초록 ▼

The self latching hinge of the present invention includes a hinge having a hinge housing with a receiving channel and at least one receiving bore wherein the hinge housing is operably secured to a first hinged component. A piston having a concentric compression spring is operably received within the

The self latching hinge of the present invention includes a hinge having a hinge housing with a receiving channel and at least one receiving bore wherein the hinge housing is operably secured to a first hinged component. A piston having a concentric compression spring is operably received within the at least one receiving bore for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. One side of a latching link is operably connected to the at least one piston and another side of the latching link is connected to a second hinged component. When the at least one piston is in an extended position, the latching link is removed from the channel and when the at least one piston is in a retracted position, the latching link is received within the channel to form a locked and oriented connection between the first and second hinged components.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed:] [1.] A self latching hinge for hinging together first and second components comprising:an elongate hinge housing having first and second ends and a receiving channel formed in said first end of said housing, and at least one elongate receiving bore formed within said housing such

[ What is claimed:] [1.] A self latching hinge for hinging together first and second components comprising:an elongate hinge housing having first and second ends and a receiving channel formed in said first end of said housing, and at least one elongate receiving bore formed within said housing such that said receiving bore has a circumferential wall extending from said second end toward said first end of said housing so as to define said at least one receiving bore, said at least one receiving bore communicating with said receiving channel at said first end of said housing, said housing secured to said first hinged component;at least one elongate piston having first and second ends operably received within said at least one receiving bore with said first end of said elongate piston extending toward said first end of said housing, said at least one elongate piston operable within said receiving bore between an extended position and a retracted position;means biasing the piston to the retracted position; anda rigid latching link having first and second sides, said first side of said latching link operably connected to said first end of said at least one elongate piston and substantially conforming in shape to said receiving channel of said first end of said housing, said second side of said link operably connected to said second hinged component such that when said at least one elongate piston is in said retracted position, said first side of said link is received within said receiving channel of said housing, wherein said receiving channel of said housing is non-cylindrical and shaped so that the hinged connection between said first component and said latching link is substantially restrained in all six degrees of freedom.