US2729847A - Hinge construction for baby cribs - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 10, 1956 w. M. FOSTER 2,729,847

HINGE CONSTRUCTION FOR BABY CRIBS Filed Feb. l5, 1954 HINGE CONSTRUCTION FOR BABY CRIBS Wayne M. Foster, Long Beach, Calif.

Application February 15, 1954, Serial No. 410,075

2 Claims. (Cl. 16-145) This invention relates to a hinge construction for baby cribs, and particularly the type of crib `disclosed in my copending application entitled Foldable Baby Crib and filed of even date herewith.

An object of my invention isto provide a novel hinge construction which is held in extended position by means of a novel latch construction and, further, this latch cannot be released without a particular manipulation impossible for a small child.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel hinge construction in which the hinge latch is further engaged by a manually operable key, the key in turn being held in engagement with the latch by a spring pressed detent.

Still another object is to provide a novel hinge construcp tion in which the hinge s engaged by spring pressed latch members when unfolded, thus preventing the accidental folding of the hinge.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

ln the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my hinge construction.

Figure 2 is a top plan view ofthe same.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the hinge.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a modified form of hinge.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fignre n.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a hasp-like hinge consisting of two plates 2 and 3 which are connected by the hinge pin 4. The plates 2 and 3 are each secured to parts which are to be hingedly connected by means of the screws 5--5 and 6 6. On certain structures, such as a baby crib, it is very desirable that the hinge shall be held in an extended or unfolded position, and that it shall not accidently fold. To accomplish this I provide a latching mechanism for the hinge consisting of a leaf spring 7 which is pivotally attached to the part 8 (which may be a part of a baby crib) by the pivot pin 9. On theouter end of the leaf spring 7, I provide a pin 10 which projects through the complementary hinged member 11, and also through the plate 2 of the hinge. When the pin 10 is projecting through the part 11 and the plate 2, as shown in Figure 3, the hinge will be locked, that is, it cannot fold until the pin 10 has been retracted. The pin 10 is further latched or held against movement by a sliding bolt 12 which is mounted on the plate 2. The bolt 12 slides through the guides 13 on the plate 2 and in locked position extends through an appropriate slot in the end of the pin 10. The bolt 12 is further held against retraction, that is, held against withdrawal from the pin 10 by the spring pressed detent or button 14 which is mounted on a spring arm 15. The spring arm 15 is attached at 2,729,847 .Patented Jan. 1o, 1956 its outer end to the. platev 2 and the button 14 projects through a hole `16 in the plate 2, thus presenting an obstruction to the sliding movement of the-bolt 12.

To retract the bolt it is necessary to depress the button 14, then the bolt 12 may be withdrawn from engagement with the pin 10. Thereafter, the pin 10 can be withdrawn from the hole 17 and the hinge can be folded. The spring 7 permits the pin 10 to be withdrawn from the hole 17, and also the spring 7 being pivoted at 9 it is possible to swing the spring upwardly or downwardly to misalign the pin 10 so that the hinge can be freely moved as desired. When the hinge has been unfolded or extended the pin 10 is inserted through the hole 17, as shown in Figure 3. Thereafter the bolt 12 is pushed into the slot in the pin, thus securely holding the pin in its latching position. The pin 10 can only be withdrawn by first withdrawing the bolt 12 after the button 14 has been depressed. This can only be done by an adult and, therefore, a small child cannot tamper with the hinge.

In Figures 5 and 6 I have shown a modified form of latching means for a hinge structure in which the hinge is still latched in open position by a spring pressed detent. The hinge 18 is secured to the adjacent parts 19 and 20 which are hingedly connected. The hinge 18 is secured to these parts by the screws 21 and 22, all of which is usual and well known. The parts 19 and 20, which may be a part of a baby crib, rest on a base 23, as disclosed in my co-pending application filed this same day. A plate 24 is tixedly secured to the base 23 and projects upwardly and over one blade 25 of the hinge 18. The plate 24 is provided with a hole 26 extending therethrough, and a spring pressed button 27 is mounted on the blade 25 and projects into the hole 26 to thus couple the hinge construction to the plate 24 and prevent movement of the hinge relative to this plate or the base 23. The button 27 is mounted on a spring 28 which urges the button 27 into the hole 26 whenever the parts are properly aligned. To disengage the parts 19-20 the hinge 18 etc. from the base 23 and particularly the plate 24, the button 27 is pushed inwardly against the tension of the spring 28 until the button is free of the plate 24, at which time the structure upon which the hinge 18 is mounted can be moved, and also the hinge 18 can be folded, if desired.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A hinge construction including a pair of plates, a hinge pin connecting the plates at one end thereof, said plates being each attached to one of adjacent members, one of said plates having a hole therein, a leaf spring secured at one end thereof to one of the adjacent members and adjacent the end of one of the plates, said leaf spring extending the length of both of the plates and spanning the hinge pin, a pin on the end of the leaf spring opposite the secured end thereof, one of said adjacent members having a hole extending therethrough through which said pin extends to enter the hole in the leaf spring, a bolt, means mounting the bolt on the plate adjacent said hole, said bolt engaging the pin to hold said pin in the hole in one position of said bolt.

2. A hinge construction including a pair of plates, a hinge pin connecting the plates at one end thereof, said plates being each attached to one of adjacent members, one of said plates having a hole therein, a leaf spring secured at one end thereof to one of the adjacent members and adjacent the end of one of the plates, said leaf spring extending the length of both of the plates and spanning the hinge pin, a pin on the end of the leaf spring opposite the secured end thereof, one of said adjacent members having a hole extending therethrough through which said pin extends to enter the hole in the leaf spring,

a "bolt, means 'mounting the'bolt on theoplate adjacent said hol-e, said -bolt engaging the pin -to 1hold 'said pin rin the hole in one position of said bolt, a spring pressed detent, means mounting the spring pressed detent on the plate 'haxng the ibo-1e therein, 'se'-sping spxessetiem engaging l'the bnlt lto y-relea'sa'b'ly hold ythe bolt in engage ment with 'Sid'pi'n.

nl References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re fe- May 15, 1917 Bernardi ..-'Mar. 4, 1952 Hurlin Dec. 16, Y1952 Westerfors Mar. 2, 1954

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