Low Overhead Hinge Assembly

Abstract

A low overhead hinge assembly comprising a stationary hinge plate and a rotating hinge plate. The stationary hinge plate having a stationary hinge plate body portion and a plurality of stationary hinge plate digits coupled to the stationary hinge plate body portion, each of the stationary hinge plate digits having an opening therein. The rotating hinge plate having a rotating hinge plate body portion and a plurality of pins coupled to the rotating hinge plate body portion, wherein the stationary hinge plate digits are configured to be engaged with the rotating hinge plate pins so that each of a plurality of the rotating hinge plate pins is inserted into an opening in one of the stationary hinge plate digits so as to pivotally couple the rotating hinge plate to the stationary hinge plate.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . An electrical equipment rack arm assembly comprising: 
 a first hinge plate having a first hinge plate body portion and a plurality of first hinge plate digits coupled to the first hinge plate body portion, each of the first hinge plate digits having an opening therein;    a first cable arm having a second hinge plate at an end of the first cable arm, the second hinge plate having a second hinge plate body portion and a plurality of second hinge plate pins coupled to the second hinge plate body portion, wherein the first hinge plate digits are configured to be engaged with the second hinge plate pins so that each of a plurality of the second hinge plate pins is inserted into an opening in one of the first hinge plate digits so as to pivotally couple the second hinge plate to the first hinge plate.    
     
     
         10 . An electrical equipment rack assembly comprising: 
 a rack enclosure; and    an electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 9  coupled to the rack enclosure.    
     
     
         11 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a shim having a shim body portion and a plurality of shim digits, wherein the shim is coupled to the second hinge plate and wherein each shim digit is configured to be inserted between one of the first hinge plate digits and an adjacent second hinge plate pin when the first hinge plate digits and second hinge plate pins are engaged.  
     
     
         12 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 11  further comprising a spring, wherein the spring extends to cause the shim digits to be substantially aligned with the second hinge plate pins.  
     
     
         13 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 12  further comprising a latch to keep the shim digits substantially aligned with the second hinge plate pins.  
     
     
         14 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 9  wherein a plurality of the first hinge plate digits have a cylindrical hole therein.  
     
     
         15 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 9  wherein a plurality of the first hinge plate digits have a cylindrical cavity therein.  
     
     
         16 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 15  wherein a plurality of the first hinge plate digits have a notch in a side wall of the digit so as to allow the second hinge plate pins to be inserted into the cavity of the first hinge plate digits using a motion in a direction substantially perpendicular to an edge of the second hinge plate on which the second hinge plate pins are coupled.  
     
     
         17 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a shim having a shim body portion and a plurality of digits, wherein the shim is coupled to the first hinge plate and wherein each shim digit comprises a disc and a partial side wall substantially perpendicular to the disc configured to keep the first hinge plate digits engaged with the second hinge plate pins when the second hinge plate is pivotally coupled to the first hinge plate.  
     
     
         18 . The electrical equipment rack arm assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a shim means for keeping the first hinge plate digits coupled with the second hinge plate pins.  
     
     
         19 . The electrical equipment rack assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a shim having a shim body portion and a plurality of shim digits, wherein the shim is coupled to the second hinge plate and wherein each shim digit is configured to be inserted between one of the first hinge plate digits and an adjacent second hinge plate pin when the first hinge plate digits and second hinge plate pins are engaged.  
     
     
         20 . The electrical equipment rack assembly of  claim 19  further comprising a spring, wherein the spring extends to cause the shim digits to be substantially aligned with the second hinge plate pins.