Patent ID: 7698785

Claim:
A hinge for attaching a first panel to a second panel such that the first panel is pivotable relative to the second panel from a closed position when the hinge is contracted to an open position, the hinge comprising: a hinge base for connecting to the second panel, the hinge base having a base link member pivotable relative to the hinge base, a support member for connecting to the first panel, a first member connected to an end of the base link member, said first member having an outer perimeter and an opening bounded by said outer perimeter, a second member connected to the hinge base, the second member being inserted through the opening in the first member, and the first member and second member being pivotable relative to one another about a central pivot means, the central pivot means being inserted through the opening in the first member perpendicular to the second member, a biasing means connected to the central pivot means and the support member for biasing the first member relative to the support member, a pivot support means about which the support member is pivotable relative to the first member, a link member connected to the second member and the support member at opposite ends of the link member, a first pivot link means about which the second member is pivotable relative to the link member, and a second pivot link means about which the support member is pivotable relative to the link member, wherein, the hinge is capable of maintaining the first panel parallel to the second panel in the closed position, and wherein said base link member, said first member, said second member, and said link member are drawn into said base member when said hinge retracts the first panel from the open position to the closed position, such that said base link member, said first member, said second member, and said link member are contained within a space defined by said base member when the first panel is in the closed position.