GB2341420A

GB2341420A - Over-centre hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2341420A
Application number: GB9920651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Smith
Original assignee: WEST ALLOY DIECASTINGS
Current assignee: WEST ALLOY DIECASTINGS
Priority date: 1998-09-03
Filing date: 1999-09-01
Publication date: 2000-03-15
Also published as: GB9920651D0; GB9819240D0

Abstract

A hinge, e.g. for an overhead locker flap 4 of a mobile home, passes through an over-centre position between stable open and shut positions of the flap relative to a surround panel 1 and comprises an elongate bracket 10 with a nose 11, which is attached to the panel and pivotally carries about a pin 31 a connector 30 attached to the flap 4, and a tail 12 and a telescopic strut 42 with a compression spring 50 is mounted between the tail 12 and the connector 30 so that the strut is compressed as it travels through the over-centre position.

Description

2341420 TITLE:

Cupboard door hinge This invention relates to a hinge device incorporating a stay mechanism and primarily for use on a cupboard door; more particularly on an overhead s cupboard or locker flap which opens upwards that is the flap is pivoted about a horizontal axis along an upper side.

Overhead lockers in caravans or other vehicles are used to maximise storage space and generally will have a lift up flap or door with hinges to permit pivoting along an upper horizontal edge. A stay device for the flap needs to be provided so that there is retention of the flap in the open position and usually some form of snap action is provided whereby the flap is retained in a closed position or, alternatively, in the open position where the flap has to be held against gravity. In known devices strong springs are used, possibly with an over-centre means, and using struts or the like, to hold the flap open. There is a is serious disadvantage with such devices in that a powerful over-centre bias is need to hold the flap open which must be overcome on closing and this can then result in subsequent uncontrolled and possibly dangerous closing motion of the flap powered by the spring.

It is an object of this invention to provide a hinge which incorporates an over-centre action to enable a flap or the like to be suitably held in one of two terminal positions whilst permitting a more gentle transition from one position to the other.

A further object is provide a device which is simple to manufacture and assemble without complex components and involving few moving parts.

2 In accordance with this invention there is provided a hinge for a cupboard door or flap comprising:

a) a bracket part being elongate with a nose and a tail portion for attachment to a frame member, b) a connector part for attachment to a moving door or flap, the connector part being attached to the nose portion of the bracket part by a pivot forming a hinge connection, C) the tail portion of the bracket part being engaged by one end of a strut the other end of the strut engaging the connector part, d) the strut being longitudinally, preferably telescopically, compressible against spring means, e) the connector part being movable between two stable states relative to the bracket part and corresponding to flap open and flap closed conditions, f) said spring means being initially compressed from the one stable state on movement of the connector part through an over-centre position to the second stable state.

3 In an embodiment the bracket part includes a channel to receive the edge of a facia board forming the opening to a cupboard, the board extending substantially at right angles to the direction of elongation of the bracket part.

The nose of the bracket part may be defined by two limbs forming a yoke S in which the connector part locates to be retained by the pivot. The connector part may have a planar surface on which the surface of a flap is attached. At an intermediate position of movement of the connector part the pivot and the longitudinal axis of the strut coincide being the maximum point of spring compression This invention will be further described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings showing an embodiment by way of example. In the drawings:

Fig 1 shows a general view of a cupboard facia with a flap and including hinges of this invention, Fig 2 shows a hinge according to this invention in perspective view from one side as if the flap was in the closed position, Fig 3 shows the hinge of Fig 2 from the other side as if the flap was in the open position, Fig 4 shows the bracket part component in side elevation, Fig 5 shows the bracket part in plan view, Fig 6 shows the connector part in side section, Fig 7 shows the connector part in plan view, Fig 8 shows a longitudinal section in the flap open position, and Fig 9 shows a longitudinal section in the flap closed position.

4 Referring firstly to Fig 1 there is shown, schematically, an overhead cupboard or locker which has a facia or surround panel 1 with access opening 2. The opening 2 is closed by a flap 4 which can be opened upward, that is about horizontal pivots provided at the upper side 5. The pivots comprise hinge units 6 and 7 each of which have a similar construction. For practical purposes the flap needs to be held biased in the closed position as well as being supported in the open position shown. This is achieved, and in accordance with this invention, by the construction of each hinge 6 and 7.

Referring now to Figs 2 and 3 the hinge units 6 and 7 each comprise an elongate bracket part 10 having a nose portion 11 and a tail portion 12. A channel 13 in the nose portion 11 is adapted to receive the edge of the facia board 1 and is connected by screws (not shown) which pass through the fixing apertures 14. The nose portion is formed as a yoke by the spaced side limbs 15 is and 16 into which a connector part 30 locates. The connector part 30 is retained by a pivot pin 31, located adjacent a strengthening bar 18, and may thus rotate around the pin to move between the two limiting positions shown in Figs 2 and 3 respectively, being flap closed (Fig 2) and flap open (Fig 3).

The connector part includes an abutment bar 32 having an arcuate bearing surface engaged by a complementary surface in an end block 40 of one part 41 of a telescopic strut 42. The other part of the strut 42 comprises a rod 43 which engages a bore in the part 41 and which includes an end block 44 again having a bearing surface complementary to the arcuate surface of an abutment bar 17 located at the tail 12 of the bracket part 10. The two parts of the telescopic strut are urged apart by a compression spring 50.

As may be seen from Figs 4 to 7 the hinge unit is formed from four basic parts being the bracket part 10, the connector part 30 and strut 41, 43, all these may be of a moulded plastics material, with the addition of a pivot pin 31, which can be a steel roll-pin, and a spring 50 both being generally available items. It can also be seen that the assembly is simple. Once the bracket part 10 and connector part 30 have been assembled using the pin 31 the telescopic strut 41, 43, 50 may be readily compressed and engaged with the abutments 17 and 32.

As shown in Figs 6 and 7 the connector part has a planar surface 33 lo against which a surface of the flap may bear to be secured by screws through the apertures 34 of which two are provided.

In operation the force of the spring by virtue of the location of the abutment 32 relative to the pivot pin 31 holds the flap open as shown in Fig 3. On closing the flap there is a relatively long throw of the strut during compression of the spring 50 after which the parts pass through an over- centre position shortly before full flap closure following which the flap is held shut in this second stable position as shown in Fig 2. This is shown more clearly in the sections of Figs 8 and 9.

The spring 50 may be changed easily and in situ if required to accommodate different weight flaps and to set the forces as required for the opening and closing action. The channel 13 in the bracket part 10 provides a stable attachment. The device thus combines in a single unit a hinge and a stay. The device is virtually hidden when the flap is closed.

Claims

Claims:

1. A hinge unit for a cupboard door or flap comprising:

a) a bracket part being elongate with a nose and a tail portion for attachment to a frame member, b) a connector part for attachment to a moving door or flap, the connector part being attached to the nose portion of the bracket part by a pivot forming a hinge connection, c) the tail portion of the bracket part being engaged by one end of a strut the other end of the strut engaging the connector part, d) the strut being longitudinally compressible against spring means, e) the connector part being movable between two stable states relative to the bracket part and corresponding to flap open and flap closed conditions, f) said spring means being initially compressed from the one stable state on movement of the connector part through an over-centre position to the second stable state.

7

2. A hinge unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bracket part includes a channei to receive the edge of a facia board forming the opening to a cupboard, the board extending substantially at right angles to the direction of elongation of the bracket part.

3. A hinge unit in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the nose of the bracket part is defined by two limbs forming a yoke in which the connector part locates to be retained by the pivot.

4.. A hinge unit in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the connector part has an abutment surface extending transversely to the strut and engaged therewith, the said surface and the strut being located and movable within the limbs of the bracket part.

is

5. A hinge unit in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the connector part has a planar surface on which the surface of a flap is attached.

6. A hinge unit in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein at an intermediate position of movement of the connector part, the pivot and the longitudinal axis of the strut coincide being the maximum point of the spring compression.

7. A hinge unit in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the connector part has a U-shape, one limb of which carries the pivot and the other 8 limb of wnich has an abutment bearing against an end of the strut.

8. A hinge unit in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the strut is telescopically compressible against the spring means.

9. A hinge unit in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein a channel is provided in the nose portion adapted to receive the edge of a fixed panel connected therewith by screws which pass through fixing apertures in the channel, the nose portion forming a yoke by spaced side limbs into which the 10 connector part locates with the connector part retained by a pivot pin located adjacent a strengthening bar whereby the connector may rotate around the pin to move between the two limiting positions respectively, being closed and open, the connector part having means for attachment to a flap and including an abutment bar having an arcuate bearing surface engaged by a complementary is surface in an end block of one part of a telescopic strut, the other part of the strut comprising a rod which engages a bore in the one part and which includes a further end block having a beahng surface complementary to the arcuate surface of an abutment bar located at the tail of the bracket part, the two parts of the telescopic strut being urged apart by a compression spring.

10. A hinge unit in accordance with claim 9, wherein In operation the force of the spring by virtue of the location of the abutment relative to the pivot pin holds the flap open, on application of a force closing the flap there is a relatively long throw of the strut during compression of the spring after which the parts pass 9 through an over-centre position shortly before full flap closure following which the flap is held shut in this second stable position.

11. A hinge unit constructed and arranged to function as described herein s and exemplified with reference to the drawings.