Patent US4601413A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4601413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap-acting spring device
Assignee: Creanova AG
•
Filing: 1982-12-02
•
Granted: 1986-07-22
•
Expires: 2002-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A hinge apparatus is disclosed, in which at least two flexible strips (1-3) are articulated, each via two articulation grooves (7, 8), to two parts (5, 6) that are movable relative to one another and are substantially cylindrical in embodiment, in such a manner that upon a relative movement of the two parts with respect to one another out of one stable position into the other stable position, the flexible strips are located in a substantially radial plane of the two parts (FIG. 3a).
Inventors
- 👤 Alois Krawagna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/20; B65D47/26; B65D47/2018; B65D47/2056; B65D47/2081; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18888; Y10T74/18896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A bistable hinge arrangement in a one-piece plastic construction comprising: a substantially cylindrical inner member having a cylindrical axis parallel to a longitudinal axis; a substantially cylindrical outer member surrounding the inner member and having a cylindrical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; and springlike connecting means between the members so constructed as to establish an unstable dead center position of one member relative to the other member, a first stable position on one side of the dead center position, and a second stable position on the other side of the dead center position, the connecting means comprising a plurality of springlike strips between the inner member and the outer member, each strip having an articulation groove where such strip joins the inner member and an articulation groove where such strip joins the outer member, the articulation grooves being parallel to the longitudinal axis and being adapted so maximum bending of the strips takes place at the articulation grooves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A bistable hinge arrangement in a one-piece plastic construction comprising: a substantially cylindrical inner member having a cylindrical axis parallel to a longitudinal axis; a substantially cylindrical outer member surrounding the inner member and having a cylindrical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; and springlike connecting means between the members so constructed as to establish an unstable dead center position of one member relative to the other member, a first stable position on one side of the dead center position, and a second stable position on the other side of the dead center position, the connecting means comprising a plurality of springlike strips between the inner member and the outer member, each strip having an articulation groove where such strip joins the inner member and an articulation groove where such strip joins the outer member, the articulation grooves being parallel to the longitudinal axis and being adapted so maximum bending of the strips takes place at the articulation grooves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hinge of claim 1, in which the inner and outer members are concentric and there are at least three strips so adapted that the members rotate with respect to each other when moving between the first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The hinge of claim 2, in which the strips are substantially inelastic and one of the members is elastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hinge of claim 2, in which the members are substantially inelastic and the strips are substantially elastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hinge of claim 1, in which there are two diametrically opposed strips so adapted that the stable positions are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hinge of claim 5 in which one of the members is substantially elastic and the strips are substantially inelastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hinge of claim 5, in which the members are substantially inelastic and the strips are substantially elastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hinge of claim 5, in which one of the strips is substantially elastic and the other strip is substantially inelastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hinge of claim 5, in which the strips are substantially equal in length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The hinge of claim 5, in which the strips are different in length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
The hinge of claim 5, in which the inner member has top surface and forms a container opening and the outer member forms a cap having an open region and a top surface coplanar with the top surface of the inner member, the inner member being in the open region of the outer member in one stable position to open the container and being under the top surface of the outer member in the other stable position to close the container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2139085A
Cited
US2643394A
Cited
US2829380A
Cited
US3093273A
Cited
US3264884A
Cited
US4386720A
Cited
US4408703A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |