Hinge with securing features

Abstract

Disclosed is a hinge with securing features, the hinge including a first hinge body portion including a first frame association end and a nesting cavity, the first frame association end and the nesting cavity being disposed at opposite ends of the first hinge body portion, a second hinge body portion defining a second frame association end and a nesting body configured for nesting in the nesting cavity of the first hinge body portion, the second frame association end and the nesting body being disposed at opposite ends of the second hinge body portion, wherein the first hinge body portion and the second hinge body portion are rotatably associated via a pivot point, and at least one securing feature configured for securing the nesting body within the nesting cavity in a manner that prevents rotation of the first body portion relative to the second body portion about the pivot point.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hinge with securing features, the hinge comprising:
 a first hinge body portion defining a nesting cavity;   a second hinge body portion defining a nesting body configured for nesting in said nesting cavity of said first hinge body portion, wherein said first hinge body portion and said second hinge body portion are rotatably associated via a pivot point; and   a spring loaded latch connected to one of said first hinge body portion and said second hinge body portion, one of said first hinge body portion and said second hinge body portion said spring loaded latch being configured to prevent rotation of said first body portion relative to said second body portion about said pivot point. The hinge of claim I, wherein said spring loaded latch is mounted to one of said first hinge body portion and said second hinge body portion, opposite said pivot point.   
     
     
         3 . The hinge of  claim 1 , wherein said spring loaded latch is configured to engage a feature of the other of said first hinge body portion and said second hinge body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The hinge of  claim 3 , wherein said feature includes a flange extending in direction away from said pivot point. 
     
     
         5 . The hinge according to  claim 1 , wherein said spring loaded latch includes a latch body and a spring, wherein a biasing force of the spring is configured to bias the spring loaded latch to an engaged position. 
     
     
         6 . The hinge according to  claim 5 , wherein said first body portion is movable relative to said second body portion about said pivot point when a force opposing the biasing force of the spring applied to said spring loaded latch. 
     
     
         7 . A stowable bimini frame comprising:
 a bimini frame including a first frame portion, a second frame portion, and a hinge associating said first frame portion and said second frame portion such that said second frame portion is movable about said hinge between an open configuration and a folded configuration., said hinge including:   a first hinge body associated with said first frame portion;   a second hinge body associated with said second frame portion, the first hinge body and the second hinge body being coupled via a pivot point; and   a spring loaded latch configured to selectively lock said bimini frame in said open configuration.   
     
     
         8 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 7 , wherein said sprirg loaded latch is positioned opposite said pivot point. 
     
     
         9 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 3 , wherein said spring loaded latch is mounted about an exterior of said hinge. 
     
     
         10 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 7 , wherein said first hinge body includes a first cavity, said first frame portion being received within said first cavity, and said second hinge body includes a second cavity, said second frame portion being received within said second cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 7 , wherein said spring loaded latch includes a latch body and a spring, wherein a biasing force of the spring is configured to bias the spring loaded latch into an engaged position. 
     
     
         12 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 11 , wherein said bimini frame is movable to the folded configuration when a force opposing the biasing force of the spring applied to said spring loaded latch. 
     
     
         13 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 7 , wherein said spring loaded latch is configured to engage a corresponding feature said hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 13 , wherein said feature includes a flange extending from the hinge in a direction opposite the pivot point. 
     
     
         15 . The stowable bimini frame according to  claim 7 , wherein said first hinge body portion defines a nesting cavity and said second hinge body defines a nesting body configured for nesting in said nesting cavity of said first hinge body when said bimini frame is in an open configuration.