Patent ID: 6892424

Claim:
A hinge assembly comprising: a claw; a channel pivotally connected to the claw at a first pivot point and adapted for movement on an arc in a first direction and in a second direction opposite said first direction, said channel movable from a first operative position in said first direction to a second operative position, and further in said first direction to a break-away position; a link control member connected to said channel; a spring having first and second ends, said second end operably engaged with said channel; a single link member defining first and second opposite contact surfaces and first and second opposite ends, said first end pivotally connected to said claw and said second end operably engaged with said first end of the spring, said second contact surface of said link member abutting said link control member and defining: (i) a peak; (ii) an operative surface portion on a first side of said peak that cooperates with said peak to define a first dwell point; and, (iii) a break-away surface portion on a second side of said peak, wherein said link member is movable relative to said link control member in response to pivoting movement of said channel relative to said claw, and wherein: (i) said link control member is in contact with said operative surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said first operative position; (ii) said link control member is located in said first dwell point when said channel is located in said second operative position; and, (iii) said link control member is in contact with said break-away surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said break-away position.