Abstract: A slide mechanism includes first and second rails connected for relative sliding movement with respect to each other. A damper mechanism is secured to one of the rails and can be connected to and disconnected from the other of the rails to provide a damping effect for relative movement of the rails during at least a part of the movement thereof.

Abstract: A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased.

Abstract: A roller/damper is configured for use with an associated sliding object such as a drawer that is movable between a first position and a second position along a rail having a rack gear disposed thereon. The roller/damper includes a roller having an outside diameter that is configured for movement along the rail. A gear housing is disposed adjacent the roller and has gear teeth formed thereon for engaging the rail rack gear. A damper rotor is positioned in the gear housing. The roller, gear housing and rotor rotate about a common axis. A damping material is disposed about the damper rotor within the gear housing for damping rotation of the gear housing relative to the rotor. A shaft extends through the roller, the gear housing and the rotor. The rotor is fixed to the shaft and the roller and gear housing are rotational about the shaft independent of one another.

Abstract: A slide damper for use with an associated sliding object that is movable between a first position and a second position provides an assisted, dampened return. The slide damper includes a housing having a track, a gear on the housing and a cover configured for movement along the housing. The cover further includes a track engaging pin for engaging the housing track as the cover moves along the housing. A biasing element operably connects the cover and the housing to bias the cover to the second position. A damper assembly is disposed within the cover and includes a damper housing having a geared outer periphery, a damping material disposed in the damper housing and a rotor disposed at least in part within the damper housing for cooperating with the damping material. The rotor has a shaft and is rotatable relative to the damper housing. The rotor shaft extends through the cover and a damper gear operably connects the shaft and the housing gear.

Abstract: A self-closing slide is movable between an open position and a closed position. The slide includes a frame, a linear gear on the frame and a carriage configured for movement along the frame. A biasing element operably connects the frame and the carriage to bias the carriage to the closed position. A pinion gear is carried by the carriage and is positioned for movement along the linear gear with movement of the carriage along the frame. A damper is operably connected to the pinion gear and to the carriage and an engagement gear is operably mounted to the carriage and to the damper. The engagement gear is movable between a first, engaged position in which the engagement gear engages the damper and a second, disengaged position in which the engagement gear disengages the damper. When the carriage is moved from the closed position toward the open position, the engagement gear is in the second, disengaged position to disengage the damper so that the pinion gear rotates.

Abstract: A gear damper has a fixed first part and a second part rotatable relative thereto, with a gear formed on the second part. A continuous annular seal is provided between the first and second parts, and a substantially continuous layer of damping fluid is provided between the first and second parts.

Abstract: A slide mechanism includes first and second rails connected for relative sliding movement with respect to each other. A damper mechanism is secured to one of the rails and can be connected to and disconnected from the other of the rails to provide a damping effect for relative movement of the rails during at least a part of the movement thereof.

Abstract: A retractable coat hook system that may be used within automobile interiors includes an integral damper and latch mechanisms. The coat hook of the coat hook system may be opened or closed by pushing on the hook. The integral damper gives the coat hook a slow, smooth motion as it opens and closes and latches to the coat hook housing.

Abstract: A slide damper for use with an associated sliding object that is movable between a first position and a second position provides an assisted, dampened return. The slide damper includes a housing having a track, a gear on the housing and a cover configured for movement along the housing. The cover further includes a track engaging pin for engaging the housing track as the cover moves along the housing. A biasing element operably connects the cover and the housing to bias the cover to the second position. A damper assembly is disposed within the cover and includes a damper housing having a geared outer periphery, a damping material disposed in the damper housing and a rotor disposed at least in part within the damper housing for cooperating with the damping material. The rotor has a shaft and is rotatable relative to the damper housing. The rotor shaft extends through the cover and a damper gear operably connects the shaft and the housing gear.

Abstract: A cosmetic container includes a drawer slidable into a pocket. A push-to-latch, push-to-unlatch latch mechanism is provided on the drawer and pocket.

Abstract: A damper includes a housing, a cover, a rotor and a valve relatively rotatable with respect to the rotor. When rotated in one direction, a space between the valve and the rotor is opened to increase damper fluid flow and reduce damper resistance. When rotated in an opposite direction, the space between the valve and the rotor is closed to decrease damper fluid flow and increase damper resistance. A shaped flange on the rotor provides a changing space between the rotor and ribs in the housing when the rotor is rotated. The cover is self-centering on the housing.

Abstract: The air damper includes a piston reciprocating within a cylindrical housing. The piston includes a lip seal which is coated with a minimum of 0.5%/seal part weight graphite powder/molybdenum disulfide. This provides for increased smoothness of operation of the air damper, particularly at low speeds.

Abstract: A roller/damper is configured for use with an associated sliding object such as a drawer that is movable between a first position and a second position along a rail having a rack gear disposed thereon. The roller/damper includes a roller having an outside diameter that is configured for movement along the rail. A gear housing is disposed adjacent the roller and has gear teeth formed thereon for engaging the rail rack gear. A damper rotor is positioned in the gear housing. The roller, gear housing and rotor rotate about a common axis. A damping material is disposed about the damper rotor within the gear housing for damping rotation of the gear housing relative to the rotor. A shaft extends through the roller, the gear housing and the rotor. The rotor is fixed to the shaft and the roller and gear housing are rotational about the shaft independent of one another.

Abstract: A damper includes a frame, a main gear mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis of rotation, and a spring operably connecting the main gear and the frame such that rotation of the main gear tensions the spring. The main gear has a circumferential recess formed therein that defines a circumferential channel or reel. An elongated flexible member is wrapped around the main gear, disposed within the circumferential channel. A gear damper is mounted to the frame and is operably engaged with the main gear to dampen rotational movement of the main gear. The damper can be configured for one-way and two-way damping.

Abstract: A self-closing slide is movable between an open position and a closed position. The slide includes a frame, a linear gear on the frame and a carriage configured for movement along the frame. A biasing element operably connects the frame and the carriage to bias the carriage to the closed position. A pinion gear is carried by the carriage and is positioned for movement along the linear gear with movement of the carriage along the frame. A damper is operably connected to the pinion gear and to the carriage and an engagement gear is operably mounted to the carriage and to the damper. The engagement gear is movable between a first, engaged position in which the engagement gear engages the damper and a second, disengaged position in which the engagement gear disengages the damper. When the carriage is moved from the open position toward the closed position, the engagement gear is in the second, disengaged position to disengage the damper so that the pinion gear rotates.

Abstract: A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased.

Abstract: The door handle assembly includes a door handle which pivots about a pivot axis. A molded-in gear rack is formed on the door handle. The gears of the molded-in gear rack mesh with gears of a rotational damper so that the door handle pivots in concert with the rotation of the gears of the rotational damper. Furthermore, the rotational damper is generally cylindrical and further includes two pairs of radially outwardly extending wings. The rotational damper passes through an aperture in a damper support plate and the first pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a first side of the damper support plate and engage or abut detent elements. The second pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a second side of the damper support plate and limit the insertion of the damper through the damper support plate.

Abstract: The air damper includes a piston reciprocating within a cylindrical housing. The piston includes a lip seal which is made of rubber or thermoplastic elastomer impregnated with a minimum of 3% molybdenum/seal part weight, or a minimum of 2% polytetrafluoroethylene or silicone/seal part weight or a minimum of 1% wax/seal part weight. The lip seal is coated with a minimum of 0.5%/seal part weight graphite powder/molybdenum disulfide. The housing is made with a minimum of 2% silicone impregnated thermoplastic or a minimum of 2% moly sulfide impregnated thermoplastic. This provides for increased smoothness of operation of the air damper, particularly at low speeds.

Abstract: The air damper includes a piston reciprocating within a cylindrical housing. The piston includes a lip seal which is coated with a minimum of 0.5%/seal part weight graphite powder/molybdenum disulfide. This provides for increased smoothness of operation of the air damper, particularly at low speeds.

Abstract: The door handle assembly includes a door handle which pivots about a pivot axis. A molded-in gear rack is formed on the door handle. The gears of the molded-in gear rack mesh with gears of a rotational damper so that the door handle pivots in concert with the rotation of the gears of the rotational damper. Furthermore, the rotational damper is generally cylindrical and further includes two pairs of radially outwardly extending wings. The rotational damper passes through an aperture in a damper support plate and the first pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a first side of the damper support plate and engage or abut detent elements. The second pair of radially outwardly extending wings engage a second side of the damper support plate and limit the insertion of the damper through the damper support plate.