MULTI-PLATES, MULTI-POSITIONS, SELF-LOCKING, SELF-UNLOCKING ROTATING HINGE Background The present invention relates generally to a universal self-locking hinge and relates more specially to hinge for foldable article like tent, canopy, chair, table, bed, multi-positions ladder and window stay by providing a simple hinge for positively latching the various composite items in several different positions of use and storage. Heretofore. many attempts have been made toward the production of a multi-positions hinge arrangement. However, most of the devices of this type have been extremely complex. They have locked a positive means for latching the object components in various positions of use and have failed in the provision of a simplified mechanism enabling adjustment and placement of the various components in different positions for use. Accordingly, it is one important object of the present invention to provide a composite hinge having novel means for positioning the various components of the object be it a tent, deck-chair or ladder in various positions of use and for positively locking these components in such positions. It is another important object of the present invention to provide a composite hinge having a simplified structure enabling the folding thereof of the object components in a compact manner to enable efficient storage and/or packing for shipment. It is a further important object of the present invention to provide a composite hinge having novel means co-operable with various components of various objects be it a canopy, deck-chair or multi-positions ladder in various positions by using a common mechanism without undue duplication thereby maintaining a relatively simple structure through use of such combined strong elements.

Objective of the invention The invention also has as its object to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple and general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the description. However, the drawings merely show and the following description merely describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which is given by way of iilustration or example only.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is perspective showing the composite hinge of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the member plates and cover.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the hinge in a fully locked position.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the hinge with one plate in a locked position.

Fig 5. is a side view of the hinge in a freely rotating position.

Fig 6. is an illustration of different articles employing the universal multi-plates, multi-positions hinge.

DESCRIPTION The universal multi-plates, multi-positions, self-locking and unlocking and yet free rotating hinge comprises two or more plates 9, 13 and 15. One or more of the plates could be the actual side rail of the article be it a bed or chair. All the plates have a center joining hole 2 with satellite locking hole or holes 4 at an appropriate part of the plate or embodiment of the article. The satellite locking hole or holes 4 of all the member plates 9, 13 and 15 are on the same circumference from a preferred distance of the center joining hole 2 but not necessarily of the same radius but determined by the preferred position of use. The member plates 9,13 and 15 are put together with its center joining holes 2 in alignment. A tube 5 is introduced in the joining holes 2 both it ends flared on the outer sides of the outer member plates on both sides thus making the member plates 9, 13 and 15 into a hinge. Apart from the member plates is a cover 17. On this cover 17 sits one or more locking pins 19 or 20 or 21 within is circumference. A rod 1 is attached to a preferred part of the cover 17. This rod 1 sits in the hollow of the tube 5. The other end of the rod protrudes from the other end of the tube 5 with a spiral spring 7 encircling it. This end of the rod 1 is attached to a knob 3.

This knob 3 may be screwable to compress the spiral spring 7 further or reduce the compression when required. The rod 1 could also be grooved at more than one place to allowed a spring clip to clip on one of the grooves to compress or clip on another groove to reduce the tension. The clip spring could be attached to one of the member plates. The locking pin or pins 19 or 20 or 21 of the cover 17 is harmonized with the locking hole or holes 4 of the first member plate 9 with the locking pin 19 or 20 or 21 always in the recess of its locking hole 4 and held in place by the tension of the spiral spring 7. The locking pin or pins 19 or 20 or 21 always press against the second member plate 13 until the second member plate 13 is rotated to the desired position of use and with its locking hole or holes 4 in alignment with the first member plate 9 locking holes 4, drawing in the locking pin or pins 19 or 20 or 21 into the recess of its locking holes 4 by the tension of the spiral spring 7. The locking pin or pins 19 or 20 or 21 will then be pressing the third member plate 15 until its locking holes 4 are in alignment with the second 13 and first member plates 9 locking holes 4. The locking pin 19 or 20 or 21 will then be pressing against the fourth member if required.

A few types of locking pins 19 or 20 or 21 may be employed. One type is a straight rod type with a nipple from the center of its end 19. Another type is a straight rod with one side of its end taper 20. Yet another type is a straight rod with a all round taper end 21.

The first type with a nipple at its end 19 is employed to allow the multi-positions hinge to rotate freely. This could be easily achieved by rotating the cover slightly out of alignment with only the nipple in the recess with part of its end resting on the side of the locking hole of the first member plate 9 by having the spiral spring 7 slightly further compressed while doing so. In this manner the self-locking hinge can be prevented to self-locking itself from position to position and without having to constantly compressing the spiral spring 7. This is especially useful in a multi-positions and more than two hinges article.

The type with one side of its end tapered 20 will allowed the hinge to close or open depending on which side the taper end is facing. This can be done without having to make any adjustment to the hinge, by slightly increased force of pulling the arms of the hinge together.

When the arms of the hinge are pulled together the tapered end of the locking pin 20 will slide out of the locking hole 4 of the member plate in question as the locking holes 4 are rotated out of alignment or vice versa. The straight end of the side of the locking pin will allow positive latching of the components of the object. The spiral spring 7 need only be compressed for the hinge to rotate out of alignment of the locking holes 4 and released and self-lock it self again as the hinge is rotated to the next position of use. The hinge could also be rotated freely either way by adjustment of the knob 3 there by releasing the tension of the spiral spring 7.

Yet another type of locking pin with an all round taper end 21 will allow the hinge to be rotated either way to any position of use with its taper end gliding in and out of the locking holes 4. When the position of use is reached the knob 3 could be screwed in thereby providing positive latching of the components.

The hinge could also be spring assisted in opening or closing by placing a coil spring 11 with one end of the spring latched on one member plate and the other end of the spring latched on the next member plate.

While we have illustrated and described what we now contemplate to be the best mode of carrying out our invention, the construction is of course, subject to modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore not desired to restrict the invention to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.