 shows a bottom plan view of a door for an enclosure according to the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the door taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of an enclosure according to the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the enclosure taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 shows an end sectional view of a second embodiment of a compound hinge according to the principles of the present invention in a closed position; 
     FIG. 14 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in FIG. 13 in a partially open position; 
     FIG. 15 shows an end sectional view of the hinge shown in FIG. 13 in a fully open position; 
     FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a first link for the compound hinge shown in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of the first link taken along line  17 — 17  of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of a second link for the hinge shown in FIG. 13 complementary to the link shown in FIG. 16; and 
     FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of the second link for the hinge shown in FIG. 13 complementary to the link shown in FIG. 16 with a pin element replacing a flange portion. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of an enclosure  20  having a compound hinge  22 . The hinge  22  pivotally connects a cover or door  26  to a housing  24 . As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the compound hinge  22  provides two separate axes of rotation, providing a greater range of motion and freedom of movement between the door  26  and the housing  24 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, the door  26  is shown in greater detail. The door typically includes bracing around the periphery thereof, the door forms a channel  42  receiving a gasket  44 , as shown in FIG. 10, for forming a seal with the housing  24 , as shown in FIG.  1 . As shown in FIG. 9, the cover includes recesses  46  formed along one edge of the door  26  for mounting the hinge  22  and aligned bores  48  for receiving a hinge pin  28  (not shown in FIG. 9) for providing pivotal movement between the hinge  22  and the door  26 . Along the opposite edge of the door  26  is a latch  40 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the door receiving portion of the housing or enclosure  24  is shown. Although the housing  24  may be a molded monolithic element, it may include a collar  30  forming a rectangular opening fitting against upper edges of sides of the housing  24 , as shown in FIG.  12 . The collar  30  includes an inner ridge  32  that extends upward and engages the gasket  44  in the closed position, as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The collar  30  also may include mounting holes  38  and alignment studs  34  that engage the base of the first link member, as explained hereinafter. The collar  30  also forms a channel  36  that inserts over the top of the wall edges of the housing  24 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a first link member  50  is shown. The first link member  50  includes a base portion  52  having a pair of mounting holes  58  formed therethrough. The mounting holes  58  are aligned even with first hinge knuckles  54  that are coaxially aligned to receive a hinge pin  28 . The first knuckles  54  include stop portions  56  of about 90 degrees. The radially extending end surfaces of the stop portions  56  cooperate with complementary surfaces on a second link member, as explained hereinafter. Intermediate the first knuckles  54  are lug receiving recesses  60  formed in the base portion  52 . The lug receiving recesses  60  are receive the corresponding lugs of the second link, as explained hereinafter. Stop fingers  62  are spaced apart from the lug receiving recesses  60 . The stop fingers  62  act as a surface engaging the lugs. With spaces on both sides of the fingers  62  and with the fingers being attached at only one end, the fingers  62  flex, allowing the lugs to toggle so that the second link may rotate, as explained hereinafter. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, a second link member  70  is shown that is configured for pivotally mounting, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, to the door  26  and the first link member  50 . The second link member  70  includes a second knuckle  72 , third knuckles  74  and lug portions  76 . The second knuckle  72  includes a bore  88  formed therethrough and is configured to receive a hinge pin  28  for pivotally mounting to the cover  26 . The second knuckle  72  includes an arcing surface  78  to provide clearance during rotation relative to the cover  26 . Ends of the second knuckle  72  include stop portions  92  of approximately 90 degrees. The radial end surfaces of the stops  92  are complementary to and cooperate with the ends of the stop portions  56 . Referring again to FIG. 7, third knuckles  74  include an arcing outer surface  82  providing for rotation relative to the base  52  of the first link member  50 . The third barrel  74  also includes a bore  90  receiving a hinge pin for connection to the first knuckle  54  of the first link member  50 . Extending downward from the lower portion of the third barrel  74  are the lugs  76 . The lugs  76  include a camming surface  84  forming a corner  86 . The lugs  76  are spaced and configured for inserting into the recesses  60  on the first link member  50 . The second link member  70  is aligned relative to the first link member  50  by the corner portion  86  of the lugs  76  engaging the corresponding stop fingers  62 . The rotation can be accomplished by the lugs  76  pushing against the stop members  62  until the fingers  62  flex and allow rotation. The camming surface  84  rotates, sliding against the flexed associated stop finger  62 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, with the compound hinge  22  in the closed position, the cover  26  is shut against the housing  24  so that the gasket  44  presses against the ridge  32  of the collar  30  to form a seal. The second link  70  is in a substantially vertical position with the camming surface  84  of the lug  76  resting against the lug engaging surfaces  60 . The corners  86  of the lugs  76  rest against the stop finger  62  of the first link member  50 . 
     The radially extending ends of the stop portions  92  of the second knuckle  72  of the second link member  70  cooperate with the corresponding stop portions  56  of the first link member  50  to prevent further rotation in the clockwise direction, as taken from the end view in FIG.  1 . 
     As the cover  26  is opened, the cover  26  rotates relative to the second link member  70 , which remains stationary from the closed position. The resistance of the fingers  62  engaging the lugs  76  prevents rotation of the second link member  70  relative to the first link member  50  while the cover  26  rotates with less resistance. 
     The cover  26  reaches its maximum range of motion relative to the second link member  70  at approximately  180  degrees of travel by the outer edge of the recessed portion  46  of the cover  26  engaging the outer side of the second link  70 . Further rotation of the cover  26  relative to the second link member  70  is not possible so that in normal use, the cover  26  tends to stay at the position shown in FIG.  2 . Further rotational force applied to the cover  26  tends to rotate the second link member  70  in a counter clockwise direction, as shown in FIG.  2 . This pressure causes a torque around the hinge pin  28  extending through the first and second knuckles, applying pressure against the fingers  62 . As the lugs  76  push the fingers  62  and cause the fingers  62  to flex out of the way, the hinge  20  passes through a toggle point until the cover  26  reaches the position shown in FIG.  3 . This provides approximately a 270 degree range of motion. At the position shown in FIG. 3, the cover  26  is substantially parallel to and extending along the edge of the housing  24  so that there can be almost no effect from wind catching the door and closing it. 
     When the cover  26  is closed, the stop fingers  62  are again pushed by the lugs  76 , but in the opposite direction and resist clockwise rotation, as shown in FIG.  4 . However, the door  26  is free to rotate above the axis of rotation passing through the second knuckle  72  and rotate back to the position shown in FIG.  4 . The cover  26  rests against the side of the second link  70  and further rotation of the cover  26  relative to the second link member  70  is not possible. In addition, the fingers  62  resist rotation so that the door will not close until additional pressure is applied and the fingers  62  are forced to flex by the lugs  76 . As the fingers  62  flex to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1-4, the lugs  76  can travel back to the position shown in FIG.  1  and the cover  26  is again closed. 
     However, the additional resistance needed to flex the fingers  62  provides slightly increased resistance so that the cover  26  stays in the open position without the additional force to overcome the resistance being applied. 
     Referring to FIGS. 13-19, there is shown a second embodiment of a compound hinge, generally designated  120 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The compound hinge  120  is similar to the hinge  20 , except that a toggle device  180  is added to provide more rotational resistance for holding the hinge in a predetermined position. The toggle device  180  includes a recess  182  formed in a first knuckle  154  of a first hinge member  150 , and a second knuckle  172  of a second hinge member  170 . The arcing periphery of the first knuckle  154 , or the complementary surface of the second knuckle  172 , includes a raised flange portion  184  which is configured for extending partially into a complementary recess  182  in the other of the first knuckle  154  or second knuckle  174  at the toggle position. 
     When the toggle device  180  is engaged, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first and second knuckles  154  and  172  have greater resistance to relative rotation. As the cover  26  is rotated about the second hinge member  170 , the first and second knuckles  154  and  172  have a mechanical stop which prevents the first hinge member  150  and second hinge member  170  from rotating relative to one another. Further rotation requires slightly more effort to disengage the toggle assembly  180  and allow rotation between the first hinge member  150  and the second hinge member  170 . As shown in FIG. 18, the flange portion  184  may be molded into the second knuckle  172 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, the second knuckle  172  may include a recess  186  with a pin member  188  extended into both the recess  182  and the recess  186 . As with the flange  184 , the pin member  188  also provides resistance and the same toggle effect. The toggle assembly  180  provides proper resistance so that the hinge  120  may be held in a predetermined position. Although the toggle assembly  180  is shown at the apex of the first knuckle  154 , it can be appreciated that, if a toggle position is required at a different location along the range of rotation, it may be easily moved. In addition, the recess  182  and raised portion  184  may be reversed while still achieving the desired toggle effect. 
     The design of the present invention provides a simple hinge mechanism that allows a 270 degree range of motion. In addition, the collar  30  and hinge  20  or  120  provide for retrofitting enclosures to accept such a system. The system also has rotation about a two different axes and fingers that act as a stop member that prevents the door from swinging closed without force sufficient to cause flexure of the fingers  62 . Since the cover  26  rotates about an axis remote from the enclosure housing  24 , the cover does not rub the gaskets, so that a better and longer seal is maintained. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in that the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8