Having Stop Or Abutment Patents (Class 16/374)
  • Patent number: 7461433
    Abstract: A torque-controlled rotational module is described. The torque-controlled rotational module has a fixing base, a rotational member, a spring member, and a torque adjusting ring. The fixing base further has a fixing wall and a cable hole therein for a cable to pass therethrough. The module further utilizes wear-resisting members configured on both sides of the rotational member, between the torque adjusting ring and the fixing base, to protect the torque adjusting ring and the fixing base from wear and tear. The fixing wall further utilizes a fixing indentation to couple to arresting protrusions of the wear-resisting members to avoid rotation of the wear-resisting members. The fixing base further utilizes a knob coupled to a slot of the rotational member to limit a rotational angle of the rotational member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Hung-Tsai Pan, Po-Lang Hsu
  • Patent number: 7458549
    Abstract: A tilter assembly is provided for positioning an electronic device such as a flat panel display. The tilter assembly includes a tilter shaft holder having an opening aligned along an axis and a shaft received within the opening. The shaft is rotatable about the axis, and may be coupled to a support. The tilter shaft holder is coupled to the electronic device. The tilter assembly also includes a torsion spring device in operative association with the shaft to provide a bias or counterbalance to the electronic device, thereby preventing undesired rotation about the axis. The torsion spring device may be adjustably tensioned by a tension mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Office Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Odd N. Oddsen, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080271294
    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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Horst Lautenschlager
  • Publication number: 20080245112
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drum washing machine, which improves structures of hinge units to rotatably support a door to easily assemble a door with a housing, and firmly endures a load of the door. The drum washing machine includes a housing provided with an opening through which laundry is put into the washing machine; a door connected to the housing to open and close the opening; a first hinge unit rotatably connecting the door to the housing; and a second hinge unit separated from the first hinge unit to rotatably support the door together with the first hinge unit. The second hinge unit causes the door to be supported on the housing. Through the above constitution, a worker may easily assemble the door with the housing, thus increasing a working efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Hun Sung
  • Publication number: 20080148521
    Abstract: A hinge for a clamshell-type phone includes first and second hinge sections with cooperative anti-skewing features to prevent skewing of the hinge in the open and/or closed positions. The first hinge includes at least one anti-skew tab extending normal to the pivot axis of the hinge and a second hinge section includes at least one U-shaped anti-skew member to engage the anti-skew tab on the first hinge section in an open or closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventor: Robert Milon Hill
  • Patent number: 7380313
    Abstract: In order to provide a hinge device exhibiting a latchless function even if a lock mechanism exposed on respective surfaces of a main body and a lid body is abolished and a small-sized electronic equipment using the same, the present invention is a hinge device coupling the main body and the lid body in a turnable manner in an open/close direction and a direction perpendicular to it, in which the hinge device includes a mounting member and supporting member to be mounted to either the main body or the lid body; a horizontal shaft member mounted to the mounting member and having a locking groove at an outer periphery thereof; an orthogonal shaft member mounted to the supporting member and having an engaging groove at an outer periphery thereof, the orthogonal shaft groove being orthogonal to the horizontal shaft member; a bracket member mounted to the horizontal shaft member and the orthogonal shaft member to allow the main body and the lid body to turn in the open/close direction and the direction perpendicula
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignees: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd, Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Akiyama, Tsutomu Satoh
  • Patent number: 7373693
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a door hinge housing configured to be mounted to a door, a body hinge housing configured to be mounted to a stationary object, and a check assembly including a spring. The body hinge housing is pivotally secured to the door hinge housing. The check assembly is covered by at least one of the door hinge housing and the body hinge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert A. Markl, John M. Kosidlo, Lawrence W. Johnson, Richard K. Mitts, Paul J. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 7345871
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for locking a movable appendage (e.g., a display) of an electronic device (e.g., a tablet computer) comprising a rotational lock interfaced with a display hinge assembly of the display, and a docking member disposed to engage at least a portion of the rotational lock when the electronic device is interfaced with an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lev, Earl W. Moore
  • Publication number: 20080047105
    Abstract: A hinge unit with double-side rotation function applicable on a computer device comprises a first support, a second support and a spindle wherein both of the supports has connecting portions at both ends to connect with the display unit and the base of the computer device. The hinge unit further comprises an angle limiter to limit the rotation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Wen Chang, Chun-Feng Lai
  • Publication number: 20080034552
    Abstract: A hinge for use in a motor vehicle, including first and second members pivotably coupled to each other. First and second position retainers are coupled between the first member and the second member to releasably secure the second member in a first holding position relative to the first member. The first position retainer has a first holding portion and the second position retainer has a second holding portion such that one of the first and second position retainers is structured and arranged to move relative to the other of the first and second position retainers such that the first and second holding portions move into and out from a first holding position. The first and second holding portions are structured and arranged to be releasably secured to each other in the first holding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Binh NGUYEN
  • Patent number: 7320153
    Abstract: A fold-type cellular phone has a top unit, a bottom unit and a hinge coupling together the top unit and the bottom unit while allowing the top unit to turn and swivel with respect to the bottom unit. The top unit is first unfolded from a first folded position to an attitude angle of 160 to 170 degrees, and swiveled by 180 degrees to be folded onto the bottom unit in a second folded position at an attitude angle of 180 degrees. The swivel movement of the top unit causes a cam assembly to turn the top unit from the attitude angle of 160-170 degrees to an attitude angle of 180 degrees in the second folded position, thereby allowing the top unit to assume a suitable attitude with respect to the bottom unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Watanabe, Masatomo Mizuta, Mitsuru Sendouda
  • Patent number: 7281300
    Abstract: A hinge for a child safety barrier, consisting of first (1, 9) and second (2, 10) bracket parts, wherein the first bracket part is formed with a pin (4) whose free end is formed with a shoulder (5). The second bracket part (2, 10) is formed with a hole (7) with two sections, where the first section has a larger diameter than the second section. This provides an edge between the two sections, which, together with the shoulder (5) of the pin, serves as a lock between the two bracket parts. If the length of the pin is larger than the length of the section of the smallest diameter, then the two hinge parts may be displaced relative to each other in the direction of the pin, which is an advantage when the hinge is used in connection with child safety barriers. The two bracket parts of the hinge are formed with respective locking parts which cooperate such that when one bracket part is displaced relative to the other bracket part, the bracket parts may be rotated relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Baby Dan A/S
    Inventors: Finn Andersen, Henrik L. Pedersen, Glenn HĂžjmose
  • Patent number: 7234204
    Abstract: A pivotal hinge mechanism for a mobile computer may include a swivel seat, a support seat, and first and second pivot mounting parts. The swivel seat and the support seat cooperate to form a pivot joint that allows the swivel seat to swivel through 180 degrees with respect to the support seat. The first and second pivot mounting parts swivel about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of the swivel seat's rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Hao Liu, Jung-Sheng Chiang, Yu-Yuan Lin, Ko-Chun Cheng
  • Patent number: 7225506
    Abstract: A scanner uses a hinge to connect the cover and the scanner body. The scanner further comprises a brake apparatus and a force-dispersing mechanism. The brake apparatus interferes the lifting cover at a predetermined interfering angle for avoiding the cover to thump at the scanning surface. The force-dispersing mechanism is used to disperse a stress resulted from the cover is lifted to be over a predetermined safety angle with respect to the scanning surface of the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Jung-Mao Tiao
  • Patent number: 7207087
    Abstract: A device for damping the movement of movable furniture parts to their closed position provides for a housing which can be fastened to a fixed wall part or carcass part, in which housing a lever is pivotably held or a plunger is slidably guided, with said lever or plunger being pivoted or slid to its closing region by the movable furniture part, thus by way of at least a two-stage gear mechanism with a speed increasing ratio impinging on a rotation damper or on the piston of a damping cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7191492
    Abstract: A swivel structure having direction indication is described. The swivel structure includes a first swivel base and a second swivel base. The first swivel base has at least a window and the second swivel base has at least a first direction indication mark and at least a second direction indication mark. The first swivel base and the second swivel base have a first fixed position state and a second fixed position state. The first fixed position state and the second fixed position state switch to each other by swiveling. When in the first fixed position state, the first direction indication marks are shown through the windows and indicate the direction toward the second fixed position state. When in the second fixed position state, the second direction indication marks are shown through the windows and indicate the direction toward the first fixed position state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Chang Yang
  • Patent number: 7159279
    Abstract: An improved pivotal hinge mechanism used for portable computer equipped with a stopper device which when portable computer and a docking station are joined together shall be actuated by the docking station to prevent the LCD of the portable computer from rotating in left and right direction, so that the collision happened between the docking station and the LCD of the portable computer due to rotation of the LCD relative to the computer mainframe shall be avoided; when the portable computer is disconnected from the docking station said stopper device shall immediately return to the normal position so that the LCD of the portable computer can rotate again in an angle of 0–180 degrees in left and right direction with respect to the computer mainframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Compal Electronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Hao Liu, Jung-Sheng Chiang, Yu-Yuan Lin, Ko-Chun Cheng
  • Patent number: 7155781
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel hinge device and an electronic instrument using the hinge device which is extremely high in commercial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Strawberry Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Yamada, Hidekazu Miyaoka, Katsuichi Sakurai, Minoru Taninai, Koji Endo
  • Patent number: 7140075
    Abstract: A door hinge mechanism allowing two dimensional motion of the door as it opens, combined with at least one mechanism allowing control of the range of horizontal motion of the door during normal operations. Horizontal lag adjustment and range limitation of the mechanism allows a number of benefits: horizontal fit of the door to the frame may be controlled, the outward motion of the door may be curtailed at the proper angle desired by the user. The door hinge mechanism is a bi-directional hinge allowing sequential motion in two planes, and a horizontal motion stop and cooperating contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Decah, LLC
    Inventor: Demetrius C Ham
  • Patent number: 7114219
    Abstract: A hinge for pivotably mounting a panel to a vehicle body includes a panel attachment plate securable to the panel, a body attachment plate securable to the vehicle body, and an intermediate member pivotably attached between the body and panel attachment plates. The intermediate member has opposite sidewalls and a center flange extending between the sidewalls. The sidewalls engage the body attachment plate with the center flange spaced from the body attachment plate when the intermediate member is pivoted such that the sidewalls are positioned generally along the body attachment plate. The intermediate member may include a stop member for limiting pivotal movement of the panel attachment plate. The stop member may limit such pivotal movement at different positions by being cut to different sizes during manufacture of the hinge. The body attachment plate may provide a hinge portion that provides enhanced structural rigidity to the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ran Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James Kiefer, Robert N Alt, Jr.
  • 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: 7048322
    Abstract: A retrofit vehicle door lift conversion kit adapted for lifting a vehicle door vertically that fits as a conversion kit replacing factory door hinges on a variety of different types of existing vehicles. A door attaching arm is mounted to a fixed chassis plate by a double axis connector for horizontal and vertical motion. A lift assisting actuator, which may be a vehicle specific pressure adjustable gas pressure spring, pivotally mounted between the plate and the arm, assists in lifting the door vertically. Replaceable vehicle specific plates mount to the fixed chassis plate. A replaceable vehicle specific arm and door attaching brackets mount to the door attaching arm. A horizontal limiter, a mechanical vertical height limit adjustment device, a vertical lift adjustment, and a safety lock for maintaining the door in the up position are adjustable for specific vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph M. DeBono
  • Patent number: 6981295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hold-open apparatus for controlling the position of a door, preferably a screen door or storm door. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a piston assembly and can maintain a door in a predetermined open position, such as about 45° to about 100° in relation to a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus can automatically lock and/or unlock when the door reaches predetermined positions. The apparatus advantageously can be retrofitted to existing door assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Tom W. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6954221
    Abstract: A safety structure of a desk-top Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is disclosed. The safety structure has a seat body pivotally mounted to a monitor, characterized in that the monitor is provided with two sections of elevation angle, wherein the first section of the elevation angle complies with the angle of application for human body, and the second section of the elevation angle has a maximum elevation angle in parallel to a base seat of the monitor, and the twisting force of the monitor required to rotate within the scope of elevation angle of the second section is larger than that of the elevation angle of the first section, but the twisting force to rotate within the second section is smaller than the weight of the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Alpha Wu
  • Patent number: 6942268
    Abstract: This Retractable Stop relates to a new and useful tailgate accessory for trucks and the like. The Retractable Stop may be used to effectively extend the length of a truck bed, and to act as a small auxiliary tailgate or the like, when the truck's primary tailgate is in the horizontal open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Willard Vejnar
  • Patent number: 6892424
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for connecting an appliance door to an appliance frame includes a claw and a channel pivotally connected to the claw. A single link member is pivotally connected to the claw, and the link member defines first and second contact surfaces. The second contact surface defines an operative portion and a break-away portion separated from the operative portion by a peak. A spring is operably engaged between the link member and the channel. A link control member is connected to the channel and contacts the second contact surface of the link member. The channel is movable from a first operative position in a first direction on arc of 90 degrees or less to a second operative position where the link control member is in contact with the operative portion of the second contact surface of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins, Bruce M. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6892425
    Abstract: A removable door check device for holding a vehicle door hinge in an opened position includes a body, first and second leg portions extending from the body and disposed coplanar to the body, a protrusion portion extending from the body in a direction perpendicular to the body. In addition, a door hinge that includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part, a hinge pin passing through the first and second hinge parts and a removable door check device. The first and second hinge parts are pivotable about the hinge pin between an opened and a closed position. The removable door check device of the hinge is disposed on the hinge pin exterior to the first and second hinge parts engaging the second hinge part in the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Edscha North America
    Inventor: Jonathan Smith
  • Patent number: 6868582
    Abstract: A computer hinge includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve which is to receive therein the first extension and the second extension of the first stem and the second stem respectively. The sleeve has an arcuate block integrally formed on one end face of the sleeve to optionally engage with opposite ends of the first connection portion. Furthermore, a limit formed on the second stem to selectively connect to the stop on the sleeve is able to provide a separation force to separate the screen from the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Chung-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 6845546
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a fixing seat and a rotation seat rotatable in relation to the fixing seat. The fixing seat has a fixing plate for connection to a mainframe of an electronic device, a rotation shaft securely connected to the fixing plate and having a limiting flange formed on a mediate portion of the rotation shaft, and a limiting disk securely mounted on the rotation shaft and having two limiting edges. The rotation seat has a body rotatably mounted on the rotation shaft and having two connection legs each rotatably received in two tubes and an extension to selectively engage with either one of the limiting edges to limit a rotation angle of the body to the fixing plate and leaf springs mounted on the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Tien-Yueh Hsu
  • Patent number: 6845547
    Abstract: A vehicular door hinge mechanism provides for a motion in two different directions at two different portions of the door's motion cycle. The present invention provides a hinge which allows the door of the vehicle to move outwards in a substantially horizontal plane for a predetermined arc, then move vertically upwards on another predetermined arc thereafter. The invention comprises a hinge mechanism having a chassis mounting plate and a swingarm. Between them is either a pivotal bearing or a hinge designed to allow the staged two dimensional motion of the invention. A spring or cylinder is connected at its ends to the chassis mounting plate and the swingarm. A horizontal pressure bearing surface and a cam adjuster cooperate to provide strength and precise fit of the door with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Demetrius Calvin Ham
  • Patent number: 6842923
    Abstract: A stretcher comprising a molded frame assembly having a first frame pole and a second frame pole interconnected by a spreader bar for maintaining poles in a laterally spaced arrangement. A bed member is carried by the frame poles adapted for receiving and supporting a person. The molded frame assembly is constructed of a composite of 50% to 85% polyamide resin and 15% to 50% fiberglass by weight to resist hazardous materials and allow for decontamination of the frame assembly. The frame poles are constructed from a plurality of frame arms. A hinge pivotally connects abutting ends of frame arms, and a hinge support carried opposite the hinge further interconnects frame arms to increase the structural rigidity of the hinge. The frame poles having a hollow interior cavity to reduce weight with reinforcing members disposed in the cavity running the length of the cavity to resist bending and twisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Castellani, Leon Ling
  • Patent number: 6834416
    Abstract: The present invention makes use of an opening of a latch cover opening to engage the first loose leaf with the second loose leaf at a pivotal opening with a diameter smaller than the opening of the latch cover of the first loose leaf, and the latch cover of the first loose leaf is located between the two axle covers of the second loose leaf after they are coupled. Therefore, the two will not be separated from each other in the front-rear direction easily, so that the first and second loose leaves can be removed and assembled, and fixed securely after the assembling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventors: Ming-Fang Wang, Yin-Shu Yang
  • Patent number: 6820918
    Abstract: A retrofit vehicle door lift conversion kit adapted for lifting a vehicle door vertically that fits as a conversion kit replacing factory door hinges on a variety of different types of existing vehicles. A door attaching arm is mounted to a fixed chassis plate by a double axis connector for horizontal and vertical motion. A lift assisting actuator, which may be a vehicle specific pressure adjustable gas pressure spring, pivotally mounted between the plate and the arm, assists in lifting the door vertically. Replaceable vehicle specific plates mount to the fixed chassis plate. A replaceable vehicle specific arm and door attaching brackets mount to the door attaching arm. A horizontal limiter, a mechanical vertical height limit adjustment device, a vertical lift adjustment, and a safety lock for maintaining the door in the up position are adjustable for specific vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph M. DeBono
  • Patent number: 6813813
    Abstract: A hinge bracket has a pad immovable relative to the leg of the frame and has extensions protruding out from a surface of the pad. A positioning disk is pivotable relative to the pad and has two pairs of notches to alternately receive the extensions such that the frame which is adapted to support an LCD screen is able to be supported at an upright position or in parallel relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Hsiang-Chi Chien
  • 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 MÀÀttÀ
  • Publication number: 20040205935
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damping device for parts of furniture which are joined together by means of hinges and which can be pivoted in relation to each other. The housing contains a damping fluid in the cavity thereof and a resistance element which can be displaced relative to the damping fluid and connected to an actuating element protruding from the housing. During at least one part of the pivoting movement of both pieces of furniture, said actuating element is drivingly connected to the second piece of furniture and transfers the movement distributed to the second piece of furniture to the resistance element. The damping device is arranged in the region of at least one of the hinges which pivotally couples both pieces of furniture, and whereby either the damping housing and/or the actuating element engages with one of the stop element of the corresponding hinges, at least during the damping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Gerhard Wilhelm Lautenschlaeger, Harald Helmut Ulrich, Markus Herper
  • Patent number: 6804861
    Abstract: A rotation shaft mechanism is proposed, whereby a display portion of a portable computer is upheld when the display portion is lifted, so that turning of the display portion will not rub against the surface of base portion of the portable computer. The rotation shaft mechanism includes a vertical shaft and two horizontal shafts each has an eccentric protuberance. The vertical shaft includes a first component having a pair of symmetric projective ears and a cylinder body, a second component slipped onto the cylinder body, and a third component also slipped onto the cylinder body. The horizontal shafts pass through and join the projective ears. The second component has projective walls corresponding to the eccentric protuberances. The first and second components interfere each other to rotate synchronously. An elastic component is disposed between the lower portion of the cylinder body and the bottom face of the third component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Ti Hsu
  • Patent number: 6789293
    Abstract: A dampened hinge and hinge system for appliances is provided. The system includes first and second hinge portions, at least one of which includes a dampener. The dampener can be a push-dampener, a pull-dampener or a push/pull-dampener. The hinge system allows for movement of the door between a closed position, a fully opened position and a secondary opened position such as a broil-stop position, and the door is self-supporting in the secondary opened position. The first and second hinge portions each include a guide channel, a claw pivotably connected to the guide channel and a link having a first end connected to the claw. The first hinge portion includes a spring having a first end connected to a second end of the link and a second end connected to the guide channel. The second hinge portion includes a dampener that is operably connected between the guide channel and the second end of the link. Both the first and second hinge portions can include a dampener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6772983
    Abstract: A pivot coupler is constructed to include a hinge base fastened to a stand and holding two packing piece sets at two sides, a hinge bracket fastened to a monitor and holding two washers at two sides, and a shaft inserted in the hinge base and the hinge bracket and locked by a nut to pivotally secure the hinge bracket to the hinge base and to hold the packing piece sets of the hinge base in friction contact with the washers of the hinge bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Tatung Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Cheng Liao, Tsyr-Huey Liu
  • Publication number: 20040148739
    Abstract: A removable door check device for holding a vehicle door hinge in an opened position includes a body, first and second leg portions extending from the body and disposed coplanar to the body, a protrusion portion extending from the body in a direction perpendicular to the body. In addition, a door hinge that includes a first hinge part, a second hinge part, a hinge pin passing through the first and second hinge parts and a removable door check device. The first and second hinge parts are pivotable about the hinge pin between an opened and a closed position. The removable door check device of the hinge is disposed on the hinge pin exterior to the first and second hinge parts engaging the second hinge part in the opened position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Edscha North America
    Inventor: Jonathan Smith
  • Patent number: 6760954
    Abstract: An improved laterally resilient and displaceable mechanical door bumper for moving an elongated retractable shaft. The body or mold of the door bumper includes a base portion in which mounting screws are firmly anchored into the wood of the adjacent door portion. The door bumper shaft includes a rubber end piece that is glued and snapped onto the end of the door bumper shaft for cushioning the impact of the door bumper against a wall. The side of the door bumper receives rollers which are attached to the side portion of the mold and can be compressed during impact. The rollers are adapted to contact a door frame, which forces the door bumper shaft to retract. The door bumper is devoid of separable parts or sharp edges that might injure persons, particularly children, who come in contact with the door bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: George Rucker
  • Patent number: 6748625
    Abstract: A notebook computer hinge with spring opener is provided. The shaft has a C-shaped stopper ring with an offset notch in the middle section, which allows the coupling block of the rotatable bracket to be engaged by the notch. A spring is mounted on the outer edge of the rotatable bracket through a common shaft. As the display panel is lowered towards the computer body, the coupling block presses against the stopper ring and a torsional force is accumulated by the spring. The force will be released once the notebook computer is opened, enabling the display panel to be separated from the computer body with an appropriate angle, thus providing extra convenience for notebook computer users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Nan Lu
  • Patent number: 6735822
    Abstract: A hinge for pivotally mounting a first door to a door pillar of a vehicle body of a vehicle. The hinge having been provided thereon one portion of a co-operating latching arrangement for releasably securing in a closed position a second door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems
    Inventors: Nigel Victor Spurr, Sidney Fisher, Simon Dobson
  • Patent number: 6732410
    Abstract: To accurately and reproducibly set the angle of a hinge, especially a very small hinge, a precision hinge and angled mounting stops are provided. The device comprises a hinge joint having a fastener, such as a screw, connecting two bodies. A flat C-shaped mounting stop fits over the fastener and has two straight outer edges that contact each of the two bodies, respectively. The relative angle between the outer edges determines the set angle of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William H. Nedderman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6718596
    Abstract: The vehicular door hinge of the present invention facilitates both forward and rearward swinging door motion. The present invention achieves this objective by reversing the orientation of the door component portion of the hinge within the body component portion of the hinge. An integrated door stop is incorporated into the body component. The integrated door stop further includes non-parallel stop surfaces that abut the door component's geometry in both the conventional and reversed configurations to give the desired opening angles. As a result, the present invention allows for different uses from the same components where a first predetermined angle may be achieved or a second predetermined angle may be achieved with different swing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Kohlstrand, Todd Joseph DeSantis
  • Patent number: 6712423
    Abstract: A system and method for deflecting the wind which would otherwise impinge upon the tailgate of a pickup truck, the deflector being removably mounted on the tailgate to preserve cargo space, including a spoiler, and requiring no modification to the tailgate or the truck bed, the deflector being made of relatively thin, lightweight panels with a large area brace and gust straps for resisting the pressure of the relative wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Harry V. Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6701577
    Abstract: A barbecue grill hinge assembly has a cover bracket, a body bracket and a hinge pin. The cover bracket has a cover bracket body, two curved arms and at least one cover leaf. Two curved arms extend down from the cover bracket body. Each arm has a semicircular end, an outer edge and a positive stop formed on the outer edge. The body bracket has a transverse bracket body, two wings and at least one body leaf. The transverse bracket body has an outer edge and two ends, and the two ends are bent upward to form the two wings. Two pivot pin holes are respectively formed though the two wings and the two ends of the arms. At least one body leaf is formed around the body bracket. The hinge pin extends through the pivot pin holes to connect the cover bracket to the body bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Jui-Ju Yeh
  • Patent number: 6698063
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a flat display monitor is enclosed. The hinge assembly according to the present invention includes a support plate fastened to a rear side of a flat display monitor; first and second mount brackets, each having a base side fastened to the support plate and a bracket side with a bracket hole; and a hinge shaft rotatably mounted so as to extend through the bracket hole of each mount bracket. The hinge assembly further includes a hinge tongue fixedly coupled to the hinge shaft, the hinge tongue also being coupled to a support leg; means for limiting an inclination angle of the flat display monitor by limiting an angular position of the hinge shaft; and means for adjusting a torque required to change the inclination angle of the flat display monitor. The hinge assembly of the present invention allows a user to adjust the inclination angle of a flat display monitor easily. In addition, the whole processes of making and assembling the hinge assembly are greatly simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gyoung Bok Kim, Dong Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 6671929
    Abstract: A hinge for a notebook computer is composed of a pintle, a resilient sleeve, and two barrels. The first barrel is provided outside the first part of the pintle, and the second barrel is provided outside the second part of the pintle. The resilient sleeve is provided outside a middle part of the pintle between the barrels. The resilient sleeve has an elongated opening longitudinally defined therethrough, and two protrusions formed at two ends thereof. The barrels each have a lug abutting the respective protrusion. When the computer is closed, the resilient sleeve is compressed to provide an elastic force to raise the monitor from the body of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Nan Lu
  • Publication number: 20030233732
    Abstract: The vehicular door hinge of the present invention facilitates both forward and rearward swinging door motion. The present invention achieves this objective by reversing the orientation of the door component portion of the hinge within the body component portion of the hinge. An integrated door stop is incorporated into the body component. The integrated door stop further includes non-parallel stop surfaces that abut the door component's geometry in both the conventional and reversed configurations to give the desired opening angles. As a result, the present invention allows for different uses from the same components where a first predetermined angle may be achieved or a second predetermined angle may be achieved with different swing directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Kohlstrand, Todd Joseph DeSantis