Article with resilient hinges becoming rigid under tension
AssigneeGenus International
InventorsDominique Delamour, Olivier Rodi
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Abstract
An article is provided with resilient hinges becoming rigid under tension, comprising at least two rigid elements (2,3), means for hinging these two elements together and means for locking these elements with respect to each other in a folded up position. The hinge means (1) comprise a part with resilient properties (4) connecting these two elements together, said hinge means being adapted so as to cause the part with resilient properties to occupy a relaxed position when the two elements are not locked with respect to each other and a tensioned position when the two elements are locked with respect to each other. Good rigidity of the hinge joining the two elements together is thus provided when the locking means are activated.
Claims16
Article comprising at least two rigid generally planar elements, hinging means for hinging these two elements together for pivoting between a first position in which these two elements form a first angle therebetween and a second position in abutment one against the other in which these two elements form a second angle therebetween and means for locking these two elements with respect to each other in the second position, said hinge means comprising a resilient part having resilient properties connecting said elements together, said hinge means being shaped such that said resilient part occupies a relaxed position when the two elements occupy their first position and a tensioned position when the two elements are locked with respect to each other in their second position, the resilient part, under tension in the second position, comprising a means for providing substantial rigidity to the hinge between the two elements when the locking means is locked.
Plastic material case for electronic circuits comprising:
- at least five rigid elements substantially in the form of rectangular plates comprising a base element and four lateral elements,
- hinging means connecting each lateral element to a respective side of the base element for pivoting between a first position in which the base element and its respective lateral element are generally in the same plane and a second position wherein each lateral element is folded upwardly to a second position in abutment with the base element to form a second angle therebetween,
- means for locking the base element to each respective lateral element in the second position thereof, each said hinge means including a resilient part having resilient properties connecting the base element and the respective lateral element together, each said hinge means being shaped such that its resilient part occupies a relaxed position when the base element and the respective lateral element are in the first position and said resilient part is tensioned when the base element and the respective lateral element are locked with respect to each other in the second position, the resilient part, under tension in the second position, comprising a means for providing substantial rigidity to the hinge means between the base element and the respective lateral element when the locking means is locked.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.