Hinge Assembly with Internal Lock Bar and Magnetic Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-closing gates pose an inconvenience when frequent ingress and egress are needed, as existing devices are costly, complex, difficult to install, and require modifications to surrounding structures, obstructing passageways.
Innovation Solution
A simple, inexpensive hinge assembly with a lock bar and magnetic latch that allows a self-closing gate to be held in an open position without modifying the surroundings, using cylindrical hinge members with non-circular bores and a lock bar that can be manually positioned to prevent or allow rotation, and a magnetic latch to maintain the lock bar's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art locking devices are used to hold the gate open, then the gate can be maintained in an open position, but the devices are costly, complex, and require modifications to surrounding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The lock bar is nested within the internal bores of the hinge members, with the magnetic latch member contained within one of the hinge members. This nesting eliminates the need for external locking mechanisms and surrounding structure modifications, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the hinge assembly itself by integrating the lock bar and magnetic latch member into the hinge members. This combination eliminates separate locking devices and their associated complexity while maintaining ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If prior art locking devices are used to hold the gate open, then the gate can be maintained in an open position, but installation is difficult and requires modifications to adjoining structures
Solution Approach 1:
The lock bar fits within the internal bores of the hinge members, and the magnetic latch member is contained within one of the hinge members. This nesting allows the entire locking mechanism to be installed as part of the hinge assembly without requiring modifications to adjoining structures, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and ease of installation
3Ease of operation
If prior art locking devices are used to hold the gate open, then the gate can be maintained in an open position, but the devices create obstruction to the passageway and have undesirable aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The lock bar and magnetic latch member are nested within the internal bores and body portions of the hinge members, respectively. This nesting conceals the locking mechanism within the hinge assembly itself, eliminating obstruction to the passageway and improving aesthetics while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from separate external components and integrated into the hinge members themselves. This extraction eliminates the need for additional space-occupying external locking devices while maintaining the ability to hold the gate open
4Reliability
If a lock bar with non-circular cross section is used, then rotation of hinge members is prevented, but the internal bores must have matching non-circular cross section
Solution Approach 1:
The lock bar has a non-circular cross section that matches the non-circular internal bores of the hinge members. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotation of the hinge members when the lock bar is engaged, while the asymmetric shapes are simple enough to manufacture, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy passage through the gate while maintaining safety by allowing the gate to be kept open without obstructing the passageway or requiring modifications, ensuring convenience and aesthetics are maintained.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic latch member is mounted to one of the first or second hinge members to hold the lock bar in one of the first or second positions
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position and capable of being locked in an open position. The hinge assembly comprises first and second hinge members including, respectively, first and second body portions. The first and second body portions have aligned internal bores and a longitudinal axis about which the first and second hinge members rotate. A locking pin is movable within the hinge members' internal bores between a first position and a second position. When the locking pin is in the first position the hinge members cannot rotate relative to one another, and when the locking pin is in the second position hinge members can rotate relative to one another. A magnetic latch member is mounted to one of the hinge members to hold the locking pin in one of the first or second positions.