Hinge for interconnecting machine guarding panels

Abstract

A hinge is provided for interconnecting panels of the machine guarding. The hinge has a socket portion including a socket surface defining a cavity and a barrel portion including a generally cylindrical barrel extending along an axis and being receivable in the cavity of the socket portion. First and second lock assemblies are operatively connected to opposite ends of the barrel portion and the socket portion. Each lock assembly is movable between a first position wherein the barrel portion pivotable about the axis relative to the socket portion and a second position wherein the barrel portion is fixed relative to the socket portion.

Description

HINGE FOR INTERCONNECTING MACHINE GUARDING PANELSFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to machine guarding, and in particular, to a hinge for interconnecting panels of the machine guarding which allows for the simple and easy set up of the machine guarding and which prevents optical hazards from passing therethrough.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It can be appreciated that individuals in close proximity to industrial machinery may be exposed to various hazards caused by operation of the machinery, such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, and flying chips and sparks. To reduce the chances of such injuries, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has instituted rules dictating that one or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards.

[0003] Typically, machine guarding takes the form of a plurality of interconnected rigid panels which are positioned about the outer periphery of a machine and / or in front of the operative parts of the machine so as to protect those in close proximity to the machine. While functional for their intended purpose, prior machine guarding has certain limitations. By way of example, positioning the machine guarding can be a laborious and time-consuming task. As can be appreciated, each machine has a unique configuration. Consequently, the location of the machine guarding must be carefully planned to ensure the machine guarding is properly positioned to protect those in close proximity to the machine, while minimizing the footprint of the machine guarding on the factory floor to allow workers to simply and easily pass between adjacent machines.

[0004] Further, machine guarding must often be repositioned to accommodate different functions of a machine during its operation, such as using different materials or sizes ofmaterials and / or different workpieces. Again, it is often difficult and time-consuming to reposition the machine guarding. Finally, it is noted that machine guarding is often used to prevent operators of machinery and / or workers in a factory from being exposed to potential visual hazards, such as laser light. Typically, the rigid panels of the machine guarding are interconnected to vertical support posts. It can be understood that spacing or gaps between the support posts and the rigid panels connected thereto may potentially allow for laser light emanating from the machine to pass therethrough and inadvertently injure an operator of the machine and / or a worker in close proximity thereto.

[0005] Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present invention to provide a hinge for interconnecting panels of a machine guarding assembly which allows for the simple and easy set up of the machine guarding and which prevents optical hazards from passing therethrough.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a hinge is provided for interconnecting panels of machine guarding. The hinge has a socket portion including a socket surface defining a cavity and a barrel portion including a generally cylindrical barrel extending along an axis and being receivable in the cavity of the socket portion. A lock assembly operatively connects the barrel portion and the socket portion. The lock assembly us movable between a first position wherein the barrel portion pivotable about the axis relative to the socket portion and a second position wherein the barrel portion is fixed relative to the socket portion.

[0007] One of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a pin projecting from a first end thereof and the other of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a threaded bore in a first end thereof. The lock assembly includes a lock member extending along an axis. The lock member includes an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof and an elongated slot positioned between the aperture and a second end of the lock member. The elongated slot is configured to slidably receive the pin. An elongated handle has a threaded bolt projecting therefrom. The threaded bolt is extendable through the aperture in the lock member and into the threadedbore. The tightening of the threaded bolt into the threaded aperture generates a clamping force on the lock member and prevents rotation of the lock member about the threaded bolt.

[0008] The socket surface may include a plurality of bearings circumferentially spaced thereabout. The barrel includes a notch therein. The notch is configured to receive a first bearing of the plurality of bearings in the socket surface to facilitate insertion of the barrel into the cavity.

[0009] At least one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes an outer surface, defining a longitudinal axis. A slot is provided in the outer surface that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. A nut cavity is parallel to the longitudinal axis and communicates with the slot. A nut is receivable in the nut cavity. A bolt has a head and a threaded shaft extendable through a first panel and the slot. The threaded shaft is engageable with the nut so as to capture the first panel between the head of the bolt and the nut.

[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a hinge is provided for interconnecting panels of machine guarding. The hinge has a socket portion including a socket surface defining a cavity. In addition, the socket portion has first and second ends. A barrel portion includes a generally cylindrical barrel extending along an axis and is receivable in the cavity of the socket portion. The barrel portion includes first and second ends. A first lock assembly is operatively connected to the first ends of the barrel portion and the socket portion. The first lock assembly is movable between a first position wherein the first lock assembly allows the barrel portion to pivot about the axis relative to the socket portion and a second position wherein the first lock assembly prevents the barrel portion from pivoting relative to the socket portion. A second lock assembly is operatively connected to the second ends of the barrel portion and the socket portion. The second lock assembly is movable between a first position wherein the second lock assembly allows the barrel portion to pivot about the axis relative to thesocket portion and a second position wherein the second lock assembly prevents the barrel portion from pivoting relative to the socket portion.

[0011] One of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a first pin projecting from the first end thereof and the other of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a first threaded bore in the first end thereof. Similarly, one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a second pin projecting from the second end thereof and the other of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a second threaded bore in the second end thereof.

[0012] The first lock assembly includes a first lock member extending along an axis. The first lock member includes an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof and an elongated slot positioned between the aperture and a second end of the first lock member. The elongated slot is configured to slidably receive the first pin. A first elongated handle has a first threaded bolt projecting therefrom. The first threaded bolt is extendable through the aperture in the first lock member and into the first threaded bore. The tightening of the first threaded bolt into the first threaded bore generates a clamping force on the first lock member and prevents rotation of the first lock member about the first threaded bolt.

[0013] The second lock assembly includes a second lock member extending along an axis. The second lock member includes an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof and an elongated slot positioned between the aperture and a second end of the second lock member. The elongated slot is configured to slidably receive the second pin. A second elongated handle has a second threaded bolt projecting therefrom. The second threaded bolt is extendable through the aperture in the second lock member and into the second threaded bore. The tightening of the second threaded bolt into the second threaded bore generates a clamping force on the second lock member and prevents rotation of the second lock member about the second threaded bolt.

[0014] The socket surface includes a plurality of bearings circumferentially spaced thereabout. The barrel includes a notch therein. The notch is configured to receive a firstbearing of the plurality of bearings in the socket surface to facilitate insertion of the barrel into the cavity.

[0015] At least one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes an outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis. A slot is provided in the outer surface that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. A nut cavity is parallel to the longitudinal axis and communicates with the slot. A nut is receivable in the nut cavity. A bolt has a head and a threaded shaft extendable through a first panel and the slot. The threaded shaft is engageable with the nut so as to capture the panel between the head of the bolt and the nut.

[0016] In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a hinge is provided for interconnecting panels of machine guarding. The hinge has a socket portion including a socket surface defining a cavity. The socket portion has a first end, a second end, and a pin projecting from the first end thereof. A barrel portion includes a generally cylindrical barrel extending along an axis and being receivable in the cavity of the socket portion. The barrel portion includes a first end, a second end, and a threaded bore in the first end thereof. A lock member extends along an axis and includes an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof. An elongated slot is positioned between the aperture and a second end of the lock member. The elongated slot is configured to slidably receive the pin. An elongated handle has a threaded bolt projecting therefrom. The threaded bolt is extendable through the aperture in the lock member and into the threaded bore. The tightening of the threaded bolt into the threaded bore with the handle generates a clamping force on the lock member and prevents rotation of the first lock member about the threaded bolt.

[0017] The socket surface includes a plurality of bearings circumferentially spaced thereabout and the barrel includes a notch therein. The notch is configured to receive a first bearing of the plurality of bearings in the socket surface to facilitate insertion of the barrel into the cavity. At least one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes an outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis. A slot is provided in the outer surfacethat extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. A nut cavity is parallel to the longitudinal axis and communicates with the slot. A nut is receivable in the nut cavity. A bolt has a head and a threaded shaft extendable through a first panel and the slot. The threaded shaft is engageable with the nut so as to capture the panel between the head of the bolt and the nut.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed, as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description of the illustrated embodiment.

[0019] In the drawings:

[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hinge in accordance with the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partially in section, showing the hinge of FIG. 1 ;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view, partially in section, showing the hinge of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a barrel portion and a socket portion of the hinge of FIG. 1 ;

[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view show a first panel interconnected to the socket portion of the hinge of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view show a second panel interconnected to the barrel portion of the hinge of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view showing the hinge of the present invention interconnecting the first and second panels;

[0027] FIG. 8 is an isometric view showing the hinge of the present invention interconnecting the first and second panels;

[0028] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a nut used to interconnect the hinge of the presentinvention with the first and second panels; and

[0029] FIG. 10 is an end view of the nut of FIG. 9.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a hinge in accordance with the present invention is generally designed by the reference numeral 10. Hinge 10 includes a first socket portion 12 and a second barrel portion 14. Socket portion 12 is defined by body 16 extending along an axis and first and second terminal ends 18 and 20, respectively. First terminal end 18 is generally flat and includes pin 22 projecting axially therefrom, for reasons hereinafter described. Similarly, second terminal end 20 is generally flat and includes pin 24 projecting axially therefrom, for reasons hereinafter described.

[0031] Body 16 of socket portion 12 includes a generally flat face 26 extending between the first and second terminal ends 18 and 20, respectively, thereof. As best seen in FIGS. 5-6, slot 32 is formed in face 26 and extends along the entire length thereof. Slot 32 opens into a longitudinally extending cavity 33 and is defined between first and second sidewalls 34 and 36, respectively, extending from face 26 at an angle thereto. It is contemplated that the angle falls within the range of 1° and 89°, but is preferably between about 30° to about 80° and is most preferably about 70°. Correspondingly, in such a most preferred embodiment, each of the first and second sidewalls 34 and 36, respectively, defines an angle of about 20° with respect to an imaginary line that extends through the centerline of the slot 32, such that first and second sidewalls 34 and 36 define an angle of about 40° between each other.

[0032] Slot 32 is further defined between first and second outer abutment walls 42 and 44, respectively, which diverge from corresponding terminal edges 34a and 36a, respectively, of first and second sidewalls 34 and 36, respectively. First outer abutment wall 42 angularly intersects first sidewall 34 to define an angle that is greater than 90° therebetween and second outer abutment wall 44 angularly intersects sidewall 36 to define an angle that is greater than 90° therebetween. Preferably, an angle definedbetween the first outer abutment wall 42 and the first sidewall 34 is between about 110 to about 160° and is most preferably about 130°.

[0033] Lands 42a and 44a connect first and second outer abutment walls 42 and 44, respectively, to corresponding first and second inner abutment walls 46 and 48, respectively. First and second inner abutment walls 46 and 48, respectively, extend in opposing directions that diverge from each other and toward face 26. First and second outer abutment walls 42 and 44, respectively, are at steeper angles or relatively closer to orthogonal with respect to face 26 than are first and second inner abutment walls 46 and 48, respectively, which are relatively closer to parallel with respect to face 26. First and second outer abutment walls 42 and 44, respectively, preferably define angles of about 60° with respect to face 26, whereas first and second inner abutment walls 46 and 48, respectively, define angles of about 20° or 19° with respect face 26. Concave terminal wall 50 extends between terminal edges 46a and 48a, respectively, of first and second inner abutment walls 46 and 48, respectively, and cavity 33 is defined between first and second inner abutment walls 46 and 48 and concave terminal wall 50.

[0034] Referring back to FIGS. 1-4, body 16 of socket portion 12 further includes a generally arcuate wall 54 projecting therefrom and terminating a terminal end 56. Concave surface 58 of body 16 and concave inner surface 60 of wall 54 define a generally concave, socket surface 62 having first and second ends 62a and 62b, respectively. Socket surface 62 defines a semi-cylindrical cavity 70 adapted to receive barrel 72 of barrel portion 14 of hinge 10, for reasons hereinafter described. First, second and third bearings 64, 66 and 68, respectively, project from and are circumferentially spaced along socket surface 62. It is contemplated for first bearing 64 to project from socket surface 62 at a location adjacent to first end 62a thereof and for third bearing 68 to project from socket surface 62 at a location adjacent to second end 62b thereof.

[0035] Barrel portion 14 of hinge 10 includes body 76 extending along an axis and generally planar, first and second terminal ends 78 and 80, respectively. Body 76 of barrel portion 14 includes a generally flat face 86 extending between the first and secondterminal ends 78 and 80, respectively, thereof. Slot 92 is formed in face 26 and opens into a longitudinally extending cavity 93, which extends along the entire length of body 76. Slot 92 and cavity 93 in body 76 are identical in structure to slot 32 and cavity 33 in socket portion 12, FIG. 6. As such, the previous description of slot 32 and cavity 33 is understood to describe slot 92 and cavity 93 as if fully described herein.

[0036] Barrel portion 14 further includes generally cylindrical barrel 72 projecting from body 76. Barrel 72 is defined by outer cylindrical surface 120 extending between first and second terminal ends 122 and 124, respectively. First terminal end 122 of barrel 72 is coplanar with first terminal end 78 of body 76 and includes threaded aperture 126 projecting axially therein, for reasons hereinafter described. Similarly, second terminal end 124 is coplanar with second terminal end 80 of body 76 and includes threaded aperture 128 projecting axially therein, for reasons hereinafter described.

[0037] Cylindrical surface 120 has a first end intersecting body 76 at intersection 132 and a second end intersecting body 76 at intersection 136. Notch 138 is provided in cylindrical surface 120 at a location adjacent intersection 132. Notch 138 is configured to receive first bearing 64 projecting from socket surface 62, for reasons hereinafter described. Portion 140 of cylindrical surface 120 adjacent intersection 136 thereof and body 76 define a channel 142 therebetween for slidably receiving terminal end 56 of wall 54 of socket portion 12 of body 16.

[0038] In order to assemble hinge 10, first bearing 64 projecting from socket surface 62 of socket portion 12 is positioned within notch 138 in cylindrical surface 120 of barrel portion 14. Barrel portion 14 is pivoted on first bearing 64 such that barrel 72 is received in cavity 70. With barrel 72 received in cavity 70, it can be understood that barrel portion 14 is pivotable with response to socket portion 12 about the axis along which barrel 72 extends.

[0039] In order to lock hinge 10 in a desired position, lock assemblies 180 are provided on opposite end of socket portion 12 and barrel portion 14 of hinge 10, FIGS. 1-3 and 7. Each lock assembly 180 a generally elliptical lock member 182 extending along an axisand having first and second ends 184 and 186, respectively. Aperture 188 extends through lock member 182 at a location adjacent first end 184 thereof. Elongated slot 189 extends though lock member 182 between aperture 188 and second end 186 along the axis of lock member 182. Slot 189 is configured to slidably receive a corresponding pin 22 and 24 projecting from first and second terminal ends 18 and 20, respectively, of body 16 of socket portion 12.

[0040] Each lock assembly 180 further includes an elongated handle 190 having a threaded bolt 192 projecting therefrom. Threaded bolts 192 extend through corresponding apertures 188 in lock assemblies 180 and are receivable in corresponding threaded apertures 126 and 128 in barrel 72 of barrel portion 14, thereby capturing lock members 182 between corresponding first and second terminal ends 122 and 124 of barrel 72 and handles 190 of lock assemblies 180. In operation, barrel portion 14 is pivoted relative to socket portion 12 about the axis of barrel 72 to a desired position, FIG. 8. As barrel portion 14 is pivoted relative to socket portion 12, pins 22 and 24 slide within slots 188 in lock members 182. With barrel portion 14 in the desired position relative to socket portion 12, threaded bolts 192 are threaded into corresponding threaded apertures 126 and 128 in barrel 72 of barrel portion 14 utilizing handles 190 of lock assemblies 190, so as to frictionally capture lock members 182 between corresponding first and second terminal ends 122 and 124 of barrel 72 and handles 190 of lock assemblies 180 and prevent movement of lock members 182. With lock members 182 locked in position, pins 22 and 24 within slots 188 in lock members 182 prevents barrel portion 14 from pivoting relative to socket portion 12.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, it is contemplated to attach panels 194 to hinge 10 to provide for a section of machine guarding. Each panel 194 includes mounting wall 210 having rail 212 extending outwardly from outer surface 214 thereof in a longitudinal direction. Rail 212 has a perimeter shape that corresponds to the perimeter shape of the portion of slots 32 and 92 that is defined between the first and second sidewalls 34 and 36. This allows rail 212 to nest into a corresponding slot 32 and 92, between first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 36, respectively. A plurality of bores, designated by the reference number 216, extend angularly through mounting wall 210 and rail 212 so as to define corresponding openings in lower surface 218 of rail 212.

[0042] In order to attach panels 194 to hinge 10, nuts 200, FIGS. 9-10, are provided within cavities 33 and 93 so as to be accessible through slots 32 and 92 in face 26 of body 16 of socket portion 12 and face 86 of body 76 of barrel portion 16, respectively. A plurality of threaded bores 220, corresponding in number and location to the plurality of bores 216 extend angularly through mounting wall 210 and rail 212, extend angularly through nuts 200. Nuts 200 are sized to slide longitudinally through the cavities 33 and 93 and are captured retained therein by means of bolts 202, as hereinafter described, such that nuts 200 do not rotate in unison with rotation of the bolts 202.

[0043] With nut 200 received in cavity 33 of body 16 of socket portion 12, rail 212 of a corresponding panel 194 is positioned within slot 32 in face 26 of body 16 of socket portion 12 such that each of the plurality of bores 216 are aligned with corresponding threaded bores 220 through nut 200. Bolts 202 are inserted through the plurality of bores 216 extending angularly through mounting wall 210 and rail 212 and are threaded into the plurality of threaded bores 220 in nuts 200. Tightening the plurality of bolts 202 into nut 200 provides multi-axial tightening to the joint in a manner that clamps panel 194 and socket portion 12 of hinge 10 together. More specifically, tightening each bolt 202 draws nut 200 by advancing nut 200 along the threads of each bolt 202. This pulls nut 200 angularly up and across cavity 33 and provides multi-axial tightening of the joint, thereby clamping panel 194 to socket portion 12 of hinge 10.

[0044] Similarly, with nut 200 received in cavity 93 of body 76 of barrel portion 14, rail 212 of a corresponding panel 194 is positioned within slot 92 in face 86 of body 76 of barrel portion 14 such that each of the plurality of bores 216 are aligned with corresponding threaded bores 200 through nut 200. Bolts 202 are inserted through the plurality of bores 216 extending angularly through mounting wall 210 and rail 212 and are threaded into the plurality of threaded bores 220 in nut 200. Tightening the pluralityof bolts 202 into nut 200 provides multi-axial tightening to the joint in a manner that clamps panel 194 and barrel portion 14 of hinge 10 together. More specifically, tightening each bolt 202 draws nut 200 by advancing nut 200 along the threads of each bolt 202. This pulls nut 200 angularly up and across cavity 93 and provides multi-axial tightening of the joint, thereby clamping panel 194 to barrel portion 14 of hinge 10.

[0045] Il can be appreciated that various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter, which is regarded as the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A hinge for interconnecting panels of machine guarding, comprising: a socket portion including a socket surface defining a cavity; a barrel portion including a generally cylindrical barrel extending along an axis and being receivable in the cavity of the socket portion; and a lock assembly operatively connecting the barrel portion to the socket portion, the lock assembly movable between a first position wherein the barrel portion pivotable about the axis relative to the socket portion and a second position wherein the barrel portion is fixed relative to the socket portion.

2. The hinge of claim 1 wherein one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a pin projecting from a first end thereof and the other of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a threaded bore in a first end thereof.

3. The hinge of claim 2 wherein the lock assembly includes: a lock member extending along an axis, the lock member including: an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof; and an elongated slot positioned between the aperture and a second end of the lock member, the elongated slot configured to slidably receive the pin; and an elongated handle having a threaded bolt projecting therefrom, the threaded bolt extendable through the aperture in the lock member and into the threaded bore.

4. The hinge of claim 3 wherein the tightening of the threaded bolt into the threaded aperture generates a clamping force on the lock member and prevents rotation of the lock member about the threaded bolt.

5. The hinge of claim 1 wherein the socket surface includes a plurality of bearings circumferentially spaced thereabout.

6. The hinge of claim 5 wherein the barrel includes a notch therein, the notch configured to receive a first bearing of the plurality of bearings in the socket surface to facilitate insertion of the barrel into the cavity.

7. The hinge of claim 1 wherein at least one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes: an outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis; a slot in the outer surface that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a nut cavity parallel to the longitudinal axis and communicating with the slot.

8. The hinge of claim 7 further comprising: a nut receivable in the nut cavity; and a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft extendable through a first panel and the slot, the threaded shaft engageable with the nut so as to capture the first panel between the head of the bolt and the nut.

9. A hinge for interconnecting panels of machine guarding, comprising: a socket portion including a socket surface defining a cavity, the socket portion having first and second ends; a barrel portion including a generally cylindrical barrel extending along an axis and being receivable in the cavity of the socket portion, the barrel portion including first and second ends; a first lock assembly operatively connected to the first ends of the barrel portion and the socket portion, the first lock assembly movable between a first position wherein the first lock assembly allows the barrel portion to pivot about the axis relative to thesocket portion and a second position wherein the first lock assembly prevents the barrel portion from pivoting relative to the socket portion; and a second lock assembly operatively connected to the second ends of the barrel portion and the socket portion, the second lock assembly movable between a first position wherein the second lock assembly allows the barrel portion to pivot about the axis relative to the socket portion and a second position wherein the second lock assembly prevents the barrel portion from pivoting relative to the socket portion.

10. The hinge of claim 9 wherein: one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a first pin projecting from the first end thereof and the other of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a first threaded bore in the first end thereof; and one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a second pin projecting from the second end thereof and the other of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes a second threaded bore in the second end thereof.

11. The hinge of claim 10 wherein the first lock assembly includes: a first lock member extending along an axis, the first lock member including: an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof; and an elongated slot positioned between the aperture and a second end of the first lock member, the elongated slot configured to slidably receive the first pin; and a first elongated handle having a first threaded bolt projecting therefrom, the first threaded bolt extendable through the aperture in the first lock member and into the first threaded bore.

12. The hinge of claim 11 wherein the tightening of the first threaded bolt into the first threaded bore generates a clamping force on the first lock member and prevents rotation of the first lock member about the first threaded bolt.

13. The hinge of claim 12 wherein the second lock assembly includes: a second lock member extending along an axis, the second lock member including: an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof; and an elongated slot positioned between the aperture and a second end of the second lock member, the elongated slot configured to slidably receive the second pin; and a second elongated handle having a second threaded bolt projecting therefrom, the second threaded bolt extendable through the aperture in the second lock member and into the second threaded bore.

14. The hinge of claim 13 wherein the tightening of the second threaded bolt into the second threaded bore generates a clamping force on the second lock member and prevents rotation of the second lock member about the second threaded bolt.

15. The hinge of claim 9 wherein the socket surface includes a plurality of bearings circumferentially spaced thereabout.

16. The hinge of claim 15 wherein the barrel includes a notch therein, the notch configured to receive a first bearing of the plurality of bearings in the socket surface to facilitate insertion of the barrel into the cavity.

17. The hinge of claim 9 wherein at least one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes: an outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis; a slot in the outer surface that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a nut cavity parallel to the longitudinal axis and communicating with the slot.

18. The hinge of claim 17 further comprising: a nut receivable in the nut cavity; and a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft extendable through a first panel and the slot, the threaded shaft engageable with the nut so as to capture the panel between the head of the bolt and the nut.

19. A hinge for interconnecting panels of machine guarding, comprising: a socket portion including a socket surface defining a cavity, the socket portion having a first end, a second end, and a pin projecting from the first end thereof; a barrel portion including a generally cylindrical barrel extending along an axis and being receivable in the cavity of the socket portion, the barrel portion including a first end, a second end, and a threaded bore in the first end thereof; and a lock member extending along an axis and including: an aperture therethrough at a location adjacent a first end thereof; and an elongated slot positioned between the aperture and a second end of the lock member, the elongated slot configured to slidably receive the pin; and an elongated handle having a threaded bolt projecting therefrom, the threaded bolt extendable through the aperture in the lock member and into the threaded bore; and wherein the tightening of the threaded bolt into the threaded bore with the handle generates a clamping force on the lock member and prevents rotation of the lock member about the threaded bolt.

20. The hinge of claim 19 wherein the socket surface includes a plurality of bearings circumferentially spaced thereabout.

21. The hinge of claim 20 wherein the barrel includes a notch therein, the notch configured to receive a first bearing of the plurality of bearings in the socket surface to facilitate insertion of the barrel into the cavity.

22. The hinge of claim 21 wherein at least one of the socket portion and the barrel portion includes: an outer surface, defining a longitudinal axis; a slot in the outer surface that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis; and a nut cavity parallel to the longitudinal axis and communicating with the slot.

23. The hinge of claim 22 further comprising: a nut receivable in the nut cavity; and a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft extendable through a first panel and the slot, the threaded shaft engageable with the nut so as to capture the panel between the head of the bolt and the nut.

Images