How the heck does this hinge work?

[qwerty_steve]

Hi guys,

I've just watched a video on a collapsible box and I'm stumped as to how something works in the design. Admittedly it's a metal box, but the principal would apply for wood also.

The box can be seen at Flexi Chest®| demonstration

In the 'promotional video' he unfolds the box from compact to full size, and towards the end of this process he lifts up the right hand wall/flap (the one with the handle). Now if you quickly press pause and play repeatedly, you can slow down the motion (only way I could figure out how to slow it down).

My question is, the bottom edge of this flap ends up at the BASE of the box. I can't get my head around how this works.. I'm pretty sure this would be a piano hinge as the other hinges are. Can someone explain this?

I don't understand:

a) how it travels the extra distance

b) how the panel ends up on the outside and clears the sheetmetal bottom section... I would have thought it would 'butt-up'. Has he used a shim between the hinge and the panel?

I'm keen to understand this as this would help keep out water!

Much appreciated
Steve

[ian]

I think he is using hinges similar to that on the lid -- the hinge is esentially a rod in a track located on the inside of the box
the bottom edge of the end has a flange which fits over a matching (but raised up) flange on the bottom panel -- a rubber seal would make the box shower proof but I'd want to see the box float for a week before I accepted "water proof" -- as in can be covered by flood water

[qwerty_steve]

Yeah I think it's plain wrong to call it waterproof... the bottom of the box has two huge slots in it for the latches! I think he means water resistant for sure.

[munruben]

On the same webpage, go to the "How to" video, it's a little more easier to follow.

[qwerty_steve]

Yes that does give more info... it's also a newer design. So offsetting the panel enables it to end up lower (towards the base).

I still can't for the life of me understand how the folding panels end up 'outside' of the base box. From all the angles i've seen it appears as if there are no spacers between the hinge and the folding panel. Is it just leveraging itself over to the outside, putting strain on the hinge mounts?

[ian]

the side panels appear to have a flange on their bottom edge which allows the panel to fit over the base panel, while being captured inside the front and back panels.

[qwerty_steve]

Yep that would work Ian

Thanks everyone for your input.