Having Movable Or Removable Connector Patents (Class 16/261)
  • Patent number: 11624224
    Abstract: An automotive lift-off hinge joint to rotationally connect an automotive door and body comprises first and second door side hinge brackets and a body side hinge bracket. A detent shaft is provided with an interiorly threaded intermediate portion adapted to receive a removable threaded fastener and with a shaped detent shaft feature adapted to engage a similarly shaped pyramidal portion of a guide pin fastened to the body side hinge bracket. The detent shaft is rotationally mounted within a cylindrical check mechanism and secured in relation to the first and second door side hinge brackets. Bushings in door side hinge bracket apertures allow rotation of portions of the detent shaft extending through the apertures. The pyramidal shaped portions are preferably square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MULTIMATIC INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Robert Kovach
  • Patent number: 11510703
    Abstract: An external fixator utilized in orthopedic surgeries such as the repair of segmental fractures, correction of congenital or development deformities, and limb lengthening. The external fixator is comprised of half rings that utilize connectors to form full rings, threaded rods that fit into rod holes, channel slots, wires that pass through bone and soft tissue, and fixation bolts that can be positioned with minimal effort by a surgeon, minimal pain to a patient, and minimal risk of infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: YEDITEPE UNIVERSITESI
    Inventors: Tugcenur Bahadir, Alper Yaman
  • Patent number: 11339595
    Abstract: A hinge system includes first and second hinge assemblies. The first hinge assembly includes a first hinge plate with a post and a second hinge plate with a collar configured to selectively receive the post. The second hinge assembly includes a third hinge plate with a counter bore and a keyway and a fourth hinge plate with a key configured to be selectively received within the keyway and the counter bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Lehman, Scott C. McKinnon, David Wysong
  • Patent number: 11326784
    Abstract: A home appliance includes a door coupled with a cabinet of the home appliance and moveable about a vertical axis between open and closed positions. A lower hinge assembly moveably couples a lower portion of the door with the cabinet. A mounting assembly is configured to support an upper portion of the door relative to the cabinet until the upper portion of the door is coupled with the cabinet and includes a first bracket supporting a pivot pin and a second bracket including a slot configured to receive the pivot pin therein. When the lower portion of the door is coupled to the cabinet by the lower hinge assembly and the pivot pin is received within the slot, the mounting assembly is configured to maintain the upper portion of the door in vertical alignment with the lower portion along the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paulo Henrique Alves Manara, Ledimara Mascarello, Vinicius Simm
  • Patent number: 11319738
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a hinge base attached to the vehicle body frame, a door provided to be openable and closable in a vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle body frame, a hinge bracket attached to the door, and an intermediate bracket that is pivotably attached to the hinge base and to which the hinge bracket is attached. The hinge bracket is configured so that a position thereof with respect to the intermediate bracket can be adjusted, and thereby the door is configured to be adjustable in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Fukumoto, Takashi Hisamura, Masato Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10830525
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided herein. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A door is configured to seal the compartment and is operable between open and closed positions. A hinge assembly is operably coupled to the cabinet and to the door. The hinge assembly includes a first link coupled to the cabinet. A second link is pivotable about the first link. A third link is pivotable about the second link and a fourth link. The fourth link is further coupled to the door. A fifth link is pivotable about the second link and the fourth link. A sixth link is pivotable about an intermediate portion of the fifth link and the first link. The sixth link is disposed through a void defined by the fifth link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lottinville, Lynne F. Hunter
  • Patent number: 10287808
    Abstract: A rotation unit includes a first rotor, a second rotor coupled to the first rotor, and a third rotor coupled to the second rotor. The second rotor has reflection-symmetric structure, and the first rotor and the third rotor are reflection-symmetric to each other with respect to the second rotor. Each of the first rotor, the second rotor, and the third rotor includes one or more grooves and one or more pins. In response to the pins moving in the corresponding grooves, a length of a first face formed by inner faces of the first rotor, the second rotor, and the third rotor in the groove direction remains unchanged, and a length of a second face formed by outer faces of the first rotor, the second rotor, and the third rotor in the groove direction varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10082837
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a computing device includes a lid, and a base coupled to the lid by a hinge, the hinge including a bi-stable hinge part including a toggle pivot and a toggle link bar, and a barrel hinge part including a hollow shaft, at least one friction element surrounding a first portion of the hollow shaft, and a casing surrounding a second portion of the hollow shaft, the casing being connected to the toggle link bar. The computing device includes a first mounting tab connected to the toggle link bar and connected to the base, and a second mounting tab connected to the at least one friction element and connected to the lid. The barrel hinge part enables the at least one friction element to rotate about the hollow shaft causing the lid to rotate relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Lam, Prashant Patel
  • Patent number: 9822565
    Abstract: A swing panel or flap is pivotally attached to a vehicle body with a hinge. The hinge includes a first fitting part fastened to a first selected vehicle part under the body and flap, and a second fitting part fastened to the second selected vehicle part under the body and flap. The second fitting part is joined with the first fitting part so that it can pivot around a hinge axis. A head of a post of the first vehicle part is inserted through a passage of the first fitting part. A control part is movable between a locked position, in which it engages between an undercut of the head and the first fitting part, and a released position, in which it is retracted from the undercut, and the head is free to traverse the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo Milder, Frank Leopold
  • Patent number: 9748720
    Abstract: A transmission shaft set including a plurality of transmission shaft structures is disclosed. Each transmission shaft structure includes a metal pin connecting shaft and a base. The metal pin connecting shaft includes an arc part, a fastening block, a plurality of electrically connecting parts and a plurality of electrically connecting metal pins. The plurality of electrically connecting parts are located on the arc part. The plurality of electrically connecting metal pins are located in the fastening block and electrically connected to the plurality of electrically connecting parts. The base is fastened to the metal pin connecting shaft and includes a fastening groove, at least one fastening part and at least one column. The fastening groove is used for fastening the fastening block. The fastening part is located near the fastening groove. The column is located near the fastening groove and the fastening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Acer Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Ta Huang, Wen-Chieh Tai, Yu-Shih Wang, Cheng-Nan Ling, Hsien-Wei Chen, Chun-I Chen
  • Patent number: 9594398
    Abstract: Provided is a portable electronic device, including a case and a movable magnetic part. The case has a top plate, an engagement surface, and an accommodating space. The accommodating space is located below the engagement surface. And the engagement surface further has at least one through hole, and the through hole communicates with the accommodating space. The movable magnetic part is capable of be attracted by a magnetic force to perform axial motion displacement relative to the through hole, so as to be selectively exposed out of the through hole or retracted into the through hole. Therefore, the movable magnetic part in the case is capable of being attracted out of the through hole in order to position the another case, and improve magnetic absorption strength and binding stability between the case and the another case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chen-Yi Liang
  • Patent number: 9533204
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf bag having a stabilization and reinforcement system with a flexible one-piece hinge and methods to manufacture such a golf bag are generally described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. McGuire, John H. Loudenslager
  • Patent number: 9218025
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a protective cover includes a housing having a surface, and a latch mechanism hingeably coupled to the housing. The latch can include a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side configured to couple to and secure an input device to the surface of the housing. The latch can be configured to rotate, via the hinge coupling, between a first configuration and second configuration. In the first configuration, the top side of the latch can be flush with the surface of the housing and the bottom side embedded within the housing such that the latch does not protrude from the housing. In the second configuration, the latch can be rotated relative to the first configuration and protrude from the housing. The latch can be operable to be rotated open from the first configuration to the second configuration via the hinge coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Mathew Bates, Brian Stephens, Chia Feng Lee, John Moriarty, Simone Mandelli, James Jackson, James Lynch, Ronan Carroll, Mel Reynolds, Stephen Harvey, Denis O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 9120572
    Abstract: An aircraft crew cabin rest area that is formed between the aircraft galley and a console, or between any two aircraft monuments, utilizing special folding and extendible doors and specialized locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wilkinson, Hayley Mortimer
  • Patent number: 8998289
    Abstract: A vehicular door assembly includes a door and at least one hinge structure. Each of the at least one hinge structure includes a knuckle and a bushing. The knuckle extends away from the door. The door and the knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure are integrally formed as a unitary structure. The knuckle of each of the at least one hinge structure includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and defines a bore extending through the knuckle and opening onto each of the upper surface and the lower surface. The bushing defines a hinge aperture and a hinge axis. At least a substantial portion of the bushing is positioned within the bore defined by a respective one of the knuckles. Each of the at least one hinge structure is configured for coupling with a frame of a vehicle. Vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Vincent Peterson, John B. Jones
  • Patent number: 8918959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel hinge connection (1) for a transport container made of plastic, which hinge connection comprises a hinge part (2) designed as a sleeve (4) having a longitudinal opening (5) and a hinge clip (3) that encompasses the sleeve. The sleeve has a wide outer circumferential groove (6) for receiving the hinge clip, which has a recess (7) at least at one of the ends thereof. The hinge clip (3) further comprises at one end a detent (9) that projects inward for engaging with the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventor: André Keller
  • Publication number: 20140208542
    Abstract: A receptacle for an associated appliance hinge includes a receptacle base and a breakaway lever movably connected to the receptacle base. The breakaway lever includes a cam edge. A first mounting structure is connected to the receptacle base and adapted to be engaged by an associated hinge arm. A second mounting structure connected to the breakaway lever such that the second mounting structure is movable relative to the receptacle base. The second mounting structure is adapted to be engaged by the associated hinge arm. A breakaway latch is connected to the base and includes a cam follower engaged with the cam edge. The breakaway latch further includes a spring that biases the cam follower into abutment with the cam edge. The breakaway lever is selectively movable from a first position where the cam follower is engaged with a first location on the cam edge to a second position where the cam follower is engaged with a second location on the cam edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Brian White
  • Patent number: 8522399
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a folder-type portable communication device, wherein a body portion and a folder portion can be coupled or separated by applying a force to a hinge cap or moving a hinge dummy laterally. The device includes a body portion and a folder portion coupled to the body portion to pivot around a hinge axis, and a center hinge arm provided in the body portion. First and second side hinge arms are provided in the folder portion, and a hinge cap is provided in the first side hinge is pushed with an external force. A hinge shaft is coupled with or separated from the first side hinge arm by retracting or protruding via pushing the hinge cap, and a hinge dummy provided in the center hinge arm is coupled with or separated from the second side hinge arm by moving laterally along the hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Shik Kim, Wook-Jin Lee, Seung-Hyub Baek, Jong-Cheon Wee
  • Patent number: 8156611
    Abstract: A vehicle door attachment unit for rotatably and detachably coupling a vehicle door to a vehicle body. The unit may include a bodyside bracket mountable to the vehicle body and having first and second portions with respective first and second apertures, with the first and second portions extending generally away from the vehicle body. A doorside bracket may be mountable to the vehicle door and include a segment with a third aperture, the segment extending generally away from the vehicle door. A retaining mechanism may extend through the third aperture, and through the first and/or second apertures. A fastener may extend through at least one of the apertures and mate with the retaining mechanism to substantially align the first, second, and third apertures. A bearing may be disposed on the retaining mechanism for providing rotational freedom between the retaining mechanism, and the bodyside or doorside bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Machin, Craig A. Moccio, Patrick L. Folk, Joshua R. Kesten, John O. Wheeler, Lothar Budde
  • Patent number: 7827655
    Abstract: A hinge for folding container comprises an inner hinge, an outer hinge and a locking device for locking the inner and outer hinge. Wherein, the inner hinge and the outer hinge are pivotally connected by a pivot pin, the outer hinge comprises at least two outer hinge plates provided in parallel, and the inner hinge comprises at least two inner hinge plates provided in parallel. Compared with the prior art, without changing the standard operating hole, the hinge for folding container disclosed by the present invention can widen the transverse width of the inner hinge, and so that the rigidity of the inner hinge is effectively enhanced. Therefore, the hinge according to the present invention can be applied to any types of folding container, especially the folding container mounted with an independent corner post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd.
    Inventor: Renbin Yi
  • Patent number: 7761958
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door hinge system which includes an integral exposed vertically oriented pin as a portion of a doorframe bracket, and a central latch bracket as engaged to a door. The pivotal manipulation of the door engages the latch of the central latch bracket to the pin, to secure the door to the doorframe. The central latch bracket includes a channel for receipt of the pin which is securely and releasably retained in the channel by the leading cam edge of the latch and safety slide. Disengagement of the latch from the pin enables a door to be easily separated from doorframe for re-hanging at a future time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Allegris Corporation
    Inventors: Benkt-Ake Alfredsson, Jasmin Insanic
  • Patent number: 7438573
    Abstract: The invention discloses a hinge connector installed in a foldable electronic apparatus. In particularly, the hinge connector according to the invention includes a hollow shaft device and a cable connecting connectors, and the cable passes through the shaft device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Compal Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Chia Wei Jao, Hsi-Yung Liu
  • Publication number: 20080141491
    Abstract: A hinge for a door is disclosed. The hinge comprises a receiver assembly having a slot, a door leaf having a retaining spring biased away from the door leaf, the door leaf being dimensioned for insertion into the slot and a retaining device associated with the receiver assembly for releasably engaging the retaining spring to releasably retain the door leaf in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Newell Operating Company
    Inventor: George E. Heid
  • Publication number: 20080130213
    Abstract: The component has a first opening through which a cable is inserted, and a second opening through which a fastening component is inserted. The second opening is connected to the first opening such that the second opening accepts a portion of the cable when the cable is inserted through the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Katsuichi Goto, Yuichi Fujisawa, Hiroshige Nakayabu
  • Patent number: 7059019
    Abstract: A Locking Device To Prevent Door Removal (10) is provided to prevent theft of a type of door having a hinge pin fixedly attached to the door and a hinge bracket bolted to the door frame housing with bolt holes extending into the door frame housing. The device replaces one of the standard bolts, used to secure the hinge bracket, with an Elongated Bolt (12). A Blocking Piece (20) with a Blocking Piece Through-Hole (38) is positioned over the Elongated Bolt (12) and locked in place with a Padlock (42). The Shackle (40) of the Padlock (42) extends through a Bolt Through-Hole (18) in the Elongated Bolt (12). The Blocking Piece (20) blocks the hinge pin from being lifted out of the hinge sleeve. The Padlock (42) both holds the Blocking Piece (20) against movement and prevents the Elongated Bolt (12) from being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Gregory Lee Klingler
  • Patent number: 6807710
    Abstract: A hinge (11) comprising a bobbin (12) and an arm (13), the bobbin having a peripheral flange (14) at each end of a cylindrical portion (15) and being formed with two parts (12A, 12B) split longitudinally with internal surfaces (16) enabling the bobbin to be assembled non-rotatably around a rectangular-section frame member (17), there being holes (18) in the bobbin parts for securing them to the rectangular-section frame member, and the arm (13) having a first bore (19) rotatable around the cylindrical portion (15) of the bobbin and a second bore (20) parallel to the first bore and in which a round-section frame member (21) can rotate, the arm being split between the two bores and beyond at least one of the bores in a plane containing the axes of the bores enabling the arm (13) to be assembled around the bobbin (12) and the round-section frame member (21), there being holes (22) in the arm (13) intermediate the bores (19, 20) and perpendicular to the plane for securing the arm on the bobbin and the round-secti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Bekaert Handling Limited
    Inventors: David M. Abbott, Michael James
  • Patent number: 6708368
    Abstract: A hinge clip apparatus for selectively engaging and disengaging a cover includes a base, a hinge defining a hinge axis, and a spring member. The spring member is pivotally moveable relative to the base along the hinge which connects the base to the spring member. The spring includes a pair of spring arms generally opposing each other and capable of engaging the cover and disengaging from the cover when the spring member is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ponharith Nhep, Douglas G. Elliot
  • Patent number: 6672787
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fastening system comprising a first mounting bracket rotatably attached to a first assembly, a second mount bracket rotatably attached to a second assembly and a rigid attachment between the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket wherein the attachment enables the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket to rotate together about a common axis and wherein the attachment enables a portion of the first mount bracket and a portion of the second mount bracket to be separated by space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sean William Tucker
  • Patent number: 6666497
    Abstract: In a door hinge mounting structure, a retaining member having a threaded hole formed therein is provided in the interior of a door panel or a door mounting portion on a vehicle body. A positioning bolt is screwed into the threaded hole via a positioning bolt passable hole formed in the door panel or the door mounting portion. A door hinge is positioned based on the position of the positioning bolt so mounted. In the door hinge mounting structure, the positioning bolt passable hole is formed larger in diameter than the threaded hole in the retaining member. Restrictive wall portions are provided in the interior of the door panel or the door mounting portion for restricting the movement of the retaining member within a range in which the positioning bolt passable hole and the threaded hole in the retaining member substantially coincide in position with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiya Ohba
  • Patent number: 6594857
    Abstract: A hinge clip apparatus for selectively engaging/disengaging a cover includes a base, a hinge defining a hinge axis, and a plate. The plate is pivotally moveable relative to the base along the hinge which connects the base to the plate. The plate includes a hole and a spring member extending through the hole. The spring member has an extension tab capable of engaging the cover and disengaging from the cover when the spring member is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ponharith Nhep, Douglas G. Elliot
  • Publication number: 20020174518
    Abstract: An automotive hinge adapted to facilitate removable attachment of a closure panel to a body structure comprises a door component comprising upper and lower door component pivot arms adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, a body component comprising upper and lower body component pivot doors adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, a common pivot axis around which the door component and body component are adapted to rotate in relation to each other, and a cylindrical protrusion adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally attached to and extended above the upper pivot arm of the body component, such that the door component is adapted to interleave over the body component, dimensionally locating the closure panel and the body structure by means of an external cylindrical bearing surface on the cylindrical protrusion, and is adapted to be held in assembly by means of a pivot pin which is adapted to extend through both said pivot arms of both said hinge components
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Rudolf Gruber, David Carswell, John J. Salmon
  • Patent number: 6336249
    Abstract: An improved plastic elongated hinge having an open spine and being adapted to replace a conventional piano hinge at a significantly reduced cost. The plastic elongated hinge includes at least two spaced apart pivotally pinned connections. The open spine permits the elongated hinge to be produced using substantially less plastic material. The hinge is preferably injection molded, and the pivotal connections are short in order to reduce the throw of the mold pins and thus maximize the production cycle time. An entirely integral snappedly engaging pivot connection is provided when more than two pivot connections are required. The entirely integral snap engagement connections require no moveable mold pins. This further reduces the costs of the hinge. Preferably, the elongated hinge is solvent bonded to plastic hinged members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Roger Plumley
  • Patent number: 6271502
    Abstract: A quick-disconnect arrangement for an oven door mainly includes two pivotal pins provided at two lateral sides of the oven door and two insertion holes correspondingly provided on two walls of the oven between which the oven door is mounted, such that the oven door is pivotally connected to and between the two walls of the oven through engagement of the pivotal pins with the insertion holes. At least one of the two insertion holes defines a narrow long slot, so that the pivotal pin engaged therewith is movable therein. And, a maximum linear distance between the two insertion holes is slightly larger than a sum of the overall width of the oven door and the full length of one pivotal pin. Therefore, the oven door may be easily and quickly disconnected from the oven by turning the door open and lifting one side of the door adjacent to the narrow long slot to disengage the pivotal pin at that side from the narrow long slot and then removing the door from the electric oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Wen-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 6209172
    Abstract: A hinge connection between an access door and a panel, such as a utility meter box cover, is formed by opposed cylindrical hinge pins which are integrally cast as part of the access door, and spaced-apart channel-shaped recesses formed in bosses which are cast as part of the panel facing a side of the panel opposite a planar wall part of the panel, which wall part includes an opening for receiving the access door. The hinge pins are supported in the channel-shaped recesses and are retained therein by conventional hex head machine bolt and nut assemblies which project through respective bores in the panel or meter box cover and intersect the channel-shaped recesses. The bolt heads are disposed in elongated slots opening to the planar surface of the panel or meter box cover and having widths only slightly greater than the distance across the flats of the bolt heads, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: EBAA Iron, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl T. Bradley
  • Patent number: 6178599
    Abstract: A method for temporarily connecting a body half and a door half of a hinge, said body half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving said door half of said hinge including connecting means for receiving the body half, one of said connecting means including a portion having disposed proximate the end thereof at least one groove for receiving a resilient flexible retainer; said method including the steps of; (a) fastening the hinge when assembled to a vehicle and a door so as to fasten the door with the vehicle temporarily; (b) painting the vehicle and door together while temporarily connected; (c) subjecting the vehicle and door and the resilient flexible retainer to heat such as that found in a curing process for a painting process for vehicles; (d) separating said body and door halves of said hinge by removing the retainer and separating said halves; (e) separating said door from said vehicle by separating the body half and the door half of said hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignees: Chrysler Corporation, Multimatic Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Worden, Cheaw Wang Ng, Stephen Joseph Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6070296
    Abstract: A detachable door hinge for motor vehicle doors which includes two hinge halves securable to a door and a door pillar, respectively, two hinge pin stubs fixedly secured in respective gudgeons of one of the two hinge halves and extending, in an attached position of the hinge, into complementary gudgeons of another one of the two hinge halves, with each of the two hinge halves being formed of a folded section of sheet metal and having, at least in a region of a hinge axis, a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, with respective gudgeons being formed in legs of respective hinge halves, and with the hinge further including elements for mutually locking the two hinge halves in their pivotal positions corresponding to both a closed position of the door and a partially open position of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ed. Scharwachter GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Abeln, Bernd Alfred Klutting, Heinz-Walter Heinemann, Klaus Menten
  • Patent number: 6070293
    Abstract: A hinge assembly, which permits convenient assembly and disassembly by simple push operations, includes a first part to be secured to a body member and carrying a hinge pin, and a second part to be secured to a pivotal member and carrying a socket for pivotally receiving the hinge pin of the first part. The hinge pin is retractably mounted to the first part so as to be movable to an extended, operative position receivable within the socket of the second part for pivotally mounting the pivotal member to the base member, and to a retracted, released position spaced from the socket of the second part for permitting removal of the pivotal member from the body member. Also described is a cabinet with at least one such hinge assembly on each of the two opposite edges of the main cabinet section and cover section, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: ECI Telecom, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jacob Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6006815
    Abstract: A roller shutter member for a roller shutter arrangement, which comprises individual, articulatingly connected slats, each slat being connected at one of its two connected longitudinal sides with a hook joint rail and at its other connected longitudinal side with a hook receiving channel. The hook receiving channels are provided with sealing rails. The hook-like joint rails are thrust in a sealing manner against the sealing rail in the flat region on the roller shutter member when the slats are extended in a linear form so that a sealed roller shutter member is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Hans Schanz
  • Patent number: 5987702
    Abstract: A connecting device, particularly for mutually connecting components of eyeglasses such as temples and a front and/or a lens and a lens and/or an eyewire and an eyewire and/or a temple and a temple. The device is constituted by at least one element which is detachably associable, with an interlocking action, with at least one of the components, in contrast with at least one flexible element, and can be pivoted to the other component. The device is structurally simple, easy and straightforward to assemble, and at the same time allows to achieve, for example, the extrawide opening of the temple at a low cost and without seizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Luxottica Leasing S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Simioni
  • Patent number: 5855070
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw (11) comprises a support (27) attached to the body of the saw and a shoe (25) pivotally attached to the support (27). The pivoted shoe (25) enables the shoe (25) and thus the blade to engage a workpiece at varying angles during cutting. The shoe (25) is attached to the support (27) by a hinge. The hinge (12) comprises a spaced pair of tabs (29,31) extending from the support (27) and located between a spaced pair of tabs (45,47) extending from the shoe (25). Each of the support tabs is paired respectively with one of the shoe tabs. Pins (55,57) extends through apertures (33,35,49,51) in the tabs (29,31,45,47) and forms the hinge pivot. The hinge pivot is maintained in place by spacers (59,61) located, respectively, between each pair of shoe and support tabs and press fitted to the pin. The press fitted hinge (12) is low in cost and is durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Grabowski
  • Patent number: 5842508
    Abstract: An upward acting sectional door is formed of rectangular door sections which are interconnected to each other by a continuous hinge comprising opposed partial arcuate hinge members formed on a lower rail of an upper section and an upper rail of an adjacent lower section and engaged with a third hinge member comprising an elongated tubular pin having a D-shaped cross section. The hinge pin is secured against rotation by retainer members at opposite ends of one of the door sections. The hinge permits lateral assembly and disassembly of one door section relative to the other. Additional load bearing hinge members are provided connected to the lateral side edges of adjacent door sections and are interconnected by support members disposed in the tubular hinge pin for transferring part or all of the forces between adjacent door sections thereby allowing the arcuate hinge members to function substantially as cooperating light and weatherseal members and to provide a substantially pinch proof door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: LeRoy G. Krupke, Foad Vafaie, James L. Grisham, David Scott Boucher
  • Patent number: 5815886
    Abstract: A hinge device is provided for pivoting a cover to a base housing and is designed such that when the cover is in a closed position it does not easily come off the base housing when subjected to external force yet the cover is easily and readily removable for replacement. The hinge device has an engagement hole 12c disposed on a housing 12 to pivotably support a cover 13 around a pivot axis, an engagement portion 13a is disposed on cover 13 to rotatably fit in the engagement hole and is formed relatively short so that it can easily disengage from engagement hole 12c when an impact is received. An arcuate guide groove 12d is formed on the housing around the engagement hole so that a guide pin 13b on the cover can engage with the guide groove to guide cover movement between open and closed positions as well as aid in absorbing impact forces acting on the cover when the cover is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishio, Yoshikazu Abe
  • Patent number: 5794309
    Abstract: A hinge and lock assembly for releasably mounting a vehicle door on a door pillar of a vehicle including two hinge flaps attachable to the door and the door pillar, respectively, a hinge pin for pivotally connecting the two flaps with each other, a support releasably attachable to the door pillar for attaching the hinge to the door pillar an indexing arrangement formed on the hinge flap attachable to the door pillar and including alternating, following each other projections and indentations which cooperate with the torsion bar of the door lock for locking the door in a predetermined position, and a plurality of holding members pivotally supported on one leg of the door pillar hinge flap and cooperating with respective indentations of the indexing arrangement for holding a weighting arm of the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: ED. Scharwachter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Lotz
  • Patent number: 5751544
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved routing arrangement for a cable that electrically connects the lid to the base of a notebook computer. The invention routes the cable along a hollow interior of a hinge mechanism. This invention has three aspects. First, the hinge mechanism allows an electrical cable, connecting the lid to the base, to traverse a large fraction of the entire hinge length. This reduces the stress put on the cable by flexing and twisting because the stress can now be distributed over a larger segment of the cable. Second, the hinge mechanism allows the cable to enter the lid portion from the hinge mechanism at the middle of the notebook computer. This reduces the weakening caused to the hinge and the lid in accommodating the cable. Lastly, hinge mechanism consists of few parts, allowing for a simple and inexpensive manufacturing and assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang-Ho Song
  • Patent number: 5724704
    Abstract: A hinge device for connecting a main body and a display unit of a portable computer includes a projection, a hinge member, and attachment units. The projection extends from a lower edge of the display unit, and the hinge member extends outwardly from both sides of the projection and connects to respective attachment units. A groove for receiving an end portion of hinge member is formed in each attachment unit. Each groove has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the end portion of the hinge member, so that the end portion of the hinge member easily inserts into the groove. In a preferred embodiment, one attachment unit is fixedly installed on the main body of the computer, and the other attachment unit is detachably connected to the main body. The attachment units and projection define a pivot axis about which the display unit rotates relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Seok Seo
  • Patent number: 5706555
    Abstract: An articulation arrangement for detachably connecting two wall parts of a container, each of the wall parts having a surface and an underside, one of the wall parts having a side face extending between the surface and the underside, and the other wall part comprising a marginal strip having an arcuate surface defining an arc of a circle about an axis extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the marginal strip, the arc extending from the surface of the other wall part to the underside thereof and the marginal strip having a thickness extending from the surface to the underside of the other wall part, and the side face of the one wall part facing the arcuate surface of the marginal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Steiner Freizeitmobel Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Josef Furtner
  • Patent number: 5590441
    Abstract: An automotive lift-off type door hinge is provided which includes a body side hinge having a vertical leg for attachment with a body opening frame, the body side hinge having joined to the vertical leg a horizontal leg which has a stop pin aperture and spaced therefrom a pivot pin aperture; an upper door side hinge having a vertical leg extending upwardly for attachment to a door, the upper door side hinge having joined to the vertical leg a horizontal leg having a pivot pin aperture; a lower door side hinge having a downwardly extending vertical leg connected to the door by a removable fastener, the lower door hinge having joined to the vertical leg a horizontal leg sandwiching the horizontal leg of the body hinge between the horizontal legs of the upper and lower door side hinges, and the horizontal leg of the lower door side hinge having a pivot pin aperture; a pivot pin providing a thrust bearing for the upper door side hinge loosely fitted in the upper door side hinge pivot aperture to allow upward door
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5570498
    Abstract: A lift-off type door hinge for pivotally and detachably connecting a door to a vehicle body is provided including a body strap with a base for connection to the vehicle body with generally horizontally projecting upper and lower arms projecting therefrom, the upper and lower arms having generally aligned apertures with first and second pins extending therethrough, the body strap also having a reaction surface, a mid-strap, the mid-strap having a main body with generally horizontally projecting upper and lower arms, the mid-strap arms via the first and second pins being pivotally attached with respect to the body strap, the mid-strap lower arm also having a door aperture, and the mid-strap also having a reaction surface, a spring extending between the reaction surfaces of the body strap and the mid-strap to bias the mid-strap to a hold open position with respect to the body strap when the door is open, and a door strap, the door strap having a main body fixably connected to the door and the door having first,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur S. Hipkiss, Charles R. Fain, Cheryl L. Barr
  • Patent number: 5551125
    Abstract: A quick release hinged support or bracket for coupling two cooperating objects together comprises a pair of plates each having opposed side walls and openings for mounting to the objects and further comprises retractable coupling members for hingedly coupling the two plates together. The retractable coupling members allows a user to quickly separate the plates of the hinged support and the two cooperating objects so that the user can conveniently and substantially clean the two objects such as a lid or cover attachable to a container or an appliance. The hinged support allows the user to quickly separate the two objects without having to use a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas J. Adams
  • Patent number: 5539956
    Abstract: A hinge system for joining side walls having a first engaged position and a second disengaged position includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a hinge mechanism for joining the first side wall and the second side wall in the first engaged position and a latching mechanism for preventing inadvertently collapse of the first and second side walls. The hinge mechanism has a plurality of barrel lugs having a plurality of barrels and a plurality of hook lugs having a plurality of pins projecting from the hook lugs. Each hook lug is adapted to be positioned between a first adjacent barrel lug and a second adjacent barrel lug so that each pin of each hook lug engages the first adjacent barrel lug. The latching mechanism includes a finger member held in engagement with one of the hook lugs to prevent the pin of each hook lug from disengaging the barrel of the first adjacent barrel lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Temp Top Container Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Wallace