Hinge structures

Abstract

This invention relates to hinge structures. According to the present invention there is provided a hinged structure comprising a first gear segment, a second gear segment meshing with the first gear segment, and a link pivotally connected to each gear segment, the axes of the gear segments co-inciding with the axes of the pivotal connections between the link and the gear segments.

What is cliamed is: .[.1. A hinge structure comprising a first base element, a first gear segment non-rotatably carried by said first base element and having a axis of rotation, a second base element, a second gear segment having an axis of rotation, said second segment being non-rotatably carried by the second base element and meshing with the first gear segment, a swinging link, axle means pivotally connecting said link to the first gear segment for swinging motion with respect to the first base element about said axis of rotation of the first gear segment, and axle means connecting said link to the second gear segment for swinging motion with respect to said second base element about said axis of rotation of the second segment..]. .[.2. A hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein each gear segment includes a radial spoke having a bore aligned with said axis of rotation of the gear segment for receiving said axle means for pivotally connecting said link to that gear segment..]. .[.3. A hinge structure according to claim 2, wherein said axle means is a pin which is a push-fit in a respective one of said bores..]. .[.4. A hinge structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said elements is a 
     
        screw..]. .[.5.  A hinge structure according to claim 2 and including first and second hinge components, wherein the first and second gear segments are releasably munted on the first and second base elements, respectively..]. .[.6. A hinge structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein each base element is formed with a slot extending in the direction of the axis of the gear segment mounted thereon, the slot being bounded by a pair of edge portions, and wherein the gear segment has a pair of oppositely directed lips, said lips fitting behind said edge portions to retain the segment in place..]. .[.7. A hinge structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lips are formed at the end of the spoke remote from its junction to the remainder of the gear segment, said spoke passing through said slot..]. .[.8. A hinge structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein each hinge component comprises a pair of axially spaced, co-axial gear segmenst with a spacer there between, said gear segments and said spacer all being mounted on said base element..]. .[.9. A hinger structure as claimed in claim 8, and including two links, there being a link joining each meshing pair of gear segments..]..Iadd. 10. A hinge structure comprising a first component comprising a first base element, and   a first gear segment having a first axis of rotation, and   first coupling means for non-rotatably attaching said first base element and said first gear segment so that said first gear segment may slide relative to said first base element in a direction parallel to said first axis while preventing relative movement perpendicular to said first axis to permit adjustment of the position of said first gear segment on said first base element;     a second component comprising a second base element, and   a second gear segment having a second axis of rotation, said second gear segment meshing with said first gear segment, and   second copuling means for non-rotatably attaching said second base element and said second gear segment so that said second gear segment may slide relative to said second base element in a direction parallel to said second axis while preventing relative movement perpendicular to said second axis to permit adjustment of the position of said second gear segment on said second base element;     a swinging link having first and second ends;   first axle means pivotally connecting said first end of said link to said first gear segment for swinging motion relative to said first gear segment about said first axis of rotation; and   second axle means pivotally connecting said second end of said link to said second gear segment of swinging motion relative to said second gear   
     
     
        segment about said second axis of rotation. .Iaddend..Iadd. 11.  A hinge structure according to claim 10, wherein each of said first and second coupling means comprises a slot extending parallel to said axes in one of its base element and gear segment and being bounded by a pair of edge portions; and   a pair of oppositely directed lips extending parallel to said axes in the other of its base element and gear segment which fit behind respective ones of said edge portions to retain said gear segments. .Iaddend..Iadd. 12. A hinge structure according to claim 11, wherein said slots are foremd in said base elements and said lips are formed on said gear segments. .Iaddend..Iadd. 13. A hinge structure according to claim 10, wherein each of said gear segments includes a radial spoke which supports its axle means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 14. A hinge structure according to claim 13, wherein each of said spokes has a bore aligned with its axis which receives its axle means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 15. A hinge structure according to claim 14, wherein each of said axle means comprises a pin which is push-fit in a respective one of said bores. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. A hinge structure according to claim 14, wherein each of said axle means comprises a scew. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A hinge structure according to claim 10, wherein each of said gear segments has a radial spoke having an end thereof remote from its junction with its gear segment to which its coupling means is attached. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. A hinge structure according to claim 17, wherein each of said first and second coupling means comprises   a slot extending parallel to sid axes in one of its base element and gear segment spoke and being bounded by a pair of edge portions; and   a pair of oppositely directed lips extending parallel to said axes in the other of its base element and gear segment spoke which fit behind respective ones of said edge portions to retain said gear segments. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 19. A hinge structure according to claim 10, wherein each of said hinge components comprises   an additional, axially spaced, co-axial gear segment; and   a spacer located between said gear segments thereof and non-rotatably mounted on its base element by means for permitting sliding movement relative to its base element parallel to said axes, while preventing relative movement perpendicular to said axes. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. A hinge structure according to claim 18, wherein said hinge components have an additional link pivotally joined at each end thereof to said additional gear segments. .Iaddend.