GB2047790A

GB2047790A - Improvements in or relating to hinge assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2047790A
Application number: GB8004557A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: T I RALEIGH IND Ltd
Current assignee: T I RALEIGH IND Ltd
Priority date: 1979-02-14
Filing date: 1980-02-12
Publication date: 1980-12-03
Also published as: LU82168A1; BE881725A; IT1140598B; FR2449221A1; DE3005559A1; IT8019918A0; NL8000899A

Abstract

There is described a hinge assembly, particularly for connecting two tubular frame members of a foldable bicycle, in which a hinge pin 5 and collar 6 are fixed to a part-tubular support 12 fixed in a tubular frame member 3 and is rotatable in a bearing sleeve 6a fixed to a similar support 12 fixed in the other frame member 4. A knob fixed on pin 5 is threaded on the sleeve 6a to move the pin axially relative to sleeve 6a to separate surfaces 17 on collar 6 and sleeve 6a to allow relative rotation between parts 3, 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to hinge assemblies The invention relates to hinge assemblies.

According to this invention a hinge assembly comprises first and second hollow members enclosing a hinge mechanism, an operating element external to the members connected to the hinge mechanism for moving the hinge mechanism between a first condition in which the hollow members cannot rotate relative to one another and a second condition in which they can rotate relative to one another about the hinge.

The hinge mechanism may comprise a hinge pin for securing to the first member, a mounting for the pin for securing to the second member, said element being operable for moving the pin axially in the mounting between a first position in which the pin cannot rotate relative to the mounting and a second position in which the pin can rotate relative to the mounting.

The element may be in screw-threaded engagement with the mounting and movable with the hinge pin.

The mounting may comprise a bearing sleeve.

The pin may be held in the first position against rotation relative to the mounting by engagement between co-operating surfaces on the hinge pin and the mounting.

In the case where the first and second members are tubular members, the hinge pin and the mounting may respectively by provided with part-tubular formations for securing in confronting ends of the tubular parts.

The formations may include parallel portions having coaxial apertures in which the pin and the mounting are respectively secured.

The co-operating surfaces may be formed on the formations.

The hinge assembly may be used to connect two tubular parts in a frame of a foldable bicycle and the invention includes a bicycles frame comprising two tubular parts connected by a hinge assembly as defined above.

The invention may be performed in various ways and three specific embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. lisa side elevation of a hinge assembly in one condition; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the hinge of Fig. 1 in another condition; Fig. 3 is an underneath view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a somewhat schematic top view of Fig. 1 in a further, folded, condition with half tube removed to show internal details; Fig. 5 is a section on the line A-A of Fig. 3 with the hinge in the condition of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 5 but with the hinge in the condition of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of another hinge; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of the hinge of Fig.

7; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 of the hinge of Fig.

7; and Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a further hinge.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, a hinge assembly is arranged to connect two parts 3,4 of a tubular frame of a bicycle. The two parts3, 4 may be formed from a single length of circular cross-section tube by cutting in a plane Z at an angle to the tube axis and at right angles to two parallel cuts X.

Two similar liners 1,2 are respectively secured by welding or other means into the confronting ends of tube parts 3,4 and each includes a portion 12 generally parallel to the plane Z and provided respectively with an aperture 12a and an aperture 12b of larger diameter than the aperture 12a.

A hinge pin 5 is received in the aperture 1 2a and at one end has a head 5a of enlarged cross-section welded to the portion 12 of the part 1. The hinge pin 5 extends through a collar 6 and bearing bush respectively welded to the portions 12 of the parts 1, 2. The hinge pin 5 extends through an aperture in the wall of tube 4.

The end portion of the bush 6a outside the tube 4 is formed with external screw threads 14 engaged with internal screw threads 15 on one end of a nut 9 whose other end is enlarged and provided with external serrations 9a to provide a user with an improved grip.

The hinge pin 5 at its other end is provided with a portion Sc of reduced cross-section which extends through an aperture in the nut and a further outer extension 5b of reduced cross-section is externally threaded to receive a nut 11 located in a recess 1 la in the nut 9. Washer 10 is provided. The nut 11 holds the nut 9 on to the hinge pin 5, allowing nut 9 to rotate.

A tubular collar 8 is fixed to the tube part 4 and extends over part of the threads 14 to prevent or resist ingress of water to the threads. The collar 8 includes cross-web 8a which is apertured to receive the bearing bush 6a.

The confronting ends of the parts 6, 6a are shaped to provide co-operable dogs 20, 21 which in the hinge-locked position of Figs. 1 and 5 prevent relative rotation of the tube parts 3, 4.

In order to rotate the hinge pin 5 and thus the tube parts 3,4 relative to each other, the knob 5 is rotated to move the hinge pin 5 axially until the outer end of the bush 6a abuts the wall 22 in the nut 9 (Fig. 6).

This axial movement separates the dogs 20, 21 so that the hinge pin 5 can be rotated in the bearing bush 6a to bring the tubular parts to the position shown in Fig. 4 by relative pivotal movement about the axis Y-Y of the hinge pin 5, which is at right angles to the plane Z.

This hinge assembly has particular use in a bicycle with a foldable frame, of which the tubes 3,4 are a part, and it will be noted that with the hinge assembly incorporated in the bicycle frame the parting plane Z is generally horizontal and there are no parts The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

projecting above the tube parts 3, the collar 8 and nut 9 projecting downwardly.

When the parts 3,4 are brought back into align ment they may be iocked together by reverse rotation of the knob 9 to move the collar 6 towards the bush part 6a and during this movement co-operating surfaces 17 on the dogs inclined to the axis of pin 5 ensures that the tube parts 3,4 are in axial alignment.

In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 7 to 9 the hinge pin 25 is welded to the portion 12 of liner insert 1 and the bearing bush 26 is welded in the aperture in the portion 12 of the liner 2. A portion 25a of the pin 25 is externally screw-threaded and receives a knob 27 which extends at 27a into the bush 26. An annular external groove is formed in the extension 27a and receives a pin 28 which holds the knob 27 against axial movement relative to the bush 26. A nut 30 and washer 29 prevent the knob 27 from being screwed off the pin extension 25a. In this arrangement the parting plane Z between tube parts 3,4 is stepped at 40 to provide confronting inclined surfaces 41,42 similar to surfaces 17 of Fig. 6.

Rotation of knob 27 in bush 26 causes axial movement of the pin 25 and when this has moved sufficiently the tube part 3 can be rotated about the axis of the hinge pin. As in the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 6, surfaces 41,42 ensure axial alignment of the tube part 3,4 on reverse rotation of the knob 27.

The arrangement of Fig. is generally similar.

The bush 26 is welded to the lower tube part 4. The tube parts 3,4 respectively have welded to them internal plates 40,41 parallel to the parting plane Z.

The plate 41 is also welded to the bush 26. The inner end of the hinge pin 15 is welded to the plate 40.

Studs 42,43 are parallel to pin 15 and are respec tivelywelded to confronting surfaces of plates 40,41 and extend into apertures in the opposing plate so that in the position shown the tube or frame parts 3, 4, are locked against rotation. On rotation of knob 27, the hinge pin 15 moves axially relative to the bush 26 until the studs are free from the opposing plate whereupon the tube parts can be rotated relative to each other about the axis of the hinge pin. The outer ends of the studs are chamfered at 44 to assist in bringing the tube parts into alignment.

It will be appreciated that in the described arrangements the hinge assembly mechanism is within and completely enclosed by the frame members 3,4 apart from a single protruding locking knob beneath the lower member.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly comprising first and second hollow members enclosing a hinge mechanism, an operating element external to the members connected to the hinge mechanism for moving the hinge mechanism between a first condition in which the hollow members cannot rotate relative to one another and a second condition in which they can rotate relative to one another about the hinge.

2. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the hinge mechanism comprises a hinge pin for securing to the first member, a mounting for the pin for securing to the second member, said element being operable for moving the pin axially in the mounting between a first position in which the pin cannot rotate relative to the mounting and a second position in which the pin can rotate relative to the mounting.

3. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the element is in screw-threaded engagament with the mounting and is movable with the hinge pin.

4. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the element is in screw-threaded engagement with the hinge pin and is constrained against axial movement with the hinge pin.

5. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which the mounting comprises a bearing sleeve which receives the hinge pin.

6. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 2, in which the hinge mechanism is held in the first condition by engagement between co-operating surfaces on the mounting and on the hinge pin.

7. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 6, in which plates are fixed to the mounting and the hinge pin, each plate carrying a stud receivable in an aperture in the other plate in the first condition.

8. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which the hollow members are tubular and the hinge pin and the mounting are provided with part-tubular formations for securing in confronting ends of the tubular member.

9. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 8, in which the part-tubular formations are identical, apart from opposed apertures.

10. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 8, in which the formations include parallel portions having coaxial apertures in which the hinge pin and the mounting are respectively received.

11. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 10 and claim 6, in which the co-operating surfaces are formed on the formations.

12. A hinge assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, or Figs. 7 to 9 or Fig. 10 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A frame of a bicycle or the like comprising two tubular parts connected by a hinge assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims.