Hinge arrangements, their construction and use

Abstract

 A frictionless hinge arrangement comprises two hinge components (1,2), each having a hinge surface (3,4), the hinge surfaces (3,4) confronting each other, and connected hingedly close together by a plurality of thin pliable connecting straps (11,12), of which each such strap passes between the confronting surfaces (3,4) of the two hinge components (1,2), thus very slightly separating them; the straps (3,4) being disposed in approximately s-shape and reverse s-shape arrangement alternately in one sense and in the other to allow the adjacent hinge surfaces (3,4) to roll on each other (with the straps (11,12) in between) when the hinge is opened or closed, each strap being secured fixed on each side in relation to a respective one of the hinge components; wherein on each side, each of the flexible straps (11,12) is provided with a lug (13,14) accommodated in a slot or socket formation (9,10) associated with one of the hinge parts (thus fixing the lug in relation to one of the hinge parts), so that the slot or socket formation (9,10) retains the lug (13,14) and the associated end of the strap against movement lengthwise relative to the hinge parts (1,2) as well as against disassembly by any pulling-forces exerted on the flexible strap (11,12). The end of the flexible strap that forms part of the snap-in fixing can be accessible by a user's hand or by a tool to allow the complementary formations to be dislodged and thereby disassembled. The hinges (and kits of parts for making them) are applicable for example to fold-up displays, space frames, constructional display systems, folding or other hinged doors and partitions for office furniture, dividers, doors and gates, as well as almost any other application requiring hinge function. In such hinge arrangements the ends of the flexible straps can be provided with springy folded-back tongue extensions to help retain the lugs in engagement with the socket formations.

Description

Field of the Invention:

[0001] This invention relates to hinge arrangements and to their construction and their applications, for example to their use for panel assemblies, for display devices with plural relatively fixed or movable panels or other parts, and for hinged doors. In particular the invention concerns frictionless hinge arrangements, their construction and assembly, and their applications, and kits of parts for assembly to form such hinge arrangements.

Background of the Invention and Acknowledgement of Prior Art:

[0002] The prior art includes a number of frictionless hinge arrangements. Frictionless hinges are known prior art of a general type appearing to have in common the following general features. In such frictionless hinges, there are generally two hinge parts or hinge components with confronting surfaces to be connected hingedly together, for example after the manner of an edge of a door and a side of its doorframe. These hinge components have rounded (alternatively, nearly flat) hinge surfaces that confront each other. The hinge components are connected by a plurality of thin pliable connecting straps which can be in the form of flat bands or thin wires. Each such strap passes between the rounded (or nearly rectangular) confronting surfaces of the two hinge components, thus very slightly separating them; each such strap is disposed in approximately an s-shape (or reverse s-shape) arrangement which at or near one of its ends passes against a front edge of one hinge component, thence between the confronting surfaces of the hinge components, and thence at or near the other of its ends against a back edge of the other hinge component. One end of each strap is secured fixed in relation to each hinge component. Adjacent connecting straps pass alternately against the front and the back of each of the hinge components, so that as seen from one end of the hinge assembly, transverse to the hinge axis, the straps are disposed alternately in s-shape and in reverse s-shape. This is otherwise expressed by saying that the straps are passed round the hinge components alternately in one sense and in the other to allow the adjacent hinge surfaces to roll on each other (with the straps in between) when the hinge is operated (e.g. opened or closed).

[0003] German Patent 38 870 (Schmidt, 1886) describes hinge arrangements for hanging doors on their frames, using rounded-off edges of the door and its frame or post, and flexible metal strips attached one under another to the door and the frame in such a way that adjacent strips cross.

[0004] French Patent 1 030 268 (Willm, 1950) describes a hinge arrangement without friction and without play, based on cylindrical surfaces attached to each other by flexible bands or wires passed round alternately in one sense and in the other to allow each surface to roll on the other while maintaining them applied to one another.

[0005] GB 1 267 189 (Archenholtz, 1971) describes a hinge assembly with two hinged members having adjacent edges interconnected by hinge means, at least one of the adjacent edges having a convex periphery, each hinged member having a first and a second surface on opposite sides thereof, the first surfaces and the second surfaces of the hinge members being respectively adjacent each other, the hinge means including two connecting members of flexible material.

[0006] GB 2 101 202 (Kepac) shows hinge structures including hinge bodies of substantially rectangular section and mutually confronting faces linked by flexible webs, passed alternately in much the same way as described in the above-noted specifications, and shown at each end of each flexible web is a bead-like or rod-like enlargement that is accommodated in a bore in the corresponding hinge body as a means of securing the flexible webs to the hinge bodies.

[0007] GB 2 115 478 (Frictionless Hinges & Joints) and US 4 619 304 describe hinged structures based on flexible straps passed alternately about two substantially cylindrical hinges in the manner already generally described, with the feature that the flexible straps are maintained under tension by various tensioning means, fastening together the ends of the straps alongside each hinge body so that the straps are tensioned round the hinge bodies even when unloaded, thus tending to hold the hinges together with force.

[0008] Pliable tape structures of somewhat related design for hinging purposes are also described in GB 1 424 139 (Wakeman). Hinged panels of somewhat related design are also described in US 3 913 656 (Guyer).

[0009] GB 1 565 759 (G D Hanna) discloses hinge arrangements of the general type mentioned above, in connection with panels to be connected together, having squared-off ends connected together by straps which are fastened to the panel surfaces by means of strap surfaces and panel surfaces which are provided in a complementary way with fabrics having filamentous hook and loop structures.

[0010] GB 2 184 281 (Channel-Kor) also discloses hinge arrangements of the general type mentioned above, with connecting straps of metal or polymer, described as clip hinges, and having a bent-back portion at each end for engagement in grooves of adjacent vertical supports.

[0011] GB 2 189 290 (Como) discloses hinge arrangements of the general type mentioned above, with flexible connecting straps which terminate in short transverse walls with enlarged ends, disclosed as preferably of flexible plastics material formed as a continuous extrusion (e.g. PVC about 1 mm thick) and cut to length as desired: the enlarged ends are snap-fitted into slots in extruded D-sections.

[0012] WO 91/12402 (Ahlberg) discloses hinge arrangements of the general type mentioned above, formed from plastics extrusions and including tensioned connecting straps also formed as extrusions which end in extruded lever or wedge formations to engage with projections in the extruded hinge members for fixing and tensioning the straps.

[0013] The prior art leaves several problems to be solved. For example, frictionless hinge constructions with nearly-square ends can overstress the flexible straps and lead to failure after short life. For many applications filamentous hook and loop materials do not provide adequate fastening strength. Plastics extrusions in PVC tend to sag and open up the hinge. Known designs based on extrusions do not generally provide for retention against undesired longitudinal relative displacement of the panels or hinge parts or provide for a wide range of options in interconnecting panels made by means of the hinges.

[0014] In spite of the number of these proposals, and the antiquity of some of them, there remains a need for a form of frictionless hinge arrangement that among other features can be easily and conveniently assembled and remains reliably assembled while in use. It is also desirable to provide frictionless hinge arrangements that can easily and conveniently be assembled and disassembled by hand, e.g. without requiring the use of additional specialised tools.

The Present Invention:

[0015] According to the present invention there is provided a frictionless hinge arrangement comprising a pair of hinge parts to be hingedly connected together, and a plurality of connecting straps passing alternately between the hinge parts, according to the general scheme already mentioned, wherein one end or each end of each of the flexible straps is provided with a lug accommodated in a slot or socket formation associated with one of the hinge parts (thus fixing the lug in relation to one of the hinge parts), or with other complementary formations providing a snap-in-fixing, so that the slot or socket formation or other fixing retains the lug and the associated end of the strap against movement lengthwise relative to the hinge parts as well as against disassembly by any pulling-forces exerted on the flexible strap.

[0016] It can therefore be seen that the invention provides a frictionless hinge arrangement comprising two hinge components, each having a hinge surface, said hinge surfaces confronting each other, and connected hingedly close together by a plurality of thin pliable connecting straps, of which each of said straps passes between said confronting surfaces of said hinge components, thus very slightly separating them; said straps being disposed in approximately s-shape and reverse s-shape arrangement alternately in one sense and in the other sense to allow said confronting hinge surfaces to roll on each other (with said straps therebetween) when the hinge arrangement is opened or closed, each said strap being secured fixed on each side in relation to a respective one of the hinge components; wherein at least one end of each said flexible strap is provided with a formation that cooperates with a complementary formation which is fixed in relation to a respective one of said hinge components so that the said formations together form a releasable snap-in fixing that retains said end of said strap against movement lengthwise relative to said respective one of said hinge parts as well as against disassembly by any pulling-forces exerted on said flexible strap. The snap-in closure is preferably arranged so as to be manually releasable, and can take the form of a lug associated with a respective end of a respective flexible strap for accommodation in a slot or socket formation associated with one of said hinge parts, thereby to retain said lug in relation to one of said hinge parts.

[0017] The end of the flexible strap that forms part of the snap-in fixing, can preferably be accessible by a user's hand or by a tool such as any long thin tool to allow the complementary formations to be dislodged and thereby allow the hinge parts to be disassembled. Provision for manual release or release by a simple tool is an advantage provided by the invention.

[0018] Also included in the scope of the invention are kits of parts for assembling such a hinge arrangement, and methods for assembly, for example manual assembly without additional tools, of such hinge arrangements, and panels and assemblies of panels hingedly connected together with hinge arrangements as described herein. For this purpose the hinge parts can for example comprise cylindrical or part-cylindrical portions, e.g. as extrusions, with circular-section or part-circular section hollow interiors at open ends thereof to allow insertion of connecting rods to allow creation of larger assemblies of hinged panels. Hinges and hinged panels made in this way can combine strength with long life and be easily demountable. Numbers of hinged panels can be connected together with any desired angle between the planes of adjacent panels.

[0019] Hinge arrangements as described herein can be easy to fabricate in a way that provides adequate strength and can easily be disassembled and reassembled. The arrangements provided herein provide for positive retention for the connecting straps and hinge parts against undesired longitudinal sliding motion.

[0020] In such hinge arrangements the lug and the slot or socket formation can together form a snap-in closure.

[0021] The lug can comprise a pair of arms each extending transversely of the length direction of the flexible strap. Such arms can for example be the extremities of a steel plate attached to the flexible strap at or near its end.

[0022] The slot or socket formation can comprise a pair of lands which are spaced apart by about the width of the flexible strap, and a socket space behind the lands, arranged to receive the end of the flexible strap and its lug, and a wider opening away from the confronting surfaces of the hinge part arranged so that the end of the flexible strap together with its lug can be inserted through the wider opening and brought into the socket space to engage with the lands and so to be retained by the lands against pulling-forces that would tend to disassemble the strap from the hinge bodies. Alternatively the space between the lands can be dimensioned so that the lug can be inserted while it is diagonally slightly twisted, and then straightened to engage with the lands.

[0023] Any suitable alternative form of snap-in retaining arrangement can be used to secure the flexible straps demountably in relation to the hinge parts. Wires or assemblies of wires can also be used in place of the straps described in detail below.

[0024] There is no need for the straps comprised in this hinge arrangement to be retained under tension, the straps are generally tension-free and allow manual assembly and demounting.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present hinge arrangements, the ends of the flexible straps can be provided with springy folded-back tongue extensions which can not only help to retain the lugs in engagement with the socket formations, but can also make it easier to disassemble and demount the hinge manually when this is desired.

[0026] Arrangements as described herein can solve a number of drawbacks associated with the prior art constructions. For example in a hinge such as that of GB 2 101 202, there can be a drawback in use, that the rods or beads that are seen to retain the hinge straps against pulling-forces tending to disassemble the hinge, are provided with no retaining means in at least one length direction relative to the hinge, and can therefore tend to drift or slide longitudinally (relative to the length of the hinge) out of their retaining bores while the hinge is in use and thus disassemble the hinge. And in a hinge such as that of GB 2 115 478, the need for tensioning somewhat complicates the process of assembly and makes it difficult to provide a manually demountable frictionless hinge. The arrangements provided herein provide for positive location without the need for tension.

[0027] Arrangements of securing non-tensioned flexible hinge straps with lugs as described herein in frictionless hinge assemblies can solve this problem because the straps are retained against lateral motion as well as movement in other directions, and moreover the hinge can be conveniently and rapidly assembled from its components, and in many cases can be made also to be easily and conveniently demountable, for example by hand and without requiring the use of tools.

[0028] Among the devices and applications that can be made conveniently by the use of these hinge arrangements include example fold-up displays, space frames, constructional display systems, folding or other hinged doors and partitions for office furniture, dividers, doors (including doors with overhead hinges) and gates, as well as almost any other application requiring hinge function.

[0029] According to the invention there are also provided display arrangements including a frictionless hinge arrangements as desribed herein, each comprising a first hinge part in fixed relation with a first panel or edge member for mounting a panel, and a second hinge part in fixed relation with a second panel or edge member for mounting a panel.

[0030] In such a display arrangement, each said hinge part can usefully have open ends with a circular or part-circular cross hollow section to allow insertion therein of for example a cylindrical connecting rod, thereby to allow assembly of plural numbers of hinges or hinged panels together with any desired rotational angle between the planes of adjacent panels.

Detailed Description of Embodiments and Drawings:

[0031] Features of the present invention are further described below, non-limitatively and by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 of the drawings shows in diagrammatic perspective an assembled view, and

Figure 2 shows an exploded view, both of a hinge arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows in diagrammatic perspective an exploded view, and

Figure 4 shows an assembled view, both of an alternative hinge arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows in diagrammatic perspective an assembled view, and

Figure 6 shows an exploded view, both of a further alternative hinge arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a top plan diagrammatic view, partly exploded, of a display structure constructed using hinge arrangements as described herein, and

Figure 8 shows a perspective diagrammatic view of the same display structure as in Figure 7.

[0032] Referring to Figures 1 and 2 (in which like numbers indicate like parts), a hinge arrangement is shown, that comprises a pair of hinge parts 1 and 2 to be hingedly connected together. Hinge parts 1 and 2 have confronting surfaces 3 and 4 which are of part-cylindrical form. The hinge parts shown in the drawing are made as aluminium extrusions provided with apertures as described below. The part-cylindrical surfaces are made with a diameter of curvature of about 17 to 20 mm. A suitable wall thickness for the extrusions is for example about 1.2 mm. The extrusions are provided with bracket sections 5 and 6 which provide (square) U-section channels arranged to receive and fix structures such as any panels which are to be connected together by means of this hinge arrangement. These sections can alternatively be provided with any other configuration suited to match, receive, or otherwise connect with the panels or other parts that are to be hinged together for the purpose in hand. The extrusions also have flat connecting sections 7 and 8 in which slot formations such as 9 and 10 (others present but not shown in Figures 1 and 2) are made for the reception of lugs as described below. Hinge parts 3 and 4 in Figures 1-2 are shown with hollow ends capable of receiving the insertion of cylindrical cross-section connecting pieces, so that different hinge assemblies can be fitted together in any desired angular relation in the rotational sense relative to the extrusion axis so far as the example of Figures 1-2 is concerned. This ability to connect hinged structures together si of advantage as is shown particularly in relation to Figures 7-8 below.

[0033] This hinge arrangement further comprises two thin pliable connecting straps 11 and 12. In the particular arrangement shown, these straps are formed of stainless steel of about 4-5 thousandths of an inch in thickness. At each end of each such strap there is a lug such as 13 or 14 (further lugs present but not shown), which when the hinge is assembled is received in the slot formations such as 9 and 10. In the assembled hinge, strap 11 passes from behind surface 3, then between hinge parts 1 and 2, then in front of surface 4, thus arranged in what is substantially an s-shape as seen from the upper end of the hinge, while strap 12 passes in front of surface 3, then between hinge parts 1 and 2, then behind surface 4, thus arranged in what is substantially a reverse s-shape as seen from the same viewpoint.

[0034] The lugs such as 13 or 14 take the form of stainless steel plates, e.g. of the order of 0.5-1mm, possibly but not necessarily thicker, spot-welded to respective flexible straps. Each lug has a pair of arms such as 15 or 16 (further arms not shown) each extending transversely of the length direction of the flexible strap and formed by the extremities of the steel plate which constitutes the lug.

[0035] The slot formations such as 9 and 10 each comprise a pair of lands such as 17 and 18, and 19 and 20 as marked in Figures 1 and 2, which are spaced apart by about the width of the flexible strap 11 or 12 which is to fit closely between them, and there is a socket space such as 21 and 22 behind these lands, arranged to receive the end of the flexible strap 11 or 12 respectively and its lug 13 or 14 respectively. The slot formation includes a wider opening at 23 and 24 located further away from the confronting surfaces 3 and 4 than the lands (e.g. 17 and 18) which are to retain the lugs (e.g. 13), arranged so that the end of the respective flexible strap together with its lug can be inserted through the wider opening and brought into the socket space to engage with the lands and so to be retained by the lands against pulling-forces that would otherwise tend to disassemble the strap from the hinge bodies.

[0036] The hinge arrangement is assembled by passing the straps appropriately between the hinge bodies and introducing the lugs into the slot formations so that they snap into the retaining parts of the slot formations behind the lands, which for this purposes can best have a height of no more than about 1.5-2 mm in the embodiment illustrated, i.e. in their dimension that extends transversely of the length of the hinge. If a larger height were allowed there would in some cases be more play than the very little that is desirable in the hinge as finally assembled. The strap lengths and lug heights are often chosen for a suitable compromise between play in the hinge as assembled, and tightness and hence difficulty of assembly and demounting by hand.

[0037] The length of the straps is made so that upon assembly the straps are a close fit around the confronting surfaces of the hinge bodies, thus holding the confronting surfaces of the hinge bodies closely together, though slightly spaced of course by the thickness of the thin flexible straps themselves that pass between.

[0038] In Figures 1 and 2, the ends of the flexible straps are provided with sprung folded-back extensions or tongues such as 25 and 26 (others not shown). Tongues 25 and 26 are shown with turned-out ends 25a and 26a which can help to prevent the tongues from engaging too deep in the apertures 23 and 24. In the assembled condition these springy tongues 25 and 26 abut against hinder edges 27 and 28 of the socket formations 9 and 10, i.e. each opposite to the socket wall adjacent to the respective retaining lands 17-18 or 19-20. These springy tongues are under some compression in the assembled hinge, and can help to retain the lugs in retaining engagement with the lands of the socket formations.

[0039] Disassembly and demounting of the hinge can be performed manually when this is desired, by disengaging lugs 13 or 14 from behind lands 17, 18, 19, 20 where they are rather lightly held in part due to the reaction of the springy tongues against the hinder surfaces 27, 28 of the slots. In the form shown in the Figures the lugs 13 and 14 have outwardly-projecting ends which can easily be moved manually in a transverse direction to effect the required disengagement. Thus, in the arrangements of Figures 1-2 the lugs 13 and 14 have outwardly projecting ends that can be accessed by hand or by a simple long thin tool so that the lugs 13-14 can be dislodged from their engagement with lands 19 and 20. It can therefore be seen that in this arrangement, within the vicinity of an end of the flexible strap there is provided an extension formation which when the hinge is assembled is positively located in a cooperating retaining formation in the hinge part, and also within the vicinity of the said end of the flexible strap there is a formation that projects when the hinge is in an assembled condition in such a direction that it can be pulled to allow removal of the extension formation of the strap from the cooperating retaining formation of the hinge part and thereby to allow disassembly of the hinge when desired. The end of the lug can be moved, e.g. manually, in a transverse direction, to effect disengagement.

[0040] The confronting surfaces are shown in the Figures as part-cylindrical in cross-section. Other curved sections can be used if desired, such as elliptical. Under some conditions a near-rectangular shape of the confronting surfaces can be used (as shown for example per se in the prior art e.g. in specification GB 2 101 202), but this is less preferred. It is found that if the profile of the extrusion or other confronting surfaces is closer to square or angled, then the straps tend to fatigue more easily because of the smaller minimum radius of curvature of the corners so formed. Generally with most practical radii a strap thickness can be found where there is no appreciable fatigue as a result of movement of the hinge in use.

[0041] At present it is considered that a preferred combination of dimensions for a frictionless hinge according to an embodiment of the invention intended for use in display devices can be made using a part-cylindrical support with a diameter of curvature of about 15 mm or up to about 20mm, used with stainless steel straps of 4-5 thousandths of an inch (about 0.1 - 0.13 mm) in thickness. Use of increasing thicknesses of steel eventually would lead to fatigue problems, while the thinner the steel the lower is its breaking strain. As an example it can be recommended that if thicker stainless steel straps than those described above are required or chosen, say up to 8 thousandths of an inch, then it is highly preferred to use increased minimum diameters of curvature for the confronting surfaces of the hinge parts, e.g. up to about 25 mm to 30 mm.

[0042] The width of the straps is generally chosen to provide sufficient load strength and to ensure that the whole assembly is substantially rigid with respect to twisting forces that act round any axis transverse to the length of the hinge. It is estimated that four straps as illustrated, each about 12 mm wide and about 0.1mm thick, would give a breaking load strain of the order of about 1/4 ton.

[0043] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown an alternative hinge arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention. Hinge parts 301 and 302 have confronting part-cylindrical hinge surfaces 303 and 304 as before. Bracket sections such as 305 and 306 are here however pivotally mounted to the hinge bodies 301 and 302 at their flat connecting sections 307 and 308 in which slot formations such as 309 and 310 (others shown only in part in Figures 3 and 4) are made for the reception of lugs. In the arrangement of Figure 4 (assembled condition) straps 311 and 312 are constructed substantially as in Figures 1 and 2 except that there are no folded-back extensions. Lugs 313 and 314 engage with lands 317 and 318 of slots 309 and 310, but the slots are open backwardly, and in the assembled condition the pivotally-mounted brackets such as 305 and 306 fold down upon the back of the slots 309 and 310. The brackets such as 305 and 306 provide means for mounting the panels or other parts to be hinged together by means of the arrangement.

[0044] Disassembly of the arrangements of Figures 3-4 can be achieved in a manner corresponding to that for Figures 1-2.

[0045] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, an alternative to the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 is shown. In these Figures, reference numerals in common with Figures 1 and 2 refer to corresponding parts. In this preferred variant, lugs 13 and 14 are welded on the opposite faces of straps 11 and 12, in a sense inverse to that in which they are shown in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The effect is that when the hinge structure is assembled, the lugs 13 and 14 (preferably slightly curved to complement the curvature of confronting surfaces 3 and 4 of hinge parts 1 and 2, although this is not shown in the Figures) are each pressed between a strap and its effective hinge part. To afford easy access for disassembling the hinge structure when required, apertures such as those shown at 29 and 30 are provided in sections 7 and 8 of the hinge components, each of them located opposite to one of the snap-in fastening apertures occupied by an end of straps 11 and 12. The hinge assemblies can be disassembled by inserting a thin tool or a finger (according to the size and location of the assembly to dislodge the mounting lugs and set the strap 11 or 12 loose, in a manner generally equivalent to that described above. Thus, in the arrangement of Figures 5-6 either the lugs 13 and 14 can be accessed as already described for Figures 1-4 or else they can be accessed from the other side of the hinge assembly by inserting a hand or a simple long thin tool through the apertures such as 29 and 30 so that the lugs 13-14 can be dislodged from their engagement with lands 19 and 20.

[0046] The hinge arrangements shown in the paired Figures 1-2 and 3-4 and 5-6 are each shown with two alternately-arranged flexible straps. This arrangement is particularly intended for example for the case where a panel or door of some size is to be hinged, and in that case two such hinge arrangements, with at least two flexible straps each, are generally provided, respectively near the head and the foot of the panel or door to be hinged. In general, the confronting hinge surfaces, e.g. formed by extrusions as shown in the Figures, can be according to convenience either continuous along the whole length of the panel or door edge to be hinged, or separate extrusions can be mounted, one pair for each group of straps forming a hinge. Where the hinge is to be applied to doors, it is usually preferable and convenient to fit separate extrusions near the top and bottom, each extrusion provided with 3 flexible straps or two pairs of such straps rather than only two as shown for illustrative purposes in the drawings. Where the hinge is to be applied to display units, it is generally preferable and convenient to have one extrusion extending from top to bottom of the unit.

[0047] A larger number of alternately-arranged flexible straps than two can be provided whenever desired, and in practice a hinge to be used as a singleton rather than as one of a pair will generally need at least three such flexible straps, each with its respective lugs and slot formations as described herein. Larger numbers of flexible straps can be provided if desired, e.g. for load-spreading purposes. The form of the extrusions used is generally not critical. Alternative embodiments of the invention, particularly suited to use with doors, can comprise arcuate aluminium alloy or plastics extrusions or mouldings each to be matched and secured to a cut-out in a door edge.

[0048] If desired, one of each pair of extrusions can have one end of each of the flexible straps permanently fixed to it, without preventing the hinge as a whole from being manually assembled and disassembled by the use of an arrangement as illustrated at the other end of each such strap.

[0049] The hinge arrangements described herein can be used for example in the construction of free-standing multiple-panel structures for display and exhibition purposes. The dimensions and thicknesses given above in connection with the drawings are chosen particularly for this type of application of the frictionless hinge arrangements. Other dimensions may be chosen for other applications. Any associated panels can be of any desired form of construction in other respects, e.g. a solid panel, or double-face panels of two laminar components in face-to-face relation, or a frame which is used to mount and stretch a sheet of rigid or flexible, e.g. wood plastics or textile, panel material. Edgings, cappings, and other decorative coverings and finishes can be applied in manner known per se, as desired.

[0050] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown an example of a free-standing display structure according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising panels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (others not visible in Figure 8). Each of such panels comprises, along the length of each of its two vertical sides, a hinge part correponding in form to hinge part 3 or 4 in Figures 1-2 or (preferably) Figures 5-6. The hinge parts of the several panels to be fitted together as in Figure 8 are provided with complementary apertures such as 23 and 24 in Figure 1 and optionally 29 and 30 in Figures 5 and 6 at standard intervals from each end of each of the hinge parts, which is provided in a standard multiple of a standard unit length chosen in any desired compatible size. The panels are constructed as described in the previous paragraph, or in any manner which in other respects than the hinge structure is known per se.

[0051] Panels such as 4 and 5 in Figure 8 are connected together by connector rods of generally circular section fitted in any desired manner in the hollow ends of the longitudinally adjacent hinge parts such as hinge part 4a of panel 4 and hinge part 5a of panel 5. The assembly as a whole is assembled by means of straps such as 11 and 12 in Figures 1-2 and 5-6. The resulting assembly is acceptably rigid in spite of the presence of overhanging parts such as 7,8,9, and 10 in Figures 7-8, a form of overall construction which is advantageously enabled by the hinge construction as described herein.

[0052] The hinge arrangements described herein can also be used for the construction of hinged doors, when for example the confronting hinge surfaces can be constituted either by extrusions or other separate structures for example as shown in the Figures, to be fixed to the door and its frame, or by correspondingly-shaped features and edges formed integrally as parts of the door and/or its frame.

[0053] Castings can be used if desired instead of extrusions, and such castings or extrusions need not only be of aluminium or aluminium alloy but alternatively of other extrudable or castable materials of adequate strength e.g. aluminium or plastics or nylon, or carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics. Other materials of appropriate strength may also be chosen.

[0054] Variants of the hinge arrangements described herein include assymmetrical variants in which only one end of each flexible strap has the releasable connecting arrngements as described herein, and the other end may have a different configuration or may be permanently fixed to one of its respective hinge parts.

[0055] The present invention and disclosure extends to modifications and variations as will be apparent to the skilled reader, and includes combinations and subcombinations and further applications of the various features mentioned hereinabove or in the appended claims or shown in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1: A frictionless hinge arrangement comprising two hinge components (1,2), each having a hinge surface (3;4), said hinge surfaces confronting each other, and connected hingedly close together by a plurality of thin pliable connecting straps (11,12), of which each of said straps passes between said confronting surfaces of said hinge components, thus very slightly separating them; said straps being disposed in approximately s-shape and reverse s-shape arrangement alternately in one sense and in the other sense to allow said confronting hinge surfaces to roll on each other (with said straps therebetween) when the hinge arrangement is opened or closed, each said strap being secured fixed on each side in relation to a respective one of the hinge components; characterised in that at least one end of each said flexible strap (11;12) is provided with a formation (15;16) that cooperates with a complementary formation (17,18;19,20) which is fixed in relation to a respective one of said hinge components (1;2) so that the said formations together form a releasable snap-in fixing (15;16;17,18;19,20) that retains said end of said strap against movement lengthwise relative to said respective one of said hinge parts (1;2) as well as against disassembly by any pulling-forces exerted on said flexible strap (11;12).

2: A hinge arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the snap-in closure (15;16;17,18;19,20) is manually releasable.

3: A hinge arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the end of the flexible strap that forms part of the snap-in fixing, is accessible (13;14;29;30) by a user's hand or by a tool to allow the complementary formations (15;16;17,18;19,20) to be dislodged and thereby disassembled.

4: A hinge arrangement as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, characterised in that said releasable snap-in fixing comprises a lug (15;16) associated with a respective end of a respective flexible strap (11;12) for accommodation in a slot or socket formation (23,24;17,18,19,20) associated with one of said hinge parts (1,2), thereby to retain said lug in relation to one of said hinge parts.

5: A hinge arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1-4, characterised in that said lug comprises a pair of arms (15;16) each extending transversely of the length direction of said flexible strap, and said slot or socket formation (23,24) comprises a pair of lands (17,18;19,20) which are spaced apart by about the width of the flexible strap (11;12) and further comprises a socket space behind the lands, arranged to receive the end of the flexible strap (11;12) and its lug (15;16), together with a wider opening away from the confronting surfaces of the hinge part arranged so that the end (25;26) of the flexible strap together with its lug (15;16) can be inserted through the wider opening and brought into the socket space to engage with the lands (17,18;19,20) and so to be retained by the lands against pulling-forces that would tend to disassemble the strap from the hinge bodies.

6: A hinge arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1-5, characterised in that the ends (25,26) of the flexible straps are provided with springy folded-back tongue extensions (25,26) to help retain the lugs (15,16) in engagement with said lands (17,18;19,20) of the socket formations.

7. A display arrangement characterised in that it includes a frictionless hinge arrangement according to any of claims 1-6, comprising a first hinge part (#8: 4a,5a) in fixed relation with a first panel (#8: 4,5) or edge member for mounting a panel, and a second hinge part in fixed relation with a second panel or edge member for mounting a panel.

8. A display arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that each said hinge part (#1: 1,2) has open ends with circular or part-circular cross hollow section to allow insertion therein of a cylindrical connecting rod thereby to allow assembly of plural numbers of hinges or hinged panels (#7,#8: 1,2; 4,6; 8,9) together with any desired rotational angle between the planes of adjacent panels.

Drawing