Self-aligning hinge

A hinge structure comprising a supporting hinge and aligning hinge, a supporting hinge having a first part and a second part, one of which is mounted on a closure member and another which is mounted on a frame, said first part being formed by a first mounting element, a first bearing element having bearing surface with a substantially spherical bearing surface portion and a first connecting element interconnecting said first mounting element with said first bearing element, said second part having a second mounting element and a second bearing element, said second bearing element defining an upwardly opening cooperating bearing seat for said first bearing element, said cooperating bearing seat receiving and acting with said first bearing element to support said closure member and with said spherical bearing surface portion to substantially prevent lateral displacement of said first bearing element relative to said second bearing element while permitting rotational movement in any direction on said spherical bearing surface portion, said aligning hinge comprising a third hinge part and a fourth hinge part, one of said third and fourth hinge parts being connected to said closure and the other to said frame, said third hinge part being formed by a third mounting element, a third bearing element and a second connecting element interconnecting said third mounting element and said third bearing element to maintain said third bearing element spaced from said third mounting element, said fourth part comprising a fourth mounting element and a fourth bearing element, said third bearing element having a second substantially spherical shaped bearing surface portion and said fourth bearing surface having a substantially cylindrical bearing surface to receive said second spherical bearing surface portion to permit rotational movement of said third bearing element and axial movement of said third bearing element along a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical bearing surface while preventing lateral movement of said third bearing element relative to said fourth bearing element, said first and second bearing elements forming substantially the sole vertical support for said closure and weight of said closure providing substantially the sole force preventing separation of said first bearing element from said second bearing element.