Hinge cover and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9388616-B2
Application number	US-201414254438-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 16, 2014
Priority date	Apr 16, 2014
Publication date	Jul 12, 2016
Grant date	Jul 12, 2016

Abstract

A hinge cover assembly for a pre-mounted hinge includes a cup cover releasably connected to a hinge cup of the pre-mounted hinge, an arm cover removably connected to a hinge arm of the pre-mounted hinge, the hinge arm pivotally connected to the hinge cup, and a hinge cover pivotally connected to the cup cover and slidably engaged with the arm cover. The hinge cover is pivotally connected to the hinge cup with a set of pins and a set of torsion springs. The set of torsion springs bias the hinge cover against the arm cover. As the hinge cup is pivoted between an open position and a closed position, the bias of the set of torsion springs and the slidable engagement of the hinge cover with the arm cover enables the hinge cover to extend and retract with respect to the hinge arm and cover the pre-mounted hinge.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cover assembly for a hinge, the hinge having a hinge arm pivotally connected to a hinge cup and capable of moving between an open position and a closed position, the cover assembly comprising:
a cup cover;
a hinge cover, pivotally connected to the cup cover and configured to be slidably positioned adjacent the hinge;
a bias means, adjacent the hinge cover, for biasing the hinge cover toward the hinge; and,
wherein the hinge cover is configured to conceal the hinge arm and the hinge cup when the hinge is in the open position.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge further includes a hinge arm and wherein the cover assembly further comprises:
an arm cover, configured to be positioned between the hinge cover and the hinge arm.

3. The cover assembly of claim 2 , wherein the bias means further comprises a magnetic strip, attached to the hinge cover, biasing the hinge cover with respect to the arm cover.

4. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bias means further comprises:
a torsion spring biasing the hinge cover with respect to the cup cover.

5. The cover assembly of claim 4 , wherein the torsion spring has a torsion spring constant in a range of about 0.5 lbs.-inch/radian and 10 lbs.-inch/radian.

6. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bias means further comprises a magnet, configured to be positioned between the hinge cover and the hinge.

7. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge cover further comprises a top surface, the top surface consisting essentially of a first angled face and a second angled face.

8. The cover assembly of claim 2 , wherein the arm cover further comprises a set of access holes.

9. The cover assembly of claim 2 , wherein the arm cover is configured to be releasably attached to the hinge arm.

10. A cover assembly for a long-armed hinge, the long-armed hinge having a hinge arm and a hinge cup pivotally connected to the hinge arm and capable of movement between an open position and a closed position, the cover assembly comprising:
a cup cover, configured to be releasably connected to the hinge cup;
an arm cover, configured to be removably connected to the hinge arm;
a hinge cover, pivotally connected to the cup cover and slidably engaged with the arm cover;
whereby the hinge cover is configured to conceal the arm cover and the cup cover when the hinge is in the open position.

11. The cover assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:
a set of torsion springs, positioned between the hinge cover and the arm cover, biasing the hinge cover with respect to the arm cover.

12. The cover assembly of claim 10 , wherein the hinge cover further comprises a set of tapered faces.

13. The cover assembly of claim 12 , wherein each tapered face of the set of tapered faces is tapered at an angle in a range of about 0° to about 90°.

14. The cover assembly of claim 10 , wherein the arm cover further comprises a set of access holes.

15. The cover assembly of claim 10 , wherein the cup cover further comprises a set of protrusions configured to be releasably engaged in the set of slots with the hinge cup.

16. The cover assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a magnet attached to one of the group of, the arm cover and the hinge cover.

17. The cover assembly of claim 16 , further comprising a friction reduction layer adjacent the magnet.

18. A furniture hinge capable of pivoting between an open position and a closed position comprising:
a hinge arm pivotally connected to a hinge cup;
a cup cover releasably connected to the hinge cup;
an arm cover removably connected to the hinge arm;
a hinge cover, pivotally connected to the cup cover and slidably positioned adjacent the arm cover;
a spring connected between the hinge cover and the arm cover; and,
wherein the hinge cover conceals the hinge arm and the hinge cup when the hinge is in the open position.

19. The furniture hinge of claim 18 , wherein the arm cover is between the hinge cover and the hinge arm.

20. The furniture hinge of claim 18 , wherein the spring further comprises:
a torsion spring biasing the hinge cover toward the cup cover.

21. The furniture hinge of claim 18 , wherein the spring further comprises:
a magnet positioned between the hinge cover and the arm cover.

22. The furniture hinge of claim 18 , wherein the hinge cover further comprises a top surface, the top surface consisting essentially of a first angled face and a second angled face.

23. The furniture hinge of claim 18 , wherein the arm cover further comprises a set of access holes.

24. The furniture hinge of claim 18 , wherein the hinge arm further comprises a set of slots and wherein the arm cover is retained in the set of slots.

Assignees

• Hardware Resources Inc

Inventors

• Cooper Rachel
• Mcelveen Travis
• Mcgregor Dennis

Classifications

• E05D11/0054 Primary

  Covers, e.g. for protection · CPC title

• E05D11/06

  Devices for limiting the opening movement of hinges · CPC title

• E05D2011/0072

  for the gap between hinge parts · CPC title

• E05D2011/0063

  for screw-heads or bolt-heads · CPC title

• E05D5/065

  specially adapted for cabinets or furniture · CPC title