US3256553A

US3256553A - Hinges and method of making same

Info

Publication number: US3256553A
Application number: US328529A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schnur Mathew
Original assignee: INVISO CORP
Current assignee: INVISO CORP
Priority date: 1963-12-06
Filing date: 1963-12-06
Publication date: 1966-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-21

Description

M. SCHNUR HINGES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME June 21, 1966 Filed Dec. 6, 1963 INVENTOR.

MA THE W SCHNUR United States Patent O 3,256,553 HINGES AND NIETHOD OF MAKING SAME Mathew Schnur, Chicago, 111., assignor to Inviso Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 328,529 10 Claims. (Cl. 16-178) This invention relates to hinges and the method of making same.

It is a primary object of the present invention to afford a novel hinge of the type commonly referred to as concealed hinges, for use in mounting doors on cabinets, cupboards, building structures, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to afford a novel hinge of the aforementioned type which affords a pleasing appearance and a relatively smooth exposed surface when a door supported thereby is disposed in open position.

Another object is to afford a novel hinge of the aforementioned type wherein the parts thereof are so constituted and arranged that a door supported thereby may be opened a full 180 degrees from fully closed position.

Yet another object is to afiord a novel concealed hinge of the aforementioned type which may be mounted in a relatively small opening in a door.

A further object is to afford a novel hinge of the aforementioned type embodying novel parts in the form of a chordal segment of a circle, wherein the parts are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner whereby they afford supporting surfaces engaged with each other over substantial areas in all positions of the hinge.

Yet another object is to afiord a novel concealed hinge which may be relatively small and compact in size while affording relatively great supporting strength for a door, or the like.

A further object is to afford a novel concealed hinge of the aforementioned type which is effective and eflicient in operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge embodying the principles of the present invention, showing the hinge disposed in position to support a door on a door jamb, with the door open 90 degrees;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1, with the hinge shown in closed position, and disposed in operative position in a door and door jamb;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the hinge shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the parts thereof disposed in fully open position;

FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 in FIG. 2; and

Patented June 21, 1966 "ice .in size in a horizontally extending direction. Each is in the form of a chordal segment of a circle (i.e., the periphery thereof is defined by an arc of a circle and the chord of that arc)- and is somewhat less than semi-circular in size. In the assembled hinge 1, the hinge segments 2-4 are so constituted and arranged relative to each other that, when they are disposed in closed position, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, they are disposed in vertically aligned stacked relation to each other, and when the hinge 1 is v disposed in fully open position, as shown in FIG. 7, the

hinge segments 2 and 3 are disposed out of vertical alignment with each other, and the hinge segment 4 extends therebetween. In all positions of the hinge 1 substantial areas of adjacent hinge segments 24 are disposed in supporting engagement with each other.

The upper hinge segment 2 embodies a main body portion 7 and an auxiliary body portion 8, FIGS. 3 and 4. The main body portion 7 embodies a flat, substantially smooth upper wall 9, in the form of a chordal segment of a circle, and an arcuate-shaped flange 10 projecting down wardly from the arcuate peripheral edge portion of the wall 9. The flange 10 extends completely along the outer arcuate periphery of the wall 9 and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the latter. Another arcuateshaped flange 11 projects radially inwardly from the lower edge portion of the arcuate-shaped flange 10. The flange 11 extends along the entire length of the flange 10, and is disposed substantially perpendicular thereto. The main body portion 7 of the upper hinge segment 2 also embodies a rear wall 12, which forms the chord of the aforementioned chordal segment of a circle of which the flange 10 forms the arc.

The auxiliary body portion 8 of the upper hinge segment 2 is in the form of a substantially flat, chordal segment of a circle, having an arcuate peripheral edge portion 13 and a rear wall. The rear wall 14 forms the chord of a segment of a circle, of which the arcuate peripheral edge portion 13 forms the arc. The auxiliary body portion 8 has a shorter chord length than the main body portion 7, and is mounted on the lower face of the top wall 9 in downwardly projecting relation thereto, with the rear wall '14 disposed in uniplanar relation to the rear wall 12, and with the peripheral edge portion 13 disposed in inwardly spaced, parallel relation to the flange 10. The flange 11 of the main body portion 7 overlaps the outer peripheral edge portion of the auxiliary body portion 8, and is spaced downwardly therefrom in a plane which is preferably disposed in substantially parallel relation to the lower face of the auxiliary body portion 8.

With this construction, the upper hinge segment 2 embodies a horizontally disposed, radially inwardly opening recess 15 disposed between the flange 11 and the lower face of the auxiliary body portion 8, and an arcuate, downwardly opening recess 16 disposed between the peripheral edge portion 13 of the auxiliary body portion 8 and the inner face of the flange 10 of the main body portion 7, the recess 16 opening into the outer peripheral edge portion of the recess 15.

The lower hinge segment 3 is identical in construction to the upper edge segment 2 except that it is a mirror image thereof. Hence it embodies a main body portion 17 having a lower wall 18, arcuate-

flanges

19 and 20, and a rear wall 21; and an auxiliary body portion 22 disposed between the lower wall 13 and the flange 20, the auxiliary body portion 22 having a rear wall 23 and an arcuate peripheral edge portion 24, and being mounted on the lower wall 18 with the rear Wall 23 disposed in uniplanar relation to the rear wall 21, and with the peripheral edge portion 24 disposed inwardly of the flange 19 in parallel spaced relation thereto. The lower hinge segment '3 also includes a radially inwardly opening recess 25 disposed between the flange 20 and the auxiliary body portion 22, and an upwardly opening recess 26 disposed between the arcuate peripheral edge portion 24 of the auxiliary body portion 22 and the flange .19 of the main body portion 17, the recess 26 opening into the outer peripheral edge portion of the recess 25.

The upper hinge segment 2 and the lower hinge segment 3 may be made of suitable material, such as, for example, steel, and I prefer to make the main body portions 7 and 17 and

auxiliary body portions

8 and 22 thereof, respectively, as separate parts and subsequently secure them together by suitable means such as, for example, spot welding. Thus, for example, in the manufacture of the upper hinge segment 2 a substantially flat blank having the shape of a chordal segment of a circle, and of suitable size for the main body portion 7, may first be formed; and then in successive stamping, or other suitable forming operations, a peripheral edge portion 10-11 may first be turned into a position wherein it projects perpendicularly from the wall portion 9, and the peripheral edge portion 11 may then be bent into the aforementioned radially inwardly projecting relation to the flange 10. Thereafter, the auxiliary body portion, after being formed by a suitable operation, such as, stamping, may be disposed in proper operative position on the lower face of the wall 9 'of the main body portion 7, and may be suitably secured thereto such as, for example, by welding. The lower hinge segemnt 3, of course, may be constructed in the same manner.

If desired, each of the upper hinge segments 2 and lower hinge segments 3 may be manufactured as a single unitary part. Thus, for example, the upper hinge segment 2 may be formed from a single suitable blank by a stamping operation or other suitable forming operation, so that the auxiliary body portion 8 is formed as an integral projection of the top wall 9 of the main body portion 7, with the flange portions 10 and 11 projecting outwardly from the top wall 9 in uniplanar relation to the latter. Thereafter, in consecutive stamping, or other suitable forming operations, the flange portions 1t 11 may be bent downwardly into perpendicular projecting relation to the top wall 9; and the flange portion 11 may thereafter be bent into its radially inwardly projecting position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower hinge segment 3 may be formed inthe same manner.

The intermediate hinge segment 4 includes an upper plate 27 and a lower plate 28, which are identical in construction to each other. The upper plate 27 includes a flat, substantially smooth central body portion 29, which is in the form of a chordal segment of a circle. An arcuate-shaped flange portion 30 projects upwardly from the arcuate-peripheral edge portion of the central body portion 29. The flange portion 30 extends along the entire length of the arcuate peripheral portion of the main body portion 29, and another flange portion 31 projects radially outwardly from the upper edge portion thereof in substantially perpendicular relation to the flange portion 30. The

flange portion 31 extends along the entire length of the The plate chordal segment of a circle of which the radially outer face of the flange 32 forms the arc.

The plate 28 is identical in construction to the plate 27, and is merely disposed in upside down position relative thereto. Thus, the plate 28 includes a central body portion 34,

flanges

35, 36, and 37, and a rear wall 38, which are constituted and arranged relative to each other in the same manner that the body portion 29, the flanges 30-31, and the rear Wall 33 of the upper plate 27 are disposed relative to each other. In the assembled hinge segment 4, the plates 27 and '28 are disposed in stacked relation to each other, with the central body portions 29 and 34 disposed in abutting juxtaposition to each other and with the

flanges

30 and 31, and 35 and 37 projecting in opposite directions relative to each other. The plates 27 and 28, in the assembled hinge segment 4, are secured to each other by suitable means, such as, for example, spot welding.

When the hinge 1 is in assembled condition, the upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3 are mounted on 0pposite sides of the intermediate hinge segment 4, with the ribs 31 and 32 disposed in the

recesses

15 and 16,

respectively, and with the

ribs

36 and 37 disposed in the recesses 25 and 26, respectively. The

ribs

31, 32, 36, and 37 are disposed in the

recesses

15, 16, 25, and 26 with a relatively snug, but freely slidaole fit, so that the intermediate hinge segment 4 is freely rotatably mounted in the upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3, but the hinge segments 24 are effectively held against vertical or radial movement relative to each other.

The

hinge plates

5 and 6 are identical to each other in construction. Each includes a substantially flat, rectangular-shaped body portion 39 having a rectangularshaped recess 40 formed in the central portion of one longitudinal edge portion 139 thereof, FIG. 4. A substantially flat tongue or flange 41 projects outwardly from the main body portion 39 from one lateral edge of the recess 49. Preferably, the tongue 41 is struck out from the main body portion 39 and is bent outwardly relative thereto in forming the recess 40. The tongue 41 in each of the

hinge plates

5 and 6 is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to the main body portion 39 thereof. Openings 42 are formed in each of the end portions of the body portion 39 of the

hinge plates

5 and 6 for receiving mounting screws, or the like.

In mounting the hinge plate 5 on the upper hinge segment 2, the hinge segment 2 is disposed in the recess 46 thereof with the tongue 41 disposed on the upper face of the top wall 9 in abutting juxtaposition thereto. The recess 40 is preferably of slightly greater depth than the radial width of the upper hinge segment 2, and the hinge plate 5 is disposed in such position on the hinge segment 2 that the face 43 of the main body portion 29, remote from the tongue 41 is disposed in the same vertical plane as the plane which is perpendicular to the end wall 12 at the longitudinal center thereof, with the tongue 41 of the hingeplate-S projecting from this plane to the left, as viewed inFlG. 3, and with the longitudinal edge portron 139 disposed in uniplanar relation to the rear wall 12. The hinge plate 5 may be secured to the upper hinge segment 2 by any suitable means such as, for example, by spot Welding the tongue 41 thereof to the upper wall 9.

The hinge plate 6 is mounted on the lower hinge seg ments 3 in the same manner as the hinge plate 5 is mounted on the upper hinge segment 2, the tongue 41 being secured to the lower wall 18 by suitable means, such as welding, and-the body portion 39 of the hinge plate 6 being disposed on the lower hinge segment 3 with the face 43 thereof disposed in uniplanar relation to the plane which is perpendicular to the rear wall 23 at the longitudinal center thereof, and with the longitudinal edge portion 139 of the body portion 39 of the hinge plate 6 disposed in uniplanar relation to the rear wall 23.

Thus, it will be seen that the assembled upper hinge segment 2 and hinge plate 5, and the assembled lower hinge segment 3 and hinge plate 6 are identical in construction, and are interchangeable, the lower hinge segment 3 and the hinge plate 6 merely being an upside down version of the upper hinge segment 2 and hinge plate 5 in the assembled hinge 1.

In the assembled hinge 1, when the hinge is disposed in closed position, the hinge segments 2-4 are disposed in the recesses 40 in the

hinge plates

5 and 6, and the faces 43 of the

hinge plates

5 and 6 are disposed in parallel juxtaposition to each other, FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. When the hinge 1 is disposed in fully open position, the upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3 are disposed in horizontally spaced relation to each other, and the

hinge plates

5 and 6 are disposed in uniplanar relation to each other, FIG. 7.

An abutment member 44 projects upwardly from the upper face of the central body portion 29 of the plate 27 of the intermediate hinge segment 4 in inwardly spaced, relatively closely adjacent relation to the flange 30 and the rear wall 33 at the left side of the intermediate hinge segment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4. Similarly, an abutment member 45 projects downwardly from the central body portion 34 of the lower plate 28 of the intermediate hinge segment 4 in inwardly spaced, relatively closely adjacent relation to the flange 35 and the rear wall 38, at the right side of the intermediate hinge segment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4.

In the assembled hinge 1, another abutment member 46 projects downwardly from the auxiliary body portion 8 of the upper hinge segment 2, in inwardly spaced, relatively closely adjacent relation to the rear wall 12, and to the flange 3%) on the intermediate hinge segment 4, at the right side of the auxiliary body member 8, as viewed in FIG. 3. Similarly, in the assembled hinge 1, another abutment member 47 projects upwardly from the auxiliary body portion 22 of the lower hinge segment 3, in inwardly spaced, relatively closely adjacent relation to the rear wall 23, and to the flange 1% on the lower hinge segment 3, at the left side of the auxiliary body portion 22, as viewed in FIG. 3.

The pins 44-47 are so disposed in the hinge 1, that when the hinge is disposed in closed position, as shown in FIG. 3, the abutment members 44 and 47 are disposed in vertically aligned relation to each other, and the

abutment members

45 and 46 are disposed in vertically aligned relation to each other. Thus, the hinge plate 6 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, from the position shown therein. During the initial portion of such movement of the hinge plate 6, the hinge segment 2 rides along the intermediate hinge segment 4 until the pin 46 engages the pin 44, at which time the

hinge plates

6 and 5 are disposed in perpendicular relation to each other, as shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, during continued rotation of the hinge plate 6 in clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, both the upper hinge segment 2 and the intermediate hinge segment 4 move with the hinge plate 6 until the pin 45 engages the pin 47. The engagement of the

pins

45 and 47 stops the move ment of the hinge plate 6 relative to the hinge plate 5 to thereby define the limit of the opening movement of the hinge plate 6 relative to the hinge plate 5. The pins 44-47 are so disposed relative to each other that the

hinge plates

5 and 6 may be moved into aligned position, as shown in FIG. 7, when the hinge 1 is disposed in fully opened position. Thus, it will be seen that the hinge 1 affords a hinge by which a door may be mounted for full 180 degree rotation.

The abutment members 44-47 may be any suitable type of abutment members, such as, for example, pins or screws mounted in the respective hinge segments 2-4. However, I prefer that the

abutment members

46 and 47 be struck from the auxiliary body portions 8 and 2-2, respectively, and that the abutment members 44 and 45 be pins or screws mounted in the intermediate hinge segment 4. With this construction, it will be seen that in assembling the hinge 1, the upper hinge segment and the lower hinge segment 3 may be disposed in stacked, vertically aligned relation to each other, with the flange 11 resting on top the abutment member 44, the left end of the

flange portions

31, 32, 36, and 37 of the intermediate hinge segment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4, may be inserted into the right ends of the

recesses

15, 16, 25, and 26, respectively, of the stacked upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3, as viewed in FIG. 3. Thereafter, the intermediate hinge segment 4 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, relative to the upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3, and with the

flanges

31, 32, 36, and 37 sliding along the

recesses

15, 16, 25, and 26, respectively, into a position wherein the aforementioned left end of the intermediate hinge segment 4, as viewed in FIG. 4, projects outwardly from the left end of the upper and lower hinge segmentsZ and 3, FIG. 3, a suflicient distance that the abutment member 44 may be inserted into operative position in the intermediate hinge segment 4. With the abutment member 44 thus disposed in operative position in the intermediate hinge segment 4, the latter is secured against removal from the upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3, the abutment members 44 and 46 affording stop members for preventing such removal of the intermediate hinge segment 4 by rotation in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, and the

abutment members

45 and 47 aflording stop members for preventing such removal of the segment 4 by rotation in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5.

Thus, it will be seen that my novel hinge 1 is so constructed that it may readily be produced commercially. For example, the hinge plate 5, the upper hinge segment 2, and the upper plate 27 of the intermediate hinge segment 4 are identical in construction to, and fully interchangeable with, the hinge plate 6, the lower hinge segment 3, and the lower plate 28 of the intermediate hinge segment 28, respectively. Also, the hinge 1, unlike many hinges on the market, may be used as either a left or right hinge. Such construction enables my novel hinge 1 to be manufactured with a minimum of different parts, and also enables a minimum number of such hinges to be stored commercially for supplying hinges to customers who may call for hinges for either left or right opening doors.

In addition, my novel hinge 1 is so constructed that in all positions thereof, from fully closed to fully open position, substantial supporting surfaces on the intermediate hinge segment 4 are operatively engaged with equally substantial, respective supporting surfaces on both the upper hinge segment 2 and the lower hinge segment 3, so that good, strong support for a door, or the like, is pro vided by the hinge 1, in all positions of the latter.

In mounting a door, such as a door 48, on a door jamb, such as a jamb 49, FIG. 1, the carpenter may quickly and easily chisel or otherwise cut openings or pockets St) and S1 in the door .48 and the jamb 49, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5. The

pockets

56 and 51 need be no larger in size than that required to snugly but freely receive the end portions of the hinge segments 2-4 projecting perpendicularly outwardly from the

hinge plates

6 and 5, respectively. As a practical matter, the

openings

50 and 51 are normally cut in substantially rectangular form as shown in FIG. 5. If desired, the end edges of the door 48 and the jamb 49 may also be cut away as indicated at 52 and'53 in the drawings to afford a countersink for receiving the

hinge plates

6 and 5, respectively.

The novel hinge 1 is so constructed that only a mini- I mum of material need be cut from the door 48 and the E jamb 49, and the portions of the hinge 1 projecting from the

hinge plates

5 and 6 are relatively thin so that the

openings

50 and 51 are relatively short, and so that a minimum weakening of the door 48 and the jamb 49 is caused by the formation of the

openings

50 and 51 therein.

In determining the proper size of the circle of which the hinge segments 2 and 3 form a chordal segment, I prefer to follow the following procedure:

(1) Multiply the thickness of the door on which the hinge is to be used by 2; (2) Multiply the product obtained in step 1 by A; and (3) Subtract the product obtained in step 2 from the product obtained in step 1, and the difference thus .obtained is the preferred diameter of the circle of which the hinge segments 2 and 3 form chordal segments.

Thus, for example, if the thickness of the door on which the hinge is to be used is one inch, the diameter of the circle of which the hinge segments 2 and 3 form a chordal segment should preferably be one and one-half inches. So as to assure adequate strength in the portion 54 of the door 48 and the portion 55 in the jamb 49, between the

pockets

50 and 51 and the

faces

56 and 57 of the door 48 and the jamb 49, respectively, and, also to insure free pivotal movement of the hinge 1 during opening and closing of the door, I prefer to form the hinge segments 2 and 3 of such a size that they are nine-tenths of a semicircle. Thus, for example, in the preferred form of my hinge 1, the hinge segments 2 and 3 of a hinge to be used with a one inch door would have a width from the midpoint of the chord thereof to the point on the arcuate periphery along a line running from the aforementioned midpoint perpendicular to the chord, of nine-tenths of three-fourths of an inch or, in other words, 675 thousandths of an inch. With this construction, the pockets and 51 may be spaced inwardly from the surfaces 56 and 57 a sufficient distance that the portions 54 and of the door 48 and the jamb 49 are relatively thick and, therefore, are relatively strong, while still permitting free opening and closing movement of the door 48 relative to the jamb 49.

It will be seen that my hinge 1 affords anovel hinge which is practical and effiicient in operation, and which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

In FIG. 9 a modified form of the hinge shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, is shown. The hinge illustrated by FIG. 9 is identical in construction to the hinge shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, except that in each of the upper and lower hinge plates 2 and 3 an opening 58 is formed in the flange portions 10 and 11, thereof, respectively, on the line which is perpendicular to the midpoint of the end Wall 12 and 21 of the upper and lower hinge segments 2 and 3, respectively, as illustrated in the lower hinge plate 3 shown in FIG. 9. With this construction, during the assembly of the

auxiliary body portions

8 and 22 into the main body portions 7 and 17, respectively, in hinge segments 2 and 3 wherein the main body portions and auxiliary body portions thereof are constructed from two separate pieces, a suitable tool, or other stop member may be inserted through the opening 58 into the hinge segment 2 or 3, being assembled, for accurately determining the proper position of the

auxiliary body portions

8 and 22 in' the main body portions 7 and 17, respectively.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel and practical hinge wherein all of the parts thereof may be formed by relatively simple and inexpensive operations, such as, for example stamping operations, and the like.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel concealed hinge which affords strong support for door structures, and the like, mounted thereon.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, his to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. The method of making a hinge comprising (a) forming an upper hinge segment and a lower hinge segment, with each segment having (1) a main body portion in the form of a chordal segment of a circle, and

(2) an auxiliary body portion (a') in the form of a chordal segment having a chord length shorter than the chord length of said main body portion, and

(13') mounted on said main body portions with the chords of said body portions disposed in uniplanar relation to each other, and with the arcuate periphery of'said auxiliary body portion disposed radially inwardly of the outer peripheral edge portion of said main body portion in parallel relation to the outer peripheral edge of said main body portion,

(b) bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each main body portion outwardly of the arcuate peripheral edge of the respective auxiliary body portion thereon into spaced parallel relation to the arcuate peripheral edge of said respective auxiliary body portion,

(0) bending the outermost peripheral edge portion of each of said main body portions into parallel spaced relation to said respective auxiliary body portion on the side of said respective auxiliary body portion remote from the central body portion of said lastmentioned main body portion,

(d) forming an intermediate hinge segment by (1) forming an upper body portion and a lower body portion, each of which is in the form of a substantially flat chordal section having an outer face and an inner face,

(2) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said last-mentioned body members into position wherein it forms one flange projecting outwardly from the central portion of the outer face of the respective body memher,

'(3) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of. said one flange into position wherein it forms a second flange projecting outwardly beyond the respective central outer face portion in a plane disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to said respective central outer face portion,

(4) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said second flanges into position wherein it forms a third flange projecting outwardly therefrom in a plane disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to the plane of the respective one flange to which it is attached, and

(5) securing said upper and lower body members together in aligned stacked relation to each other with said central portion of said inner faces disposed in juxtaposition to each other and with the chordal sides of said upper and lower body members in transversely aligned uniplanar relation to each other.,

(e) securing hinge plates to respective ones of said upper and lower hinge segments for movement therewith,

(f) disposing said upper and lower hinge segments in aligned stacked relation to each other with 'said outermost peripheral edge portions disposed in juxtaposition to each other,

(g) inserting said intermediate hinge segments into said upper and lower hinge segments in position wherein (1) each of said third flanges is disposed between a respective one of said auxiliary body portions and said peripheral edge portion of a main body member disposed parallel thereto, and

(2) each of said second flanges is disposed between, and in sliding engagement with a respective one of said auxiliary body portions and said outermost peripheral edge portion of a main body portion disposed in spaced parallel relation thereto, and

(h) placing abutment means on said intermediate hinge segment in position to abuttingly engage portions of said upper and lower hingesegments in position to limit movement of said hinge plat s relative to each other to movement in an arc of substantially 180 degrees.

2. The method of making a hinge comprising (a) forming two blanks in the form of a chordal segment of a circle for the main body portions of an upper hinge segment and a lower hinge segment, respectively,

(b) bending the outer arcuate peripheral edge portion of each of said blanks into perpendicular relation to the remainder of said blank to form a first flange,

(c) bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said first flanges into position wherein it is disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to said first flange to thereby form a second flange which is disposed substantially parallel to said remainder of said blank,

(d) forming two other blanks in the form of a chordal segment of a circle for the auxiliary body portions of respective ones of said hinge segments,

(e) securing each of said other blanks to a respective one of said first-mentioned blanks in position Wherein said other blank is disposed on said remainder of said first-mentioned blank between said last-mentioned remainder and said second flange in spaced parallel relation to the latter, and the peripheral edge of said other blank is disposed in radially inwardly spaced parallel relation to said first flange on said respective first blank to thereby complete said upper and lower hinge segments, respectively,

(f) forming an intermediate hinge segment by (1) forming an upper body portion and a lower body portion, each of which is in the form of a substantially flat chordal section having an outer face and an inner face,

(2) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said last-mentioned body members into position wherein it forms a third flange projecting outwardly from the central portion of the outer face of the respective body memher,

(3) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said third flanges into position wherein it forms a fourth flange projecting outwardly beyond the respective central outer face portion in a plane disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to said respective cen tral outer face portion,

(4) then bending the outer peripheral edge portion of each of said fourth flanges into position wherein it forms a fifth flange projecting out wardly therefrom in a plane disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to the plane of the respective third flange to which it is attached, and

(5) securing said upper and lower body members together in aligned stacked relation to each other with said central portion of said inner faces disposed in juxtaposition to each other and with the chordal sides of said upper and lower body members disposed in transversely aligned uniplanar relation to each other,

(g) securing hinge plates to respective ones of said upper and lower hinge segments for movement therewith,

(h) disposing said upper and lower hinge segments in aligned stacked relation to each other with said second flanges disposed in juxtaposition to each other,

(i) inserting said intermediate hinge segment into said upper and lower hinge segments in position where- (1) each of said fourth flanges is disposed between a respective one of said auxiliary body portions and said second flange disposed parallel thereto in sliding engagement with said second flange, and

(2) each of said fifth flanges is disposed between a respective one of said auxiliary body portions and said first flange disposed radially outwardly thereof, and

(j) placing abutment means on said intermediate hinge segment in position to abuttingly engage portions of said upper and lower hinge segments in position to limit movement of said hinge plates relative to each other to movement in an arc of substantially degrees.

3. A hinge comprising (a) an upper hinge segment,

(b) a lower hinge segment,

(c) an intermediate hinge segment,

(d) each of said hinge segments being in the form of chrodal segments of a circle,

(e) said upper and lower hinge segments each having (l) a main body portion in the form of a chordal segment of a circle, and v .(2) an auxiliary body portion in the form of a chordal segment of a circle and having a shorter chord length than said main body portion,

(f) each of said main body portions including a flange on the arcuate peripheral edge portion thereof which is substantially L-shaped in transverse cross-section,

(g) each of said flanges having (1) one leg disposed substantially perpendicular to the remainder of said main body portion of which it forms a part, and

(2) another leg projecting radially inwardly from said one leg and overlying said auxiliary body portion,

(h) each of said auxiliary body portions (1) projecting from a respective one of said main body portions toward said other leg thereon, and

(2) having its arcuate peripheral edge portion disposed in parallel radially inwardly spaced relation to said one leg on said last-mentioned main body portion,

(i) the arcuate peripheral edge portion of said intermediate hinge segment having two flange portions, (j) each of said last-mentioned flange portions being disposed between said auxiliary body portion and said one leg, and between said auxiliary body portion and said other leg of respective ones of said first two-mentioned hinge segments in interlocking engagement therewith for holding all of said hinge segments against lateral movement relative to each other,

(k) two hinge plates mounted on and movable with respective ones of said upper and lower hinge segments,

(1) said hinge segments having a closed position wherein they are disposed in stacked vertically aligned position,

(m) said singe segments being rotatable relative to 1 each other around the radial center axis of said arcuate peripheral edge portions from said closed position through a path of movement effective to rotare said upper and lower hinge segments relative to each other through an arc of 180 degrees into an open position, and (-n) abutment means on said hinge segments for limiting said rotation of said upper and lower hinge segments relative to each other. 4. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and in which (a) said two flange portions of said intermediate hinge segment are disposed on respective members in the form of chordal segments of a circle, (b) each of said chordal segment members has a su stantially fiat face, and r (c) said chordal segment members are secured together with said faces disposed in abutting engagement with each other. 5. A hinge as defined in claim 4, and in which (a) each of said main body portions has a substantially flat central face, (h) each of said auxiliary body portions has a substantially fiat face, and (c) said main body portion and said auxiliary body portion of each of said first-mentioned two hinge segments are secured together with said faces thereof disposedin abutting engagement with each other. 6. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and in which (a) said abutment means comprise (1) two abutment members carried by respective ones of said auxiliary body members radially inwardly of said one leg on said respective main body portion on which said auxiliary body portion is mounted, and in position to project directly toward said intermediate hinge segment when said hinge segments are disposed in said closed position, and (2) two other abutment members carried by said intermediate hinge segment radially inwardly of said flange portions thereof and projecting toward respective ones of said auxiliary body portions in position to a'buttingly engage a respective one of said first-mentioned abutment members when said hinge segments are disposed in said open position, at least one of said other abutment members being removable from said intermediate hinge segment. 5 7. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and in which each of said hinge plates has a substantially fiat flange portion secured in substantially parallel juxtaposition to a portion of a respective one of said first-mentioned two hinge segments remote from the other of said first-mentioned two hinge segments and in which each of said hinge plates has another portion projecting from said respective hinge segments in substantially perpendicular relation to said firstamentioned portion thereof for securing each hinge plate to a respective hinge segment.

-8. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and in which said one leg of each of said flanges has an opening therethrough on a line substantially perpendicular to the chordal edge portion of the respective main body portion, whereby tool means may be inserted through said opening for accurately determining the proper position of the auxiliary body portions in the main body portions.

-9. A hinge as defined in claim 3 wherein said chordal segment members are formed from metal and are identical in construction.

510. A hinge as defined in claim 3, and in which each of said hinge plates has a substantially flat flange portion secured in substantially parallel juxtaposition to a portion of a respective one of said first-mentioned two hinge segments remote from the other of said first-mentioned two hinge segments.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

DONLEY I. STOCKING, Examiner.

D. GRIFFIN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

3. A HINGE COMPRISING (A) AN UPPER HINGE SEGMENT, (B) A LOWER HINGE SEGMENT, (C) AN INTERMEDIATE HINGE SEGMENT, (D) EACH OF SAID HINGE SEGMENTS BEING IN THE FORM OF CHRODAL SEGMENTS OF A CIRCLE, (E) SAID UPPER AND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS EACH HAVING (1) A MAIN BODY PORTION IN THE FORM OF A CHORDAL SEGMENT OF A CIRCLE, AND (2) AN AUXILIARY BODY PORTION IN THE FORM OF A CHORDAL SEGMENT OF A CIRCLE AND HAVING A SHORTER CHORD LENGTH THAN SAID MAIN BODY PORTION, (F) EACH OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTIONS INCLUDING A FLANGE ON THE ARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION THEREOF WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY L-SHAPED IN TRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTION, (G) EACH OF SAID FLANGES HAVING (1) ONE LEG DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE REMAINDER OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION OF WHICH IT FORMS A PART, AND (2) ANOTHER LEG PROJECTING RADIALLY INWARDLY FROM SAID ONE LEG AND OVERLYING SAID AUXILIARY BODY PORTION, (H) EACH OF SAID AUXILIARY BODY PORTIONS (1) PROJECTING FROM A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTIONS TOWARD SAID OTHER LEG THEREON, AND (2) HAVING ITS ARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION DISPOSED IN PARALLEL RADIALLY INWARDLY SPACED RELATION TO SAID ONE LEG ON SAID LAST-MENTIONED MAIN BODY PORTION, (I) THE ARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTION OF SAID INTERMEDIATE HINGE SEGMENT HAVING TWO FLANGE PORTIONS, (J) EACH OF SAID LAST-MENTIONED FLANGE PORTIONS BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID AUXILIARY BODY PORTION AND SAID ONE LEG, AND BETWEEN SAID AUXILIARY BODY PORTION AND SAID AND SAID OTHER LEG OF RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID FIRST TWO-MENTIONED HINGE SEGMENTS IN INTERLOCKING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH FOR HOLDING ALL OF SAID HINGE SEGMENTS AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, (K) TWO HINGE PLATES MOUNTED ON AND MOVABLE WITH RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS, (L) SAID HINGE SEGMENTS HAVING A CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN THEY ARE DISPOSED IN STACKED VERTICALLY ALIGNED POSITION, (M) SAID SINGE SEGMENTS BEING ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AROUND THE RADIAL CENTER AXIS OF SAID ARCUATE PERIPHERAL EDGE PORTIONS FROM SAID CLOSED POSITION THROUGH A PATH OF MOVEMENT EFFECTIVE TO ROTATE SAID UPPER AND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER THROUGH AN ARC OF 180 DEGREES INTO AN OPEN POSITION, AND (N) ABUTMENT MEANS ON SAID HINGE SEGMENTS FOR LIMITING SAID ROTATION OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER HINGE SEGMENTS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER.