Spring And Flexible Link Patents (Class 16/63)
  • Patent number: 10583725
    Abstract: A vehicle wind deflector assembly includes a wind deflector and a tether. The tether has a deflector attachment part, a frame attachment part and a connecting line. The deflector attachment part is attached to the wind deflector. The frame attachment part is configured to be attached to a vehicle roof component. The connecting line is disposed between the frame attachment part and the deflector attachment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Brown
  • Patent number: 10210422
    Abstract: In order to shorten a time required to detect structure information of an image, in an image obtained by photographing a subject, feature amounts of pixel values in a block including a plurality of pixels are calculated, and the structure information is detected every (N×N) area of an input image on the basis of a combination of the feature amounts of the pixel values in a plurality of blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuhiko Yao
  • Patent number: 9476238
    Abstract: A hinge with first and second leaves. Bearing sleeves are attached along an edge of the first leaf and a bearing sleeve is attached along an edge of the second leaf. A hinge pintle is sized to extend into each of the apertures for mating engagement with the bearing sleeves and connect the hinge leaves for rotation. With an elastomeric member fastened between the first hinge leaf and a cover plate, and between the second hinge leaf and another cover plate, as one leaf is rotated, the member stretches and provides a force to urge the leaf to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: William Scott Mooers
  • Patent number: 8595898
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-closing sliding door assembly operable to allow manual opening and controlled automatic closing of a sliding door. The door assembly comprises storage spools for storing biasing members biased in a wound position around the storage spools. The door assembly further comprises a main spool for winding a cable and the biasing members. When the door is moved towards an open position, the cable is unwound from the main spool, causing the spool to rotate in a first direction. When the main spool is rotated in the first direction, the biasing members are wound onto the main spool and store energy operable to generate a force to cause the main spool to rotate in a second direction. When the door is released, the energy stored in the biasing members rotates the main spool in the second direction, thereby winding the door cable and providing a sufficient force to move the door towards the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventor: Gary R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8510912
    Abstract: A self-closing device is for sliding doors of the type including at least one sliding leaf (2) which is hung from an upper profile (3). The device (1) includes a drive belt (10) configured to be joined to the sliding leaf (2); a closing pulley (20), provided with an elastic device (30), which is arranged on a first rotation axis (4) integral to the upper profile (3) and which engages with a first end (11) of the drive belt (10); and a brake pulley (40), provided with a stop (50), which is arranged on a second rotation axis (5) integral to the upper profile (3) and which engages with a second end (12) of the drive belt (10) opposite to the first end (11). The rotation movement of both pulleys (20, 40) is connected by the drive belt (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Klein Iberica, S.A.
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Tarrega Lloret
  • Patent number: 8430089
    Abstract: Provided is a heating cooker which allows a door on a cooking chamber to be opened without direct handling of the door by a user. The heating cooker includes a body having a cooking chamber defined therein, a door hingably mounted to the body to open and close the cooking chamber, a door holder positioned in the body to hold the door and keep the cooking chamber closed by the door, and a hinge part connected between the door and the body to guide rotation of the door such that when the door is released from the door holder, the door is automatically opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kwang Kim, Dae Sung Han, Yong Hyun Kwon, Seok Weon Hong, Tae Uk Lee, Pung Yeun Cho, Han Seong Kang, Sung Soo Park, Han Jun Sung, Tae Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120174337
    Abstract: A door closing device for a door is described. The device includes an externally powered and/or spring force-powered catch device F for mounting to the stationary door frame TR or the door leaf TF. The catch device has a movably mounted catch element F and an externally powered and/or force storage means-powered drive assembly M connected to the catch element F. It is essential that the catch element F can be connected to and disconnected from the counterpart element, for example the lock latch S, so that the catch element F can be brought into engagement with the counterpart element S for pulling the door leaf TF shut and can be brought out of engagement with the counterpart element S outside of the pulling-shut movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ASSA ABLOY Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Norman Wittke, Oliver Hirschoff
  • Publication number: 20110088214
    Abstract: A method of operating a door return device for a vehicle door having a travel path including an easy-reach position and a fully open position. A housing is coupled to one of the door or the door frame and has a chamber containing a working fluid. A link is coupled to the other one of the door or the door frame and is movable into and out of the housing in response to travel of the door. An end-damping piston slides in the chamber and includes a fluid passage between opposite sides. A return spring is disposed between the end-damping piston and one longitudinal end of the chamber. When the return spring is substantially unloaded then the end-damping piston is positioned relative to the one longitudinal end such that the door is away from the fully open position at least as far as the easy-reach position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 7721386
    Abstract: Closer arm assembly includes a main arm having a first end fixed to the output shaft of a closer fixed to one of a door and a door jamb so that the main arm pivots when the output shaft rotates, and a connecting arm having a first end pivotably connected to the main arm and a second end connected to the other of the door and the door jamb. The connecting arm contacts a stop to limit relative pivoting of the arms, the stop including a cushion with a contact surface which suppresses noise as the connecting arm contacts the cushion. The stop can be in the form of a spring loaded bumper fixed to a soffit plate, or a pin fixed to the second end of the main arm. A hold open device can be fixed to the connecting arm for engaging a feature on either the soffit plate or the main arm, the hold open device having a spring loaded detent which is released by manually turning a knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick McKinney, Todd S. Beaton, B. Brian Lindemuth, Gerald R. Whitcomb
  • Publication number: 20090056072
    Abstract: Closer arm assembly includes a main arm having a first end fixed to the output shaft of a closer fixed to one of a door and a door jamb so that the main arm pivots when the output shaft rotates, and a connecting arm having a first end pivotably connected to the main arm and a second end connected to the other of the door and the door jamb. The connecting arm contacts a stop to limit relative pivoting of the arms, the stop including a cushion with a contact surface which suppresses noise as the connecting arm contacts the cushion. The stop can be in the form of a spring loaded bumper fixed to a soffit plate, or a pin fixed to the second end of the main arm. A hold open device can be fixed to the connecting arm for engaging a feature on either the soffit plate or the main arm, the hold open device having a spring loaded detent which is released by manually turning a knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick McKinney, Todd S. Beaton, B. Brian Lindemuth, Gerald R. Whitcomb
  • Publication number: 20080276539
    Abstract: An opposition device for locking and/or braking a swing door of a dishwashing machine, in which the door is movable about a horizontal rotation axis and along a predetermined trajectory, between at least two opposite, respectively open and closed, limit positions. A contoured leaf spring is fitted integrally to a casing of the machine. The contoured leaf spring has a first and second flexible arm projecting forward. A substantially rigid arm is fixed for movement with the door, and projects inward from the door and towards the contoured leaf spring. The first and second flexible arm of the contoured leaf spring, and the rigid arm of the door cooperate, in use, in sliding contact with one another along at least part of the predetermined trajectory of the door, to oppose rotation of the door at least close to the two opposite limit positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gianluca Pardini
  • Patent number: 7444713
    Abstract: Closer arm assembly includes a main arm having a first end fixed to the output shaft of a closer fixed to one of a door and a door jamb so that the main arm pivots when the output shaft rotates, and a connecting arm having a first end pivotably connected to the main arm and a second end connected to the other of the door and the door jamb. The connecting arm contacts a stop to limit relative pivoting of the arms, the stop including a cushion with a contact surface which suppresses noise as the connecting arm contacts the cushion. The stop can be in the form of a spring loaded bumper fixed to a soffit plate, or a pin fixed to the second end of the main arm. A hold open device can be fixed to the connecting arm for engaging a feature on either the soffit plate or the main arm, the hold open device having a spring loaded detent which is released by manually turning a knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick McKinney, Todd S. Beaton, B. Brian Lindemuth, Gerald R. Whitcomb
  • Publication number: 20070226954
    Abstract: A device for preventing door slamming including a housing that has a bore formed therein, a control element that slides in the bore, the control element having a bore formed therein, a plunger that slides in and out of the bore of the control element, the plunger being biased against a distal end of the bore of the control element by a biasing device, and a stopper element received in the plunger and extending into the control element, wherein a slamming force applied on the plunger dislodges the stopper element from the plunger so that the stopper element becomes lodged in the control element and the housing, thereby preventing the control element from sliding in the bore of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Eyal Artsiely
  • Patent number: 6442796
    Abstract: An air damper consists of a tubular cylinder with opposite ends, a piston movable in the cylinder, a first coil spring for resiliently biasing the piston in the direction of one end of the cylinder, a string for transferring dampening effect produced by a motion of the piston to an openable object, a shaft with a flange slidably fitted into the piston and a second coil spring interposed between the flange of the shaft and the piston inside the first coil spring. The second coil spring exerts a resilient biasing force at later stages of the motion of the piston in the direction of the other end of the tubular cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventors: Oomi Arisaka, Seiji Takasugi, Masato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6240598
    Abstract: A control mechanism for use with a door closer, comprises a shaft (10), angularly movable between a normal position and a second position, the shaft (10) having a first portion (21a) and a second portion (21b), a brush spring (35) attached to the shaft first portion (21a) to return the shaft to its normal position, and a damping mechanism (36, 38) attached to the shaft second portion (21b) to resist shaft movement to its normal position. The damping mechanism includes a coiled strap-like member (36) keyed to the shaft and contained in a damping medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Architectural Hardware Group Limited
    Inventor: David Moore
  • Patent number: 6167654
    Abstract: A device for automatically closing a closure installation (such as a window or a door) includes a drive device, a traction mechanism, a spring, an actuating device and a locking device. The closure installation is mounted in a frame supported by a building. The traction mechanism is located between the closure installation and the frame, and is driven by the drive device to close the closure installation. The spring is tensioned when the closure installation is placed in the open position, and supplies the energy to the drive device which is required to close the closure installation. The actuating device is used to initially place the closure installation in the open position. The actuating device tensions the spring when the closure installation is placed in the open position. The locking device is initially released to permit the closure installation to be placed in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Wolf
  • Patent number: 5448797
    Abstract: An adjustable overhead mounted door holder assembly for attachment between a door jamb and a door to hold the door in an open position includes a jamb bracket attached to the door jamb and a jamb arm pivotally attached to the jamb bracket. A channel assembly having a longitudinally extending channel is attached to the door, and a spring assisted assembly holds the door in an open position assisted by frictional force. The amount of friction is adjustable by altering a rotational position of an eccentric cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Coleman
  • Patent number: 5446944
    Abstract: A door holder assembly, for attachment between a door jamb and a door, to hold the door in an open position includes a jamb bracket attached to the door jamb and a jamb arm pivotally attached to the jamb bracket. A channel assembly having a longitudinally extending channel is attached to the door, and a hold open stop is fixed in the channel of the channel assembly. The hold open stop is configured to have a stop element with a first ramp and a second ramp engageable by a slide assembly. The slide assembly is pivotally attached to the jamb arm and positioned for longitudinal movement in the channel, with the slide assembly having a slide frame configured to support a rocker pivotably connected to the slide frame. The rocker has a catch on one side of a pivot and rocker face on the opposite side of the pivot, with the catch configured to slide over the first ramp for reversible engagement with the second ramp of the stop element to hold the door in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Coleman, Tammy S. Smith, Herman M. Tilly, Theodore J. Fritsch
  • Patent number: 5075923
    Abstract: A door positioning device comprising a housing concealed in a door jamb and a mechanism mounted in the housing for holding the door open in one or more selected positions. The mechanism comprises a cylinder mounted in the housing wherein a slidable piston is mounted. Linkage connects the piston to linkage mounted onto the door, in such a way that when the door opens, the linkage forces the piston upward in the cylinder. A shaft integral with the piston depends from the piston and is moveable with it. The shaft has a plurality of vertically spaced roller receiving recesses formed thereon. The housing has a movably mounted roller biased toward the shaft so as the door opens, the shaft moves upward in the cylinder until the roller moves into one of the vertically spaced recesses whereby the door is held open at a selected position. In this way when a slight pressure is exerted on the door it overcomes bias holding the roller in a recess formed in the shaft, allowing the door to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Richard Taylor
  • Patent number: 5016317
    Abstract: An automatic door closer includes: a casing having a primary and a secondary cylinder juxtapositionally formed in the casing for resiliently holding two pistons in the two cylinders filled with a hydraulic oil and partitioned with a wall formed with a main hole and a throttling hole for communicating the two cylinders, wherein each piston is normally urged by a tensioning spring towards the two holes in the casing, whereby upon an opening of the door, an upper piston is retracted to compress an upper spring in the primary cylinder to suck oil from the secondary cylinder to the primary cylinder and also to extend the lower piston and tension the lower spring for accelerating a door opening operation and saving the door-opening force; and a positioning device provided for temporarily keeping the door at its opened state by locking a positioning pin in a recess formed in the upper piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Sheng-Hu Hung
  • Patent number: 4738483
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air guiding mechanism for an open roof construction with a sliding panel, for a vehicle. The mechanism comprises an air guiding strip which can be fitted at the front edge of the roof opening. The air guiding strip is displaced upwardly into an operative position by a spring when the panel is being opened and is brought to a rest position against the pressure of the spring means under the action of this panel when the panel is being closed. A stop determining the operative position of the air guiding strip is provided on a blocking member which is connected to the air guiding strip. Preferably the stop is adjustable, so that the operative position of the air guiding strip can very easily be adjusted to different vehicle roofs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Vermeulen-Hollandia Octrooien II B.V.
    Inventor: Robert T. Boots
  • Patent number: 4675938
    Abstract: A retraction device for automatically closing a panel, such as a door or window, after the panel has been opened. The retraction device includes a drum, a coiled spring power assembly for driving the drum, a centrifugal brake for controlling the power assembly and the drum to eliminate slamming of the panel during closing, and a gear train transmission assembly to connect the power assembly and the centrifugal brake. In one embodiment, the drum is a spool which carries a cable to connect the panel to the retraction device. In another embodiment, the drum has a rim which frictionally engages a frame supporting the panel. The centrifugal brake is adjustable to take into account a wide range of panel sizes and frictional conditions. This adjustment can be made through an aperture in the device's housing for quick and easy on-site installation. A one-way clutch mechanism is coupled between the power assembly and the brake to actuate the brake only when the panel is being retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Robert L. Bundschuh