Resiliently Biased Hinge Patents (Class 16/277)
  • Patent number: 11184994
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a first component, a plurality of line card slots, a fan array, and a sensor arrangement. The first component has a first opening defined therein and a second opening defined therein. The first component includes a first configurable line card flapper is arranged to at least partially cover the first opening and a second configurable line card flapper is arranged to at least partially cover the second opening. The plurality of line card slots includes a first line card slot associated with the first opening and a second line card slot associated with the second opening. The fan array includes a plurality of fans. The sensor arrangement includes at least one sensor arranged to monitor at least one condition. The first and second configurable line card flappers are arranged to be configured using information obtained from the sensor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mandy Hin Lam, Vic Hong Chia, M. Baris Dogruoz
  • Patent number: 11116093
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wing hinge for a field device housing, including: a first wing having a first and a second holding device, the first holding device configured to connect to the field device housing and to move the first wing about a first axis; a second wing having a third and a fourth holding device, the third holding device configured to connect to the second holding device and to move the second wing relative to the first wing about a second axis, wherein the fourth holding device is connectable to a housing cover as to move the housing cover relative to the second wing about a third axis; and a tensioning element in contact with the first wing and the second wing and configured to move the first wing relative to the second wing about the second axis from a first position into a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Dieterich, Thomas Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 10851569
    Abstract: A telescoping door system includes a header that spans across a doorway. A trailing jamb and a lead jamb disposed a clear opening distance from the trailing jamb defines a clear opening of the doorway. A sidelite panel is coupled to the trailing jamb by at least one swing clear hinge; the swing clear hinge comprises a fixed gear portion intermeshed with a revolving gear portion. A slow slide panel and a fast slide panel move linearly within the header. The slow and fast slide panels are configured to create a first-sized opening when positioned in the header. The sidelite panel, the slow slide panel, and the fast slide panel are configured to pivot out of the header in a breakout position such that a trailing rail of the sidelite panel is disposed at least partially outside the clear opening and in front of the trailing jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: OVERHEAD DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leonel Narvaez, Federico Romero
  • Patent number: 10745962
    Abstract: A hinge for a bi-fold door is integrated with a pair of stiles. Each stile has a hinge flange integrated to the stile. Opposing stiles with opposing and aligned hinge flanges collectively create an integral hinge assembly that may be useful in thermal doors employing one or more thermal breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Arconic Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10683085
    Abstract: An aircraft assembly having a first body connected to a second body via a flexible coupling arranged to limit separation of the bearing faces while permitting relative rotational movement between the bodies in a movement plane so as to define a joint between the bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Landing Systems UK LTD
    Inventors: Nicholas Foster, Nikhil Sehgal, Daniel Mulley, Peter Scott
  • Patent number: 10458164
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance includes features that allow for a door rotatably hinged to the appliance to be raised or lowered through various phases of the swing arc of the door by utilizing a ramped surface of a bracket of the hinge assembly as the working surface. In one exemplary aspect, a hinge assembly includes a hinge bracket having a pivot pin and a ramped surface. The door hinge assembly also includes a cam assembly coupled with the door and having a cam projection. As the door is swung about its swing arc, the cam projection engages the ramped surface of the hinge bracket. In this way, the door can be raised along the vertical direction as the door is rotated through its swing arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Bagawathkumar Chellappan
  • Patent number: 10366036
    Abstract: In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a server chassis may include a server zone to receive a plurality of blade servers, each of the plurality of blade servers having a fabric connection. The server chassis may further include a flexible input/output zone to receive an input/output card, the input/output card being communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of blade servers via the fabric connection of each of the plurality of blade servers. The functionality of the input/output card may be distributed across the plurality of blade servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Brian T. Purcell, David M. Koonce, Minh H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10185355
    Abstract: A portable information device is capable of securing the appearance quality or the durability of products while having a foldable configuration. The portable information device has a backbone member provided throughout and between the inner surface of one edge portion of a first chassis member and the inner surface of one edge portion of a second chassis member so as to cover a gap between the one edge portion of the first chassis member and the one edge portion of the second chassis member connected by a hinge mechanisms. The backbone member is held between the inner surfaces of the first chassis member and the second chassis member and the rear surfaces of the hinge mechanisms disposed on the inner surfaces, and is slidably provided between the inner surface of at least one of the first chassis member and the second chassis member and the rear surface of the hinge mechanism disposed on the one inner surface of the at least one of the first chassis member and the second chassis member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Watamura, Masayuki Amano, Takehito Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10085566
    Abstract: A marine vessel has a deck surface having a recessed cavity; a seat module having a seating member, an engagement member, and a hinge that couples the seating member to the engagement member; and a retainer configured to retain the engagement member with respect to the recessed cavity. The seating member is pivotable about the hinge into and between a closed position in which the seating member lies flush with the deck surface and covers the recessed cavity and an open position in which the seating member provides seating for user and the recessed cavity is exposed and provides leg room for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Danny Gallant
  • Patent number: 10053902
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a lever arm and a channel connected to the lever arm. The channel is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A control link is pivotally connected to the lever arm. A slide body includes an inner end connected to the control link. The slide body is adapted for sliding movement in response to pivoting movement of the channel relative to the lever arm between a first (door-closed) position and a second (door-opened) position. A spring resiliently biases the channel toward the first position. A snubber system includes at least one snubber with a piston that is biased to an extended position and moveable to a retracted position against a fluid or other damping resistance during movement of the slide body away when the channel moves from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian White, James Collene
  • Patent number: 9881443
    Abstract: A gaming system includes a housing having gaming components therein. The housing has a door opening and a door capable of rotating about a hinge axis defined by a set of hinge pins rigidly affixed to the housing. Attached to the door are a set of hinge arms having a set of specially shaped hinge slots positioned around the hinge pins. The hinge arms are additionally coupled to the housing by a set of spring components. When the housing door is not in a closed position, the spring components bias the door to an open position. When the housing door is in the closed position, the spring components bias the door in a direction defined by the hinge slots such that the door remains in a neutral position minimizing a spacing gap along one edge of the door. A set of roller guides align the door with a set of corresponding roller pins when the door approaches the closed position, and a locking mechanism is configured to latch the door to the housing in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Maher, Michael Corristine, Gregory E. Klostermann, Andrew Lloyd
  • Patent number: 9845625
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus that connects a first member and a second member to each other so that the first member and the second member are mutually foldable. The hinge apparatus includes a first gear disposed on the first member to rotate according to a rotation of the first member and a second gear disposed on the second member and tooth-engaged with the first gear to rotate according to a rotation of the second member or a rotation of the first gear. The hinge apparatus also including a pressure member to reinforce a mesh force between the first and the second gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young-sun Park
  • Patent number: 9747810
    Abstract: A magnetic display unit includes: a display layer; a magnetic layer located behind the display layer; and a quick-release mechanism including an activator, wherein the quick-release mechanism is adapted to increase the distance between the magnetic layer and the display layer such that, when activated by the activator, the quick-release mechanism causes any magnets located along the display layer to be released from the display layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Gary Peterson
  • Patent number: 9371676
    Abstract: In one example a hinge assembly for an electronic device comprises a linkage comprising a first bushing disposed at a first end of the linkage and a second bushing disposed at a second end of the bushing, a first shaft rotatable within the first bushing about a first axis, a second shaft rotatable within the second bushing about a second axis, and at least one compression element disposed on the first shaft, wherein the first shaft and the first bushing are threaded such that rotation of the first shaft within the first bushing induces lateral translation of the first shaft along the first axis. Other examples may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Rittenhouse
  • Patent number: 9366067
    Abstract: Soft-closing hinge for furniture comprising a movable hinge cup coupled to a door panel, a securing member coupled to a wall panel and a hinge arm configured to couple the hinge cup to the securing member. A damper on the hinge cup acts on the hinge arm at least when the hinge is closed. A spring is disposed in the hinge. One end of the hinge arm is hinged to the hinge cup. A cross section of an end of the spring is non-circular and has a sliding member with a concave chamber disposed thereon. An end of the spring is disposed in the concave chamber. A bottom surface of the sliding member acts on a rotation portion of the hinge arm via elasticity of the spring and moves relative to the rotation portion when the hinge is opened and/or closed to generate an opening or closing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Zhiyong Wu
  • Patent number: 9297190
    Abstract: A hinge device (10) for connecting two door panels (12) of a folding door (14) includes two installation strips (26) and a connection strip (28) connecting the two installation strips (26). An installation slot (44) is formed in each installation strip (26) for receiving an inner end (24) of an associated door panel (12). Two toothed portions (50) are respectively formed on the installation strips (26) and mesh with each other. The connection strip (28) includes two shaft portions (62) respectively received in the toothed portions (50). The installation strips (26) are pivotable relative to the connection strip (28) between first and second positions. In the first position, the door panels (12) are unfolded, and the connection strip (28) is covered by the installation strips (26). In the second position, the door panels (12) are folded, and the toothed portions (50) are located inside of the connection strip (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Chen-Hsiang Lee
  • Patent number: 9265243
    Abstract: A break-away apparatus for a boom arm is positioned at a joint between the main boom portion and the boom tip. The apparatus allows the boom tip to assume a neutral position and to pivot forward and rearward. The apparatus includes a first plate disposed at the joint, a second plate disposed at the joint, and a hinge assembly positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The hinge assembly includes a hinge pin having a longitudinal axis. The first and second plates are in a first position with respect to each other when the boom tip assumes the neutral position. The first and second plates are movable with respect to each other about the longitudinal axis. A torsion spring is configured to return the first and second plates to the first position after the first and second plates move from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: John Kuphal
  • Patent number: 9250733
    Abstract: A foldable display apparatus is provided. The foldable display apparatus includes a flexible display panel, first body configured to support a left portion of a flexible display panel, and second body configured to support a right portion of the flexible display panel, first and second frames configured to surround portions of outlines of the first and second bodies, a hinge member configured to hinge-connect the first and second frames with each other in a foldable manner, and first and second supports having sides hinge-connected to the first and second frames, and configured to form an accommodation space in which a folded portion of the flexible display panel is folded to form a curvature at a first position at which the first and second bodies are folded, and to support the folded portion of the flexible display panel at a second position at which the first and second bodies are unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-chul Lee, Sang-il Park, Sang-wol Lee
  • Patent number: 9097046
    Abstract: A pinned hinge with articulating cover system and associated method for assembly are provided. In one embodiment, the hinge includes first and second hinge members pivotally coupled together. A plurality of geared bearing inserts are mounted to knuckles of the hinge members. A cover adapter clip is mounted on the knuckles that is configured to movably engage the geared bearing inserts. A cover is mounted on the cover adapter clip to complete the cover system. Opening and closing leaves of the hinge members displaces the cover to prevent interference with the hinge members during operation. The cover adapter clip and cover are resiliently structured in some embodiments to facilitate lateral assembly of the clip and cover to the hinge for convenience of installation. The geared bearing inserts further include an integral load bearing portion and provide vertical load-bearing support for the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Von Duprin LLC
    Inventor: Austin R. Baer
  • Publication number: 20150026924
    Abstract: In a vehicle door hinge, a moving hinge member is fixed to a mounting surface of a door, and a fixed hinge member is fixed to a mounting surface of a vehicle body. The moving hinge member is pivotally mounted to the fixed hinge member via a hinge shaft. The fixed hinge member has a deformation-promoting portion which meets the mounting surface of the vehicle body at an intersection. An extension line extends from a facing side of the fixed hinge member facing the mounting surface of the door. First and second tangential lines which contact an outer circumference of the hinge shaft extend perpendicular the mounting surface of the vehicle body. The intersection is positioned between the extension line and the second tangential line remote from the extension line compared with the first tangential line. The facing side is formed at right angles or approximate right angles with respect to the mounting surface of the vehicle body, and the fixed hinge member is unfolded to a T-shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroshi MORINAGA
  • Publication number: 20150014438
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a breakaway hinge for an expandable boom on an agricultural vehicle. The boom includes of a first and a second section combined in a manner to allow the second section to move with respect to the first section when the second section encounters an obstruction. A breakaway hinge is provided between the first and the second section, and includes a first pivot member attached to the first section at an angle ? with respect to a vertical line and a second pivot member attached to the second section at an angle ? with respect to the vertical line. A connecting member holds the first pivot member with respect to the second pivot member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Dan LIGHT
  • Patent number: 8925542
    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: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Brian White, James Collene
  • Publication number: 20140366322
    Abstract: A hinge (10) for mounting a door (14) on a piece of furniture, comprising a hinge arm (12) fixable to a fixed part (11) of the piece of furniture and a box (13) fixable to a door (14) of the piece of furniture, swingably connected to each other; connected to the box (13) there is a decelerating device (22) comprising an actuating element (24) movable along a decelerating stroke between an initial position and a final position, return spring means (25) loadable during the decelerating stroke from a released condition in a loaded condition, and deactivating means (39) for deactivating the decelerating device (22) and comprising a blocking member (39) acting on the return spring means (25) so as to block the same spring means (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 8893911
    Abstract: A container lid biasing means for urging a lid pivotally attached to a container member towards an open position, including a flexible biasing pin having a first longitudinal end portion and a second longitudinal end portion, a first biasing pin anchor disposed on the container lid, the first end portion being held by the first biasing pin anchor, and a second biasing pin anchor disposed on one of the container member and the container lid, the second end portion of the biasing pin being held by the second biasing pin anchor, such that the biasing pin urges the container lid towards the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Damaghi, William M. Child, Dan Allen Murray
  • Patent number: 8882173
    Abstract: A support mechanism for a vehicle closure panel is provided. The support mechanism includes a connection rod and a counterbalancing device. The connection rod is configured to secure the closure panel in a second position and control the speed of the closure panel as it moves between a first position and a second position. The counter balancing device includes a connection rod base structure, at least one guide block, of a first material, at least one resistance member, of a second material, and at least one spring element. The guide block interacts with the resistance member. The interaction of the first material of the guide block and the second material of the resistance member creates a resistance force of variable force output to counterbalance the weight of the closure panel as the closure panel moves between the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Thorpe, Henry J. Nykiel, Himanshu H. Mehta, Peter M. Snede
  • Publication number: 20140298617
    Abstract: A vehicle and a hinge assembly for a storage compartment of the vehicle are disclosed. The assembly includes a first component adapted to be attached to the vehicle and a second component. The second component includes a first end portion coupled to the first component and a second end portion spaced from the first end portion. The second component is movable relative to the first component between a first position and a second position such that the second end portion is disposed above the first component when in the second position. The assembly further includes a link coupled to the second component and movable with the second component as the second component moves between the first and second positions. The link extends away from the second component to a distal end. The assembly includes a guard attached to the link and covering at least a portion of the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Himanshu H. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20140290003
    Abstract: A hinge system for a pivotable door is provided. The system includes a rod extending between a first end portion and a second end portion and a restraint receiving the second portion of the rod therein with the first end portion of the rod extending through an end cap on the restraint. A biasing member is disposed within the restraint between the end cap and the second end portion of the rod, wherein the biasing member is in a compressed configuration within the restraint, and wherein the first end portion of the rod is operatively engaged with a door pivotably secured to the cooking appliance, and the restraint is pivotably connected to the cooking appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: G.S. Blodgett Corp.
    Inventors: Brian C. Mick, Daniel J. Swayze
  • Publication number: 20140263132
    Abstract: An aisle containment apparatus having a pair of spaced apart upper rails and a pair of spaced apart lower rails positioned spaced apart from and below the pair of upper rails. A side blanking panel is secured to one of the pair of upper rails and to one of the pair of lower rails and a ceiling spans between the pair of upper rails. A fixed panel is secured to the pair of upper rails and to the pair of lower rails and a moveable panel is releasably secured to the pair of upper rails and is adjustably positioned along the pair of upper rails so as to position the moveable panel a predetermined distance from the first panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Ramey, Samuel M. Marrs, Muhammad Z. Feroz, Darren J. Reigle
  • Publication number: 20140230188
    Abstract: A joint for unfolding and locking a solar generator or a reflector, or other aerospace components that can be unfolded, includes two half joints, a joint axis, and a drive. A drive spring of the drive has a progressive characteristic curve over the unfolding angle of the two half joints, which increases over the unfolding, to compensate for a frictional torque that varies over the unfolding angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Raoul Knorrn, René Meurer
  • Publication number: 20140143981
    Abstract: A door hinge that has a base attachable to a door frame and having a bushing centered on an axis and an anchor formation projecting radially outward from the bushing for attachment of the bushing to a door frame and a leaf having two hinge knuckles axially flanking the axis and an L-section web connecting the knuckles and itself having a flange attachable to an edge of a door panel. A spring-loaded closer urges the leaf into a closed position. The radial spacing between an outer surface of the bushing and the inner contact edge of the web is so small that a finger cannot engage therein, and, in the closed position with the inner contact edge engaging the anchor formation. The attachment flange is spaced from the anchor formation by a safety spacing so large that a finger cannot be pinched between the flange and the anchor formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Nicolas Liermann, Ulrich Pelz
  • Publication number: 20140142482
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a flexing arrangement with a wide range of applications. The arrangement has at least one leaf spring structure having a plurality of reusable leaf springs connected together. At least one of the leaf springs is made of essentially of an alloy of nickel and titanium, and the alloy has a nickel content of substantially 50.1-55 at % and a titanium content of substantially 45-49.9 at %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Chi Yueng CHUNG, Lok Wang MA
  • Patent number: 8711460
    Abstract: In a moving structure, stability of swing motion of a moving plate is increased by enhancing tensional rigidity or flexural rigidity while restraining torsion rigidity of the hinge units. The hinge units of ladder shape with honeycombed portions are formed by twin supporting rods and crosspieces bridged between the twin supporting rods so as to support the moving plate rotatably. The tensional rigidity or the flexural rigidity is increased while restraining the torsion rigidity of the hinge units by the honeycombed portions of the hinge units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Ueda, Hiroshi Noge, Kiyohiko Kawano, Hiroaki Tachibana
  • Patent number: 8676110
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Ha Choi
  • Publication number: 20140041308
    Abstract: A device for fixing a glazed element into an opening for the glazed element to be pivotable with respect to the opening. The device includes at least one projecting element including an axis for fixing the device to an upright of the opening, and at least one baseplate including interior and exterior faces facing a surface of the glazed element. The baseplate is at least partially integrated into a portion of elastic material adhering at least to the interior face. The projecting element rigidly fixes the projecting element to the upright of the opening so that the orientation of the axis with respect to the upright remains unchanged during opening or closing movement of the glazed element and so that during the opening movement, at least part of the portion of elastic material is squashed between the baseplate and the upright or between the baseplate and the glazed element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Bastien Grandgirard, Nicolas Coutellier, Gerard Huchet
  • Publication number: 20140031088
    Abstract: A slide assist system provided between sliding surfaces of a fixed housing and a movable housing provided with a spring, endpiece members swingably attached to the two ends of the spring, two parallel ridges each is provided sticking out at the fixed housing and the movable housing, wherein the spring is expanded or contracted to insert it in a clearance between the two parallel ridges, one of the endpiece members is made to engage with an engagement part of the fixed housing side ridge, the other is made to engage with an engagement part of the movable housing side ridge, and, in the state where the fixed housing and the movable housing are superposed and the state where they are slid, the engagement part of the fixed housing side ridge and the engagement part of the movable housing side ridge which engage with the same endpiece member are switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: YUTAKA NAKAMURA, HIROSHI TAKIZAWA
  • Publication number: 20140007379
    Abstract: A hinge includes a first coupling member including an axle with a non-circular cross section, and a second coupling member including a sleeve and an elastic abutting arm. The axle includes a protruding portion formed on a curvy outer peripheral surface thereof. The sleeve is rotatably sleeved on the pivot axle. The arm is spaced from the sleeve, and abuts against the outer peripheral surface. The protruding portion is in a rotation path of the arm such that when the second coupling member is rotated to a predetermined angle relative to the first coupling member along a direction, the arm is elastically deformed to abut against the protruding portion and form a torque in the direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Chun Fei Yang
  • Publication number: 20130305489
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a sliding member, a pivoting member and a wedging member. The sliding member is disposed on a first casing in a slidable manner and includes a first bearing portion. The pivoting member is pivoted to the first casing and the second casing and includes a first pivotal portion and a second pivotal portion. The first pivotal portion is installed in first bearing portion and for driving the sliding member to slide to a first position in a first direction. The second pivot portion is installed in a second hinge of the first casing when the sliding member slides to a second position in a second position. The wedging member is disposed on the first casing in a slidable manner for wedging the sliding member when the sliding member slides to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chen-Yi Liang
  • Publication number: 20130283568
    Abstract: A damped hinge assembly is provided for mounting a first member (12, 13) for pivotal movement relative to a second member (14) about an axis of rotation (20). The assembly comprises a linear damper (17), which is mounted with its longitudinal axis parallel to the hinge axis, and a cam drive arrangement (21a, 21b, 30a, 30b) for converting the pivotal movement of the first member in at least one direction of rotation into linear displacement of the damper. This causes the damper to produce a damped resistive force to counter the pivotal movement of the first member. The longitudinal axis of the damper is arranged to be coincident with the hinge axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Titus International Ltd.
    Inventors: William Earnest Taylor Vallance, David Pecar
  • Patent number: 8565662
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-ha Choi
  • Publication number: 20130250493
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is employed in an electronic device, which includes a first body defining a first receiving groove, a second body defining a second receiving groove opposite to the first receiving groove, and a pivoting member connected between the first body and the second body to form a shaft. The hinge assembly includes a spring member including two securing portions. One of the two securing portions is fixed to the first body in the first receiving groove. The other securing portion is fixed to the second body in the second receiving groove and not collinear with the shaft. When the second body is rotated relative to the first body, the corresponding securing portion fixed to the second body is capable of rotating around the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JING-ZHEN GUO, CHAO-YUAN CHENG
  • Patent number: 8498102
    Abstract: A rotatable coupling mechanism includes an annular base member and a first annular member. A second annular member is mechanically coupled to the annular base member. A resilient member is disposed between the first annular member and the second annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Martin Earl Holman, IV, Bruce Alan Ivanik, Douglas Wayne Moskowitz
  • Publication number: 20130160241
    Abstract: A slide-aid device for electronic apparatus includes a linkage mechanism and an elastic unit assembled with the linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism has a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected with the first arm. The elastic unit has a fixed end and a connection end. The connection end is pivotally connected with the second arm, whereby the elastic unit is movable with the second arm. When an operation force is applied to the first arm, the first arm is moved to drive the second arm so as to make the elastic unit store energy. After the first arm passes over a reference axis, the elastic unit releases the energy to provide an action force to help the operation force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: FIRST DOME CORPORATION
    Inventors: AN SZU HSU, CHIEN CHENG MAI, WAY HAN DAI
  • Patent number: 8464393
    Abstract: A hinge device is used in an office machine including a main body and an upper cover. The hinge device includes a base, a rotating shaft and an elastic structure. The base includes a connecting part and a shaft sleeve part. The connecting part is fixed on the main body. The shaft sleeve part has a channel and a baffle. The baffle is arranged at an external surface of the shaft sleeve part. The rotating shaft is penetrated through the channel. The elastic structure includes a fixing part and a bending part. The bending part is correspondingly moved on the external surface of the shaft sleeve part during a process of opening or closing the upper cover. When the bending part is sustained against the baffle, the upper cover is positioned in an open status to define an included angle between the upper cover and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Teco Image System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Hung Kao
  • Publication number: 20130145580
    Abstract: A damping device for damping motion of a movably mounted furniture part or of a movably mounted furniture fitting component of a furniture fitting includes a piston arranged in a fluid chamber. A damping effect is caused by a relative motion between the fluid chamber and the piston and the piston assumes a pressed-in end position relative to the fluid chamber at the end of the damping stroke. The damping device has a locking device having a locking element that can be operated manually or by a tool in order to deactivate the damping effect. The relative position between the fluid chamber and the piston can be releasably locked in the pressed-in end position by the locking element of the locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Julius Blum GmbH
  • Patent number: 8418317
    Abstract: A hinge includes a base, an arm, a mounting member, a hinge spring, a fixing pin member, and a damping device. Two ends of the arm are pivotably connected to the base and the mounting member, with the hinge spring exerting elastic force on the base and the arm. The damping device is mounted in the base and includes a fixed seat mounted in the base, a sliding block movably received in the fixed seat, a damping member mounted between the sliding block and the fixing pin member and abutting the base, and an elastic element. The sliding block includes a front portion facing the arm and a rear portion connected to the elastic element pressing against the fixed seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kunshan Huhua Metal Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Tai Wu, Hsin Hung Lin, Shu Hua Lin, Shu Jiuan Lin
  • Publication number: 20130044414
    Abstract: A rotating module includes a fixing member, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the fixing member, a swinging arm and a first elastic member. The swinging arm includes a first end and a second end. The first end is hinged to the rotating member, the second end is slidably and rotatably mounted to the fixing member. The first elastic member is fastened between the fixing member and the second end, the rotating member is rotated relative to the fixing member to drive the second end to slide on the fixing member to compress or release the first elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LIANG-TIAN PENG
  • Patent number: 8359710
    Abstract: A portable computer is provided that has a housing. Upper and lower portions of the housing may be joined using a hinge. A clutch mechanism may be associated with the hinge. The clutch mechanism may exhibit asymmetrical friction during opening and closing of the portable computer housing portions. Additional closing force may help to prevent the computer from having a lid that is too easy to close, without overwhelming the clutch with unnecessary friction. The clutch may have a clutch spring that is attached to a clutch shaft using a slot in the shaft. A lobe may be provided in the spring in the vicinity of the slot. A protective cap may be provided over the tip of the shaft to prevent damage to nearby wires. A friction band in the clutch may be used to directly engage an end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Patrick Kessler, Chris Ligtenberg
  • Publication number: 20120327564
    Abstract: A sliding hinge has two sliding assemblies mounted on a cover of an electronic device, two pivoting assemblies mounted on a base of the electronic device and two retractable connecting assemblies. An end of one retractable connecting assembly is connected to the end of the other retractable connecting assembly. Another end of each retractable connecting assembly is pivotally connected to a corresponding sliding assembly and a corresponding pivoting assembly. The two retractable connecting assemblies of the sliding hinge provide sufficient resilient force to push and hold the cover of the electronic device, especially a large-sized electronic device, at the closed or open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Zheng-Cheng Lin, Shun-Yu Hung, Ting-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8315549
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-ha Choi
  • Patent number: 8307503
    Abstract: A self-closing hinge comprises a stationary assembly comprising a hollow cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end having a clutch stationary assembly secured thereto. The hinge further includes a first torsional spring positioned within said tube and secured at the first end thereof, and has a pin secured at a second end of said first torsional spring whereby said spring biases said pin in a first direction and whereby said pin rotates to engage said clutch assembly at a at least one point. A rotating intermediate tube assembly comprises a generally hollow cylinder having a first end positioned over said stationary assembly, and a second end having a clutch rotating assembly, whereby said pin of said torsional spring engages said clutch rotating assembly at a point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: George Burger