Term #1,374
hinge
Claim Term
hinge
Origin matter
ARTHROPLASTY BALANCE AND GAP GAUGE
Reference Case 1
OPT-9
Date Added
—
Created
1/6/21, 4:36 PM
Modified
9/11/25, 10:56 PM
Full Desc
As used herein, a "hinge" refers to an apparatus, instrument, structure, device, component, member, system, assembly, or module structured, organized, configured, designed, arranged, or engineered to connect two structures such that one structure can rotate about a fixed longitudinal axis of the hinge with respect to the other structure. In one embodiment, a hinge may be considered a mechanical bearing that restricts relative movement of the two structures to a desired kind of movement. In certain embodiments, various types of hinges can be used including a barrel hinge, a butt hinge, a butterfly hinge, a case hinge, a concealed hinge, a continuous / piano hinge, a flag hinge, an H hinge, an HL hinge, a pivot hinge, a self-closing hinge, a spring hinge, a living hinge, a coach hinge, a flush hinge, or the like.
A hinge can include a pin, one or more knuckles (also referred to as loops, joints, nodes, curls, etc.), and one or more leaves. A leaf is a structure that extends laterally from the one or more knuckles and can be integrated with or connected to a structure that is intended to pivot or rotate about the pin. In certain embodiments, a hinge can include two or more leaves. A leaf can be a planar structure.
A knuckle is a structure with an opening sized to receive the pin. A knuckle connects to at least one leaf. A knuckle can have a circular longitudinal cross-section and can be cylindrical. In certain embodiments, each leaf includes a knuckle that can be aligned along a longitudinal axis of the hinge. Once the one or more knuckles are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the hinge, the pin can be inserted into openings of the one or more knuckles to secure the leaf / leaves connected to each knuckle.