GB1570783A - Hinge - Google Patents

Description

(54) A HINGE (71) We, TEMPLE PATRICK (ENGINEERS) LIMITED., a British Company of 95 Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GN, and ROBERT HENRY WARD, a British subject of 40, Acton Road, Arnold, Nottingham, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a hinge particularly a hinge for releasably holding rotably movable parts in one or more rotational positions relative to one another.

Such a hinge is particularly suitable for use in the gardening apparatus disclosed in UK Patent application No 46666/75 (Serial No 1570490).

According to the present invention there is provided a hinge including at least two elements adapted for relative rotational movement about a common axis, the elements having faces facing one another provided with co-operating formations which when interengaged serve to restrain relative rotational movement therebetween, each element being provided with an abutment surface defined by a shoulder projecting axially from its face, the abutment surfaces being co-operable to prevent complete rotational movement between the elements.

The elements may be adapted for reception on a shaft such that one element is located on the shaft so as to be rotationally fixed thereto and the other is located on the shaft so as to be rotatably relative thereto so that rotation of the shaft results in relative rotation between the elements received thereon.

Conveniently, if the shaft has a polygonal cross-section, one element is provided with a bore having a crosssectional shape which permits the element to be slidably received on the shaft but which restrains relative rotation between the shaft and the element and the other element is provided with a bore having a cross-sectional shape capable of slidably receiving the shaft and which permits relative rotation between the shaft and the element. Advantageously, said other element includes a sleeve portion which has a bore that slidably receives the shaft but restrains relative rotation between the shaft and the sleeve, the sleeve being rotatably received in a bore of said other element.

Conveniently, each element may be provided with formations for receiving members which are to be connected to one another by said elements.

Conveniently, each element is a one piece plastics moulding.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of hinge means according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a garden apparatus for use as a cloche; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the garden apparatus of Figure 2 for use as a lean-to- "glass-house"; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of two inter-connected garden apparatus of Figure 2 for use as a cloche.

Referring initially to Figure 1 there is shown a hinge means 210 including two elements 111 and 112. Each element has a cylindrical body portion 113. Element 111 has an end face 11 1a which in use faces end face 11 2a of element 112. Each end face 11 1a, 1 12a is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced recesses 114 (only those on face 1 12a being visible) and a shoulder 115. Each shoulder 115 has an end face from which protrudes a projection 116 which is hemi-spherical in shape.

Shoulder 115 of element 112 has two abutment surfaces 117 and 118 which co-operate with similar surfaces on shoulder 115 of element 111 to limit rotational movement between the elements in use, elements 111 and 112 are resiliently biased by spring means (not shown) toward one another so that their end faces 111a, 112a are in contact. In the illustrated hinge, each shoulder 115 extends about W of the circumference ot the body portion 113 so that elements 111, 112 are only rotatably movable relative to one another through an arc of 90 . Obviously, the extent of rotational movement may be varied as desired by altering the circumferential extent of shoulders 115.

Element 111 is provided with a sleeve 118' which is rotatably received within a bore 120 of element 111. The sleeve 118' is provided with a polygonal shaped (eg square shaped) bore 121 having the same cross-sectional shape as a shaft 122 on which elements 111 and 112 are mounted in use. Element 112 is also provided with a bore 124 which has the same crosssectional shape as shaft 122. Consequently, when received on shaft 122, element 111 is rotatably mounted thereon wheras element 112 is rotatably fixed relative to shaft 122.

Both elements 111 and 112 are provided with bosses 130 which are capable of receiving rods (not shown). The position of bosses 130 and shoulder 115 may be varied as desired so as to provide for different movements of between the bosses on elements 111, 112. For instance, for co-operating element 111 and 112, boss 130 of element 112 is movable from the position shown to a position whereat it points vertically upwards whereas for co-operating elements 111 and 112' the shoulder 115' is so positioned that boss 130' of element 112' is movable from the position shown to a position wherat it points vertically downwards.

The above hinge means is particularly suitable for use in constructing the gardening apparatus shown in the accompanying Figures 2 to 4 and described in detail in UK patent application No 46666/75 (Serial No 1570490) wherein bosses 51, 52, 53, 31, 32, 33, 24, 25 and 26 referred to in UK patent application No. 46666/75 (Serial No 1570490) are replaced by hinge means 210 described above which are slidably received on frame elements 50, 15 and 14 respectively (as shown in see Figure 2). These elements, at least in the regions where hinge means 210 are to be located have a square cross-section as for shaft 122.Springs (not shown) are provided in order to bias co-operating elements 111 and 112 together and the springs are preferably retained in position under compression by virtue of a washer which is held in abutment with a pin passing transversely through the frame element by virtue of the bias of the spring.

The bosses of the hinge means serve to receive and connect transverse frame elements to the longitudinal elements 50, 15 and 14. The transverse elements 21, 22 and 23 are connected to longitudinal element 20 and transverse elements 54, 55 and 56 are connected to longitudinal element 58 by means of T-pieces 110 of- simi- lar shape to elements 111 but without shoulder 115 and associated projection 116 and recesses.

A plastics sheet is conveniently wrapped about the whole frame work and secured in position by an conventional means, eg by heat sealing or by press studs.

Strut 70 may be positioned so as to be connected to extension 14b and if desired an additional strut 70 may be provided on extention 14a. These struts are conveniently connected thereto by means of T-pieces so that struts 70 may be removed if desired.

It is envisaged that the apparatus may be used for different purposes, for instance as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

In Figure 2, the apparatus is folded so as to be used as a cloche. Struts 70 are positioned as shown to provide support.

Additionally, if desired, stakes (not used) may be used to secure the cloche to the ground.

In Figure 3, the apparatus is folded and leaned against a wall 150 to form a lean-to "glass-house".

In addition to struts 70, further struts 71 are provided which depend from extensions formed on longitudinal frame elements 20.

In Figure 4, two apparatus are joined together at the apex 60 of a cloche 61.

The connection is achieved by placing T-pieces on extensions of frame elements 20 and interconnecting side by side T-pieces on adjacent elements 20 by means of a U-shaped member 63. Struts 70 are again provided to add support and an additional strut 80 is provided at each end of the cloche which extends between the extensions of longitudinal elements 14 of the two apparatus.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A hinge including at least two elements adapted for relative rotational movement about a common axis, the elements having faces facing one another provided with co-operating formations which when interengaged serve to restrain relative rotational movement therebetween, each element being provided with an abutment surface defined by a shoulder

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   Shoulder 115 of element 112 has two abutment surfaces 117 and 118 which co-operate with similar surfaces on shoulder 115 of element 111 to limit rotational movement between the elements in use, elements 111 and 112 are resiliently biased by spring means (not shown) toward one another so that their end faces 111a, 112a are in contact. In the illustrated hinge, each shoulder 115 extends about W of the circumference ot the body portion 113 so that elements 111, 112 are only rotatably movable relative to one another through an arc of 90 . Obviously, the extent of rotational movement may be varied as desired by altering the circumferential extent of shoulders 115.

   Element 111 is provided with a sleeve 118' which is rotatably received within a bore 120 of element 111. The sleeve 118' is provided with a polygonal shaped (eg square shaped) bore 121 having the same cross-sectional shape as a shaft 122 on which elements 111 and 112 are mounted in use. Element 112 is also provided with a bore 124 which has the same crosssectional shape as shaft 122. Consequently, when received on shaft 122, element 111 is rotatably mounted thereon wheras element 112 is rotatably fixed relative to shaft 122.

   Both elements 111 and 112 are provided with bosses 130 which are capable of receiving rods (not shown). The position of bosses 130 and shoulder 115 may be varied as desired so as to provide for different movements of between the bosses on elements 111, 112. For instance, for co-operating element 111 and 112, boss 130 of element 112 is movable from the position shown to a position whereat it points vertically upwards whereas for co-operating elements 111 and 112' the shoulder 115' is so positioned that boss 130' of element 112' is movable from the position shown to a position wherat it points vertically downwards.

   The above hinge means is particularly suitable for use in constructing the gardening apparatus shown in the accompanying Figures 2 to 4 and described in detail in UK patent application No 46666/75 (Serial No 1570490) wherein bosses 51, 52, 53, 31, 32, 33, 24, 25 and 26 referred to in UK patent application No. 46666/75 (Serial No 1570490) are replaced by hinge means 210 described above which are slidably received on frame elements 50, 15 and 14 respectively (as shown in see Figure 2). These elements, at least in the regions where hinge means 210 are to be located have a square cross-section as for shaft 122.Springs (not shown) are provided in order to bias co-operating elements 111 and 112 together and the springs are preferably retained in position under compression by virtue of a washer which is held in abutment with a pin passing transversely through the frame element by virtue of the bias of the spring.

   The bosses of the hinge means serve to receive and connect transverse frame elements to the longitudinal elements 50, 15 and 14. The transverse elements 21, 22 and 23 are connected to longitudinal element 20 and transverse elements 54, 55 and 56 are connected to longitudinal element 58 by means of T-pieces 110 of- simi- lar shape to elements 111 but without shoulder 115 and associated projection 116 and recesses.

   A plastics sheet is conveniently wrapped about the whole frame work and secured in position by an conventional means, eg by heat sealing or by press studs.

   Strut 70 may be positioned so as to be connected to extension 14b and if desired an additional strut 70 may be provided on extention 14a. These struts are conveniently connected thereto by means of T-pieces so that struts 70 may be removed if desired.

   It is envisaged that the apparatus may be used for different purposes, for instance as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4.

   In Figure 2, the apparatus is folded so as to be used as a cloche. Struts 70 are positioned as shown to provide support.

   Additionally, if desired, stakes (not used) may be used to secure the cloche to the ground.

   In Figure 3, the apparatus is folded and leaned against a wall 150 to form a lean-to "glass-house".

   In addition to struts 70, further struts 71 are provided which depend from extensions formed on longitudinal frame elements 20.

   In Figure 4, two apparatus are joined together at the apex 60 of a cloche 61.

   The connection is achieved by placing T-pieces on extensions of frame elements 20 and interconnecting side by side T-pieces on adjacent elements 20 by means of a U-shaped member 63. Struts 70 are again provided to add support and an additional strut 80 is provided at each end of the cloche which extends between the extensions of longitudinal elements 14 of the two apparatus.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

   1. A hinge including at least two elements adapted for relative rotational movement about a common axis, the elements having faces facing one another provided with co-operating formations which when interengaged serve to restrain relative rotational movement therebetween, each element being provided with an abutment surface defined by a shoulder

   projecting axially from its face, the abutment surfaces being co-operable to prevent complete rotational movement between the elements.

   2. A hinge according to claim 1 wherein the co-operating formations are defined by at least one projection which projects from an end face of one element towards the end face of an adjacent element, the end face of said adjacent element being provided with recesses for reception of said projection/projections.

   3. A hinge according to claim 2 wherein said adjacent element is also provided with at least one projection and the end face of said one element is provided with at least one recess for reception of the projection/projections of the end face of said adjacent element.

   4. A hinge according to any preceding claim wherein the co-operating formations are such that the elements have to be axially separated prior to relative rotational movement.

   5. A hinge according to claim 4 wherein resilient biasing means are provided for maintaining the co-operating formations in interengaging relationship, the co-operating formations being so shaped that they cause said axial separation against the bias of said biasing means when relative rotation between the elements occur.

   6. A hinge according to any preceding claim wherein each shoulder defines two circumferentially spaced abutment surfaces which serve to restrict relative rotational movement between the elenents in both directions.

   7. A hinge according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the shoulders carries at least one projection for cooperation with recesses in the end face of the other element.

   8. A hinge according to any preceding claim wherein the elements are adapted for reception on a shaft such that one element is located on the shaft so as to be rotationally fixed thereto and the other is located on the shaft so as to be rotatable relative thereto so that rotation of the shaft results in relative rotation between the elements received thereon.

   9. A hinge according to claim 8 wherein, if the shaft has a polygonal cross-section, one element is provided with a bore having a cross-sectional shape which permits the element to be slidably received on the shaft but which restrains relative rotation between the shaft and the element and the other element is provided with a bore having a cross-sectional shape capable of slidably receiving the shaft and which permits relative rotation between the shaft and the element.

   10. A hinge according to claim 9 wherein said other element includes a sleeve portion which has a bore that slidably receives the shaft but restrains relative rotation between the shaft and the sleeve, the sleeve being rotatably received in a bore of said other element.

   11. A hinge according to any preceding claim wherein each element is provided with formations for receiving members which are to be connected to one another by said elements.

   13. A hinge substantially as described with regerence to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

   14. Gardening apparatus according to any claim of U.K. patent application No.

   46666/75 (Serial No 1570490) including hinges according to any preceding claim.