Four Or More Axes Patents (Class 16/288)
  • Patent number: 11383672
    Abstract: An active hinge including a hood bracket for attachment to a vehicle hood and a body bracket for attachment to a vehicle body. A deploy bracket is pivotally attached to the hood bracket and the body bracket. The hood bracket is pivotable relative to the deploy bracket between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. At least one link interconnects, and is pivotally connected to the deploy bracket and the body bracket. A pawl is pivotally mounted to one of the hood bracket, the body bracket, the deploy bracket, and the at least one link. A bolt for engagement by the pawl is connected to another of the hood bracket, the body bracket, the deploy bracket, and the at least one link. An actuator is provided for disengaging the pawl from the bolt to allow the deploy bracket to move relative to the hood bracket and the body bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Wood, Stefan Page, Stephan Holschbach
  • Patent number: 11377889
    Abstract: A hinge with damped closing, comprising a first four-bar linkage, which comprises a coupling element which can be associated with a fixed element, a first portion of a first lever and a third lever which are associated in an articulated manner with the coupling element and a first portion of a second lever that is interposed between the preceding ones and is articulated thereto; the hinge further comprises a second four-bar linkage and at least one damping element that has the first end associated in an articulated manner with at least one lever of the first four-bar linkage and the second end associated in an articulated manner with at least one lever of the second four-bar linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: D.G.N. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Daniele Zetti
  • Patent number: 11359428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pivotably holding a wing flap. The device comprises a flat four-bar linkage comprising two pivotably mounted pivoting arms and two pull arms fastened in parallel in an articulated manner to the pivoting arms, a fastening element for applying the wing flap being applied to the pull arms. The invention further comprises elastic means for damping the pivoting movement, which engage with the four-bar linkage, and a damper device for damping the pivoting movement in the region of two end positions, with a linear pressure damper and a first and a second transmission element. The pressure damper cooperates, on a first side of the pressure damper, via the first transmission element, with a first of the two pivoting arms in the region of a first of the two end positions. Furthermore, the pressure damper cooperates, on a second side of the pressure damper, via the second transmission element, with a second of the two pivoting arms in the region of a second of the two end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: USM U. SCHARER SOHNE AG
    Inventors: Alexander Schärer, Thomas Dienes, Kaspar Stöckli
  • Patent number: 11306527
    Abstract: A furniture fitting includes a first fitting portion to be fixed to a furniture panel, and a second fitting portion to be fixed to a movably-mounted furniture part, the second fitting portion being pivotally connected to the first fitting portion. The first fitting portion includes a mounting portion having a fastening device for mounting the mounting portion to the furniture panel, and the first fitting portion includes a coupling portion hingedly connected to the second fitting portion. The coupling portion is releasably connected to the mounting portion, and the mounting portion includes a housing. The coupling portion, when connected with the mounting portion, is received within the housing. The coupling portion is releasably connected to the mounting portion by a locking device, the locking device including a movably-mounted locking element for releasably locking the coupling portion, and the locking element is pressurized by a force storage member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Folie, Stefan Duer
  • Patent number: 11168505
    Abstract: A motorized hinge device (1) has a first connection means (3) assigned to be fixed to a structure or framework of an appliance, and connected, at least by means of a connecting rod means (5), to a second connection means (7) assigned to be fixed to a door of the appliance. This second connection means (7) is hinged to the first connection means (3) by means of a hinge pin means (11). An actuator (13) has a body (15) fixed to the first connection means (3) and a movable member (17) which is movable with respect to the body (15) and is connected to the connecting rod means (5). In an operative condition, the actuator means (13) is operated to move, by means of the connecting rod means (5), the door around the hinge pin means (11) between extreme opening (A) and closing (C) conditions, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Eros Gherardi
  • Patent number: 11021901
    Abstract: A multi-joint hinge includes a base part, on which a door bearing is held pivotably via a lever mechanism with a plurality of levers which are mounted in the manner of a parallelogram. A damping element for braking a closing movement and a spring element for tightening the door bearing in a closing area in the closing direction are arranged within the multi-joint hinge. The damping element and the spring element are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: HETTICH-ONI GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Eduard Thielmann, Martin Nordieker
  • Patent number: 10883296
    Abstract: A washing machine comprises a hinge device including a cam member, a lever, and an elastic member, and the cam member comprises an outer circumference surface including a first section, a second section and a third section disposed between the first section and the second section having a curvature different from each other. The cam member is profiled to be disposed at a first position in which the door is automatically opened, a second position in which the door is automatically closed, and at a third position in which an external resultant force becomes 0 (zero), when the lever is in contact with each section. Therefore, it is possible to control a closing speed of the door and simplify the power transmission method by using the cam, reduce the material cost by reducing the number of parts, and secure the reliability of driving of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Jae Han, Young-Hyun Kim, Do haeng Kim, Min Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 10863642
    Abstract: A hinge includes a first part disposed in a first member and a second part disposed on a second member. The first part includes a first curved part with an arc shape protruding to outside in a radial direction of a rotational center, and a second curved part disposed outside the first curved part in the radial direction of the rotational center with spacing from the first curved part with an arc shape along the first curved part. The second part includes a connection disposed between the first curved part and the second curved part, wherein the connection moves smoothly along the first curved part and the second curved part about the rotational center. The second part couples, with the first part, the first member and the second member together to allow the first member and the second member to relatively rotate about the rotational center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryohei Sato, Ikki Tatsukami, Frank Müller Augste, Albert Jiang, Morris Sung
  • Patent number: 10731392
    Abstract: A lifting system for door leaves of furniture that swing about at least one horizontal axis between a closed position and a raised open position, the lifting system comprising a supporting body which can be connected to a fixed portion of the item of furniture, a system of articulated levers which are connected to the supporting body and to a door leaf of the item of furniture, the system of levers comprising a first lever which has an end connected rotatably to the supporting body and a second lever, the first lever and the second lever being mutually articulated at the respective other ends, and elastic actuation means, which are functionally connected to the system of articulated levers in order to generate a rotation torque for the system of levers, and further comprising elastic initial opening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ARTURO SALICE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 10697222
    Abstract: A door support includes a first shaft coupled to a door for rotating the door; a first armature on the first shaft; a second shaft with at least one module that resists motion; a second armature on the second shaft; a linkage that connects the armature on the first shaft with the armature on the second shaft; a freewheel on the second armature or on the second shaft that does not engage the module that resists motion thereby allowing the door to open without resistance, the freewheel engaging as the door is closed to provide a resistance as the door is closed, and the linkage positioned such that as the door is nearly closed that the resistance becomes negligible allowing the door to fully close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Power Knot, Inc.
    Inventors: Iain Milnes, Agile Johns
  • Patent number: 10407965
    Abstract: A gate system includes a cam sled having a cam plate configured to slide along a rail. The gate system also includes a cam follower engaged with the cam plate and coupled to a gate assembly. Actuation of a power source to move the cam sled along the rail causes the gate assembly to rotate about an axis and mechanically lock into position in open or closed orientations of the gate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Robert Louis Alford, Michael Richard Mehlhorn
  • Patent number: 10315612
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a hood bracket connected to a vehicle hood. The hood bracket includes a side plate defining a slot having a perimeter entirely bounded by the side plate so as to be spaced from a side plate edge, the side plate also defining a notch open at the side plate edge. A hinge arm has first and second ends rotatably connected to a vehicle body and the hood bracket. The hinge arm includes a slot engagement member extending into the slot to limit a range of rotation of the hood bracket relative to the hinge arm, and a notch engagement member extendable into the notch and configured to removably secure the hinge arm to the hood bracket to limit rotational movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotomo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10301859
    Abstract: A hydraulic hinge comprising a fixed element anchorable to a stationary support structure and a movable element anchorable to a closing element. The fixed and movable elements are mutually coupled in such a way that the latter rotates with respect to the former about a first longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. One of the fixed element and the movable elements includes at least one working chamber defining a second longitudinal axis, which comprises at least one portion which includes: a plunger member sliding along the second axis and a working fluid to hydraulically dampen the movement of the movable element. The plunger member is mutually connected with one of the fixed element and the movable element so that the rotation of the latter corresponds to the sliding of the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: OL.MI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ivano Miglioranzo
  • Patent number: 10060169
    Abstract: A furniture hinge includes an arm member, a casing, an inner link, an outer link, and a resilient device. The arm member includes at least one wall. The at least one wall includes a first mounting structure. The casing can be opened and closed with respect to the arm member. Each of the inner link and the outer link has two end portions respectively and pivotally connected to the arm member and the casing via shafts. The resilient device provides a resilient force acting between the casing and the arm member and includes a second mounting structure to be mounted to the first mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shih-Lung Huang, Ting-Tsai Huang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9776488
    Abstract: A vehicle roof having a roof structure with a roof opening, which, by a roof opening mechanism, can be closed or at least partially uncovered as desired, said roof opening mechanism being designed as an interchangeable insert. Additionally, a roof opening mechanism is proposed, being designed as an interchangeable insert, for unlockable fixation at a roof structure of a vehicle roof, and comprising a frame, which can be placed upon an edge region of the roof structure, said edge region limiting a roof opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: WEBASTO-EDSCHA CABRIO GMBH
    Inventor: Jason Bowles
  • Patent number: 9611682
    Abstract: A device for a movable furniture part having a first stop part which can be attached to a body and is connected via a joint mechanism to a second stop part which can be attached to the movable furniture part for pivoting of the movable furniture part. A damping device is provided, and includes a damper housing and an inner part which is received on the damper housing, which damper housing and inner part can be moved with respect to one another, and the damper housing or the inner part serving as a contact part which, for the damping operation, comes at least temporarily into contact with a section of the device, which section can be moved during the pivoting of the furniture part. A setting mechanism is provided, by way of which setting of the damping action which is provided by way of the damping device can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Grass America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Forster, Georg Domenig, Manfred Peer, Cheng Jiang
  • Patent number: 9541963
    Abstract: A thin hinge includes a holding seat, an arc-shaped driven member and a torsional force generation assembly. The holding seat includes a base, a housing space and a linear slide track. The arc-shaped driven member is located in the housing space and includes an operational portion, a curved portion connected to the operational portion and a driving portion extended from the curved portion toward the operational portion to couple with the assembly portion. The torsional force generation assembly includes at least one driving arm connected to the arc-shaped driven member, a slide seat connected to the driving arm and located in the housing space corresponding to the linear slide track, a detent plate located at another side of the linear slide track facing the housing space and corresponding to the slide seat, and at least one torsional spring coupled with the slide seat and the detent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sinher Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Yan Lin
  • Patent number: 9540856
    Abstract: A thin pivotal apparatus includes a holding seat, an arc-shaped driven member and at least one torsional force generation member. The holding seat includes a base, a housing space and a first assembly portion and a second assembly portion that are located on the base corresponding to two opposite sides of the housing space. The arc-shaped driven member is located in the housing space and includes an operational portion, a curved portion connected to the operational portion and a driving portion extended from the curved portion toward the operational portion to couple with the first assembly portion to form a pivotal relationship. Each torsional force generation member includes a first connection portion located on the second assembly portion, a second connection portion connected to the junction of the driving portion and the curved portion, and a hydraulic portion connected to the first connection portion and the second connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SINHER TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Wen-Yan Lin
  • Patent number: 9441407
    Abstract: A snap hinge with damped closure is provided, including a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral which share a first lever and a second lever and are provided respectively with a plate for coupling to a first element and with a plate for fixing to a second element. The hinge is movable alternately between an open configuration and a closed configuration, in which the plates have different arrangements with respect to each other. At least one damping element is interposed at least between the first quadrilateral and the coupling plate or between the second quadrilateral and the fixing plate for damped transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: D.G.N. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Daniele Zetti
  • Patent number: 9108734
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a divider utilized to provide part of a visual separation between sections of a passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft, the divider comprising several components. One component is a support arm fixedly connected to the frame of an aircraft above a passenger seat. Another component may be a curtain attached to a lower edge of the support arm and projecting vertically below the support arm. Yet another component may be a rigid view block adjacent the face of the luggage stowage compartment and configured to move therewith such that the view block is adjacent the face of the luggage stowage compartment while the luggage stowage compartment is in a closed position, and repositions with the face of the luggage stowage compartment when the compartment is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Heath Tecna Inc
    Inventor: Glenn Casey Chandler
  • Patent number: 8938854
    Abstract: Hinge, to connect flat closing element to household appliance body in correspondence to a body opening, including: first supporting structure to bind to structure or front bearing wall of the body, second supporting structure to bind to flat closing element, first and second connecting elements to connect the first and second supporting structure, and elastically deformable member interacting with at least one of the two connecting elements, to push the closing element against the body opening. The first and second connecting elements and at least first and second portions respectively of the first and second supporting structure form sides of an articulated quadrilateral lying in one or more planes, perpendicular to the flat closing element. The quadrilateral for opening and closing the closing element between operative positions has hinge elements of external portions of the first and second connecting elements to the first and second portions of the supporting structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Oreste Lanzani
  • Patent number: 8935829
    Abstract: A rotary damper includes a damper body having a cylindrical configuration and a rotor rotatably disposed in the damper body. The rotor is non-rotatably connected to an inner link so that the rotor is rotatable together with the inner link. Two teeth constituting a part of a gear are formed in an outer circumferential surface of the damper body. A tooth of a gear member rotatable together with an outer link is engaged with the teeth. By this arrangement, the damper body and the rotor can be rotated in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Ken Shinmura, Hideki Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8904600
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus has a first attachment member to be attached to a housing, a second attachment member to be attached to a door; and first and second links, respective basal end portions of the first and the second links rotatably attached to the first attachment member, respective distal end portions of the first and the second links rotatably attached to the second attachment member. The first attachment member, the second attachment member, the first link and the second link constitute a link mechanism. The first attachment member has a base member to be attached to the housing, and a connecting member removably attached to the base member. The basal end portions of the first and the second links are rotatably attached to the connecting member. The connecting member, the second attachment member, the first link and the second link constitute a link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Sugasawara, Kazuyoshi Oshima
  • Patent number: 8904602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting device capable of opening and engaging in dual directions, which includes: a supporter; a corresponding supporter capable of being engaged with the supporter; and two connection bars parallel to each other, each of the connection bars is respectively parallel to the supporter and the corresponding supporter, and two ends of each of the connection bars are respectively pivoted with the supporter and the corresponding supporter thereby allowing the corresponding supporter to be rotated and unfolded towards an end direction of the supporter or to be rotated and unfolded towards an opposite end direction of the supporter so as to form the dual-directional opening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Jarllytec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Tsun Hsu, Yin-Min Yeh
  • Patent number: 8893354
    Abstract: An active hinge with a reset mechanism that disables an additional degree of freedom in the hinge's movement to permit the trailing edge of a vehicle hood to lift is disclosed. The active hinge includes a deployment bracket on which a reset clip is mounted, a hood bracket for attachment to the vehicle's hood, and a body bracket for attachment to the vehicle's body. To re-lock movement between the deployment bracket and the hood bracket, an engagement tab on the reset clip enters a notch in the hood bracket whereby the reset clip rotates until a locking tab on the clip engages a hole in the deployment bracket. Curved surfaces mounted on the engagement and locking tabs provide surface-to-surface contact between the reset clip and the deployment bracket, whereby the deployment bracket is not scratched when the reset clip is rotated, thereby precluding rust from developing on the deployment bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: M&C Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew McIntyre, I, Michael Duffy
  • Publication number: 20140215761
    Abstract: An adjustable snap-acting hinge is provided. The hinge includes a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral, which can move on a working plane and share a first lever and a second lever and are provided respectively with a plate for coupling to a first element and with a plate for fixing to a second element. A contrast element is associated with the coupling plate and can be arranged in at least one position for use, which lies between a first position in which the contrast element is arranged at a maximum distance from the point of the first lever, and a second position in which the contrast element is arranged at a minimum distance from the point of the first lever. The hinge also includes locking means for keeping the contrast element in the position for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: D.G.N. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Daniele ZETTI
  • Patent number: 8707520
    Abstract: A deceleration device comprises a cylindrical container (14) housing at least one friction disc (16) against at least an internal wall of the cylindrical container (14), and a movable cursor (18), actuated by an external element, for the actuation of the friction disc (16), the friction disc (16) being bound to the cylindrical container (14) through constraint means which permit a roto-translational motion in order to acquire a further sliding contact surface in addition to the internal wall of the cylindrical container (14) at the end of the initial translation phase of the cursor (18) in which the friction disc (16) is subjected to a mainly or completely translational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 8443489
    Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge includes a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. The base includes: (i) a channel located between the first and second side walls; and, (ii) a notch comprising first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base. The cam includes: (i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, with a first end of the camshaft located in the first notch portion and a second end of the camshaft located in the second notch portion; and, (ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft. The hinge assembly includes a biasing spring that comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. The outer end of said spring is located outside the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Sir Louis
  • Patent number: 8214973
    Abstract: A furniture hinge has a first and a second equalizers connecting to a box-shaped body and a hinge arm, the first equalizer being pivoted to the box-shaped body through a first pin and to the hinge arm through a second pin, the second equalizer being pivoted to the box-shaped body through a third pin and to the hinge arm through a fourth pin, a flexure spring being wound around a pin fixed to the hinge arm and having a first spring arm abutting against the hinge arm and a second spring arm abutting against a control cam formed on the first equalizer, a contact surface between the control cam and the second spring arm, during the rotation or the hinge the contact surface moving along both the profile of the control cam and the profile of the second spring arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 8091176
    Abstract: The device for decelerating at least the closing rotation of a furniture hinge, comprises a container housing a first rotating friction element in contact at a first friction surface with the bottom of the container, a second fixed friction element overlapped to the first rotating friction element with which it is in contact at a second friction surface, and at least a third rotating friction element overlapped to the second fixed friction element with which it is in contact with at least a third friction surface, constraint means between the first friction element and the third friction element, a slider movable along a direction of translation at least during closing rotation and kinematic means for conversion of the translation of the slider into a rotation of the first and third friction element in such a manner as to create a dragging friction at the first, second and third friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7934290
    Abstract: An hinge device with fulcrum at variable position for a door (2) of a structure (3) is provided with connecting members, first (4) and second (5), mutually connected and respectively fit to be fixed to the door (2) and to the structure (3) for rotating the door between the extreme closing (C) and the extreme opening (A) in which the door (2), in an operating condition of the structure, is respectively almost vertical and approximately horizontally orientated. The second connecting member (5) has a first fixed pivot (6) and a second fixed pivot (7) for the rotating connection respectively with a first balancing mean (8) and a second balancing mean (9) mutually bound. The end opposite to the first fixed pivot (6) of the first balancing mean (8) is connected by means of a first mobile pivot (10) to an end of the first arm mean (11) having the remaining end connected to the first connecting member (4) by means of a second mobile pivot (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: C.M.I. S.r.l.
    Inventors: Eros Gherardi, Ermes Degli Esposti, Teresa Ghedini
  • Patent number: 7917995
    Abstract: Furniture hinge with alternative damping and/or braking device with respect to those existing and able to guarantee a better functional efficiency during closing and opening operation of the doors, or other parts of furniture, even after long periods of inactivity of the same device. The better efficiency of such hinge is also obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous means present in suitable areas of the hinge and by allowing the regulation of the angular velocity trend of a circular shaped element, for example a disk, that acts as a braking element in contact with the viscous means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7814617
    Abstract: A hinge (10) has a first arm (14) pivotally mounted to a first mounting element (11) and a second arm (15) pivotally mounted to a second mounting element (12). The first and second arms (14, 15) intersect and are pivotally joined by a pivot (13). A first link (24) is pivotally connected to the first mounting element (11) and pivotally coupled to the second arm (15). A second link 21 is pivotally connected to the second mounting element (12) and pivotally coupled to the first arm (14). At least one of said first and second links (21, 24) is adjustable such as to adjust the position of the arm, to which the link is connected, with respect to a pivotal coupling of the mounting element to the arm. The first arm (14) is formed in two parts (31 and 32) which are pivotally coupled together whereby the angular position of one part (31) relative to the other part (32) can be altered and retained in an adjusted angular position by adjusting screws (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Manfred Frank Patent Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Manfred Johannes Frank
  • Patent number: 7730583
    Abstract: Furniture hinge with damping and/or braking device in alternative to those already existing and capable of guaranteeing an improved efficiency during the closing or opening operation of the doors, or other furniture parts, thanks to an improvement of the kinematic motion for transmitting motion from one of the rockers to the damping elements. The improved efficiency of this hinge is also obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous medium present in suitable areas of the hinge and by allowing regulation of the trend of the angular velocity of a circular shaped element, for example a disc, which acts as braking element in contact with the viscous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7707690
    Abstract: A device has a closed position and at least first and second open positions. The device includes a base. A hinge assembly is engaged with the base. The hinge assembly has first and second axes. A hinged portion is engaged with the hinge assembly. The hinged portion is individually pivotable with respect to the base about each of the first and second axes of the hinge assembly. Pivoting of the hinged portion about the first axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the first open position. Relative pivoting of the hinged portion about the second axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the second open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Lowry, Mark Cooper, Eugene Novin
  • Patent number: 7574775
    Abstract: A snap hinge for supporting a closure element, which comprises a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral, which share a first lever and a second lever, which have as their base element respectively a plate for coupling to a fixed element and a plate for fixing to a closure element, an elastic element acting between a point of the first lever and a point of the second lever, and an auxiliary elastic element, arranged in series to the elastic element and has one end articulated to the first lever and the opposite end articulated to an abutment element rigidly associated with the coupling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Daniele Zetti
  • Patent number: 7543356
    Abstract: A snap hinge for supporting closure elements, comprising a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral, which share a first lever and a second lever and have, as their base element, respectively a plate for coupling to a component designed to be fixed and a plate for fixing to a closure element, at least first elastic elements which act on at least one of the articulated quadrilaterals, and a device for fixing the coupling plate to the component, and a complementary plate, which is adapted to be superimposed on the coupling plate, elements for anchoring the complementary plate to the component, elements for the rectilinear guiding of the coupling plate so that it slides alternately along a direction which is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the component, the elements being formed in the complementary plate, and elements for actuating the coupling plate so that it slides along the guiding elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Arrigo Zetti
  • Patent number: 7516514
    Abstract: A door stopper for a motor vehicle door has a piston-cylinder unit arranged basically longitudinally inside the motor vehicle door. The unit is connected in a swiveling manner at a first end with the motor vehicle door and is able to interact at a second end with a stationary structural section of the motor vehicle. In order to ensure that the door stopper requires only a small installation space, the door stopper includes a multi-part lever mechanism, which transforms a swiveling motion of the motor vehicle door chiefly into a back and forth thrusting motion, upon door opening or closing, on the piston-cylinder unit. A first lever of the lever mechanism can be guided out of the motor vehicle door and can be connected with the stationary structural section on a first swiveling axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Rieder
  • Patent number: 7334361
    Abstract: A system for accessing internal electrical components of an LED display panel assembly includes a case and a display panel having a plurality of LEDs on an outer surface and electrical components on an inner surface. A linkage assembly is coupled to an inner surface of the case and the inner surface of the display panel and configured for generally translational and generally rotational movement of the display panel from a closed position to an open position for accessing the electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Adaptive Micro Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jesse E. Schrimpf, Kelly J. Bronk, Scott S. Liebert, Gregory P. Schleusner
  • Patent number: 7328484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge comprising a moveable hinge section and a hinge section consisting of a fixed stop section, which are interconnected by at least one joint axis, and comprising a damping device mounted on one of the hinge sections whose translationally or rotatably moveable damping member is acted upon at least in the closure region of the hinge via gear means from the other hinge section. According to the invention for adjustment of the moveable damping member depending on the tilt of the moveable hinge section relative to the at least one joint axis, there is provided at least three moveable gear members are provided, of which one is the damping member itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7197790
    Abstract: A hinge which includes a gas strut. The hinge in one embodiment further includes a first control arm and a second control arm which is coupled to the first control arm. The gas strut in this one embodiment is coupled to both first and second control arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: PE Marine Designz, Ltd
    Inventor: Paul Charles Edmondson
  • Patent number: 7127778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge comprising a moveable hinge section and a hinge section consisting of a fixed stop section, which are interconnected by at least one joint axis, and comprising a damping device mounted on one of the hinge sections whose translationally or rotatably moveable damping member is acted upon at least in the closure region of the hinge via gear means from the other hinge section. According to the invention for adjustment of the moveable damping member depending on the tilt of the moveable hinge section relative to the at least one joint axis, there is provided at least three moveable gear members are provided, of which one is the damping member itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p. A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7003851
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 6889404
    Abstract: A hinge includes a bracket, two fixing seats pivotally connected to the bracket, at least one base, at least one first arm pivotally connected between the at least one base and the at least one fixing seat and at least one second arm pivotally connected between the at least one base and the at least one fixing seat. At least one spring is provided between the at least one second arm and the at least one base such that when both the at least one first and second arms are pivoted relative to the at least one base, the required recovery force is provided to facilitate the upward movement of the bracket relative to the at least one base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Hsiang-Chi Chien
  • Patent number: 6701574
    Abstract: A decklid hinge is provided for a rear compartment of a vehicle. The decklid hinge includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The decklid hinge also includes a decklid side strap adapted to be connected to a decklid for closing a recess of the rear compartment. The decklid hinge includes a first link interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap for allowing rotation therebetween. The decklid hinge also includes a second link interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap for guiding pivoting action of the hinge along a predefined path. The decklid hinge further includes a counterbalance spring interconnecting the body side strap and the decklid strap to counterbalance a weight of the decklid in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Waqar Hashim, Akin O Ajilore, Glenn J Esch, Carl E Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 6647592
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for mounting a vehicle door structure to a vehicle body having first, second, third and fourth hinge members and a plurality of pin members. The first and fourth hinge members are coupled to the vehicle body and the vehicle door, respectively. The pin members pivotably couple the second and third hinge members to the first and fourth hinge members, permitting the vehicle door structure to pivot relative to the vehicle body between a closed position and an open position. The second and third hinge members are configured to resist a seal force that is exerted to the vehicle door by a weatherstrip seal to inhibit an outer surface of the vehicle door from skewing relative to an outer surface of the vehicle body in response to the seal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: William T Presley
  • Patent number: 6618904
    Abstract: In a multi-link hinge assembly for a rear deck lid or front hood for an automobile, a torsional coil spring is mounted with its coil coaxial to or proximate to a pivotal connection of the hinge assembly with arms of the coil spring engaging members of the hinge assembly to bias them for pivoting about the pivotal connection. The torsional coil spring provides enhanced “pop-up” of the lid or hood on initial unlocking and can reduce the need for or size of a primary biasing mechanism to assist in opening the lid or hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Van-Rob Stampings Inc.
    Inventor: Louis A. Nagy
  • Patent number: 6499189
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus employs a base, a second base, link arms, urging means and the characteristics of a parallelogram formed by the shape of said base, second base and paired link members to enable a body such as a platen cover to rotate up open and lower substantially parallel to an original platen and to enable the parallel opening of the body thereby ensuring the complete covering of a thick original or a book original placed upon the clear glass platen enabling good quality copies of the original regardless of its thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kondo, Mitsumasa Ogihara
  • Patent number: 6442799
    Abstract: A hinge comprising a base and a plate rotataby coupled to the base about a turn axis fixed in the base. The hinge further includes a swing member rotably coupled to the plate about a pivot axis fixed relative to the plate and a spring coupled between the base and the plate which urges the plate to rotate about the turn axis in a first direction. The plate has limited rotation in the first direction about the turn axis as the swing arm has limited movement relative to the plate about the pivot axis in a second direction, opposite of the first direction. The limited movement of the swing arm is defined by a pivot limit. Movement of the swing arm toward and away from the pivot limit occurs about the pivot axis without effect of the spring on the arm. During contact of the swing arm with the pivot limit, the arm and the plate can move about the turn axis against the effect of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: Carlos Duarte, Fred S. Romero
  • Patent number: 6374459
    Abstract: A snap hinge for supporting closure sheet-like elements, comprising a first articulated quadrilateral and a second articulated quadrilateral which have a first lever and a second lever in common, at least two elastic springs in parallel being further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: T.G.N. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Zetti