US 11,898,387 B2
Preassembled friction hinge module and hinged system
Hector Eduardo Rivas, Chihuahua (MX); Mark James Rowley, Concordville, PA (US); Pradeep Jayanna, Concordville, PA (US); Michael Thomas Holland, Concordville, PA (US); and Richard B. Langkamp, Jr., Concordville, PA (US)
Assigned to Southco, Inc., Concordville, PA (US)
Filed by Southco, Inc., Concordville, PA (US)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/191,202.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/130,008, filed on Dec. 23, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/986,309, filed on Mar. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0277694 A1, Sep. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. E05D 11/08 (2006.01); E05D 11/00 (2006.01); E05D 3/02 (2006.01); E05D 11/02 (2006.01); E05D 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC E05D 11/082 (2013.01) [E05D 1/06 (2013.01); E05D 3/02 (2013.01); E05D 11/0054 (2013.01); E05D 11/02 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/11 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/21 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/26 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/266 (2013.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A preassembled hinge module configured for coupling a first component to a second component for pivotal movement relative to one another, the preassembled hinge module comprising:
a shaft defining a pivot axis;
a torque element frictionally engaging the shaft, the torque element having a perimeter defining a recess; and
a housing having a side wall, a rear wall, and a cover, the side wall and the rear wall and the cover together defining an interior space within the housing, wherein the interior space is configured to receive the torque element inside the housing, wherein the side wall of the housing comprises a rounded detent or protrusion extending into the interior space within the housing, the detent or protrusion being configured to secure the torque element inside the housing and limit rotation of the torque element relative to the housing;
wherein the cover defines a first aperture and the rear wall defines a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture being aligned with the pivot axis of the shaft, with the shaft extending through at least the first aperture, the interior space of the housing, and the second aperture;
wherein the shaft is separate from, and configured to be mounted to, the first component; and
wherein the housing is separate from, and configured to be mounted to, the second component.