Involute pinless hinge

Claim 2

A pinless hinge comprising: first and second leaves operatively disposed to pivot about a common axis; each of said leaves comprising a plurality of spaced apart members; said members of each leaf defining bearing surfaces alternately disposed along their entire length at acute and obtuse angles to said common axis; and said members of said First and second leaves disposed in intertwining relation with each other to effect spiral-shaped whorls interlocking said leaves one with the other such that the bearing surfaces of one said leaf are disposed in mating relation with the corresponding bearing surfaces of said other leaf whereby said leaves are interlockingly joined to permit articulate motion of said leaves about said common axis.

Claim 3

A pinless hinge operative to pivot about a common axis comprising: a first leaf comprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apart members extending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetween thereof; a second leaf comprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apart members extending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetween thereof; said members of said first and second leaves having bearing surfaces intermediate the axial extremities of said hinge, said surfaces circumferentially disposed about said common axis in spiral relation thereabout; said bearing surfaces of each leaf disposed along their entire lengths at alternate acute and obtuse angles to said common axis; and said members of each leaf forming spiral-shaped whorls disposed in intertwining relation one to the other such that the members of one leaf are disposed in interlocking relation with those of the other to dispose corresponding bearing surfaces of respective members in engaging relation one to the other whereby said leaves are joined in articulate interlocking relation one to the other about said common axis.

Claim 4

A pinless hinge operative to pivot about a common axis comprising: a first leaf comprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apart members extending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetween thereof; a second leaf comprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apart members extending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetween thereof; said members of said first and second leaves having bearing surfaces intermediate the axial extremities of said hinge, said surfaces circumferentially disposed about said common axis in spiral relation thereabout; said bearing surfaces of each leaf disposed along their entire lengths at alternate acute and obtuse angles to said common axis; and said members of each leaf forming spiral-shaped whorls disposed in intertwining relation one to the other such that the members of one leaf are disposed in interlocking relation with those of the other to dispose corresponding bearing surfaces of respective members in engaging relation one to the other whereby said leaves are joined in articulate interlocking relation one to the other about said common axis.

Claim 5

The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein the members of each leaf are spirally formed about said common axis at substantially the same radius.

Claim 6

The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein the respective acute and obtuse angles of each said member of each leaf are substantially equal and said spaces between the members of one leaf are in substantial superposition to those corresponding members of said other leaf wherein both leaves can be produced with minimal waste.

Claim 7

The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein at least one said members on one of said leave includes retaining means operative to retain said leaves at a predetermined angular relation one to the other relative to pivoting said leaves about said common axis.

Claim 8

The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein the members of each leaf are disposed about said common axis to define a clearance space between that member and said butt plate of the other leaf.

Claim 9

The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein the leaves of said hinge are of substantially the same thickness.

Claim 10

The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said butt plates of each leaf include fastening receiving means.