Detent hinge

A detent hinge for supporting a vertically or horizontally positioned door to a frame, the detent hinge releasably retaining the door in a predetermined position relative to the frame as the door is rotated to open or to close, the detent hinge comprising a hinge assembly secured to the door and the frame, and a pin assembly,

• a) the hinge assembly including:
• a first hinge means for retaining the pin assembly, a second hinge means for receiving the pin assembly for rotational movement, and at least one biased member for engaging the pin assembly adapted for providing a predetermined amount of force thereon, wherein a corresponding amount of torque is required for rotation of the door, and
• b) the pin assembly including means releasably receiving the at least one biased member in response to rotation of the door;
• c) the detent hinge further including means for adjusting the amount of torque required for rotation of the door for maintaining the vertical or horizontal position thereof, wherein the adjusting means comprises a plurality of openings extending through the hinge assembly from an outer surface thereof through to the pin assembly, with each opening being capable of receiving a biased member, and a retaining member cooperatively associated with the hinge assembly and operatively movable relative thereto between a closed position and an open position, whereby movement of the retaining member from the closed position to the open position provides access to the plurality of openings for either insertion of a desired number of biased members, removal of a desired number of biased members, or insertion and removal of a desired number of biased members.

A detent hinge for supporting a vertically or horizontally positioned door to a frame, the detent hinge releasably retaining the door in a predetermined position relative to the frame as the door is rotated to open or to close, the detent hinge comprising:

• a) a first hinge leaf having first and second knuckles at spaced separation, each of the first and second knuckles having a bore therethrough defining an inner surface, the inner surfaces including bosses extending therefrom,
• b) a second hinge leaf having a base, the base including an upper surface and an outer surface, and a detent knuckle extending from an inner surface of the base, the detent knuckle being inserted into the space between the first and second knuckles of the first hinge leaf, the detent knuckle having an outer surface and a circular bore therethrough defining an inner surface, and at least one opening extending through the base, from the outer surface to the inner surface, and into the detent knuckle, from the outer surface to the inner surface,
• c) a cylindrical pin assembly comprising:
• a hinge pin having an elongated slot therein adapted to be received by the bosses of the first and second knuckles of the first hinge leaf, as the pin assembly is received within the bores in the first and second knuckles of the first hinge leaf and circular bore of the second hinge leaf, and an outer surface, the outer surface having at least one aperture formed therein, and
• d) at least one biased member comprising a substantially spherical bearing member in association with a biasing means, each disposed within the at least one opening through the base and into the detent knuckle of the second hinge leaf, the at least one biased member contacting the outer surface of the pin assembly adapted for providing a predetermined amount of force thereon, wherein a corresponding amount of torque is required for rotation of the door, whereby upon rotation of the door in a first direction by an operator, the at least one biased member will engage the at least one aperture in the outer surface of the pin assembly to retain the door in a first position, and upon rotation of the door in a second direction by an operator, the at least one biased member will disengage the at least one aperture;
• e) the detent hinge further comprising means adapted for adjusting the amount of torque required for rotation of the door for maintaining the vertical or horizontal position thereof, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a predetermined number of bearing members and biasing means disposed therein and the adjusting means comprises means for varying the predetermined number of bearing members and biasing means disposed within the hinge assembly adapted for adjusting the amount of torque required for rotation of the door, the detent hinge further including a predetermined number of apertures formed in the outer surface of the pin assembly adapted for releasably receiving the predetermined number of bearing members.