Bi-directionally operating hinge assembly
AssigneeSouthco, Inc.
InventorsDavid Lowry, Mark Cooper, Eugene Novin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device has a closed position and at least first and second open positions. The device includes a base. A hinge assembly is engaged with the base. The hinge assembly has first and second axes. A hinged portion is engaged with the hinge assembly. The hinged portion is individually pivotable with respect to the base about each of the first and second axes of the hinge assembly. Pivoting of the hinged portion about the first axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the first open position. Relative pivoting of the hinged portion about the second axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the second open position.
Claims24
A device having a closed position and at least first and second open positions, the device comprising:
- a base;
- a hinge assembly engaged with the base, the hinge assembly having first and second axes;
- a hinged portion engaged with the hinge assembly, the hinged portion being individually pivotable with respect to the base about each of the first and second axes of the hinge assembly, wherein pivoting of the hinged portion about the first axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the first open position, and relative pivoting of the hinged portion about the second axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the second open position.
A bi-directionally operating hinge assembly, comprising:
- a main housing shaped to define first and second sides of the hinge assembly with first and second axes, respectively, the first and second axes being separated by an angle;
- first and second shafts disposed along the first and second axes, respectively;
- first and second covers operatively engaged with the first and second shafts, respectively, to rotate about the first and second axes, respectively;
- first and second torque elements engaged with the first and second shafts, respectively, and substantially rotationally fixed with respect to the first and second covers, respectively, the first and second torque elements imparting a first frictional resistance to the corresponding shafts with rotation of the corresponding one of the first and second covers in a first direction and a second frictional resistance to the respective shafts with rotation of the corresponding one of the first and second covers in a second direction;
- and
- an interlock disposed between the first and second covers and inhibiting rotation of the first and second covers at the same time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.