A Power Actuable, Openable and Closeable, Lockable And

Europaisches Patentamt (19) European Patent Office Office europeenpeen des brevets £P 0 505 134 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) intci.6: E04H 12/18, H01Q 1/12, of the grant of the patent: E05F 15/12 15.01.1997 Bulletin 1997/03

(21) Application number: 92302263.6

(22) Date of filing: 16.03.1992

(54) A power actuable, openable and closeable, lockable and unlockable, hinge assembly Motorisiertes Scharnierzum Offnen, Verschliessen, Verriegeln und Entriegeln Charniere motorisee, ouvrable, fermable, blocable et deblocable

(84) Designated Contracting States: • Humphries, Martin Edward BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL Filton, Bristol BS12 7QW (GB)

(30) Priority: 20.03.1991 GB 9105917 (74) Representative: Waters, Jeffrey et al The General Electric Company, p.l.c. (43) Date of publication of application: GEC Patent Department 23.09.1992 Bulletin 1992/39 Waterhouse Lane Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2QX (GB) (73) Proprietor: Matra Marconi Space UK Limited Stanmore Middlesex HA7 4LY (GB) (56) References cited: EP-A-0 169 296 EP-A-0 430 410 (72) Inventors: AU-B- 603 797 DE-A- 3 731 931 • Burgess, Stuart Clyde, Dr. DE-C- 653 755 US-A- 3 295 699 Filton, Bristol BS12 7QW (GB) US-A- 3 296 757

DO ^- CO o LO Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice the Patent Office of the Notice of shall be filed in o to European opposition to European patent granted. opposition a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. a. 99(1) European Patent Convention). LU

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 0 505 134 B1 2

Description a pivot pin and the hinge members are each of substantially elongated channel form and substantially U This invention relates to a power actuable hinge as- shaped in cross-section with a base web and two sembly having two pivotally interconnected hinge mem- spaced apart side webs, which side webs each have an bers. 5 apertured pivot lug at or near the outermost comer Hinge assemblies are known having two pivotally thereof remote from the base web for receiving the pivot interconnected hinge members but such assemblies are pin, and with the hinge members being dimensioned conventionally openable by a spring acting between the such that the base web of one hinge member is smaller members to bias them apart into an open position. in width than the base web of the other hinge member These conventional assemblies are normally locked in 10 at the pivot lugs with the pivot pin passing through the the open position by means of a pin which drops into aligned lug apertures. apertures on the members in the open position. With Advantageously the assembly includes an Acme such known assemblies no provision is made for unlock- externally screw threaded nose portion fixed to and pro- ing or closing the assembly and this presents a serious jecting from the free end of the drive shaft for rotation drawback for some applications such as where it is nec- is therewith and a complementary Acme internally screw essary to open and close a hinge assembly at a position threaded lock nut non-rotatably but axially movably or location remote from the operator. mounted on the other hinge member to that on which US-A-3295699 discloses a folded boom system the drive shaft is mounted. having a number of hinge members pivotably connected Conveniently the lock nut is axially movably mount- together which is openable by reeling in a cable fas- 20 ed in one end of a sleeve to which it is connected for tened to a drive motor. Latch means are provided for axial but not rotative relative movement, with the other securing the boom elements together in the open posi- end of the sleeve being axially slidably mounted on a tion. However no means are provided for unlatching the spigot fixedly attached to the said other hinge member. boom elements and folding them back into a closed po- Preferably the pre-load biasing means includes a sition. FR-A-2566588 discloses a folded boom system 25 first spring means between the spigot and the sleeve having a number of hinge members pivotably connected resiliently to bias the sleeve axially away from the spigot, together in which a cable powered by a drive motor is and wherein a second spring means is provided be- provided for opening and closing the boom elements tween the other end of the sleeve and the end face of about interconnecting hinge members for unlatching ex- the nut innermost in the sleeve to bias the nut axially tended hinge members. 30 away from the sleeve, with deflector means being asso- The Applicants proposed the use of a worm mesh- ciated with the nose portion on the drive shaft to contact ing with a worm wheel for folding or unfolding hinge the leading end of the lock nut during angular pivoting members (EP-A-0 430 41 0 published 5th June 1 991 ) in movement of the respective hinge member, displace the place of cables. nut rearwardly against the biasing force of the second According to the present invention there is provided 35 spring means until the nose portion and nut are in axial a power actuable hinge assembly, comprising two hinge alignment whereupon the second spring means biasing members hinged together by pivot means for movement force re-urges the nut into contact with the nose portion between an open position in which the hinge members for screw threaded engagement therewith on continued are unfolded and extend substantially co-axially in end- rotation of the drive shaft. to-end relationship, and a closed position in which the 40 For a better understanding of the present invention, hinge members are folded so that one hinge member is and to show how the same may be carried into effect, angularly displaced, with respect to the other hinge reference will now be made, by way of example, to the member, about the pivot means, out of the end-to-end accompanying drawings, in which; relationship, drive means for unfolding or folding the hinge members, characterised in that the drive means 45 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a hinge as- includes a drive shaft rotatably mounted on one hinge sembly according to a first embodiment of the in- member and carrying a worm in mesh with a worm- vention shown in an open position, wheel mounted for rotation with the other hinge member about the hinge axis, and in that the worm is mounted Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the hinge as- for axial slidable movement relative to the axis of the so sembly of Figure 1 , drive shaft against pre-load biasing means, so that the hinge members are biased together to be thereby Figure 3 is a partially sectioned side view of the locked in the open position because of axial movement hinge assembly of Figures 1 and 2 shown in a fully of the worm against the biasing means due to continued closed position, rotation of the drive shaft with the worm-wheel in a stopped position corresponding to the open position of Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, but the hinge members. showing the hinge assembly in the fully open posi- Conveniently the hinge members are hinged about tion,

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Figure 5 is a partially sectioned side view similar to by pivoting one of the hinge members, preferably the that of Figure 3 showing a hinge assembly accord- inner hinge member 3, from the closed position about ing to a second embodiment of the invention in a the pivot means 2 into the substantially coaxial end-to- closed position, end relationship of the open position and then causing 5 one of the movable portions 8, 9 to move in one direction Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 showing relative to the other of said movable portions to lock the the hinge assembly rotated through an angle of hinge members 3 and 4 together as will be later de- 163° with a lock nut on one hinge member of the scribed in more detail in respect of Figures 3 and 4. The assembly contacting a housing collar on the other actuator locking means 7 is also operable selectively to hinge member, 10 unlock and close the hinge members 3 and 4 by unlocking the end to end hinge members by causing one of the Figure 7 is a view, similar to that of Figure 6, but movable portions 8, 9 to move in the opposite direction showing the hinge assembly after rotation through relative to the other movable portion and then to pivot 180° with the lock nut on one hinge member con- one of the hinge members, preferably the inner hinge tacting a nose portion on the other hinge member, is member 3, about the pivot means 2 angularly with re- and spect to the outer hinge member 4 out of the end-to-end relationship into the closed portion. Figure 8 is a view of the hinge assembly of Figure The pivot means 2 includes a pivot pin 1 0 supported 7 shown in the fully open position with the lock nut by bearings which may be plain, ball or pre-loaded an- and nose portion fully engaged. 20 gular contact bearings, in the outer hinge member 4. The hinge members 3 and 4 are each of substantially A power actuable, openable and closable, lockable elongated channel form and substantially U shaped in and unlockable, hinge assembly as generally indicated cross section with a base web 3a and 4a and two spaced at 1 in the accompanying drawings is intended primarily apart side webs 3b and 4b. The side webs 3b and 4b for use to interconnect two sections of a collapsible and 25 each have an apertured pivot lug 3c and 4c at or near extensible boom or mast. However although described the outermost corner thereof, as can be seen in Figures in the following in terms of its use with such a boom or 1 and 2, remote from the base web 3a, 4a for receiving mast it is to be understood that the hinge assembly of the pivot pin 1 0. The hinge members 3 and 4 are dimen- the invention can be used for any other purposes as de- sioned such that the base web 3a of the inner hinge sired. 30 member 3 is smaller in width than the base web 4a of The hinge assembly 1 according to a first embodi- the outer hinge member 4 so that the inner hinge mem- ment of the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 4 has ber 3 fits within the outer hinge member 4 at the pivot pivot means 2 and two hinge members, namely an inner lugs 3c and 4c with the pivot pin 10 passing through the hinge member 3 and an outer hinge member 4 pivotally aligned lug apertures. interconnected by the pivot means 2 for relative angular 35 The outer hinge member 4 is fixedly attached to the movement between an open position as shown in Fig- hinge pin 10 to rotate therewith. ures 1, 2 and 4 in which the hinge members 3 and 4 The inner hinge member 3 is rotationally supported extend substantially co-axially in end-to-end relation- by bearings which may be plain, ball or pre-loaded an- ship and a closed position shown in Figure 3, in which gular contact bearings, on the pivot pin 10 for pivotal the inner hinge member 3 is angularly displaced, with 40 rotational movement relative thereto. respect to the outer hinge member 4 about the pivot As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4 the actuator means 2 out of the end-to-end relationship. As shown locking means 7 includes a rotatable drive shaft 11 ro- in Figure 3, the open position is pivoted through 180° tatably carried at bearings 1 2 in the outer hinge member from the closed position for the purpose of stowing in 4 to extend substantially transversely to the longitudinal side by side relationship sections 5 and 6 of a mast or 45 axis of the pivot pin 10. Also forming part of the means boom assembly (see Figure 1), but for alternative uses 7 is a screw threaded worm, forming the first movable of the hinge assembly 1 the open position could be at portion 8, carried on the drive shaft 11 adjacent a free any angular relationship to the closed position such as end thereof which is adjacent the open pivot pin end of a 90° position. the outer hinge member 4 for rotation with the drive shaft The hinge assembly 1 of the present invention also so 11. Preferably the worm 8 is a single start worm. includes a power drivable actuator locking means gen- Also forming part of the actuator locking means 7 is erally indicated at 7 having a first movable portion 8 car- a screw threaded worm wheel, forming the second mov- ried on the outer hinge member 4 and a second co-op- able portion 9, which may be peripherally interrupted as erating movable portion 9 carried on the inner hinge at 9a. The worm wheel 9 is in mesh with the worm 8 and member 3. The first and second movable portions 8 and 55 is rotationally mounted on the pivot pin 10 via bearings 9 are in engagement with one another. to rotate with the inner hinge member 3. The actuator locking means 7 is selectively opera- The worm 8 is mounted for axial slidable movement ble to open and lock the hinge members 3 and 4 together along the shaft 11 against pre-load biasing means such

3 5 EP 0 505 134 B1 6 as compression spring 13 mounted on the shaft 11 be- than the pre-load effect of the spring 1 3 the worm 8 will tween a collar 1 4 fixed to the shaft 1 1 and a shoulder 1 5 not move axially. However if the resistance torque is fixed relative to the outer hinge member 4. higherthen the hinge members will not be displaced un- The actuator locking means 7 includes a drive mo- til the worm 8 has been displaced axially towards the tor connected to the end of the drive shaft 11 remote 5 right into the position shown in Figure 4 where the pre- from the free end. This drive motor preferably is an elec- load in the spring 13 is equal to the hinge resistance tric motor 1 6 with gearbox housed in and attached to the torque. outer hinge member 4 which drives the shaft 11 by The locking action of the worm 8 and worm wheel means of a motor output shaft 17 which is flexibly cou- 9 is as follows. When the hinge assembly 1 is in the fully pled to the adjacent end of the drive shaft 11 . This form 10 open position of Figures 1 , 2 and 4 the hinge torque re- of construction allows for a degree of end float between sistance is much higher in the opening direction than the the motor 1 6 and shaft 1 1 if necessary. Although the mo- pre-load on the worm 8. Thus if the worm 8 is rotated tor 1 6 has been shown as integral with the hinge assem- further in the opening direction, it is axially displaced to- bly member 4 it is alternatively possible to provide a wards the right into the position shown in Figure 4 and drive motor externally of the assembly so that a plurality is the pre-load in the spring 1 3 is increased. This increase of hinge assemblies can be actuated by means of a sin- in the spring pre-load causing the hinge assembly itself gle drive motor in communication with the individual to be pre-loaded. The hinge pre-load is dependent on drive assemblies in a multi section boom or mast via a the spring pre-load, the size of the worm/worm wheel control drive cable passing through the sections. gear set and the geometry of contact points or stops 1 9 The hinge assembly 1 according to the first embod- 20 on the hinge members 3 and 4. Conveniently the worm/ iment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 op- worm wheel gear set is non-back drivable so that when erates in the following way. With the hinge assembly in the worm 8 is pre-loaded against its spring 13 the pre- the closed position as shown in Figure 3 rotation of the load in the hinge assembly 1 is maintained after the drive drive shaft 11 by the electric motor and gear box 16 torque is removed from the worm 8. Thus controllable transmits rotary motion to the worm 8 which in turn, be- 25 compliance is built into the worm/worm wheel gear set ing in mesh with the worm wheel 9, transmits rotary mo- so that a controllable and predictable pre-load is achiev- tion to the worm wheel 9. This causes the hinge member able simply by tightening up the gear set. A separate 3 to pivot about the pivot pin 1 0 into the fully closed end- pre-loading or locking mechanism is thus not necessary. to-end position of the hinge members 3 and 4 as shown The compliance within the gear set makes the hinge as- in Figures 4, 1 and 2. In this position no further move- 30 sembly 1 partially back drivable which is an advantage ment of the worm wheel 9 is possible due to end-to-end during vibration or loading. Additionally the hinge as- contact between the hinge members and continued ro- sembly 1 according to the embodiment of Figures 1 to tation of the drive shaft 11 by means of the motor and 4 can be pre-loaded in the open condition or the closed gear box assembly 16 causes the worm 8 to move axi- condition. ally slidably along the drive shaft 1 1 against the pre-load 35 Preferably the worm 8 and worm wheel 9 are each biasing means formed by the spring 13 to the extreme Acme threaded. position shown in Figure 4 in which the worm and worm A tinge assembly according to the second embod- wheel are locked together. Rotation of the drive shaft 1 1 iment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 of in the opposite direction initially displaces the worm 8 the present application basically is similar to that of the back along the stationary worm wheel 9 and shaft 11 40 first embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 and like parts have under the assistance of the pre-load bias spring 13 to been given like reference numerals and will not be fur- unlock the worm wheel 9 and hinge members 3 and 4. ther described in detail. For the sake of convenience the This moves the worm 8 into the position shown in Figure hinge members 3 and 4 have been shown in Figure 5 3 and continued rotation of the shaft 1 1 and worm 8 then only and not in Figures 6 to 8. rotates the worm wheel 9 to move the inner hinge mem- 45 However the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8 also in- ber 3 relative to the outer hinge member 4 back into the cludes an Acme externally screw threaded nose portion closed position as shown in Figure 3. 20 fixed to and projecting from the free end of the drive In general terms the direction of movement of the shaft 11. Conveniently the nose portion 20 may be hinge member 3 relative to the hinge member 4 depends formed integrally with the drive shaft 11 by machining on the direction of rotation of the worm 8 and on whether so therefrom. However the shaft 11 and nose portion 20 or not the worm thread left or right handed. As shown in are formed they are formed so as to rotate together. Also the accompanying drawings, particularly in Figures 3 provided is a complementary Acme internally screw and 4 thereof, the worm 8 is mounted on a sleeve 18 threaded lock nut 21 non-rotatably but axially movably which is slidably movable on the drive shaft 11 under mounted on the inner hinge member 3. The nut 21 is axial restraint of the compression spring 13. When the 55 axially movable along its longitudinal axis, which, in the hinge assembly is to be moved from the closed position open position of the assembly 1 , is coaxial with the lon- of Figure 3 to the fully open position of Figure 4 if the gitudinal axis of the drive shaft 11 and Acme nose por- hinge assembly movement resistance torque is less tion 20. As can be seen from the drawings, particularly

4 7 EP 0 505 134 B1 8 from Figure 1 thereof, the longitudinal axis 11a of the 180° as shown in Figure 8 the screw thread on the nose drive shaft 11 preferably is not coaxial with the longitu- portion 20 starts to engage the internal screw thread on dinal axis of the hinge member 4 but preferably is slightly the nut 21 and with the worm wheel 9 at the end of its spaced from the longitudinal axis of the hinge member permitted travel the worm 8 runs along the worm wheel 4 on the side thereof remote from the pivot pin 10. Sim- 5 9 towards the right said side of Figure 8. ilarly the longitudinal axis of the nut 21 is not coincident The drive motor 16 continues to run and the worm with the longitudinal axis of the hinge member 3 but pref- 8 and nose portion 20 continue to rotate so that the nut erably is spaced slightly therefrom on the side thereof 21 is drawn onto the nose portion 20 with the assistance remote from the pivot pin 10. This offset location of the of the compression spring. By virtue of the attachment axes is to improve the locking and unlocking action of 10 of the nut 21 to the spigot 23, the spigot 23 is pulled the nut 21. axially forward with the nut 21 until the disc spring 23 is The nut 21 is axially movably mounted in one end clamped tight between the spigot shoulder 23a and the of a sleeve 22 to which it is connected for axial but not sleeve end face 22a as shown in Figure 8. This provides rotative relative movement in any convenient manner. the desired pre-load which can be used to initiate a The other end of the sleeve 22 is axially slidably mount- is switch off of the drive motor 1 6, preferably by means of ed on a spigot fixedly attached to the inner hinge mem- a microswitch on the spring 23. The degree of pre-load ber 3. can be varied by appropriate choice of the configuration As can be seen from Figure 7 in particular a first and/or number of elements in the disc spring 23. Alter- spring means in the form of a disc spring 24 is provided natively, and not shown, the drive motor 16 could be a between a shoulder portion 23a of the spigot 23 and the 20 stepper motor programmed to rotate the nut 21 by a pre- sleeve end face 22a. The disc spring 24 acts as a pre- determined number of steps to achieve the correct de- load compliance spring. A second spring means in the gree of pre-load on the spring 23. Thus Figure 8 repre- form of a light compression spring preferably is provided sents the hinge assembly 1 in the fully locked open po- within the sleeve between the facing end of the nut 21 sition. and an internal shoulder provided on the sleeve at the 25 Reclosure is effected by operating the assembly in end 22a thereof. This compression spring acts to bias the reverse direction. Initial rotation of the motor 16 the nut 21 axially away from the sleeve. drives the worm 8 along the stationary worm wheel 9 so Deflector means, in the form of a collar 25 surround- freeing, i.e. unscrewing, the nose portion 20 from the ing the nose portion 20, are provided on the hinge mem- lock nut 21 and returning the assembly to the Figure 7 ber 4 or on a housing 26 of the worm 8 to contact the 30 position. Continued operation of the motor 1 6 rotates the leading end 21 a of the nut 21 , as illustrated in Figure 6, worm wheel 9 and displaces the hinge member 3 during angular pivoting movement of the inner hinge through the Figure 6 position back into the fully closed member 3. This contact is such that the collar 25 acts position of Figure 5. as a cam face which displaces the nut 21 rearwardly Complementary finger and recessed means preter- against the biasing force of the spring 24 until the nose ms ably are provided on the two hinge members 3 and 4 portion 20 and nut 21 are in axial alignment whereupon with the finger means projecting substantially parallel to the spring 24 re-urges the nut 21 into contact with the the longitudinal axes of the two hinge members. The fin- nose portion 20 so that on continued rotation of the ac- ger means may be provided on one hinge member and tuator means drive shaft 11 the screw thread of the nose the recess means on the other hinge member or some portion 20 engages the screw thread in the nut 21 draw- 40 of the finger means may be provided on one hinge mem- ing the nut 21 onto the nose portion 20. ber and some on the other hinge member with the re- The operation of a hinge assembly 1 according to cess means being distributed accordingly on the two the second embodiment will now be described with ref- hinge members. The purpose of the finger and recess erence to Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. means is that the finger means engage in the appropri- With the two hinge members 3 and 4 in the closed po- 45 ate complementary recesses in the open position of the sition as shown in Figure 5 switching on the drive motor hinge assembly 1 to improve the rigidity and transverse 1 6 rotates the worm wheel 9 through 1 63° via the worm load carrying capability of the assembly in the open po- 8, so that the hinge member 3 moves into the position sition. shown in Figure 6. After rotation of about 163° the lead- As shown in Figure 1 the complementary finger and ing end of 21a of the nut 21 contacts the collar 25 as so recess means conveniently take the form of a cylindri- shown in Figure 6 and the nut 21 begins to move axially cal, or tapered, finger 27 mounted on the side web 4b rearwardly towards the spigot shoulder 23a against the of the outer hinge member 4 to project proud of the end action of the return spring with disc spring 24 being light- thereof towards the inner hinge member 3, and a re- ly compressed between the sleeve 22 and spigot shoul- cessed member 28 having a complementary shaped re- der 23a. 55 cess for receiving the leading end of the finger 27. The The hinge member 3 continues to open as shown member 28 is mounted on the inner hinge member side in Figure 7 and the nut 21 is further displaced axially into web 3b with the mouth of the recess opening towards the sleeve 22 against the spring. At full rotation through the outer hinge member 4.

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Claims shaft is mounted, against the pre-load biasing means (24). 1. A power actuable hinge assembly, comprising two hinge members (3, 4) hinged together by pivot 7. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, means (2) for movement between an open position 5 including complementary finger and recess means in which the hinge members are unfolded and ex- (27, 28) provided on the two hinge members (3, 4) tend substantially co-axially in end-to-end relation- for engagement in the open position of the assem- ship, and a closed position in which the hinge mem- bly (1 ) for improving the rigidity and transverse load bers are folded so that one hinge member is angu- carrying capability of the assembly (1 ) in the open larly displaced, with respecttotheotherhinge mem- 10 position. ber, about the pivot means, out of the end-to-end relationship, drive means (7) for unfolding or folding 8. A collapsible boom or mast having a plurality of the hinge members, characterised in that the drive elongated sections (5, 6) and at least one hinge as- means (7) includes a drive shaft (11) rotatably sembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, mounted on one hinge member (4) and carrying a is with the or each assembly (1) interconnecting two worm in mesh with a worm-wheel (9) mounted for adjoining sections (5, 6). rotation with the other hinge member about the hinge axis, and in that the worm (8) is mounted for axial slidable movement relative to the axis of the Patentanspriiche drive shaft (1 1 ) against pre-load biasing means (1 3, 20 24), so that the hinge members are biased together 1. Ein motorisierter Scharnieraufbau mit zwei Schar- to be thereby locked in the open position because niergliedern (3, 4), die durch Schwenkmittel (2) zur of axial movement of the worm against the biasing Bewegung zwischen einer offenen Position, in wel- means due to continued rotation of the drive shaft cher die Scharnierglieder entfaltet sind und sich im with the worm-wheel in a stopped position corre- 25 wesentlichen koaxial in einer Ende-an-Ende-Bezie- sponding to the open position of the hinge mem- hung erstrecken, und einer geschlossenen Position bers. gelenkig verbunden sind, in welcher die Scharnier- glieder gefaltet sind, so dal3 ein Scharnierglied be- 2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the zuglich des anderen Scharniergliedes iiber das hinge members (3, 4) are each of substantially elon- 30 Schwenkmittel aus der Ende-an-Ende-Beziehung gated channel form and substantially U shaped in winklig verschoben ist, und Antriebsmitteln (7) zum cross-section with a base web (3a, 4a) and two Entfalten und Falten der Scharnierglieder, spaced apart side webs (3b, 4b). dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 das Antriebsmittel (7) eine Antriebswelle (11) 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, where- 35 um-fal3t, die auf einem Scharnierglied (4) drehbar in the pre-load biasing means includes a compres- befestigt ist und eine Schnecke in Eingriff mit einem sion spring (13) mounted on the drive shaft (11 ) be- Schneckenrad (9) tragt, das zur Rotation mit dem tween a collar (14) fixed to the shaft (11) and a anderen Scharnierglied urn die Scharnierachse shoulder (15) fixed relative to the hinge member (4) herum befestigt ist, und dadurch, dal3 die Schnecke on which the drive shaft is mounted. 40 (8) zur axial verschiebbaren Bewegung relativ zur Achse der Antriebswelle (11) gegen Vorlast-Vor- 4. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, spannungsmittel (13, 24) befestigt ist, so dal3 die wherein the drive means (7) includes a drive motor Scharnierglieder gegeneinander vorgespannt sind, connected to the end of the drive shaft (11) remote urn dadurch in der offenen Position in Folge einer from the free end. 45 Axialbewegung der Schnecke gegen die Vorspan- nungsmittel aufgrund einer fortgesetzten Rotation 5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the drive der Antriebswelle verriegelt zu sein, wobei sich das motor is an electric motor (16) housed in and at- Schneckenrad in einer angehaltenen Position be- tached to the hinge member (4) on which the drive findet, die der offenen Position der Scharnierglieder shaft is mounted. so entspricht.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 2. Ein Aufbau nach Anspruch 1, worin die Scharnier- including an externally screw threaded nose portion glieder (3, 4) jeweils die Form eines im wesentli- (20) fixed to and projecting from the free end of the chen langlichen Kanals aufweisen und im wesent- drive shaft (1 1 ) for rotation therewith and a comple- 55 lichen U-formig im Querschnitt mit einem Basissteg mentary internally screw threaded lock nut (21) (3a, 4a) und zwei beabstandeten Seitenstegen (3b, non-rotatably but axially movably mounted on the 4b) sind. other hinge member (3) to that on which the drive

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3. Ein Aufbau nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wor- que le dispositif d'entramement (7) possede un ar- in das Vorlast-Vorspannungsmittel eine Druckfeder bre (1 1 ) d'entramement qui est monte afin qu'il tour- (1 3) umfaBt, die auf der Antriebswelle (1 1 ) zwischen ne sur un premier organe (4) de charniere et qui einem Hals (14), der an der Welle (11) fixiert ist, und porte une vis en prise avec une roue tangente (9) einer Schulter (15) befestigt ist, die relativ zu dem s montee afin qu'elle tourne avec I'autre organe de Scharnierglied (4), auf welchem die Antriebswelle charniere autour de I'axe d'articulation, et en ce que befestigt ist, fixiert ist. la vis (8) est montee afin qu'elle puisse presenter un mouvement de coulissement par rapport a I'axe 4. Ein Aufbau nach einem der Anspruche 1 bis 3, wor- de I'arbre (11) d'entramement malgre la force d'un in das Antriebsmittel (7) einen Antriebsmotor urn- 10 dispositif (13, 24) de rappel exercant une force fal3t, der mit dem Ende der Antriebswelle (11) ent- prealable, si bien que les organes de charniere sont fernt von dem freien Ende verbunden ist. rappeles en cooperation afin qu'ils soient bloques en position d'ouverture a la suite du deplacement 5. Ein Aufbau nach Anspruch 4, worin der Antriebs- axial de la vis malgre la force du dispositif de rappel motor ein Elektromotor (16) ist, der untergebracht 15 lors de la rotation continue de I'arbre d'entrame- ist in und angebracht ist an dem Scharnierglied (4), ment alors que la roue tangente est en position ar- auf welchem die Antriebswelle befestigt ist. restee correspondant a la position d'ouverture des organes de charniere. 6. Ein Aufbau nach einem der Anspruche 1 bis 5, der einen mit einem AuBengewinde versehenen Na- 20 2. Charniere selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle senteil (20), der fixiert ist an und vorspringt von dem les organes (3, 4) de charniere sont chacun prati- freien Ende der Antriebswelle (11) zur Rotation da- quement sous forme d'un canal allonge et ont pra- mit, und eine komplementare mit einem Innenge- tiquement une section en U avec une joue (3a, 4a) winde versehene Verriegelungsmutter (21 ) umfaBt, de base et deux joues laterales distantes (3b, 4b). die nicht drehbar aber axial bewegbar auf dem an- 25 deren Scharnierglied (3) zu dem, an welchem die 3. Charniere selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans la- Antriebswelle befestigt ist, gegen das Vorlast-Vor- quelle le dispositif de rappel exercant une force spannungsmittel (24) befestigt ist. prealable comporte un ressort (1 3) de compression monte sur I'arbre (11) d'entramement entre un col- 7. Ein Aufbau nach einem der Anspruche 1 bis 6, der 30 lier (14) fixe a I'arbre (1 1 ) et un epaulement (15) fixe komplementare Finger- und Ausnehmungsmittel par rapport a I'organe de charniere (4) sur lequel (27, 28) umfaBt, die auf den zwei Scharniergliedern est monte I'arbre d'entramement. (3, 4) zum Eingriff in die offene Position des Aufbaus (1 ) zur Verbesserung der Steifheit und der Querlast- 4. Charniere selon I'une quelconque des revendica- tragfahigkeit des Aufbaus (1) in der offenen Position 35 tions 1 a 3, dans laquelle le dispositif d'entrame- vorgesehen sind. ment (7) comporte un moteur raccorde a I'extremite de I'arbre d'entramement (11) qui est distante de 8. Ein zusammenklappbarer Dorn oder Mast mit einer I'extremite libre. Vielzahl von langlichen Abschnitten (5, 6) und we- nigstens einem Scharnieraufbau (1) gemaB einem 40 5. Charniere selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle le der Anspruche 1 bis 7, wobei der oder jeder Aufbau moteur d'entramement est un moteur electrique (1 ) zwei angrenzende Abschnitte (5, 6) miteinander (16) qui est loge dans I'organe de charniere (4) sur verbindet. lequel est monte I'arbre d'entramement, et qui est fixe a cet organe.

Revendications 6. Charniere selon I'une quelconque des revendications 1 a 5, comprenant une partie (20) de nez file- 1 . Charniere motorisee, comprenant deux organes (3, tee fixee a I'extremite libre de I'arbre d'entramement 4) de charniere articules sur un pivot (2) afin qu'ils (1 1 ) et depassant de celui-ci afin qu'elle tourne avec se deplacent dans une position d'ouverture dans la- so lui, et un ecrou complementaire taraude (21 ) de blo- quelle les organes sont deplies et sont disposes cage monte afin qu'il soit mobile axialement mais pratiquement coaxialement bout a bout, et une po- non en rotation sur I'organe de charniere (3) autre sition de fermeture dans laquelle les organes sont que celui sur lequel est monte I'arbre d'entrame- plies si bien qu'un organe de charniere est decale ment, malgre la force prealable du dispositif de rap- angulairement par rapport a I'autre autour du pivot, 55 pel (24). a distance de la disposition relative bout a bout, un dispositif (7) d'entramement destine a deplier et 7. Charniere selon I'une quelconque des revendica- plier les organes de charniere, caracterisee en ce tions 1 a 6, comprenant des dispositifs complemen-

7 13 EP 0 505 134 B1 taires (27, 28) a doigt et cavite places sur les deux organes (3, 4) de charniere et destines a cooperer dans la position d'ouverture de la charniere (1) afin qu'ils ameliorent la rigidite et les possibilites d'en- caissement des forces transversales de la charnie- s re (1) en position d'ouverture.

Mat ou fleche pliant, comprenant plusieurs troncons allonges (5, 6) et au moins une charniere (1) selon I'une quelconque des revendications 1 a 7, 1'ensem- 10 ble ou chaque ensemble (1) interconnectant deux troncons adjacents (5, 6).

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