Abstract: A hinge device is configured to apply an urging force to a case for returning the case to its neutral position. The hinge device comprises a first and a second contact portion, the case with a cylindrical portion1, a coil spring fitted in the cylindrical portion1 of the case, a shaft inserted inside the coil spring, and a shaft member having a first and a second engaging portion fixed to the shaft in anti-rotatable. The first and second contact portion are formed integral with the cylindrical portion1.

Abstract: A toilet includes a body, a lid assembly, and a hinge assembly. The body includes a bowl and a body top surface. The body top surface is contiguous with the bowl. The lid assembly includes a lid. The lid is configured to cover the bowl. The hinge assembly is operable between a first position and a second position. The hinge assembly includes a mounting base coupler, a lid coupler, a first hinge member, and a second hinge member. The mounting base coupler is coupled to the body top surface. The lid coupler is coupled to the lid. The first hinge member is coupled to the mounting base coupler and the lid coupler. The second hinge member is coupled to the mounting base coupler and the lid coupler. The lid covers the bowl when the hinge assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus that includes a stationary hinge portion, which includes a first bracket configured to be attached to a fixed surface, a first arm extending from the first bracket, and a second arm extending from the first bracket. The first and second brackets include axial holes with a hinge pin arranged therethrough. The hinge pin defines a rotation axis. The stationary hinge portion also includes a stop plate extending away from the first bracket and connected to the first arm. The hinge apparatus also includes a rotatable hinge portion, which includes a body arranged around the hinge pin between the first and second arms and a stop body extending from the body along the rotation axis. Ends of the stop body contact the stop plate to limit rotation of the body about the rotation axis. A second bracket configured to be attached to a movable body.

Abstract: A hydraulic closer and dampener that can be removed and replaced by opening a post cap to then lift an internal closer assembly out of the top of an internally pivotable shaft inside a free-standing floor-mounted post. The remainder of the gate mechanism remains functional during such service. An automatic closing speed adjustment is easy to access and set. There are no external hinges, the gate pivots on an axis coaxial to the cylindrical post.

Abstract: A counterbalance includes a first attachment strap, and an arbor rotatably supported by the first attachment strap. A second attachment strap is attached to the arbor, and is rotatable with the arbor about a winding axis. A spiral spring interconnects the first attachment strap and the second attachment strap. A spring support is attached to the second attachment strap. The spring support includes an annular wall that is disposed circumferentially about and concentric with the winding axis. The annular wall is radially positioned relative to the winding axis to contact an outermost coil of spiral spring, to position the spiral spring in a spiral orientation about the winding axis, such that each coil of the spiral spring moves away from the winding axis with a substantially constant angular velocity to provide a substantially equal radial spacing between adjacent coils of the spiral spring.

Abstract: An adjustable hinge includes a tension spring having a first end and an opposite second end, the second end of the tension spring being fixed relative to a swing arm hinge mount, a pin having a head including a plurality of projections about a circumference of the head and an opposite end of the pin spaced from the head. The projections of the head are configured to be received by the recesses of a base plate hinge mount, and the pin is positioned to extend through the base plate hinge mount and the swing arm hinge mount and to cooperate with the tension spring so that a first end of the spring is fixed relative to the head of the pin, and then the head of the pin is rotated the first end of the spring also rotates.

Abstract: An adjustable hinge includes a hinge housing rotatably mounted relative to a body, a spring located within the hinge housing, and a spring adjustment system. The spring adjustment system includes a pin having a head including a plurality of projections about a circumference of the head and an opposite end of the pin spaced from the head.

Abstract: In an automatically closing hinge, a first body and a second body are mounted on a fixed shaft, and axial and radial moving members are adjacently disposed inside the fixed shaft. The second body pivoting rearward in relation to the first body enables an inward radial movement of the radial moving member, and during the inward radial movement the radial moving member causes a forward axial movement of the axial moving member. An energy storing member in the fixed shaft is configured to store energy during the forward axial movement of the axial moving member and to release energy for driving the axial moving member to make a reverse axial movement. During the reverse axial movement the axial moving member pushes the radial moving member to make an outward radial movement. The radial moving member during such outward radial movement drives the second body to pivot forward.

Abstract: A self closing enclosed hinge is placed within the tubular structure of a gate. The inventive hidden hinge cannot physically smash fingers. An internal axle physically holds together a first gate hinge connector piece which receives the upper part of the gate, an upper stationary hinge piece, and a midsection outer tubular section, which contains a bushing and a spiral spring to return the gate to a closed position. This internal axle joins the lower stationary hinge piece with the second gate hinge connector piece. The second gate hinge connector piece receives lower part of workpiece gate.

Abstract: A washing machine comprises a casing, a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing, a door installed at the top cover, through which laundry is accommodated into the casing, and a tub installed in the casing, wherein the door is connected to the top cover by a hinge assembly or a damper assembly provided thereat. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge portion, and a second hinge portion having a torsion spring therein. The damper assembly includes a first damper portion, a second damper portion, and a ring member having a round shape and fitted into an outer circumferential surface of the second damper portion. Accordingly, even when the door has a heavy weight due to its material of a reinforcing glass, the hinge assembly or the damper assembly can endure the weight of the door. This may prevent noise or impact occurring when the door is closed.

Abstract: In an automatically closing hinge, a first body and a second body are mounted on a fixed shaft, and axial and radial moving members are adjacently disposed inside the fixed shaft. The second body pivoting rearward in relation to the first body enables an inward radial movement of the radial moving member, and during the inward radial movement the radial moving member causes a forward axial movement of the axial moving member. An energy storing member in the fixed shaft is configured to store energy during the forward axial movement of the axial moving member and to release energy for driving the axial moving member to make a reverse axial movement. During the reverse axial movement the axial moving member pushes the radial moving member to make an outward radial movement. The radial moving member during such outward radial movement drives the second body to pivot forward.

Abstract: An asymmetrical resistant hinge set includes at least a resistant hinge and an elastic element coaxially positioned. The resistant hinge is hinged on a first pivotal means located on the bottom side of a body. The elastic element provides action forces on the resistant hinge and one-way resistance to generate an asymmetrical hinge effect with a greater resistance in one direction and a smaller resistance in another direction when a support lid is flipped in forward and reverse directions to reduce the resistance of the resistant hinge. As a result, when the support lid is flipped to a selected angle it still can bear the weight of the body of a portable electronic device at the anchored position without drifting.

Abstract: A portable computer is provided that has a housing. Upper and lower portions of the housing may be joined using a hinge. A clutch mechanism may be associated with the hinge. The clutch mechanism may exhibit asymmetrical friction during opening and closing of the portable computer housing portions. Additional closing force may help to prevent the computer from having a lid that is too easy to close, without overwhelming the clutch with unnecessary friction. The clutch may have a clutch spring that is attached to a clutch shaft using a slot in the shaft. A lobe may be provided in the spring in the vicinity of the slot. A protective cap may be provided over the tip of the shaft to prevent damage to nearby wires. A friction band in the clutch may be used to directly engage an end of the spring.

Abstract: A limiting structure is used for a foldable electronic device including a cover and a body. The limiting structure includes a receiving portion formed in the cover, a latching element, a support element and an elastic element. The receiving portion defines a notch and a holding portion. The latching element is fixed to the body. The support element defines a cutout. The cutout is aligned with the notch. The latching element is received in the cutout and the notch. The elastic element surrounds the support element. The cover is opened relative to the body, and the latching element is latched with the holding portion.

Abstract: A hinge for doors, in particular for electrical appliances, comprises a box-shaped body (3), a lever (4) pivoting at the box-shaped body (3) at a respective axis (A) of rotation so that the body (3) and the lever (4) can move relative to each other by tilting, the box-shaped body (3), a spring (12) housed in the box-shaped body (3) and designed to operate in conjunction with a first portion (4a) of the lever (4) to adjust the motion of the lever (4) and the box-shaped body (3) relative to each other.

Abstract: A swinging door hinge has a panel and a frame. The frame includes a horizontal portion, and the horizontal portion has an aperture therethrough. An elongated pivot pin is vertically disposed through the aperture. The pivot pin is coupled to the panel such that the pivot pin and the panel rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pivot pin relative to the horizontal portion of the frame. A gripper feature is located on a surface of the pivot pin. The gripper feature engages a corresponding surface on the panel such that when the panel is rotated, a resulting torsional force transferred to the pivot pin is spread over contact area between the gripper feature and the surface of the panel. Because the torque is transferred over a greater area, stress concentrations in the panel are reduced and the panel is not deformed.

Abstract: A portable computer is provided that has a housing. Upper and lower portions of the housing may be joined using a hinge. A clutch mechanism may be associated with the hinge. The clutch mechanism may exhibit asymmetrical friction during opening and closing of the portable computer housing portions. Additional closing force may help to prevent the computer from having a lid that is too easy to close, without overwhelming the clutch with unnecessary friction. The clutch may have a clutch spring that is attached to a clutch shaft using a slot in the shaft. A lobe may be provided in the spring in the vicinity of the slot. A protective cap may be provided over the tip of the shaft to prevent damage to nearby wires. A friction band in the clutch may be used to directly engage an end of the spring.

Abstract: A hinge has a pintle, a moving leaf, a resilient device and a stationary leaf. The pintle has a resilient device mount formed on a distal end and is mounted securely in the stationary leaf. The moving leaf is mounted rotatably around the pintle and has a barrel having a protruding limit formed on an outer end. Because the resilient device mount is formed on the pintle, it does not break easily and may slip to prevent terminal failure and be reset when closed. The protruding limit abuts the stationary leaf and ensures a gap is formed between the leaves for wires cabling or the like. Therefore the hinge has improved wear and longer lifespan.

Abstract: Rod segments can be adjoined with a simple hinge. Various embodiments of hinges include locking, non-locking, spring biased open or closed, and aligned rod segments or non-aligned rod segments.

Abstract: A flat panel display (FPD) support with a hinge assembly has a base, a stand and a hinge assembly. The stand has a base bracket being securely mounted on the base, an arm protruding from a front edge of the base bracket and a panel bracket protruding from an upper edge of the arm. The hinge assembly is mounted on the panel bracket and is attached to a FPD. Therefore, the base can customized to allow the FPD and the stand to stably stand on the base. Moreover, the stand and the base may be disassembled and folded conveniently.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) includes a shaft (13), a cam (14), a follower (15), a first spring (12), a control member (17), a second spring (16), and a fixing seat (18). The shaft defines a thread (1311). The cam has a cam surface (146), a cam hole (141) and an inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface includes a protrusion (142) configured engaged the thread of the shaft. The control member has at least one reverse slot (173). The circumferential surface includes at least one block (184). The at least one block is received in the at least one reverse slot of the control member so as to lock the control member into the fixing seat. The hinge assembly allows for the automatic opening and closing of the device to which the hinge assembly is incorporated.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises a first hinge half, a second hinge half, a spring, and a pin passing through the spring joining the first hinge half and the second hinge half. The spring in turn comprises a coil body, a first spring arm extending from the coil body having a first distal end portion, a second spring arm extending from the coil body having a second distal end portion, a first support extending from the first distal end portion towards the first hinge half and bearing on the first hinge half, and a second support extending from the second distal end portion towards the second hinge half and bearing on the second hinge half.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a wireless communication device that pivotally connects a display housing member to a keypad housing member is described. The hinge assembly comprises an upper hinge arm, a lower hinge arm, and a rotating assembly. The upper hinge arm includes an upper hinge plate that is coupled to the display housing member. The lower hinge arm includes a lower hinge plate that is coupled to the keypad housing member. The rotating assembly comprises a first fastener, a second fastener and at least one conductive spring. The first fastener couples the upper hinge arm to one end of the rotating assembly. The second fastener couples the lower hinge arm to the other end of the rotating assembly. At least one conductive spring interfaces with at least one hinge end, and provides a ground path within the hinge assembly.

Abstract: A bidirectional hinge is used to pivot between two independent devices, allowing the two independent devices to be opened and closed with respect to each other after being pivoted. A structure and feature of a coiled spring is applied to the hinge, such that the hinge can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise according to requirements, and different torsional force depending upon a direction of rotation can be resulted, so as to increase application requirements.

Abstract: An automatic door shutter includes a stationary plate and a pressing plate pivotally combined together and with a resilient body located therebetween. Additionally, a pivot of the stationary plate has a sliding notch accepting an S-shaped resilient sheet abutting the pressing plate. By attaching the stationary plate and the sliding base to a door frame and a door respectively, the resilient body pushes the pressing plate to shut the door automatically. When the door is pushing to fully open, the pressing plate pivots to the stationary plate, and the S-shaped resilient sheet slides in the sliding recess and is compressed to deform to become U-shape. Until the door is fully open, the resilient sheet which is U-shaped causes an outward pushing force to the pressing plate to keep the door open constantly.

Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism includes a fixed member which has a fixed cam on its side face; a movable member which has a movable cam on an opposing face to the fixed cam, and which is rotatably disposed relative to the fixed member; a case housing the fixed member and the movable member; and a spring applying a force toward the fixed member to the movable member. The movable member has a recess at its radial center, and the first end of the spring is inserted in this recess.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises a first hinge half, a second hinge half, a spring, and a pin passing through the spring joining the first hinge half and the second hinge half. The spring in turn comprises a coil body, a first spring arm extending from the coil body having a first distal end portion, a second spring arm extending from the coil body having a second distal end portion, a first support extending from the first distal end portion towards the first hinge half and bearing on the first hinge half, and a second support extending from the second distal end portion towards the second hinge half and bearing on the second hinge half.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a main shaft (2), a torsion spring (6) and a housing (8). The main shaft has a first shaft end (20) and an opposite second shaft end (21). The main shaft includes a stopping mechanism (26) provided at the first shaft end. The torsion spring surrounds the main shaft. The torsion spring has two ends and a substantially hollow interior. The housing is cylinder-shaped and hollow, having a first housing end and a second housing end with a shaft-receiving opening. The main shaft and the torsion spring are inserted into the housing. The stopping mechanism stops the main shaft from becoming disassembled from the housing. The main shaft is inserted into the torsion spring and received in the shaft-receiving opening of the housing. Also included is an electronic device having such a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is easily manufactured and has a nice interchangeability.

Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises a first hinge half, a second hinge half, a spring, and a pin passing through the spring joining the first hinge half and the second hinge half. The spring in turn comprises a coil body, a first spring arm extending from the coil body having a first distal end portion, a second spring arm extending from the coil body having a second distal end portion, a first support extending from the first distal end portion towards the first hinge half and bearing on the first hinge half, and a second support extending from the second distal end portion towards the second hinge half and bearing on the second hinge half.

Abstract: A folding mechanism is provided in which a rotor substantially tubelike is arranged between the stationary body and movable body; cams with given gaps are arranged at both ends of the rotor and on the facing surfaces of the stationary body and movable body; and a lubricating layer is formed between the outer circumference of the stationary shaft and the inner circumference of the rotor. The simple makeup implements a folding mechanism with a low impact when opening and reliable opening/closing operation.

Abstract: A hook device for securement to the substantially horizontal, bottom surface of a table top, bar top, or the like for supporting personal items. The hook device includes a base, a hook, and an attachment mechanism pivotally securing the hook to the base. The attachment mechanism includes a torsion spring that biases the hook into a stored position in which the hook is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the table top. To use the hook, the hook is pivoted away from the table surface and a personal item, such as a purse, handbag, backpack, coat, or the like is placed on the hook. Once the personal item is removed, the hook returns to its stored position.

Abstract: A hatch cover with spring assembly to assist in lifting open the hatch cover lid. The lid is hinged to a frame so it can be rotated about the hinge to an open position. A spring or a pair of springs are attached to the underside of the lid. Each spring is a torsion spring having one arm selectively attached to the lid, and another arm in sliding contact with the frame. For ease of repair or replacement, the spring is attached only to the lid. In addition, attaching the spring to the lid allows the spring to retract when the lid is opened. The method for assembling the hatch includes the step of selectively attaching the spring to the lid underside. This step may be performed when the lid is detached from the frame.

Abstract: There is provided a foldable electronic apparatus in which first and second casings are pivotally mounted by a bearing portion so as to be freely rotatable and these casings are automatically opened until a predetermined opening angle and then further manually opened. In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the first and second casings (1), (2) are freely rotatably connected to each other (pivotally mounted) through a bearing portion (3). An opening/closing device (4) for automatically opening the first and second casings (1), (2) until a predetermined opening angle by operating a push button (49) is secured to the bearing portion. The opening/closing device (4) includes a mechanism for opening the casings until a larger opening angle exceeding the predetermined opening angle, and the first and second casings (1), (2) can be manually opened till a larger opening angle.

Abstract: A retarding device insertable between two members connected to rotate relatively about a hinge axis, and which opposes and so retards such rotation in predetermined manner; the device having: a substantially cylindrical support carried integrally by a first of the rotationally connected members and substantially coaxial with the hinge axis; a coil, spring fitted interferentially to the support and terminating with two opposite radial arms projecting towards a second of said members connected to each other for relative rotation; and a retaining seat carried integrally by the second member and on which the arms of the spring rest, on opposite sides, and are stressed by the second member, as a consequence of the aforementioned relative rotation, to deform the spring in such a direction as to progressively reduce and, beyond a certain point of the moving path of the other member, substantially eliminate, the interference with which the spring is fitted to the support.

Abstract: A lid opening-closing mechanism includes a main body having an opening, a lid attached to the main body for opening-closing the opening, a locking device for locking the lid at a closed position, and an urging device for urging the lid toward an open position. When the lid is released from the locking device, the urging device urges the lid to rotate toward the open position for opening the opening of the main body. The urging device includes the first spring member for urging the lid from a halfway position between the open position and the closed position, and the second spring member for urging the lid from the closed position to the halfway position.

Abstract: The movement of a hinge, preferably for furniture, comprising a hinge arm or a fixed-body hinge section and a pivotable hinge section flexibly connected thereto, is damped by a rotation damper at least damped over part of the closure path to the closed position. In order that the hinge can be manufactured at reduced cost, the rotation damper is an axial damper whose axis forms a hinge axis of the hinge and whose cylinder is fixedly connected to the hinge section which is pivotably supported on the axis.

Abstract: In a hinge structure suitable for use in a foldable mobile phone, the initial unfolding action is effected by converting a pushing stroke of an operating member into a rotational movement of the hinge by using a cam/cam follower mechanism. Thereby, an unexpected reaction force resulting from the inertia force acting between the two parts that are to be unfolded relative to each other can be avoided, and a favorable unfolding action without a shock can be achieved. In particular, it may be arranged such that the hinge is normally urged in the unfolding direction while a clutch is kept engaged to retain the hinge in the fully folded state, and that the hinge is resiliently driven in the unfolding direction by pushing the operating member and thereby disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: An elastic hinge for a notebook computer is composed of a shaft, a barrel, a pintle and a torsional spring. The shaft and the barrel are secured on a body of the computer. The pintle extends through the barrel and is secured on a monitor of the computer. The torsional spring is securely mounted between the shaft and the pintle. When the computer is closed, the torsional spring is twisted to provide an elastic force to open the monitor.

Abstract: A self-locking hinge apparatus with a single stable state includes a pivotal shaft, a retaining ring, a stator, a compression spring, and a rotor. The retaining ring, the compression spring, the stator and the rotor are arranged in series along the pivotal shaft. The stator is slide-able but not rotatable on the pivotal shaft. The rotor is both slide-able and rotatable on the pivotal shaft. By providing the compression spring to enforce a cam-contact between the stator and the rotor, an auto cam sliding pair is then formed to make the hinge apparatus stabilized automatically at the predetermined stable state.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for pivotally connecting a flip onto a housing includes a bush, a compression spring, and a release button. The bush has a sidewall, a receiving space defined by the sidewall, and a protrusion. The protrusion is protruded from the sidewall. The release button has a shaped notch, which includes a concave portion, a stop portion, and a convex portion formed between the concave portion and the stop portion. The stop portion extends substantially parallel to the pivoting axis. The protrusion is slidably received within the shaped notch. The compression spring is disposed within the receiving space and pressed by the release button and the bush. When closing the flip, the bush rotates synchronously with the flip and the protrusion moves in the shaped notch. When pushing the release button, the flip opens automatically.

Abstract: A notebook computer hinge with spring opener is provided. The shaft has a C-shaped stopper ring with an offset notch in the middle section, which allows the coupling block of the rotatable bracket to be engaged by the notch. A spring is mounted on the outer edge of the rotatable bracket through a common shaft. As the display panel is lowered towards the computer body, the coupling block presses against the stopper ring and a torsional force is accumulated by the spring. The force will be released once the notebook computer is opened, enabling the display panel to be separated from the computer body with an appropriate angle, thus providing extra convenience for notebook computer users.

Abstract: A notebook computer hinge with spring opener is provided. The shaft has a C-shaped stopper ring with an offset notch in the middle section, which allows the coupling block of the rotatable bracket to be engaged by the notch. A spring is mounted on the outer edge of the rotatable bracket through a common shaft. As the display panel is lowered towards the computer body, the coupling block presses against the stopper ring and a torsional force is accumulated by the spring. The force will be released once the notebook computer is opened, enabling the display panel to be separated from the computer body with an appropriate angle, thus providing extra convenience for notebook computer users.

Abstract: In a hinge structure suitable for use in a foldable mobile phone, the initial unfolding action is effected by converting a pushing stroke of an operating member into a rotational movement of the hinge by using a cam/cam follower mechanism. Thereby, an unexpected reaction force resulting from the inertia force acting between the two parts that are to be unfolded relative to each other can be avoided, and a favorable unfolding action without a shock can be achieved. In particular, it may be arranged such that the hinge is normally urged in the unfolding direction while a clutch is kept engaged to retain the hinge in the fully folded state, and that the hinge is resiliently driven in the unfolding direction by pushing the operating member and thereby disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: An elastic hinge for a notebook computer is composed of a shaft, a barrel, a pintle and a torsional spring. The shaft and the barrel are secured on a body of the computer. The pintle extends through the barrel and is secured on a monitor of the computer. The torsional spring is securely mounted between the shaft and the pintle. When the computer is closed, the torsional spring is twisted to provide an elastic force to open the monitor.

Abstract: In a belt clip for portable electronic equipment by use of rewind urging force of a torsion coil spring, a detachment preventing mechanism of a guide shaft, serving as a shaft center of a rotational mechanism, is implemented with a simple structure so as to improve a reduction in the number of parts and yield. The respective shaft support portions 11a and 12a of a hang stopper plate 1 and both side plates 13a and 14a of a bracket 4 are combined with each other, a torsion coil spring 3 is twisted from a natural state and interposed therebetween in such a manner that a guide rod 21 is passed through a space formed therebetween, but movement of the torsion coil spring 3 to an axial direction and a change in a coil length are restrained by a groove 15 of the hang stopper plate 1 and the side plate 13a of the bracket 4.

Abstract: A hinge for a notebook computer is composed of a pintle, a resilient sleeve, and two barrels. The first barrel is provided outside the first part of the pintle, and the second barrel is provided outside the second part of the pintle. The resilient sleeve is provided outside a middle part of the pintle between the barrels. The resilient sleeve has an elongated opening longitudinally defined therethrough, and two protrusions formed at two ends thereof. The barrels each have a lug abutting the respective protrusion. When the computer is closed, the resilient sleeve is compressed to provide an elastic force to raise the monitor from the body of the computer.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for switching a closed position and an open position of two articles by engagement between a first hinge member which is disposed at one of the two articles such that the first hinge member is non-turnable and non-movable in the axial direction and a second hinge member which is disposed at the other article such that the second hinge member is non-turnable but movable in the axial direction, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of engagement members disposed between the first hinge member and the second hinge member in such a manner as to be away from each other in the circumferential direction, biasing means for pressing the engagement member against the first hinge member, a guide portion for connecting the engagement members, which are disposed at the first hinge member, such that the engagement members are movable only in the radial direction, and a locking portion, which is disposed at the second hinge member, being raised towards the first hinge member and varied in heig

Abstract: A shaft part (3A) of a second hinge member (3) is press-fitted into a support hole (23) of a first hinge member (2). By this, frictional resistance is generated between an inner peripheral surface of the support hole (23) and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft part (3A). A coiled spring (4) is disposed between the first hinge member (2) and the second hinge member (3). The coiled spring (4) biases the first and second hinge members (2, 3) such that when the first and second hinge members (2, 3) are turned in normal and reverse directions from a predetermined neutral position, the first and second hinge members (2, 3) are returned towards the neutral position side.

Abstract: A hinge construction for pivotably connecting a pair of members together, such as for connecting the access cover of a power inlet box used in connecting an auxiliary generator to the electrical system of a building. The construction includes a mounting member including a knuckle fixed to the power inlet box. An access member includes a pair of spaced apart, pivot lugs disposed one on each side of the knuckle for movement between a closed position in which the access cover engages the mounting member to prevent access to the power inlet box, and an open position for providing access to the power inlet box. A hinge pin passes through aligned apertures in the mounting member knuckle and the access cover lugs, and forms a rotational axis about which the access cover pivots. A torsion spring surrounds the hinge pin and has a first end retained in the mounting member knuckle and a second end disposed outside the access cover lugs.

Abstract: A retarding device insertable between two members connected to rotate relatively about a hinge axis, and which opposes and so retards such rotation in predetermined manner; the device having: a substantially cylindrical support carried integrally by a first of the rotationally connected members and substantially coaxial with the hinge axis; a coil, spring fitted interferentially to the support and terminating with two opposite radial arms projecting towards a second of said members connected to each other for relative rotation; and a retaining seat carried integrally by the second member and on which the arms of the spring rest, on opposite sides, and are stressed by the second member, as a consequence of the aforementioned relative rotation, to deform the spring in such a direction as to progressively reduce and, beyond a certain point of the moving path of the other member, substantially eliminate, the interference with which the spring is fitted to the support.