Plural Alternately Useable Detents Patents (Class 16/344)
  • Patent number: 11435131
    Abstract: A hinge assembly connecting a door of a refrigerator with a main body of a refrigerator is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes a bracket configured so that a one surface is arranged at a lower part of the door, a shaft located on the bracket and configured to be a rotational shaft of the door, and a support member rotatably arranged inserted to the shaft, and configured to support the door, and a height of a support surface supporting the door is changed according to the support member rotating based on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaemin Park, Yongsoo Kyong, Youngkyun Jeong, Hyungkwen Ham, Wangi Park, Junwon Seo
  • Patent number: 10406996
    Abstract: A luggage side trim includes a body portion having an upper edge portion extending in a vehicular front-rear direction, a wall portion extending in a vehicular width direction from a part of the upper edge portion, the wall portion having an insertion hole through which a damper is to be inserted, and a slit that is communicated with the insertion hole and extends upward and toward a vehicular exterior side from the insertion hole and has a damper insertion opening being open toward the vehicular exterior side, the damper insertion opening receiving the damper that is to be guided along the slit toward the insertion hole when the luggage side trim is mounted on the vehicular panel. When the luggage side trim is mounted on the vehicular panel, an upper edge of the upper edge portion is above the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruki Ono, Haruko Sato
  • Patent number: 10357039
    Abstract: A baking device for producing baked goods, in particular for producing filled baked goods, includes baking presses that can be swung open and closed, can be moved from a feeding device through the baking chamber of the oven and to a goods removal device on a continuously moving continuous conveyor that circulates in the longitudinal direction of the oven. The baking presses have a lower baking mold and an upper baking mold, each movable between open and closed positions about a baking-press axis. The baking presses are connected to the continuous conveyor by releasable mechanical connections. The baking device also has a baking-press removal station at at least one point of the continuous conveyor, at which baking-press removal station baking presses can be removed and reattached. The removal and redelivery of the baking presses are performed on the continuously moving continuous conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Haas Food Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Adam Reinhart, Johannes Haas, Josef Haas, Stefan Jiraschek
  • Patent number: 9869488
    Abstract: A hinged hold-open assembly for roof ventilator lids is provided, comprising a pair of hinged assemblies attached between the lid and a vent base, wherein each hinged assembly includes a hinge member; a retainer bracket affixed to the vent base, wherein the retainer bracket includes an extended member having a plurality of position holes corresponding to a closed position and a plurality of open positions; a position arm affixed to the lid, wherein the position arm includes a locking hole alignable with one of the position holes of the retainer bracket; and a locking device adapted to insert into both the locking hole and the position hole when said holes are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Driploc, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Glenn, Barry Wagner
  • Patent number: 9783080
    Abstract: A motor-driven hinge device may include a hypocycloid hinge mechanism driven by a drive shaft, two metal side plates intended for connection to the seating portion and to the backrest, a brushless motor, and a planetary gear train positioned between the brushless motor and the drive shaft. The planetary gear train may include a sun gear connected to the motor rotor, and a plurality of planet gears, each planet gear having a first set of teeth engaging with the sun gear and with a first stationary ring gear, and a second set of teeth engaging with a second ring gear rigid with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Naoufel Boutouil, Nicolas Navatte
  • Patent number: 9169680
    Abstract: Provided is a door hinge for heavy equipment, including: first plate and a second plate disposed on a hinge shaft of a door of heavy equipment and hinge-coupled to each other to open and close the door; and a stay unit rotatably disposed on the first plate and supporting the second plate when the door is opened to prevent the door from being closed. Thus, according to the present invention, an open state of a door can be maintained by only the stay unit without mounting a bracket by overcoming the limitation that the bracket for mounting a separate door stay must be mounted to a door body in order to maintain the open state of the existing door during opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Sik Kim, Dae Weon Lim
  • Patent number: 8959717
    Abstract: One aspect is a detent device with a first hub having an axis and comprising a first feature having both a radial and an axial dimension relative to the hub axis, and having a first hub connection portion. A second hub is located co-axially outside the first hub and comprises a second feature having both a radial and an axial dimension relative to the hub axis, the second feature of the second hub touching the first feature of the first hub when the features are aligned. The second hub has a second hub connection portion. The first and second features have complementary mating geometries. The detent device is configured such that when relative movement is provided to the first and second hub connection portions, a circumferential strain energy of the second hub changes, providing a variable force between the two connection portions depending on their relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Reell Precision Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Philip A. Billings, George Larson, Timothy W. Jenum
  • Patent number: 8510913
    Abstract: A door hinge unit in a refrigerator which pivots a door on a refrigerator body, and holds the door to maintain an opened state or a maximum opened state at a predetermined position for preventing the door from hitting an external object and a hinge shaft from breaking, and minimizes a friction surface between a male member and a female member of the hinge for making movement of the hinge smooth and preventing the hinge from causing noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Daeyeong E&B Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Doo Ha Kim
  • Patent number: 8347460
    Abstract: A door hinge device for vehicle includes a checking-force generating mechanism provided between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The checking-force generating mechanism has a holding member attached to the outer cylinder, an elastic member biasing the holding member toward the inner cylinder, a detent roller being held in a holding groove of the holding member, and detent grooves that are provided in an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and are capable of holding the door at a plurality of positions where the door should be stopped by an engagement with the detent roller. The detent roller applies a compression load to the elastic member even in a state where the detent roller is engaged with any of the detent grooves. An assembly groove is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and allows the detent roller to be inserted into the holding groove in a state where the holding member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rikenkaki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yumiko Minegishi
  • Patent number: 8307507
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a first bracket, a second bracket, a spacer, and a restricting member. The spacer includes a main body and a resilient area protruding from the main body. The resilient area includes a top portion and a base portion connecting the top portion with the main body. The restricting member and the second bracket are arranged at opposite sides of the spacer. The restricting member forms a protrusion resisting the top portion of the resilient area. The spacer is fixed with the second bracket, and the second bracket includes a receiving portion corresponding to the resilient area. The base portion is located in the projection of the receiving portion projected at the spacer, situated parallel to the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Xin Wang, Jian Li, Liang Wei
  • Patent number: 8307513
    Abstract: A hinge for a swinging door. The hinge includes first and second leafs, each having knuckles, and a pin which rotatably attaches the first and second leafs together. The first knuckle of the first leaf includes a detent, the first knuckle of the second leaf includes first, second, and optionally third, channels, and the pin includes first and second ribs. The first rib is positioned within a desired channel thereby fixing the relative position between the pin and second leaf and predetermining the swing range of the door, which is restricted when the detent engages the first rib. The second rib acts as a spacer to keep the pin from moving away from and over the detent when the door has reached its predetermined swing range. In this fashion, the hinge limits the swing range of a door to keep the door from striking an adjacent wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: PinStop USA, LLC
    Inventor: Michael W. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8215596
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a pivot shaft, a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a positioning member. The first supporting member is rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft. A positioning protrusion is formed on the first supporting member. The second supporting member is non-rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft. The positioning member has an elastic portion and is non-rotatably sleeved on the pivot shaft. A positioning groove receiving the positioning protrusion is defined in a periphery of the positioning member and adjacent to the elastic portion. An LCD device is further provided in the present disclose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Wu Duan, Fan Zhou
  • Patent number: 8151415
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a stationary member, a rotating member, and a pivotal shaft. The stationary member forms a position protrusion. The rotating member defines a receiving depression to receive the position protrusion. The pivotal shaft includes an elastic portion. The stationary member and the rotating member are positioned on the pivotal shaft such that the position protrusion is received in the receiving depression. The rotating member is non-rotatable relative to the pivotal shaft. The stationary member is rotatable relative to the pivotal shaft. The elastic portion deforms to push the rotating member to firmly engage the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Xin Wang
  • Patent number: 8136204
    Abstract: A door hinge for a vehicle, having a check function includes: a vehicle body-side hinge member to be fixed to a vehicle body; a door-side hinge member to be fixed to a door; a hinge shaft that relatively rotatably connects between the vehicle body-side hinge member and the door-side hinge member; a movable member capable of being displaced in a direction substantially along this hinge shaft; an operation conversion device that converts a relative rotational operation between the vehicle body-side hinge member and the door-side hinge member into a displacement of the movable member substantially along the axial direction; and a check resistance application device that applies a retention resistance against an operational force to the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ohno, Takeshi Ishikawa, Hidetoshi Ijuin
  • Patent number: 7908712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge for a vehicle door, comprising a first hinge part that can be fixed to the door or the door frame, a second hinge part which is fixed to the other of the two components, i.e. the door frame or the door, and a hinge pin that defines a swiveling axis of the hinge and pivotally connects the first hinge part and the second hinge part to each other. The hinge pin is arranged nonrotably on the first hinge part or the second hinge part while being rotatably mounted in the other hinge part. The hinge further comprises an end stop which limits an opening movement of the first hinge part and the second hinge part. In order to create a hinge that allows the vehicle door to be opened securely, an adjusting mechanism which is assigned to the first hinge part or the second hinge part is provided for adjusting the end stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Edscha AG
    Inventors: Stephen Rudzewski, Dietmar Schreiber, Mehrdad Haji Zadeh Armaki, Georg Dell
  • Patent number: 7866000
    Abstract: A swing hinge apparatus of a portable terminal is provided. In the portable terminal, a pair of housings is rotatably assembled while facing each other. The swing hinge apparatus includes a lower casing mounted and fixed to a first housing from among the pair of housings, a cam member mounted and fixed to a second housing from among the pair of housings and rotatably received in the lower casing, a guide groove formed on the lower casing and extending along a circumference, and a guide protrusion formed on a first surface of the cam member and moving along the guide groove according to rotation of the cam member, wherein both ends of the guide protrusion have inclined outer walls, both ends of the guide groove have inclined inner walls, and the guide protrusion is engaged with one of the inclined inner walls of the both ends of the guide groove, so as to limit a range of rotation of the cam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Dong-Yup Lee, Dong-Chul Song, Sang-Heon Lee
  • Publication number: 20100269295
    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, a positioning member fixed to the second connecting member, a first stopping member, a second stopping member and a fastener fixed to the shaft. A first raised portion extends from a first side of the second connecting member. The first and second stopping members each having a resisting surface are fixed to the shaft, and the first stopping member is sandwiched between the first side of the second connecting member and the positioning member. A withstanding protrusion protrudes out from the positioning member. When the second connecting member is rotated relative to the first connecting member to a predetermined degree, the resisting surfaces of the first and second stopping members resist against the first raised portion and the withstanding protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEN-BIN SHEN
  • Publication number: 20100077566
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism in which two housings are respectively connected to a first rotation shaft and a second rotation shaft that are arranged perpendicular to each other and the housing are arbitrarily openable about either one of the shafts is provided. In the hinge mechanism 1, at an end of a rotation shaft holding section (4) of a hinge housing (1), an end of an opening and closing shaft holding section (5) is integrated together in a state of being perpendicular to each other, the rotation shaft holding section (4) being formed in it a tubular shaft hole for supporting a rotation shaft section (3), and the opening and closing shaft holding section (5) being formed in it a tubular shaft hole for supporting an opening and closing shaft section (2), and the hinge housing (1) is substantially L-shaped as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhito Nishizawa, Satoshi Mochizuki, Hitoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 7610657
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge for connecting a panel to a body for movement between open and closed positions. The hinge comprises a first bracket constructed to be mounted to one of the body and the panel in an installed position of the hinge, and a second bracket constructed to be mounted to the other of the body and the panel in the installed position of the hinge. At least one hinge pin pivotally connects the first and second brackets. An engaging member is provided on the first bracket, and a check arm is movably connected to the second bracket. The check arm has an engaging surface with at least one detent. The engaging surface is engaged with the engaging member. A spring seat is pivotally mounted to the hinge pin, and a spring has one end engaging the spring seat and the other end engaging the check arm so as to bias the check arm into engagement with the engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Doswell, Bradley F. Patzer, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
  • Publication number: 20080178428
    Abstract: A locking hinge assembly (32) has first and second hinge members (38, 40) having a respective hinge section (50, 51), proximate wall (46, 47) and mounting flange section (42, 43) for mounting on respective first and second panels (24, 26). The first and second hinge members are pivotably connected together at the hinge sections and are pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. The mounting flange section (42) has a channel (54) extending along the proximate wall section (48) for slidably receiving a locking member (56). The locking member (56) has at least one locking flange (60) extending through aligned apertures in the proximate walls. The locking flange has a hook section (62) at a distal end such that when the locking member slides to a locking position, the hook section engages a proximate wall to lock the hinge members in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Curt Andrew McDonald
  • Patent number: 7314247
    Abstract: A folding device for connecting legs of a highchair includes first and second folding members, a toothed wheel, and an actuator. The first folding member is formed with a positioning groove, and the second folding member is formed with a position limiting unit. The toothed wheel includes a wheel body that is disposed between the first and second folding members and that has a periphery provided with a primary tooth engaging the positioning groove. The primary tooth engages the position limiting unit to lock the second folding member from movement relative to the first folding member when the second folding member is at an expanded position. The actuator is operated to release the second folding member from the locking action of the toothed wheel when moving the second folding member back to a folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Hong-Bin Xu
  • Patent number: 7171726
    Abstract: A hinge construction comprising two hinge members provided with a guide track. The guide tracks of each of the hinge members comprise at least three substantially flat, circular segment-shaped track parts, which each extend between first and second track ends and which are distributed at uniform intermediate distances over a corresponding circular circumference, so that the track parts of the hinge members pairwise form a guide for at least one guide element. The hinge members are pivotable relative to each other between a first angular position in which the guide elements are received in the guides so as to be displaceable along the track parts, and a second angular position in which the guide elements are received in the guides so as to be clamped between first and second track ends of the track parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Werner John Peter Kleissen, Peter Alexander Hamming, Marinus Jacobus Maria Van Zuijlen, Paulus Gerardus Maria Van Stiphout, Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Patent number: 7076836
    Abstract: An integrated hinge system that provides for temporary checking of a vehicle door is provided, the system including a hinge pin, a door hinge bracket, a pillar hinge bracket, and a contact body that is affixed to the hinge pin. A latching device is affixed to the door hinge bracket and rotates with the door hinge bracket relative to the hinge pin and the contact body. The contact body defines engagement points that a latching portion of the latching device engages to releasably retain the door hinge bracket in any one of at least two angular orientations relative to the pillar hinge bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Butka
  • Patent number: 7013532
    Abstract: A hinge includes a pintle in turn extending through a first sheet, a rotating ring, a second sheet, a positioning ring, an elastic ring, and a washer, and fastened by a collar at a distal end of the pintle. The hinge can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise and positioned at the angles of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, ?90 degrees, and ?180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Hsiang-Chi Chien
  • Patent number: 6901634
    Abstract: A door check device, for installation between a motor vehicle body and a motor vehicle door that swings in opposing opening and closing directions relative to the vehicle body, with an improved roller is provided. The roller includes a metal core having an internal bore and a molded plastic bushing lining the internal bore such that the metal core and the plastic bushing include interlocked or bonded structures that essentially prevent the relative rotation between the metal core and the plastic bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Shaw, Chuan Liang
  • Patent number: 6807712
    Abstract: A portable electronic device (10) such as a mobile phone comprises two body parts (12, 14) moveably connected by hinges (16). Each hinge comprises a shaft part (22) and a housing part (20), the parts being relatively moveable about a common axis of rotation. The shaft part has a shaft pin (28) lying on the common axis of rotation and a leg (24) extending laterally with respect to the shaft pin. The housing part has an groove (36, 38) and a bore (32), the bore co-operating with the shaft pin and the groove engaging with the leg to restrain the shaft part from rotational movement. The shaft part is moveable relative to the housing part between a first position in which the leg is engaged with the groove and a second position in which the leg is not engaged with the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventor: Esa-Sakari Määttä
  • Publication number: 20040020014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge door arrester, particularly for vehicle doors, comprised of two hinge parts (2, 4), which are connected by a hinge pin (6) in a manner that permits them to swivel about a rotational axis (8) and between which a detent device (10) is integrated that defines different relative rotating positions. Said detent device (10) is comprised of at least one detent element (12), which is kinematically joined to the first hinge part (2) and which is spring-loaded in a radical working direction that is perpendicular to the rotational axis (8). The detent device is also comprised of a sliding surface (16), which is kinematically joined to the second hinge part (4), is provided essentially in the shape of a sector of a circle, is arranged, with regard to its radius of curvature, coaxial to the rotational axis (8), and which comprises at least one detent position (14) that interacts with the detent element (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jorg Linnenbrink, Thomas Heiber
  • Patent number: 6581243
    Abstract: A vehicle door hinge assembly with a built-in doorstop mechanism, includes a fixed knuckle secured to the bodywork of the vehicle, and a moving knuckle secured to the door of the vehicle. The moving knuckle is hinged to the fixed knuckle about a pin. The hinge assembly also includes a notched cam secured to the moving knuckle, a contact surface that can be inserted in a notch of the cam during an operation of opening the door, a compression spring, a support connected to the fixed knuckle and against which one end of the compression spring bears, and a part hinged to the support about a pin passing through the support and the part hinged to the support and constituting a moving part, against which the other end of the compression spring bears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Oxford Automotive Mecanismes et Decoupage Fin
    Inventor: Francis Parizel
  • Patent number: 6578233
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a lighting assembly has a base with a slot, a shuttle guide extending from edges of the slot, a shuttle coupled with the base and capable of sliding through the slot and shuttle guide between an up position and a down position, and a link rotatably coupled to an end of the shuttle. An angle between the shuttle guide and the base is acute to allow the shuttle to easily slide into the shuttle guide. The base has a catch lip that extends from a back edge of the slot, wherein the catch lip is capable of deflecting the link slightly as the shuttle passes through the slot. Apertures in the shuttle and the shuttle guide align when the shuttle is in the up position. The link has a lip that inserts into the apertures in the shuttle and the shuttle guide to releasably hold the shuttle in the up position. The shuttle has tabs on an upper end of its back side to keep the shuttle from dislodging from the shuttle guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: U.S. Pole Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry M. Avila, Joseph A. Straus, Angel M. Orellana
  • Publication number: 20030093878
    Abstract: A hinge structure of a jutting door for a vehicle has a hinge member pivotally attached to between the inside of a vehicle body and a door at the both ends, the hinge member swinging so that the door opens with a forward movement. The door hinge structure comprises a rod member having a length different from that of the hinge member. The rod member is pivotally attached to between the inside of the vehicle body and the door at the both ends so as to restrain an outer end of the door from excessively opening. The hinge member has an avoiding part for avoiding a touch with the vehicle body when the door is fully or near fully open. The hinge part can be arranged on the passenger compartment side which is unaffected by mud, without the hinge part and the rod part protruding into the passenger compartment to obstruct the passenger when the door is fully closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Hara, Keizo Takayama
  • Publication number: 20020148074
    Abstract: Door stop for vehicles comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: GAMMASTAMP SPA
    Inventor: Vittorio Audisio
  • Patent number: 6305050
    Abstract: There is provided a hinge device for a foldable apparatus which comprises a first member provided with a first hinge sleeve rigidly secured thereto and with a first abutment peripheral edge and a second member provided with a second hinge sleeve with a second abutment peripheral edge slidably held in abutment with the first abutment peripheral edge; wherein said hinge device further comprises a first disk unrotatably fitted into said first hinge sleeve and a second disk unrotatably fitted into said second hinge sleeve; and either the first abutment facet of the first disk or the second abutment facet of the second disk being provided with a plurality of engaging recesses arranged at predetermined angular positions thereof; the other being provided with a plurality of engaging projections adapted to become engaged with the each engaging recesses under the effect of resilient force of a coil spring, the engagement of said engaging projections and said engaging recesses being switched by an opening or closing mo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuya Imai
  • Patent number: 6148481
    Abstract: A pivotal device connected between a door and a door frame includes a first part connected to the door frame and a second part connected to the door. The first part has a torsion member connected thereto which has a roller connected to one of two ends of the torsion member. A cam member is rotatably mounted to the first part and has a plurality of recesses one of which is engaged with the roller. The second part has a tube which is rotatably mounted to a shaft of the first part and is fixedly connected to the cam member. The door is pivoted relative to the door frame and positioned at an angle when the roller is engaged with one of the recesses of the cam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Wen Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 5909653
    Abstract: In a portable radio device having a speaker, key buttons, and microphone arranged on the front surface of the case, an antenna support mechanism supports an extended rod-shaped antenna on the top surface of the case. The antenna support mechanism allows rotation of the antenna, which is extended parallel to the front surface of the case, away from the front surface, and holds the antenna in a locked state with respect to the case when the angle of rotation reaches a prescribed angle with respect to the front surface of the case. Accordingly, the antenna can be distanced from the user's face during use and degradation of antenna performance can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Imura, Naoki Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 5862825
    Abstract: A collapsible walker that includes a front frame, a pair of side frames, and a pair of levers. The front frame has a pair of skewed surfaces. The pair of side frames are hingedly attached to the front frame and are parallel thereto when the collapsible walker is in the closed position and are perpendicular thereto when the collapsible walker is in the open position. The pair of side frames have notches therein with skewed surfaces, with the pair of skewed surfaces of the front frame being vertically movable in the notches. The skewed surfaces of the pair of side frames move relative to the pair of skewed surfaces of the front frame as the collapsible walker is achieving the open position, until such time as it achieves the open position in which the pair of skewed surfaces of the front frame and drop down in the notches and mate with, and abut against, the skewed surfaces therein so as to prevent relative rotation therebetween and further rotation of the pair of side frames in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Graham-Field, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Leonard
  • Patent number: 5845666
    Abstract: A canopy for providing shade and protection from the elements to persons is disclosed. The canopy includes a silent pivoting mechanism and a quick-release feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Matthew Messner
  • Patent number: 5727285
    Abstract: A caster wheel mounting mechanism having a shaft member to which the caster wheel is coupled, the shaft member having a generally circular cross section with a flatted portion, a mounting member having an opening within which the shaft member is pivotally received, and a compression spring for biasing an abutment member or ball into abutment with the shaft such that the caster wheel is biased to a predetermined position when the abutment member abuts the flatted portion of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gerald Eugene Goman
  • Patent number: 5727287
    Abstract: A check strap assembly particularly for use with a passenger door of a motor vehicle includes an arm having a first end interconnected to the body of the vehicle and a second end interconnected to the vehicle door. The check strap assembly further includes a locating mechanism disposed within the door and attached to a forward panel of the door. The arm extends through an aperture located in the forward panel of the door and is translatable relative to the locating mechanism and the door. A seal member is provided which is operative to seal the aperture and the panel of the door. The seal member is carried by the arm such that the seal member abuts the panel of the door when the door is in the closed position and is spaced from the panel of the door when the door is in the fully opened position. The seal operates to protect the cooperating components of the check strap assembly from dirt, moisture and other contaminants when the vehicle door is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hosken, Anil K. Jain, Thomas B. Tran
  • Patent number: 5580316
    Abstract: A foldable play structure is disclosed which includes a first wall unit, a second wall unit, and a first axially latchable hinge. The first hinge includes a first leaf attached to the first wall unit, a second leaf attached to the second wall unit, and a first pintle extending through the first and second leaves along a first axis. The first and second leaves are slidable relative to each other along the first axis between a pivotable position, wherein the first and second leaves may pivot relative to each other about the first axis, and a latched position, wherein pivotal movement of the first and second leaves about the first axis is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Today's Kids, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Hill, Scott J. Duplantis
  • Patent number: 5570498
    Abstract: A lift-off type door hinge for pivotally and detachably connecting a door to a vehicle body is provided including a body strap with a base for connection to the vehicle body with generally horizontally projecting upper and lower arms projecting therefrom, the upper and lower arms having generally aligned apertures with first and second pins extending therethrough, the body strap also having a reaction surface, a mid-strap, the mid-strap having a main body with generally horizontally projecting upper and lower arms, the mid-strap arms via the first and second pins being pivotally attached with respect to the body strap, the mid-strap lower arm also having a door aperture, and the mid-strap also having a reaction surface, a spring extending between the reaction surfaces of the body strap and the mid-strap to bias the mid-strap to a hold open position with respect to the body strap when the door is open, and a door strap, the door strap having a main body fixably connected to the door and the door having first,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur S. Hipkiss, Charles R. Fain, Cheryl L. Barr
  • Patent number: 5551123
    Abstract: A hinge assembly having a first hinge leaf pivotally connected to a second hinge leaf by first and second axially aligned pivotal connections, the first and second pivotal connections being axially spaced from one another, a first stop means located adjacent to the first pivotal connection and a second stop means located adjacent to the second pivotal connection, the first and second stop means being arranged to simultaneously limit pivotal displacement between the first and second hinge leafs at a fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: IHW Limited
    Inventor: Derek Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5522656
    Abstract: A mechanism for providing a biasing force in the desired directions at appropriate degrees of refrigerator door opening. An cam mounted to the door has a lateral wall with three interconnected linear sections joined with predetermined included angles. An arm is pivotally mounted in an aligned slot in the refrigerator housing and is spring biased into engagement with the cam. The arm and cam are arranged so that the arm exerts a strong door closing bias on the first cam section when the door is closed, exerts a greater door closing bias on the second section when the door is partially open and exerts a slight door opening bias on the third section when the door is more fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas E. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5444894
    Abstract: A three piece lift-off hinge assembly for a vehicle door comprising a door-half hinge plate and a body-half hinge sub-assembly incorporating an integrated track member and track guide type hold-open door check mechanism. The hinge assembly enables the vehicle door and the door-half hinge plate to be readily removed and re-attached from the body-half hinge subassembly and the vehicle body, such as during an assembly line operation, without disassembling the hold-open door check mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Cornelius T. Heiler
  • Patent number: 5311644
    Abstract: A door hinge having a particularly reliable and solid stop and holding device. The movable part (13) of the hinge lies along the hinge pin (1) between the fixed part (14) and a housing (17) which contains the holding mechanism and is integral with the fixed part (14). In the housing, a pivotable lever (19) is rotationally fastened to the movable part (13) and supports a roller (26) against which one or more notches (42, 45) are pushed by a spring-loaded device (31, 40). The notches define the open positions of the door (11). The housing (17) is sealed and fits onto the fixed part and the hinge pin. The hinge can be used particularly in motor vehicle doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: MGI Coutier S.A.
    Inventor: Armand Laforgerie
  • Patent number: 5220747
    Abstract: The biasing mechanism of a refrigerator includes a spring connected to provide biasing force in the desired directions at the appropriate degrees of door opening and an arm and roller arrangement which compliments the action of the spring. Within about 30 degrees or so of its closed position the door is biased toward its closed position. From about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees of door opening the biasing mechanism slightly biases the door toward its open position. At about 90 degrees the door is stable and beyond about 90 degrees the mechanism provides an addition stable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David N. Cherry, Kermit B. Keeling, Jr., Garland W. Insko
  • Patent number: 5173991
    Abstract: A checking mechanism for a closure member and a frame, the closure member moveable in relation to the frame, the checking mechanism comprising a housing affixed to the closure member or the frame and having an opening therewith; a link member having a core and having two sides, the link member being fastened to either the frame or the closure member, the link member being moveable in relation to the housing and passing through the opening therewith; link engaging means secured with the housing proximate the opening at, at least one side of the link member, and retained in at least one compatible groove formed proximate at least one side of the link member for the positioning of the link member in relation to the housing, the grooves of the link member being formed by coating the core thereof with moldable material prior to assembly of the checking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventor: David Carswell
  • Patent number: 5152030
    Abstract: A door check for controlling pivotal movement of a vehicle door between a closed position and one or more open positions, sometimes incorporated in a hinge, includes a rigid, elongated track member having two opposed track surfaces with at least one detent receptacle in one track surface or in both track surfaces. A roller detent member engages one track surface in rolling pressure contact at least part of the time whenever the door moves between its open and closed positions; a second detent member, comprising a sliding, self-aligning, non-rotational bearing, engages the other track surface. Both detent members are formed of a fiber reinforced resin, such as a glass fiber reinforced nylon. The second detent member is urged toward one track surface by an elastomer pad, preferably an elastomer such as a silicone polymer that retains its elastic properties over a wide temperature range that extends beyond the temperatures of manufacturing processes or human environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Thunderline Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald J. Cogo
  • Patent number: 4976455
    Abstract: A handrail assembly for use on a marine vessel, travel trailer, motor home or other recreational vehicle is pivotally mounted to the side thereof to effect easy adjustment of the handrail between an extended, operative position facilitating access to the vehicle or vessel and a collapsed, storage position avoiding interference during the travel thereof. The handrail includes an elongated rod adjustably mounted to a pair of brackets which permit the swinging collapse of the handrail against the vehicle and also facilitates an effective, easily achieved locking of the handrail in the desired operative and collapsed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Stromberg-Carlson Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Brammer, Sr., Robert C. Brammer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4953259
    Abstract: A torque control for providing a desired frictional resistance to a pivotally mounted vehicle accessory, such as an armrest or headrest, which includes a resilient member having an irregular arcuate slot. A resistance element extends in the slot to move along the length thereof as the pivoted component pivots about the pivot axis. In one modification, the shape of the slot provides a desired predetermined frictional resistance and in another modification a cutout is made in one of the walls of the slot permitting such wall to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Dale J. Frye, Kenneth M. Lindberg, Alan L. Kindig, Robert J. Stander, Joseph B. Buonodono, Jeffrey D. Gras, David A. Ozios
  • Patent number: 4932101
    Abstract: A hinge is provided between bodywork and a door of a motor vehicle. A stationary bracket is fixed to an upright of the bodywork and includes a base with a hole. A movable bracket is fixed to the door and a pin connects the stationary and movable brackets. A torsion bar has a wheel/cam follower for engagement with a cam on a connection element. The stationary bracket, torsion bar, cam follower and connection element comprise a sub-assembly and the cam and cam follower are located intermediate the height of the hinge. The movable bracket includes a boss with an opening. Upon linear movement in a direction parallel to the hinge axis, the boss may be disposed about the pin with a connection element and movable bracket cooperable to prevent relative rotation therebetween whereby accurate assembly is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: SPERRI Sperimentazione e Ricerca Srl
    Inventor: Gabriele Lualdi