Special hinges for stay-up/drop-down flap

[John Stumbles]

I'm not sure these even exist but if they do does anyone know where to get them?

I want hinges for a flap that I can fit to a shelf front edge that can hinge down to let you get stuff off the shelf (the easy bit) but that when you raise the flap into the vertical position it will stay upright and prevent items on the shelf (in my van) being thrown off when I go round corners. (It's not so practicable to fit a catch above the shelf to hold the flap.)

I hope the ascii-art shows the principle: the part of the hinge attached to the flap has an elongated hole so in the vertically up position the flap drops slightly and locks in position. When you lift the flap it is then able to rotate on the hinge-pin and drop into the open position.

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[Jim K]

mmm ... boats? caravans maybe?

Jim K

[Brian Gaff]

The problem with this design as I know to my cost from when my Father had a motor caravan is that one unexpected big bump and the door opens spilling all items onto the floor. We ended up with a couple of screws and some thin bungi stuff in the end.

It really needed a catch one could turn that locked to stop that sort of thing. Brian

[Jon Connell]

How about putting a push catch on either side of the shelf that will hold it in place and that will engage when the shelf is pushed up and is released by pushing in a button? If you don't like the idea of the shelf dropping down hard when you release the catch, a light gas spring would help.

Some catches don't even need a push-button to open, they just need a bit of force. Like this one:

[Dave Plowman (News)]

[snip]

You can get kitchen unit hinges (that hold the door closed) which allow the door to open 180 degrees.

[Jim K]

how much resistance would they offer when pushed from inside though?

Jim K

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Quite a bit if close to the hinge. They're designed to hold quite large doors closed.

[Jon Connell]

I'd expect any decent manufacturer to specify the force needed to open them, or at least have somebody you can call to ask. Why not give Hafele a call, or click on the "Chat now" button they appear to have on their website?

[John Stumbles]

Unfortunately if I've one box stacked on top of the other on the shelf the upper box will apply force to the flap/door some distance from the hinge.

[Bob Minchin]

Could you retain the 'door' with clips onto vertical dividers at all? Anything relying on the hinge to keep it close is going to have withstand huge leverage especially from stacked boxes.

[stuart noble]

Child catches?

[sm_jamieson]

You just keep adding hinges until the required force is high enough, or you run out of space to fix them ;-) Simon.

[Jeremy Nicoll - news posts]

I think I'd use garden gate catches like:

[Mathew Newton]

Ikea do some:

I'm not sure about how much force they'll keep the flap closed with though however I'll likely know this weekend if you want me to report back as I'll be getting a pair for a cupboard here.

Mathew

[stuart noble]

Wish I'd thought of that!

[Jim K]

yup - perzakly ;>)

Jim K

[Jim K]

have you read the thread?

Jim K

[Jim K]

mmmm neat & cheap! ;>)

Jim K

[SteveW]

In my childhood, we screwed eyes at either end of the row of cupboards and hooked one of those spring curtain wires between them, holding the doors shut for travelling.

SteveW

[John Stumbles]

I'm aware of that but I think hinges of the sort I envisage would do if they're made out of reasonably competent material (about the same thickness as light house-door hinges). The panel they're to hold is only about 150mm high.