Patents by Inventor Steven O. Cummins

Steven O. Cummins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7134169
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a claw and a body pivotally connected to the claw and movable to and between a first operative position and a second operative position. A link assembly operably interconnects the claw and the body. The link assembly includes at least one link pivotally connected to the claw and a spring connected between the link and an anchor point. A latch is movably connected to the claw, and the latch is movable to and between a locked position where it is adapted to engage an associated mounting receptacle to prevent separation of the claw from the mounting receptacle, and an unlocked position. Te hinge assembly can be provided as part of a door mounting system that also includes a mating mounting receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, James J. Collene, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6986187
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance includes a claw and a channel pivotably connected to the claw. A link assembly is operably connected between the claw and the channel. The link assembly includes a link connected to the claw and a lever connected to the link. A glide member is connected to the lever and movably engaged with said channel. The glide member is slidably movable between first and second operative positions in response to movement of the channel relative to the claw between first and second positions, respectively. A spring is operably connected to a first end of the lever and biases the glide member into engagement with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Steven O. Cummins, Jeffrey D. Habegger, James J. Collene
  • Patent number: 6968597
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance comprises a channel and a stop connected to the channel. A door mounting lever pivots relative to the channel about a pivot axis on an arc between a first operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a first direction about said pivot axis on the arc and second operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a second direction opposite the first direction about the pivot axis on the arc. A glide is operatively coupled to the door mounting lever, e.g., by way of a spring cam member, and is movable slidably on the stop in response to movement of the door mounting lever. A spring biases the glide into continuous engagement with the stop when the door mounting lever is located in both the first and second operative positions and when the door mounting lever moves between the first and second operative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20030221285
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance comprises a channel and a stop connected to the channel. A door mounting lever pivots relative to the channel about a pivot axis on an arc between a first operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a first direction about said pivot axis on the arc and second operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a second direction opposite the first direction about the pivot axis on the arc. A glide is operatively coupled to the door mounting lever, e.g., by way of a spring cam member, and is movable slidably on the stop in response to movement of the door mounting lever. A spring biases the glide into continuous engagement with the stop when the door mounting lever is located in both the first and second operative positions and when the door mounting lever moves between the first and second operative positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins
  • Publication number: 20030213098
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance includes a claw and a channel pivotably connected to the claw. A link assembly is operably connected between the claw and the channel. The link assembly includes a link connected to the claw and a lever connected to the link. A glide member is connected to the lever and movably engaged with said channel. The glide member is slidably movable between first and second operative positions in response to movement of the channel relative to the claw between first and second positions, respectively. A spring is operably connected to a first end of the lever and biases the glide member into engagement with the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Steven O. Cummins, Jeffrey D. Habegger, James J. Collene
  • Publication number: 20030056328
    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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6453510
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a claw and a channel pivotably connected to the claw at a first pivot point so that the channel is adapted for movement on an arc in a first direction from a first operative position to a second operative position. The channel is also adapted for movement on the arc in a second direction opposite the first direction. First and second link stops are connected to the channel, and a link assembly is operably interconnected between the claw and the channel. The link assembly, itself, includes: (i) a link member defining first and second opposite contact surfaces and first and second opposite ends, wherein the first end is pivotably connected to the claw; and, (ii) a coil spring having a first end connected to the second end of said link member and a second end connected to the channel adjacent a second end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Steven O. Cummins, Jeffrey D. Habegger
  • Patent number: 6393664
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a body adapted for connection to a first structure. A resilient member is in contact with the body, and a cam is pivotally movable relative to the body and adapted for connection to a second structure. An actuating member is positioned between the resilient member and the cam and biased by the resilient member into contact with the cam so that the actuating member exerts a force on said cam. The body defines a cylindrical bore and the resilient member is provided by a coil spring positioned in the bore. The actuating member is provided by a spherical ball member and the cam defines a lobe portion and a recessed dwell region. The cam is adapted for movement between first and second operative positions. When in the first operative position, the lobe portion of the cam is engaged with the actuating member. The lobe portion is defined so that, when the cam is in its first operative position, the actuating member urges the cam toward its second operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins