US 4,381,581 AGranted

Hinge mechanism

AssigneeReliance Electric Company

InventorJosef A. Ludvik

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Abstract

A three-part hinge mechanism is disclosed as a concealed hinge with two of the parts being first and second mounting brackets interconnected by a link. The first mounting bracket has means for mounting on an enclosure and the second mounting bracket has means for mounting on a cover for the enclosure. The hinge is concealed and permits the cover to be lifted or translated directly away from the enclosure by a sliding connection within the hinge and then the sliding connection becomes also a pivotal connection so that the cover may be pivoted to one side. This permits a relatively deep cover to enclose components mounted within the enclosure and closely adjacent the walls of the cover. By the first translational movement, the cover will clear these components and then the cover may be pivoted to one side. Additionally, the hinge may be readily connected and disconnected so that the cover may be completely moved out of the way for access to the components within the enclosure. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A hinge mechanism for a cover of an enclosure comprising, in combination,

a first mounting bracket;
a second mounting bracket;
and
a link;
first interconnection means comprising portions of said link and said first bracket;
second interconnection means comprising portions of said link and said second bracket;
one of said mounting brackets having means for fixedly mounting same to an enclosure, and
the other of said mounting brackets having means for fixedly mounting same to a cover which is adapted to cover the enclosure;
said first interconnection means including a first pivot part on said first mounting bracket established along a first pivot axis,
said first interconnection means including a second pivot part on said link pivotally interconnecting with said first pivot part for pivotal movement of said link on said first pivot axis of said first mounting bracket,
said first pivot axis being substantially perpendicular to the length of said link;
one of said second bracket and said link at said second interconnection means including a U-shaped member with first and second generally parallel legs and a bight portion,
one of said second bracket and said link at said second interconnection means including a limit member coacting with one of the ends of said legs of said U-shaped member,
said second interconnection means establishing a sliding connection and at least a limited pivotal connection about a second pivot axis between said link and said second mounting bracket,
said second pivot axis being substantially perpendicular to the length dimension of said link,
said sliding connection being substantially parallel to the length dimension of said link,
one of said U-shaped and limit members being connected as at least part of said link and the other of said members being connected as at least part of said second mounting bracket,
said limit member adapted to approach said bight portion as one limit of relative sliding movement between said link and said second mounting bracket,
said second pivot axis being at said second mounting bracket and slidable along the length of said U-shaped member,
said U-shaped member being a spring member to establish ready connection and disconnection between said mounting brackets at one of said pivot axes,
said U-shaped member being constructed with relative elasticity between said legs and having feet, serving as a part of said first interconnection means, positioned at said one of said pivot axes, said feet being movable in the plane of said U-shape to establish said ready connection and disconnection between said mounting brackets at said one of said pivot axes.

18 more elements

Abstract

Claims15