US 5,210,906 AGranted

Releasable double-hinge device for an automobile console box

AssigneeKato Hatsujo Kaisha, Ltd.

InventorsMasahiro Aihara, Hiroyuki Suzuki

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A double-hinged device for a console box of an automobile whose lid can be opened or closed from either lateral side without using a lever or a similar tool. Since the device has a simple construction, it can be assembled easily and manufactured at a reduced cost. Two sets of a number of pivotal members 3 are removably arranged along the lateral edges of a console box main body 1 and two sets of the same number of connectors 4 are arranged at respective corresponding positions of a box lid 2 so that the pairs of pivotal members 3 and the connectors 4 can be releasably and mutually engaged to close the box lid by means of magnetic force or ball stoppers as they are placed in contact with each other. The box lid 2 can be opened simply by pulling upward either lateral edge of the box lid 2 as the pivotal members 3 and the connectors 4 arranged along that edge are mutually separated and the box lid 2 can be swung open around the other lateral edge.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A releasable double-hinge device for an automobile console box constituted by a box main body having at the top an opening and a box lid for removably covering the opening of the box main body, said device comprising:

two sets of an identical number of pivotal members rotatably arranged along lateral edges of the box main body;
two sets of the same number of connectors arranged at respective corresponding positions under and along lateral edges of the box lid, each connector having an inverted U-shaped engaging groove arranged for mating with the corresponding pivotal member;
a set of shafts each having a circular cross section and running through centers of rotation of a pair of pivotal members arranged on the opposite lateral edges of the box main body to rigidly connect them;
each of the pairs of said pivotal members and connectors of the releasable double-hinge device arranged to mate with each other and provided with a release-connect mechanism for releasably connecting the connector to the corresponding pivotal member;
each of said shafts being releasably received by the U-shaped engaging grooves of the related connectors when the pivotal member is held in an upright stationary position so that the box lid may be swung open around a lateral edge of the box lid when the other lateral edge is moved away from the corresponding edge of the box main body by releasing the release-connect mechanisms arranged along said edge and closed as said other edge of the box lid is brought into contact with the corresponding edge of the box main body.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/750,584Filed 28 Aug 1991
Priority: JP 2-41079014 Dec 1990
Granted: 18 May 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B60R 7/04
Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps:…
E05B 83/32
Locks for glove compartments, console boxes, fuel inlet covers or the like: for console boxes, e.g. between passenger seats
E05D 1/06
Pinless hinges; Substitutes for hinges: consisting of two easily-separable parts
E05D 15/507
For opening at either of two opposite edges: by detachment of the hinge from the wing or the frame