GB2294498A - Hinge assemblies and structures incorporating such assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

In an assembly for connecting two structural elements 27, 28 to allow hinging and releasable locking in one of a series of proset angular positions, one element 28 includes manually operable locking means releasably engageable with recesses 44 in the other element 27. Preferably element 27 is bifurcated to provide circular cheek portions 30 which receive a lug portion (46, Fig 7) of element 28, and the locking means comprise members (52 Figs 8-10) mounted on element 28 which may be pinched together against a spring bias to free the elements 27, 28. The assembly may form part of a collapsible structure (Figs 1, 4) for supporting sheet material over the bonnet region of a vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

HINGE ASSEMBLIES AND STRUCTURES INCORPORATING SUCH ASSEMBLIES This invention relates to hinge assemblies which allowing hinging and locking of two structural elements and to structures, such as collapsible frameworks, which incorporate such assemblies.

There is a wide range of structures which rely on hinging and locking of structural elements. Examples include folding furniture such as sun-loungers, garden chairs and tables, outdoor equipment such as boat canopies, garden awnings, tents, children's climbing frames and swings, goal posts and many other instances too numerous to mention.

A need exists for a hinge assembly which is easy to use, which provides secure locking in the required position, which is economical to manufacture and which has a high level of inherent safety.

Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides an assembly for connecting two structural elements to allow hinging and releasable locking thereof in one of a series of one or more preset angular positions, said assembly comprising two connector elements each for connection to or forming part of a respective structural element and coupled together for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis, one of said connector elements being provided with a series of one or more locking recesses or apertures angularly spaced about said pivotal axis, and the other of said connector elements including manually operable locking means releasably engageable with a respective locking recess or aperture when said connector elements are in one of a series of one or more preset angular positions.

Preferably said one connector element is a bifurcated clevis, defining cheek portions which lie to either side of a lug portion of the other connecting element, and said locking apertures or recesses are provided on at least one of said cheek portions.

The manually operable locking means preferably comprises a locking element movably mounted on one side of said lug portion and urged outwardly into engagement with the locking recesses or apertures on the associated cheek portions.

Preferably both cheek portions have locking apertures or recesses provided therein, and said manually operable means may then comprise a further locking element disposed on the other side of said lug portion and urged outwardly into engagement with said locking recesses or apertures on the other of said cheek portions.

To assist locking and release, said locking elements are preferably angularly aligned and disposed so that they may be disengaged by a manual pinching movement. The or each locking element is preferably pivotally mounted on said lug portion. Said lug portion advantageously includes a groove or recess housing said locking means and restraining said locking means against rotation with respect to said lug portion.

The connector elements are preferably capable of pivoting through 180C from a side-by-side position to an inline position. A variety of locking possibilities are envisaged but its is preferred that said connector elements may be locked in any of two or more preset angular positions.

An assembly wherein said connector elements are coupled by a pivot element which extends through apertures in said connector elements and said locking means.

The invention also extends to a foldable structure including one or more assemblies as defined above.

When working under the bonnet of a vehicle a mechanic is exposed to the elements, and the rescue and recovery services such as AA, RAC, etc., have little option but to work in all weathers. There is thus a need for a device which provides temporary respite from the weather when working on a vehicle, and which can be stored relatively easily in a compact state.

Accordingly, in another aspect, this invention provides a collapsible structure for supporting an awning or other load over the bonnet region of a car or other motorised vehicle, which comprises a framework structure movable from a generally rigid operational state to a collapsed compact state for storage, transportation etc., said structure including anchorage means for supporting a part of the structure on the ground or on an adjacent relatively fixed support element, and means for supporting another part of the structure on the windscreen or other part of the body of the car or vehicle.

Said means for supporting part of the structure on the vehicle may conveniently comprise suction means such as suction pads or discs. Said anchorage means preferably comprises means for connecting a part of the frame to another vehicle, such as a roadside maintenance or rescue vehicle, and said connecting means preferably allows said structure to be retracted into said other vehicle, for storage and transportation etc.

The invention also extends to a vehicle incorporating said structure.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and, by way of example only, an embodiment and modifications thereof will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a car maintenance awning support structure incorporating hinge assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of this invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the support structure of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the support structure of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of car maintenance awning support structure extendable from the rear of a maintenance and rescue vehicle and incorporating hinge assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;; Figures 5(a) to (d) are side views of the embodiments of hinge assembly of this invention incorporated in the support structure of this invention, in an in-line position, at 135 , at 90" and in a side-by-side or closed position respectively; Figures 6(a) to (c) are top, side and bottom views respectively of the clevis connector element of the assembly of Figure 5; Figures 7(a) to (d) are top, side and bottom views respectively, of the other lugged connector element of the assembly of Figure 5; Figures 8(a) and (b) are side and front views respectively of one of the pair of locking elements of the assembly of Figure 5; ; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the hinge assembly taken on lines IX-IX of Figure 5(a), and Figure 10 is a side view of the hinge assembly, with part of the clevis removed to reveal the lug and the locking element.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 3, the first embodiment of awning support structure comprises a frame structure 10 made up of tubular frame elements 12 interconnected by hinge assemblies 14. The structure 10 defines a portal frame with feet set in weighted anchorages 16 on the ground (seen in Figures 1 and 3 only), and two outrigger stays connected by snap-release mechanisms 17 to the portal frame and which terminate in suction cups 18 which grip the windscreen 20 or other suitable surface of the vehicle 22. The structure may be collapsed by folding about the hinge assemblies as shown by the arrows in Figures 2 and 3, and releasing mechanisms 17.

The structure 10, when erected provides a stable rigid support for an awning or cover above the engine compartment of the vehicle 22.

Figure 4 shows a modification of this arrangement, in which the portal frame is replaced by the rear end of a maintenance or rescue vehicle 24. The structure is made up of tubular frame elements 12 and hinge assemblies 14 and has outriggers or stays terminating in suction cups 18 as before. However, the other ends of the stays are attached to anchorages 26 in the maintenance or rescue vehicle 24.

The anchorages allow pivotal or sliding retracting movement of the structure back into vehicle 24 for storage.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 10, each hinge assembly 14 comprises a first connector element 27 and a second connector element 28. The first connector element 27 is in the form of a clevis with spaced parallel cheek portions 30, and a hollow stem for receiving a tubular structural element which may be secured therein. The cheek portions 30 are generally circular, defining a central bore 38 for receiving a pivot bolt 40 and sleeve 42 (see Figure 9). At angularly spaced positions around the cheek portions there are three latching recesses 44, at 450 intervals.

The second connector element is in the form of a lug portion 46 of circular form and of similar diameter to that of the cheek portions 32, between which the lug portion fits snugly. The lug portion 46 has a central bore 48 and an inverted T-shaped recess 50 on each face, with a channel 51 connecting the opposite faces (see Figures 7(a) to (c), 9 and 10).

Within each recess 50 is provided a T-shaped locking element 52, with the cross of the T being circular in section and pivotally located in the corresponding portion of the recess 50. Referring to Figure 9, the locking elements are urged apart by a spring 53 so that a locking projection 54 on each is urged into engagement with the inner surfaces of the clevis cheek portions.

In use, as shown in Figure 5, the hinge assembly may be locked in any of the 90 , 135 or 1800 positions of (a), (b) and (c), or folded to an in-line or closed position as shown in Figure 5(d). Unlocking is achieved by pinching together the projecting ends of the locking elements 52 so that the locking projections are withdrawn from the relevant recesses 44 thus allowing relative rotation of the connector elements.

This device provides secure, positive locking in a range of different positions set by the angular portions of the recesses, and has been designed with safety in mind so that there is minimal possibility of trapping small fingers.

The hinge assembly is suitable for use in a variety of applications as set out above and its use is not limited to the structure of Figures 1 to 4.

Claims (21)

1. An assembly for connecting two structural elements to allow hinging and releasable locking thereof in one of a series of one or more preset angular positions, said assembly comprising two connector elements each for connection to or forming part of a respective structural element and coupled together for pivotal movement about a pivotal axis, one of said connector elements being provided with a series of one or more locking recesses or apertures angularly spaced about said pivotal axis, and the other of said connector elements including manually operable locking means releasably engageable with a respective locking recess or aperture when said connector elements are in one of a series of one or more preset angular positions.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein said one connector element is bifurcated, defining cheek portions which lie to either side of a lug position of the other connecting element, and the or each locking aperture or recess is provided on at least one of said cheek portions.

3. An assembly according to Claim 2, wherein said manually operable locking means comprises a locking element movably mounted adjacent one side of said lug portion and urged outwardly into engagement with the locking recesses or apertures on the associated cheek portion.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3, wherein both cheek portions have locking apertures or recesses provided therein, and said manually operable means comprises a further locking element disposed on the other side of said lug portion and urged outwardly into engagement with said locking recesses or apertures on the other of said cheek portions.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4, wherein said locking elements are angularly aligned and disposed so that they may be disengaged by a manual pinching movement.

6. An assembly according to any of Claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein the or each locking element is pivotally mounted on said lug portion.

7. An assembly according to any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein said lug portion includes a groove or recess housing said locking means and restraining said locking means against rotation with respect to said lug portion.

8. An assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein said connector elements are capable of pivoting through 180 from a side-by-side position to an in-line position.

9. An assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein said connector elements may be locked in any of two or more preset angular positions.

10. An assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein said connector elements are coupled by a pivot element which extends through apertures in said connector elements and said locking means.

11. A foldable structure including one or more assemblies according to any one of Claims 1 to 10.

12. A foldable structure according to Claim 11, for supporting an awning or other sheet material over a vehicle, said structure comprising a plurality of structural elements interconnected by a plurality of said assemblies to provide an arrangement which may be erected to define a framework structure and folded down to a compact state.

13. A foldable structure according to Claim 12, for providing an awning or cover over the bonnet region of a car or other motorised vehicle, including means for supporting a part of the structure on the ground or another relatively fixed anchorage, and means for supporting part of the structure on a part of said car or vehicle.

14. A'foldable structure according to Claim 13, wherein said means for supporting part of the foldable structure on said car comprises means for engaging the windscreen or another smooth surface of the car.

15. A foldable structure according to Claim 14, wherein said engaging means comprises one or more suction cups.

16. A collapsible structure for supporting an awning or other load over the bonnet region of a car or other motorised vehicle, which comprises a framework structure movable from a generally rigid operational state to a collapsed compact state for storage, transportation etc., said structure including anchorage means for supporting a part of the structure on the ground or one an adjacent relatively fixed support element, and means for supporting another part of the structure on the windscreen or other part of the body of the car or vehicle.

17. A collapsible structure according to Claim 16, wherein said means for supporting part of the structure on the vehicle comprises suction means such as suction pads or discs.

18. A collapsible structure according to Claim 16, wherein said anchorage means comprises means for connecting a part of the frame to another vehicle, such as a roadside maintenance or rescue vehicle.

19. A collapsible structure according to any of Claims 16 to 18, wherein said connecting means allow said structure to be retracted into said other vehicle, for storage and transportation etc.

20. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.

21. A collapsible structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.