Patents by Inventor James J. Collene
James J. Collene has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10458167Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge has a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. A channel is located between the first and second side walls. First and second notch portions are respectively located in the first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base and has a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a first end located in the first notch portion and a second end located in the second notch portion. A biasing spring has an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. A spring rod includes an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lever. The lever also pivotally connects to the lobe of the cam. A damper assembly is connected to the base and having a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by the lever contacting the piston.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
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Patent number: 10451291Abstract: An appliance hinge assembly includes an arm to mate with a receiver. A door mounting lever is adapted to be connected to an appliance door, and the lever includes an inner end pivotally connected to the arm. The lever pivots relative to the arm between a first position and a second position, through an intermediate position. A slide link is located adjacent the lever. The slide link inner end is pivotally connected to the arm at a location that is offset from the main pivot axis such that pivoting movement of the lever results in movement of the slide link relative to the lever. A biasing system includes a spring that urges the lever toward the first position. A damper system includes a damper that damps movement of the lever. Alternatively, the arm connects to the appliance door and the lever connects to the appliance body.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. White, James J. Collene
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Publication number: 20190264376Abstract: A laundry treating appliance that has a shroud having an access opening, a lid for opening and closing the access opening, and a hinge mounted to the shroud. The hinge can have a housing that defines a channel and is received by an aperture in the shroud. The hinge can also have a bracket with a first end connected to the lid and a second end fastened within the channel and the bracket can be received in the aperture in the shroud.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: RYAN L. ALLEN, ANDRIA BAUMAN, JAMES J. COLLENE, JAMES ODDO, ERIC OSLER, NICK SIR LOUIS, PHILIP R. THOMPSON, IGOR VIVEIROS
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Publication number: 20190024905Abstract: An appliance hinge assembly includes an arm to mate with a receiver. A door mounting lever is adapted to be connected to an appliance door, and the lever includes an inner end pivotally connected to the arm. The lever pivots relative to the arm between a first position and a second position, through an intermediate position. A slide link is located adjacent the lever. The slide link inner end is pivotally connected to the arm at a location that is offset from the main pivot axis such that pivoting movement of the lever results in movement of the slide link relative to the lever. A biasing system includes a spring that urges the lever toward the first position. A damper system includes a damper that damps movement of the lever. Alternatively, the arm connects to the appliance door and the lever connects to the appliance body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicant: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. White, James J. Collene
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Patent number: 10082298Abstract: An appliance hinge assembly includes an arm to be mated with a receiver. A door mounting lever is adapted to be connected to an appliance door, and the lever includes an inner end pivotally connected to the arm. The lever pivots relative to the arm between a first position and a second position, through an intermediate position. A slide link is located adjacent the lever and includes an inner end and outer end. The slide link inner end is pivotally connected to the arm at a location that is offset from the main pivot axis such that pivoting movement of the lever about the main pivot axis results in movement of the slide link relative to the lever. A biasing system includes a spring that urges the lever toward the first position. A damper system includes a damper that damps movement of the lever.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. White, James J. Collene
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Publication number: 20180216832Abstract: An appliance hinge assembly includes an arm to be mated with a receiver. A door mounting lever is adapted to be connected to an appliance door, and the lever includes an inner end pivotally connected to the arm. The lever pivots relative to the arm between a first position and a second position, through an intermediate position. A slide link is located adjacent the lever and includes an inner end and outer end. The slide link inner end is pivotally connected to the arm at a location that is offset from the main pivot axis such that pivoting movement of the lever about the main pivot axis results in movement of the slide link relative to the lever. A biasing system includes a spring that urges the lever toward the first position. A damper system includes a damper that damps movement of the lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2017Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian S. White, James J. Collene
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Publication number: 20160230438Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge has a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. A channel is located between the first and second side walls. First and second notch portions are respectively located in the first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base and has a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a first end located in the first notch portion and a second end located in the second notch portion. A biasing spring has an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. A spring rod includes an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lever. The lever also pivotally connects to the lobe of the cam. A damper assembly is connected to the base and having a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by the lever contacting the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
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Patent number: 9316036Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge has a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. A channel is located between the first and second side walls. First and second notch portions are respectively located in the first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base and has a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a first end located in the first notch portion and a second end located in the second notch portion. A biasing spring has an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. A spring rod includes an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lever. The lever also pivotally connects to the lobe of the cam. A damper assembly is connected to the base and having a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by the lever contacting the piston.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
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Patent number: 9080365Abstract: An appliance lid hinge assembly has a channel housing including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face walls, a cavity located between the first and second side walls and a slot having first and second slot portions respectively located in said first and second side walls. The channel housing is pivotally connected to a cam via a rivet or other pivot fastener at a pivot point. A biasing element acts between the housing and the cam in order to control the movement of housing relative to the cam about the pivot point. Alternatively, a damper can be used to control movement of the housing relative to the cam about the pivot point. A snubber subsystem can also be added to provide further damping resistance.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis
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Publication number: 20140345082Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge has a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. A channel is located between the first and second side walls. First and second notch portions are respectively located in the first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base and has a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a first end located in the first notch portion and a second end located in the second notch portion. A biasing spring has an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. A spring rod includes an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lever. The lever also pivotally connects to the lobe of the cam. A damper assembly is connected to the base and having a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by the lever contacting the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
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Patent number: 8789241Abstract: A breakaway hinge receptacle includes a base including first and second hinge arm mounting structures. The second hinge arm mounting structure is movable between an operative position and a breakaway position. A breakaway lever is connected to the base and includes inner and outer ends, wherein the inner end is operatively engaged with the second hinge arm mounting structure. A spring is operatively engaged between the breakaway lever and the base. The spring biases the breakaway lever to a first position in which the inner end of the breakaway lever biases the second mounting structure to its operative position. The second hinge arm mounting structure is selectively movable from its operative position to its breakaway position against the biasing force exerted by the inner end of said breakaway lever and the spring. Alternatively, the second hinge arm mounting structure is defined by or is connected to or is otherwise included on the inner end of the breakaway lever.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.Inventor: James J. Collene
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Publication number: 20140150212Abstract: An appliance lid hinge assembly has a channel housing including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face walls, a cavity located between the first and second side walls and a slot having first and second slot portions respectively located in said first and second side walls. The channel housing is pivotally connected to a cam via a rivet or other pivot fastener at a pivot point. A biasing element acts between the housing and the cam in order to control the movement of housing relative to the cam about the pivot point. Alternatively, a damper can be used to control movement of the housing relative to the cam about the pivot point. A snubber subsystem can also be added to provide further damping resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis
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Patent number: 8510991Abstract: A French door oven includes a body defining a cooking chamber with an open mouth. First and second doors are respectively connected to the body adjacent opposite first and second opposite lateral sides of the mouth and are adapted to pivot about respective first and second vertical pivot axes between an opened position in which the first and second doors are pivoted away from the mouth and a closed position in which the first and second doors cover the mouth and define a seam between their adjacent respective inner edges. The oven includes a door movement control system for controlling movement of the doors between their opened and closed positions. The door movement control system includes a door movement control plate including a door movement slot including an inner portion and an outer portion, the outer portion closer to the mouth than the inner portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventor: James J. Collene
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Patent number: 8307504Abstract: A breakaway hinge receptacle includes a base including first and second hinge arm mounting structures. The second hinge arm mounting structure is movable between an operative position and a breakaway position. A breakaway lever is connected to the base and includes inner and outer ends, wherein the inner end is operatively engaged with the second hinge arm mounting structure. A spring is operatively engaged between the breakaway lever and the base. The spring biases the breakaway lever to a first position in which the inner end of the breakaway lever biases the second mounting structure to its operative position. The second hinge arm mounting structure is selectively movable from its operative position to its breakaway position against the biasing force exerted by the inner end of said breakaway lever and the spring. Alternatively, the second hinge arm mounting structure is defined by or is connected to or is otherwise included on the inner end of the breakaway lever.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.Inventor: James J. Collene
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Patent number: 7755004Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.Inventors: James J. Collene, Jeffrey D. Habegger, Brian S. Studer, Nicholas R. SirLouis
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Patent number: 7726294Abstract: A motorized oven latch includes a base plate. A latch member is slidably connected to the base plate by a first mounting stud or first and second mounting studs connected to the latch member and located in a contoured slot defined in the base plate. The latch member includes an inner end and an outer end, and the outer end includes a hook adapted to engage an oven door. A motor is drivingly coupled to the latch member, and the motor is selectively operative to move the latch member forward and rearward relative to said base plate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch member moves on a non-linear path relative to the base plate in response to movement of the first mounting stud or both the first and second mounting studs in the contoured slot when the motor moves the latch member forward to the unlocked position or rearward to the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis
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Publication number: 20100127606Abstract: A slow open slow close hinge assembly for an appliance includes a first hinge assembly including a base; a tab projecting outwardly from the base in a first direction; a support projecting outwardly from the base in a second direction; a hinge arm pivotably connected to the tab via a first pivot point; a tail portion extending through an opening in the base; a slow open slow close dampener operably connected between the support at a second pivot point and the tail portion at a third pivot point; wherein a neutral position for the dampener occurs when the first, second and third pivot points are aligned substantially in a straight line.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
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Publication number: 20100024163Abstract: A breakaway hinge receptacle includes a base including first and second hinge arm mounting structures. The second hinge arm mounting structure is movable between an operative position and a breakaway position. A breakaway lever is connected to the base and includes inner and outer ends, wherein the inner end is operatively engaged with the second hinge arm mounting structure. A spring is operatively engaged between the breakaway lever and the base. The spring biases the breakaway lever to a first position in which the inner end of the breakaway lever biases the second mounting structure to its operative position. The second hinge arm mounting structure is selectively movable from its operative position to its breakaway position against the biasing force exerted by the inner end of said breakaway lever and the spring. Alternatively, the second hinge arm mounting structure is defined by or is connected to or is otherwise included on the inner end of the breakaway lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Inventor: James J. Collene
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Publication number: 20090145031Abstract: A french door oven includes a body defining a cooking chamber with an open mouth. First and second doors are respectively connected to the body adjacent opposite first and second opposite lateral sides of the mouth and are adapted to pivot about respective first and second vertical pivot axes between an opened position in which the first and second doors are pivoted away from the mouth and a closed position in which the first and second doors cover the mouth and define a seam between their adjacent respective inner edges. The oven includes a door movement control system for controlling movement of the doors between their opened and closed positions. The door movement control system includes a door movement control plate including a door movement slot including an inner portion and an outer portion, the outer portion closer to the mouth than the inner portion. The door movement control system further includes a door movement control linkage with first and second door links.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventor: James J. Collene
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Publication number: 20080271727Abstract: A motorized oven latch includes a base plate. A latch member is slidably connected to the base plate by a first mounting stud or first and second mounting studs connected to the latch member and located in a contoured slot defined in the base plate. The latch member includes an inner end and an outer end, and the outer end includes a hook adapted to engage an oven door. A motor is drivingly coupled to the latch member, and the motor is selectively operative to move the latch member forward and rearward relative to said base plate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch member moves on a non-linear path relative to the base plate in response to movement of the first mounting stud or both the first and second mounting studs in the contoured slot when the motor moves the latch member forward to the unlocked position or rearward to the locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis