US3720979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biased hinges
Assignee: WESTERN CORP Ltd
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Filing: 1968-06-17
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1988-06-17
Abstract
Abstract A snap-hinge in which two hinge members are hinged together about a first hinge line. A resilient connecting link is joined at one end integrally to one of the hinge members at a second hinge line and is hinged at the other end to the other hinge member at a third hinge line. The connecting link is capable either of compression or of expansion as between its two ends, and tends to maintain the hinge members in a given angular relationship, and to return the hinge members to that relationship if they depart from it.
Inventors
- 👤 A Krawagna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:47
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/12; A; A45; A45C; A45C13/00; A45C13/005; E; E05; E05F; E05F1/00; E05F1/08; E05F1/10; E05F1/12; E05F1/1284; E05F1/14; E05Y; E05Y2999/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A snap-hinge comprising: a first hinge member, a second hinge member hinged to said first hinge member about a first hinge line, a curved resilient connecting link of uniform cross-section joined at one end integrally to said first hinge member at a second hinge line and joined at the other end integrally to said second hinge member at a third hinge line, the resilient connecting link tending resiliently to maintain its two ends apart at a given spacing, said second hinge line being spaced at an invariable distance from said first hinge line, said third hinge line being spaced at an invariable distance from said first hinge line, the snap-hinge having a first position and a second position, in each of which stress in the connecting link is at a minimum, the snap-hinge being at rest in each of said positions, a small departure from either of which increases the stress in the connecting link, which tends to restore the snap-hinge to the respective position, the connecting link being capable of resilient expansion between its one end and its other end, the snap-hinge being adapted to articulate between said first-mentioned position and said second position in such a way that the connecting link is resiliently expanded in positions intermediate said firstmentioned position and said second position, the maximum expansion of said connecting link representing a state of unstable equilibrium for the snap-hinge, departure from which in either direction causes said connecting link to urge the snap-hinge further in that direction to return the snap-hinge to one of said positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A snap-hinge comprising: a first hinge member, a second hinge member hinged to said first hinge member about a first hinge line, a curved resilient connecting link of uniform cross-section joined at one end integrally to said first hinge member at a second hinge line and joined at the other end integrally to said second hinge member at a third hinge line, the resilient connecting link tending resiliently to maintain its two ends apart at a given spacing, said second hinge line being spaced at an invariable distance from said first hinge line, said third hinge line being spaced at an invariable distance from said first hinge line, the snap-hinge having a first position and a second position, in each of which stress in the connecting link is at a minimum, the snap-hinge being at rest in each of said positions, a small departure from either of which increases the stress in the connecting link, which tends to restore the snap-hinge to the respective position, the connecting link being capable of resilient expansion between its one end and its other end, the snap-hinge being adapted to articulate between said first-mentioned position and said second position in such a way that the connecting link is resiliently expanded in positions intermediate said firstmentioned position and said second position, the maximum expansion of said connecting link representing a state of unstable equilibrium for the snap-hinge, departure from which in either direction causes said connecting link to urge the snap-hinge further in that direction to return the snap-hinge to one of said positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A snap-hinge as claimed in claim 1, in which said second hinge line and said third hinge line are equidistant from said first hinge line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A snap-hinge as claimed in claim 1, in which said first hinge member is integral with said second hinge member through a flexible web defining said first hinge line, in which said one end of said resilient connecting link is integral with said first hinge member through a flexible web defining said second hinge line, and in which said other end of said resilient connecting link is integral with said second hinge member through a flexible web defining said third hinge line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A snap-hinge as claimed in claim 3, in which said first and second hinge members and said resilient connecting link are made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A snap-hinge as claimed in claim 4, in which said thermoplastic material is polypropylene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3289877A
Cited
US3292223A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |