Patent attributes
The present invention is a novel hinge design that allows unique operation of the lid for a container, box, storage chest, ice chest or similar item. In addition to the lid being able to flip up on two hinges as is traditional, the present invention allows the lid to swivel to one side or the other, while remaining in the horizontal plane. This is accomplished, in the exemplary embodiment, by means of two inventive ball-and-socket hinges each of which can have its ball disengaged from its socket. If one ball-and-socket hinge is thus disengaged, the lid is then free to rotate horizontally around the other ball-and-socket hinge, thereby swiveling the lid to one side and effectively opening the box or container. The lid, when opened in this fashion, is amply supported by the end of the box over which it sits, and can act as a table or flat surface for organizing items as they are transferred to or from the box or container. The horizontal lid can swivel in either direction, providing broad access to either end of the container. If broader access is desired, the lid can also be completely removed by simultaneously disengaging both hinges.