US 11,530,560 B1Granted

Hinge and applications thereof

OwnerWayne W. Ramsdellinventor

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Abstract

A hinge structure may comprise a first assembly including a central post with an outer surface and a first connector element on the central post for mounting on a first structure, a second assembly pivotally coupled to the first assembly and including a ring extending about the central post, a ring connector connected to the ring, and a second connector element on the ring for mounting on a second structure. A braking element may apply a selectable amount of resistance to pivot movement of the second connector element with respect to the first connector element and including a friction pad extending about a portion of the central post, a pressure band for pressing the friction pad against the central post, and a connecting structure connecting the ends of the band and being adjustable to move the ends closer toward each other and to relax the ends away from each other.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A hinged item holder comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw pivotably movable with respect to the first jaw;
a hinge structure connecting the second jaw to the first jaw in a movable manner, the hinge structure including a hinge housing mounted on one of the jaws and a hinge shaft mounted on another one of the jaws, the hinge shaft being at least partially positioned in a channel formed by the hinge housing, the hinge housing defining a port with a passage in communication with the channel;
a braking structure configured to apply a selectable amount of resistance to pivot movement of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw, the braking structure comprising:
a pressure element mounted on the hinge housing and being extendable into the channel of the hinge housing, the pressure element being at least partially positioned in the passage of the port of the hinge housing, the pressure element having a perimeter, the perimeter of the pressure element being threaded to engage threads formed on the passage of the port such that rotation of the pressure element in a first rotational direction advances the pressure element toward the hinge shaft and rotation of the pressure element in a second rotational direction causes the pressure element to recede away from the hinge shaft;
and
a friction pad positioned in the passage of the port, the friction pad being positioned between the pressure element and the hinge shaft;
wherein rotation of the pressure element in the first rotational direction tends to increase pressure on the friction pad against the hinge shaft and rotation of the pressure element in the second rotational direction tends to decrease pressure on the friction pad against the hinge shaft;
wherein the first jaw includes a crotch portion defining a crotch, the crotch portion being substantially U-shaped.

5 more elements

A hinged item holder comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw pivotably movable with respect to the first jaw;
a hinge structure connecting the second jaw to the first jaw in a movable manner, the hinge structure including a hinge housing mounted on one of the jaws and a hinge shaft mounted on another one of the jaws, the hinge shaft being at least partially positioned in a channel formed by the hinge housing, the hinge housing defining a port with a passage in communication with the channel;
a braking structure configured to apply a selectable amount of resistance to pivot movement of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw, the braking structure comprising:
a pressure element mounted on the hinge housing and being extendable into the channel of the hinge housing, the pressure element being at least partially positioned in the passage of the port of the hinge housing, the pressure element having a perimeter, the perimeter of the pressure element being threaded to engage threads formed on the passage of the port such that rotation of the pressure element in a first rotational direction advances the pressure element toward the hinge shaft and rotation of the pressure element in a second rotational direction causes the pressure element to recede away from the hinge shaft;
and
a friction pad positioned in the passage of the port, the friction pad being positioned between the pressure element and the hinge shaft;
wherein rotation of the pressure element in the first rotational direction tends to increase pressure on the friction pad against the hinge shaft and rotation of the pressure element in the second rotational direction tends to decrease pressure on the friction pad against the hinge shaft;
wherein the first jaw includes a crotch portion defining a crotch and having a first side and a second side, the first jaw further including a mounting portion extending from the crotch portion opposite of the crotch;
wherein the second jaw includes a main portion and a pair of ear portions extending from the main portion towards the crotch portion of the first jaw, the ear portions being positioned on either side of a section of the crotch portion;
and
wherein the hinge structure is attached to the second side of the crotch portion of the first jaw and the ear portions of the second jaw.

8 more elements

A hinged item holder comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw pivotably movable with respect to the first jaw;
a hinge structure connecting the second jaw to the first jaw in a movable manner, the hinge structure including a hinge housing mounted on one of the jaws and a hinge shaft mounted on another one of the jaws, the hinge shaft being at least partially positioned in a channel formed by the hinge housing, the hinge housing defining a port with a passage in communication with the channel;
a braking structure configured to apply a selectable amount of resistance to pivot movement of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw, the braking structure comprising:
a pressure element mounted on the hinge housing and being extendable into the channel of the hinge housing, the pressure element being at least partially positioned in the passage of the port of the hinge housing, the pressure element having a perimeter, the perimeter of the pressure element being threaded to engage threads formed on the passage of the port such that rotation of the pressure element in a first rotational direction advances the pressure element toward the hinge shaft and rotation of the pressure element in a second rotational direction causes the pressure element to recede away from the hinge shaft;
and
a friction pad positioned in the passage of the port, the friction pad being positioned between the pressure element and the hinge shaft;
wherein rotation of the pressure element in the first rotational direction tends to increase pressure on the friction pad against the hinge shaft and rotation of the pressure element in the second rotational direction tends to decrease pressure on the friction pad against the hinge shaft;
a lanyard assembly bridging across the first and second jaws, the lanyard assembly comprising:
a flexible member;
and
a first mount on the first jaw and a second mount on the second jaw, at least one of the mounts removably receiving a portion of the flexible member.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/583,774Filed 26 Sep 2019 · continuation in part
Priority: 28 Apr 2015
Granted: 20 Dec 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

B62D 35/001
Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining: for commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
E05D 11/084
With substantially radial friction, e.g. cylindrical friction surfaces: the friction depending on direction of rotation of the hinge
B60P 7/0823
Securing to the vehicle floor or sides: straps; Tighteners
E05D 3/02
Hinges with pins: with one pin

Family

Application14/697,710Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Apr 2015
Application15/197,958Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Jun 2016
US 9,404,300 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 2 Aug 2016
Application15/811,947Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Nov 2017
US 9,828,795 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Nov 2017
US 10,428,565 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 11,530,560 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.