Positive locking hinge
United States Patent 1 1 McCullough I 1451 Apr. 1, 1975 v1. .2] Filed:  
 1 POSITIVE LOCKING HINGE [76] Inventor: Richard C. McCullough. 1154 Eastwood Ave.. Inglewood. Calif. 90304 Jan. 16. 1974 1211 Appl. No.: 433,687  
 Primary ExamineF-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant E.\&#39;aminerDoris L. Troutman Almrm&#39;y. Agent. or Firm-Pastoriza &amp; Kelly 1 57] ABSTRACT The positive locking hinge includes plates having lower and upper members defining journalling bores for a hinge shaft. This shaft includes a transverse pin receivable in a notch in the upper member of one hinge plate to lock the shaft to the plate against rotation. The lower end of the shaft in turn includes a keying arrangemnet for cooperation with the lower portion of the lower member to lock the shaft to this lower member so that the other plate is locked to the shaft against rotation. The shaft may be moved down wardly to release the pin from the notch and then rotated slightly so that the transverse pin is received in a shallower notch so that the keying arrangement on the lower end of the shaft is free and the hinge plates can swing freely relative to each other.  
 4 Claims. 5 Drawing Figures POSITIVE LOCKING HINGE This invention relates generally to hinges and more particularly to an improved positive locking hinge wherein the hinge plates by a simple manual manipulation can be caused to lock against swinging movement relative to each other in given desired positions.  
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Locking hinge plates are well known in the art, a typical plate being fully shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,900- issued Dec. 28, l97l.  
  One of the primary problems in commercial development of such locking hinges is the expense of manufacture. Generally, the hinges such as shown in the abovereferred to U.S. patent require a number of additional component parts. Further, the machining necessary on journalling portions of the hinge plates for receiving a hinge shaft or pin become expensive in providing for a locking of the plates in a desired relationship. Desirable features which have not been found in available locking hinges include. in addition to a design which can be economically produced, means for holding the locking arrangement inactive so that the hinges can readily perform their usual function and wherein the means can be released to assure a positive locking of the hinges as opposed to a mere detenting of the hinges into desired positions. Moreover. it is desirable in any such positive locking hinge type arrangement that protuberances above and below the hinge plates be minimized.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION With the foregoing in mind, the present invention contemplates an improved locking hinge which is economical to manufacture, employs a minimum number of components for accomplishing the desired end, can be adjusted to operate as a freely swinging hinge and by a simple additional adjustment be made to lock in one or more desired given positions in a positive manner, and wherein protuberances above and below the hinge plates are minimized.  
  More particularly, the locking hinge includes a first plate having a lower member defining a journalling bore at a lower portion of an edge of the plate and a second plate having an upper member defining a journalling bore at a portion of its edge higher than said lower member so that when the edges of the plates are disposed in parallel adjacent relationship the bores in the lower and upper members are axially aligned and vertically spaced apart. A single hinge shaft passes through the aligned bores and includes a transverse pin extending radially from the shaft between the lower and upper members. Spring means under the pin urge the shaft axially upwardly, the lower end of the shaft and the lower portion of the lower member terminating in keying means such that upward movement of the shaft a first given distance when rotated to a given position locks the shaft to the lower member. The lower edge ofthe upper member includes a first notch of vertical depth greater than the radius ofthe pin for receiving the pin when the shaft is rotated to position the pin vertically under the first notch and then moved upwardly the first given distance to thereby lock the shaft to the upper member whereby the first and second plates are locked against swinging movement relative to each other.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to the accompanying drawings in which:  
  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the positive locking hinge of this invention illustrating the basic components thereof;  
  FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure of FIG. 1 in assembled relationship and wherein the components are positioned so that free swinging of the hinge plates relative to each other can take place;  
  FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating another position of certain of the components wherein the hinge plates are locked against swinging movement relative to each other;  
  FIG. 4 illustrates different types of keying means which may be utilized with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3; and,  
  FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of yet another type of keying means.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, the positive locking hinge includes first and second plates 10 and 11. The first plate 10 includes a lower member 12 at a lower edge portion of the plate 10 and, in the embodiment illustrated, additional members 13 and I4 vertically spaced along the vertical edge of the plate. Each of these members includes ajournalling bore such as indicated at 15 for the lower member 12.  
 The second plate 11 in turn includes an upper member 16 and may include additional members 17 and 18 at its vertical edge also defining journalling bores such as indicated at 19 for the upper member 16. The additional members are vertically staggered relative to each other so that when the plates 10 and II are positioned with their edges in adjacent parallel relationship, the members are interleaved so that the various bores therein are axially aligned.  
  In&#39;FlG. 1 there is shown a hinge shaft 20 passed through the bores of the members 12, 13 and 14. It will be understood that when the hinge plates are assem&#39; bled, the remaining members I9, 17 and 18 of the plate 11 would also receive the pin 20. The plate 11 is shown in exploded view in order to better expose the various components.  
  It will be noted that the hinge shaft 20 includes a transverse pin 21 extending radially from the shaft in a position between the upper member 16 and lower member 12 when the plates are assembled. Suitable spring means in the form ofa coil spring 22 which may be positioned between washers 23 and 24, exerts an upward force against the transverse pin 21 thereby tending to move the shaft 20 axially upwardly. Further, the shaft 20 and the lower member 12 terminate at their lower ends in keying means 25 and 26, respectively. In  
 the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this keying means takes the form of an hexagonal head 25 on the lower end of the shaft and a correspondingly shaped hexagonal socket 26 at the entrance portion of the bore in the lower member 12.  
  Referring now to the plate 11 and particularly the upper journalling member 16, it will be noted that the lower portion of this upper member includes a first notch 27 of vertical depth greater than the radius of the pin 21 on shaft 20. Further, thesame member 16 includes on its lower end in the particular embodiment illustrated, a second notch 28 which is of less depth than the first notch 27.  
  FIG. 2 illustrates the plates of FIG. 1 in assembled relationship wherein the transverse pin 21 is received in the second notch 28. In this position, it will be noted that the keying hexagonal head 25 is held out of the socket 26 in the lower entrance portion of the bore in member 12.  
  FIG. 3 illustrates the plates 10 and 11 wherein the shaft has been rotated as indicated by the arrow 29 so that the transverse pin 21 is receivable in the first notch 27. Since this notch is of greater depth than the notch 28 of FIG. 2, the entire shaft can move upwardly a given distance. This distance is such that the hexagonal head 25 may be received when rotated to a given position in the hexagonal socket 26 of the member 12.  
 OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS 1-3 Referring first to FIG. 2, the pin 21 in the second shallower notch 28 holds the shaft 20 in a position such that the head 25 is free of the socket 26. As a consequence, the shaft 20 can rotate with the hinge plate 11 freely so that the plates swing relatively to each other to function as a normal hinge.  
  When it is desirable to provide the locking feature, it is only necessary for a person to pull downwardly slightly on the head 25 and rotate the shaft in the direction of the arrow 29 as shown in FIG. 3 to position the pin 21 beneath the first notch 27. The spring 22 will then urge the shaft and pin 21 upwardly to be wholly received within this notch. It will then be appreciated that the journalling member 16 on the second plate 11 is rotationally locked to the shaft 20.  
  It will also be evident from FIG. 3 that the upward movement ofthe shaft through a given distance will be sufficient to permit the hexagonal head 25 to be received in the hexagonal socket of the first member 12. Thus, this member and the plate 10 are keyed to the shaft 20 against rotational movement so that in effect, the plates 10 and 11 are locked against swinging movement relative to each other.  
  In the foregoing operation, it will be understood that the shaft 20 must be rotated to a given rotational posi tion to permit the hexagonal head 25 to fit within the hexagonal socket 26. If the first notch 27 is not vertically above the transverse pin 21, the plate 11 is rotated slightly to so position the notch so that pin 21 can be received therein and the hexagonal head 25 fully received in the socket portion 26.  
  Because of the particular hexagonal head and socket design, it will be appreciated that there are essentially six given rotational positions of the shaft wherein the hexagonal head can be keyed within the hexagonal socket portion ofthe member 12. Thus, there are effectively provided six different positions of the plates 10 and 11 wherein they can be locked together. Further,  
 because of the vertical walls of the hexagonal sides of the head and the cooperating socket portion, the locking is positive and there is no possibility of the keying means separating by any type of camming action.  
  FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of the hexagonal head 25 showing the six rotational positions which are spaced by 60. Also in FIG. 4 are shown alternative arrangements for the keying means wherein the head may be of square shape as indicated at 30 in which case there would be four given rotational positions of locking or triangular shape as shown at 31 in which case there would be three given rotational positions at which the plates can be locked. The socket is correspondingly shaped.  
 In the enlarged view of FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative type of keying means wherein the lower end I of a hinge shaft 33 is provided with a transverse keying pin 34. The lower end of a lower journalling member 32 for one of the plates in turn is provided with a keying slot 35 arranged to receive the pin 34 to key the member to the shaft.  
  The upper components of the shaft and binge structure is the same as described in FIGS. 1 through 3. With the particular type of keying means shown in FIG. 5, there is only one angular relationship at which the plates may be locked in a positive manner against rotation relatively to each other.  
  From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the present invention has provided a simple and economical positive locking type hinge. The various components described are very simple to machine as com pared with prior art locking hinges. Moreover, and as described, a simple manipulation of the hinge shaft permits the hinge plates to swing freely in the manner of a conventional hinge. should a locking feature not be desired. On the other hand, when it is desired to hold the hinge plates in a fixed position relative to each other, it is a simple matter to rotate the hinge shaft to position the transverse pin within the first notch 27 as described in FIG. 3.  
  It will also be appreciated that a minimum of protuberances extend above and below the hinge plates. Thus,there is only a small portion of the shaft 20 at the upper end and the shaft head at the lower end. The lengths of these portions are exaggerated in the draw ings for purposes of clarity but it will be appreciated that they can be substantially less without impairing operation of the hinge structure.  
 What is claimed is: I  
 1. A positive locking hinge including, in combination:  
 a. a first plate having a lower member defining a journalling bore at a lower portion of an edge of the plate,  
 b. a second plate having an upper member defining a journalling bore at a portion of its edge higher than said lower member so that when the edges of the plate are disposed in parallel adjacent relation ship, the bores in the lower and upper members are axially aligned and vertically spaced apart;  
 c. a hinge shaft passing through the aligned bores and including a transverse pin extending radially from the shaft between the lower and upper members; and  
 d. spring means under said pin urging said shaft axially upwardly.  
 e. the lower end of said shaft and the lower portion of said lower member terminating in keying means 20 and the plunger&#39;26&#39; to rise. thus opening the valve. One, or the other. or both of the conduits 96 and 100 may be provided in a working valve.  
 FIG. 3 illustrates a modification wherein the diaphragm 20 in either of the embodiments described previously is replaced by an O-ring 21 which encircles and hugs the piston 73 or 73&#39;. The O-ring may seat in the groove 23 at the perimeter of the piston where the rounded edges of the discs 76 and 78 come together. Like the diaphragm 20, the O-ring 21 constitutes a sealing meansfor the piston 73 and 73&#39;. but the O-ring slidably engages the inner cylindrical surface of the chamber 14.  
  P16. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention which is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 1 except in the manner of releasably attaching the two housings together. Corresponding elements in H6. 4 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, but with an a suffix added, and the detailed description of these elements will not be repeated. In FIG. 4, the actuator housing 120 has a centrally located, annular flange 110 at the bottom which is internally screw-threaded. The upper end of the valve housing 22a is externally screw-threaded at 111 for screw-threaded, substantially fluid-tight insertion in the actuator housing flange 110. The valve housing presents an upwardly-facing, annular, flat shoulder 112 extending around the screwthreaded portion 111 for engagement by the bottom end face 113 on the actuator housing flange 110 when the two housings are assembled to each other. When the two housings are so assembled, the head 51a on the upper end of plunger 26a is biased by spring 72a up against the bottom of the actuator housing 12a around the opening 44a in the latter in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
  Thus, the invention provides a fluid operated needle valve which combines the advantages of fluid actuation with the tight sealing characteristics of a needle valve closing element to provide a valve which will operate continuously under both high pressure and high temperature conditions without permitting any bypass and- /or leakage of fluid. The valve has a relatively long&#39;operating life since it is resistant to deterioration of the needle and valve seat surface. This prolonged life can be partly attributed to the gentle action of the fluid on the actuator. The provision of the fluid-operated actuator in one housing and the needle valve element in another housing, that is releasably attached to the actuator housing, enables either the actuator assembly or the valve assembly to be repaired or replaced without disturbing the other.  
 1 claim:  
 1. In a fluid operated needle valve comprising:  
 a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet and an annular valve seat between said inlet and said outlet, a conical needle valve element reciprocable in 6 said housing toward and away from sealing engagement with said valve seat to control fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet;  
 &#39; separate actuator housing releasably attached to said valve housing on the opposite side of said needle valve element from said valve seat. said actuator housing providing a fluid chamber, a fluiddisplaceable actuator reciprocable in said fluid chamber between a retracted position away from said valve housing and. an extended position toward said valve housing, fluid inlet and outlet means communicating with said fluid chamber for effecting movement of the actuator, and spring means in said actuator housing biasing said actuator to said retracted position;  
 the improvement wherein and further comprising:  
 a valve stem connected to said needle valve element and extending therefrom into said cavity in the valve housing and terminating thereat in an enlarged head, spring means in said cavity engaged between the inner end of said cavity in the valve housing and said head to bias the latter outwardly against said end wall ofthe actuator housing and to position said needle valve element away from sealing engagement with said valve seat;  
 and a plunger attached to said fluid displaceable actuator and extending therefrom toward said end wall of the actuator housing and slidably received in said opening in said end wall in all positions of the actuator between said retracted and extended positions, said plunger in said retracted position of the actuator being retracted thereby to a position permitting said enlarged head on the valve stem to directly engage said end wall of the actuator housing around said opening in the latter, said plunger being engageable with said head on the valve stem to move the needle valve element toward the valve seat upon displacement of the actuator from its retracted position toward its extended position.  
  UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 029 Dated April 1975 Inventor-(3) Rlchard C F l s It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and -that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:  
 Delete columns 5 and 6 and substitute:  
 --such that upward movement of said shaft a first given distance when rotated to a given position locks the shaft against rotation to said lower member,  
 I f. i the loweredge of said upper member including a first notch of ,vertical depth greater than the I radius of said pin for receiving said pin when said shaft is rotated to&#39;, position the pin vertically under said first notch and then moved upwardly said first given distance to thereby lock said shaft to said upper member whereby said first and second plates are locked against swinging movement relative to each other,  
  g. the lower end of said upper member including a second notch of depth less than the depth of said first notch, whereby said shaft may be lowered said given distance and rotated to posi tion said pin vertically under said second notch and thence moved upwardly into said second notch, said}. latter upward movement being sufficiently less than saidgiven distance to prevent, engagement UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICI&#39;XTE OF CORRECTIQN Patent No.  
 Dated April 1, 1975 Inventor s Richard C. McCullough PAGE 2 I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:  
  (Continued from previous page) of said keying means so that said shaft is no longer rotatably locked to said lower member and said plates can swing freely relative to each other.  
 2. A positive locking hinge seem-ding to claim 1, in  
 which said keying means is defined by a non-circular lower entrance portion to the bore in said lower member and a correspond ingly shaped non-circular head on the lower end of such shaft, dimensioned to be received in said non-circular entrance portion when rotated to said given position.  
  3. A positive locking hinge according to claim l, in which&#34; said keying includes a transverse keyingpin in the lower pdrtion of said shaft, the lower&#34; edge of said lower member having a keying notch of greater depth than the radius of said keying pin such that when said keying pin is received in said keying notch said shaft is positively locked to said lower member. I  
 Patent No. 1874029 Dated April 1, 1975 Richard C. McCullough p 3 Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:  
 (Continued from secondpage) I. 4. A positive locking hinge according to claim 1, in which said plates each include additional members at their adjacent edges defining journalling bores, the additional members on Zthe plates being vertically staggered relative to each other so that they may be interleaved to axially align their bores for receiving said shaft.  
 Signed and Sealed this twenty-third Day Of September 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:  
 RUTH C. MASON I C. MARSHALL DANN 111051112X Officer (mnmixsi/mvr uflarcnrs and Trademarks