Articulating hinge assembly for securing an access door on a gaming machine cabinet
View Patent ↗A hinge assembly for securing a door on a gaming machine cabinet includes a first flange coupled to the door, a second flange coupled to the cabinet, a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a first pivot joint, a second link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a second pivot joint, a third link pair coupled to the first link pair at a third pivot joint, wherein the third link pair is further coupled to the second flange at a fourth pivot joint, and wherein the third link pair is further coupled to the second link pair at a fifth pivot joint, and a fourth link pair coupled to the second flange at a sixth pivot joint, wherein the fourth link pair is further coupled to the second link pair at a seventh pivot joint.
1. An electronic gaming machine, comprising:
a main cabinet securely enclosing a cash box;
a door providing access to the cash box; and
at least one hinge assembly securing the door to the main cabinet, the at least one hinge assembly comprising:
a first flange coupled to the door, wherein the first flange comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending orthogonally away from the first portion;
a second flange coupled to the main cabinet, wherein the second flange comprises a first portion and a second portion the second portion extending orthogonally away from the first portion;
a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a first pivot joint;
a second link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a second pivot joint;
a first contact region, wherein the first link pair comes into contact with the second link pair, preventing over-rotation of the door such that the door does not come into contact with an external surface of the electronic gaming machine;
a third link pair coupled to the first link pair at a third pivot joint, the third link pair further coupled to the second flange at a fourth pivot joint, the third link pair further coupled to the second link pair at a fifth pivot joint; and
a fourth link pair coupled to the second flange at a sixth pivot joint, the fourth link pair further coupled to the second link pair at a seventh pivot joint.
2. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the second link pair comprises a first end, a second end, and a curved body disposed therebetween.
3. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the second link pair is L-shaped.
4. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the third link pair further comprises a first end, a second end, and a curved body disposed therebetween.
5. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the third link pair further comprises a first portion that extends between the third pivot joint and the fifth pivot joint, and where the third link pair further comprises a second portion that extends between the fourth pivot joint and the fifth pivot joint, and wherein the first portion meets the second portion at an angle that is greater than ninety degrees.
6. The electronic gaming machine of claim 5 , wherein the first portion meets the second portion at an angle of one-hundred-and-eighteen degrees.
7. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the third link pair is V-shaped.
8. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one hinge assembly is arranged to expand from a closed position into an open position, wherein, in the open position, an angle between the cabinet and the door is less than one-hundred-and-eighty degrees.
9. The electronic gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one hinge assembly is arranged to expand from a closed position into an open position, wherein, in the open position, an angle between the cabinet and the door is one-hundred-and-sixty degrees.
10. A hinge assembly for securing a door on a gaming machine cabinet, the hinge assembly comprising:
a first flange arranged to be coupled to the door, wherein the first flange comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending orthogonally away from the first portion;
a second flange arranged to be coupled to the cabinet, wherein the second flange comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending orthogonally away from the first portion;
a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a first pivot joint;
a second link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a second pivot joint;
a first contact region, wherein the first link pair comes into contact with the second link pair, preventing over-rotation of the door such that the door does not come into contact with an external surface of the gaming machine cabinet;
a third link pair coupled to the first link pair at a third pivot joint, the third link pair further coupled to the second flange at a fourth pivot joint, the third link pair further coupled to the second link pair at a fifth pivot joint; and
a fourth link pair coupled to the second flange at a sixth pivot joint, the fourth link pair further coupled to the second link pair at a seventh pivot joint.
11. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second link pair comprises a first end, a second end, and a curved body disposed therebetween.
12. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second link pair is L-shaped.
13. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , wherein the third link pair further comprises a first end, a second end, and a curved body disposed therebetween.
14. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , wherein the third link pair further comprises a first portion that extends between the third pivot joint and the fifth pivot joint, and where the third link pair further comprises a second portion that extends between the fourth pivot joint and the fifth pivot joint, and wherein the first portion meets the second portion at an angle that is greater than ninety degrees.
15. The hinge assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first portion meets the second portion at an angle of one-hundred-and-eighteen degrees.
16. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , wherein the third link pair is V-shaped.
17. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , wherein the hinge assembly is arranged to expand from a closed position into an open position, wherein, in the open position, an angle between the cabinet and the door is less than one-hundred-and-eighty, degrees.
18. The hinge assembly of claim 10 , wherein the hinge assembly is arranged to expand from a closed position into an open position, wherein, in the open position, an angle between the cabinet and the door is one-hundred-and-sixty degrees.
19. A method of securing a door to a gaming machine cabinet, the method comprising:
mechanically coupling a first hinge assembly between an interior surface of the gaming machine cabinet and an interior surface of the door, the first hinge assembly comprising a plurality of four link pairs; and
mechanically coupling a second hinge assembly between the interior surface of the gaming machine cabinet and the interior surface of the door, the second hinge assembly spaced apart from the first hinge assembly and extending substantially in parallel with the first hinge assembly and comprising a plurality of four link pairs, wherein each of the first and second hinge assemblies comprise:
a first flange arranged to be coupled to the door, wherein the first flange comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending orthogonally away from the first portion;
a second flange arranged to be coupled to the cabinet, wherein the second flange comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending orthogonally away from the first portion;
a first link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a first pivot joint;
a second link pair coupled to and extending from the first flange at a second pivot joint;
a first contact region, wherein the first link pair comes into contact with the second link pair, preventing over-rotation of the door such that the door does not come into contact with an external surface of the gaming machine cabinet;
a third link pair coupled to the first link pair at a third pivot joint, the third link pair further coupled to the second flange at a fourth pivot joint, the third link pair further coupled to the second link pair at a fifth pivot joint; and
a fourth link pair coupled to the second flange at a sixth pivot joint, the fourth link pair further coupled to the second link pair at a seventh pivot joint.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing an opening force on the door, such that the door is manipulated into an open position, and such that, in the open position, an angle between the gaming machine cabinet and the interior surface of the door is less than one-hundred-and-eighty degrees.