# US 10,501,969 B2 · Encapsulated flexible hinges > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,969 B2 - Document ID: US10501969B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/878,695 - Filed: 2018-01-24 - Published: 2018-08-23 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-23 - Assignees: Unhinged Solutions LLC - Applicants: Unhinged Solutions LLC - Inventors: Steve Patrick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501969B2 ## CPC - E05D 1/02: made of one piece - E05D 9/005: {from plastics (E05D1/02 takes precedence)} - E05Y 2800/344: elastically - E05Y 2800/683: by fibre reinforcement - E05Y 2999/00: Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract The present invention provides an encapsulated flexible hinge that is particularly suited for use as an original part or as a replacement hinge on a cooler. The encapsulated flexible hinge is comprised of a flexible woven central reinforcement member having a rubber or polymer coating that has been forced through the reinforcement member to create an outer and an inner rubber coating that encapsulates the reinforcement member. In another embodiment, the inner and outer coating is comprised of the same or two different materials that are vulcanized together after being extruded on either side of the reinforcement member. The encapsulated flexible hinge may take on various shapes, and can be cut into a specific shape if need be. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An encapsulated flexible hinge comprising: a fibrous reinforcement member having a front side and back side, said fibrous reinforcement member formed from a plurality of threads interlaced with respect to each other, said fibrous reinforcement member cut into a polygonal shape having a plurality of edges, a front surface and a back surface, a plurality of apertures extending through said fibrous reinforcement member, said front surface and said back surface; a polymer coating encapsulating said plurality of threads, forming said reinforcement member, said polymer coating is extruded through the reinforcement member to encapsulate said plurality of threads, forming said encapsulated flexible hinge; said plurality of apertures positioned to allow said encapsulated flexible hinge to be attached to a fixed member and a moveable member with fasteners, said encapsulated flexible hinge spanning a gap between said fixed member and said moveable member to allow said moveable member to pivot a limited amount about an axis created by said encapsulated flexible hinge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said polymer is rubber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 2 wherein said rubber is a nitrile rubber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said fibrous reinforcement member is constructed from polyester fibers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said fibrous reinforcement member is constructed from nylon fibers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said fibrous reinforcement member is constructed from polyester and nylon fibers woven into a cross pattern. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said fibrous reinforcement member is constructed from polyester and nylon fibers knit into interlocked loops, forming a pattern. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 3 wherein said nitrile rubber is extruded along both sides of said fibrous reinforcement member and vulcanized at least once to insure that the nitrile is bonded in and around said fibrous reinforcement member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 6 wherein said nylon fibers are oriented in the longitudinal direction of encapsulated flexible hinge, while said polyester fibers are oriented perpendicular with respect to said nylon fibers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said encapsulated flexible hinge is constructed from fire hose. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said encapsulated flexible hinge is rectangular in perimeter shape. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said encapsulated flexible hinge is utilized as a latch, said latch being secured along one edge while a second edge is free to flex by hand, whereby said second edge may be flexed so that a latch aperture extends over a pin member to function to secure said pivotable member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 1 wherein said encapsulated flexible hinge is provided as a kit, said kit including at least one said encapsulated flexible hinge and a plurality of fasteners. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 13 wherein said kit includes at least two said encapsulated flexible hinges. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 13 wherein said fasteners are screws. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 13 wherein said fasteners are rivets. ### Claim 17 An encapsulated flexible hinge comprising: a fibrous reinforcement member having a front side and back side, said fibrous reinforcement member formed from a plurality of polyester and nylon fibers woven into a cross pattern with respect to each other, said fibrous reinforcement member cut into a polygonal shape having a plurality of edges, a front surface and a back surface, a plurality of apertures extending through said woven reinforcement member, said front surface and said back surface; a polymer coating extruded through said reinforcement member encapsulating said polyester and nylon fibers, forming said reinforcement member, said polymer coating covering said front surface and said back surface, forming said encapsulated flexible hinge; said plurality of apertures positioned to allow said encapsulated flexible hinge to be attached to a fixed member and a moveable member with fasteners, said encapsulated flexible hinge spanning a gap between said fixed member and said moveable member to allow said moveable member to pivot a limited amount about an axis created by said encapsulated flexible hinge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 17 wherein said polymer coating is a nitrile rubber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The encapsulated flexible hinge of claim 18 wherein said encapsulated flexible hinge is provided as a kit, said kit including at least one said encapsulated flexible hinge and a plurality of fasteners.