US2573798A

US2573798A - Interlocking door hinge

Info

Publication number: US2573798A
Application number: US61633A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank D Low
Original assignee: HOTPOINT Inc
Current assignee: HOTPOINT Inc
Priority date: 1948-11-23
Filing date: 1948-11-23
Publication date: 1951-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 1968-11-06
Also published as: GB681912A

Description

Nov. 6, 1951 F. D. LOW 2,573,798

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 23, 1948 4Sheets-Sheet 1 40 92 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. Frank 0. Low

dial/u Aflys.

Nov. 6, 1951 F. D. Low

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 25, 1948' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Frank 0. Low

Nov. 6, 1951 2,573,798

F. D. LOW

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 23, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet .5

35 FIG 4 37 Inventor Frank 0. Low

Nov. 6', 1951 F. D. LOW 2,573,798

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 23, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F 9 FIG. IO

INVENTOR. By Frank D. Low

Atty;

Patented Nov. 6, 1951 2,573,798 INTERLOCKING noon nner rank D. Low, Chicago, 111., assign or, to Hotpoint Inc., a. corporation of New York Application November 23, 1948, Serial No. 61,633

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to washing apparatus, and more particularly to improved dishwashing apparatus of the general character of that disclosed in the co-pending application of Forrest A. Walker, Serial No. 57,448, filed October 30, 1948.

The dishwashing apparatus disclosed in the Walker application mentioned is of the timed washing cycle type that performs automatically and in predetermined sequence given steps including spraying, washing, rinsing and drying of the dishes and other utensils contained therein. This apparatus comprises a cabinet housing a vertically disposed vat including a front opening and a door for closing the opening, the door being mounted for movements between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position. In this appara-' tus the door is supported in its open positionby the lower lip or ledge of the vat adjacent to the front opening thereinto; whereby the'upper end of the door projecting away from the cabinet in its open position exerts a cantilever action upon. the ledge of the vat. Moreover in this apparatus a dish-supporting receptacle or rack is provided that is movable into and out of the vat through the front opening over the door in its open position, which rack in its fully withdrawn position is supported entirely by the door in its v open position; whereby the cantilever action upon the ledge of the vat is greatly increased, particularly when the rack is fully loaded with dishes or other utensils. In fact, this cantilever action may be sufflciently great to cause the upper end of the door projecting away from the cabinet in its open position to sag to such an extent that there is some interference with ready movements of the rack over the door.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide in washing apparatus of the character described, an improved hinge arrangement for mounting the door for movements between its substantially vertical closed position and its substantially horizontal open position so that there is no substantial sagging of the door in its open position even though it is reasonably heavily loaded.

Another object of the invention is to provide in cabinet apparatus of the front-opening type provided with a door movable between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, an improved and simple hinge mechanism for movably mounting the door.

A further object of the invention is to provide in cabinet apparatus of the front-opening type provided with a door movable between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, an improved and aimple hingemechanism for movably mounting the door, wherein the mechanism is disengageable to accommodate ready and complete removal of the'door from the associated doorway in the cabinet when the door occupies an intermediate position with respect to its closed and open positions.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the hinge mechanism incorporated in the dishwashing apparatus, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together .with further objects and advantage thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure '1 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of dishwashing apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the dishwashing apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view, partly broken away, taken through the lower portion of the dishwashing apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and illustrating the front of the cabinet and the contained vat, as well as the associated door in its open position; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the right-hand side of the dishwashing apparatus, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, and illustrating the door in its fully removed position; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the left-hand side of the dishwashing apparatus, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3, and illustrating the door in its open position; Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the front of the dishwashing apparatus, taken in thedirection of the arrows along the line 6-6 in Fig. 3, and presenting a side elevational view of the associated right-hand hinge mechanism and the connecting parts; Fig. 7 is a greatly enlarged top view of the hinge mechanism and the connected parts, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line '|-I in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged bottom view of the hinge mechanism and is a greatly enlarged vertical sectional and rear thelinel-QlllF'lgJi;alldl lg.llllisagl'ealtlyenlarged front view of the hinge mechanism and the connecting parts, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line |2-|2 in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5. inclusive, of the drawings, the dishwashing apparatus ll there illustrated, and embodying the features of the present invention is of the general character of that disclosed in the previously mentioned Walker application and comprises a cabinet |l provided with wall structure, including a front wall l2 having an opening |2 formed in the upper central portion thereof. The front wall |2 carries a front panel l4 having an opening I6 formed in.

the upper central portion thereof, the openings I 2 and I! being arranged in substantial registry. The general outline of the panel l4 conforms to that of the front of the cabinet H; whereby the top andsides of the panel l4 are disposed substantially flush with the top wall and respective side walls of the cabinet II. The front wall i2 is rearwardly offset adjacent to the bottom-wall of the cabinet in order to deflne a foot-receiving recess is adjacent to the floor supporting the cabinet ll, permitting a person to work close to the front panel l4. Finally, the bottom of the panel I4 is disposed substantially flush with the top wall of the recess l2 lending a finished appearance to the front of the apparatus III.

The cabinet houses a substantially vertically disposed vat l1 arranged in the upper central portion thereof and secured in place in any suitable manner, not shown. The vat l1 comprises wall structure, including top and bottom walls It and I9 and opposed side walls 26 and 2|; the top and bottom walls I! and i9 and the side walls 26 and 2| terminate in a forwardly directed door way.22 having a front opening 22 arranged in substantial registry with the front openings l2 and I5. More particularly, the doorway 22 comprises a top flange 24 and

opposed side flanges

25 and 26. while the bottom wall I9 provides a forwardly directed bottom flange that terminates in an upwardly and outwardly extending ledge or lip 21 disposed between the

side flanges

25 and 26. The ledge 21 is directed first upwardly and outwardly and then downwardly terminating adjacent to the front opening 22 of the doorway 22; whereby the upper edge of the ledge 21 is disposed considerably above the bottom wall It. A substantially centrally disposed sump 28 is formed in the bottom wall l6 and communicates with a downwardly embossed depression or groove 29 formed substantially centrally in the front of the bottom of wall I! and extending forwardly toward the central portion of the ledge 21. Further, an upstanding inverted substantially U-shaped inwardly embossed vat rib 20 is formed in the top wall l8 and the side walls 20 and 2| at the junction thereof with top flange 24 and the

side flanges

26 and 26, the vat rib 20 including opposed legs 2| and 22 terminating just above the bottom wall I! and well behind and below the ledge'21.

The cabinet H is provided with a front door 22 that comprises an outer body sheet 24 terminating in an inverted substantially U-shaped real-wardly directed marginal flange 25, and an inner body sheet 26 terminating in an inverted substantially U-shaped rearwardly directed marginal flange 21. The inner body sheet 26 is arranged in nested relation within the outer body .and mounted for pivotal movements with re-v sheet 24 and suitably secured in place so that the principal portions of the

body sheets

24 and 26 are arranged in upwardly approaching spacedapart relation. More particularly. the upper por-' tions of the

body sheets

24 and 26 are arranged in contacting relation, while the lower edges thereof are arranged in considerably spacedapart relation defining a wedge-shaped space 22 therebetween; also the inner body sheet 26 carries on the outer surface thereof an outwardly and upwardly projecting bracing sheet 22 contacting the inner surface of the outer body sheet 24 in order to retain the

body sheets

24 and 26 in proper spaced-apart relation. The outer body sheet 24 carries a substantially centrally disposed handle 40 positioned adjacent to the upper edge thereof and readily accessible from the exterior. The lower edge of the outer body sheet 24 terminates in a rearwardly offset laterally extending groove 4| that cooperates with an inwardly directed laterally extending edge 42 carried by the panel l4 adjacent to the bottom of the opening I5 formed therein, the groove 4| and theedge 42 cooperating to give the cabinet II a finished appearance when the door 22 occu-.

pies its closed position.

The door 23 is arranged within the doorway 22 spect to the front opening l5 between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position by an arrangement including two laterally spaced-apart hinge mechanisms 5| and 52 arranged in the doorway 22. More particularly, when the door 22 occupies its closed position the outer body sheet 24 is disposed in a substantially vertical position and is arranged substantially flush with the front of the panel I4, the central portion of the door 22 projecting slightly forwardly with respect to the panel I4; while the inner both! sheet 26 is disposed in an upwardly and forwardly inclined position. 0n the other hand, when the door 22 occupies its open position the inner body sheet 36 is disposed in a substantially horizontal position and the outer body sheet 26 is disposed in an upwardly and forwardly inclined position. This arrangement is very advantageous as the door 22 may be moved between its open and closed positions through an angle somewhat less than ninety degrees.

Preferably the hinge mechanisms 5| and 62 are identical. More particularly, the right hand hinge mechanism 5| comprises a first fixed substantially U-shaped hinge element 53 including a base 54 and two upwardly directed and laterally spaced-apart

arms

55 and 56, and a second movable substantialb' U-shaped hinge element 51 including a base 56 and two forwardly directed and laterally spaced-apart

arms

59 and 60. The base 54 of the hinge element 53 is secured to the bottom wall IQ of the vat |1 rearwardly of and below the ledge 21; while the base 58 of the hlnge element 51 is secured to the front surface of the inner body sheet 36 and spaced rearwardly from the rear surface of the outer body sheet 24, whereby the second hinge element 51 is arranged in the wedge-shaped space 38 disposed between the

body sheets

34 and 36 of the door 22. Also tioned between the upp r, surface oflthe bottomwall I9 and the base 54 of the ilrstlhinge element 53; and a resilient gasket'orpadfl formed of sheet rubber, or the like, is positioned between the lower surface of the bottom wall I9 and the base 62 of the bumper'member 6|; and these elements are securely retainedinassembled relation by an arrangement including two longitudinally spaced-apart rivets 61, or the like, extending through aligned openings formed in the bottom wall I9, the

gaskets

65 and 66 and the bases 54 and 62. The gasket 65 renders the interior of the vat I'I water tight adjacent to the openings through which the rivets 61 extend and resiliently mounts the first hinge element 53 upon the bottom wall I9; while the gasket 66 resiliently mounts the bumper member 6| on the bottom wall I9.

Also the first hinge element 53 comprises a substantially cylindrical pintle 66 extending laterally between the

arms

55 and 56 rigidly secured into aligned openings formed therein; while the second hinge element comprises a rearwardly opening saddle 69 carried by the rear end thereof and adapted to engage the pintle 66. More specifically, the rear end of the base 56 terminates in the rearwardly opening saddle 69 that includes an upper part II and a lower part I2 disposed in vertically spaced-apart relation. Further, a substantially Z-shaped reinforcing piece I3 extends between the lower rear surface of the base 56 and the lower part I2 in order to render the saddle 69 of strong and rigid construction.

Further, the second hinge element 5'! comprises two laterally spaced-apart and downwardly extending tabs I4 and I5 disposed adjacent to the saddle 69 and rearwardly of the ledge 21 when the saddle 69 is in engagement with the pintle 66. The two tabs I4 and I5 have aligned openings therein into which a laterally extending locking pin 16 is rigidly secured; the opposite ends of the locking pin I6 cooperating with two arcuately disposed locking slots II and I8 respectively formed in the upper edges of the two

arms

55 and 56 of the first hinge element 53, for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

A first substantially U-shaped laterally extending abutment I9 is arranged between the

arms

63 and 64 adjacent to the lower front edges thereof and suitably secured in place by welding, or the like. The two

arms

59 and 66 carried by the second hinge element 61 extend downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the ledge 21, whereby a pair of laterally spaced-apart and arcuately disposed aligned

slots

66 and 6| are formed in the structure of the second hinge element 51 and respectively positioned between the tab I4 and the arm 59 and between the tab I5 and the arm 66; whereby the aligned

slots

66 and 6| embrace the ledge 21. A second substantially U-shaped laterally extending abutment 62 is arranged between the

arms

59 and 66 adjacent to the lower front edges thereof and suitably secured in place by welding, or the like.

Further, the apparatus In comprises a motor driven impeller 96 arranged in the sump 26, an associated electric heating-unit 9| of the sheathed resistance conductor type carried by the bottom wall I9 of the vat I'I adjacent to the sump 26 and a washing fluid inlet spray device 92 carried by the top'wall I6 of the vat II; which elements 6. are utilized in the cyclic operation of the apparatus I6 as disclosed in the previously mentioned Walker applicatiom Also, the side walls 26 and 2| of the vat II respectively carry

baille structures

93 and 94 which cooperates with bailie structure 95 carried by the door 33, whereby the front opening 23 of the doorway 22 is efiectively closed by the door 33 when it occupies its closed position, notwithstanding the circumstance that there is no sealing gasket arranged between the doorway 22 and the door 33; all as disclosed in the previously mentioned Walker application.

.Further, the apparatus I6 comprises a dish-carrying receptacle orrack 96 that is movable through the doorway 22 into and out of the vat II when the door 33 occupies its open position; which rack 96 is provided with mounting mechanism respectively cooperating with the side walls 26 and 2| of the vat I1 and with the inner body sheet 36 of the door 33 to accommodate the movements noted; all as disclosed in the previously mentioned Walker application. This mounting arrangement mentioned comprises a front roller 91 carried by the lower central front portion of the rack '96 and cooperating with a substantially centrally disposed trackway 91 formed in the inner body sheet 36, as well as two laterally spaced-apart and rearwardly disposed lower rollers, not shown, carried by the rack 96 and respectively cooperating with two side trackways 96 and '99 carried by the inner body sheet 36 of the door 33. In accordance with this entirely by the side walls 26 and 2| of the vat II when it occupies its fully pushed-in position with respect to the vat II; the rack 96 is supported entirely by the door 33 in its open position when it occupies its fully withdrawn position; and the rack 96 is supported jointly by the side walls 26 and 2| of the vat II and by the door 33 in its open position when it occupies intermediate positions with respect to its fully pushed-in position-and its fully withdrawn position.

As previously noted the right-hand hinge mechanism 5| is disposed between the inner body sheet 36 and the outer body sheet 34 adjacent to the right-hand side of the door 33; while the left-hand hinge mechanism 52 is disposed between the inner body sheet 36 and the outer body sheet 34 adjacent to the left-hand side of the door 33. The right-hand hinge mechanism 5| and the right side trackway 96 are secured to the respective outer and inner surfaces of the inner body sheet 36 by three common securing devices I66; and, likewise, the left-hand hinge mechanism 52 and the left side trackway 99 are secured to the respective outer and inner surfaces of the inner body sheet 36 by three common seeming devices I6I. Preferably the securing devices I66 and the securing devices |6| are identical; for example, each of the securing devices I66 comprise a stud I62 positioned in a counter recess provided in the associated trackway 96 and a threaded shank I63 projecting into a connecting hole formed in the trackway 96,-

as well as a screw I64 provided with a hollow internally threaded barrel I65. The barrel I65 extends through aligned openings formed in the base 56 of the second hinge element 51 and in the body sheet 36; whereby the shank I63 is arranged within the barrel I65. When the head of the screw I 64 is tightened the screw I64 and the stud I62 of the securing device I66 are drawn together securely clamping .the trackway 96 to aura-res Considering now the operation of the door '33 in conjunction with the hinge mechanism and 52, and denoting identical parts of the two mechanisms by the same reference characters, it

will be understood that when the door 33 occupies its closed position the second abutments 32 carried by the

arms

53 and 33 of the second hinge elements 51 disengage the first abutments 13 carried by the

arms

33 and 33 of the bumper members 3|, the

arms

53 and 33 of the second hinge elements 51 aredisposed above and forwardly with respect to the ledge 21, the ends of the locking pins are disposed above the arcuate slots l1 and I3 formed in the

arms

55 and 53 of the first hinge elements 53, and the saddles 63 disposed on the lower ends of the second hinge elements 51 straddle the upper surfaces of the pintles 53. Accordingly, the weight of the door 33 is carried primarily by the pintles 53 cooperating with the saddles 69 in the two hinge mechanisms 5| and 52, the lower end of the inner body sheet 35 is disposed rearwardly or and below the ledge 21, and the lower end of the outer body sheet 34 is disposed forwardly of and below the ledge 21. Moreover, the'groove 3| provided on the lower end of the outer body sheet 33 receives the edge 42 provided on the panel ll; whereby the opening 23 in the doorway 22 is closed by the door 33 in order to prevent the escape from the vat ll of washing fluid incident to the various washing steps that are cyclically performed; all as described in the previously mentioned Walker application.

As the door 33 is moved from its closed position toward its open'position the saddles 53 ride around the cooperating pintles 68 in the two hinge mechanisms 5| and 52; whereby the door 33 is pivoted about its lower edge and around the ledge 21. More particularly, as the door 33 is moved towards its open position the arms 53 and Gll'carried by the second hinge elements 51 move downwardly and rearwardly; whereby the ledge 21 enters the

arcuate slots

30 and 8| formed in the bodies of the second hinge elements 51 and the second abutments 32 approach the first abutments 19. Also as the door 33 is moved toward its open position the ends of the locking pins '15 enter the associated locking slots 11 and 13' formed in the first hinge elements 53 of the hinge mechanisms 5| and 52 in order positively to prevent removal of the door 33 from the doorway 22 when the door 33 occupies its open position,'as explained more fully hereinafter. When .the door 33 occupies its open position the second abutments 32 engage the first abutments 131 and the ends of the locking pins 15 engage the bottom of the cooperating locking slots l1 and 18 formed in the

arms

55 and 56 of the first hinge elements 53; whereby the door 33 is rigidly supported in its open position, the principal surface ofv the inner body sheet 36 occupying a substantially horizontal position at this time. Since the arms 53 and 50 of the second hinge elements 51 are disposed considerably forwardly of the ledge 21 and the pintles 38 and the locking pins 16,when the door 33 occupies its open position, the upper portion of the door 33 projecting out of the doorway 22 is adequately and rigidly supported eliminating any substantial cantilever action. Thus when the door 33 occupies its open position the the doorway 22 into its fully withdrawn position wherein it is supported entirely by the door 33 without causing any substantial sagging of the door 33 even though the rack 33 is reasonably heavily loaded with dishes or other utensils. Since there is no substantial sagging of the door 33 in its open position even though it is reasonably heavily loaded, the

trackways

31', 33 and 33 carried by the inner body sheet 36 of the door 33 remain in proper alignment with respect to the supporting facilities carried by the side walls 23 and 2| of the vat l'l; whereby the rack 33 may be moved readily into and out of the vat |I through the doorway 22 over the door 33 in its open position without interference.

In order to facilitate thorough cleaning of the interior of the vat H the' door 33 may be completely removed from the doorway 22 when it occupies an intermediate position with respect to its closed and open positions by virtue of the circumstance that the hinge mechanisms 5| and 52 are of the disengageable type. More particularly, when the door-'33 occupies its intermediate position the upper edge thereof has cleared the top flange 24 of the doorway 22 and the ends of the locking pins 16 have not ridden into the arcuate locking slots I1 and 13 formed in the arms '55 and 56 of the first hinge elements 53. Accordingly, at this time the saddles 63 may be disengaged from the supporting pintles 68 by lifting the door 33 upwardly and forwardly while it occupies its intermediate position, as illustrated in Fig. 4. After the interior of the vat H has been thoroughly cleaned the door 33 may be replaced in the doorway 22 by following a substantially reverse procedure while the door 33 occupies its intermediate upwardly and forwardly inclined position, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Thus it will be understood that the door 33 may not be removed from the doorway 22 when it occupies its substantially closed position due to the interference of the upper edge thereof with the top flange 24 of the doorway 22. And,

' likewise, the door 33 may not be removed from the doorway 22 when it occupies its substantially open position due to the interlocking action between the ends of the locking pins 16 and the cooperating locking slots I1 and 13 formed in the

arms

55 and 56 of the first hinge elements 53. Thus the door 33 may be removed from the doorway 22 only when it occupies substantially its intermediate position as explained above.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided in washing apparatus of the front opening type improved hinge mechanism for mounting the door for movements between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position; whereby there is no substantial sagging of the door when it occupies its open position even though it is reasonably heavily loaded. Moreover, this improved hinge mechanism permits ready removal of the door from the associated doorway when the door occupies an intermediate position with respect to its closed and open positions in order to facilitate thorough cleaning of the interior of the vat.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and

it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall withinthe true rack 33 may be moved out of the vat I! through 1| spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1.,In dishwashing apparatus including a vat provided with a forwardly directed doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first and second hinge elements respectively secured to said bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge and interiorly of said doorway and to the lower portion of said door above said ledge and interiorly of said doorway for mounting said door for pivotal movements adjacent to the lower edge thereof about said ledge between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, and means including a first bumper member secured to said bottom flange exteriorly of said doorway and a second bumper member carried by the lower portion of said door exteriorly of said doorway for supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said door occupies its open position, said second bumper member swinging around said ledge from an upper position disengaging said first bumper member into a lower position engaging said first bumper member when said door is moved from its closed position into its open position.

2. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first and second cooperating hinge elements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements with respect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hinge element being secured to the upper surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge and said second hinge element being secured to the lower portion of said door above said ledge, said second hinge element projecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies its open position, a first bumper member secured to the lower surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge, and a second bumper member carried by said second hinge element, said second bumper member being disposed in an upper position forwardly of said ledge and disengaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its closed position and being disposed in a lower position rearwardly of said ledge and engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its open position, said engaging bumper members supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said door occupies its open position.

3. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and

a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first and second cooperating l hinge elements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements with respect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open v member and said first and second pads in assembled relation to said bottom flange, means for securing said second hinge element to the lower portion of said door above said ledge, said second hinge element projecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies its open position, and a second bumper member carried by said second hinge element, said second bumper member being disposed in an upper position forwardly of said ledge and disengaging said flrst bumper member when said door occupies its closed position and being disposed in a lower position rearwardly of said ledge and engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its open position, said engaging bumper members supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said door occupies its open position.

4. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first and second cooperating hinge elements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements with respect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hinge element being secured to the upper surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge and said second hinge element being secured to the lower portion of said door above said ledge, said second hinge element projecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies its open position, a first bumper member secured to the lower surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge, a second bumper member carried by said second hinge element, said second bumper member being disposed in an upper position forwardly of said ledge and disengaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its closed position and being disposed in a lower position rearwardly of said ledge and engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its open position, said engaging bumper member supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly outof said doorway when said door occupies its open position, said hinge elements being disengageable to permit complete removal of said door from said doorway when said door occupies an intermediate position with respect to its open and closed positions, and means including interlocking parts respectively carried by said hinge elements for preventing disengagement thereof except when said door occupies its intermediate position.

5. In cabinet structure including an upstand ing dorway terminating in a substantially ver-'- tical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom 11 flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first and second cooperating hinge elements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements with respect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hinge element being carried by said bottom flange within said doorway rearwardly of said ledge and said second hinge element being carried by the lower portion of said door, one of said hinge elements carrying a pintle and the other of said hinge elements carrying cooperating saddle permitting disengageme t of said hinge elements and complete removal of said door from said doorway when said door occupies an intermediate position with respect to its open and closed positions, means including a locking pin carried by one of said hinge elements and a cooperating locking slot provided in the other of said hinge elements for preventing disengagement of said hinge elements except when said door occupies its intermediate position, said second hinge element projecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies its open position, a first bumper member carried by said bottom flange below said ledge, and a'second bumper member carried by said second hinge element, said second bumper member being disposed in an upper position disengaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its closed position and being disposed in a lower position engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its open position, said engaging bumper members supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said door occupies its open position.

6. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door provided with inner and outer sheets secured together in spaced-apart relation; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including flrst and second cooperating hinge elements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements with respect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, the lower ends of said sheets being arranged in straddling relation with respect to said ledge so that when said door occupies its closed position the lower end of said inner sheet is disposed rearwardly of and below said ledge and the lower end of said outer sheet is disposed forwardly of and below said ledge, said first hinge element being secured to the upper surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge and said second hinge element beingarranged between said sheets and secured to lower portion of said inner sheet above said ledge, said second hinge element projecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies its open position, a first bumper member secured to the lower surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge, and a second bumper member arranged between said sheets and carried by said second hinge element, said second bumper member being disposed in an upper posi- 12 tion forwardly of said ledge and disengaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its closed position and being disposed in a lower position rearwardly of said ledge and engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its open position, said engaging bumper members supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said door occupies its open position.

7. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first and second hinge elements respectively secured to said bottom flange and to said door for mounting said door for pivotal movements adjacent to the lower edge thereof about said ledge between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hinge element including a base and a pair of upwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a pintle extending between and secured to the arms of said flrst hinge element, said second hinge element including a base and a pair of forwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a saddle carried by the lower end of the base of said second hinge element and engaging said pintle, a bumper member secured to said bottom fiange and including a base and a pair of downwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a first abutment extending between and securedto the arms of said bumper member, and a cooperating second abutment extending between and secured to the arms of said second hinge element, said abutments engaging and supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said door occupies its open position.

8. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first and second hinge elements respectively secured to said bottom flange and to said door for mounting said door for pivotal movements adjacent to the lower edge thereof about said ledge between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hinge element including a base and a pair of upwardly directed spacedapart arms, a pintle extending between and secured to the arms of said first hinge element, said second hinge element including a base and a pair of forwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a saddle carried by the lower end of the base of said second hinge element and engaging said pintle, a bumper member secured to said bottom flange and including a base and a pair of downwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a first abutment extending between and secured to the arms of said bumper member, a cooperating second abutment extending between and secured to the arms of said second hinge element, said abutments engaging and supporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said door occupies its open position, said saddle being disengageable from 14 said pintle to permit complete removal of said door from said doorway when said door occupies REFERENCES CITED an intermediate position with respect to its open The following references are of record n th and closed positions, the arms of said'first hinge me of this Patent: element having aligned locking slots formed 5 UNITE STATES PATENTS therein, and a locking pin extending between and secured to the arms of second hinge element, said figi gz Ma 25 1922 locking pin entering said locking slots and prey venting disengagement of said saddle and said pintle when said door is moved from its inter- 1o mediate position toward its open position.

FRANK D. LOW.