A hinge for connecting a first pivoting body to a second pivoting body in a relatively pivotable manner includes a sheet body configured to attach a first end of the sheet body to the first pivoting body, and to attach a second end of the sheet body to the second pivoting body. The sheet body includes a plurality of layered sheet members, and a pivot shaft between layered sheet members of the plurality of layered sheet members to allow the first end and the second end of the sheet body to pivot relative to each other. The pivot shaft includes a soft resin part between the layered sheet members.

A switch actuating device (1) for a vehicle door includes an actuating element (10) with an actuating surface (11), a mechanical switch (20) and a mechanism (30). The switch is secured on a first component/component group (31). A lever (32) is mounted for pivot in relation to the first component/component group (31). A first region (32.2) of the lever is connected to a first part of the actuating element (10) via a first articulation (10.1). A second part of the actuating element (10) is mounted on the first component/component group (31) via a second articulation (10.2). The actuating element (10) bends when the actuating surface (11) is subjected to manual pressure causing the distance between the first articulation (10.1) and the second articulation (10.2) to shorten, which causes the lever (32) to pivot toward the switch such that the switch is switched.

A switch actuating device (1) for a vehicle door includes an actuating element (10) with an actuating surface (11), a mechanical switch (20) and a mechanism (30). The switch is secured on a first component/component group (31). A lever (32) is mounted for pivot in relation to the first component/component group (31). A first region (32.2) of the lever is connected to a first part of the actuating element (10) via a first articulation (10.1). A second part of the actuating element (10) is mounted on the first component/component group (31) via a second articulation (10.2). The actuating element (10) bends when the actuating surface (11) is subjected to manual pressure causing the distance between the first articulation (10.1) and the second articulation (10.2) to shorten, which causes the lever (32) to pivot toward the switch such that the switch is switched.

A composite-material and methods used to produce low profile close tolerance composite-hinges such as required for desks and cabinets, that can be molded and bonded into structures using specified resin systems in a simple layup and cure.

The reinforcement material of the hinge is PET fiber-fabric, that is plied with a thin film of a polymeric adhesive-tape. The tape will serve as the exterior face of a molded hinge. The reinforcement fiber material will be oriented at +/−45 degrees to hinge line for maximum shear stiffness. The hinge material will be infused with a laminating/adhesive resin in the lay-up process to produce a co-molded hinge bonded to the structural substrates. This composite material and described process will yield installed low-profile (10 mil) hinges that have a typical tensile strength of 74 lbs/inch of length.

A resin-septum coating template would be supplied with the raw material to facilitate the process. The template material is a screen that will act as a septum to hold a proscribed layer of the laminating-adhesive resin in position to facilitate the infusion of resin to the fiber-fabric face of coupon to produce the composite-hinge, co-bonded to the substrates. The composite material could be supplied as trimmed to size hinge-coupons, or in 5 foot lengths of standard width material to be trimmed as required by user.

A wall vent door assembly including a multi-functional hinge including flexible and resilient material extending continuously along the hinge edge of the door; one edge of the door is configured to accept and/or otherwise interface with a complimentary edge of the hinge material, and the adjacent hinge edge of the mounting frame is configured to accept and/or otherwise interface with another complimentary edge of the hinge material. Besides providing the hinge connection between the door and the adjacent frame, the flexible material also seals the interface to prevent entry of light and wind when the door is closed. The flexible and resilient hinge material also acts as a spring, exerting force to assist in the movement of the door from the closed position to open positions.

A wall vent door assembly including a multi-functional hinge including flexible and resilient material extending continuously along the hinge edge of the door; one edge of the door is configured to accept and/or otherwise interface with a complimentary edge of the hinge material, and the adjacent hinge edge of the mounting frame is configured to accept and/or otherwise interface with another complimentary edge of the hinge material. Besides providing the hinge connection between the door and the adjacent frame, the flexible material also seals the interface to prevent entry of light and wind when the door is closed. The flexible and resilient hinge material also acts as a spring, exerting force to assist in the movement of the door from the closed position to open positions.

A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.

A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.

An element of an inorganic brittle material having two opposed sides and a circumferential edge includes at least three sections. The at least three sections include a first section and two second sections, the second sections adjoining the first section so that the first section is arranged between the second sections. The first section includes an arrangement of openings forming passages from one side to an opposed side of the element so that the first section has a higher flexibility than the second sections.

A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.