Balanced Patents (Class 126/191)
  • Patent number: 11125000
    Abstract: An urging structure for a lid includes a spring member having one spring end linked to a supply-port-forming member and the other spring end linked to a lid, and provided so as to be most elastically deformed at an intermediate position between a closed position and a maximum open position of the lid to urge the lid. The spring member is linked to the lid in such a way so as to vary a distance between the other spring end and a turning center of the lid, and the distance stays constant when the lid is in the closed position and in the intermediate position, increases in a process of moving from the intermediate position to the maximum open position, and becomes maximum when the lid is in the maximum open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Taku Hirama
  • Patent number: 11008792
    Abstract: An urging structure for a lid includes a spring member having one spring end linked to a supply-port-forming member and the other spring end linked to a lid, and provided so as to be most elastically deformed at an intermediate position between a closed position and a maximum open position of the lid to urge the lid. The spring member is linked to the lid in such a way so as to vary a distance between the other spring end and a turning center of the lid, and the distance stays constant when the lid is in the closed position and in the intermediate position, increases in a process of moving from the intermediate position to the maximum open position, and becomes maximum when the lid is in the maximum open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Taku Hirama
  • Patent number: 10907389
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian White, James Collene
  • Patent number: 10858870
    Abstract: A hinge device includes a first connection means (3) configured to fixed to a structure or frame and rotatably connected to a second connection means (5) configured to fixed to a door device (1) comprises at least one interconnecting means (7) connected to a sliding means (13) and a friction means (17) with at least one friction sliding block (25) secured to the sliding means (13) and sliding along a respective sliding wall (27) of the first connection means (3) and parallel to a direction of translation of the sliding means (13), wherein at least one arrest means (19) is fixed to or made in the first connection means (3) in proximity to a sliding wall (27) to abut with the sliding means (13) to arrest its stroke towards the closing of the door or of the shutter in correspondence an ajar or breather opening condition (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Eros Gherardi
  • Patent number: 10823428
    Abstract: A heating appliance includes an appliance cabinet having a plurality of sidewalls that defining a heating cavity. A door is operably connected to at least one of the sidewalls and operable between open and closed positions. A vertical translating assembly extends from the appliance cabinet to the door. The vertical translating assembly includes drive and offset arms and a power assist mechanism in operable communication with the drive arm. The power assist mechanism at least partially operates the door between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tushar Jadhav, Sachin Karade, Atul Nalawade
  • Patent number: 10633904
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for attaching a door to a domestic appliance. The hinge assembly includes a hinge body; a damper; a foot pivotably attached to the damper and having a pivot end, the foot engaging a foot receiving portion of the appliance such that the hinge body and the door pivot relative to the appliance; and a shoulder bushing attached to the pivot end of the foot and to a pivot point of the hinge body such that the foot pivots relative to the hinge body around the pivot point, the shoulder bushing having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion. The pivot end of the foot is fixed to the shoulder bushing at a fixing area of the small diameter portion such that a side surface of the pivot end of the foot is in contact with a side surface of the large diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventor: Suad Elkasevic
  • Patent number: 10524572
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having a unit carcass and a unit door that is pivotable about an axis, preferably about a vertical axis, and that closes the cooled inner space at the front side, wherein removable protection against tilting is attached to the unit body and at least extends the tilt point of the unit body to the front and/or to the side beyond the normal footprint of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-HAUSGERÄTE LIENZ GMBH
    Inventor: Dominik Lercher
  • Patent number: 10458167
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
  • Patent number: 10462857
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a microwave heating device, including: an oven body provided with a door opening detection switch and a door closing detection switch; a drawer door provided with a door opening touch configuration and a door closing touch configuration, installed on the oven body and movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the drawer door is in the open position, the door opening touch configuration touches the door opening detection switch, the door closing touch configuration releases the door closing detection switch; when the drawer door is in the closed position, the door closing touch configuration touches the door closing detection switch, the door opening touch configuration releases the door opening detection switch; a driving device configured to drive the drawer door; a controller configured to communicate with the door opening detection switch, the door closing detection switch and the driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianyi Zhou, Yongzhong Zhang, Jian Long, Bi Zhou
  • Patent number: 10443857
    Abstract: In one aspect, a cooking appliance includes a cabinet forming a cavity configured to provide a food accommodation space; at least one door covering the cavity; a handle rotatably coupled to the door; and a handle supporter disposed inside the door and configured to rotatably support the handle relative to the door. In another aspect, a cooking appliance includes a drawer configured to be withdrawn from or inserted into the cooking appliance; a first rail disposed on the drawer; a second rail disposed on a frame of the cooking appliance and configured to accommodate a sliding motion of the first rail; a link component disposed at the first rail; a sliding control assembly disposed at the second rail and configured to accommodate the link component to automatically insert the drawer into the frame and to mitigate an impact of the drawer being fully inserted into the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Euisu Jung, Hwichang Son, Moonho Choi
  • Patent number: 10408466
    Abstract: A frame is provided for supporting a hob plate of a hob. The frame includes a frame body and at least one mounting tongue depending from the frame body and extending from an underside thereof for connecting the frame to a chassis of a cooking appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bayerlein, Stefan Dänzer
  • Patent number: 10371488
    Abstract: A tear gas-based enhancement to a fluid bed security system implemented for the purpose of inhibiting unauthorized entry or access and to provide additional time for threatened individuals to evacuate or escape a hostile assembly at the perimeter of a secured area. The system provides for the reliable and controlled application of a specified concentration of tear gas emitted in conjunction with fluidizing gas distributed through a fluid bed configuration comprising a gas distribution piping array and a plurality of fluidizable granular solids in a surrounding relationship to the gas distribution piping array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Procedyne Corp.
    Inventor: H. Kenneth Staffin
  • Patent number: 10352073
    Abstract: A household electric appliance in which a door key is operated in association with an opening/closing operation of a door and is drawn into an inside of the door in the door opening operation is provided. The household electric appliance includes a main body having a space therein, a door coupled to the main body to be rotatable about a first rotation axis to open and close, respectively, the space, and a door key coupled to one of the main body and the door, the door key rotatable about a second rotation axis, so that a rotation of the door about the first rotation axis causes the door key to rotate about the second rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jea-won Lee, Boo-keun Yoon, Yong-soo Kyong, Yong-jong Park
  • Patent number: 10301865
    Abstract: A door opening and closing device for a refrigerator includes a door coupled by means of a hinge unit to a main body defining a storage compartment therein, a gasket disposed between the door and the main body to provide a hermetic seal therebetween, and an opening and closing unit for opening and closing the door with respect to the main body, wherein the opening and closing unit includes a drive unit for generating a driving force, a gasket separation mechanism for pushing the main body using rotational force transmitted from the drive unit to separate the gasket from the main body or the door, and a door rotating mechanism for rotating the door using the rotational force transmitted from the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changwoo Son, Myoungju Kang, Cholok Han
  • Patent number: 10231595
    Abstract: An appliance with a case and a door is provided. A bracket of the appliance is mounted to the case and includes a hinge slot. The hinge slot of the bracket has a channel, a tapered pin retainer and a pin opening. A pin of the door is disposed within the pin opening of the hinge slot in order to pivotally mount the door to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Joseph Ryan, Jeffrey Thomas Kiesler
  • Patent number: 10190780
    Abstract: A door for a household appliance includes a plate-type base part and a handle which is arranged on the base part and includes a movable handle part. Connected to the handle part is a coupling apparatus which is configured to pivot the handle part relative to the base part as a function of a movement of the door. The coupling apparatus includes a coupling rod arranged on the handle part, a return spring arranged on the coupling rod, and a single-run cable pull having an end which faces the handle part and is connected to the coupling rod. Provision is further made for a locking mechanism to limit a movement of the coupling rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Essert, Manfred Hintermayer, Kerstin Sickert, Reinhard Wiedenmann
  • Patent number: 10174953
    Abstract: A domestic appliance, such as a double oven range, incorporates a door having a bottom end portion which, when shifted between closed and opened positions, both pivots and vertically shifts relative to a frame body of the appliance through at least a connecting rod, push rod and pivot arm of a hinge mechanism. Due to a combined pivoting and lifting action of the door, minimal to no clearance is required between the bottom end portion and adjacent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tushar Jadhav, Sachin Kadus, Sachin Karade, Atul Nalawade
  • Patent number: 10145157
    Abstract: A receptacle for an associated appliance hinge includes a receptacle base and a breakaway lever movably connected to the receptacle base. The breakaway lever includes a cam edge. A first mounting structure is connected to the receptacle base and adapted to be engaged by an associated hinge arm. A second mounting structure connected to the breakaway lever such that the second mounting structure is movable relative to the receptacle base. The second mounting structure is adapted to be engaged by the associated hinge arm. A breakaway latch is connected to the base and includes a cam follower engaged with the cam edge. The breakaway latch further includes a spring that biases the cam follower into abutment with the cam edge. The breakaway lever is selectively movable from a first position where the cam follower is engaged with a first location on the cam edge to a second position where the cam follower is engaged with a second location on the cam edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian White
  • Patent number: 10041768
    Abstract: A tear gas-based enhancement to a fluid bed security system implemented for the purpose of inhibiting unauthorized entry or access and to provide additional time for threatened individuals to evacuate or escape a hostile assembly at the perimeter of a secured area. The system provides for the reliable and controlled application of a specified concentration of tear gas emitted in conjunction with fluidizing gas distributed through a fluid bed configuration comprising a gas distribution piping array and a plurality of fluidizable granular solids in a surrounding relationship to the gas distribution piping array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Procedyne Corp.
    Inventor: H. Kenneth Staffin
  • Patent number: 9964312
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an oven includes an oven chamber operable to be heated and having a front opening. The oven further includes a frame coupled to and at least partially surrounding the oven chamber. The oven further includes a door operable to seal the front opening of the oven chamber, and a pair of hinges pivotally coupling the door to the frame. Each hinge is positioned on opposing sides of the oven chamber. The oven further includes a pair counterweights that are each coupled to the rear portion of a respective hinge, and a pair of dampers. Each damper is coupled to the frame and operable to resist movement of the door in a single direction opposite that of the other damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Hestan Commercial Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Deng, Chris Moy
  • Patent number: 9874354
    Abstract: A domestic appliance, such as a double oven range, incorporates a door having a bottom end portion which, when shifted between closed and opened positions, both pivots and vertically shifts relative to a frame body of the appliance through at least a connecting rod, push rod and pivot arm of a hinge mechanism. Due to a combined pivoting and lifting action of the door, minimal to no clearance is required between the bottom end portion and adjacent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tushar Jadhav, Sachin Kadus, Sachin Karade, Atul Nalawade
  • Patent number: 9706895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a balancing system (50) that exerts force with different values to a door during the opening-closing stages and the household appliance (100) wherein the same is used. The different force values during opening/closing are obtained by the cable (3) in the balancing system (50) rubbing against the sections (9, 10) of the first spool (5)z with different physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Ali Egemen Ucar, Uygar Unverdi
  • Patent number: 9498102
    Abstract: A dishwasher in which a user conveniently adjusts tension of a spring according to various materials or weights of a cover coupled to a door. The dishwasher includes a housing, a door rotatably mounted to a front surface of the housing, door hinges mounted to both sides of a lower portion of the door and rotatably coupled to the housing, springs connected to the door hinges and arranged at both side portions inside the housing, a wire to connect the springs, a shaft configured to rotate and having one end portion exposed outside the housing, a first rotation member connected to the other end portion of the shaft and formed with a worm, and a second rotation member engaged with the worm and connected to the wire. Tension of the springs is simultaneously adjusted by changing a length of the wire by rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Min Chae, Young Su Ser, Sung Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9498062
    Abstract: An actuating drive for moving a moveable furniture part includes at least one moveably mounted actuating member for moving the moveable furniture part a spring device for subjecting the actuating member to force; and an adjustment device by which a force of the spring device acting on the actuating member can be adjusted. The adjustment device has an adjustment screw having a thread, wherein the force of the spring device acting on the actuating member can be adjusted via a screw nut mounted displaceably along the thread. At least one spring element is provided via which the screw nut can be subjected, at at least one end region of the adjustment screw, to a force directed away from the end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventors: Armin Baldreich, Kurt Haemmerle
  • Patent number: 9474371
    Abstract: A cabinet defining defines an external appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus. A top is cover located at the top of the cabinet. The top cover is provided at both sides thereof with holder insertion portions respectively and a holder configured to be inserted into each of the holder insertion portions to couple the top cover to the cabinet. The holder includes a base part coupled to an upper end of the cabinet and a holding part located on the base part to prevent the holder insertion portion from being separated from the base part inserted therein. The holding part is inserted into the holder insertion portion and then the top cover is moved rearward to cause the base part to be inserted into the holder insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunsoo Lee, Taehyeon Sim
  • Patent number: 9316036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
  • Patent number: 9211050
    Abstract: A stationary household appliance having a door that is pivotably mounted on the stationary household appliance by a joint. The stationary household appliance also has a noise damper that is provided in a region of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Fetzer, Dieter Hotz, Cengiz Kücük
  • Patent number: 9155444
    Abstract: A dishwasher that enables a user to adjust a load of a spring depending on material and weight of a cover that is attached to a door of the dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a housing having a bottom, a rear, and side covers, a door rotatably installed on a front surface of the housing, a door hinge installed onto each lower end of the door while being rotatably coupled to the housing, a spring configured to adjust a rotation of the door, and an apparatus of adjusting the spring configured to adjust a load of the spring. The apparatus includes a movable bracket connected to the spring, an adjustment member which enables the movable bracket to move up and down, and a support bracket configured to support the adjustment member. A position verification hole is perforated through the housing such that the apparatus is checked from outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9055857
    Abstract: An appliance including a treatment container having a container door pivotable about a pivot axis, and a door-weight compensating device for at least partially compensating a weight of the container door. The door-weight compensating device may include a spring which is connected by a tension transmitter in a spring force transmitting manner to the container door. In an exemplary embodiment, the container door includes a deflector pivotally disposed about the pivot axis, the deflector having at least two sliding surfaces for deflecting the tension transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Hotz, Cengiz Kücük, Manfred Seeβle, Martin Stickel
  • Patent number: 8800544
    Abstract: A locking system for an appliance that includes an oven and a door for the oven. The locking system includes an oven door lock device that is selectively switchable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a flame sensor configured to detect a flame within the oven, and a controller communicatively coupled to the flame sensor. The controller is configured to switch the oven door lock device to its locked position thereby securing the door in its closed position when a flame inside the oven is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Newsom, Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 8689781
    Abstract: An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet and a pair of doors mounted to the cabinet. A latch selectively secures one of the pair of doors in a closed position. A pair of seals assists with sealing the chamber of the cabinet when the pair of doors is in the closed position. The seals of the pair of seals overlap and engage each other when the pair of doors is in the closed position such that both doors of the pair of doors are secured in the closed position when the latch secures the one of the pair of doors in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Mark Chilton, John Adam Yantis, Scott Thomas Kershner, Joshua Stephen Wiseman
  • Patent number: 8674269
    Abstract: A safe product transfer apparatus that heats refrigerated food products and then hold those heated food products in a hold drawer until they can be transferred to a heater merchandizer, preferably a roller grill as needed. The apparatus features a control assembly. A pre-heat indicator indicates when the preheat temperature has been reached so that the food products can be loaded into an operable drawer. The apparatus can heat a refrigerated product from 34° F. to greater than or equal to 140° F. in 35 minutes or less. The apparatus has a safe product transfer apparatus that has a heating cavity ranging from 250° F. to 425° F. The apparatus provides a safe product transfer apparatus that can hold the products stored therein at a safe holding temperature (ranging from greater or equal to 140° F. to not more than 205° F.), that is, not hot enough to continue heating or degrading the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Standex International Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Humphrey, Anthony Kukla, Diosdado Pangan
  • Patent number: 8443489
    Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge includes a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. The base includes: (i) a channel located between the first and second side walls; and, (ii) a notch comprising first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base. The cam includes: (i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, with a first end of the camshaft located in the first notch portion and a second end of the camshaft located in the second notch portion; and, (ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft. The hinge assembly includes a biasing spring that comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. The outer end of said spring is located outside the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Sir Louis
  • Patent number: 8439027
    Abstract: A door control mechanism which is attached near the hinge region of a door to bias the door to a closed orientation, and after a prescribed location, bias the door toward an open location to a sufficient degree such that the door is noticeably open. The door control mechanism in one form may have a cam extension that engages a spring member to supply stored energy to and from the spring member to bias the door closed and to bias the door open after a prescribed amount of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Wood Stone Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Byron Johnson, Tadeusz Karabin
  • Patent number: 8430089
    Abstract: Provided is a heating cooker which allows a door on a cooking chamber to be opened without direct handling of the door by a user. The heating cooker includes a body having a cooking chamber defined therein, a door hingably mounted to the body to open and close the cooking chamber, a door holder positioned in the body to hold the door and keep the cooking chamber closed by the door, and a hinge part connected between the door and the body to guide rotation of the door such that when the door is released from the door holder, the door is automatically opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kwang Kim, Dae Sung Han, Yong Hyun Kwon, Seok Weon Hong, Tae Uk Lee, Pung Yeun Cho, Han Seong Kang, Sung Soo Park, Han Jun Sung, Tae Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 8286306
    Abstract: Described is a hinge for wings or doors, in particular for electrical household appliances, comprising a first body (5), a second body (6) and a connecting lever (7) between the first and the second body (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: NUOVA STAR S.p.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Vanini
  • Patent number: 7814897
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes first and second French-style doors connected through a door linkage system. The door linkage system includes first and second control arms, each including a first end linked to a corresponding one of the first and second doors and a second end. The second ends of the first and second control arms are interconnected and mounted so as to travel in an arcuate path when one of the doors is operated. Shifting one of the first and second doors in an open or closed direction results in a corresponding movement in the other door. The first and second control arms are actually interconnected to a linkage control arm that establishes a particular timing of the doors. The door linkage system also employs a camming surface, cam follower and spring element that provides a biasing force to the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7252082
    Abstract: A household appliance has a useful storage volume that can be closed by a door pivotally mounted around a horizontal articulation axis and also has a storage compartment. The door can be displaced in the storage compartment by a guiding system including at least one guiding element associated with the door, the guiding element being guided in a slide track associated with the appliance. To produce an ergonomically economical opening and closing movement of the door, the door is provided with at least one counterweight configuration that, during displacement of the door, exerts a balancing force on the door acting against the weight of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bartmann, Jochen Herbolsheimer, Horst Krenz, Heiko Meyer
  • Patent number: 7137387
    Abstract: An oven lock mechanism is disclosed having a latch mechanism driven by a motor between a latched position wherein the oven door is held in a closed position and an unlatched position wherein the oven door freely opens and closes. The motor is controlled by a switch that enables rotation of the motor when in a first state and prevents rotation of the motor when in a second state. A switch actuator mechanism places the switch in the first state when the door is closed and in the second state when the door is open. The switch is mounted at the rear of the oven away from the front opening of the oven compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Charles V. Edwards, Harry I Courter, Tracy J. Talley
  • Patent number: 7134169
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, James J. Collene, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 7036499
    Abstract: Household devices that a useful compartment and can be closed by a door provided with a door handle include a storage compartment into which the door can be displaced by guiding system and at least one guiding element associated with the door and guided in a sliding track associated with the household appliance. To be able to operate the door in an ergonomically favorable manner, at least one control mechanism is associated with the door handle. When the door pivots in a first pivoting direction, the control mechanism pivots the door handle in a second pivoting direction counter to the first pivoting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bartmann, Jochen Herbolsheimer, Horst Krenz, Heiko Meyer
  • Patent number: 6637319
    Abstract: An oven door hinge having an arm and a hinge assembly pivotally attached thereto. The hinge assembly has an elongated, channel-shaped housing that is configured to be removably and constrainingly received within a pocket of an oven door. The housing has two ends, with one end having a slotted, transverse end wall and the other end pivotally attached to the arm of the hinge at a first location. The hinge assembly also includes an elongated, channel-shaped link having two ends, with one end pivotally attached to the arm of the hinge at a second location, and the second end extending towards the transverse end wall of the housing. The link is configured to be retained within the channel of the housing so that it is able to shift positions with respect thereto as the hinge assembly is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Angelo Vanini, Jeffrey R. Klingeman
  • Patent number: 6125773
    Abstract: A cable system for raising and lowering a door of an industrial furnace utilizes a pair of vertically extending cables having lower ends connected to the door and upper ends connected to shaft-carried sheaves that are rotated concurrently to cause upper portions of the cables to be wound onto and off of the sheaves to raise and lower the furnace door to open and close a furnace opening defined in a vertical furnace face. The cables wind onto and off of sheave-defined tracks that are configured to cause lower portions of the cables to move the door a small distance horizontally during raising and lowering. This small distance horizontal movement capability may be utilized at the initiation of door raising to move the door away from the furnace face, and at the conclusion of door lowering to close the door against the furnace face to close the furnace opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Gary L. Coble
  • Patent number: 5988933
    Abstract: A device for connecting a spring to a band-like or cable-like transmission apparatus. The device being easy to assemble and in which the risk of fracture of the device is greatly reduced. The device provides a connecting part to be fitted on the transmission apparatus and a hook-in part to be connected onto the spring. The connecting part then being connected to the hook-in part to connect the transmission apparatus to the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Wilhelmstatter, Helmut Jerg, Bernd Schessl, Gerhard Fetzer, Michael Hartmann, Markus Hopfl, Karl-Heinz Rehm, Rudolf Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5980006
    Abstract: In order to provide a device (10) for balancing the weight of a front door (2), mounted on a casing (1) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (3), of a domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, which device is connected by a tape or cord-shaped transmission member (11) to a tension spring (5) fastened to the casing (1), said transmission member resting under tension on a deflection roller (17) arranged on a carrier (12) fastened to the casing (1), in which, in a simple manner, simple and rapid adjustment of the spring force is made possible for the user, according to the invention there is a device, for acting on the transmission means (11), which cause a change in the overall length of the assembly of tension spring (5) and transmission member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Wilhelmstatter, Helmut Jerg, Bernd Schessl, Gerhard Fetzer, Michael Hartmann, Markus Hopfl, Karl-Heinz Rehm, Rudolf Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5937481
    Abstract: Hinge for connecting doors (1b) to ovens (1,1a) and the like, which comprises a fixed arm (11) engageable with the body of the oven, a movable part (21) which is hinged on said fixed arm (11) and on which one end (23b) of a movable arm (23) is pivotably mounted, there being provided means (15) for fastening the movable arm (23) to the fixed arm (11), said fixed arm (11) having a cross-section in the form of an upturned "U", between the walls of which there is arranged an idle roller (25), and said movable arm (23) being arranged inside said fixed arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Faringosi Hinges S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alvaro Faringosi
  • Patent number: 5556515
    Abstract: A coke oven door, which includes a metal frame, means for latching the door in a closed position, a sealing member extending around the perimeter of the frame having forward edges adapted to contact a sealing surface on a coking chamber door jamb for effecting a continuous seal. The coke oven battery also having at least one attached protrusion proximate the coking chamber extending outwardly from the battery, such as a latch or a guide bar, said door comprising a door plug passing with clearance and fitting into the coke oven, said plug having an inner surface that forms an interior end wall of the coke oven wherein a first plane is formed by the perimeter of said inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: USX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Giunta, Jerry Hann, John F. McDermott
  • Patent number: 5226706
    Abstract: An adjustable counterbalance system is provided for an appliance cabinet having a door hinged to the cabinet for movement from a closed to an opened position. A counterbalance spring includes one end connected to the door and another end connected to a movable bracket which is mounted adjacent the lower edge of the cabinet wall. The bracket includes a lead screw which is positioned on the interior of the cabinet wall and which is accessible through an access opening in the front wall of the cabinet. Movement of the bracket toward and away from the door adjusts the tension in the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Barry E. Tuller
  • Patent number: 5220747
    Abstract: The biasing mechanism of a refrigerator includes a spring connected to provide biasing force in the desired directions at the appropriate degrees of door opening and an arm and roller arrangement which compliments the action of the spring. Within about 30 degrees or so of its closed position the door is biased toward its closed position. From about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees of door opening the biasing mechanism slightly biases the door toward its open position. At about 90 degrees the door is stable and beyond about 90 degrees the mechanism provides an addition stable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David N. Cherry, Kermit B. Keeling, Jr., Garland W. Insko
  • Patent number: 5012794
    Abstract: A closure for ovens is divulged, comprising a hook mounted for sliding in the oven body between a locked position, in which no lateral movement of the hook is possible and an engaged position in which the hook may move laterally against the retaining force of a spring for letting the door catch pass. A lever retains the hook in the locked position and must be actuated for unlocking and opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Cooperative de Production Bourgeois
    Inventor: Jacques Faurel