WO1990015912A1

WO1990015912A1 - Improved hinge mechanism/cover assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1990015912A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/000393
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lynn Cornick; Wilson Orozco
Original assignee: Standard Keil Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1989-06-22
Filing date: 1990-01-25
Publication date: 1990-12-27

Abstract

An improvement to a hinge flange (14) adapted to be mounted to a door for pivoting relation with respect to a hinge bracket (12) mounted on the door frame comprises the flange being formed of a web of structural ribs (30). The web is adapted to fit flush against the door. A cover (28) has a top portion (42) bounded by a depending edge (44), the cover and flange having co-acting mounting members to allow the cover to be affixed upon the flange, the cover edge surrounding said flange web and being in contact with said door surface to provide a fitted, decorative design element for said hinge.

Description

IMPROVED HINGE MECHANISM/COVER ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to the mechanical arts and, in particular, to new and improved cover assembly for hinges, and especially hinges utilized on refrigerators, freezers and the like intended for commercial use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The hinges utilized in connection with doors on commercial refrigeration equipment and the like have traditionally been designed to support the heavy loads developed by the doors and other pivoting elements, with little regard for the aesthetic appearance of the mechanism. As aesthetic concerns have become more important, however, efforts have been made to incorporate pleasing design elements into the overall designs. In particular, flanges adapted to be utilized in connection with such hinge assemblies have been cast with a decorative outer surface. While such a construction improves the appearance of the unit, such elements have been relatively expensive to manufacture and have other shortcomings, including difficulties in positioning and locating the mounting holes for the element.

It is accordingly the purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved hinge assembly which allows the use of interchangeable flange covers of the decorative variety, and which allows for the easy installation of the hinge flange and cover thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above and other purposes and objects, the present invention comprises a hinge of generally conventional configuration including a hinge bracket normally intended to be mounted to the door frame, and a flange element pivotly joined to the bracket and adapted to mount to the door. The flange element is comprised of a base formed of a web construction for mechanical rigidity, and includes integral mounting holes. The base element is provided with a circumferential wall. A flange cover is adapted to overlie the base, and is provided with the desired ornamental surface on its central body portion, terminating in a peripheral shoulder adapted to abut the wall of the base. Projecting from the inner surface of the central body portion of the cover are a plurality of lock elements, which engage with cooperating lock elements on the flange base to secure the two elements together. Thus, the flange base itself may be aligned and affixed to the door surface, with the flange cover being subsequently installed to provide an attractive and finished surface for the hinge. The cover is also removable to allow access to the flange base and to accommodate replacement of the cover as may be required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the present invention will be accomplished upon consideration of the following description of a preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the hinge of the present invention with the cover in place;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention, partially broken away, to detail the construction of the flange base and cover;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the hinge; FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, in section, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a partial elevation view, in section, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, detailing the mounting of the flange cover to the flange base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Figures, hinge assembly 10 is composed of a fixed bracket 12 and pivoting flange member 14. The bracket 12, which may be of conventional construction, is adapted to be affixed to the equipment door frame, and includes counter-sunk bores 16 for mounting, as well as a pivot pin 18 journaled in bearing 20.

The flange member 14 includes a base element 22 connected to axle bearing portion 24 by intermediate arm 26. The general form and purpose of the flange is well known in the art, and may include a mechanism to create a lift of the flange and the affixed door as the flange and door are pivoted from the closed position. Cover 28 fits upon and over flange base 22, and provides a finished and decorative appearance for the assembly. As may be seen in FIG. 3, flange base 22, which is constructed of steel or other material having the appropriate tensile strength and other characteristics, includes a network or web of ribs 30 forming a generally open framework having integral bosses and bores 32 to accept mounting screws. The bores may be threaded as required. The outer ribs 34 of the flange base are provided with a pair of transverse notches 36, each terminating in a shoulder 38, best seen in FIG. 5, adjacent to the bottom surface of the rib. The notches engage opposed locking flange portions 40 of the cover to retain the cover in place. A second pair of notches 36' and locking flanges 40' may be provided for additional interconnection between the base and cover. As seen in the Figures, the cover 28, which may be formed of an appropriate plastic or other suitable material, includes a top portion 42, shaped to conform to the top surface and outline of flange 14. The outer surface of the cover may be provided with a metalized, embossed, painted, or otherwise desired finish. The cover top is bounded by depending side edge 44, which surrounds the top and which includes an appropriate cutout or aperture portion 46 to accommodate the intermediate arm portion 26 of the flange.

Projecting downwardly and facing the interior of the cover are the locking flange portions 40, which may be molded as an integral part of the side edge. Each flange has an arm portion 48 preferably formed as a portion of the side edge 44, terminating at its distal end with hook portion 50. As previously indicated, the hook ends 50 are adapted to mate with the shoulders 38 of base flange notches 36 and 36', and retain the cover in position on the flange. Because of the resiliency of the material from which the cover is formed, the mounting flange arms 48 can flex as required as the cover is inserted on the mounting flange. Similarly, because of such resiliency, the cover, while being maintained in position, can be removed from the bracket flange without damage to the flange, to allow access to the mounting holes and for cover replacement purposes as may be desired.

Claims

1. On a hinge having a hinge flange adapted to be mounted to a door, said flange being pivotly mounted to a hinge bracket mounted on the door frame by an intermediate arm portion riding on an axle pin, the improvement comprising said flange being formed of a web of structural ribs, said web being adapted to fit flush against the door, and a cover having a top portion bounded by a depending edge, said cover and flange having co-acting mounting members whereby said cover may be affixed upon said flange, said cover edge surrounding said flange web and being in contact with said door surface to provide a fitted, decorative design element for said hinge.

2. The improvement of claim 1, wherein said flange is provided with a plurality of transverse stepped notches through said web, said cover being provided with a corresponding plurality of mounting arms depending from said top portion and located to fit within said notches, each of said arms having a hook portion at its distal end engageable with one of said stepped apertures.

3. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said mounting arms comprise portions of said depending edge.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said notches and arms are two in number, said hook ends being oriented in an opposed fashion with respect to the other.