Patent ID: 8662564

Claim:
A hinged assembly, comprising: a base member; and a hinged member operatively and pivotally coupled to the base member to define a hinge, wherein the hinge defines a range of pivotal positions of the hinged member relative to the base member, with the range of pivotal positions including a closed position and a fully open position; wherein the hinge is configured so that if a child's finger is positioned in engagement between the hinged member and the base member while the hinged member is being urged toward the closed position by a closing force that defines a closing torque that is at least as great as a release torque, the hinge will release to detach the hinged member from the base member to prevent pinching of the child's finger; and wherein the hinge is further configured so that the hinge will not detach the hinged member from the base member when the hinged member is being urged toward or is opened to the fully open position by an opening force that creates an opening torque that is greater than the release torque and less than or equal to a maximum opening torque.