Including Means To Hold Or Retard Hinged Members Against Pivotal Movement (e.g., Catch) Patents (Class 16/319)
  • Patent number: 7833181
    Abstract: A knee brace has push button actuatable stops, wherein the stops are biased outward into angular locking positions and inwardly directed pressure on the push buttons releases the stops and permits angular adjustment of the stops. A pair of catch plates with locking recesses facing inward, are provided, and outwardly biased locking pins engage the recesses in both catch plates. Each of the stop assemblies has an outwardly directed plate extending over the outer cover plate, and this plate is coupled to the physical stop member around the outer edge of the outer cover plate. The cover plate has angular indicia thereon, which may be viewed through windows in the outwardly extending plate portions of the stop assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ossur Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cormier, Tracy Grim, Joseph M. Iglesias, Hugo A. Cobar, Janelle R. Batman, Irving Hu, Wendee Lee, Jacqueline Jones
  • Patent number: 7814618
    Abstract: An example furniture hinge includes a saddle supporting the damping cylinder that engages a first mounting edge of the supporting arm from behind. A locking element supported movably on the saddle has a laterally protruding mounting lug, which in a locking position engages a second mounting edge of the supporting arm from behind. The second mounting edge is oriented counter to the first mounting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Horst Lautenschläger
  • Publication number: 20100251871
    Abstract: A lockable hinge assembly for a blade guard includes a first hinge member secured to a first blade guard portion and a second hinge member secured to a second blade guard portion and rotatably secured to the first hinge member. A lock mechanism is provided so as to lock the second hinge member in a predetermined rotational orientation relative to the first hinge member. As such, the second hinge member and second blade guard portion can be locked in a predetermined position relative to the first hinge member and first blade guard portion, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: DIAMOND PRODUCTS, LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin D. Marsic, Dennis Minut
  • Publication number: 20100223757
    Abstract: A hinge includes a first connecting member, a shaft fixed to the first connecting member, a second connecting member rotatably mounted to the shaft, and a positioning member fixed to the shaft. The shaft includes a resisting portion, and a positioning protrusion protrudes out from the resisting portion. The second connecting member is sandwiched between the resisting portion and the positioning member. A first resisting post and a second resisting post extend from opposite sides of the second connecting member. The positioning member includes a withstanding surface. During rotation of the second connecting member relative to the first connecting member, the first resisting post resists against the withstanding surface, and simultaneously, the second resisting post resists against an end of the positioning protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEN-BIN SHEN
  • Publication number: 20100218344
    Abstract: A door hinge assembly with hinge members having axially aligned cylindrical passages with interior surface shape, and a selectively depressible hinge pin with an exterior shape that matches the interior hinge member passages so as to permit selective locking of the hinge members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Jan Van Gennep
  • Patent number: 7784153
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus includes a hinge and a damper and defines an axis direction. The damper includes a fixing housing defining an accepting hole therethrough along the axis direction, a rotating nut accepted in the accepting hole and defining an axis hole therethrough, a damping body accepted in the accepting hole and passing through the axis hole, two gaskets located over and under the rotating nut respectively, and a pushing body capable of pushing the damping body to rotate. Two rotating grooves are opened in a sidewall of the axis hole and extending helically along axis direction. Two sliding blocks are arranged on an outer surface of the damping body and extending helically along the axis direction, the sliding block engaging with the rotating groove. Damping oil is filled between the gaskets, the fixing housing and the damping body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 7748083
    Abstract: A built-in domestic appliance including a hinge device that hinges a door to a furniture body of the built-in domestic appliance, with the hinge device being designed to implement an opening and closing movement of the door, during which a gap is formed between one edge of the door and a front of a second furniture body adjacent to the furniture body of the built-in domestic appliance, a sensor device that monitors the gap for a presence of a foreign body, and a blocking device that blocks the hinge device in the presence of the foreign body detected by the sensor device in a direction of movement of the door which would result in a further reduction of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Feinauer, Bernd Heger
  • Patent number: 7743467
    Abstract: An exemplary hinge positioning structure (20) includes a base (22), a pivot shaft (24) engaged in the base, a pivot shaft gripper (264), and a resilient member (266). The pivot shaft is rotatably engaged in the base. The pivot shaft gripper is sleeved on the pivot shaft. An end of the pivot shaft gripper is engaged with the base so that part of the pivot shaft gripper is fixed to the base. Two ends of the resilient member are connected to the base and another end of the pivot shaft gripper, respectively. The resilient member applies a force on the pivot shaft gripper so that the pivot shaft gripper tightly grips on the pivot shaft, and the pivot shaft gripper is relaxed by an external force for allowing the pivot shaft to rotate relative to the base. The present invention further provides a hinge positioning unit (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Xin Wang, Ying-Jun Peng, Jian Li
  • Publication number: 20100154457
    Abstract: An insertion-type hinge assembly may include a first hinge member including a mount unit and a shaft that is separated from and coupled to the mount unit, and that is positioned in parallel to the mount unit. The hinge assembly also includes a second hinge member that receives the shaft therein so as to rotatably couple the first and second hinge members. The first and second hinge members may be installed in corresponding recesses of a door and a main body such that they are not exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Dong-Jeong KIM, Wook-Yong LEE
  • Publication number: 20100146734
    Abstract: This invention relates to multiple configurations of devices to restrain a door or similar hinged, swinging appliance from autonomously swinging away from an initial fully or partially opened position to which it has been adjusted. No external, unattached parts are employed. The invention is applicable to any hinged, swinging object. It includes the use of either linear friction, such as through the use of compression nuts and springs applied to the hinged pin, so as to force the hinged knuckles into contact and frictional engagement. Another concept is the use of radial friction, through the application of either a slotted spring pin, or a spiral spring pin, that locates within the knuckles of the hinge components, to add friction to their pivotal movement when opening or closing of a door, or other structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis J. Munson, Dale E. Aunspach
  • Publication number: 20100139043
    Abstract: A hinge assembly has a pintle, a rotating bracket, a sliding bracket, a mounting bracket, a compression assembly and an elastic member. The rotating bracket is mounted rotatably around the shaft and has a latching portion. The sliding bracket is attached securely to the pintle and has a track. The mounting bracket and a latching arm. The latching arm selectively presses against the latching portion to hold the hinge closed. The compression assembly is mounted around and expands when the pintle is rotated to close. The elastic member is compressed by expansion of the compression assembly so automatically rotates the pintle to open. Therefore, with the hinge mounted in an electronic device, when the latching portion is slid out of the latching arm, the hinge is forced to open by the elastic member and compression assembly so a cover pops up and is opened easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SHIN ZU SHING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7730585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stop module for the swiveling motion of a rotation body (14) that is swivelably received in a housing (10). The stop module comprises a catch (26) following the trajectory of the swiveling motion on the end of the rotation body and a stop (48) comprising a damping element for delimiting the motion of the catch (26). At least one intermediate element (56) is provided between the catch (26) and the stop (48) and is supported, when impinged upon by the catch (26), on the housing (10) and on the stop (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Schunk GmbH & Co. KG Fabrik fuer Spann- und Greifwerkzeuge
    Inventor: Marcel Nagel
  • Publication number: 20100125973
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a rotatable stand, a fixed stand, a cam, a cam follower, and a fastening member. The rotatable stand is non-rotatably connected to the pivot shaft and has a first fixing plate. The fixed stand is rotatably connected to the pivot shaft, and has a second fixing plate. The fastening member engages with an end of the pivot shaft. The cam follower defines two positioning cutouts. Two positioning protrusions are formed on the cam. One of the cam and the cam follower is rotatably connected to the pivot shaft. When the positioning protrusions engage in the positioning cutouts, the first fixing plate is oblique to the second fixing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JIN-XIN WANG, XIAO-BO LI, SHEN LI
  • Publication number: 20100125975
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a pivot subassembly. The pivot subassembly connects the first connecting member to the second connecting member. The pivot subassembly includes a rotatable shaft, a sleeve, and a positioning ring. The rotatable shaft is non-rotatably connected to the first connecting member. The sleeve is sleeved on the rotatable shaft, and non-rotatably connected to the rotatable shaft. The positioning ring is non-rotatably connected to the second connecting member. The sleeve defines two positioning cutouts, and the positioning ring defines two positioning protrusions engaging with the positioning cutouts. When the rotatable shaft rotates, one of the sleeve and the positioning ring deforms, so that the at least one positioning protrusion disengages from the at least one positioning cutout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD ., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Zheng Zhang, Xiao-Bo Li, Jin-Xin Wang
  • Publication number: 20100122433
    Abstract: A rotating mechanism for an electronic device has a stationary seat with a limiting recess, a limiting ring mounted through the stationary seat with inner and outer limits, a shaft mounted through the stationary seat and the limiting ring with a limiting protrusion. With the limiting protrusion pushing the inner limit and the outer limit sliding in the limiting recess, the shaft achieves two stages of rotation to enhance the rotating angle in both directions. Moreover, with the adjusting of the sizes of the components, the rotating mechanism may provide rotating angle by 360 to 700 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: KYE SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Yu-Tang Jou
  • Publication number: 20100101053
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a rotatable stand, a fixed stand, a cam and a cam follower. The rotatable stand and the cam follower are non-rotatably connected to the rotatable shaft. The fixed stand and the cam are rotatably connected to the rotatable shaft. The cam is fixed to the fixed stand and contacted with the cam follower. The cam forms a limiting step, the cam follower forms a limiting surface on a periphery to abut against the limiting step. One of the cam and cam follower forms a positioning protrusion, the other one of the cam and cam follower defines a positioning groove to engage with the positioning protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiao-Bo LI, Jin-Xin Wang, Jian Li
  • Publication number: 20100095485
    Abstract: An opening/closing mechanism that can reduce falling impetus by gravity of a lid etc. opened and closed from vertically above and that facilitates lifting of the lid etc. against gravity. The opening/closing mechanism has two support bodies (7, 9) and an intermediate body (15) that are arranged so as to be relatively rotatable about a rotation axis, one damper (11R) placed between one support body (9) and the intermediate body (15) and producing resistance force against rotation in relative rotation in one direction of the two support bodies (7, 9), the other damper (11L) placed between the other support body (7) and the intermediate body (15) and producing resistance force against rotation in relative rotation in the other direction of the two support bodies (7, 9), and rotation limiting sections (29R, 29L) for respectively limiting the range of relative rotation between the two support bodies (7, 9) and the intermediate body (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20100071160
    Abstract: A spider hinge for a frameless glass door includes a base plate, a pivot block connected to the base plate, a swing base pivotally connected to the pivot block, and a positioning mechanism disposed between the pivot block and the swing base. The swing base has two legs slantwise extending therefrom. Each leg has a round frustum extending therefrom. The round frustum has a threaded hole define in one side thereof for assembling with a fastener. The glass door is secured by fastening the fastener and the round frustum. The positioning mechanism includes two springs and a positioning block connected to the two springs and biased by the springs. The pivot block has multiple cavities for selectively receiving the positioning block to achieve the purpose of positioning the swing base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: James Chang
  • Publication number: 20100064479
    Abstract: A hinge for vehicle doors includes: a first part fixable to a vehicle door and including an essentially vertical pin; a second part fixable to a frame of the vehicle and including an essentially cylindrical and vertical first cavity that houses the vertical pin; and a retaining device that retains infinite angular positions between the first and second parts. The retaining device includes: a sleeve surrounding the pin in the first cavity and an engagement member arranged between the pin and the sleeve. The engagement member couples the sleeve to the pin in any angular rest position of the hinge and automatically decouples the sleeve from the pin during relative rotation between the first and second parts. An interruption of the relative rotation between the first and second parts causes the engagement member to automatically couple the sleeve to the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: FLEXNGATE AUTOMOTIVE IBERICA, S.A.
    Inventor: Joaquin Nicolas Domingo
  • Publication number: 20100050387
    Abstract: An interference assembly comprises a first element defining a first side and a through hole, and a second element rotatably relative to the first element, with defining a first surface facing and corresponding to the first side. Two staggered first raised portions along a circumference of the first element protrude from the first side. Two staggered second raised portions around the through hole protrude from the first side. The first raised portions communicate with the corresponding second raised portions. The second element defines a fixing hole, two first depressed portions staggered along a circumference in the first surface, and two second depressed portions staggered around the fixing hole in the first surface. The first depressed portions also communicate with the corresponding second depressed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SHIN-YUAN WANG, XIN-RU OU-YANG
  • Publication number: 20100024166
    Abstract: A hinge includes a rack, a shaft, and a bracket. The shaft includes a head with a stopper protruded thereon. A first side of the head is secured on the rack, and a second side of the head forms a post thereon. The bracket defines a pivoting hole. The bracket forms a restricting block adjacent the pivoting hole. The post is capable of rotating in the pivoting hole and the restricting block is capable of resisting against the stopper of the shaft to prevent the post from further rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHIN-YUAN WANG
  • Publication number: 20100018004
    Abstract: A vehicular checker-equipped door hinge device is provided that includes an inner tube (6) joined to a female bracket (1), an outer tube (7) joined to a male bracket (2), and a check force generation mechanism (20) provided between the two tubes (6, 7), the mechanism (20) including a plurality of retaining members (22) that are mounted on the outer tube (7) so as to be arranged in the peripheral direction and that are capable of moving toward and away from the inner tube (6), and a plurality of resilient members (23) individually urging these retaining members (22) toward the inner tube (6); each of the retaining members (22) is provided with a detent projection (26) projecting so as to abut against an outer peripheral face of the inner tube (6), a plurality of detent grooves (27) that the detent projection (26) engages with and disengages from in response to relative rotation of the inner tube (6) and the outer tube (7) are provided on the outer peripheral face of the inner tube (6), and a pressure-receiving
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Manabu Ochiai, Kazuaki Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 7644890
    Abstract: A low-energy locking hinge mechanism operable with a spacecraft to support a deployable device, and to facilitate the deployment and locking of the deployable device, the hinge mechanism comprising: (a) a support base configured to couple to a structure of the spacecraft; (b) means for securing a deployable device to the support base, the deployable device being configured to rotate about a pivot axis; (c) a one-way clutch supported about the support base and operable with the means for securing, the one-way clutch being configured to facilitate one-way rotation of the deployable device from a stowed position to a deployed position, and to lock the deployable device in the deployed position, the one-way clutch having an inherent actuatable locking function configured to prevent backward motion; and (d) an actuation member operable with the one-way clutch to deploy the deployable device from the stowed position to the deployed position, the actuation member comprising an actuation energy sufficient to actuate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventor: Joël Quincieu
  • Publication number: 20100000047
    Abstract: An exemplary interference assembly of a hinge includes a first element and a second element. The first element defines a through hole in a center, and a first depression portion in the side. A first raised portion protrudes from the side of the first element. The first depression portion and the first raised portion are opposite each other across the through hole. The second element defines a fixing hole in a center, and a second depression portion in a side facing the side of the first element for engaging with the first raised portion. A second raised portion protrudes from the side of the second element for engaging with the first depression portion. The second depression portion and the second raised portion are opposite each other across the fixing hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JUNG-BIN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20090313789
    Abstract: A furniture hinge has a door stop part, which includes an insertion cup and is attached on a furniture door, at least one pivoting arm that is connected to a furniture body being supported on the door stop part. A damping device including at least one damping cylinder engages in the door stop part. Each damping cylinder is disposed at least partially in a bore of the furniture door. The cylinder axis of the damping cylinder extends substantially perpendicularly to the door plane. The damping cylinder is moved during the pivoting thereof into the locking position of the furniture door by the pivoting arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Horst Lautenschlager
  • Publication number: 20090311073
    Abstract: A resilient flat washer has a ring and a keyed wing. The ring has an inner annular edge, an outer annular edge and at least one inner abrasion flange. The at least one inner abrasion flange is formed longitudinally on the inner annular flange. The keyed wing is formed transversely on the outer annular edge. A hinge has a stationary leaf, multiple resilient flat washers and a pintle. The resilient flat washers are mounted in a sleeve of the stationary leaf. The pintle is mounted rotatably in the rings and has a pivoting rod. The pivoting rod abuts the at least one inner abrasion flange, so the contact area between each resilient flat washer and the pivoting rod are increased. Therefore, the friction provided by the resilient flat washers is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: SHIN ZU SHING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Lee
  • Publication number: 20090273264
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a housing and first and second doors. The first door mounted to the housing for rotation about a first pivot axis. The second door is mounted to the housing for rotation about a second pivot axis. The refrigerator further includes a flapper mechanism having a main body portion mounted to the door by at least one hinge member for movement between first position and a second position. The flapper mechanism is movable from the first position to the second position in response to movement of the first door from an open position to a closed position. The flapper mechanism includes a stop member carried by the main body portion. The stop member is biased into engagement with the hinge member to normally maintain the main body portion in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: James Christopher Butler
  • Patent number: 7584524
    Abstract: A hinge for a notebook extension pad is mounted in an expansion pad of a notebook and has a pivoting assembly, a positioning disk, a limiting stationary leaf, a limiting disk, a pressing assembly and a locking assembly. The expansion pad has a mounting segment and a pad. The pivoting assembly is mounted securely on the pad and has a shaft. The positioning disk is mounted around the shaft. The limiting stationary leaf is adjacent to the positioning disk, is mounted rotatably around the shaft and connects with the mounting segment. The limiting disk limits movement of the pad relative to the mounting segment. The pressing assembly provides friction against movement to the hinge. The locking assembly is mounted around the shaft and selectively holds the pad at an angle allowing the pad to be used to display the notebook for presentations or achieving a comfortable typing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Yu Hung
  • Publication number: 20090205255
    Abstract: An exterior security gate for preventing passage through a passageway includes a grate structure shaped and dimensioned to fit over and cover the passageway. The grate structure includes a first side frame member and a second side frame member. A first hinge is secured to the first side frame member for pivotally mounting the grate structure to an exterior wall of a building structure. A chain with a plurality of apertures is secured to and extends from the second side frame member. The chain is of a length sufficient to pass through a bore formed in the building structure in the area proximate to the passageway with the grate structure positioned over the passageway. A tamper shield bracket is secured along an interior wall of the building structure in alignment with the bore. The tamper shield bracket includes a locking pin selectively positioned within an aperture of the chain to securely lock the grate structure in a closed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Victor G. Shelton
  • Patent number: 7562757
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for moving a flap of a piece of furniture, including at least one actuating arm for moving the flap, a base member on which the actuating arm is pivotally arranged, and a spring device able to act upon the actuating arm. An assembly securing device for the vacant actuating arm, which has not yet been fitted with a flap, includes a braking device which limits the opening speed of the vacant actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Fredi Dubach, Christian Omann
  • Publication number: 20090179539
    Abstract: A hinge is provided for use with a refrigerator. In one example, the refrigerator includes one or more cabinets having an insulated refrigerator door. A hinge plate is coupled to the cabinet and includes a hinge pin that can be received by an aperture of the door to permit the door to pivot relative to the cabinet and a stop pin. The hinge also includes an intermediate member that has a hole for receiving the hinge pin and a recess for receiving a portion of the stop pin. The intermediate member is pivotable relative to the hinge plate about the hinge pin. The recess of the intermediate member is bounded by a wall, and a portion of the wall forms a stop member for engagement with the stop pin to constrain movement of the intermediate member when the door is pivoted open a predetermined amount relative to the hinge plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Dometic AB
    Inventors: Kenneth Henriksson, Kenneth Andersson
  • Publication number: 20090144935
    Abstract: An exemplary hinge positioning structure (20) includes a pair of first leaves (22), a pivot shaft (262) rotatably engaged in the pair of first leaves, and a pair of pivot shaft grippers (24) sleeved on the pivot shaft. An end of each pivot shaft gripper engaged with each of the first leaves respectively so that the end of each pivot shaft gripper is fixed relative to each of the first leaves. The hinge positioning structure further includes a resilient member (266), two ends of the resilient member connected to the pair of pivot shaft grippers respectively, and applying a force on the pair of pivot shaft grippers so that the pair of pivot shaft grippers tightly grip the pivot shaft, such that the pivot shaft is prevented from rotating relative to the first leaves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YING-JUN PENG, JIN-XIN WANG
  • Publication number: 20090144937
    Abstract: A swing hinge module bidirectionally swinging a movable body and a portable terminal having the same are disclosed. The swing hinge module includes a rotation cam, a rotation shaft, a fixed plate, and a guide pin. The rotation cam is fixed to the movable body to be rotated with the movable body, and has stopping recesses on an outer circumference of the rotation cam to set a rotation angle of the movable body. The rotation shaft is coupled with a central area of the rotation cam, and the fixed plate is coupled to the fixed body and has a guide hole to receive the rotation shaft. The guide pin is coupled to the fixed plate and contacts the outer circumference of the rotation cam to support the rotation cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Chul JIN, Jeong Hun SEO, Ki Taek KIM, Jin Soo KIM, Young Ki KIM
  • Patent number: 7543358
    Abstract: A multi-stage hinge assembly connected between first and second shell portions includes a first component, a second component and a connecting portion. At least one part of the first component is fixed to the first shell portion. A pivot extends from one side of the first component along a rotating axis. A protrusion is disposed on the pivot. At least one part of the second component is fixed to the second shell portion. The connecting portion is disposed beside the second component and pivots on the pivot. When the first component rotates relative to the second component, the pivot or connecting portion rotates about the rotating axis. First and second trenches are disposed in the connecting portion and separate it into first and second connecting portions. The first and second trenches are connected together and have different widths. The protrusion slides in the first or second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: San-Feng Lin, Yi-Chuan Li
  • Publication number: 20090133220
    Abstract: A parallel opening hinge (1) comprises a first track (3), a second track (5) and at least two pairs of pivotally connected crossing links (7, 9), wherein each pair of crossing links (7, 9) is mounted to the tracks (3, 5) via a fixed pivot (13, 17) and a movable pivot (15, 19) in each track (3, 5), wherein a connector (23) joins two movable pivots (15) in a track (5) such that the movable pivots (15) move together. Improved opening of a parallel opening vent can thereby result. Other improved features of a parallel opening hinge are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SECURISTYLE LIMITED
    Inventor: John F. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20090119877
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes first and second portions that translate relative to one another. A bumper member is partially embedded in and partially extends out of one of the portions to prevent abutment of surfaces of the portions at that location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Custom Hardware Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney G. Garrett
  • Patent number: 7520024
    Abstract: A hinge assembly could be installed between a panel and a base of an LCD and has a body, an active leaf and two mounting leaves. The body has two sides and two protrusions formed on the two sides respectively. The active leaf has two mounting portions mounted pivotally with the mounting leaves respectively and each mounting portion has a retainer. The mounting leaves are mounted pivotally on the two sides of the body and each mounting leaf has a slide slot with a folding end and an active slot with a latching end. The slide slots hold the protrusions respectively and the active slots hold the retainers. When the protrusions reach the folding ends, the panel and the base is folded into a flat status and encasing or transporting of the LCD is convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Hsien Wang
  • Patent number: 7517161
    Abstract: To make more effective use of the circumference of arm rotation while assisting the arm rotation in terms of the rotatability of an arm that holds a camera head, resulting in a more compact device. The imaging device 100 holds a camera head 120 against a table 110 by means of a camera holding arm 140, and the camera holding arm 140 is axially supported rotatably so that the degree of incline relative to the table 110 is variable. A coil spring 260 is incorporated in a through hole 203b, as well as a recess 143k continuous therewith, about the axis of a first subaxial pin 220 aligned with the axis of the arm axial support. The coil spring 260 assists rotation by building up coil spring stress while the camera holding arm 140 (base 143) rotates toward the table 110, and by allowing the coil spring stress to be exerted in the form of assisting force on the arm when the base 143 rotates in such a way that the angle of incline with the table 110 expands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Elmo Company Limited
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Sukenari
  • Patent number: 7509709
    Abstract: A hinge is compact and can hold a monitor securely in an optimum angle even if it is long-term used. The hinge has a body, a pivoting member rotatably mounted on the body and has a pintle, a first positioning element and a second positioning element mounted on the pintle. The first positioning element has a groove formed inclinedly in a front surface at an angle. The second positioning element is simultaneously rotated with the pintle and has a rear surface corresponding to the front surface of the first positioning element and a rib formed diametrically on the rear surface. The rib corresponds to and selectively engages with the groove in the first positioning element with resilience of a resilient element to retain the pivoting member at a determined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Ko Chung
  • Publication number: 20090070958
    Abstract: A hinge for circumrotatory location includes a base, a locating gasket defining a pair of recesses thereon, a top cover defining a third groove in a bottom thereof. The base has a first groove, a second groove above the first groove. A retention slot connects the second groove and has two retention edges. A stop block is rotatably mounted in the retention slot and stretches into the second groove. The retention edges are capable of stopping the stop block. A pair of locating slots corresponding to the recesses are centrosymmetrically defined in the fundus of the third groove. A protrusion protrudes from the bottom of the top cover and adjacent to the third groove. The top cover lies above the locating gasket which is fitted to the first groove. The protrusion rotates around the second groove and is capable of being against two sides of the stop block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Heng Chien
  • Publication number: 20090049646
    Abstract: An electronic device is described that has a base and a lid, where device can be opened so that part of the base is exposed and closed so that the same part of the base is hidden. The lid is connected to the base by two bars. The bars allow the lid to slide in a plane parallel to the base. The connection between the base and lid is such that there is little overlap between the base and the lid when the device is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andy Rubin, Perry Anderson, Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 7490384
    Abstract: A door hinge apparatus of a refrigerator comprises a hinge body having a screw hole and mounted at a refrigerator body, a hinge shaft coupled to the screw hole of the hinge body so that a height thereof can be controlled by a rotation and for rotation-supporting a refrigerator door, and a selective rotation preventing unit for selectively fixing or releasing the hinge shaft. As the refrigerator door is always located at a position to sufficiently cover a freezing chamber or a cooling chamber of a refrigerator at the time of assembling or using the refrigerator door, cold air inside the freezing chamber or the cooling chamber is prevented from being leaked to outside through the refrigerator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Lim Lee
  • Publication number: 20090026737
    Abstract: A utility trailer is provided with repositionable fore and aft end gates. The fore and aft end gates each having a leg and a support member and are affixed to a lock hinge mechanism. The lock hinge mechanism includes a receiver coupled to the trailer bed, the receiver having a partially enclosed cavity that receives at least a portion of the respective gate leg, the cavity having an exposed, open front face adjacent at least one end of the cavity. An elongated slot is provided on one of the receiver and the respective gate leg. A receiver pin is received through the elongated slot and coupled to the respective gate leg and the receiver to allow constrained linear movement of the respective end gate while within the receiver cavity, and pivotal rotation of the respective end gate when extended to the exposed, open front face of the receiver insert cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: TrailerWorks International LLC
    Inventor: Vincent Lee Webb
  • Publication number: 20090007383
    Abstract: A slide hinge module of a slide-type device, which includes: a hinge assembly, in which a connecting member having a locking part and a guide member having a guide part are foldably assembled with each other, and elastic force is exerted to the hinge assembly in a direction where the connecting member and the guide member are unfolded from each other by an elastic member; a slide member assembled with the guide part so as to slide, the slide member having one end at which a swing operating part is formed; and a swing member including a locking jaw which is rotatably installed at the guide member and is locked in the locking part or is released from the locking part according to a rotational angle, the swing member including a swing-trigger part, which is locked in the swing operating part according to a movement position of the slide member and is rotated so as to allow the locking jaw to be released from the locking part, or is released from the swing operating part and is rotated in an inverse direction so
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicants: P & Tel Inc.
    Inventor: Han Sang LEE
  • Publication number: 20090009934
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (12) and a follower (16), wherein one of the shaft and the follower define a thread (122), the other of the shaft and the follower disposes at least one resisting portion (166), and the shaft and the follower slide and rotate relative to each other. The hinge assembly is that it has only three main components, and occupies a relatively small volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., SUTECH TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: CHIA-HUA CHEN, CHAO DUAN
  • Publication number: 20090000061
    Abstract: A hinge with a position function includes a shaft housing and a pivot. The shaft housing has a pivotal portion and a fixed portion extending from one end of the pivotal portion. An opening is defined at the other end of the pivotal portion. At least two recesses extending along an axis of the pivotal portion are defined in the inner surface of the pivotal portion. The pivot has a swiveling member at one end thereof and a peripheral portion at the other end thereof. The swiveling member with at least a couple of locating portions is rotatably inserted into the opening of the pivotal portion, the locating portion is jammed into the recesses for a first location, and can slide out of the recesses and then slide against the inner surface of the pivot for being jammed into the recesses again to achieve a second location by the locating portions shrinking inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Ming-Han Lin, Te-Hung Yin
  • Publication number: 20080309118
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes one or more swinging doors which may be immobilized in a number of positions, so as to allow the doors to be used to assist passengers upon entering and leaving the vehicle. The motion of the door may be damped, or stopped entirely, either at the discretion of a vehicle occupant, or automatically, in the event that the door is driven by external forces to swing at a high rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Kelly M. Kohlstrand
  • Publication number: 20080301908
    Abstract: A hinge structure with position-locking engagement means includes a bracket, which has on its side panel a pivot hole, a recessed positioning hole, and a first arched limiter groove adjacent to the recessed positioning hole and sloping in one direction, a pivot shaft inserted through the pivot hole of the side panel of the bracket and pivotally fastened to a support, a locating plate affixed to the pivot shaft, a ball rotatably mounted in a ball hole on the locating plate and selectively engageable into the recessed positioning hole and arched limiter groove of the side panel, a holding down spring plate affixed to the pivot shaft and having an actuation portion pressed on the ball to force the ball into the recessed positioning hole and first arched limiter groove of the side panel selectively, and spacer affixed to the pivot shaft and defining a gap between the holding down spring plate and the support for accommodating deformation of the actuation portion of the holding down spring plate when the bracket i
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Chia Jung Chiang, Huang Wen Lee
  • Publication number: 20080295289
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pivot assembly includes a component including a top surface and a post that extends upward from the top surface, a pivot member that can be pivoted about a pivot axis defined by the post, the pivot member having a top surface, and a retaining collar that secures the pivot member to the component, the retaining collar being positioned between the post and the pivot member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: George D. Megason
  • Publication number: 20080276425
    Abstract: An hinge device with fulcrum at variable position for a door (2) of a structure (3) is provided with connecting members, first (4) and second (5), mutually connected and respectively fit to be fixed to the door (2) and to the structure (3) for rotating the door between the extreme closing (C) and the extreme opening (A) in which the door (2), in an operating condition of the structure, is respectively almost vertical and approximately horizontally orientated. The second connecting member (5) has a first fixed pivot (6) and a second fixed pivot (7) for the rotating connection respectively with a first balancing mean (8) and a second balancing mean (9) mutually bound. The end opposite to the first fixed pivot (6) of the first balancing mean (8) is connected by means of a first mobile pivot (10) to an end of the first arm mean (11) having the remaining end connected to the first connecting member (4) by means of a second mobile pivot (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: C.M.I. S.R.L.
    Inventors: Eros Gherardi, Ermes Degli Esposti, Teresa Ghedini