US2291667A - Hinge - Google Patents

Description

E. J. WALTON 2,291,667

HINGE I Filed Nov. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet /0 /3 l2 /4 INVENTOR.

4. BERT J WALTON WWJM 8 A TORNEY5.

g- 1942- E. J. WALTON HINGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1939 I VENTOR. E2. 555? J. Macro/V AT ORNEYS Patented Aug. 4, 1942 HINGE Elbert J. Walton, Denver, 0010., assignor to Harry G. Liebhardt, Denver, 0010.

Application November 14, 1939, Serial No. 304,325

Claims.

This invention relates to improved hinge construction.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, automobile doors, for instance, require a rugged hinge, and due to the curvature of such doors, the axis of angular movement of the hinges upon which automobile doors are hung is usually set out from the car body. Furthermore, an automobile door should have a stop to limit its angular opening movement; otherwise, damage may result to the door or the car body.

There are numerous other places where rugged hinges having set out axes of angular movement and having stop means, are advantageous; for instance, on refrigerator doors.

The present invention is herein illustrated as embodied in la. hinge especially adapted for use on automobile doors, but it is to be understood that hinges made according to this invention as defined in the appended claims, may be used for many diiferent types of installation and the invention is not limited to automobile door hinges or any other specific installation.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a strong rugged hinge of novel construction that has its axis of angular movement set out from the hinged members to which it is attached.

Another object is the provision of a substantially dustproof and tamperproof hinge that readily can be lubricated.

Another object is to provide a hinge of this character that has means for limiting the angul-ar movement of the hinged members.

A further object is to provide a hinge having a ball-and-socket type hinge joint in contradistinction from a hinge pin.

Still another object is to provide in a hinge of this character, means whereby the hinge readily may be assembled and disassembled and which will hold its assembled relationship without accidental loosening.

A still further object is to provide a hinge whose axis of angular movement may be selectively positioned within certain limits, according to installation requirements.

Other objects and advantages reside in details of design and construction which will be more fully disclosed in the following description and in the drawings wherein like parts have been similarly designated and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a hinge mad according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hinge shown inFigure l, butdrawn toa slightly smaller scale;

:the stationary one of the hinged members.

Figure 3 illustrates the normal openposition of the hinge shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates the extreme open position of the hinge shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a front elevation partially in section, of a hinge made accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken approximatel along the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

In order to record an operable reduction to practice of the present inventive concept, the hinge illustrated herewith will be described in detail. However, it is to be understood that, since changes may occur to those skilled in the art, this example is not intended to express or imply any limitation to the invention, the scope of which is, in reality, measured by the appended claims.

The present example of hinge construction embodies certain novel ornamental design features which are set forth and claimed in the Design Patent No. D-118,'715, issued January 30, 1940. Therefore, the mechanical features of the improved hinge will be described and claimed in this present application, apart from the novel appearance of the hinge. The form and positioning of the hinge illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is preferred for installationupon automobile doors.

An angle plate 6 is adapted to be attached securely to the door frame or, in other words,

Another angle plate I is adapted to be attached to the movable one of the hinged members, i. e., the door. Each hinge plate 6 and 'lmay be provided with a boss 8 to facilitate attachment to .the hinged members, as by means of bolts ,or

screws passing through said bosses.

A projection 9 terminating in ahorizontal internally threaded cylinder II] is carried on the stationary angle plate 6. An arm H is carried on the movable angle plate I and terminates at its outer extremity in a ball 12 which is carried in the interior of the cylinder ID, a socket for said ball being built up of novel component parts within the cylinder 10.

The socket for the ball 12, as best illustrated in Figure 5, is provided in the cylinder ID by means of case hardened companion threadedplugs l3 and I4, each of which has an arcuate depression that fits ,the outer contour of the ball.

The threaded-plugs l3 and M may be provided with a screwdriver slot, not shown, and they are externally threaded so that they may be screwed into the cylinder II] from opposite directions to positions immediately adjacent sides of the ball I2, thus forming a socket. Obviously, the ball I2 is rotatable in this socket between the companion threaded-plugs I3 and I4 and it is manifest that the axis of rotation of the ball I2 may optionally be positioned within the limits of the cylinder I I] as desired.

After the companion threaded-plugs I3 and I4 have been suitably positioned, retaining springs tively, after which a retaining threaded-plug I6 may be screwed into the cylinder II! to compress the spring I5 that is adjacent to and bearing upon companion socketed threaded-plug",- and a retaining threaded-plug I! is screwed into the opposite end of the cylinder III] to compress the other retaining spring I5 that bears upon companion socketed threaded-plug I3. Thus, the entire socket assembly is held in its selected position against accidental loosening, but the entire socket assembly readily may be disassembled if and when desired, by removing the threadedplugs I6 and H, the springs I5 and the companion socketed threaded-plugs I3 and I4.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the extreme open position of the hinge or, in other words, the extreme angular movement of the movable angle plate 'I with reference to the stationary angle plate 6, is the position where the angle plate 1 contacts the outer portion of the retaining threaded-plug H which is extended for this purpose.

The threaded-plug I6 may be provided with a common screwdriver slot as shown at I6a, Figure 1, and due to the particular streamlined shape of the other retaining threaded-plug I'I, it is preferred to provide a number of relatively small holes Ila into which a suitable tool may be inserted for turning this threaded-plug.

Thus, is provided a strong rugged hinge that is suitable for hanging an automobile door or other hinged member, particularly any type of heavy door. The hinge is provided with a ball-andsocket joint instead of the common hinge pin and the axis of angular movement of the hinge is set out from the hinged members and may be selectively positioned within certain limits, as desired. The novel built up socket for the ball may readily be assembled and disassembled and it remains securely locked in its assembled position.

The extended portion of the retaining threaded-plug I'I serves the useful purpose of providing stop means for the angular movement of the angle plate I and the door attached there- I to, with reference to the stationary angle plate 6. A door mounted on angle plate "I cannot possibly contact the stationary structure to which the stationary angle plate 6 is attached. A door mounted upon such a hinge swings entirely clear from the stationary structure when it is opened and remains entirely clear until again closed.

Obviously, the horizontal distance that the axis of angular movement is set out from the stationary structure may be varied in the original construction of the hinge by varying the distance of the center of the cylinder I0 from the stationary angle plate 6. The exact fitting of the latch edge of the door with reference to the door frame is under selective control by the optional positioning of the companion socketed threadedplugs I3 and I4 in the threaded cylinder I0.

Referring particularly to the form of hinge illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, which is the preferred form and positioning for use on automobile doors, the hinge is preferably mounted so that the arm II terminating in the ball I2, hangs in the socket provided by case hardened companion threaded-plugs I3 and I4 in cylinder I0, and projects downwardly therefrom.

The inner mechanical details of construction in the form of the hinge illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is entirely comparable to that well illustrated in section in Figure 5, but it has not been considered necessary to repeat these details in Figure 6.

A typical grease gun connection is mounted upon the top of the cylinder Ill and is in ordinary communication with the interior of the cylinde'r I0, thus providing means for thoroughly lubricating the ball and socket joint. Since the opening in the bottom of cylinder II] through which the ball I2 is inserted into its socket, opens downwardly, practically no dust will enter the ball and socket joint. This is highly advantageous in automobile construction.

A hinge made according to any of these examples is virtually tamper-proof since there is no hinge pin that can be forced out of the hinge as in ordinary hinge construction. A door mounted upon a hinge made according to this invention and locked in closed position cannot be opened or removed by tampering with the hinges.

The hinges herein illustrated are especially attractive in appearance and as above pointed out, their ornamental design features are being set forth and claimed in another application.

To avoid any tendency to turning the threaded companion socket-forming plugs I3 and I4 by the hinge ball I2 socketed therebetween, said threaded plugs I3 and I4 may conveniently be made to fit tightly in the threaded cylinder Ill.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A hinge comprising a normally stationary plate, an internally threaded cylinder carried on the plate and spaced away from said plate, companion socketed threaded-plugs in the cylinder forming a socket, means comprising compression springs positioned to bear against said socket-forming threaded-plugs and retaining threaded-plugs pressing said springs for holding the socketed threaded plugs in selected position in said cylinder, a relatively movable plate, and an arm on the movable plate having a ball terminal held in the socket.

2. A hinge comprising a normally stationary plate, an internally threaded cylinder carried on the plate and spaced away from said plate, companion socketed threaded-plugs in the cylinder forming a socket, means comprising compression spring and retaining threaded-plugs for holding the socketed plugs in selected positions in said cylinder, a relatively movable plate, and an arm on the movable plate having a ball terminal held in the socket, one of said retaining plugs projecting from said cylinder in a position to limit relative angular movement of the movable plate in one direction.

3. A hinge comprising a stationary'plate, an

sai-d cylinder, a relatively movable plate, and an arm on the movable plate having a ball terminal held in the socket, there being an opening in a side of the cylinder to admit said ball.

4. A hinge comprising a stationary plate, a normally horizontal internally threaded cylinder carried on the plate and spaced away therefrom, companion socketed threaded-plugs threaded into the cylinder providing a socket, compression springs bearing against the respective socketed threaded-plugs, spring-pressing retaining threaded-plugs screwed into the cylinder at opposite ends thereof, a relatively movable plate, an arm on the movable plate terminating in a ball carried in said socket, there being an opening in a side of said cylinder to admit said ball, one of said retaining threaded plugs projectin from the cylinder in a position to limit relative angular movement of the movable plate in one direction.

5. In a hinge for an automobile door or the like inclusive of a relatively stationary element and an angularly movable element, the improvement which comprises a normally horizontal internally threaded cylinder having a downward side opening and mounted on the stationary element and spaced therefrom, companion socketed plugs threaded into said cylinder, resilient means for resisting movement of said plugs from their selected position with reference to the cylinder, and an arm on the movable element extending upwardly into the cylinder and having a ball terminal held between said plugs.

ELBERT J. WALTON.

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