Dampening hinges and table assemblies including the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10947766-B2
Application number	US-201916542691-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 16, 2019
Priority date	May 7, 2019
Publication date	Mar 16, 2021
Grant date	Mar 16, 2021

Abstract

A dampened hinge construction for braking pivoting movement of one structure relative to another. The dampened hinge construction can be utilized in a folding table assembly in an aircraft passenger suite including a base panel and at least one folding panel pivotally attached to the base panel by multiple dampened hinges. Each dampened hinge includes a first assembly attachable to a first structure and a second assembly attachable to a second structure such that the first structure is pivotable relative to the second structure between a first condition and a second condition, such as a folded condition and a planar condition, and at least one damper that brakes pivoting movement of the first structure relative to the second structure as the first condition or second condition is approached.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A folding table, comprising:
a base panel for attachment to a support structure;
a first folding panel pivotally attached to a first end of the base panel by multiple dampened hinges; and
a second folding panel pivotally attached to a second end of the base panel through an intermediate hinge leaf, the intermediate hinge leaf providing a vertical offset between the base panel and the second folding panel to accommodate the first folding panel when the first folding panel is in a folded condition on the base panel and the second folding panel is in a folded condition on the first folding panel;
wherein each of the multiple dampened hinges comprises:
a first assembly attached to the base panel;
a second assembly attached to the first folding panel such that the first folding panel is pivotable relative to the base panel between the folded condition and a planar condition of the first folding panel; and
at least one damper that brakes pivoting movement of the first folding panel relative to the base panel as the folded condition or the planar condition of the first folding panel is approached.

2. The folding table of claim 1 , each of the multiple dampened hinges further comprising at least one slider mounted to and movable relative to a housing of the first assembly or the second assembly, and at least one link pivotally attached to the at least one slider and to a housing of the other of the first assembly or the second assembly and causing movement of the at least one slider upon pivoting movement of the first folding panel relative to the base panel, wherein the at least one slider engages the at least one damper as the folded condition or the planar condition of the first folding panel is approached.

3. The folding table of claim 2 , further comprising at least one spring disposed between the at least one slider and a distal end of the housing of the first assembly or the housing of the second assembly, wherein the at least one spring biases the at least one slider as the first folding panel moves from the folded condition or planar condition.

4. The folding table of claim 3 , further comprising a second spring that biases the at least one slider as the first folding panel moves from the other of the folded condition or planar condition.

5. The folding table of claim 1 , wherein each of the multiple dampened hinges provides positive stopping when a fully unfolded condition of the first folding panel is reached to provide a firm planar tabletop.

6. The folding table of claim 1 , wherein the second folding panel is pivotally attached to the hinge leaf, and the hinge leaf is pivotally attached to the base panel, by at least one of the multiple dampened hinges.

7. The folding table of claim 1 , wherein the at least one damper brakes pivoting movement of the first folding panel relative to the base panel as the planar condition is approached, and wherein the dampened hinge comprises a second damper that brakes pivoting movement of the first folding panel relative to the base panel as the folded condition is approached.

8. The folding table of claim 1 , wherein the at least one damper includes a fluid cylinder and a piston.

9. A folding table, comprising:
a base panel for attachment to a support structure;
a first folding panel pivotally attached to a first end of the base panel by a first plurality of dampened hinges; and
a second folding panel pivotally attached to a second end of the base panel through an intermediate hinge leaf, the intermediate hinge leaf providing a vertical offset between the base panel and the second folding panel to accommodate the first folding panel between the base panel and the second folding panels when the first folding panel is in a folded condition on the base panel and the second folding panel is in a folded condition on the first folding panel, the second folding panel attached to the intermediate hinge leaf by a second plurality of damped hinges, and the base panel attached to the hinge leaf by a third plurality of dampened hinges;
wherein each of the first, second and third plurality of dampened hinges comprises at least one damper for braking pivoting movement in at least one direction.

10. The folding table of claim 9 , wherein each of the first, second and third plurality of dampened hinges comprises a slider mounted to and movable relative to a housing and a spring disposed between the slider and the housing for braking sliding movement of the slider relative to the housing.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Kuyper John
• Kokkalla Deepak Chandra
• Frost Ian L

Classifications

• B64D11/0638

  with foldable tables, trays or cup holders · CPC title

• E05F3/20 Primary

  in hinges · CPC title

• A47B5/04

  foldable · CPC title

• E05D3/186 Primary

  Scissors hinges, with two crossing levers and five parallel pins · CPC title

• E05F1/1269

  with a traction spring · CPC title