US3733651A

US3733651A - Hinge for knockdown cabinet

Info

Publication number: US3733651A
Application number: US00174679A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kay R Mc
Original assignee: Steelcase Inc
Current assignee: Steelcase Inc
Priority date: 1971-08-25
Filing date: 1971-08-25
Publication date: 1973-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-22
Also published as: CA951777A

Abstract

In a knockdown cabinet, the side panel is bent along its rear edge to define a laterally projecting, generally J-shaped flange which hooks back inwardly towards the side panel. The hooked portion of this flange interengages the hooked portion of a generally J-shaped retaining flange which projects laterally from the back panel of the cabinet, at a point spaced from its edge. The distance from the retaining flange to the edge of the back panel is approximately the same as the total length of the generally J-shaped flange projecting from the side panel such that when the side panel is opened, the leg of its generally Jshaped flange abuts the back panel and the interengaging hooked portions of the two flanges abut to thereby limit further rotation of the side panel and to provide a neat appearing seam between the side panel and the back panel.

Description

United States Patent 1 McKay HINGE FOR KNOCKDOWN CABINET Robert H. McKay, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Assignee: Steelcase lnc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Filed: Aug. 25, 1971 Appl. N0.: 174,679

Inventor:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1950 Cookson ..3 12/263 12/ 1969 Rosenquest ..l60/235 3,733,651 May 22, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT In a knockdown cabinet, the side panel is bent along its rear edge to define a laterally projecting, generally J-shaped flange which hooks back inwardly towards the side panel. The hooked portion of this flange interengages the hooked portion of a generally J-shaped retaining flange which projects laterally from the back panel of the cabinet, at a point spaced from its edge. The distance from the retaining flange to the edge of the back panel is approximately the same as the total length of the generally J-shaped flange projecting from the side panel such that when the side panel is opened, the leg of its generally J-shaped flange abuts the back panel and the interengaging hooked portions of the two flanges abut to thereby limit further rotation of the side panel and to provide a neat appearing seam between the side panel and the back panel.

14 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures HINGE FOR KNOCKDOWN CABINET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to hinges. More specifically, the hinge construction of the present invention is particularly useful for knockdown cabinets.

Knockdown cabinets are designed for shipment in a collapsed form. The sidewalls of the cabinet are folded downwardly against the back wall of the cabinet. Such cabinets employ hinges of one form or another between the sidewalls or side panels and the back wall or panel.

The most popular prior art hinging device for such cabinets employs a curled over, or hook-shaped flange at the rear edge of the sidewall which fits in behind a generally L-shaped retaining flange projecting from the surface of the back wall. In order to prevent the sidewall from rotating more than 90, the edge portion of the back wall is bent forwardly to define a forwardly projecting stop flange. This stop flange also prevents the hook-shaped portion of the side panel from sliding laterally out from behind the generally L-shaped retaining flange.

While such a hinge has proven extremely successful, it does suffer the drawback that the forwardly projecting stop flange on the rear wall detracts from the appearance of the cabinet. Specifically, a cabinet with such a forwardly projecting stop flange simply does not have the neat, trim corner appearance of preassembled cabinets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, the need for a forwardly projecting stop flange on the rear wall is eliminated. In the present invention, a generally J-shaped flange projects laterally from the rear edge of the side panel and interengages a generally J -shaped flange which projects from the surface of the back wall, at a point spaced from the edge of the back wall. These flanges are slidably interengaged, each hooking into the space between the hook end of the other and the panel from which the other extends. Thus, when the side panel is rotated with respect to the back panel, the leg of the side panel flange abuts the back panel and the hook portion of the two flanges abut each other to thereby limit further rotation of the side panel.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge construction for a pair of hingedly joined panels in which rotation of the panels with respect to one another is limited by the hinge construction itself, rather than by any special flanges. This allows one to construct a cabinet with a neat, trim appearing seam at the junction between hinged panels and thereby eliminate the unsightly appearance ofa forwardly projecting stop flange.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the written specification and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of two hingedly joined panels in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the two panels in an open position; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the two panels in an open position.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred embodiment, the side panel 20 and back panel 40 of a knockdown cabinet 1 are hingedly joined by means of a generally J -shaped hinge flange 10 projecting laterally from the rear edge of side panel 20 interengaging a generally .l-shaped retaining flange 30 projecting laterally from back panel 40 at a point spaced from the edge 41 of back panel 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2). When side panel 20 is rotated from its closed position (FIG. 1), the leg 11 of hinge flange l0 abuts back panel 40 and the hook portions of hinge flange 10 and retaining flange 30 abut to thereby limit the degree of rotation of side panel 20 with respect to back panel 40 (FIG. 2).

In the preferred embodiment, side panel 20 is constructed of sheet material such as sheet metal. Hinge flange 10 is integrally formed with side panel 20. If side panel 20 is formed by sheet metal, the forming of hinge flange 10 is accomplished by bending the panel along its rear edge.

Hinge flange 10 includes a leg 11, a generally curved base 12 and a stem 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Base 12 and stem 13 define the hook portion of hinge flange 10. This hook portion hooks back inwardly towards side panel 20, rather than hooking outwardly away from side panel 20.

Leg 11 and stem 13 of hinge flange 10 are planar and generally parallel in order to provide proper abutting surfaces for back panel 40 and for retaining flange 30 respectively. However, base 12 is generally curved, arching downwardly from the bottom of leg 11 and joining stem 13 at a angle. Leg 11 is actually somewhat shorter than the overall length of hinge flange 10. The curved base 12 insures freedom of rotation of hinge flange 10 with respect to retaining flange 30. If leg 11 were joined to base 12 at a right angle, hinge flange 10 and retaining flange 30 would rigidly interlock, rather than rotationally interengage.

Back panel 40 is preferably formed of the same material as side panel 20, i.e., sheet metal. Preferably, retaining flange 30 is also formed of sheet metal, although it is not formed integrally with back panel 40. Rather, retaining flange 30 is formed separately of sheet metal and is then welded to back panel 40.

Retaining flange 30 is also generally .I-shaped, having a leg 31, base 32 and stem 33 (FIGS. 1 and 2).'Leg 31 projects laterally from back panel 40 at a point spaced from edge 41 of back panel 40. The hook portion of retaining flange 30, which is defined by base 32 and stem 33, hooks back inwardly towards back panel 40 in the direction of edge 41. Leg 31 and stem 33 are both planar and generally parallel. Unlike base 12 of hinge flange 10, base 32 of retaining flange 30 is planar, and joins leg 31 and stem 33 at right angles.

While a plurality of retaining flanges 30 could be vertically aligned near the edge of back panel 40, it is preferable that only a single elongated retaining flange 30 be secured to back panel 40. In fact, it is preferable that retaining flange 30 be formed integrally with a reinforcing channel 35 for back panel 40 (FIG. 2). Leg 31 and one side of channel 35 are joined by an integrally formed mounting portion 34 which is welded to back panel 40. This provides the securing means for securing retaining flange 30 to back panel 40. Reinforcing channel 3S terminates at a second mounting portion 36 which is also welded to back panel 40.

Preferably, the edge 41 of back panel 40 is formed by bending a portion of back panel 40 back onto itself in the form of a generally L-shaped reinforcing flange 50 (FIG. 1). Reinforcing flange 50 includes a leg 51 and a base 52. Leg 51 is approximately as long as the distance from leg 31 of retaining flange 30 to edge 41 of back panel 40. Thus, base 52 of reinforcing flange 50 abuts leg 31 of retaining flange 30. Indeed, base 52 and leg 31 are rigidly joined together, by means of welding or the like, and leg 31 of retaining flange 30 is thereby reinforced. Similarly, leg 51 is rigidly joined to back panel 40 to thereby provide reinforcement and rigidity to the edge area of back panel 40. Also, the fact that edge 41 is formed by bending over reinforcing flange 50 makes it a smooth and attractive edge and eliminates the need for any sharp edge finishing.

In order to assemble side panel 20 to back panel 40, hinge flange 10 is inserted into one end of retaining flange 30 and is slid lengthwise thereof until the two flanges are slidably interengaged. The hooked portion of each flange hooks into the space between the end of the hook or the end of the stem of the other flange and the panel to which the flange is connected. Thus, hinge flange l hooks into the space between the end of stem 33 and back panel 40 (more specifically, leg 51 of reinforcing flange S0) and retaining flange 30 hooks into the space between the end of stem 13 and side panel 20.

The dimensional interrelationship of the flanges are important in dictating the overall appearance of the junction between side panel 20 and back panel 40. Thus, the overall length of hinge flange is approximately equal to the distance between the edge 41 of back panel 40 and the point at which retaining flange 30 is secured to back panel 40 (FIG. 2). This insures that the exterior surface of side panel will fall flush with edge 41 of back panel 40. More specifically, the length of hinge flange 10 is actually slightly less than the aforementioned distance since base 12 actually abuts base 52 of reinforcing flange 50 rather than leg 31 of retaining flange 30. However, since base 52 can generically be considered a part of retaining flange 30, the aforesaid dimensional description is in fact accurate.

The distance from the plane of stem 13 to the plane of leg 11 is approximately equal to the distance between the base 32 of retaining flange and back panel 40 from which retaining flange 30 extends. This insures that rotation of side panel 20 with respect to back panel 40 will be limited to 90. As above, it would be more specific to define the distance between stem 13 and leg 11 as being approximately the same as the distance between base 32 of retaining flange 30 and leg 51 of reinforcing flange 50. This is because leg 11 of hinge flange 10 actually abuts against leg 51. However, the above dimensional description is generically correct since leg 51 of reinforcing flange 50 can properly be considered a part of back panel 40.

Finally, the length of stem 13 of hinge flange 10 is approximately the same as the distance between leg 31 and stem 33 (i.e., the length of base 32) of retaining flange 30. This insures that once side panel 20 is opened with respect to back panel 40, lateral movement of said panel 20 with respect to back panel 40 is restricted. Specifically, the length of stem 13 is slightly less than the aforesaid dimension, since as has heretofore been described, base 12 of hinge flange 10 actually abuts base 52 of reinforcing flange 50. However, base 52 can generically be considered a part of leg 31 of retaining flange 30, thereby rendering this dimensional description accurate.

In operation, the interengaging hinge flange 10 and retaining flange 30 allow side panel 20 to be closed with respect to back panel 40 (FIG. 1). When side panel 20 is opened, it is pivoted until leg 11 of hinge flange 10 comes into abutment with back panel 40, or more specifically, with leg 51 of reinforcing flange 50. Simultaneously, stem 13 of hinge flange 10 comes into abutment with base 32 of retaining flange 30, base 12 comes into abutment with leg 31, or more specifically with base 52 of reinforcing flange 50, and the end of stem 13 comes into abutment with stem 33 of retaining flange 30. These abutments totally restrict further rotation of side panel 20 in an opening direction.

Thus, the present invention provides a hinge construction for knockdown cabinets and the like in which the hinge construction itself limits the extent of rotation of hinged panels. This provides ajunction between a side panel 20 and a back panel 40 which is neat and trim in appearance, and which gives the cabinet the appearance of one which has been pre-assembled at the factory (FIG. 3).

Of course, it will be understood that the above is merely a preferred embodiment of the invention and that many changes and alterations can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. In a panel connector construction having a first panel hingedly mounted to a second panel, the improvement comprising: a first generally J-shaped flange, having a leg with a hook thereon, projecting laterally from the edge of said first panel, said hook including generally a base and a stem, said stem hooking inwardly towards said panel with its leading edge being spaced from said panel; a second generally J-shaped flange, having a leg with a hook thereon projecting laterally from said second panel at a point spaced from the edge of said second panel, said hook including generally a base and a stem; the distance from said base of said first flange hook to the top of the stem thereof being less than or equal to the distance from said second panel to said base of said second flange hook; said first and second flanges being slidably interengaged, said first flange hooking into the space between the hook end of said second flange and said second panel, and said second flange hooking into the space between the hook end of said first flange and said first panel; the distance from said leg of said first flange to the plane of said stem of said first flange being approximately the same as the length of said leg of said second flange such that when said first panel is rotated with respect to said second panel, said leg of said first flange abuts said second panel and said stem of said first flange abuts generally said base of said second flange to thereby limit further rotation of said first and second panels.

2. The panel connector of claim 1 comprising: the distance from said leg of said second flange to said stem of said second flange being approximately the same as the length of said stem of said first flange whereby generally the end of said stem of said first flange abuts said stem of said second flange when generally said base of said first flange abuts generally said leg of said second flange, thereby preventing lateral movement of said first panel with respect to said second panel.

3. The panel connector of claim 2 comprising: said stem of said first flange being planar; said leg, base and stem of said second flange being planar and being joined at right angles to one another.

4. The panel connector of claim 2 in which the distance from said leg of said second flange to the edge of said second panel is approximately the same as the distance from said first flange projects from said first panel whereby said first and second panels define a corner when rotated to said 90 position with respect to one another.

5. The panel connector of claim 3 in which the distance from said leg of said second flange to the edge of said second panel is approximately the same as the distance which said first flange projects from said first panel whereby said first and second panels define a corner when rotated to said 90 position with respect to one another.

6. The panel connector of claim 1 in which the edge of said second panel is formed by bending a portion of said second panel back on itself towards said second flange, in a generally L-shaped configuration with a leg abutting said second panel and with a base abutting said leg of said second flange and being rigidly secured thereto.

7. The panel connector of claim 4 in which the edge of said second panel is formed by bending a portion of said second panel back on itself towards said second flange, in a generally L-shaped configuration with a leg abutting said second panel and with a base abutting said leg of said second flange and being rigidly secured thereto.

8. The panel connector of claim 5 in which the edge of said second panel is formed by bending a portion of said second panel back on itself towards said second flange, in a generally L-shaped configuration with a leg abutting said second panel and with a base abutting said leg of said second flange and being rigidly secured thereto.

9. The panel connector of claim 4 in which said base of said first flange is curved, arching from its junction with said leg to a generally right angle junction with said stem.

10. The panel connector of claim 5 in which said base of said first flange is curved, arching from its junction with said leg to a generally right angle junction with said stem.

11. The panel connector of claim 8 in which said base of said first flange is curved, arching from its junction with said leg to a generally right angle junction with said stem.

12. In a panel connector construction having a first sheet metal panel hingedly joined to a second sheet metal panel, the improvement comprising: said first panel being bent along its edge to define a first generally J-shaped flange, having a leg, base, and stem, projecting laterally from said first panel, said base and said stern being bent inwardly back towards said first panel; a second generally J-shaped sheet metal flange having a leg, a base, and a stem, projecting laterally from said second panel and being secured thereto at a point spaced from the edge of the said second panel; the distance from said base of said first flange hook to the top of the stem thereof being less than or equal to the distance from said second panel to said base of said second flange hook; said first and second flanges being slidably interengaged, said first flange hooking into the space between the stem of said second flange and said second panel; said second flange hooking into the space between the stem of said first flange and said first panel; the distance from said leg of said first flange to the plane of said stern of said first flange being approximately the same as the distance which said second flange projects from said second panel such that when said first panel is rotated with respect to said second panel, said leg of said first flange abuts said second panel and said stem of said first flange abuts generally said base of said second flange to thereby limit further rotation of said first and second panels; the distance from said leg of said second flange to said stem of said second flange being approximately the same as the length of said stem of said first flange; the distance from said leg of said second flange to the edge of said second panel being approximately the same as the distance which said first flange projects from said first panel; said stem and said leg of said first flange being planar and lying in generally parallel planes; said leg of said first flange being somewhat shorter than the overall distance which said first flange projects from said first panel, said base of said first flange being curved, arching from its junction with said leg to a generally right angle junction with said stem; said leg, base and stem of said second flange being planar and being joined at generally right angles to one another.

13. The panel connector of claim 12 in which the edge of said second panel is formed by bending a portion of said second panel back on itself, towards said second flange, to define a generally L-shaped reinforcing flange having a leg and a base; said leg of said retaining flange abutting said second panel and being rigidly secured thereto and said base of said retaining flange abutting said leg of said second flange and being rigidly secured thereto.

14. The panel construction of claim 12 in which said first and second J-shaped flanges are oriented with respect to said first and second panels respectively such that when said first panel is rotated with respect to said second panel so that said leg of said first flange abuts said second panel and said stern of said first flange abuts generally said base of said second flange, rotation is limited to approximately

Claims

4. The panel connector of claim 2 in which the distance from said leg of said second flange to the edge of said second panel is approximately the same as the distance from said first flange projects from said first panel whereby said first and second panels define a corner when rotated to said 90* position with respect to one another.

5. The panel connector of claim 3 in which the distance from said leg of said second flange to the edge of said second panel is approximately the same as the distance which said first flange projects from said first panel whereby said first and second panels define a corner when rotated to said 90* position with respect to one another.

12. In a panel connector construction having a first sheet metal panel hingedly joined to a second sheet metal panel, the improvement comprising: said first panel being bent along its edge to define a first generally J-shaped flange, having a leg, base, and stem, projecting laterally from said first panel, said base and said stem being bent inwardly back towards said first panel; a second generally J-shaped sheet metal flange having a leg, a base, and a stem, projecting laterally from said second panel and being secured thereto at a point spaced from the edge of the said second panel; the distance from said base of said first flange hook to the top of the stem thereof being less than or equal to the distance from said second panel to said base of said second flange hook; said first and second flanges being slidably interengaged, said first flange hooking into the space between the stem of said second flange and said second panel; said second flange hooking into the space between the stem of said first flange and said first panel; the distance from said leg of said first flange to the plane of said stem of said first flange being approximately the same as the distance which said second flange projects from said second panel such that when said first panel is rotated with respect to said second panel, said leg of said first flange abuts said second panel and said stem of said first flange abuts generally said base of said second flange to thereby limit further rotation of said first and second panels; the distance from said leg of said second flange to said stem of said second flange being approximately the same as the length of said stem of said first flange; the distance from said leg of said second flange to the edge of said second panel being approximately the same as the distance which said first flange projects from said first panel; said stem and said leg of said first flange being planar and lying in generally parallel planes; said leg of said first flange being somewhat shorter than the overall distance which said first flange projects from said first panel, said base of said first flange being curved, arching from its junction with said leg to a generally right angle junction with said stem; said leg, base and stem of said second flange being planar and being joined at generally right angles to one another.

14. The panel construction of claim 12 in which said first and second J-shaped flanges are oriented with respect to said first and second panels respectively such that when said first panel is rotated with respect to said second panel so that said leg of said first flange abuts said second panel and said stem of said first flange abuts generally said base of said second flange, rotation is limited to approximately 90* .