Four-bar linkage door hinge

A cam guided four-bar linkage mechanism for profiling the hinging operation of a door, comprising:

• a first link having a pivot at one end fixed to door support structure;
• a second link fixedly fastened along the door surface and pivotally connected at one end to the swinging end of said first link;
• a third link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said second link;
• a fourth link having a fixed pivot mounting at one end in axial alignment with said first link pivot which is fixed to door support structure, and said fourth link having its swinging end pivotally connected to the other end portion of said third link;
• a camtrack mounted to fixed door support structure;
• a cam follower mounted to said third link and operatively engaging said camtrack for guiding the four-bar linkage mechanism to profile the opening and closing operation of the door about an imaginary hinge in space;
• and a cam release mechanism comprising, an arm pivoted to the door support structure and having its swinging end integral with said camtrack, and means for biasing said arm to a first position, whereat said cam follower remains in operative engagement with said camtrack, and said arm being manually rotatable against said biasing means to a second position, whereat said camtrack is removed from operative engagement with said cam follower.

A cam guided unequal length four-bar linkage mechanism for hinging a door of an overhead baggage stowage compartment in an airplane passenger section, said mechanism comprising:

• a first link having a pivot at one end fixed to stationary support structure for the door;
• a second link forming a support bracket fixedly fastened to the door and pivotally connected at one end to the swinging end of said first link;
• a third link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said second link and being greater in length than said first link;
• a fourth link having a fixed pivot mounting at one end in axial alignment with said first link fixed pivot to door support structure and having its swinging end pivotally connected to the other end portion of said third link;
• a camtrack mounted to fixed door support structure;
• a follower mounted to said third link and operatively engaging said camtrack for guiding the four-bar linkage mechanism to profile the opening and closing operation of the door;
• and said first and third links being geometrically arranged to produce an imaginary projected intersection thereof throughout the opening and closing operation of the door, and which projected intersection is profiled by said camtrack to be retained within a limited area for producing the feel of a single point door hinge.

A cam guided four-bar linkage mechanism for hinging a door of an overhead baggage stowage compartment in an airplane passenger section, said mechanism comprising:

• a first link having a pivot at one end fixed to stationary support structure for the door;
• a second link forming a support bracket fixedly fastened to the door and pivotally connected at one end to the swinging end of said first link;
• a third link pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said second link;
• a fourth link having a fixed pivot mounting at one end in axial alignment with said first link fixed pivot to door support structure and having its swinging end pivotally connected to the other end portion of said third link;
• a camtrack mounted to fixed door support structure;
• a follower mounted to said third link and operatively engaging said camtrack for guiding the four-bar linkage mechanism to profile the opening and closing operation of the door about an imaginary hinge in space;
• and a release mechanism permitting a lowering operation of the door for maintenance access to overhead fixtures in the airplane passenger section, said release mechanism comprising, an arm pivoted to the stationary support structure for the door and having its swinging end integral with said camtrack, and means for biasing said arm to a first position, whereat said cam follower remains in operative engagement with said camtrack and said arm being manually rotatable against said biasing means to a second position, whereat said camtrack is removed from operative engagement with said cam follower for permitting the lowering operation of the door.