Hinge for deployable structures self locking hinge
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics Corporation/Convair Div.
InventorsEdward J. Hujsak, Hans M. Stocker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A two-piece hinge which is spring biased in both its folded position and in its unfolded or deployed position to provide built-in deployment power for structural members and which is provided with trigger/locking mechanisms which are held in an unlocked position when the hinge and the structural members are in their folded position and which triggers and releases the locking mechanisms to lock the hinge in its unfolded or deployed position for positive locking capability. Two trigger-locking mechanisms are used for redundancy.
Claims11
A hinge having structural members attached thereto for positioning said structural members in a folded, back-to-back position and in an aligned deployed position comprising,
- a pair of hinge members pivotly connected together, said hinge members form a bifurcated hinge construction,
- biasing means connecting hinge members together and biasing said hinge members in both a folded and an unfolded position, said biasing means is located on the center line of said structural members and wherein said pivotal connection is offset said center line and located to allow said hinge members to fold to a position where said hinge members are back-to-back,
- a trigger mechanism and a locking mechanism on said hinge members,
- said trigger mechanism holding said locking member in an inoperative position when said hinge is in all but its unfolded position and triggering said locking mechanism to lock said hinge members together when said hinge is in its unfolded position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.