Abstract: A damped hinge assembly includes a hinge arm adapted to be connected to an associated appliance body. A channel is pivotally connected to the hinge arm and is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A damper is operatively connected between the channel and the hinge arm. The damper includes a body defining a bore and a piston slidably received in the bore. A rod is connected to the piston and projects outward from the bore. A damper fluid is contained in the bore and acts on the piston to dampen sliding movement of the piston in at least one direction in the bore. A spring is located in the bore and acts on the piston to bias the piston toward one end of the bore. An oven or other appliance includes at least one damped hinge assembly.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting an associated appliance lid to an associated appliance body includes a base adapted to be connected to the associated appliance body. A cam is rotatably supported on the base and is adapted to be engaged by the associated appliance lid and is rotatable about a lid pivot axis. A snubber/damper is operatively connected to the base. The cam exerts a snubber activation force on the snubber when said cam rotates about the lid pivot axis in a first direction corresponding to movement of the associated appliance lid from an opened position toward a closed position such that the snubber damps movement of the cam when the cam rotates in the first direction.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting an associated appliance lid to an associated appliance body includes a base adapted to be connected to the associated appliance body. The hinge assembly also includes a snubber housing connected to the base. A cam is rotatably supported on the snubber housing, and the cam is adapted to be engaged by the associated appliance lid and rotate about a lid pivot axis in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. A snubber is operatively connected to the snubber housing. The cam exerts a snubber activation force on the snubber when the cam rotates about the lid pivot axis in the second direction corresponding to movement of the associated appliance lid from an opened position toward a closed position and such that the snubber damps movement of the cam when the cam rotates in the second direction.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a lever arm and a channel connected to the lever arm. The channel is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A control link is pivotally connected to the lever arm. A slide body includes an inner end connected to the control link. The slide body is adapted for sliding movement in response to pivoting movement of the channel relative to the lever arm between a first (door-closed) position and a second (door-opened) position. A spring resiliently biases the channel toward the first position. A snubber system includes at least one snubber with a piston that is biased to an extended position and moveable to a retracted position against a fluid or other damping resistance during movement of the slide body away when the channel moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting an associated appliance lid to an associated appliance body includes a base adapted to be connected to the associated appliance body. The hinge assembly also includes a snubber housing connected to the base. A cam is rotatably supported on the snubber housing, and the cam is adapted to be engaged by the associated appliance lid and rotate about a lid pivot axis in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. A snubber is operatively connected to the snubber housing. The cam exerts a snubber activation force on the snubber when the cam rotates about the lid pivot axis in the second direction corresponding to movement of the associated appliance lid from an opened position toward a closed position and such that the snubber damps movement of the cam when the cam rotates in the second direction.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting an associated appliance lid to an associated appliance body includes a base adapted to be connected to the associated appliance body. A cam is rotatably supported on the base and is adapted to be engaged by the associated appliance lid and is rotatable about a lid pivot axis. A snubber/damper is operatively connected to the base. The cam exerts a snubber activation force on the snubber when said cam rotates about the lid pivot axis in a first direction corresponding to movement of the associated appliance lid from an opened position toward a closed position such that the snubber damps movement of the cam when the cam rotates in the first direction.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a lever arm and a channel connected to the lever arm. The channel is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A control link is pivotally connected to the lever arm. A slide body includes an inner end connected to the control link. The slide body is adapted for sliding movement in response to pivoting movement of the channel relative to the lever arm between a first (door-closed) position and a second (door-opened) position. A spring resiliently biases the channel toward the first position. A snubber system includes at least one snubber with a piston that is biased to an extended position and moveable to a retracted position against a fluid or other damping resistance during movement of the slide body away when the channel moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A door closure device includes a pivot pin adapted to engage an associated appliance hinge, and a channel rotatably connected to the pivot pin and adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A cam is non-rotatably engaged with the pivot pin. The cam comprises a lobed edge including a closing portion. A spring rod is slidably engaged with the channel, and a cam follower is operably engaged with the spring rod. A spring is engaged between the spring rod and the channel and biases the cam follower into engagement with the lobed edge of the cam. The follower moves along the lobed edge of the cam when the channel is rotated relative to the cam and the spring induces a door-closing torque on the channel when the follower is engaged with the closing portion of the cam lobed edge.

Abstract: A damped hinge assembly includes a hinge arm adapted to be connected to an associated appliance body. A channel is pivotally connected to the hinge arm and is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A damper is operatively connected between the channel and the hinge arm. The damper includes a body defining a bore and a piston slidably received in the bore. A rod is connected to the piston and projects outward from the bore. A damper fluid is contained in the bore and acts on the piston to dampen sliding movement of the piston in at least one direction in the bore. A spring is located in the bore and acts on the piston to bias the piston toward one end of the bore. An oven or other appliance includes at least one damped hinge assembly.

Abstract: A damped hinge assembly includes a hinge arm adapted to be connected to an associated appliance body. A channel is pivotally connected to the hinge arm and is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A damper is operatively connected between the channel and the hinge arm. The damper includes a body defining a bore and a piston slidably received in the bore. A rod is connected to the piston and projects outward from the bore. A damper fluid is contained in the bore and acts on the piston to dampen sliding movement of the piston in at least one direction in the bore. A spring is located in the bore and acts on the piston to bias the piston toward one end of the bore. An oven or other appliance includes at least one damped hinge assembly.

Abstract: A door closure device includes a pivot pin adapted to engage an associated appliance hinge, and a channel rotatably connected to the pivot pin and adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A cam is non-rotatably engaged with the pivot pin. The cam comprises a lobed edge including a closing portion. A spring rod is slidably engaged with the channel, and a cam follower is operably engaged with the spring rod. A spring is engaged between the spring rod and the channel and biases the cam follower into engagement with the lobed edge of the cam. The follower moves along the lobed edge of the cam when the channel is rotated relative to the cam and the spring induces a door-closing torque on the channel when the follower is engaged with the closing portion of the cam lobed edge.

Abstract: A swivel assembly for use with a chair has a swivel that includes an actuator which biases and self-centers the swivel to a start or zero position wherein the swivel is rotated from its start or zero position in either a clockwise or counterclockwise manner to an alternate position. When the swivel is released the actuator biases the swivel back to its start or zero position. A method for self-centering swiveling of a chair includes providing a swivel that has an actuator which self-centers and biases the swivel to a start or zero position; rotating the swivel from its start or zero position, thus compressing or tensioning the actuator; and releasing the swivel thus moving the actuator to bias and rotate the swivel back to its start or zero position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a base and a lever pivotally connected to the base. The lever includes an outer end adapted for being connected to an associated appliance door and an inner end. A cam is pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever and includes a contoured lobe edge. A cam control member is connected to the base. A spring includes a first end connected to the cam. The spring exerts a biasing force on the cam in a first direction such that said lever is urged toward a first position and said contoured lobe edge of said cam is urged into abutment with the cam control member. The lever is selectively movable from its first position against the biasing force of the spring to a second position. The cam control member contacts a first portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its first position, and the cam control member contacts a second portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its second position.

Abstract: A damped hinge assembly includes a hinge arm adapted to be connected to an associated appliance body. A channel is pivotally connected to the hinge arm and is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A damper is operatively connected between the channel and the hinge arm. The damper includes a body defining a bore and a piston slidably received in the bore. A rod is connected to the piston and projects outward from the bore. A damper fluid is contained in the bore and acts on the piston to dampen sliding movement of the piston in at least one direction in the bore. A spring is located in the bore and acts on the piston to bias the piston toward one end of the bore. An oven or other appliance includes at least one damped hinge assembly.

Abstract: A motorized hinge system for an oven door includes first and second hinge assemblies. At least one hinge assembly is motorized. In the motorized hinge assembly, a first hinge portion is connected to the oven door and a second hinge portion connected to the oven body. A door control arm has first end connected to the first hinge portion and a second end spaced from the first end. A motor is connected to the oven body and includes an actuator that is driven by the motor. The actuator is operably coupled to the door control arm and is movable in first and second directions by the motor to move the door control arm and door in corresponding first and second directions pivotally relative to the second hinge portion. In one example, the actuator is a lead screw type actuator. A non-motorized hinge assembly is also used together with the motorized hinge assembly to connect the oven door to the body. The non-motorized hinge assembly is spring-biased to urge the door toward its closed position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a claw and a body pivotally connected to the claw and movable to and between a first operative position and a second operative position. A link assembly operably interconnects the claw and the body. The link assembly includes at least one link pivotally connected to the claw and a spring connected between the link and an anchor point. A latch is movably connected to the claw, and the latch is movable to and between a locked position where it is adapted to engage an associated mounting receptacle to prevent separation of the claw from the mounting receptacle, and an unlocked position. Te hinge assembly can be provided as part of a door mounting system that also includes a mating mounting receptacle.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a claw and a body pivotally connected to the claw and movable to and between a first operative position and a second operative position. A link assembly operably interconnects the claw and the body. The link assembly includes at least one link pivotally connected to the claw and a spring connected between the link and an anchor point. A latch is movably connected to the claw, and the latch is movable to and between a locked position where it is adapted to engage an associated mounting receptacle to prevent separation of the claw from the mounting receptacle, and an unlocked position. Te hinge assembly can be provided as part of a door mounting system that also includes a mating mounting receptacle.