Security hinge for trunks and large floor boxes.

[BarnaWill]

Hi all,

My kids have a large wooden trunk in the living room for their toys. I have recurring nightmares about broken fingers (after a slammed or dropped lid) and have consequently more or less fixed it permanently open, but the fixings I used are old and about to fall out of the wood (pine) and thus I'm looking for a more elegant solution.

I can't find anywhere here in Spain what I'm looking for - which is:

A single action hinge, with a free floating metal ring (two metal arms, folded when closed, straight when open). The ring, as the hinge opens straight, gravity drops down to the middle where the two arms connect. Consequently, the hinge cannot be closed until the ring is lifted off the middle part.

I've seen these many times before, but can't find in any ironmonger/DIY shops over here. (Amusingly, ironmongers in Spain are called Ferreterias; it doesn't do what it does on the tin.)

So, what IS it called?
Ta all.

[The Builder]

I think I know what you mean, but I've had a quick look and can't find anything. If no luck........... what about something like a gas-filled stay. They stay where they are until pressure is applied. They can never just "drop".

http://www.ironmonger...th_Friction_Mechanism

[Iggle Piggle]

I would avoid any folding 'scissor' action hinge on a children's toy box, if they knock the ring up or somehow disengage the hinge, there is a far more damaging mechanism in action....
I would convert the lid to be lift on/off-able by glueing some wood strips round the edge to sit inside the open bottom part.
Or something... :-)

[scrummyyummy]

Would these be of any use? I used to put one on the lid or the box itself and it stops fingers being slammed.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...ef11180#ht_2839wt_952

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...6cb404c#ht_2217wt_721