Multi-piece thrust bearing assembly for a hinge structure

Abstract

A multiple piece thrust bearing assembly for a hinge structure having two hinge members and a clamp member. The hinge members are rotatably joined along their adjacent longitudinally extending edges by intermeshing gear segments which are held together by the clamp member to permit smooth and uniform movement of the hinge members. The multi-piece thrust bearing assembly of the present invention comprises a thrust bearing member and bearing inserts arranged between the thrust bearing member and each of the hinge members for improving durability of the thrust bearing assembly and, thereby, the hinge structure. The thrust bearing member of the bearing assembly is formed from a non-metallic material which extends laterally across the hinge members to inhibit their longitudinal movement relative to each other. A first or upper pair of non-metallic bearing inserts are arranged between an upper bearing surface of the thrust bearing member and each of the hinge members to reduce frictional sliding contact therebetween. A second or lower pair of non-metallic bearing inserts are arranged between a lower bearing surface of the thrust bearing and each of the hinge members to further reduce frictional sliding contact therebetween.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.