Self-holding hinge

Claim 1

A self-holding hinge assembly comprising first and second hinge members each having a generally flat mounting portion and integrally formed hinge pin receiving knuckles laterally offset to one side of the general plane of the mounting section by a flange portion perpendicular to and integral with the mounting section, a hinge pin received in said knuckles to pivotally couple said hinge members to each other for hinged movement of said first hinge member relative to said second hinge member in which in a closed position a first portion of the mounting section of the first hinge member lies in substantially face-toface overlying engagement with a first portion of the mounting section of the second hinge member, said first portions having openings therethrough aligned with each other when said hinge members are in their closed position, a detent roller received in the opening of said first hinge member, a spring element supporting said roller for rotation about an axis parallel to said hinge pin attached to said first hinge member for movement therewith an engageable between the knuckle and first portion of said first hinge member to resiliently bias said roller away from said knuckle to a normal position determined by the engagement of said spring element with said first portion of said first hinge member, said roller, when in its normal position and said hinge assembly is in its closed position, projecting through the opening in said first hinge member and into the opening in said second hinge member, and a detent lip on said second hinge member projecting into the path of movement followed by said roller upon movement of said hinge assembly into closed position to thereby retain said hinge assembly in closed position and to require temporary compression of said spring element upon movement of said hinge assembly from its closed position.