GB2560912A

GB2560912A - Hinge clip

Info

Publication number: GB2560912A
Application number: GB1704839.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Tennant-Taylor Christopher
Original assignee: Preston Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Preston Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-27
Filing date: 2017-03-27
Publication date: 2018-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-27
Also published as: GB201704839D0; GB2560912B

Abstract

A lockable hinge clip for forming part of a hinge, for hingedly connecting first and second components together, and comprising a bracket portion 100 and a switch portion 110, said switch portion 110 being slidably mounted on said bracket portion 100 for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the hinge clip is able to operate as a hinge and rotate, and in the open position the hinge is held in place. The switch is secured in said open and/or closed position by a pair of cooperative magnets. Preferably the hinge clip is used on a fishermans seat box (e.g. a tackle box). These boxes have multiple boxes stacked and the lockable hinge clip allows adjacent layers to be either locked together thus pivoting them together to open a lower layer, via a knuckle 132 engaging with the locking hinge pin 128 of an adjacent box. The hinge clip may have a switch portion comprising a switch member with first and second stop members 112 114 and a mounting pin extending therebetween and wherein the magnets secure the switch member in the open or closed position.

Description

(54) Title ofthe Invention: Hinge clip

Abstract Title: A lockable hinge clip for forming part of a hinge (57) A lockable hinge clip for forming part of a hinge, for hingedly connecting first and second components together, and comprising a bracket portion 100 and a switch portion 110, said switch portion 110 being slidably mounted on said bracket portion 100 for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the hinge clip is able to operate as a hinge and rotate, and in the open position the hinge is held in place. The switch is secured in said open and/or closed position by a pair of cooperative magnets. Preferably the hinge clip is used on a fisherman’s seat box (e.g. a tackle box). These boxes have multiple boxes stacked and the lockable hinge clip allows adjacent layers to be either locked together thus pivoting them together to open a lower layer, via a knuckle 132 engaging with the locking hinge pin 128 of an adjacent box. The hinge clip may have a switch portion comprising a switch member with first and second stop members 112 114 and a mounting pin extending therebetween and wherein the magnets secure the switch member in the open or closed position.

FIG. 5

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1/6

2/6

03 18

FIG. 2 (Prior Art)

4/6

5/6

03 18

104

Bracket Magnet

FIG. 7

Magnet 2

6/6

142

Magnet 3-//¹²⁶

Magnet 4

Seatbox Switch Body

Seatbox Switch End Cap Self Tap Screw

Jr

118

FIG. 8

03 18

FIG. 9

HINGE CLIP

This invention relates generally to a hinge clip for use in selectively articulating first and second components, particularly suitable for use in modular containers such as a fisherman’s seat box. The invention also relates to a modular container and/or a component thereof, including one or more such hinge clips.

An angler’s seat box is an item of equipment which serves the functions of providing a seat for an angler at the water’s edge and storage of small accessories. Such a box is typically locatable on the chassis or frame that additionally provides a foot support, in use, and, in some cases, the ability to support other (larger) items of equipment in a required position.

A typical seat box of this type comprises a padded seat and storage trays or units underneath it for storage of tackle, and often comes in modular form so that an angler can construct a seat box, including the padded seat and any one or more storage units or trays arranged in a stack below the seat, as required for a particular event or activity. Equally, any storage units or trays containing accessories not required for that event or activity can be removed and stored for future use, thus ensuring that the angler can quickly and conveniently construct their seat box to carry only what they need at any one time.

Clearly, where there are several ‘layers’ of storage units coupled and stacked together to form a single seat box arrangement, there are a number of requirements that need to be fulfilled, namely:

• The ‘stack’ of units must be firmly coupled together, for transport purposes, so that none of the units fall open or become detached from the rest of the stack;

• The contents of each of the units in the stack must be selectively accessible, as and when required, without having to dismantle any other part of the stack;

and • Each of the units must be readily removable from the stack, if desired.

These functions are typically achieved using lockable hinge clips, each comprising first and second cooperative elements, and that can be selectively configured between a locked position, in which the elements are joined together (and can act as a hinge between two storage units, and an open position, in which the elements (and the respective storage containers) are separable.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a conventional hinge clip of this type comprises a bracket portion 10 and a switch portion 12. Referring additionally to Figure 2 of the drawings, the bracket portion 10 comprises a pair of side walls 11, 13 defining a hinge body therebetween. The first side wall 11 is a downwardly projecting lug and the second side wall 13 is a projecting edge portion at a corner of the bracket portion 10. A downwardly projecting knuckle 14 extends into the hinge body, at a generally central or intermediate location, the knuckle 14 being longitudinally spaced apart from the first side wall 11 and having an aperture therethrough that is oriented to define a channel therethrough along the longitudinal axis of the clip. The switch portion 12 comprises a switch body 16 and a switch end cap 18 which are connected together (or even formed integrally with each other). A rearwardly projecting wall portion or support member 20 is provided on the rear or inner surface of the switch body 16 and a pin or bar 22 extends orthogonally from the support member 20, along the above-mentioned longitudinal axis of the clip. The pin 22 extends through the channel defined by the aperture in the knuckle 14.

The switch portion12 is mounted on the bracket portion 10 by means of a self tap screw 24, that also extends along the above-mentioned longitudinal axis of the clip, through an aperture in the switch end cap 18, and engages with the distal end of the pin 22, such that the switch portion 12 is mounted to the bracket portion 10 for slidable movement (in both directions along the longitudinal axis), limited in each direction by engagement of the support member 20 of the switch portion against the first side wall 11 and engagement of the outer edge of the switch end cap 18 against the projecting edge portion or second side wall 13 of the bracket portion respectively. A second pin 23 extends orthogonally from the io support member 20, at a location below the first pin 22 and substantially parallel thereto.

A second knuckle 26 extends upwardly from the top edge of the bracket portion 10 (when oriented for use), the upwardly extending knuckle 26 having an aperture 28 therethrough that defines a channel through the knuckle 26 that runs parallel to the above-mentioned longitudinal axis. It will be apparent from the description hereinafter that the height of the upwardly projecting knuckle will be dependent on the depth of the container to which it is attached, as the upper portion thereof, including the aperture, needs to extend upwardly beyond the upper edge of the container.

In use, a hinge clip of the above-described type is mounted at each of the four corners of a first seat box container. A second such container, including a similar set of four hinge clips at the corners can be placed or ‘stacked’ in alignment on the first container such that each of the upwardly projecting knuckles 26 of the hinge clips of the first container extends into the recess defined within a switch portion 12 of a respective hinge clip on the second container, the recess being so defined within the hinge body between the distal end of the second pin 23 and the inner edge of the switch end cap 18 (below the central downwardly projecting knuckle 14), when the switch is in the open configuration (i.e.when the support member 20 is in contact with the first side wall 11). Once the upwardly projecting knuckles 26 are correctly located within the respective recesses, each switch portion 12 can be fully slid (toward the respective corner of the container to a locked position), causing the second pin 23 to move through the channel defined by the respective upwardly projecting knuckle 26 and thus locking the two containers together. A resiliently flexible ‘bump’ or projection is provided on the io inner surface of the aperture 28 of each upwardly projecting knuckle 26, such that, as a respective second pin 23 travels therethrough and over the projection, the projection is compressed and the pin is forced or biased against the inner edges of the aperture 28 to ensure that it is retained securely in the locked position. If it is required to lift (but not remove) the second container relative to the first container (like a lid) to allow access to the contents of the first container, only the two hinge clips at the ‘front’ of the second container need to be slid to the open configuration, thus releasing the respective upwardly projecting knuckles held thereby and allowing the front of the container to be lifted such that it pivots about the rear clips, wherein the second pins 23 and respective upwardly projecting knuckles 26 act as hinge mechanisms. If it is required to remove the second container entirely from the first container, the switch portions on all four hinge clips thereof are returned to the open configuration and the second container can then be lifted off.

These hinge clips, and many like it, have been in common use for thirty years or more. However, there are a number of issues associated with this type of mechanism. Indeed, one of the principle problems encountered with this type of arrangement lies in the use of the protrusion or “bump” inside the upwardly projecting knuckle 26. Manufacturing tolerances and such like mean that the protrusion is not always of an optimum size, position and/or profile, which regularly results in a clip which is either not sufficiently secure or very stiff and difficult to operate. In any event, the protrusion eventually wears down and deteriorates over time and with repeated use, such that these existing hinge clips can be difficult to properly align and there is no way of ensuring that the switch has been fully and correctly moved to the closed position, such that it is not unusual for the clips to be inadequately or only partially secured, with the result that containers can often fall open or become detached during transit or upon impact.

It is an object of aspects of the present invention to address at least some of these issues and, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lockable hinge clip for hingedly connecting first and second components together, the hinge clip comprising a bracket portion and a switch portion, the bracket portion comprising first and second opposing side walls arranged in spaced apart relation to define a hinge body therebetween, a first knuckle extending into said hinge body between said first and second side walls and having an opening therein defining a first longitudinal channel therethrough, the switch portion comprising a switch member having first and second stop members, a mounting pin extending longitudinally between said first and second stop members and through said opening in said first knuckle such that the switch member is slidably mounted on said bracket portion for movement relative thereto between an open position in which the first stop member thereof engages with said first side wall of said bracket portion and a closed position in which the second stop member thereof engages with the second side wall of the bracket portion, the switch portion further comprising a locking hinge pin coupled to the first stop member of said switch member and extending in the direction of said second stop member and having a free distal end, wherein when said switch is in said open position, a recess is defined between said free distal end of said locking pin and the second side wall of the bracket portion and wherein, in use, when the switch member is moved from said open position to said closed position, the locking hinge pin moves longitudinally into said recess; wherein a first magnet is mounted in or on a stop member of said switch member and a second, cooperative magnet is mounted in or on a corresponding side wall of said bracket portion, such that, in at least one of said open and closed positions, said first and second magnets are magnetically coupled and operable to secure said switch member in said at least one of said open and closed positions.

is In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lockable hinge clip for hingedly connecting first and second components together, the hinge clip comprising a bracket portion and a switch portion, said switch portion being slidably mounted on said bracket portion for movement between a closed position, in which said hinge clip is operable as a hinge and an open position, wherein said switch is secured in said open and/or closed position by a pair of cooperative magnets.

The switch may be secured in said open and said closed position by a pair of cooperative magnets. Indeed, first respective magnets may be mounted in or on each of said first and second stop members and second respective magnets may be mounted in or on each of said first and second side walls.

The switch portion may comprise a switch body and a switch end cap. A side edge of said switch end cap may define said second stop member. Said second side wall may be defined by a projecting edge portion of said bracket portion.

The second stop member may comprise a rearwardly projecting wall portion 5 extending from a rear surface of said switch body. The second side wall may comprise a downwardly projecting lug extending from an upper edge of said bracket portion, when oriented for use.

The hinge clip may, optionally, further comprise an upwardly projecting knuckle having an opening therein defining a channel therethrough. The upwardly extending knuckle may be shaped and configured to be received within said recess defined within said hinge body, such that, in use, when the switch member is moved from said open to said closed position, the locking hinge pin moves through said opening in said upwardly extending knuckle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having mounted thereon one or more hinge clips substantially as described above. The container may be an angler’s seat box container, and have a hinge clip substantially as described above mounted at or adjacent to each of the four corners thereof.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specific description, in which embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hinge clip according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the hinge clip of Figure 1, illustrating the manner in which the switch member is mounted on the bracket portion;

Figure 3 is a schematic first perspective view of a hinge clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic second perspective view of the hinge clip of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the hinge clip of Figure io 3, illustrating the manner in which the switch member is mounted on the bracket portion;

Figure 6 is a schematic first exploded perspective view of the bracket portion of the hinge clip of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a schematic second exploded perspective view of the bracket portion of Figure 6;

Figure 8, is a schematic first exploded perspective view of a the switch portion of the hinge clip of Figure 3; and

Figure 9 is a schematic second exploded perspective view of the switch portion of Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5 of the drawings, a hinge clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises, as in the prior art, a bracket portion 100 and a switch portion 102. The bracket portion defines a pair of opposing side walls, arranged in longitudinally spaced apart relation and defining a hinge body therebetween. The first side wall is effectively a first downwardly projecting lug 104, and the second side wall 106 is a projecting edge portion. A downwardly projecting knuckle 108 extends into the region defined as the hinge body and is located generally centrally or intermediate between the two side walls 104, 106. The knuckle 108 has an aperture therein which is oriented so as to define a longitudinal channel therethrough. The switch portion 102 comprises a switch member formed of a generally rectangular switch body 110 connected at a side edge thereof to a switch end cap 112 (although it will be io appreciated that the switch body and end cap could also be integrally formed with each other, and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard). The side edge of the switch portion at which the end cap 112 is located will hereinafter be referred to as the second side edge of the switch member and the opposite side edge will hereinafter be referred to as the first side is edge thereof.

The switch member has, close to (but distanced from) the first side edge, a rearwardly projecting wall portion 114 or support member. An elongate mounting pin 116 extends longitudinally from the ‘inner’ surface of the wall portion 114 in the direction of the second side edge of the switch member. The switch member is slidably mounted on the bracket portion 100 by inserting the mounting pin 116 longitudinally through the aperture in the downwardly projecting knuckle 108, and securing it, via an aperture in the switch end cap 112, using an axially aligned self tap screw 118. Thus mounted, the switch member is longitudinally slidable (over the mounting pin 116) between an open position, in which the ‘outer’ surface of the wall portion 114 engages with the first side wall 104 of the bracket portion

100, and a closed position in which the switch end cap 112 engages with the projecting edge portion 106 (or the ‘second side wall’) of the bracket portion.

Thus, and for the avoidance of doubt, the edge of the switch end cap may also be considered a second “stop member”, whereas the Outer’ surface of the wall portion 114 may be considered to be a first “stop member”, and it is the first and second stop members (as well as the first and second side walls 104, 106 of the bracket portion 100) that define the extent to which the switch member can travel longitudinally in each direction relative to the bracket portion 100.

The switch body 110 includes a portion 122 that extends longitudinally beyond io the wall portion 114 and it is the distal end of this portion 122 that defines the first side edge of the switch body 110. It can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings that, in the closed position, the first side edge of the switch body 110 is aligned and flush with the corresponding side edge of the bracket portion 100, giving a visual indication that the switch is “closed”. However, in the open position, the portion 122 of the switch body 110 that extends longitudinally beyond the Outer’ surface of the wall portion 114 will protrude longitudinally beyond the side edge of the bracket portion 100, giving a visual indication that the switch is “open”.

The switch end cap 112 is laterally wider or ‘thicker’ than the switch body 110 and is defined by a rounded gripping portion 124 and a generally planar side wall 126. The side wall 126 may be provided with linear ridges or grooves (or other frictional surface profile) to provide a frictional operating surface, thereby making it easier for a user to grip and manipulate the switch member, especially when their hands are wet or cold.

io

A second knuckle 132 projects upwardly from the top edge of the bracket portion 100 (when oriented for use), the upwardly extending knuckle 132 having an aperture therein that is oriented to define a longitudinal channel therethrough. Once again, the ‘height’ of the upwardly projecting knuckle 132 will be dependent on the depth of the container to which it is attached, as the upper portion thereof, including the aperture, needs to extend beyond the upper edge of the container.

A locking hinge pin 128 extends longitudinally from the ‘inner’ surface of the wall portion 114 of the switch body 110, at a location below that from which the mounting pin 116 extends. The locking hinge pin 128 has a free distal end and is io fixed at the opposite end to the wall portion 114. When the switch member is in the open position described above, the locking hinge pin 128 is in a retracted position and a recess is defined in the hinge body between the free distal end of the locking hinge pin 128 and an inner surface of the switch end cap 112. An opening 130 in the switch body wall permits external access to this recess when the switch is in the open position and allows an upwardly projecting knuckle 132 of a hinge clip mounted on a container below to be inserted therein. As the switch member is moved longitudinally to the closed position, the locking hinge pin moves through the aperture in the upwardly projecting knuckle 132 located in the recess to lock the two containers together.

Referring now additionally to Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, a first magnet

134 is mounted in the projecting edge portion 106 (or “second side wall”) of the bracket portion 100, at the surface facing inward toward the hinge body. In general, a suitably sized bracket (not shown) or mount would be embedded in the wall, and the magnet 134 inserted therein, such that its outer surface is flush with the plane of the wall. A second magnet 136 is mounted, via a bracket or mount

138 in the first side wall 104 of the bracket portion. Referring to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, a third magnet 140 is mounted within the outer wall (126) surface of the switch end cap 112( longitudinally aligned, in use, with the first magnet 134), and a fourth magnet 142 is mounted within the wall portion 114 forming the “first stop member” of the switch portion 102.

Thus, a pair of cooperative magnets is provided at each of the closed and open positions of the switch member. This is highly advantageous in comparison with prior art hinge clip arrangements. In the open position, the second 136 and fourth 142 magnets are magnetically coupled and act to secure the switch in the io open position. When the switch member is moved to the closed position, the first 132 and third 140 magnets start to become magnetically coupled before the switch is completely closed, and act to assist in completing the locking operation and also to ensure that the switch is completely closed. Once the magnets come into contact with each other, a tactile closing response is felt (or even heard) by the user, to reassure them that the switch is properly closed). Once closed, the magnets also act to secure the switch in the closed position. When the switch is moved to the open position, once again, the second and fourth magnets start to become magnetically coupled before the operation is complete and act to assist in completing the unlocking operation, as well as providing a tactile response when the operation is complete and acting to secure the switch in the open position.

As before, in use, a hinge clip of the above-described type is mounted at each of the four corners of a first seat box container. A second such container, including a similar set of four hinge clips at the corners can be placed or ‘stacked’ in alignment on the first container such that each of the upwardly projecting knuckles 132 of the hinge clips of the first container extends into the recess defined within a switch portion 102 of a respective hinge clip on the second container, the recess being so defined between the distal end of the locking hinge pin 128 and the inner edge of the switch end cap 112 (below the downwardly projecting knuckle 108), when the switch is in the open configuration (i.e. slid as far in the direction away from the respective corner of the container as permitted by the switch end cap 112). Once the upwardly projecting knuckles 132 are correctly located within the respective recesses, each switch member can be fully slid (toward the respective corner of the container to a locked position), causing io the locking hinge pin 128 to move through the channel defined by the respective upwardly projecting knuckle 132 until the outer side edge of the switch end cap 112 hits the inner wall of the projecting edge portion 106 of the bracket portion 100, and the first and third magnets 134, 140 come into contact and are fully magnetically coupled . If it is required to lift (but not remove) the second is container relative to the first container (like a lid) to allow access to the contents of the first container, the switch members of only the two hinge clips at the ‘front’ of the second container need to be slid to the open configuration where the wall portion 114 engages with the downwardly projecting knuckle 108 of the bracket portion 100 and the second and fourth magnets 136, 142 come into contact and become fully magnetically coupled), thus releasing the respective upwardly projecting knuckles held thereby and allowing the front of the container to be lifted such that it pivots about the rear clips, wherein the locking hinge pins 128 and respective upwardly projecting knuckles 132 act as hinge mechanisms. If it is required to remove the second container entirely from the first container, the switch members on all four hinge clips thereof are returned to the open configuration and the second container can then be lifted off.

The magnets, thus provided, eliminate the need for protrusions or “bumps” in the upwardly projecting knuckles, thereby eliminating the dependence on manufacturing tolerances on the operability and reliability of the device, as well as minimising or eliminating the deterioration, over time and with repeated use, of the hinge clip due to general wear and tear. The tactile response provided by the magnets when a locking or unlocking operation has been completed is an additional advantage relative to the prior art, in that it provides reassurance to the user (without having to visually check) that the switch is adequately secured in the desired position, thus saving time and preventing mishaps due to inadequate locking or faulty hinge clips.

In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the magnets may be substantially 6mm, which has been found to be adequate for the purpose is proposed, and also enables the design to be incorporated within the size constraints imposed by the application, but the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the terms relating to having magnets mounted in or on the stop members and side walls is intended to incorporate the case that any or all of these stop members and/or side walls are formed partially or completely of magnetic material.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, from the foregoing description, that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lockable hinge clip for hingedly connecting first and second components together, the hinge clip comprising a bracket portion and a switch portion, said switch portion being slidably mounted on said bracket portion for movement

5 between a closed position, in which said hinge clip is operable as a hinge and an open position, wherein said switch is secured in said open and/or closed position by a pair of cooperative magnets.

2. A lockable hinge clip for hingedly connecting first and second components together, the hinge clip comprising a bracket portion and a switch portion, the io bracket portion comprising first and second opposing side walls arranged in spaced apart relation to define a hinge body therebetween, a first knuckle extending into said hinge body between said first and second side walls and having an opening therein defining a first longitudinal channel therethrough, the switch portion comprising a switch member having first and second stop

15 members, a mounting pin extending longitudinally between said first and second stop members and through said opening in said first knuckle such that the switch member is slidably mounted on said bracket portion for movement relative thereto between an open position in which the first stop member thereof engages with said first side wall of said bracket portion and a closed position in which the

20 second stop member thereof engages with the second side wall of the bracket portion, the switch portion further comprising a locking hinge pin coupled to the first stop member of said switch member and extending in the direction of said second stop member and having a free distal end, wherein when said switch is in said open position, a recess is defined between said free distal end of said

25 locking pin and the second side wall of the bracket portion and wherein, in use, when the switch member is moved from said open position to said closed position, the locking hinge pin moves longitudinally into said recess; wherein a first magnet is mounted or provided in or on a stop member of said switch member and a second, cooperative magnet is mounted or provided in or on a

5 corresponding side wall of said bracket portion, such that, in at least one of said open and closed positions, said first and second magnets are magnetically coupled and operable to secure said switch member in said at least one of said open and closed positions.

3. A hinge clip according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said switch is secured in io said open and said closed position by a pair of cooperative magnets.

4. A hinge clip according to claim 2, wherein first respective magnets are mounted or provided in or on each of said first and second stop members and second respective magnets are mounted or provided in or on each of said first and second side walls.

15 5. A hinge clip according to claim 2 or claim 4, wherein said switch portion comprises a switch body and a switch end cap.

6. A hinge clip according to claim 5, wherein a side edge of said switch end cap defines said second stop member.

7. A hinge clip according to claim 6, wherein said second side wall is defined by

20 a projecting edge portion of said bracket portion.

8. A hinge clip according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein an opening is provided in said switch body to allow external access to said recess for inserting into said hinge body, in use, a portion of another hinge clip.

9. A hinge clip according to any of claims 2 or 5 to 8, wherein said second stop member comprises a rearwardly projecting wall portion extending from a rear surface of said switch body.

10. A hinge clip according to claim 9, wherein said second side wall comprises a

5 downwardly projecting lug extending from an upper edge of said bracket portion, when oriented for use.

11 .A hinge clip according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an upwardly projecting knuckle having an opening therein defining a channel therethrough.

io 12. A hinge clip according to claim 11, when dependent on any of claims 2 or 4 to 10, wherein said upwardly extending knuckle is shaped and configured to be received within said recess defined within said hinge body, such that, in use, when the switch member is moved from said open to said closed position, the locking hinge pin moves through said opening in said upwardly extending

15 knuckle.

13. A container having mounted thereon one or more hinge clips according to any of the preceding claims.

14. A container according to claim 13, being an angler’s seat box container, and having a hinge clip according to any of claims 1 to 12 mounted at or adjacent to

20 each of the four corners thereof.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1704839.8

1-14