GB2316710A

GB2316710A - Lockable hinge assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2316710A
Application number: GB9618245A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Edward Richardson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-08-31
Filing date: 1996-08-31
Publication date: 1998-03-04
Also published as: GB9618245D0

Abstract

A pair of plates (1) are arranged edge-to-edge with interdigitated apertured lugs (2) through which a hinge pin (3) can be inserted. The shank (4) of the pin is formed with a taper and the lugs are similarly tapered to engage the pin with a wedging action. When the pin is loosely received through the lugs the plates are freely hingeable, but the flexibility can be continuously varied by drawing the pin into the lugs by means of a nut (8) or cam (10) (Fig. 2). Full lock is achieved by clamping the lugs between the nut (8) and a head (5) on the pin.

Description

PLATE ASSEMBLIES TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to assemblies comprising two or more plates which are hingabiy connected together.

BACKGROUND It is known in numerous applications to couple a pair of plate members edge toedge by means of a hinge pin such that the angle between the plates can be varied.

The present invention seeks to provide a coupling arrangement which is patentably different from any known form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a pair of plate members hingably connected together along two mutually adjacent edges such that the angle between the plates can be adjusted, the said plate members respectively being provided with a set of spaced apertured lugs, and a hinge pin being inserted through the two sets of lugs to connect the two plates, in which part of the pin which is inserted through the lugs is of a tapered configuration.

The tapered portion of the pin may positively engage the lugs, e.g. by means of longitudinal splines, or the pin may have a simple frictional engagement with the lugs. In either case, the engagement can be released by moving the pin in the direction of its wider end so that the angle of the plates can be changed, and engaged by movement in the opposite direction.

Frictional engagement is preferred. By urging the pin into the lugs to increase the frictional engagement between the pin and the lugs, the flexibility between the plates can be continuously varied.

In its simplest form one set of lugs may comprise a single lug and the other set two lugs, but it is preferred for each set to comprise a plural number of lugs.

The apertures of the lugs are preferably tapered to complement the taper of the pin such that the pin engages the lugs with a wedging action.

The pin is preferably provided with means for progressively moving the pin into the lugs. Such means may, for example, comprise a pivoted cam member which is associated with the pin or the lugs to act against the lugs or the pin respectively. In a preferred form said means comprises a screwthread and nut arrangement. The thread may, for example, be formed on the narrower end of the tapered section, such that the pin can be drawn into the lugs by means of a nut screwed onto the said portion. The use of a screw thread allows a controlled progressive increase in force to be applied to the pin.

The lugs are preferably arranged in close mutual contact such that they can be drawn together by the pin. Preferably, the wider end of the tapered section has a shoulder for engagement with the adjacent lug, e.g. formed by a head on the pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a track formed of plate members hingably coupled together in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a detail of a modification to the hingable coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The track is formed of a line of plates 1 arranged edge-toedge. The plates may be formed of any material which is suitable for the intended use of the track, possible materials including strong plastics and, for heavy duty work, metal. The mutually adjacent edges of each adjacent pair of plates are provided with a series of spaced apertured lugs 2, and the lugs are interdigitated such that the lugs of each plate alternate with lugs of the other plate. The gap between adjacent lugs is small, being just sufficient for the lugs to be freely inserted without significant lateral movement.

A hinge pin 3 is inserted through the two sets of lugs so as to hingably connect the two plates. The shank 4 of the pin, which passes through the lugs 2, is formed with a substantially constant taper, and the apertures of the lugs 2 are tapered with a similar angle and diameter such that the pin is simultaneously able to engage all the lugs with a wedging action. The wider end of the pin is provided with a projecting head 5, whilst the opposite end of the pin comprises a short projecting screw-threaded portion 6 which receives a washer 7 followed by a nut 8.

As will now be explained, the flexibility of the track can be continuously varied, ranging from free flexibility up to full lock. When the pin is loosely pushed home into the lugs the amount of flexibility is determined by the friction between the pin and the lugs and between the adjacent lugs.

However, by hammering the head 5 to drive the pin into wedging engagement with the lugs, and/or tightening the nut 8, the frictional contact between the pin and the lugs can be increased and the flexibility of the track reduced accordingly. The condition of total inflexibility (full lock) is brought about by the fact that the lugs can be clamped together between the shoulder formed by the head 5 and the nut 8.

This variable flexibility can be used to adjust the track to the required degree of flexibility in use. The track could also be formed to shape in a relatively flexible state and then locked in the required position of use.

It will be appreciated that other means of progressively urging the pin into the lugs can be employed. For example, in Fig. 2 a snail cam 10 is pivotally coupled to the narrower end of the pin 3 to act against the washer 7. By rotating the cam 10 in direction A by means of an integral lever 11 the pin 3 is drawn into the lugs 2. The position of the lever thus determines the flexibility of the coupling up to a position of full lock.

The arrangements can be used in numerous applications, including linings for a tunnels or caves, e.g. to form quick reinforcement in conditions of imminent collapse, rapid fabrication of buildings such as tents or garages for example, footbridge construction, sand ladders for vehicles, etc.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to linear tracks. Similar hinged joints could be formed on two adjacent edges of the plates so that flexibility can be provided in two or more directions.

Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An assembly which comprises pair of plate members hingably connected together along two mutually adjacent edges such that the angle between the plates can be adjusted, the said plate members respectively being provided with a set of spaced apertured lugs, and a hinge pin being inserted through the two sets of lugs to connect the two plates, in which part of the pin which is inserted through the lugs is of a tapered configuration.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1, in which the tapered portion of the pin positively engages the lugs.

3. An assembly according to Claim 2, in which the tapered portion of the pin engages the lugs by means of longitudinal splines.

4. An assembly according to Claim 1, in which the pin frictionally engages the lugs.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which each set of lugs comprises a plural number of lugs.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the apertures of the lugs are tapered to complement the taper of the pin.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the pin is preferably provided with means for progressively moving the pin into the lugs.

8. An assembly according to Claim 7, in which such means comprises a pivoted cam member which is associated with the pin or the lugs to act against the lugs or the pin respectively.

9. An assembly according to Claim 8, in which the cam member is provided with an integral operating lever.

10. An assembly according to Claim 7, in which said means comprises a screw-thread and nut arrangement.

11. An assembly according to Claim 10, in which the thread is formed on the narrower end of the tapered section, such that the pin can be drawn into the lugs by means of a nut screwed onto the said portion.

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the lugs are arranged in close mutual contact.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the wider end of the tapered section has a shoulder for engagement with the adjacent lug.

14. An assembly substantially as described with reference to the drawings.