GB877366A - Adjustable locking hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

877,366. Adjustable seats. DAVIES, J. A. Dec. 15, 1959, No. 42614/59. Class 52(2). [Also in Group XXV] In an adjustable locking hinge of the pawl-andratchet type for folding furniture the pawl, in the closed position of the hinge, is automatically freed from the position for engagement with the ratchet teeth to enable the hinge to be freely moved from closed to open position, and when the hinge is open the pawl is automatically returned to the position for engagement with the teeth. The spring loaded pawl 19 is located between the arms of the U-shaped hinge member 17 and has a stem 20 slidably mounted in the end 171 of the member and a peg 24 which extends from each side of the pawl through slots 22 in the arms of the member, each slot being provided at its end farthest from the hinge pin 18 with a notch 23. By moving the member 17 towards the closed position of the hinge the pawl is caused to ride over a cam surface 15 on the other hinge member 12 so that it is pushed back against the action of the spring 21. On reaching the closed position the pawl abuts a stop surface 16 and is pushed sideways so that the peg 24 engages in the notches 23 and holds the pawl clear of the teeth so that the hinge can be freely opened. On reaching the open position the pawl abuts the end tooth 14, which is longer than the others, and is pushed sideways to disengage the peg 24 from the notches whereupon it again engages the teeth. The ends of the peg are provided with knobs 25 which may be pressed to manually retract the pawl. A pivoted latch 26 (Fig. 5, not shown) may be provided on the member 17 to prevent accidental disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet teeth.