Double Action Hinges

Abstract

A double action hinge unit is disclosed which comprises a first base element, a second base element and at least two connection elements. Each base element has at least two upward extensions. Each connection element is hingedly connected with an extension of the first base element and an extension of the second base element. The double action hinge unit is changeable among at least three combination states. When the double action hinge unit is in a second combination state, the at least two connection elements are arranged side by side, such that the double action hinge unit is rotatable about a rotational axis at one side into a first combination state and is also rotatable about a rotational axis at the other side into a third combination state.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A double action hinge unit, comprising:
 a first base element, comprising a first extension and a second extension both extending upward from said first base element;   a second base element, comprising a fourth extension and a fifth extension both extending upward from said second base element;   a first connection element that is hingedly connected with said first extension about a first rotational axis and is hingedly connected with said fourth extension about a second rotational axis;   a second connection element that is hingedly connected with said second extension about a third rotational axis and is hingedly connected with said fifth extension about a fourth rotational axis,   
       wherein when said double action hinge unit is in a first combination state, said second and third rotational axes are co-axial, and said first and fourth rotational axes are out of co-axial alignment, 
       upon rotating said first base element with respect to said second base element about said second and third rotational axes by a certain angle, said double action hinge unit is changed from said first combination state into a second combination state; when said double action hinge unit is in said second combination state, said second and third rotational axes are co-axial, and said first and fourth rotational axes are also co-axial, 
       upon rotating said first base element about said second base element about said first and fourth rotational axes by a certain angle, said double action hinge unit is changed from said second combination state into a third combination state, when said double action hinge unit is in said third combination state, said second and third rotational axes are out of co-axial alignment, and said first and fourth rotational axes are co-axial, 
       wherein when said double action hinge unit is in said second combination state, said second and third rotational axes are at an angle with respect to said first and fourth rotational axes. 
     
     
         2 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein when said double action hinge unit is in said first combination state, said first base element is at an angle with respect to said second base element. 
     
     
         3 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the angle of rotation required to change the said double action hinge unit from the first state to the second state is greater than 180 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the angle of rotation required to change the said double action hinge unit from the first state to the second state is 360 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, said first base element comprises a first projected portion at a first end and a first recessed portion at a second end, said second base element comprises a second projected portion at a first end and a second recessed portion at a second end; said second projected portion is received in the space of said first recessed portion when said double action hinge unit is in said first combination state, and said first projected portion is received in the space of said second recessed portion when said double action hinge unit is in said third combination state. 
     
     
         6 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 5 , wherein, said first base element further comprises a third extension extending upward therefrom, said second base element further comprises a sixth extension extending upward therefrom; said double action hinge unit further comprises a third connection element that is hingedly connected with said third extension about a fifth rotational axis and is hingedly connected with said sixth extension about a sixth rotational axis,
 wherein when said double action hinge unit is in said first and second combination states, said second, third and fifth rotational axes are co-axial, when said double action hinge unit is in said second and third combination states, said first, fourth and sixth rotational axes are co-axial.   
     
     
         7 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 6 , wherein, said first extension extends upward from said first projected portion, said second and third extensions respectively extend upward from shoulders on two sides of said first recessed portion, said fourth extension extends upward from said second projected portion, said fifth and sixth extensions respectively extend upward from shoulders on two sides of said second recessed portion. 
     
     
         8 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, said first base element consists of a first body and a first and a second auxiliary parts hingedly connected to said first body, with said first and second auxiliary parts respectively forming said first and second extensions; said second base element consists of a second body and a fourth and a fifth auxiliary parts hingedly connected to said second body, with said fourth and fifth auxiliary parts respectively forming said fourth and fifth extensions. 
     
     
         9 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 6 , wherein, said first base element consists of a first body and a first, a second and a third auxiliary parts hingedly connected to said first body, with said first, second and third auxiliary parts respectively forming said first, second and third extensions; said second base element consists of a second body and a fourth, a fifth and a sixth auxiliary parts hingedly connected to said second body, with said fourth, fifth and sixth auxiliary parts respectively forming said fourth, fifth and sixth extensions. 
     
     
         10 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 9 , wherein, one ends of said first, second and third auxiliary parts are hingedly connected to said first body, the other ends of said first, second and third auxiliary parts are respectively hingedly connected to one ends of said first, second and third connection elements; one ends of said fourth, fifth and sixth auxiliary parts are hingedly connected to said second body, the other ends of said fourth, fifth and sixth auxiliary parts are respectively hingedly connected to the other ends of said first, second and third connection elements. 
     
     
         11 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, the base elements or connection elements are extended by body extension members. 
     
     
         12 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 11 , wherein, the base elements or connection elements are configured to have multiple layers, and the multiple layers are together extended by said body extension member. 
     
     
         13 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 12 , wherein, articles being displayed are held between the multiple layers. 
     
     
         14 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, the connection element is a link or a cross-shaped link. 
     
     
         15 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, each connection element is connected to the base elements at a location other than the ends of the connection element. 
     
     
         16 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, each base element is connected to the connection elements at a location other than the ends of the base element. 
     
     
         17 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, said first base element is one of a door and a door frame, and said second base element is the other of a door and a door frame. 
     
     
         18 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, said first connection element is configured as a hollow box-shaped member. 
     
     
         19 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 8 , wherein, said first body or said second body are configured as a hollow box-shaped member. 
     
     
         20 . The double action hinge unit according to  claim 1 , wherein, the double action hinge unit comprises two or more second base elements each connecting to said first base element by means of a set of connection elements.