US3896404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic switch hinge
Assignee: C Hager and Sons Hinge Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1974-02-04
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1994-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A hinge has two leaves held together with a hinge pin and each leaf is provided with a recess opening out of the back face thereof. A magnet is completely contained within the recess on the one leaf, while a magnetic reed switch is completely contained within the recess of the other leaf. When the hinge is closed the magnet actuates the magnetic reed switch, but not when the hinge is open, so that it is possible to maintain surveillance over a door from a remote location. Both the magnet and the switch are completely concealed when the door is either opened or closed so that it is impossible to detect their presence or to tamper with them. No special preparation of the jamb or door is required to install the hinge.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis C Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:21
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05D; E05D11/00; E05D11/0081; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/16; H01H3/161; H01H3/162; H01H36/00; H01H36/0006; H01H36/0046; E05Y; E05Y2400/00; E05Y2400/10; E05Y2400/32; E05Y2400/322; E05Y2400/324; E05Y2400/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A hinge comprising: first and second generally flat hinge leaves, each leaf being provided with a recess therein which opens out of only one face of the leaf and extends only partially through the leaf with an integral portion of the leaf extending beyond the recess so that the opposite face of the leaf is not disrupted and the recess is invisible at that opposite face, means connecting the hinge leaves to enable them to swing relative to each other; a magnet contained substantially entirely within the recess in the first leaf and creating a magnetic field, and a switch contained substantially entirely within the recess of the second leaf, the switch containing overlapping elongated reeds, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to the faces of the second leaf, and being sensitive to the magnetic field created by the magnet, the magnet and switch being positioned in their respective leaves such that the magnet will acuate the switch and change the condition thereof in response to swinging movement of the one hinge leaf relative to the other hinge leaf.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A hinge comprising: first and second generally flat hinge leaves, each leaf being provided with a recess therein which opens out of only one face of the leaf and extends only partially through the leaf with an integral portion of the leaf extending beyond the recess so that the opposite face of the leaf is not disrupted and the recess is invisible at that opposite face, means connecting the hinge leaves to enable them to swing relative to each other; a magnet contained substantially entirely within the recess in the first leaf and creating a magnetic field, and a switch contained substantially entirely within the recess of the second leaf, the switch containing overlapping elongated reeds, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to the faces of the second leaf, and being sensitive to the magnetic field created by the magnet, the magnet and switch being positioned in their respective leaves such that the magnet will acuate the switch and change the condition thereof in response to swinging movement of the one hinge leaf relative to the other hinge leaf.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A hinge according to claim 1 wherein the leaves swing relative to each other between open and closed positions and have front faces which face each other when the leaves are in the closed position, each leaf also having a back face on the opposite side thereof from the front face, the recesses of the leaves opening out of the back faces, whereby the recesses, the magnet, and the switch are not visible from the front faces of the leaves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A hinge according to claim 1 wherein the leaves are made from a nonferrous metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A hinge according to claim 2 wherein a surface of the magnet is flush with back face of the first leaf.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A hinge according to claim 2 wherein the magnet has end faces which are generally parallel to the major surfaces of the first leaf, and the poles of the magnet are at the end faces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A hinge according to claim 2 wherein the magnet is disk-shaped and has end faces which are generally parallel to the major surface areas of the first leaf, the poles of the magnet being at the end faces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
A hinge comprising: first and second leaves, each having front and back faces and recesses which open out of the back faces thereof, means connecting the leaves to enable one leaf to pivot relative to the other leaf about a hinge axis between closed and open positions, the front faces of the leaves being located opposite and adjacent to each other when the leaves are in their closed position and being spread apart when the leaves are in their open positions, a magnet contained wholly within the recess of the first leaf, a switch contained wholly within the recess of the second leaf and having overlapping elongated reeds, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to the faces of the second leaf, the switch being sensitive to a magnetic field and being positioned such that the magnet actuates it and changes its condition as the leaves move relative to each other from their open position to their closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
A hinge comprising: first and second leaves, each having front and back faces and recesses which open out of the back faces thereof, means connecting the leaves to enable one leaf to pivot relative to the other leaf about a hinge axis between closed and open positions, the front faces of the leaves being located opposite and adjacent to each other when the leaves are in their closed position and being spread apart when the leaves are in their open positions, a magnet contained wholly within the recess of the first leaf, a switch contained wholly within the recess of the second leaf and having overlapping elongated reeds, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to the faces of the second leaf, the switch being sensitive to a magnetic field and being positioned such that the magnet actuates it and changes its condition as the leaves move relative to each other from their open position to their closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A hinge according to claim 7 wherein the recess in the first leaf is cylindrical with the axis of the recess being perpendicular to the front and back faces of the first leaf; wherein the magnet is cylindrical with its thickness being substantially less than its diameter, the magnet having an end face located substantially flush with the back face of the first leaf.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hinge according to claim 7 wherein the reeds are parallel to the faces of the leaf in which the switch is contained.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3806852A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |