Having Means To Facilitate Assembly And Disassembly Of Hinge Sections To Join Or Disjoin Hinged Members Patents (Class 16/254)
  • Patent number: 7621156
    Abstract: Cabinet for a washing machine is disclosed. The present invention provides a cabinet for washing machine including a base panel 10, one pair of side panels 20 provided to opposite edges of the base panel 10, a front panel 30 provided to front edges of the base 10 and side panels 20, a rear panel 40 provided to rear edges of the base 10 and side panels 20, and a top panel 50 detachably provided to top edges of the side, front, and rear panels 20, 30, and 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Kim, Yang Hwan No, Han Ki Cho, Yeon Su Jung, Jung Hoon Kang, Myung Sik Park, Young Hoon Ha
  • Patent number: 7617567
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hinge of the type including of a pair of members of a hinge (1), each having a pair of screw-anchoring holes (5). The holes are obtained within housing seats (2) prearranged for the introduction of adjusters (3, 9). Each adjuster includes a body (6) and a flange (7). The edge of the flange rests on the surface of each member of the hinge (1) in various mutual positions of the adjuster in its respective seat. According to the invention, said housing seats (2) have a centered-symmetry base layout, and guiding means (6, 11, 11a) are provided for guiding said adjuster body (6) into its respective housing seat (2) so as to allow the free movement of the adjuster (3, 9) in a single direction, among multiple possible directions, depending on the orientation of each adjuster (2) in its respective seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Elesa S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gian Carlo Franchini
  • Patent number: 7602606
    Abstract: A hinge includes a hinge portion having a pair of external opposed grooves and a first locking portion. A hinge cap is removably attached to the hinge portion by a pair of external deflecting arms received by the opposed grooves and a second locking portion received by the first locking portion. In response to mounting the hinge in the first member, the hinge cap seats in and defines a gap with a cover plate on the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Maria C. Schlesener, Jefferson W. Wirtz
  • Publication number: 20090083941
    Abstract: A hinge structure comprises a male hinge and a female hinge. The male hinge comprises a shaft extended along a first extension direction, and at least one hinge cap formed with at least one positioning structure. The female hinge comprises a female hinge connection portion and a socket portion. The socket portion is extended from the female hinge connection portion, hitches the shaft, forms with at least one hole to make the socket portion be flexible along the first extension direction, and comprises at least one positioning member neighboring to the hinge cap. The positioning member positions the male hinge when the shaft rotates to make the positioning structure match to the positioning member. The socket portion is stretched or compressed along the first extension direction when the shaft rotates to make the positioning structure apart from the positioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: PROTORSION HINGE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LIN-KAI HUNG
  • Patent number: 7467441
    Abstract: A shaft structure of a liftable screen cover includes a screen cover, a cover reinforcement plate and a shaft set. The side of the screen cover is formed with a bent sidewall. One end of the sidewall has a non-circular first hole. The cover reinforcement plate disposes inside the sidewall. One end of the cover reinforcement plate has a non-circular second hole. A fulcrum is formed between the sidewall of the screen cover and the cover reinforcement plate and connected in a male-and-female engagement. As a result, the fulcrum of the shaft can be greatly elongated. One end of the shaft center of the shaft set has a non-circular flange. The flange penetrates into the second hole and the first hole. Screws are used to fix the screen cover, the cover reinforcement plate and the shaft set. With the above arrangement, a structure has good rigidity and bears larger torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Ming Lee
  • Publication number: 20080276422
    Abstract: A hinge includes a first mounting part defining first and second ends, a second mounting part defining third and fourth ends, a first articulated lever defining fifth and sixth ends, a second articulated lever defining seventh and eighth ends, a third articulated lever defining ninth and tenth ends, and a fourth articulated lever defining eleventh and twelfth ends. The fifth end pivotally connects between the first end and the second end. The sixth end pivotally connects to the tenth end. The ninth end pivotally connects to the fourth end. The third end pivotally connects to the eleventh end. The second end pivotally connects to the seventh end. The eighth end pivotally connects between the ninth end and the tenth end. The twelfth end pivotally connects between the seventh end and the eighth end. A protective plate covers at least a portion of the plates and levers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: HETTICH-ONI GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Beckmann, Cord Rommelmann, Andreas Kleemann, Eduard Thielmann, Dieter Waltemate
  • Patent number: 7413362
    Abstract: A paper tray for a printer includes a paper support plate for supporting paper sheets stacked thereon and a support frame formed on the printer body adjacent the paper inlet. The paper support plate has a C-shaped hook having a base portion and upper and lower arms. The support frame has a protruding shaft and an upwardly inclined housing wall. The paper support plate is detachably hinged to the support frame with the C-shaped hook engaged with the protruding shaft so as to be rotated between a vertical position and a horizontal position. The housing wall extends forward beyond the protruding shaft and has a horizontal surface serving as a contact surface at the top of the extending portion. The C-shaped hook has a rib at the base portion. When the paper support plate is rotated to the horizontal position, the rotation is limited by the under surface of the rib coming in contact with the top surface of the extending portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Bandou
  • Patent number: 7387410
    Abstract: A luminaire assembly including a hinge member connected to a structure, a support member, a light source, and an outer shell. The support member is secured to the hinge member to be pivotable between a lighting position, in which electrical components are concealed, and a maintenance position, in which the electrical components are exposed. The light source is supported on a front side of the support member and is operational in the lighting position. The outer shell is secured to the hinge member such as to be pivotable between a closed position, in which the outer shell conceals the light source while being able to allow light from the light source to pass therethrough, and an opened position, in which the outer shell allows access to the light source. A hinge member and method for accessing the electrical components are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignees: C.E.I.T. Corp., C.E.I.T. Enterprises
    Inventor: Michel Sibout
  • Patent number: 7360681
    Abstract: A mail receptacle system incorporating multiple individually accessible discrete storage compartments disposed within a frame structure with lockable user access doors disposed in mated hinging relation relative to the frame structure such that when the access doors are in a closed position, a male/female relation is established between portions of the doors and the frame structure. The access doors utilize a multi-piece construction wherein the hinging edges of the doors are displaceable from the door body thereby permitting the door body to be easily and readily replace in the event of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Bommer Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Pittman, B. Stewart Jackson
  • Patent number: 7281300
    Abstract: A hinge for a child safety barrier, consisting of first (1, 9) and second (2, 10) bracket parts, wherein the first bracket part is formed with a pin (4) whose free end is formed with a shoulder (5). The second bracket part (2, 10) is formed with a hole (7) with two sections, where the first section has a larger diameter than the second section. This provides an edge between the two sections, which, together with the shoulder (5) of the pin, serves as a lock between the two bracket parts. If the length of the pin is larger than the length of the section of the smallest diameter, then the two hinge parts may be displaced relative to each other in the direction of the pin, which is an advantage when the hinge is used in connection with child safety barriers. The two bracket parts of the hinge are formed with respective locking parts which cooperate such that when one bracket part is displaced relative to the other bracket part, the bracket parts may be rotated relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Baby Dan A/S
    Inventors: Finn Andersen, Henrik L. Pedersen, Glenn Højmose
  • Patent number: 7228597
    Abstract: A partition apparatus or system having one or more panels each releasably fixed with respect to a hinge element. The hinge element has at least one hinge leaf, each with an outer edge. Each hinge leaf has at least one opening, preferably multiple openings, extending from the outer edge in a direction inward toward the hinge pin. The panel at least partially defines a slot. A male connector is mounted within the slot. The hinge leaf can be inserted within the slot so that the male connector engages within the opening of the hinge leaf. The opening of the hinge leaf can be shaped so that the hinge element is releasably fixed with respect to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Gerali Custom Design, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Gerali, Tim Schnittker, Henri Lodewyck, Charles Gambo
  • Patent number: 7080428
    Abstract: A hinge device having a way to detach one hinge member from another includes a fender mounting plate with a pivot pin secured thereto, a hood mounting plate having a pivot pin engaging slot, an elongated pawl having a latch plate engaging end, the pawl secured to the hood mounting plate, a latch plate rotatably secured to the hood mounting plate in a spaced relationship with the elongated pawl where the latch plate has a pawl engaging slot shaped to engage the pawl latch plate engaging end, a pivot pin engaging slot shaped to engage the pivot pin, and a pawl unlock surface that contacts the latch plate engaging end when the elongated pawl is not engaged with the pawl engaging, whereby a user can detach one hinge member from another by withdrawing the elongated pawl, translating one hinge member in relation to the other, and thereby rotating the latch plate, which disengages the latch plate and hood mounting plate from the pivot pin and separates the hinge members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Warren L. Hyde
  • Patent number: 6964131
    Abstract: A door includes a U-shaped frame having opposing side channels. The channels include peripheral, inner and outer walls with the inner wall being of a larger size and configuration than the outer wall. A glass insert slightly smaller than the size of the inner wall is inserted therethrough and is guided to a centered position seated upon the outer wall. An open frame insert is slid into the two side channels, and a plurality of opposing pairs of walls deflect the open frame insert into bearing engagement with the glass insert. A peripheral edge of the open frame insert defines a peripheral channel with a terminal edge of the door frame inner wall for receipt therein of a peripheral securing boss of an elastomeric peripheral seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Gemtron Corporation
    Inventors: Bob Herrmann, Howard Daley
  • Patent number: 6941616
    Abstract: The improved pinless hinge assembly (24) includes a first hinge plate (28) having a curled edge (28a) defining a center roll having a longitudinal axis (P) with an aperture (42) in the first hinge plate (28). A second hinge plate (30) having a free edge (30a) curled about the center roll. A locking lug (40) extends from the free edge (30a) of the second hinge (30) and is routed first through the first aperture (42) in the first hinge plate (28) and then through the second aperture (44) in the second hinge plate (30). The locking lug (40) is engaged in a seat (46) in the second hinge plate (30) to maintain the free edge (30a) of the second hinge plate (30) curled about the center roll when the first hinge plate (28) rotates relative to the second hinge plate (30) about the longitudinal axis (P). A pair of locking lugs (40) may be also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand E. Roy
  • Patent number: 6891720
    Abstract: An access in a housing for a computer is disclosed. The access has a pivot mechanism coupled to the housing, and a door coupled to the pivot mechanism. The door rests flush against the computer housing when the access is not deployed. The door is configured to pivot in a downward direction for deployment of the access. An actuator is coupled to the door for actuating an ejection mechanism in a disk drive drawer. The actuator has a foam pad for depressing an eject button on a faceplate of the disk drive drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sze-moey Voon, Thomas S. Neal, Jacques L. Gagne, Ray Gradwohl, Ricardo Penate, Kenneth Wood
  • Patent number: 6810562
    Abstract: A spacing member (15) on a hinge arm (1) bears against guide surfaces (22, 231)and locates a hinge pin (16) generally beneath a hinge pin hole in a recess (2) to be mounted on a door to be hingedly mounted on a cabinet which has a frame mounting the hinge arm. Lowering of the recess when so generally located cause a chamfer (161) on the end of the hinge pin (16) to accurately align the hinge pin with the hinge pin hole as the hinge pin (16) enters the hinge pin hole to move the spacing member (15) out of engagement with the guide surfaces (22, 231).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: APW Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: David Horne, John David Schnabel
  • Patent number: 6804862
    Abstract: The hinge system has a hinge pin having a plurality of cylinders. Each of the cylinders has at least one section having a predetermined diameter, a first cylinder of the plurality of cylinders having a first diameter with every succeeding cylinder having one of a diameter equal to or less than a diameter of a preceding cylinder. The cylinders are arranged end-to-end on a common axis. A first leaf of the hinge systems includes an attachment portion and at least one elongated knuckle portion located on one edge of the attachment portion. The knuckle portion of the first leaf is axially continuous and has an axial extending bore having at least one section having a predetermined diameter. A second leaf of the hinge system includes an attachment portion and at least one knuckle portion along one edge of the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Miller Dowel Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6796087
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a storage shed that is strong, durable, low-maintenance, easy to assemble and use, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and ship, and can be mass produced. In one embodiment, a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a door to a structural member of a shed comprises at least one hinge post disposed along a generally vertical edge of the door, and at least one hinge support provided along a generally vertical edge of the structural member. The hinge support includes a hinge support cutout portion configured to slidably support a first portion of the hinge post of the door to permit rotation of the hinge post relative to the hinge support cutout portion around an axis of the hinge post. The hinge support includes an extension which is disposed adjacent the hinge support cutout portion and extends outward from the generally vertical edge of the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Thinking Outside, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael Greene
  • Patent number: 6718596
    Abstract: The vehicular door hinge of the present invention facilitates both forward and rearward swinging door motion. The present invention achieves this objective by reversing the orientation of the door component portion of the hinge within the body component portion of the hinge. An integrated door stop is incorporated into the body component. The integrated door stop further includes non-parallel stop surfaces that abut the door component's geometry in both the conventional and reversed configurations to give the desired opening angles. As a result, the present invention allows for different uses from the same components where a first predetermined angle may be achieved or a second predetermined angle may be achieved with different swing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Kohlstrand, Todd Joseph DeSantis
  • Patent number: 6698821
    Abstract: A vehicle having an occupant space within a cab is disclosed. The cab has an access door providing access to the space. The door includes a novel hinge mounting construction including a hinge mounting plate. The plate is moveable over a limited adjustment range. A hinge plate locator sized to mate with complemental surfaces of a hinge leaf is provided. The locator is connected to the plate and moveable with the plate as the plate is moved within its adjustment range. A fastener is provided to fix the locator and plate in an adjusted position such that the door may be removed and remounted without repeating an initial locating adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaus G. Racz
  • Publication number: 20040034966
    Abstract: A hinge and an associated method of use are provided that enable one person to hinge a pivotable member, such as a cabinet door, relative to an aperture in stationary structure, such as a cabinet, or vice versa. The hinge has first and second hinge leaves, and the first hinge leaf is provided with a hanger receiving aperture. After the second hinge leaf is mounted to the pivotable member by screws or the like, the aperture in the first hinge leaf is hung temporarily over a hanger that is preliminarily positioned and mounted in the stationary structure and the first hinge leaf is mounted to the stationary member. The hanger can be a headed protruding screw. After the mounting, the hanger may be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Wegman
  • Publication number: 20040025294
    Abstract: An automotive hinge comprises: a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closing panel, the door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a pivot arm; the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component; the conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating the door and body components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the door component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Rudolf Gruber
  • Publication number: 20040025295
    Abstract: A clearance free hinge for an automotive vehicle seat has a) a first hinge arm and a second hinge arm, each hinge arm having a bore, b) a hinge pin extending through said bores, the bore of the first hinge arm comprising a retaining zone and a compensation zone located one behind the other, the compensation zone having greater radial inner dimensions than the retaining zone and the compensation zone being defined by an inner lining and a step, which is oriented substantially radially and is contiguous to the retaining zone, and c) a shim member that rests against the inner lining, the step and the hinge pin and that, during assembly of the hinge, is loaded axially toward the step in such a manner that it deforms and fills out any space between hinge pin, step and inner lining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker
  • Patent number: 6678919
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a gaming machine including a hinge pin fixed to a door of the gaming machine and a outer sleeve fixed to a belly door frame. The outer sleeve includes first and second arms and is partially annular in cross-section defining a first gap between opposing ends of the arms. A pin element is fixed to a light chamber located behind the belly door frame and rotatably mounted inside the outer sleeve. A second gap is defined between free ends of the pin element. When the pin element is rotated to a particular orientation with respect to the outer sleeve, the first and second gaps align to allow the pin element and outer sleeve element to be simultaneously mounted around the hinge pin. Relative rotation of the pin element and outer sleeve misaligns the gaps thereby inhibiting the pin element and outer sleeve from becoming disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY LTD
    Inventors: Richard Sokolov, Errol D'Souza, Vladimir Halic, Ian Frederick Johnson
  • Patent number: 6591451
    Abstract: An automotive hinge adapted to facilitate removable attachment of a closure panel to a body structure comprises a door component comprising upper and lower door component pivot arms adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, a body component comprising upper and lower body component pivot doors adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, a common pivot axis around which the door component and body component are adapted to rotate in relation to each other, and a cylindrical protrusion adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally attached to and extended above the upper pivot arm of the body component, such that the door component is adapted to interleave over the body component, dimensionally locating the closure panel and the body structure by means of an external cylindrical bearing surface on the cylindrical protrusion, and is adapted to be held in assembly by means of a pivot pin which is adapted to extend through both said pivot arms of both said hinge components
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Multimatic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf Gruber, David Carswell, John J. Salmon
  • Patent number: 6578232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening plate to fasten a hinge arm of a furniture hinge to a carrier wall consisting of an elongated base plate having at least two boreholes to receive fastening elements, of a cover plate covering the base plate at least in part and being guided in a transversely displaceable manner thereon, and of an eccentric to displace the cover plate with respect to the base plate. In accordance with the invention, the base plate has in its central region at least one lower tang bent down through 180 degrees whose lateral edges are supported at the inner lateral edges of tangs bent down through 180 degrees at the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Publication number: 20030106184
    Abstract: A hinge for furniture comprises a fastening base (11) carrying the hinge articulation (14). The fastening base has a slot (18) passed through by a screw (12) for fastening to the piece of furniture. The slot (18) is open towards the base edge through a channel (19) of a width smaller than the slot width. The fastening screw under the head is provided with a collar (21) which is housed in the slot (18) and the diameter of which is greater than the width of at least one channel portion (19). Thus passage of the screw through the channel is inhibited if the screw is not untightened a sufficient amount to bring the collar out of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Agostino Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Migli
  • Patent number: 6530179
    Abstract: A continuously extruded profile sash and frame each having an integral rigid hinge thereon. The device comprises an operable hinge system wherein the load bearing hinge mechanics are extruded as an integral part of the extruded frame member and of the extruded sash moving panel, the sash and frame can each have a cell structure for increased structural integrity and thermal insulating capacity. A punch press may be used to create the male knuckle and female hinge components. At least one hinge pin can be inserted into the cylindrical cavity and run the length of the hinge. Panel and frame members include arcuate sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Myles A Fisher, Richard D. Bradley, Keith R. Koons
  • Patent number: 6516494
    Abstract: A hinge is provided which includes a frame-side base member 41 adapted to be attached to an open frame 10 and a door-side base member 42 adapted to be attached to a door 20. The frame-side base member 41 is connected to a first plate 31 and the door-side base member 42 is connected to a second plate 32 which is hinge connected to the first plate 31, for holding the door 20 so as to be capable of rotating. The second plate 32 is separable from the door-side base member 42. The door-side base member 42 is shaped to be symmetrical about the vertical center line of the door edge, and is imbedded in the edge of the door 20 without any protrusions from the door 20. Further, the door-side base member 42 is provided with a slit 44 which penetrates the member 42 in the width direction of the door 20 and into which the second plate 32 can be inserted from both the front and back sides of the door 20. There is also provided a lock apparatus to lock the second plate 32 inserted into the slit 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Juken Sangyo
    Inventors: Yusho Nakamoto, Katsunori Sako, Kiminori Kubo
  • Patent number: 6481054
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for operably coupling a flip panel display to a sign panel is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes pair of hinge clips having an interlocking feature formed thereon. The pair of hinge clips are assembled in an opposed facing relationship such that the interlocking features engage one another to secure the hinge assembly to the sign panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 6438799
    Abstract: A hinge possesses a casing portion (1) and a lid portion (4) which is movably supported, preferably pivoted (3), on the casing portion (3). So that the hinge can be assembled in a more simple manner, a retaining part (18) is provided on the casing portion (1) or the lid portion (4) by means of which the relative position of both parts (1, 4) is fixed in place (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Lina Gronbach
  • Patent number: 6430887
    Abstract: For a truss, a hinge assembly for connecting truss members that form the truss. The hinge assembly may include a first hinge plate having a first boss formed thereon and a second hinge plate having a second boss formed thereon. The second boss defines an opening for pivotal receipt of the first boss. The hinge assembly also includes a retainer for maintaining the pivotal receipt of the first boss in the second boss. When the first hinge plate is attached to a first portion of a truss and the second hinge plate is attached to a second portion of a truss, the first and second truss portion can be pivoted relative to each other to enable portions of the truss to be collapsed for transporting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Aegis Metal Framing LLC
    Inventor: Larry R. Daudet
  • Publication number: 20020100141
    Abstract: A hinge for joining two adjacent panels. The hinge comprises a first piece adapted to receive a first panel, a second piece adapted to receive a second panel, and a middle piece. Each of the first and second pieces has an opening for receiving a panel and a socket defined between two spaced stopping surfaces. Portions of the middle piece are received within the sockets of the first and second hinge pieces. The configuration of the hinge pieces prevents the panels from folding in one direction while enabling the panels to fold together in the other direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Fabri-Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard J. Schrage
  • Patent number: 6418589
    Abstract: An apparatus for fastening of a fitting is provided, preferably the support arm of a hinge, to a panel of a piece of furniture or the like and form of a base plate fastenable to the panel, for example, by dowel or screws. The fitting or a part connected thereto can be fastened to the base plate. More particularly, the base plate and the fitting are provided, on one end thereof, with protrusions and/or bends that can be hooked together and on opposite end regions, with a device for interlocking the base plate and fitting together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 6415476
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention a locking device is provided, the device comprising a first movable object; a second movable object; and a housing, wherein the housing defines at least (i) a cavity, (ii) a first bore for receiving the first movable object, and (iii) a second bore which opens into the cavity and intersects with the first bore, and in which the second movable object is at least partially disposed; whereby upon movement of the first movable object into a locking position within the first bore, the second movable object is moved to a position in proximity or in contact with an abutting surface within the cavity. Related combinations of such devices, as well as releasable hinges and closures employing such configurations and related methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin P. McCoy
  • Patent number: 6412584
    Abstract: A vehicle (10) has an opening (14) for ingress to and egress from a passenger compartment (12) in the vehicle. A door (16) has a closed position blocking the opening (14) and an open position enabling ingress and egress through the opening. A structure (22, 60) assists in maintaining the door (16) in the closed position. An actuatable device (30, 74), when actuated, renders the structure unable to assist in maintaining the door in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ernst M. Faigle, Douglas P. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020078527
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cabinet hinge with an adjusting device that is directly or indirectly on the cabinet side, single or multi-part mounting plate stored hinge arm, that is connected jointed with a door-side stop part, so that the adjusting device has a side adjusting screw by means of which the hinge arm's position perpendicular to the mounting plate can be changed to the door's side adjustment. The side adjusting device has a side adjusting screw with at least one eccentric- or cam disks so that by turning the side adjusting screw, a side adjustment and, at the same time, a parallel shifting of the hinge arm relative to the mounting plate occurs, resulting in a correction of the door's depth adjustment for an amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mueller, Markus Albrecht, Remo Egger, Holger Wenzel, Johannes Haemmerle, Juergen Amann
  • Patent number: 6405408
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a hinge assembly of an accessory door, the accessory door moveable between open and closed positions relative to a base and including a first arm, the hinge assembly including a spring, the spring engageable between the base and the first arm, the apparatus including a plate rigidly engageable with the base, the plate including a spring anchor mechanism capable of engaging the spring, and at least one connector capable of connecting the plate and the base, whereby the accessory door is moveable between open and closed positions without interference by the plate or the connector(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Demetrios C. Mavrofrides
  • Publication number: 20020066159
    Abstract: A hinge structure of back door constructed to reduce the sizes of parts comprising hinges of a back door for enabling to obtain an accommodation space, wherein, in a door hinge having a first hinge unit and a second hinge unit rotatively coupled to an inner panel of a door and to a recess of a body, each connected to a rotary axle, the hinge structure for back door comprises a guide member formed at a bottom surface thereof with a coupling hole through which to secure the first hinge unit via a bolt and a nut and formed at both left and right tip ends thereof with a bent piece having a guide hole, a bracket formed at a bottom surface thereof with a coupling hole and formed at both left and left sides thereof with bent pieces formed at one side thereof with a connecting hole, first and second rods having both ends externally expanded for being respectively inserted into the guide hole of the guide member and the connecting hole of the bracket while central units thereof ware made in “” shape, a con
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Jun-Ho Je
  • Patent number: 6389644
    Abstract: A hinge adapter is described, providing a new construction for hanging a door in a door frame. The hinge adapter of the invention comprises two major components, the first being a hinge-to-door adapting member and the second being a hinge-to-jamb adapting member. These two adapting members each have at least two mortises for receiving a hinge plate. Preferably, these adapting members also each have a plurality of holes for use in attaching the respective adapter to either a door, or to a doorjamb. Attaching the two adapting members to the door and to the door jamb, with at least two hinges between them, allows the hanging of the door upon the doorjamb with the attachment of the door to the jamb being made over a larger area of the jamb and the door, than if the at least two hinges were attached directly to the door and the door jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: John R. Russo
  • Publication number: 20020053118
    Abstract: A hood hinge structure for hinge connecting together a hinge lower to be fixed to a body and a hinge upper to be fixed to a hood at a hinge axial center, the engine room side of the vehicle body serving as the fixing portion of the hinge lower is formed as a stepped portion which is situated on the lower side, and the fixing portion of the hinge upper is disposed such that it is opposed to the stepped portion. In this structure, even in case where the head of a pedestrian is butted against the hood in the vicinity of the hinge portion due to a collision, the hinge portion is deformed within a relatively long shock-absorbing stroke formed between the hinge portion and stepped portion formed on the engine room side of the vehicle body to thereby be able to absorb the shock sufficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: Akihide Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6381762
    Abstract: A quick release hinge assembly for a toilet seat is disclosed. The assembly including a pair of fasteners each having a flange for engaging a toilet bowl when attached thereto and a head spaced above the flange. An anchor plate having a pair of slots formed on the bottom side thereof which cooperate with the heads of the fasteners to secure the anchor plate to a toilet bowl. The anchor plate further including a resiliently biased latch formed in the top surface thereof which locks and unlocks the anchor plate from one of the fastener heads to permit the anchor plate to slide off of the fasteners and a pair of spaced hinge mounting supports extending from the anchor plate to which a toilet seat and lid can be pivotally coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Scott A. Moser
  • Publication number: 20020050025
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinge, in particular for pieces of furniture, with an arm fixable to the body of the piece of furniture, connected to a portion of hinge that oscillates through two equalizers housed on transversal pins, of which—in the portion of one of its oscillation axes—one equalizer exhibits a projecting part forming a lever arm, and with an elastic member that stresses the projecting part of the equalizer so as to cause a thrust in the closing direction on the oscillating hinge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: ARTURO SALICE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Publication number: 20020046441
    Abstract: A hinge for pieces of furniture comprising a hinge arm (2) and a hinge casing (1) which are connected to each other by means of at least one hinge axle. The hinge arm (2) is provided with a fluid damper (20). The fluid damper is mounted on the side of the hinge arm without the use of a tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Klaus Brustle
  • Publication number: 20020046442
    Abstract: Machinery Guarding apparatus and a clamping device for the same is provided in a modular arrangement and is easily fitted and adaptable by the user to individual requirements. The guarding includes a clamping device which allows the guarding components to be fitted and held together with the clamping device allowing a plurality of components to be selectively positioned radially depend therefrom in a plurality of different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Jeremy C.A. Procter
  • Patent number: 6317315
    Abstract: A personal computer includes a display module and a main computer module. The display module includes a display housing having opposite lateral sides that are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, and a bottom side that is provided with an elongate first pivot axle which extends in the longitudinal direction. The bottom side is further provided with a second pivot axle having a retaining portion mounted co-axially and rotatably on the first pivot axle, and a coupling portion which extends from the retaining portion and which has a mounting member provided thereon. The main computer module includes a main housing having a top side, and a mounting block mounted on the top side of the main housing. The mounting block engages detachably the mounting member such that the display module is pivotable relative to and is detachable from the main computer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuan-Yuan Lee, Ming Yuan
  • Patent number: 6286185
    Abstract: A hinge for metal cupboard doors or the like, comprising a first hinged piece such as a hinge plate with one or several counterbored holes for fixing screws and a second hinge piece articulated on the first hinge piece such as a hinge frame or hinge plate, which is also provided with several counterbored holes for fixing screws, wherein the holes of the at least one hinge part are configured as oblong holes. The hinge is provided with a fixing screw bushing which can be fitted into the oblong hole, and whose part fitting into the counterbored area of the oblong hole has a cross-section which differs from a circular form, i.e. a quadratic cross-section, preferably a longitudinally extended rectangular, rectangular with added semicircles of an oval cross-section, and whose longitudinal extension is (the same or) greater than the transversal extension of the counterbored area of the oblong hole and whose inner counter matches the shape of the fixing screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Patent number: 6282751
    Abstract: A hinge connection at a breathing gas supply unit between a container lower part (3) and a container door (4), which is fastened, pivotably around an axis, at a rear container edge (1) of the container lower part (3). The connection is provided such that dimensional differences of the container lower part can have only a limited effect on the positioning of the container door in relation to adjacent components of the breathing gas supply unit. The axis of the hinge is designed as projections (15) located at a spaced location from hinge pins (14) of a rail section (2) in the manner of a pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Drager Aerospace GmbH
    Inventors: Roderich Thometschek, Carsten Mantey, Ralf Göke
  • Patent number: 6175992
    Abstract: A hinge for metal cabinets has a first bearing support mounted to a body of a metal cabinet. A second U-shaped bearing support is attached to the door leaf of the metal cabinet by being inserted into a cutout provided in a corner area of an angled portion of the door leaf. The angled portion extends toward the body of the metal cabinet. A rotation axle of the hinge mounted in the first bearing support is positioned at an external side of the door leaf in the area of the angled portion. The second bearing support has a first bore. A fastener is received in the first bore for attaching the second bearing support to the door leaf. The first bore extends angularly to the door leaf and the angled portion. A U-shaped support bracket has U-legs embracing the second bearing support. The U-legs rests on the door leaf and the angled portion. The support bracket is provided with a second bore for penetration by the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: EMKA Beschlagteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Manfred Sauerland
  • Patent number: 6128807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having a lower hinge member installed at a lower corner of a body forming a cooling compartment, and an upper hinge bracket installed at an upper corner of the body. The lower hinge member has a lower hinge pin assembled to a lower corner of a door for opening/closing the cooling compartment. A removable pin member is installed on the upper hinge bracket. The pin member has an upper hinge pin assembled to an upper corner of the door. A worker fixes the upper hinge bracket and the lower hinge member to the body, and then assembles the door to the body. Then, he installs the pin member on the upper hinge bracket, whereby the upper part of the door is assembled with the upper hinge pin. Thus, the door can be easily assembled to the body. Further, as the pin member is disassembled from the upper hinge bracket, the door can be disassembled from the body without detaching the upper hinge bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Seung Lim, Jong Su Hwang