Hinge Device Having Interconnected C-Shaped Clamps
OwnerChao-Ming Chang, Jhih-Hao Jhanginventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hinge device includes: a coupler including a connection part connected to at least three outer clamp members which respectively have open mouths; and at least three inner clamp members fitted rotatably and respectively in the outer clamp members. Each of the inner clamp members has an outer surface surrounding an axis, and two clamping arms defining an axially extending clamping groove therebetween. The clamping groove has a groove opening alignable with the open mouth of one of the outer clamp members. A hoop assembly having at least three hoops interconnected hingedly by the hinge device is also disclosed.
Claims11
A hinge device comprising:
- a coupler including a connection part, and at least three substantially C-shaped outer clamp members which are all connected to said connection part and which respectively have open mouths, said open mouths of said outer clamp members being disposed oppositely of said connection part and at angularly spaced apart positions around said connection part;
- and
- at least three substantially cylindrical inner clamp members fitted rotatably and respectively in said outer clamp members, each of said inner clamp members having a substantially cylindrical outer surface surrounding an axis, and two clamping arms defining an axially extending clamping groove therebetween, said clamping groove having a groove opening alignable with said open mouth of one of said outer clamp members.
A hoop assembly comprising:
- a plurality of hoops each having a noncircular cross-section that is substantially flat, each of said hoops further having an annular inner rim, an annular outer rim surrounding said inner rim, and an annular intermediate section connected between said inner and outer rims, said inner and outer rims being thicker than said intermediate section;
- and
- a hinge device which includes a coupler and at least three substantially cylindrical inner clamp members;
- said coupler having a connection part, and at least three substantially C-shaped outer clamp members which are all connected to said connection part and which respectively have open mouths, said open mouths of said outer clamp members being disposed oppositely of said connection part and at angularly spaced apart positions around said connection part;
- said inner clamp members being fitted rotatably and respectively in said outer clamp members, each of said inner clamp members having a substantially cylindrical outer surface surrounding an axis, and two clamping arms defining an axially extending clamping groove therebetween, said clamping groove having a groove opening alignable with said open mouth of one of said outer clamp members;
- said inner clamp members respectively clamping said hoops by receiving said hoops in said clamping grooves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.