US3575314A

US3575314A - Hinge assembly for receptacles and the like

Info

Publication number: US3575314A
Application number: US815006A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis J Ihlenfeld; Valentin E Beil
Original assignee: McDonald Products Corp
Current assignee: McDonald Products Corp
Priority date: 1969-04-10
Filing date: 1969-04-10
Publication date: 1971-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 1988-04-20

Abstract

A hinge assembly for receptacles having a horizontally disposed bracket member provided with a curved surface opening therethrough and a cover member having a depending curved rim for covering the bracket opening. A hinge-connecting member on the curved surface of the bracket opening has an opening therein which defines a horizontal slot adjacent the upper edge of the opening. A wire hinge including a relatively large body portion and parallel arms extending therefrom is positioned so that the body portion abuts the inner surface of the connecting member and the arms extend outwardly through the slot. The arms are bent at their ends to provide hook members which extend through openings into a channel bead along the edge of the cover member rim for pivotally connecting the cover to the hinge.

Description

United "States Patent inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR RECEPTACLES AND THE LIKE 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 220/18 Int. Cl. E05d 1/02 Field ofSearch 217/58,57; 220/18, 31, 20.5, 30; 16/192; 131/241; 248/31 1, 313

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,682,969 7/1954 Sunko 16/192X Primary Examiner-Raphael l-l. Schwartz Attorney-Christel & Bean ABSTRACT: A hinge assembly for receptacles having a horizontally disposed bracket member provided with a curved surface opening therethrough and a cover member having a depending curved rim for covering the bracket opening.

A hinge-connecting member on the curved surface of the bracket opening has an opening therein which defines a horizontal slot adjacent the upper edge of the opening.

A wire hinge including a relatively large body portion and parallel arms extending therefrom is positioned so that the body portion abuts the inner surface of the connecting member and the arms extend outwardly through the slot.

The arms are bent at their ends to provide hook members which extend through openings into a channel bead along the edge of the cover member rim for pivotally connecting the cover to the hinge.

PATENTEUAPR20I971 5753 4 sum 1 OF 2 & V lentznzifiez'l ATTORNEYS.

llllllNGlE ASSIEIWELY FOR RECEPTACLES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the hinge art and, more particularly, to a normally concealed hinge assembly for providing a pivotal connection at the curved surfaces of two members.

One particularly advantageous use of the hinge assembly of the present invention is in cigar and cigarette ash receptacles placed in public areas. Such receptacles include a horizontally disposed bracket which either is mounted at one end thereof to a wall or is supported by a base member placed on the floor, depending upon the particular receptacle design. The bracket is provided with a circular opening therethrough and is adapted to support an ash-receiving container or shell which depends from the bracket and receives ashes through the opening. The receptacle is completed by a circular cover member having a depending rim which rests on the bracket so as to cover the circular opening and is provided with normally closed blade members which can be opened by simple depression of a button or lever when the ash receptacle is used.

In such receptacles the cover member has been made readily removable to enable maintenance workers to remove ashes from the receptacle quickly and easily. Unfortunately, however, this arrangement also permits quick and easy pilferage of the cover member which, being designed to provide a pleasing appearance, is relatively expensive. One proposed solution to the problem of preventing pilferage while enabling quick and easy removal of the receptacle contents is a hinge externally connected to the cover member and bracket. One obvious disadvantage of this solution is the rather unsightly appearance of the exposed hinge. Moreover, many of the wall-mounted type receptacles are designed with the horizontal bracket having an outwardly extending semicircular portion. This portion coincides with approximately half the circumference of the circular cover to enhance the simplicity of the receptacle. This design, in turn, requires that such an external hinge be mounted on the horizontal bracket between the circular cover and the wall.

Apart from the undesirable appearance of the exposed hinge, such an arrangement is of no avail in wall-mounted receptacles where the inner edge of the cover is so close to the wall or an extension of the mounting bracket that no room for the hinge exists. In addition, such hinges, being rigidly attached to the cover member and bracket, will cause damage to them .in response to prolonged and forceful vandalous attempts to disengage the cover from the bracket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a hinge assembly for pivotally connecting the curved, depending portion of a cover member to the curved surface of an opening provided in a stationary member.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a hinge which is concealed from view when the cover member rests on the stationary member.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a hinge assembly for pivotally connecting an ash receptacle top ring or cover member to a horizontally disposed bracket having a circular opening therein from which an ash-receiving shell depends, which hinge assembly is located so as to be concealed from view when the cover member rests on the bracket over the circular opening.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hinge assembly for such ash receptacles which will discourage theft of the top ring or cover member but which will yield in response to prolonged attempts or excessive force so as not to cause damage to the other members.

This invention provides a hinge having an end portion pivotally connected to the curved, depending rim of a cover member, an intermediate portion, and a body portion having one dimension greater than the largest lateral dimension of the intermediate portion. The hinge is held against vertical and radially outward movement by a member attached to the curved surface of an opening in a bracket member. The hinge is located within the rim of the cover member and is concealed from view when the cover rests on the bracket. The hinge preferably is formed from a resiliently yieldable wire bent to define the various portions which wire will yield to prolonged or excessively forceful attempts to disengage the cover from the bracket so as not to prevent damage to therein.

While the present invention can be used advantageously in cigar and cigarette ash receptacles of the foregoing type found in public buildings and is described in conjunction therewith, it should be understood that this is merely illustrative of the many other applications in which the hinge assembly of this invention can be employed.

These and other advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will be more clearly apparent when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description and drawings.

I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall-mounted ash receptacle provided with an illustrative hinge assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hinge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof;

FIG. d is a plan view of the ash receptacle of FIG. 1 with a fragment of the cover member shown;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken about on line 5-5 in FIG. 4 and showing only the mounting member and bracket;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken about on line 66 in FIG. 4 and showing only the cover member;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken about on line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken about on line 5-8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment of the hinge assembly of this invention; and

FIG. 10 is an elevational view taken about on line 10-10 in FIG. 9 showing the hinge body portion.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows one type of ash receptacle l0 commonly found in public areas of buildings and the like and provided with one embodiment of a hinge assembly 11 contemplated by this invention. The ash receptacle comprises a horizontally disposed mounting bracket 12 having a top surface 13 and a circular opening 14 therethrough. The bracket is provided with an upwardly extending flange 15 at one end thereof which is mounted by suitable fastening screws, such as screws 16 to a wall 15. The other end of the bracket is formed in a substantially semicircular portion 19 to enhance the appearance of the receptacle.

An ash-storing shell member 20 is supported by bracket 12 in a suitable known manner so as to depend therefrom and communicate with the opening 14. The receptacle finally comprises a top ring or cover member 21 which is pivotally connected to the bracket 12 by a hinge assembly 11 of this invention. The cover member is circular and includes a skirtlike rim portion 22 which terminates in an annular bead or channel 25. Cover member 21 also is provided with

blades

24, 25 which are movable in response to depression of a finger-activated button (not shown), in a manner understood in the art.

The ash receptacle It) thus described, with the exception of the hinge assembly 11, is widely used and well known in the art. When the receptacle is in use cover member 21 rests on mounting bracket 12 so as to cover the opening 14 therein. The edge of rim 22 rests on the top surface 13 of the bracket, and cover member 21 is held against horizontal movement by a plurality of lugs 26 provided on bracket 12 which contact the inner surface of rim 22.

ln ash receptacles of this type heretofore available, cover member 21 was in no way connected to the bracket 12, intentionally so as to permit easy removal thereof and facilitate emptying of the contents of the shell 20. This, however, makes the cover member readily susceptible to pilferage and the loss resulting therefrom is aggravated by the fact that the cover members, often of stainless steel and designed to enhance the overall appearance of the receptacle 10, are themselves rather expensive.

As previously noted, in ash receptacles of a different type, specifically those wherein the cover member 21 is spaced farther from the wall, a hinge has been externally provided on the bracket and cover member whereby the cover member is opened toward the wall, i.e. the center of the circular cover member would travel through a plane perpendicular to the plane of the wall. This arrangement, in addition to being undesirable from an appearance standpoint because of the external hinge, is impossible of application to a receptacle of the type described wherein a very short space exists between the rim of the cover member and the upstanding bracket mounting flange 15. Moreover, such hinges heretofore proposed are themselves quite rugged in construction, whereby prolonged or forceful attempts to purloin the cover member can damage the cover member or bracket, requiring replacement of the latter as well as the former.

The hinge assembly provided by this invention does not impair the overall appearance of the receptacle in which it is employed, because it is located within the rim of the cover member and hence is concealed from view when the cover is closed. The assembly is designed to discourage pilferage of the cover member but will itself yield to prolonged or forceful attempts so as not to damage the receptacle. As shown in the particular example of FIG. 1, the hinge assembly is located so as to allow pivotal movement of the cover member sidewise relative to the wall, i.e. the center of the cover member travels in a plane substantially parallel to that of the wall. It should be noted, however, that the hinge assembly 11 can be located elsewhere around the circumference of the opening 14 in bracket 12 without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is shown one form of a hinge 30 constructed in accordance with this invention. It comprises a resiliently yieldable metal wire formed by conventional wire bending techniques and apparatus to define a body portion 31 which in this particular embodiment is substantially rectangular in shape. The ends of the wire extend out from one of the longer sides of the body portion in the form of first and second anns 32 and 33, respectively, which are substantially parallel and spaced-apart a distance smaller than one of the dimensions of the body portion 31 for a purpose to be described.

Arms

32 and 33 extend at substantially a right angle from the plane of body portion 31 and define an intermediate hinge portion.

Arms

32 and 33 are bent further at the ends thereof to provide first and

second hook members

34 and 35, respectively, each extending at an angle from a corresponding one of

arms

32 and 33, respectively.

Hook members

34, 35 define a hinge end portion and in this particular embodiment extend inwardly from

arms

32, 33 at a right angle and have terminal end portions extending downwardly at approximately 45 therefrom. As seen in FIG. 3,

hook members

34 and 35 overlap, and define adjacent, parallel planes extending at substantially a right angle to the plane of body portion 31 and intersecting and inclined relative to the plane defined by

arms

32 and 33.

The hinge assembly finally includes first and second connecting means for connecting hinge 30 to cover member 21 and bracket 12 of ash receptacle 10. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a bracket 12 which is cast from a heavy durable metal such as zinc by well-known techniques. Bracket 12 is provided with hinge connecting means in the fonn of a member 40 on the surface defining circular opening 14. Member 40, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5, extends slightly above the top surface 13 of mounting bracket 12 and is provided with an opening 41 therein. The location of member 40 and opening 41 is such that a slot 42 is cooperatively defined by opening 41 and the top edge 43 of bracket opening 14. Slot 42 is horizontally disposed and of a length greater than the lateral dimension of the hinge

intermediate portion

32, 33 but smaller than the hinge body portion 31 for a purpose to be described. In a preferred form member 40 is integrally cast with bracket 12 by conventional techniques, but it could be separately attached to the surface of circular opening 14 without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Likewise, slot 42 is desirably cooperatively defined by the edge of the circular opening 14 and the opening in member 40, but this invention also contemplates slot 42 being entirely in member 40.

The means for connecting hinge 30 to cover member 21 is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. Cover member 21 is desirably formed from stainless steel by conventional techniques whereby rim portion 22 depending therefrom is curled radially outwardly and upwardly to form a bead or annular channel 23. Prior to this curling process, however, and in accordance with this invention, a plurality of slots or openings are stamped or punched from rim 22 near the edge thereof. The slots are located so as to allow access to channel 23 from within the rim, and in this particular embodiment three slots are provided, as shown at 50, 51 and 52in FIGS. 6-8.

The manner in which hinge assembly 11 connects bracket 12 and cover member 21 may be more clearly seen in FIGS. 4 and 8. Hinge 30 is arranged so that

arms

32, 33 extend through slot 42, radially outwardly with respect to circular opening 14, and body portion 31 abuts the inner surface of member 40. In this particular illustration hinge 30 is oriented so that body portion 31 extends downwardly from the region of slot 42, but the hinge could be reversed in orientation so that body portion 42 extends upwardly. With the hinge

intermediate portion

32, 33 extending through slot 42 and hinge body portion 31 abutting the inner surface of the member 40, hinge 30 is fixed vertically relative to bracket 12 and is held against further radial outward movement relative thereto.

Hook portions

34 and 35 of hinge 30 enter channel 23 in cover member 21 through the

slot openings

50 and 52, respectively. The actual assembling operation can be done conveniently by using a pair of long or needle-nosed pliers. It will be noted that

hook members

34 and 35 are of a length sufficient to extend along and within channel 23 and to each project outwardly through opening 51. This arrangement enhances the firmness of the connection between cover member and bracket. Although the hinge assembly is not designed to allow casual disconnection of the hinge 30,

hook members

34, 35 can be removed from channel 23 by grasping

arms

32, 33 separately with long-nosed pliers to pull the hook members out of the channel.

Although the hinge assembly 11 has been shown in an ash receptacle of the wall-mounted type, it is equally adaptable for use with other types such as the floor-supported type. The

primary structural distinction of this type of receptacle is that a bracket corresponding to bracket 12 is supported by a base member which is positioned on the floor of a building rather than the bracket being mounted to a wall. In some models, the intersection of the shell member such as member 20 with the circular opening of the bracket is quite close to the top surface of the bracket and thus requires that the hinge body portion extend upwardly instead of downwardly.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an alternative embodiment of a hinge assembly 60 constructed in accordance with this invention as it would appear in the wall-mounted type of ash receptacle. A hinge 61 is formed again from a wire bent so as to define a body portion 62 which in the present instance is substantially triangular in shape. A pair of substantially

parallel arms

63, 64 extend out from the base of the triangular body portion at substantially a right angle thereto so as to define a lateral dimension smaller than one dimension of the body portion. The

arms

63, 64 are bent outwardly at the ends thereof, in the present illustration at substantially right angles thereto, to provide

hook members

65, 66 which define a hinge end portion. In this

embodiment hook members

65, 66 do not overlap but extend in opposite directions and do not have inclined ends.

The connecting means for connecting the hinge to the bracket 12 is similar to that of the other embodiments and includes a member 40" having an opening therein which cooperates with the edge 43" of the circular opening 14" to define a slot 42" having a length greater than the hinge

intermediate portion

63, 64 and less than the hinge body portion 62. Hinge 61 is positioned in slot 42" in a manner similar to the positioning of the hinge 30, previously described.

The cover member 21" likewise is provided with a channel 23" which in this embodiment is provided with two

openings

67, 68 therein through which

book members

65 and 66, respectively, are received. I-

look members

65 and 66 are thus positioned within the channel 23" to provide a pivotal connection between the cover member 2i" and hinge 61. Cover 21" can be removed by grasping

portions

63 and 64 with pliers or the like and moving them toward each other to extract

hook members

65, 66 from channel 23.

It should be noted that the hinge embodiments herein described are formed from a spring wire to provide the advantages of low manufacturing cost and of yieldability under extreme force to avoid damage to the cover member and bracket. The hinge, however,'could alternatively be formed from a single piece of metal or similar material to define the body, intermediate and end portions, with hook members, having the respective dimensions and orientations previously described without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

It is apparent that the present invention accomplishes its intended objects. Casual theft is discouraged because the hinge assembly effectively precludes simple lifting of the cover. The hinge assembly provides a pivotal connection between the curved, depending portion of a cover member and the curved surface of an opening in a stationary member for ease in cleaning the receptacle. The hinge assembly is concealed from view when the cover member is in position on the stationary member. The hinge, being formed preferably from wire will discourage theft of the cover member but will yield to prolonged attempts or excessive force so as not to damage the other members. Authorized persons, properly equipped, can readily disassemble and reassemble the hinge assembly. While certain embodiments of the invention have been described with specificity, this is intended by way of illustration, not limitation.

We claim:

ll. In an ash receptacle including a horizontally disposed I bracket attached to a support, said bracket having an opening therethrough, an ash storing shell member supported by and depending from said bracket and communicating with said opening, and a movable cover member having a depending portion, said cover member adapted to rest on said bracket with the edge of said depending portion on the top surface of said bracket, the improvement comprising:

a. a hinge for connecting said cover member to said bracket and located within said cover member depending portion whereby it is concealed from view when said cover d. wherein said first and second hook members are pivotally connected in said first connecting means, said body portion is held by said second connecting means against vertical and radial outward movement, and said hinge intermediate portion extends radially outwardly with respect to said opening.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bracket opening is curved and wherein said cover member depending portion comprises a curved rim.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said hinge comprises a wire formed to define said body portion midway from the ends thereof, first and second substantially parallel arms extending out from said body portion and spaced-apart a distance smaller than one of the dimensions of said body portion to define said intermediate portion, and said first and second hook members extending at an angle from said first and second arms, respectively, to define said end portion.

4. Apparatus according to claim Z-Wherein said bracket is mounted at one end thereof to a wall.

5. A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting a cover member having a depending portion to a stationary member having an opening therein, said assembly comprising:

a. a wire formed in a manner defining a partially closed body portion midway from the ends thereof, first and second arms extending out from said body portion and spaced-apart a distance smaller than one of the dimensions of said body portion, and first and second hook members extending at an angle from said first and second arms, respectively;

. a member mounted on the surface of said opening and having a slot therein through which said arms extend but which prevents passage therethrough of said body portion; and

c. means provided on said depending portion for defining openings into which said hook members extend.

6. In an ash receptacle including a horizontally disposed bracket attached to a support, said bracket having a curved opening therethrough, an ash storing shell member supported by and depending from said bracket and communicating with said opening, and a movable cover member having a depending portion comprising a curved rim, said cover member adapted to rest on said bracket with the edge of said depending portion on the top surface of said bracket, the improvement comprising:

a. a hinge for connecting said cover member to said bracket and located within said cover member depending portion whereby it is concealed from view when said cover member rests on said bracket, said hinge comprising an end portion having first and second hook members, an intermediate portion extending from said end portion, and an enlarged body portion extending from said intermediate portion and having one dimension greater than the largest lateral dimension of said intermediate portion;

b. first connecting means on said cover member depending portion for connecting said depending portion to one portion of said hinge, said first connecting means comprising a channel on the edge of said rim provided with openings on the inner surface thereof, said hook members extending through said openings and being positioned within said channel, whereby said first and second hook members are pivotally connected in said first connecting means; and

0. second connecting means on said bracket for connecting said bracket to another portion of said hinge, said hinge body portion being held by said second connecting means against vertical and radial outward movement.

7. In an ash receptacle including a horizontally disposed bracket attached to a support, said bracket having a curved opening therethrough, an ash-storing shell member supported by and depending from said bracket and communicating with said opening, and a movable cover member having a depending portion comprising a curved rim, said cover portion of said hinge, said first and second hook members being pivotally connected in said first connecting means;

member adapted to rest on bracket with the edge of said depending portion on the top surface of said bracket, the

improvement comprising: and

a. a hinge for c nne ting a Cover member to i c. second connecting means on said bracket for connecting and locatefli f' said cover l p g P said bracket to another portion of said hinge, said second whereby It col'Kfealed from Y when cover connecting means comprising a member mounted on the member Fests bmcket, 531d hmge compnsmg an surface of said bracket curved opening, said member f first g g having an opening therein of a width larger than the mtermedlae pomon amen "i mm en largest lateral dimension of said hinge intermediate and an enlarged body portion extending from said n nd Sm Her than Said bod wh b intermediate portion and having one dimension greater s aid l iin e bod ortion abuts s zifii memia f ariz said li d than the largest lateral dimension of said intermediate y p y ponion, portion held by said second connecting means against b. first connecting means on said cover member depending vemcal and radial outward movement portion for connecting said depending portion to one 15

Claims

1. In an ash receptacle including a horizontally disposed bracket attached to a support, said bracket having an opening therethrough, an ash storing shell member supported by and depending from said bracket and communicating with said opening, and a movable cover member having a depending portion, said cover member adapted to rest on said bracket with the edge of said depending portion on the top surface of said bracket, the improvement comprising: a. a hinge for connecting said cover member to said bracket and located within said cover member depending portion whereby it is concealed from view when said cover member rests on said bracket, said hinge comprising an end portion having first and second hook members, an intermediate portion extending from said end portion, and an enlarged body portion extending from said intermediate portion and having one dimension greater than the largest lateral dimension of said intermediate portion; b. first connecting means on said cover member depending portion for connecting said depending portion to one portion of said hinge; c. second connecting means on said bracket for connecting said bracket to another portion of said hinge; and d. wherein said first and second hook members are pivotally connected in said first connecting means, said body portion is held by said second connecting means against vertical and radial outward movement, and said hinge intermediate portion extends radially outwardly with respect to said opening.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said bracket is mounted at one end thereof to a wall.

5. A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting a cover member having a depending portion to a stationary member having an opening therein, said assembly comprising: a. a wire formed in a manner defining a partially closed body portion midway from the ends thereof, first and second arms extending out from said body portion and spaced-apart a distance smaller than one of the dimensions of said body portion, and first and second hook members extending at an angle from said first and second arms, respectively; b. a member mounted on the surface of said opening and having a slot therein through which said arms extend but which prevents passage therethrough of said body portion; and c. means provided on said depending portion for defining openings into which said hook members extend.

6. In an ash receptacle including a horizontally disposed bracket attached to a support, said bracket having a curved opening therethrough, an ash storing shell member supported by and depending from said bracket and communicating with said opening, and a movable cover member having a depending portion comprising a curved rim, said cover member adapted to rest on said bracket with the edge of said depending portion on the top surface of said bracket, the improvement comprising: a. a hinge for connecting said cover member to said bracket and located within said cover member depending portion whereby it is concealed from view when said cover member rests on said bracket, said hinge comprising an end Portion having first and second hook members, an intermediate portion extending from said end portion, and an enlarged body portion extending from said intermediate portion and having one dimension greater than the largest lateral dimension of said intermediate portion; b. first connecting means on said cover member depending portion for connecting said depending portion to one portion of said hinge, said first connecting means comprising a channel on the edge of said rim provided with openings on the inner surface thereof, said hook members extending through said openings and being positioned within said channel, whereby said first and second hook members are pivotally connected in said first connecting means; and c. second connecting means on said bracket for connecting said bracket to another portion of said hinge, said hinge body portion being held by said second connecting means against vertical and radial outward movement.

7. In an ash receptacle including a horizontally disposed bracket attached to a support, said bracket having a curved opening therethrough, an ash-storing shell member supported by and depending from said bracket and communicating with said opening, and a movable cover member having a depending portion comprising a curved rim, said cover member adapted to rest on said bracket with the edge of said depending portion on the top surface of said bracket, the improvement comprising: a. a hinge for connecting said cover member to said bracket and located within said cover member depending portion whereby it is concealed from view when said cover member rests on said bracket, said hinge comprising an end portion having first and second hook members, an intermediate portion extending from said end portion, and an enlarged body portion extending from said intermediate portion and having one dimension greater than the largest lateral dimension of said intermediate portion; b. first connecting means on said cover member depending portion for connecting said depending portion to one portion of said hinge, said first and second hook members being pivotally connected in said first connecting means; and c. second connecting means on said bracket for connecting said bracket to another portion of said hinge, said second connecting means comprising a member mounted on the surface of said bracket curved opening, said member having an opening therein of a width larger than the largest lateral dimension of said hinge intermediate portion and smaller than said hinge body portion whereby said hinge body portion abuts said member and said body portion is held by said second connecting means against vertical and radial outward movement.