AU2010101384A4 - An improved separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray of a vehicle. - Google Patents

An improved separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray of a vehicle. Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2010101384A4
AU2010101384A4 AU2010101384A AU2010101384A AU2010101384A4 AU 2010101384 A4 AU2010101384 A4 AU 2010101384A4 AU 2010101384 A AU2010101384 A AU 2010101384A AU 2010101384 A AU2010101384 A AU 2010101384A AU 2010101384 A4 AU2010101384 A4 AU 2010101384A4
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
component
vehicle
separable hinge
hinge
groove
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
AU2010101384A
Inventor
Michael Thomas Fletcher
Gene Leon Thompson
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TRIPLE M HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
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TRIPLE M HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
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Priority to AU2010101384A priority Critical patent/AU2010101384A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2010101384A4 publication Critical patent/AU2010101384A4/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05DHINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
    • E05D7/00Hinges or pivots of special construction
    • E05D7/10Hinges or pivots of special construction to allow easy separation or connection of the parts at the hinge axis
    • E05D7/1061Hinges or pivots of special construction to allow easy separation or connection of the parts at the hinge axis in a radial direction
    • E05D7/1077Hinges or pivots of special construction to allow easy separation or connection of the parts at the hinge axis in a radial direction with snap-fitted pins

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Hinges (AREA)
  • Superstructure Of Vehicle (AREA)
  • Hinge Accessories (AREA)

Description

INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION AN IMPROVED SEPARABLE HINGE FOR A SIDE AND/OR REAR PANEL OF A DROP SIDE TRAY OF A VEHICLE. 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improved separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray of a vehicle that is easily and effortless to mount and dismount. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 A frequently used commercial and/or personal vehicle among individuals who transport large and heavy items is a tray back utility, or commonly referred to as a "ute". The tray back feature provides additional space to transport and/or store items while at the same time ensures easy access to the load when desired. Commonly, access to items stored and/or transported using a tray back ute is enhanced by mechanisms allowing each of the side and rear panels thereof to 15 hinge from an upward position to a downward position (vice versa), thus providing unhindered access to the items located on within the tray back. A tray back utility vehicle where the sides thereof hinge from an upward position to a downward position is commonly referred to as a drop-side tray ute or utility vehicle. 20 Presently, a mechanism used in the art to allow the side panels of a drop-side tray ute to move from an upward position to a downward position and vice versa is a simple hinge type system. - 1- In this regard, a hinge mechanism is composed of two separate components, one of such being fixed to a specific location on the drop-side panel and the other being secured at a location on the tray back of the vehicle, such that the drop-side panel can rotate about the floor of the tray back in a fixed axis of rotation. These prior art hinge mechanisms can be likened to simple hinge 5 used in the building industry when installing a door, where one of the components has at least a single male pin type member that is received by at least a single female barrel member provided by the other component of the hinge. This type of hinge also permits each component thereof to be separated from each other, such that the side panels of the drop-side tray can be dismounted from the tray back vehicle when desired. In use a single side panel of the drop-side 0 tray is commonly held in place by a plurality of hinges that are provided along its length. Unfortunately, while prior art hinge mechanisms used for drop-side tray utes are effective to hinge the sides thereof from an upward position to a downward position, significant difficulties arise for the user when attempting to mount the sides of the drop-side tray when such have 15 been removed previously during unloading. Specifically, as a plurality of hinges are generally provided along the length of the side panel, in order to remount the side panel to the tray back it is necessary to concurrently line up and locate each male pin with each respective female barrel to complete each hinge. As will be appreciated, this process is time consuming and requires substantial effort on behalf of the user, as the side panels are commonly made of 20 suitable steel or alloys of considerable weight and are difficult to spatially locate with the high -2level of accuracy generally required. Moreover, the difficulties associated with mounting a side panel of a drop side tray compounds over time due to wear and tear. For example, it is common for the male pin member of prior art hinge mechanisms to become bent out of alignment, thus making it significantly difficult to engage with the female barrel member. 5 While drop-side trays are commonly provided for vehicles such as utes, it is also common for trailers or other like vehicles to be adapted to also comprise drop-side panels like those explained above. However, similar prior art hinge mechanisms, as explained above, are also employed and are associated with similar disadvantages. 0 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to ameliorate some or all of the above disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel and innovative separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray. 15 -3 - STATEMENT OF INVENTION In a first embodiment of the present invention, the invention resides in a separable hinge for panels of a drop side tray of a vehicle, comprising: a first component having an inwardly facing clasping member, and 5 a second component comprising a cylindrical rod, wherein in use the rod of the second component can be hingedly engaged with the clasping member of the first component allowing the panel to pivot about a fixed axis. In a preferred embodiment, the first component is configured to be attached to the vehicle and the 0 second component is configured to be attached to a panel of the drop side tray. In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a base portion configured to be attached to the vehicle, and a substantially perpendicular bend extending to form the clasping member, wherein the clasping member comprises a substantially semicircular inwardly facing groove. 15 In preferred embodiments, the substantially semicircular groove has an internal diameter that corresponds substantially to that of the cylindrical rod of the second component. In preferred embodiments, the substantially semicircular groove has an inner lip which defines a gap 20 with an adjacent surface having a distance less than that of the diameter of the cylindrical rod of the -4second component, such that the rod can be removably and securely engaged by the groove of the clasping member. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the substantially cylindrical rod of the second component is 5 securely engaged within the groove of the clasping member by rotating the second member in an upward or downward manner so as to provide a cam action with a surface that forces the rod by the inner lip and into the clasping member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0 In order for the invention to be better understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the separable hinge of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A is a perspective view a first component of a preferable separable hinge of the present 15 invention. Figure 2B is a sagittal cross section view of the first component of a preferable separable hinge of the present invention Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second component of a preferable separable hinge of the present invention. -5- Figure 4A and 4B show sagittal cross section views of the first and second components of the separable hinge of the present invention during mounting. Figure 5A shows sagittal cross section views of the first and second components of the separable hinge of the present invention when mounted. The left figure shows the second component 5 in a downward position, where the right shows the upward position. Figure 5B is a perspective view of a mounted separable hinge of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As shown in Figure 1, which shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred separable hinge of a .0 present invention, the separable hinge is composed of two primary components (10, 20). The first component (20) is preferably configured to be securely attached to a portion of the vehicle (100), or alternatively a removable element that has already been secured to the vehicle, such as a rail or the like provided around the perimeter of the tray back of the vehicle. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that any known method or means to attach the first component (20) to the vehicle (100) is not overly 15 limited, so long as such provides a secure attachment thereto. For example, as is shown in Figure 1, a suitable attachment means can include but is not limited to, a fastener (50). A similar attachment means can also be used to preferably securely attach the second component (10) to a side or rear panel of the drop-side tray, where such is intended to be attached in operation of a preferable embodiment as will be discussed in further detail below. 20 -6- It should be appreciated that as used herein, the term "vehicle" is taken to have its general meaning known to the person skilled in the art. However, it should be understood that the term "vehicle" is intended to also refer to vehicles such as trailers and the like where drop-side trays are commonly used. 5 Any hardened material known and available to those skilled in the art can be used in the manufacture of the first and second components (20 and 10, respectively) of the separable hinge of the present invention. Suitable materials include but are not limited to, hardened plastics or resins, metal or metal alloys or a combination thereof. By way of example, suitable hardened plastics include but are not limited to, melamine resins, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, and 0 polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. As is best shown in Figure 1, Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the first component (20) of the separable hinge of a present invention is preferably of a single piece construction, and comprises a base portion (23), a bent portion (24) and a clasping member (22). The base portion (23) is the portion of the first 15 component (20) that is directly or indirectly attached to the vehicle (100). As is best shown in Figure 2B, which is a cross section of the first component (20), a substantially perpendicular (i.e. about 90*) bend of is provided that extends to terminate in the clasping member (22). In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the clasping member (22) is a substantially semicircular inwardly facing groove (25) with an internal lip (26), which will be described in further detail below when discussing the relationship 20 thereof with elements of the second component of the separable hinge. -7- In the context of the present invention, however, it should be understood that the term "inwardly" is meant to indicate a direction toward the vehicle, thus meaning that the inwardly facing groove (25) is taken to mean a groove whose opening faces substantially toward the vehicle to which it is attached in 5 use. Moving now to Figure 3, which is a perspective view of a second component (10) of a preferable separable hinge of the present invention, the second component (10) comprises a body (14) and a substantially cylindrical rod (12). The size and dimensions of the substantially cylindrical rod (12) is not 0 overly limited, but those skilled in the art would appreciate that such would be sized and dimensioned relative to the chosen internal diameter of the inwardly facing groove (25) of the first component (20). In particular, a premise of the present invention is that the substantially cylindrical rod (12) of the second component (10) can be removably and securely engaged within the inwardly facing groove (25) of the first component (10), as it is this relationship that permits the side and rear panels of the drop 15 side tray to be secured in a pivotable manner relative to the vehicle (100). As is shown best in Figure 1, the substantially cylindrical rod (12) can be secured to the body (14) of the second component (10) by the use of terminal caps (11) that are sized and configured to be received and engaged within corresponding receptacles or junctions (18) provided within the body (14). In this 20 embodiment, the substantially cylindrical rod (12) is permitted to rotate about the junction (14). Those -8skilled in the art would appreciate that while this construction is preferred, in other embodiments the substantially cylindrical rod (12) could be directly attached to the body (14) of the second component (10) by any known linkage means. 5 Moreover, it would be understood by those skilled in the art that any known hardened material available to those skilled in the art could be used in the manufacture of the substantially cylindrical rod (12). Suitable materials include but are not limited to, stainless steel, other rigid metal alloys, hardened plastics and resins or a combination thereof. In preferred embodiments, however, the substantially cylindrical rod (12) is composed of an acrylate resin, which is commonly known in the art as propenoate. 0 As shown in Figure 3, the body (14) of the second component (10) is shown to have rounded leading edges or shoulders (16) provided on either side thereof. This rounded configuration, while not being bound to theory, facilitates the movement of the second component from an upward engaged position to a downward position (shown in Figure 5B and 5A, respectively). 15 With reference to Figures 4A-4B and Figures 5A-5B, the relationship between the elements of the first and second components of the separable hinge of the present invention during use will now be described in further detail. As indicated previously in use the first component (20) can be attached indirectly or directly to the vehicle (100), where the second component is preferably securely attached 20 to a side or rear panel of the drop-side tray (not shown). In this regard, in order to mount the second -9component (10), which in use is attached to a panel of the drop-side tray, the substantially cylindrical rod (12) is lowered into close proximity with the inwardly facing groove (25) of the clasping member (22) of the first component (20). As shown in the lower part of Figure 4A, the gap or distance between the inner lip (26) of the substantially semicircular inwardly facing groove (25) and the adjacent surface 5 (indicated by the double-headed arrow) is less than that of the corresponding diameter of the substantially cylindrical rod (12) of the second component (10). This difference between the distance indicated by the double headed arrow and the diameter of the substantially cylindrical rod (12) is not overly limited, but should be sufficient to ensure that the substantially cylindrical rod (12) can be securely engaged within the internal groove (25) while at the same time permit such to dismounted 0 therefrom when desired. In order to securely engage and retain the substantially cylindrical rod (12) of the second component (10) within the inwardly facing groove (25) of the first component (20), the second component is pivoted in either a downward or upward direction relative to the first component. In this regard, due to 15 a cam type action the substantially cylindrical rod (12) is forced into and clasped by the inwardly facing groove (25) by passing over the inner lip (26). Once the substantially cylindrical rod (12) is clasped by the inwardly facing groove (25), the second component is permitted to hinge about a fixed axis from a downward position shown on the left side of Figure 5A to the upward position shown on the right side of Figure 5A and in Figure 5B, and vice versa. When all of the panels of the drop side tray of the vehicle - 10are in an upward position, such can be held into place for transport by any known latch mechanism (not shown) presently used by those skilled in art. it would be appreciated by the skilled artisan that due to the construction of the separable hinge of the 5 present invention, the user can easily and effortlessly mount and dismount each side and rear panel of the drop side ute or other like vehicle. While these advantageous will be clearly understood, other associated advantageous of the present invention over the prior art would become apparent to those skilled in art upon reading the Detailed Description. 0 Lastly, it should be appreciated that each side or rear panel may in use have more than a single separable hinge dispensed along its length to facilitate attachment. However, for clarity the relationship of the various elements of only a single separable hinge has been explained in detail above. VARIATIONS 15 It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. -11 in the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing" 5 such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains". 0 15 - 12 -

Claims (6)

1. A separable hinge for panels of a drop side tray of a vehicle, comprising: a first component having an inwardly facing clasping member, a second component comprising a cylindrical rod, 5 wherein in use the rod of the second component can be hingedly engaged with the clasping member of the first component allowing the panel to pivot about a fixed axis.
2. The separable hinge as defined in claim 1, wherein the first component is configured to be attached to the vehicle and second component is configured to be attached to a panel of the 0 drop side tray.
3. The separable hinge as defined in claim 2, wherein the first component comprises: a base portion configured to be attached to the vehicle; and a substantially perpendicular bend extending to form the clasping member, 15 wherein the clasping member comprises a substantially semicircular inwardly facing groove.
4. The separable hinge as defined in claim 3, wherein the substantially semicircular groove has an internal diameter that corresponds substantially to that of the cylindrical rod of the second component. 20
5. The separable hinge as defined in any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the substantially semicircular groove has an inner lip which defines a gap with an adjacent surface having a distance less than that of the diameter of the cylindrical rod of the second component, such that the rod is securely but removably engaged with the groove of the clasping member. 5
6. The separable hinge as defined in any one of claims 1-5, wherein the substantially cylindrical rod of the second component is engaged within the groove of the clasping member by rotating the second member in an upward or downward manner so as to provide a cam action against a surface that forces the rod pass the inner lip and into the groove of the clasping member. 0 - 14 -
AU2010101384A 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 An improved separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray of a vehicle. Expired AU2010101384A4 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2010101384A AU2010101384A4 (en) 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 An improved separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray of a vehicle.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2010101384A AU2010101384A4 (en) 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 An improved separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray of a vehicle.

Publications (1)

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AU2010101384A4 true AU2010101384A4 (en) 2011-01-13

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AU2010101384A Expired AU2010101384A4 (en) 2010-12-07 2010-12-07 An improved separable hinge for a side and/or rear panel of a drop side tray of a vehicle.

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2779371A1 (en) * 2013-03-11 2014-09-17 Grundfos Holding A/S Pump power unit

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2779371A1 (en) * 2013-03-11 2014-09-17 Grundfos Holding A/S Pump power unit
WO2014139942A1 (en) * 2013-03-11 2014-09-18 Grundfos Holding A/S Pump unit

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FGI Letters patent sealed or granted (innovation patent)
MK22 Patent ceased section 143a(d), or expired - non payment of renewal fee or expiry