Convex Or Concave Closure And Opening Patents (Class 49/40)
  • Patent number: 11958344
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a vehicle body structure defining a door opening, a first door movably connected to the vehicle body structure, and a second door movably connected to the vehicle body structure. The first door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The first door is configured to move in a first direction from the closed position to the open position. The second door is configured to move between closed and open positions. The second door is configured to move in a second direction from the closed position to the open position. The second direction being different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald B. Morrow, Jr., David Kovie, Robert Russell
  • Patent number: 11697953
    Abstract: A door that is adapted to separating two environments with different pressures and to an aircraft with such a door. The door may include a door leaf, a door frame having a door stop and a roller, and an actuating system having a latch element and an inward-moving drive system. The inward-moving drive system may include a puller shaft and a puller that is non-rotatably attached to the puller shaft. The puller may include a guide rail that moves along the roller during a rotation of the puller such that the puller moves the door leaf in direction of the first environment thereby disengaging the latch element from the door stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Tendyra, Stefan Becker, Torsten Queck, Kai Simon, Christian Ferber, Christoph Merkel
  • Patent number: 11668127
    Abstract: An aircraft door mechanism includes an aircraft structure (14) delimiting an opening (24); an aircraft door (26) movable between a position closing off the opening (24) and a released position of the opening (24); and a guide system (28) for moving the door (26) between the closed off and released positions. The guide system (28) includes a main rail (46) that is fixed relative to the structure and a main carriage (48) mechanically connected to the door (26) and able to slide on the main rail (46) during the movement between said closed off and released positions. The main rail (46) is positioned between the door (26) and the structure during at least part of the movement of the door (26) between said closed off and released positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATION
    Inventor: Patrick Chambers
  • Patent number: 11623732
    Abstract: To improve the seal between a wing and a ventral fairing of an aircraft, an assembly includes an air seal system arranged in an opening, between the ventral fairing and the wing. The seal system includes a sealing blade, a first end of which presses against the wing, and a connecting device, on the ventral fairing, for a second blade end that is opposite the first end. The connecting device includes at least one first connecting layer, of which a first connecting face is secured to a first surface of the sealing blade, and of which a second face, opposite the first face, is secured to the ventral fairing, the first connecting layer being made of a material including an elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventor: Frédéric Goupil
  • Patent number: 11519202
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for selectively locking and unlocking a passenger door. The apparatus includes a first shaft, having a first longitudinal centerline, and a member, connected to the first shaft. A handle is connected to the first shaft via the member, the handle being movable via rotation of the first shaft from a locked position and an unlocked position. A first protrusion extends from the handle and a latch crank is connected to the second shaft. A second protrusion extends from the latch crank and a linkage is connected between the latch crank and the member. When the handle in the locked position, the first protrusion is positioned adjacent to the second protrusion to prevent rotation of the second shaft. When the handle is in the unlocked position, the first protrusion is positioned away from the second protrusion to enable the second shaft to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David A. Hummer
  • Patent number: 11150440
    Abstract: A supporting and handling system for optical devices, in particular telescopes, radio-telescopes or sun concentrators, and instrumentation, is described, comprising: a primary unit; an independent secondary unit; first motored means for moving the primary unit; second motored means for moving the secondary unit; an arc-shaped structure equipped with sliding guides in altitude with respect to the ground for the rotation of the secondary unit with respect to an altitude rotation axis; a hexapod system to move the primary unit; and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Dario Mancini
  • Patent number: 10894466
    Abstract: A pickup truck cap having bendable plastic side panels having a bottom side located along a respective riser installed on each pickup truck cargo bed side wall. The side panels are each engaged by a curved respective guide located adjacent each end of each side panel to conform each side panel to curvature of an associated guide. An upper side of each side panel is received beneath a rectangular top assembly included in the cap. Either of side panels are movable upwardly to raise the bottom side thereof up from a respective riser to create an access opening beneath a raised side panel along each side of the cap. A pair of movable side panels can also be arranged to close off access through a cover installed on the cargo bed of a pickup truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Jerry Kramer
  • Patent number: 10480242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for providing a crossover point between a first region (1) and a second region (2) hermetically delimited from the first region (1) by means of a wall (10), wherein the device comprises:—a lock chamber (12), which can be inserted into an opening (11) provided in the wall and which has a first opening (13) forming a crossover point between the first region and the lock chamber and which has a second opening (14) forming a crossover point between the second region and the lock chamber;—at least one peripherally circulating element (15), which has at least one passage opening (15.1; 19.1; 15.2; 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AMRONA AG
    Inventor: Peter Bernhard Stehr
  • Patent number: 10272746
    Abstract: Methods for reducing vibration or noise that is transmitted by or through a relatively thin, flat, rigid sheet of material such as a glass pane (e.g., the windshield of a vehicle) or metal panel are provided, wherein such a panel is provided with a material between the panel and a frame that is capable of causing attenuation of the noise or vibration propagating from the panel to the frame or vice versa. Such an assembly is especially useful for glazing in a vehicle for the purpose of improving acoustic comfort within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Michael J. Flener, Christopher J. Liddiard
  • Patent number: 9080366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive configuration for the motorized displacement of a displacement element of a motor vehicle, at least one drive having an electrical drive motor, in particular a DC motor, and a drive controller, which is associated with the drive and connected to a supply voltage UV, being provided, the drive not being designed as self-locking, so that in the case of a non-motorized displacement of the displacement element, the drive motor operates as a generator and generates a generator voltage UG. It is proposed that the drive controller is equipped with an overvoltage protector, which can be triggered by exceeding a limiting supply voltage UV, and that the configuration is further made so that the overvoltage protector can additionally be triggered by a non-motorized displacement of the displacement element if a limiting generator voltage UG is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, HALLSTADT
    Inventor: Stefan Schiegel
  • Patent number: 8808073
    Abstract: An air passage open/close device includes a casing having an air passage, and a sliding door having a board member slidably located in the casing so as to open or close the air passage. The casing has a guide groove for guiding a movement of the board member. The guide groove has an upstream wall extending in a moving direction of the board member at an upstream side of the board member in an air flow direction, and a downstream wall opposing to the upstream wall at a downstream side of the board member in the air flow direction. The board member is configured to be elastically deformed when the board member is arranged in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Tokunaga, Yukio Uemura, Yoshikazu Sakaki
  • Patent number: 8794692
    Abstract: A gull wing door assembly for an all-terrain utility vehicle (UTV) includes a hinge assembly configured to attach to an upper portion of the cage of the UTV, the hinge assembly having a rotational axis substantially parallel to the ground when attached to the cage, and a door configured to movably attach to the hinge assembly. The door may have a frame, one or more panels, a latch, and a lift-assist device such as a gas-strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Marshall Burke
  • Patent number: 8789312
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading station comprising a loading region which is accessible from a loading side and from a machine side and comprising two door elements movable along a guide from a machine position in which they release the machine side and close the loading side into a loading position in which they release the loading side and close the machine side, wherein the door elements overlap at least partially in the loading position and/or in the machine position so that, on an opening procedure of the machine side and/or of the loading side, the machine side and/or the loading side only starts to open when the respective other side has closed at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Roman Landerer
  • Patent number: 8627601
    Abstract: A rotating entrance assembly is provided, the rotating entrance assembly including a rotating base, a motor in driving connection with the rotating base, and first and second shielding components that are arranged on the rotating base. A passageway is defined between the first and second shielding components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Veritas Medical Solutions LLC
    Inventor: David P. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8519646
    Abstract: A container lid is adapted to be releasably mounted on a container and includes a base, a control mechanism bore on the base, and first and second hoods pivotally mounted and bore on the base. The control mechanism and the first and second hoods are within an outer circumferential edge of the base. The first hood is engaged with and driven to pivot by the control mechanism. Moreover, the first and second hoods are structurally connected to each other in a manner that the pivoting of the first hood would cause the second hood to pivot oppositely from the first hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: THN Shong Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsong-Yow Lin
  • Publication number: 20130180176
    Abstract: The present invention prevents misassembly of access doors while reducing stress concentrations. A hole-side convex portion 80 is formed in each opening 12 at one or more locations in a circumferential direction, and a door-side rib 70 is formed on each door body 30. The hole-side convex portions 80 formed in the openings 12A to 12C differ in location in the circumferential direction among the plural openings 12A to 12C. The door-side ribs 70 formed on the respective door bodies 30A to 30C are provided in such locations as not to interfere with the hole-side convex portions 80 provided in the openings 12A to 12C in correct combination with the door bodies 30A to 30C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
  • Patent number: 8398026
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a frame and a door. The door may be moveably connected to the frame. The door may be capable of being rotated in the frame between a closed position and an open position to provide access to an opening of a vehicle body without moving the door outside of a mold line of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jennifer Marie Walton, Timothy Mark Garrett, James Vincent Eveker
  • Patent number: 7784150
    Abstract: An improved auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly for an auto-rack railroad car including a roof having a roof stiffener and a door having a hood. The auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly ties the hood of the door of the auto-rack railroad car to the roof stiffener on the roof of the auto-rack railroad car to reduce relative movement of the hood and the roof stiffener to each other and prevents wear of the shoulder bolt, the hood, and the roof stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Standard Car Truck Company
    Inventors: John D. Anderson, Walter J. Peach
  • Publication number: 20090313899
    Abstract: An air passage open/close device includes a casing having an air passage, and a sliding door having a board member slidably located in the casing so as to open or close the air passage. The casing has a guide groove for guiding a movement of the board member. The guide groove has an upstream wall extending in a moving direction of the board member at an upstream side of the board member in an air flow direction, and a downstream wall opposing to the upstream wall at a downstream side of the board member in the air flow direction. The board member is configured to be elastically deformed when the board member is arranged in the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Tokunaga, Yukio Uemura, Yoshikazu Sakaki
  • Patent number: 7575220
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for sealing a substrate transfer passage in a chamber are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for sealing a substrate transfer passage in a chamber includes an elongated door member having a convex sealing face and a backside. In another embodiment, a chamber having an apparatus for sealing a substrate transfer passage is provided that includes a chamber body having an interior volume, at least one substrate access defined through the chamber body configured to allow passage of a large area substrate therethrough, and a door member having a convex sealing face moveable between a first position that covers the substrate transfer port and a second position clear of the substrate transfer port. In yet another embodiment, the chamber body may be a load lock chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tanase, Billy C. Leung, Gregory S. Lewis, David E. Berkstresser
  • Patent number: 7497414
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for sealing a substrate transfer passage in a chamber are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for sealing a substrate transfer passage in a chamber includes an elongated door member having a concave sealing face coupled to an actuator by a flexible coupling. The flexible coupling configured to allow movement of the door member relative to the lever arm in at least two planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Chull Lee, David Berkstresser
  • Patent number: 7353638
    Abstract: A sound resistant enclosure apparatus adapted for a person have access to an environment that reduces sound from ambient noise. More particularly, the invention relates to a manner in which to use common fabrication materials and method to construct a sound resistant enclosure or booth for use to make or receive cellular telephone calls in relative quiet. The apparatus include among its essential elements, a cylindrical outer wall, a cylindrical inner wall, a door, a top or roof, a floor and sound resistant material mostly deposited between the inner and outer walls. Sound resistant material can also be found in the door, roof and walls. The sound resistant enclosure blocking much of the ambient environmental noise such that the occupant of the enclosure can make or receive a cellular phone call more effectively and efficiently without having distracting unwanted extraneous environmental noise interrupting their conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Salemi, Inc
    Inventor: Michael Salemi
  • Patent number: 7296844
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle body with a passenger compartment and a door opening to the passenger compartment. A door is pivotally mounted to the door opening with an inclined axis which may extend laterally outboard and downward relative to the vehicle body in a rearward direction of the vehicle. The door opening may be provided through a sidewall and a roof of the vehicle; and the door may be provided with a side panel and a roof panel to match the door opening. Also disclosed is a hinge arrangement for attaching the door to the vehicle body at an upper region and a rearward region of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Tyler Blake, Freeman Thomas
  • Patent number: 7194841
    Abstract: A fitting room (11) as a dressing room is adapted to have its entrance (12) opened and closed by drawing a curtain (14). The curtain is suspended from the tip ends of beam members of a curtain suspension apparatus (15) mounted on a ceiling plate (17). When closing the entrance (12), the curtain suspension apparatus (15) can deploy the curtain (14) in such a manner as to spread it outwardly relative to the fitting room (11) with respect to the entrance (12). The interior space closed with the curtain (14) can thus be enlarged when the curtain (14) is closed to use the fitting room (11). When the curtain (14) is opened, the space that was occupied by the curtain (14) when it was closed can be used for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Shima, Reiji Arikita
  • Patent number: 7104008
    Abstract: A door system has a compartment formed with a first gateway and a second gateway opposed to the first gateway, and a barrier apparatus housed in the compartment. The barrier apparatus includes a swivel panel which swings back and forth between a first position where one surface of the swivel panel faces the first gateway, and a second position where the opposite surface of the swivel panel faces the first gateway. The barrier apparatus further includes a pair of door panels provided at the opposite ends of the swivel panel to move with the swivel panel. The door panels synchronously open the gateways when the swivel panel is at the first position and at the second position. Air sealing is provided between the compartment and the door panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nabco, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yokotachi
  • Patent number: 7021002
    Abstract: A revolving door comprising an at least partly cylindrical shell wall, which has an entrance and an exit, and two rotating door leaves, which during normal operation are in place extended in the opposite direction of each other inside the shell wall. Between the shell wall and an end of at least one door leaf, which end can move near and along the shell wall, a sliding door is provided, which is suitable for closing off the entrance or exit, respectively, and during normal operation the end of the door leaf is constantly positioned near the sliding door and between its lateral edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Boon Edam B.V.
    Inventor: René Cornelis Nat
  • Patent number: 6976335
    Abstract: Vehicle window pane (16) has an arcuately curved vertical section having a single or same radius of curvature (R1) and a curved lateral section having a single radius of curvature (R2) or a compound radius of curvature. The single radius of curvature (R1) in the curved vertical section and the single radius of curvature (R2) and the compound radius of curvature in the curved lateral section are chosen to differ from each other. The vehicle window pane (16) constitutes a bidirectionally curved pane, which is neither a spherically curved pane (because the radii of curvature in the vertical and lateral sections are not equal to each other) nor a cylindrically curved pane (because both of the radii of curvature in the vertical and lateral sections are not infinite). With this arrangement, the vehicle window pane can significantly improve an aesthetic appeal of a motor vehicle employing the window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 6953301
    Abstract: A cover assembly includes a support frame (20) fixed to a utility access hole and a rounded cover (10) fitted into the support frame. The support frame is provided in its upper portion with an S-curved inner peripheral surface (20b) having a convex curved surface portion (21) and a concave curved surface portion (22) that continues to the convex curved surface portion and is formed thereabove. The cover has an S-curved peripheral surface (10b) that is substantially complementary in shape to the S-curved inner peripheral surface of the support frame. When the access hole is closed by the cover, the cover is smoothly fitted into the support frame due to a guide function of the S-curved inner peripheral surface of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Hinode, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Koga, Yukinori Gondou, Kazumi Tanaka, Masakazu Hidaka
  • Patent number: 6845722
    Abstract: An auto rack rail road car has a main deck and upper deck. It is provided with a door for controlling access thereto. The door is a radial arm door, and has a ladder mounted thereon by which personnel can ascend the second deck when the door is open. A second ladder is mounted to the first deck so that when the door is open the second ladder is positioned to co-operate with the first ladder. The arcuate path of the door is free from overhanging obstructions. The door also has internal and external weld-free stiffeners member for enhancing the rigidity thereof. A roller mounted to the door permits the door to be moved between open and closed positions. The door may further include a lock. A guide member protruding from the door co-operates with a groove in the main deck which slidingly guides the door as it moves between open and closed positions to control access to the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6691953
    Abstract: A plug type door intended particularly for use on a military cargo type aircraft is designed to enable its ejection if necessary. To do this, an operating device such as a handle (28) simultaneously controls retraction of hinge pins (16c) from the hinges about which the panel (10) of the door is hinged to its frame (12) and retraction of the mechanical elements (21) against which the stops (19) fitted on the panel usually bear by gravity, when the door is closed. Furthermore, guide ramps connected to the frame (12) and in which the rollers supported by the panel (10) open downwards, to enable the panel (10) to drop by gravity when the handle (28) is pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Frédéric Leclerc
  • Publication number: 20030182864
    Abstract: A door system has a compartment formed with a first gateway and a second gateway opposed to the first gateway, and a barrier apparatus housed in the compartment. The barrier apparatus includes a swivel panel which swings back and forth within an angular displacement of 180° or less, the swivel panel selectively swinging in such a direction that one surface of the swivel panel faces the first gateway when the swivel panel swings in one direction, whereas the opposite surface of the swivel panel faces the first gateway when the swivel panel swings in the opposite direction, a pair of door panels provided at the opposite ends of the swivel panel, the door panels operatively opening and closing the first gateway and the second gateway respectively at the same timing while keeping contact with the compartment, and a driving mechanism which operatively swings the swivel panel back and forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: NABCO, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yokotachi
  • Patent number: 6427286
    Abstract: A track system for a movable panel, such as a companionway door on a boat, allows adjustment after installation of the tracks for the panel, and allows the panel to be removed without removing the tracks. Typically a number of adjustable slide block assemblies are utilized each including a slide block of a low friction material (or a wheel on a shaft with a ball bearing mount) and a panel mounting element, the position of the slide block being adjustable with respect to the panel mounting element in a dimension non-aligned with the dimension of the elongation of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Nelson A Taylor Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Erskine
  • Patent number: 6412220
    Abstract: A mezzanine safety gate for a mezzanine loading bay having a rotatable barrier which is movable between an unloading position and a loading position. The barrier prevents access to the mezzanine loading bay edge when the barrier is in either the unloading or loading position and does not include any overhead restriction or barrier so that loads having a height greater than the height of the barrier can be placed within an interior space of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Ian Lindley
  • Patent number: 6341447
    Abstract: A shutter for a half-circle window having a top, a base, and a plurality of slats capable of interlocking engagement and rotatably secured between the top and the base wherein the slats are further held in position by springs providing pressure against the slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Ruey-Jeng Jean
  • Publication number: 20010017005
    Abstract: A decorative molding assembly for a vehicle door frame having a window opening for a transitional window pane moveable between open and closed positions. The molding assembly includes a window door seal mounted to the door frame and having a channel for selective sealing engagement with the window pane. A molding strip has an arm mating with the window door seal and faces outward to provide an appealing appearance. A retaining member engages the arm of the molding strip and the window door seal to secure the molding strip and the window door seal within the window opening of the door frame such that the window pane is securely sealed within the window opening when the window pane is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Peter J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6260309
    Abstract: A split-sphere observatory enclosure includes an antrum and a rotor including an oculus. The oculus is covered by an oculus window, which is rotatably mounted to the rotor. As an instrument housed by the enclosure moves to track an object or point across the sky, the oculus window is rotated to maintain a fixed orientation with respect to the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Ethan W. Cliffton
  • Patent number: 6247272
    Abstract: A combination door assembly and partition system includes a plurality of partition panels configured to be abuttingly supported on a floor surface and detachably interconnected to form a workspace having an opening of sufficient size to permit user ingress and egress therethrough. The shape and size of the workspace in plan view can be readily varied. The door assembly includes a curved support panel having a curved bilinear plan shape. The curved support panel is interconnected with the partition system adjacent the opening of the partition system adjacent the opening of the workspace. A curved door having a curved bilinear plan shape is slidably interconnected with the curved support panel and defines a lower edge. At least one roller is mounted adjacent to the lower edge of the curved door for movably supporting the curved door on a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Shipman
  • Patent number: 6227635
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a storage unit defining a front opening, and a door configured to cover the front opening. The door is operably attached to the storage unit for movement between opened, intermediate, and closed positions. The storage apparatus further includes a handle that is isolated from the door but operably connected to the door for selectively manually moving the door between the opened, intermediate, and closed positions. The handle is conveniently located at a front center of the storage unit, under a bottom thereof, such that the handle can be easily grasped and operated by a seated person, such as a wheelchair-bound person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Developments Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Teppo, Harold Halvorson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6000521
    Abstract: An automatic vending machine having a bill input inlet disposed at a predetermined position of a front cabinet, a bill discriminating apparatus embedded inside of the front cabinet at an identical height level to the bill input inlet for discriminating the authenticity of a bill induced through the bill input inlet and for storing the bill, wherein the bill input inlet is constructed of an opening and closing structure, the inlet comprising: a door inducing member installed between upper side of the bill input inlet and the bill discriminating apparatus being connected to the front; a bill input inlet door disposed to slide toward the door inducing member; and a door control unit for opening the bill input inlet door by being hitched and stopped with the stopping pin for a predetermined time duration after the door is pushed up open and released and for closing the door as it falls down by its weight with the stopping pin being raised, thereby conveniently inserting a bill only by using one hand of a customer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Il-Du Jung
  • Patent number: 5987817
    Abstract: A revolving door has at least one night closing panel that runs concentric to at least one barrel-type wall. The night closing panel or panels slide or roll on a guide rail which is located on the ceiling structure or on attachments to the ceiling structure. The night closing panels can be moved with respect to the barrel-type wall by at least one flexible, endless tension or motive device. The flexible tension device is located in a runner, whereby the two strands of the flexible tension device are restrictively guided one above the other in the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Hein
  • Patent number: 5906411
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cab on a combine harvester. The cab has a lower panel with four posts perpendicularly attached. An upper panel is supported by the posts. A windshield with a first compound curved glass is attached to the front. A left door and right door are pivotally affixed to the left front post and right front post respectively. Each door consists of a self-supporting compound curved glass. A rear panel has an upper rear panel, lower rear panel and a horizontal deck. The horizontal deck has two storage boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Stauffer, Russell W. Strong
  • Patent number: 5845980
    Abstract: An overhead storage cabinet having a housing defined by top and bottom wall rigidly joined by end walls to define an interior storage compartment therein. A door assembly is vertically swingably mounted on the housing and includes a door panel which vertically closes a front access opening of the housing when in an open position, and which swings upwardly into an open position wherein the door panel is stored generally above the top wall. The door assembly includes end panels which exteriorly overlap and are hingedly couple to the end walls. The end panels mount one or more counterweight elements adjacent the ends thereof to counterbalance the door panel weight. The number or position of counterweight elements is selected in accordance with the longitudinal length of the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Fricano, Scott A. Lang, Richard G. Haworth
  • Patent number: 5678787
    Abstract: There is described a vehicle door assembly with shear layer control for controlling the airflow in and around an aperture in the vehicle fuselage. The vehicle door assembly consists of an upper door and a lower door, both slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. In addition, an inner door is slidably mounted beneath the upper door. Beneath the inner door is an aperture assembly having an aperture opening positionable to be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle fuselage. Also provided are means for positioning the aperture assembly in an upward and downward direction in relation to the vehicle fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: E-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Kahn, John T. Johnston, Kyle G. Fluegel
  • Patent number: 5673874
    Abstract: A sliding door for covering an opening (102) in an aircraft fuselage (100) including a sliding door member (10) mounted on the fuselage and adapted for sliding in the longitudinal direction of the fuselage between an opened and a closed position. Supporting and guiding means (30, 31, 32, 33) on the sliding door member (10) and the fuselage for supporting the sliding door in the opened and closed position and supporting and guiding sliding movement of the sliding door member (10) between the open and closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: AirDoor, Inc.
    Inventor: Durrell U. Howard
  • Patent number: 5640981
    Abstract: Parts washers are provided including a collection tank, a funnel-bottomed wash cabinet supported on the collection tank, and a cover pivotally supported on the wash cabinet for closing an access opening to the wash cabinet. A screen is mounted in a narrowed section at the bottom of the wash cabinet and is conveniently removable from a front of the wash cabinet. An oil skimmer is pivotally mounted to the tank to allow access to the sump pump without disassembly of the parts washer. In one embodiment, a water seal is provided under a front edge of a door on the wash cabinet. In another embodiment, a rough metal band extends around a turntable and a drive wheel, the rough metal band having prick marks along its length to reduce slippage on the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Cuda Corporation
    Inventors: Cal G. Niemela, Nels A. Niemela
  • Patent number: 5622414
    Abstract: A refrigerator display case having a plurality of insulated glass window panels mounted in side-by-side relation for pivotal movement about an upper horizontal pivot axis. Each of the window panels has a substantially all glass front appearance, unencumbered by external hardware, trim or moldings. To achieve such appearance, the upper spacer element of the window panel is in the form of a pivot bar completely concealed by an outer glass pane of the panel, but which has an exposed underside mounting surface to which a hinge plate is connected. Each window panel has side sealing members secured to respective side spacers and with a blade portion extending outwardly from the peripheral edges of the glass panes of the window panel for side-by-side sealing engagement with the side sealing members of adjacent window panels when the window panels are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Ardco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Artwohl, Andrew G. Menke
  • Patent number: 5605014
    Abstract: A door apparatus for a rest room includes a wall member defining a predetermined space and an opening for an entrance and an exit thereof; a door body for opening or shutting the opening, having a substantially half-cylindrical shape, being rotatable about a center of curvature of the half-cylindrical shape; and a driving device for driving and rotating the door body about the center of curvature. In a preferred embodiment, the driving device has a pulley with a peripheral shape of involute, a wire wound about the pulley, and a weight connected to an end of the wire. The weight is inserted into a tube receiving oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Kimura Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoyasu Kimura
  • Patent number: 5598665
    Abstract: The sliding sash is supported at a guide rail by a sash portion projecting from the floor in a vertical plane and a sash portion ascending in an inclined plane relative to the inside adjoins an additional tipper sash portion which projects up in the vertical plane and is set back. Every sash portion is formed by a section bar arm receiving a glass pane. The upper sash portion is guided at a ceiling rail with two running paths which are arranged at a distance from one another and parallel to one another. In order to secure this guide relative to loading by wind and/or snow, each running path is formed of two inclined guide paths of a web head of the ceiling rail, this web head having a triangular cross section, and support rollers which are supported at an inclination run on the guide paths of every web head at a roller holder which is fastened to the terminating section bar of the upper sash portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Juergen Guddas
  • Patent number: 5539184
    Abstract: An electric oven including a base provided on a top with a groove, a motor arranged within the base and having an output shaft upwardly extending out of the base, an annular member having a plurality of rollers at a circumference thereof and disposed on the top of the base, a plug connected with an upper end of the output shaft, a tray disposed on the annular member and fixedly connected with the plug, the tray being provided with a supporting frame thereon, an outer housing fixedly mounted on the top of the base and surrounded by the groove of the base, a cover engaged with the upper outer housing, a door rotatably connected with the groove of the base, and a plurality of heating rods fixedly mounted between the base and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Yung-Sen Su
  • Patent number: 5526615
    Abstract: An automatic transaction machine storing apparatus for storing a plurality of automatic transaction machines. The apparatus includes a plurality of entrances for respectively carrying the automatic transaction machines therethrough into a customer room. The entrances are provided in front of set positions of the automatic transaction machines. A machine room defined behind the customer room has a space for maintenance of each automatic transaction machine or cash exchange. Furthermore, the apparatus further includes a plurality of security sensors provided on an outer panel of the apparatus to detect an external attack and a control unit for rotationally driving a rotating table on which each automatic transaction machine is mounted at a required angle according to information output from the security sensors, thereby orienting a security panel standing on the rotating table toward an attacked position to secure the automatic transaction machine against the external attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Kaizu, Hidetoshi Kaneta, Rikuro Oosawa, Tutomu Yamanishi