Switch activating hinge having reciprocating cam follower switch actuator

Abstract

A switch activating hinge comprises two hinge leaves having aligned knuckles, a hinge pin fixed in a knuckle of the first leaf and extending into a knuckle of the second leaf for aligning the leaves for relative pivotal movement with respect to each other, and a switch in the knuckle of the second leaf adjacent the hinge pin. Means are provided on the hinge pin and the switch for operating the switch in response to relative pivotal movement of the hinge pin with respect to the knuckle of the second leaf.

I claim: 
     
       1. A switch activating hinge comprising first and second hinge leaves having axially aligned knuckles, a hinge pin fixed in the knuckle of the first leaf and extending into a knuckle of the second leaf for aligning the leaves for pivotal movement with respect to each other, a separate switch unit, including a switch actuating plunger aligned with the axis of said knuckles, said switch unit being fixed in the knuckle of the second leaf and positioned adjacent the end of said hinge pin, a camming surface on one end of said hinge pin, follower means positioned between said camming surface and said plunger, said follower means comprising a non-circular element mounted within a corresponding non-circular case fixed in the knuckle of the second leaf and adapted for axial movement therein, said element having a cam following surface engaging said camming surface and being urged against said camming surface by a spring, whereby the relative pivotal movement between said hinge pin and said non-circular element causes axial displacement of said element, causing said element to engage said plunger and actuate said switch. 
     
     
       2. The switch activating hinge as defined in claim 1, in which means are provided for adjusting the relative angular position of the hinge pin with respect to the switch unit in order to establish a predetermined angle between the first and second hinge leaves at which the switching operation occurs. 
     
     
       3. The switch activating hinge as defined in claim 1, wherein the hinge pin is adjustable in length for operatively adjusting the relative axial position of the driver means with respect to the follower means. 
     
     
       4. A switch activating hinge as specified in claim 1 wherein there are provided means engaging a portion of said hinge pin for fixing it in the knuckle of said first leaf, wherein the other end of said hinge pin is provided with a head, and wherein there is provided a weakened section of the hinge pin between said head and the engaged portion of said pin. .Iadd. 5. A hinge construction comprising first and second pivotally connected hinge leafs, each said leaf including means adapting same for attachment to a door or a door frame, or the like, each leaf further including at least one knuckle which is disposed adjacent to and is movable relative to the knuckle on the other of said leaves, an electrical circuit component carried by one of said knuckles, actuator means associated with said circuit component, and capable of producing a change in condition thereof, operating means carried by the other of said knuckles, such that upon movement of said hinge leaves relative to each other, said operating means will be moved relative to said circuit component and said actuator means to operate said actuator means and thereby produce a change in the condition of said electrical circuit component, which change in condition may be used as an indication of a change in the relative orientation of said hinge leaves, said actuator means comprising a movable plunger on said component for altering the condition thereof, and piston means non-rotatably mounted with respect to said circuit component, but being movable axially with respect to said circuit component for engagement and operation of said plunger, said piston means including cam means on the end thereof remote from said circuit component, said operating means carried by the other of said hinge knuckles comprising a member adapted to be fixedly positioned with respect to said other knuckle for movement therewith relative to said circuit component and said piston means; said member including cam means formed thereon engageable with the cam means on piston means to produce axial movement thereof and operation of said plunger, as an incident to movement of said hinge leaves. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 6. A hinge construction as defined in claim 5, wherein said electrical circuit component is a switch and there is provided lead wires extending exteriorally of said hinge adapting said switch for connection in an electrical circuit. .Iaddend..Iadd. 7. A hinge construction according to claim 5, further including means for adjustably fixing the position of said operating means member so as to provide an initial positioning upon a pre-selected orientation of said hinge leaves. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. A hinge construction comprising first and second hinge leafs, each leaf including at least one hinge knuckle which knuckles are juxtaposed in the assembled condition, means for maintaining said hinge leaves in an assembled condition, and an electrical switch carried within one of said knuckles and including a plunger for the operation thereof, operating means carried within the other of said knuckles, and actuator means disposed between said operator means and said switch plunger, which actuator means is operatively and non-rotatably engaged with said switch, while being free to move axially to achieve movement of said plunger, and cam means carried by said operating means and said actuator means capable of producing axial movement of said plunger upon relative movement of said hinge leaves, as would be occasioned upon the opening or closing of a door, said switch, operating means and actuator means being entirely housed within said juxtaposed knuckles and thus being concealed from view when said hinge is in the assembled condition, said actuator means comprising piston means non-rotatably mounted with respect to said switch, but being movable axially with respect to said switch for engagement and operation of said plunger. .Iaddend.