By Shifting Hinged Members Patents (Class 16/350)
  • Patent number: 11746581
    Abstract: A flip hinge for a motor vehicle includes an inner strap affixed to a body of the motor vehicle, an outer strap separate from the inner strap and affixed to a removable panel of the motor vehicle, and an intermediate link extending from the inner strap to the outer strap. The intermediate link is rotatably attached to the inner strap at a first link end by a spring-loaded pivot. The intermediate link is rotatably attached to the outer strap at a second link end by an outer strap pivot. The intermediate link is movable between at least a first position and a second position. The spring-loaded pivot biases the intermediate link towards the second position whenever the intermediate link is not in the first position, and the outer strap is separable from the intermediate link only when the intermediate link is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christine M Krolewski, Joern Zirfass, Bob Thomas
  • Patent number: 11697954
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a door of a household appliance has a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge includes a base portion and a door receiving portion. The base portion includes at least one elongated slot to receive a fastener. The elongated slot enables positioning of the door receiving portion. The second hinge includes a mounting block and a door plate. The door plate has a door receiving portion that has at least one elongated slot to enable positioning of the door receiving portion. The door plate is secured via at least one fastener to the mounting block. The mounting block is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the door plate for positioning the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Whirpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11692382
    Abstract: A door keeper, for keeping a door opening angle of a door within a predetermined angle, includes a hinge bracket attached to a support structure; a keeper plate having a bracket side end portion pivotally mounted to the hinge bracket, a door side end portion, and a keeper guide slot having a door side slot end portion disposed proximate to the door side end portion of the keeper plate, the keeper guide slot extending from the door side slot end portion to an opposite slot end portion disposed at a location between the bracket side end portion and the door side end portion of the keeper plate; and a keeper member movably disposed in the keeper guide slot and fixedly attached to a lower part of the door. An opening motion of the door stops when the door side slot end portion engages the keeper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: BSH Home Appliances Corporation, BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventor: Suad Elkasevic
  • Patent number: 11353056
    Abstract: A shaft structure includes a carrier, a first mandrel, and a second mandrel. The carrier has a groove, a receiving space communicated with the groove, and two protruding portions. The two protruding portions protrude from an inner wall of the carrier, and the two protruding portions are located between the receiving space and the groove. The first mandrel has a first gear, a first rotation shaft, and a first connection shaft connected to the first gear and the first rotation shaft. The first gear is located in the receiving space. The second mandrel has a second gear, a second rotation shaft, and a second connection shaft connected to the second gear and the second rotation shaft. The second gear is configured to move in the receiving space and the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corporation, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang-Sing Guo, En-Kuan Lin
  • Patent number: 11331231
    Abstract: A mounting unit for adjustably mounting an add-on piece to a frame, in particular of a wheelchair, includes at least one drum receiving unit having at least one aperture and female thread. The drum receiving unit is an integral part of the frame or adapted to be attached to the frame. At least one drum assembly has at least one hole and a male thread. At least one bolt is part of the add-on piece or adapted to be mounted therewith to hold the add-on piece. The drum receiving unit is adapted to receive the drum assembly. The female thread mates with the male thread and allows an alignment of the position of the hole with respect to the aperture, such that the bolt can be inserted through the aperture at least partly into the hole. The drum receiving unit with the drum assembly and/or the drum assembly with the bolt comprises a detachable form fit connection. At least one of the drum receiving unit, the drum assembly and/or the bolt comprises a detachable force fit connection with respective mating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLC
    Inventor: Michael Knopf
  • Patent number: 9752374
    Abstract: An assembly has a liftable lid and a movable hinge module. The assembly includes an object having an opening, a lid rotatably arranged upon the opening, and a hinge module. The hinge module includes at least a shaft connected to the lid, a base, and at least a latch. The shaft is connected to the base and along with the base defines a rotating axis. The rotating axis is movably arranged between a close position and an open position. The latch fastens the lid over the opening. When the rotating axis is at close position, the lid closes upon the opening as a close state. When the rotating axis moves away from close position, the lid rotates and moves away from the opening to an open state. The rotating axis moves to open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ping-Kun Fu
  • Patent number: 9102427
    Abstract: A hinge comprises a post that forms a pivot axis for a lid. A ring portion is rotatably mounted on the post portion and comprises a hole having a recess extending from the periphery of hole where the hole receives the post. A pin on the post is dimensioned to fit into the recess when the recess rotates into alignment with the pin to lock the lid in an open position. The hinge may be used on a trash container that comprises a receptacle and a lid pivotably mounted to the receptacle at the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hanna, Joseph Dugan Musser, Timothy M. Pierzynski, Robert John Warner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8281459
    Abstract: A locking hinge that includes a first hinge element including a body defining a first hole and a second hinge element including a body defining a second hole. The locking hinge also includes a dowel assembled through the first hole in the first hinge element and the second hole in the second hinge element defining a hinge joint axis permitting translation of the second hinge element relative to the first hinge element along a first axis and a second axis, and rotation of the second hinge element relative to the first hinge element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Leonard Le, Keith R. Burrell, Thomas L. Kehl, Epifanio P. Gonyea
  • Publication number: 20120060326
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hinge for a buggy, stroller, etc. for infants. The hinge 10 includes a first hinge member 12 and a second hinge member 14. Hinge member 12 includes a first hinge end 16 and a connecting end 18 to connect to a first structural member 20 of an infant support apparatus along a first axis L1. The second hinge member 14 includes a hinge end 22 and a connecting end 24 to connect to structural member 26 of the infant support apparatus along a second axis L2. Hinge members 12, 14 are pivotal about axis T1 between a bent condition wherein the first and second longitudinal axes L1, L2 are non-aligned and a straight condition wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are generally aligned. The hinge ends are configured such that the amount of the profiles which overlap prevent the formation of a finger trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Smith, Chris Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20120042474
    Abstract: A retention mechanism for a hinge mechanism of a door. The retention mechanism comprises: (a) a first portion comprising a keeper and a biasing arrangement configured to bias the keeper toward a locking position, while allowing displacement of the keeper from the locking position to a disengaged position; and a second portion comprising a latch, the latch being configured to displace the keeper from its locking position to its disengaged position and comprising a seat for retaining the keeper therein in its locking position, so as to maintain a door in its open position when the keeper being retained in the seat. The retention mechanism, when operating in conjunction with a hinge mechanism of a door, comprises a clearance area in which, during pivoting of the door between its closed and open positions, there is no contact between the keeper and the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: PLASAN SASA LTD.
    Inventor: Yoash Kachtan
  • Publication number: 20100180402
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes first and second hinge devices rotatable in different directions. Further, a first positioning member is utilized for limiting the rotation of the first hinge device within one predetermined angle. Further, a second positioning member is utilized for positioning the first pintle at various orientations. Moreover, a third positioning member is utilized for limiting rotation of the second hinge device within another predetermined angle. A fourth positioning member is utilized for positioning the second pintle at various orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Chao-Chi Lin
  • Publication number: 20090158557
    Abstract: A hinge for use in, e.g., folding tables, folding chairs, or folding shelves that can be locked in at least one position. According to an aspect of the invention, the hinge is locked in the position that would correspond to the open or deployed state of the piece of furniture of which it is a part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Meco Corporation
    Inventor: Darren ALDRED
  • Publication number: 20090007376
    Abstract: A stable hinge keeps elements of the hinge from shaking and has a pivoting assembly, a stabilizer and a stationary assembly. The pivoting assembly attaches the stable hinge to a cover of an electronic device and has a standoff, a leaf and a barrel. The standoff has a proximal edge, a distal edge and a notch formed in the proximal edge. The leaf is formed longitudinally on and protrudes from the distal edge. The barrel is formed longitudinally on the proximal edge and has a slot. The stabilizer is mounted in the slot and to the standoff. The stationary assembly attaches to a base of an electronic device and is mounted rotatably in the barrel and through the stabilizer to stabilize the hinge and give the stable hinge a longer useful life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Tzu-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20080048460
    Abstract: A screw cap assembly for clamping a cover in an opening includes a threaded rod adapted to engage the cover and a clamp threadably connected to the threaded rod. A retainer is adapted to support the threaded rod and to limit the range of movement of the clamp along the threaded rod. Rotational movement of the threaded rod causes the clamp to rotate and travel toward the cover until it engages a first abutment of the retainer, which prevents further rotational movement of the clamp, such that only movement toward the cover in a direction parallel the threaded rod is permitted. Rotational movement of the threaded rod in an opposite direction causes the clamp to rotate and travel away from the cover until the clamp engages a second abutment of the retainer adapted to engage the clamp to prevent further movement of the clamp away from the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: GMI Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Brady, Aidan R. Brady
  • Patent number: 7299525
    Abstract: A self-locked hinge device includes a hinge body, a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate and a locking mechanism, The first mounting plate is hinged to a first end of the hinge body, and the second mounting plate is hinged to a second end of the hinge body. The locking mechanism is driven by the second mounting plate when the second mounting plate is moved and incapacitates the first mounting plate from moving relatively to the hinge body when the second mounting plate is rotated to a predetermined position relative to the hinge body. A multi-function peripheral using the self-locked hinge device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Lun Chang
  • Patent number: 6749215
    Abstract: A dolly for transporting multiple containers. The dolly is provided with a plurality of casters which allow it to spin on its footprint. Supports, each of which can carry a container, are hinged together allowing the dolly to flex when encountering alterations in flooring level. Also provided are large side wheels which reduce the force necessary to push the dolly over a bump or onto a floor which is at a higher elevation. When one support is not carrying a container, the support can be rotated with the hinge to a point at which it is approximately perpendicular to the adjacent support and thereby approximately vertical to the floor. Rotating one support to an approximately vertical position shortens the dolly footprint and aids in storage. Moreover, a support which is rotated to an approximately vertical position can be temporarily maintained in that position by a lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Perelli, Craig J. Demko
  • Publication number: 20040093692
    Abstract: A hinge assembly allows an access panel to be pivotally coupled to a cabinet, even though the cabinet includes a top cover that overlaps an upper edge of the panel. To open the access panel, a latch is actuated to first release a lower edge of the panel. The hinge assembly then allows the lower edge to be pulled out from over a base rail of the cabinet. Once the lower edge is off of the base rail, the hinge assembly allows the panel to be lowered without obstruction from the base rail. Lowering the panel then moves the panel's upper edge out from underneath the overlapping top cover. From there, the hinge assembly allows the panel to be swung open. To close the access panel, the process is reversed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: James Russell Cude, Peter E. Simpson, Jeffrey C. Marks
  • Patent number: 6694964
    Abstract: A barbecue grill assembly includes aside rack mounted foldably on a main frame, which has a mounting seat formed with an insert hole for access to a slide passage and installed with a resilient locking pin and an operating shaft coupled to the locking pin. The side rack has an insert rod extending slidably into the slide passage and formed with an engaging groove for engaging the locking pin so as to retain the side rack at a horizontal unfolded position. The insert rod extends through a side hole portion of the insert hole when in the unfolded position. The operating shaft is operable against restoring action of the locking pin so as to disengage the locking pin from the insert rod. The insert rod is slidable outwardly and is turnable downwardly to extend through a bottom hole portion of the insert hole when disengaged from the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen USA Inc.
    Inventor: Tsan-Kuen Wu
  • Patent number: 5784732
    Abstract: A bed enclosure is provided with a side rail which is movably mounted to a frame of the bed enclosure by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly allows the side rail to pivotally move between a raised position, in which the side rail is adjacent a side of a mattress supported by the frame, and a lowered position, in which the said rail is below a top surface of the mattress, thereby permitting a person to easily enter and exit the bed enclosure. The hinge assembly retains the side rail in a locked position flush against the side of the mattress so that there is substantially no gap between the side rail and the side of the mattress when the side rail is in the raised position. The hinge assembly can be manually operated to disengage the side rail from the raised position to pivot the side rail in a direction outwardly from the side of the mattress to the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Robert L. Vail
  • Patent number: 5054723
    Abstract: A tube support for facilitating bedside attachment of a life support tube or duct includes a base member configured to rest on a surface, a tube support member having a tube support shoulder at one end thereof and a pivotal attachment extending between the base member and the tube support member for pivotally connecting the base and tube support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Augustine Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall C. Arnold
  • Patent number: 4834434
    Abstract: A permanent locking device for a nuclear waste container which, in combination with a lid and a box, utilizes a dee-shaped ring held by a wide, flat hinge and a protruding narrow malleable metal retaining strap. The ring can rotate or slide up and down within the hinge, as well as slide side to side. The hinge has a slot in its top for temporarily holding the ring in an up position while the lid is open and the box is being loaded with nuclear waste. When the lid is closed and the ring is disengaged from the slot, the ring can be quickly dropped to a down position permitting the retaining strap to extend through the ring. The retaining strap can then be readily bent down and over the circular (bottom) portion of the ring, to form a permanent seal. A deformable rubber gasket is positioned between the lid and the top edges of the box to form an air tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Walter J. Moore
  • Patent number: 4311322
    Abstract: A folding, self-locking outrigger for a load transporting vehicle, the outrigger disposed on a side of the vehicle such that the outrigger is movable between a first position wherein the outrigger is disposed substantially adjacent the side of the vehicle and a second position wherein the outrigger, in combination with adjacent outriggers, is adapted to receive an extension member so that the width of the vehicle can be increased. The folding outrigger is characterized as having a first linkage assembly, a second foldable linkage assembly, and a combination pivot-locking assembly. The combination pivot-locking assembly, which is operably connected to the second foldable linkage assembly such that the outrigger can be pivotally moved between the first and second position, secures the outrigger in the first and second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: CMI Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Verros