Container with internal hinge arrangement

Abstract

A container comprises two case bodies and an internal hinge arrangement which comprises two sockets holders formed on the two hinging edges of the case bodies and a hinge connector comprising a protective cover and two axis shafts provided for inserting into the socket holders, so as to form two pivot axles along the hinging edges of the case bodies, such that the two case bodies are pivotally connected together. The internal hinge arrangement provides a secure folded position to the case bodies of the container because the hinge connector is not visible or reachable when the container is in a folded position. The internal hinge arrangement provides a double axial folding and unfolding motion of the container, such that an unfolding angle between the container and the container cover can reach to at least 180°, providing a higher durability to the internal hinge arrangement and the container. By incorporating an angle retention arrangement to the internal hinge arrangement, the largest unfolding angle of the two case bodies can be limited. The angle retention arrangement can also control the folding and unfolding motion of the case bodies, assisting the user to use less energy to open up the case bodies.

1 . A container, comprising: 
 two case bodies, each having a longitudinal hinging edge; and    an internal hinge arrangement, which comprises:    two socket holders formed on said two hinging edges of said case bodies respectively; and    a hinge connector comprising a protective cover covering along said two hinging edges of said case bodies and two axis shafts spacedly extended along longitudinal edges of said protective cover, wherein said two axis shafts are rotatably inserted into said socket holders to form two pivot axles along said hinging edges of said case bodies respectively so as to pivotally connect said two case bodies.    
     
     
         2 . The container, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said socket holders comprises two tubular sockets integrally formed at two side ends of each of said hinging edges respectively, wherein two end portions of each of said axis shafts are slidably inserted into said two respective tubular sockets to form said pivot axle along said respective hinging edge of said case body.  
     
     
         3 . The container, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said axis shafts comprises a tubular sleeve extended along said longitudinal edge of said protective cover to coaxially align with said socket holders and an elongated shaft slidably extended to said socket holder through said tubular sleeve so as to pivotally connect said protective cover with said respective case body.  
     
     
         4 . The container, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each of said axis shafts comprises a tubular sleeve extended along said longitudinal edge of said protective cover to coaxially align with said socket holders and an elongated shaft slidably extended to said socket holder through said tubular sleeve so as to pivotally connect said protective cover with said respective case body.  
     
     
         5 . The container, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said protective cover has a C-shaped cross section and an edge enclosing cavity to receive said two hinging edges of said case bodies therein when said axis shafts are engaged with said socket holders respectively so as to protect said two pivot axles in said edge hiding cavity in a hidden manner.  
     
     
         6 . The container, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said protective cover has a C-shaped cross section and an edge enclosing cavity to receive said two hinging edges of said case bodies therein when said axis shafts are engaged with said socket holders respectively so as to protect said two pivot axles in said edge hiding cavity in a hidden manner.  
     
     
         7 . The container, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said protective cover has a C-shaped cross section and an edge enclosing cavity to receive said two hinging edges of said case bodies therein when said axis shafts are engaged with said socket holders respectively so as to protect said two pivot axles in said edge hiding cavity in a hidden manner.  
     
     
         8 . The container, as recited as in  claim 1 , further comprising an angle retention arrangement which comprises a plurality of first gears provided at said socket holders respectively and a plurality of second gears formed at said hinge connector to rotatably engage with said first gears respectively so as to selectively retain a pivot angle between said two case bodies.  
     
     
         9 . The container, as recited as in  claim 4 , further comprising an angle retention arrangement which comprises a plurality of first gears provided at said socket holders respectively and a plurality of second gears formed at said hinge connector to rotatably engage with said first gears respectively so as to selectively retain a pivot angle between said two case bodies.  
     
     
         10 . The container, as recited as in  claim 7 , further comprising an angle retention arrangement which comprises a plurality of first gears provided at said socket holders respectively and a plurality of second gears formed at said hinge connector to rotatably engage with said first gears respectively so as to selectively retain a pivot angle between said two case bodies.  
     
     
         11 . The container, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said second gears comprises at least a pair of gear members rotatably mounted on an inner side of said protective cover to frictionally engage with said first gears at said socket holders respectively.  
     
     
         12 . The container, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said second gears comprises at least a pair of gear members rotatably mounted on an inner side of said protective cover to frictionally engage with said first gears at said socket holders respectively.  
     
     
         13 . The container, as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said second gears comprises at least a pair of gear members rotatably mounted on an inner side of said protective cover to frictionally engage with said first gears at said socket holders respectively.  
     
     
         14 . The container, as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said gear members are rotatably engaged with each other such that said first gears are engaged with each other through said gear members.  
     
     
         15 . The container, as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said gear members are rotatably engaged with each other such that said first gears are engaged with each other through said gear members.  
     
     
         16 . The container, as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said gear members are rotatably engaged with each other such that said first gears are engaged with each other through said gear members.  
     
     
         17 . The container, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein each of said first gears comprises a plurality of engaging teeth spacedly and integrally formed on an outer surface of said respective socket holder to frictionally engage with said respective second gear.  
     
     
         18 . The container, as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each of said first gears comprises a plurality of engaging teeth spacedly and integrally formed on an outer surface of said respective socket holder to frictionally engage with said respective second gear.  
     
     
         19 . The container, as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each of said first gears comprises a plurality of engaging teeth spacedly and integrally formed on an outer surface of said respective socket holder to frictionally engage with said respective second gear.  
     
     
         20 . The container, as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each of said first gears comprises a plurality of engaging teeth spacedly and integrally formed on an outer surface of said respective socket holder to frictionally engage with said respective second gear.