Gravity hinge
AssigneePoly-Tech Industrial, LLC
InventorDaniel Pompei
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gravity hinge is disclosed that is simple to manufacture and avoids limitations found in known gravity hinges. The hinge includes two cylindrical knuckles joined by a spindle and separated by a polymer bushing. The junction of the knuckles and the bushing is at an angle oblique to the vertical axis of the knuckles and spindle. The oblique angle causes the upper knuckle to rotate upward upon the application of a rotational force thereby storing potential energy. Upon the release of the rotational force the upper knuckle falls or (rotates) back into place thereby returning the hinge to its natural, closed position.
Claims39
A gravity hinge comprising:
- an upper cylindrical knuckle having a first terminating surface and an opposing second terminating surface oblique to the axis of said upper knuckle;
- a lower cylindrical knuckle having a first terminating surface oblique to the axis of said lower knuckle at the same angle as said second surface of said upper knuckle and an opposing second terminating surface;
- a spindle received by at least one of said knuckles, said spindle establishing rotating communication between said upper and lower knuckles where said second terminating surface of said upper knuckle is opposed to said first terminating surface of said lower knuckle;
- and
- a bushing surrounding said spindle and separating said upper and lower knuckles, said bushing having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to said respective oblique surfaces of said upper and lower knuckles than said respective surfaces have for each other.
A gravity hinge comprising:
- an upper cylindrical knuckle having a terminating surface that is oblique to the vertical axis of said upper knuckle;
- a lower cylindrical knuckle having a terminating surface that is oblique to the vertical axis of said lower knuckle and at substantially the same angle as said upper knuckle terminating surface;
- a spindle for rotatably engaging said upper knuckle with said lower knuckle such that said oblique terminating surfaces of each knuckle are proximate to each other;
- and
- a self-lubricating friction reducer surrounding said spindle and physically separating said knuckles.
A gravity gate comprising:
- a static structure;
- a lower cylindrical knuckle attached to said static structure, said lower knuckle having a first terminating surface oblique to the axis of said lower knuckle and an opposing second terminating surface;
- an upper cylindrical knuckle having a first terminating surface and an opposing second terminating surface oblique to the axis of said upper knuckle at the same angle as said first surface of said lower knuckle;
- a spindle for rotatably engaging said upper knuckle with said lower knuckle such that said oblique terminating surfaces of each knuckle are proximate to each other;
- a bushing surrounding said spindle and separating said upper and lower knuckles, said bushing having a lower coefficient of friction with respect to said respective oblique surfaces of said upper and lower knuckles than said respective surfaces have for each other;
- a frame member attached to said upper knuckle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.