Abstract: Provided is an improved stopper structure for defining both opening and closing limits of a lid member such as a trunk lid of an automobile requiring only a minimum number of component parts and a minimum amount of work for the fabrication process. The stopper for defining the opening and closing limits of a lid member attached to a vehicle body via a four-link mechanism 1 comprises a stopper member secured to an inner surface of the lid member, a first abutting surface provided in one of the link arms for engaging the stopper member when the lid member is opened up, and a second abutting surface provided on the vehicle body for engaging the stopper member when the lid member is fully closed. In particular, it is preferable to provide the stopper member with a plurality of contact surfaces having different heights substantially symmetrically around a mounting portion thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hinge assembly for pivotably interconnecting a frame and a glass door of a refrigerated display case. The hinge assembly is pivotable about a horizontal axis and includes a hinge movable between a first position and a second position. The hinge includes a spring biasing device for biasing the hinge to the first position or second position. A clamp is connected to the hinge and holds the glass door using only frictional force.

Abstract: A counterbalance device for a mail processing system includes a cover; a base; a support arm fixedly mounted to one of the cover and the base and articulately mounted to the other of the cover and the base such that the cover and the base pivot relative to each other; a device for counterbalancing the one of the cover and the base to create a predetermined force profile throughout a full range of pivoting movement of the one of the cover and the base from a closed position to a fully opened position relative to the other of the cover and the base. The predetermined force profile represents the net force acting on the one of the cover and the base at each point in the full range of pivoting movement.

Abstract: An improved hinge assembly for a vacuum packaging machine is designed to pivotally connect a stainless steel tub in the machine to a sealing lid. The lid is equipped with a pair of the hinge assemblies, with each hinge assembly including a stationary hinge plate which is positioned beneath a rear, overhanging lip of the tub. A pair of pins are spaced apart and extend outward from each hinge plate and into and through an arcuate slot in a movable hinge block which is, in turn, connected to the lid. The hinge block is designed to move relative to the hinge plate along a path dictated by the arcuate slot and the pins, with the pins acting as respective stops for the movement. A gas spring is pivotally connected between the rear surface of the machine and each hinge block, with the hinge blocks including different mounting points to vary the effectiveness of the springs.

Abstract: A cabinet is provided with a curved, upwardly-swinging door and interior shelves. The curved shelf door is mounted on a pair of opposed pivot arms which rotate on a horizontal axis. Each pivot arm is provided with a disk portion having a central boss and an arm portion tangent to the disk portion. The central boss engages a fixed stud at the side of the cabinet and provides a center pivot for each of the arms. A gas spring for each arm is provided, which is pivotably connected at one end to the arm and at the other end to a side wall of the cabinet. The gas spring serves a dual purpose of counterbalancing the door as it moves between an open and a closed position and opening the door unassisted once the user initiates movement of the door, this opening feature being very beneficial to seated and physically disabled users.

Abstract: An attenuated hinge spring assembly for a trunk lid of an automotive vehicle includes a coiled spring which is connected to a bracket secured to the vehicle, a threaded stud which is secured to the bracket, a plate which is slidably mounted on the bracket and the stud, a nut rotatably attached to said threaded stud and selectively secured to an arm, and a washer which lies between the plate and the nut. The plate lies adjacent to the coiled spring. The arm is pivotally connected to the trunk lid and to the bracket. The spring is connected to the stud and the arm and uncoils as the arm pivots from a lowered position to a raised position to move the lid between a lowered position and a raised position. When the lid is raised, the arm rotates which causes the nut to rotate and translate along the stud, which in turn causes the washer and plate to translate along said stud.

Abstract: An anti-tip hinge device for a door or a shelf, which is pivotally moved to obtain a horizontal cantilever position. The hinge device has a channel which fits into a sheath of and is connected to the door or shelf. A lever arm carries cam followers which engage a cam in the channel. The cam is supported in the channel by a pin and a spring located on opposite ends of the cam. The cam has a recess and a ramp disposed adjacent to the recess. When an overload is applied to the cantilever end of the door or shelf, the cam followers are disengaged from the recess of the cam, and push the cam inwardly within the channel at an angle to allow the door or shelf to be titled downwardly below the horizontal. This action interrupts the counterbalance spring effect on the door. A pin-hole arrangement resets the hinge device, and a lug-slot arrangement prevents the door from disengaging the hinge device.

Abstract: A device in which an auxiliary force is applied to a loading deck side plate of a truck to reduce the force required for opening and closing the side plate. A spring is provided on the underside of the loading deck to pull a rod substantially horizontally. A swing link is provided below a side end portion of the loading deck, and the tip of the swing link and an outer surface of the side plate are connected together through a connecting link in such a manner that the tip of the swing link points obliquely upward or downward when the side plate is closed or fully open, respectively. The tip of the rod and an intermediate portion of the swing link are connected together through an intermediate link.

Abstract: A hinged device includes a stationary component hinged with a rotatable component by means of a damper element wherein a lid shaped rotatable component is opened or closed at a low speed by means of a torsion bar connecting the stationary component and the rotatable component, and high viscosity grease is filled in gaps between bearings and small diameter shaft portions of the hinge.

Abstract: An opening/closing mechanism is used in apparatus such as personal computers, word processors and liquid-crystal televisions, some of these apparatus.

Abstract: An arrangement for suspension of a door, preferably a luggage compartment door, on a vehicle body. Between the vehicle body and the door there are arranged separate first and second spring elements. The attachment points of the second spring element, during the first part of the pivoting movement of the door from a closed to an open position, exerts a torque in a direction counter to the pivoting movement and, during the continued pivoting movement of the door, exerts a torque in the direction of the pivoting movement.

Abstract: A lid retainer mechanism is provided for an automatic washer which comprises an over-center spring device connected between the lid and the washer cabinet. As the lid is opened, the mechanism passes through a "centered" position and beyond that point, the mechanism acts to urge the lid into a fully open position. This mechanism is particularly useful in a stacked washer/dryer arrangement where the lid is prevented by the bottom wall of the dryer from opening to a position perpendicular to the top of the washer.

Abstract: A hinge system for a large or heavy cover member hinged to a container member. A container hinge plate is secured to a side wall of the container member and a cover hinge plate is secured to the side wall of the cover member and rotatably connected to the first hinge means at a hinge pivot means. A gas strut unitary with and pivotably mounted to the container and cover hinge plates raises and lowers the cover member to open and closed positions relative to the container member. The gas strut is pivotably attached to the container and cover hinge plates. A quick connect-disconnect plate removably connected to the cover hinge plate and rotatably connected to the hinge pivot is used to connect or disconnect the container hinge plate from the cover hinge plate and thus to connect or disconnect the cover member to or from the container member and thus connect or disconnect the container member to or from the cover member. The hinge system including the quick connect-disconnect plate can be mounted to a heavy door.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and construction of hinge units for joining a case and its corresponding lid, which comprises: a pair of bend units with a receptacle body in between for keeping a spring integrally connected to a side wall of a case; a guide member slidably inserted in the hollow space of the receptacle body and supported by the spring; a joint plate having a through opening running transversely through the lower portion thereof to be joined with the bend units by means of an inserted pin; and a socket integrally connected to a side wall of a lid for receiving a portion of the joint plate therein.

Abstract: A hinge consisting of a base, a rotating member mounted to one end of the base through a pair of link arms, the rotating member being supported by a spring in a closed or open condition. The base is formed out of a single piece of sheet metal by bending and shaping so as to have a pair of side plate portions to be fitted over projections of a member on which the hinge is mounted; a connecting plate portion formed integral with, and provided between, the link arm mounting sides of the pair of the side plate portions; and screw support plate portions bent inwardly from the pair of the side plate portions so that they face the projections of the member on which the hinge is mounted, the screw support plate portions being joined together to be shaped like a letter U, the joint part of the screw support plate portions being formed with screw insertion holes.

Abstract: A cover assembly for use with a base structure such as a hot tub comprising a cover member mounted for rotational movement to the base structure by mounting arms.The mounting arms are arranged relative to the cover member so that the cover member travels along a path from a covering positioning to an open position, this path having a first path portion extending between the covering position and an intermediate location area of the cover member, and a second path portion extending between the open position and the intermediate location area.The cover member is arranged relative to the mounting arms in a manner that with the cover member on a first side of the intermediate location area in the first path portion, gravitational force on the cover assembly tends to move the cover member to the covering position, and with the cover member on the second side of the intermediate location area in the second path portion, gravitational force on the cover assembly tends to move the cover member to the open position.

Abstract: A hinge for mounting a false front for swinging between closed and open positions on a cabinet. The hinge includes first and second mounting brackets adapted to be secured to the false front and the cabinet, respectively. A first link has one end pivotably and slidably connected to the first bracket and an opposite end pivotably connected to the second bracket. A second link is pivotably connected between its ends to the first link, has one end pivotably connected to the first bracket, and has an opposite end pivotably and slidably connected to the second bracket. The hinge permits the false front and a tray thereon to be opened to an easily accessible position and enables the false front to be located between and closely adjacent to the countertop and the doors of the cabinet.

Abstract: Weight compensation for hinged doors, hatches, gates, or the like, which swing up and down on an upper horizontal hinge axis, comprises a torsion rod extending parallel to the hinge axis and having hollow shafts or bushings at its respective ends, one of the bushings is connected through a lever and a continuously length adjustable rod to the frame and on one side of said door, hatch, or gate, the other bushing is mounted to a lever, and a continuously adjustable tensioning screw fastens that lever to the door, hatch, or gate, and at the other side thereof.

Abstract: A relatively uncomplicated hinge and spring assembly for effectively counterbalancing the trunk lid of an automotive vehicle and for partially opening that lid when it is unlatched. The assembly utilizes an adjustable tension coil spring that exerts a diminishing lifting force as the lid is raised and that, at the manufacturer's/user's option, is used to counterbalance or slightly exceed the gradually diminishing unsupported weight of the lid as it moves from lowered to raised position. The lifting force is augmented over a limited arc of the lid's travel, by lateral deflection or distortion of the spring, to urge the lid into its partially-raised position when it is unlatched.

Abstract: A spring assembly for counterbalancing a door includes a compression spring and tension members engaging opposite ends of the spring. The tension members can be connected in a conventional door mechanism, the assembly replacing ordinary tension springs of the mechanism. The tension members and the spring are maintained in axial alignment during compression of the spring, which can be preloaded as desired. The assembly is fail-safe in that the spring is completely enclosed and the spring, if broken, continues to provide support for the door.

Abstract: Device for balancing a lid of a suspended plan filing cabinet, comprising a stay (4) fixed at one end (40) on a pivot pin (5) fastened to the lid (1), the other end (41) being free, said stay being pulled towards the top of the cabinet by a spring (6) compensating the weight of the lid. The stay is guided by a roller (7) free to turn on a pin (8) fastened to the frame (2). This stay has a notch (9) which is entered by the roller (7) in order to hold the lid open, and a notch (10) holding the lid closed. Means of adjusting the tension of the spring (6) make it possible to fix a safety position (.alpha.) before the complete closure of the lid.

Abstract: The improved assembly includes a jump seat with a raised back portion and a seat portion hinged thereto and spring raised automatic movement from a horizontal operative position to a raised stored position. The seat back portion holds such spring and is hinged to the vertical arm of an L-shaped wall bracket, which may contain a second spring so that when the seat portion is in the stored position, the seat can be controllably swung into a flat stored position against the wall bracket, which bracket is adapted to be secured to an airplane galley wall or the like. The horizontal portion of the bracket includes a raised post and recess with sloped walls easily releasably seating with and disengaging from the underside of the seat portion. The seat includes a fully adjustable safety belt array, having a pair of parallel vertical shoulder belts releasably separately hooked to a pair of transverse belts. The latter are each adjustable in length.

Abstract: The industrial robot comprises a lower arm (13) provided on a robot body (12) pivotably about a first horizontal axis (C1). The lower arm (13) has provided thereon a forearm (14) pivotably about a second horizontal axis (C2). The forearm (14) is rotationally driven by a drive such as a motor (16). The robot body (12) has provided thereon a rotating disk (17) interlocked with the pivoting of the forearm (14) about the second axis (C2) and rotatable about the first axis (C1). Also the rotating disk (17) has secured thereon a first wheel (18) and coaxial therewith, the diameter of which is smaller than that of the disk. There is further provided a tension spring assembly (19) having one end thereof connected to the robot body (12) and which has rotatably mounted at the other end thereof a second wheel (21) having nearly the same diameter as that of the first wheel. Also provided is a chain (22) having one end thereof connected to the rotating disk (17) and the other end engaged on the first wheel (18).

Abstract: In an arrangement of gas springs as weight counter-balance and retaining device for a part pivotable substantially about a horizontal axis such as a flap, lid or door, a simple construction is required which guarantees two stable open positions for the pivotable part. This is guaranteed in that two gas springs are arranged where the first of the two gas springs possesses an outward thrust force acting over the entire range of displacement of the pivotable part, while the second gas spring possesses an outward thrust force acting over a part of the displacement range and an additional force-free displacement range.

Abstract: A fully assembled hinge mechanism for a door of a major appliance which comprises an elongated guide member arranged to be attached to the appliance at spaced apart front edges thereof having a pivotal door hanger lever extending therefrom, and a hinge arm pivotally connected to the door hanger lever and movable on the guide member to permit opening of a door on the hanger lever where the hinge arm is spring biased into contact with the guide member and the spring counterbalances the weight of the door.

Abstract: A hinge-type lid mounting device has a main body to be attached to a case or the like, and the main body has at its one end a cam body pivotally mounted through a first pin. The other end of the main body defines a fixed spring seat, and a spring is interposed between the fixed spring seat and a movable spring seat adapted to abut the cam body. A lid supporting member is rotatably mounted on the cam body through a second pin perpendicular to the first pin. A lid is anchored at its one end to the lid supporting member through a lid anchoring member and a fixing screw.

Abstract: A robot including a balancing mechanism with a spring assembly which exerts a variable force to compensate for the gravitational moment transferred to the mechanism during relative rotation between an arm assembly of the robot and the rest of the robot about a pivotal axis. A spring of the spring assembly is chosen to have a force-deflection characteristic to account for the gravitational moment and the geometry of the mechanism. The arm assembly has a pivotal connection that pivotally supports the arm assembly on the rest of the robot for movement about the pivotal axis. The spring assembly has a longitudinal axis which extends towards and is substantially perpendicular to the pivotal axis. The moment arm is connected to the arm assembly at an attachment point offset from the pivotal axis. A first sprocket wheel is mounted on a drive gear of the arm assembly to rotate therewith and a second sprocket wheel is pivotally mounted at the free end of the spring assembly.

Abstract: A concealed hinge between the lid and chest of a freezer has a hook shaped support bracket with a leg and bight. The bracket leg is mounted within one wall of the chest and the bight defines substantially diametrically opposed first and second pivots. A mounting structure is provided to pivotably secure the lid to the first pivot of the support bracket. A fixed point is defined within the lid and a compression spring member is provided between the fixed point and the second pivot of the bracket. The bracket leg is mounted within the chest wall by plastic components which function as a thermal barrier.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for an irradiation device, such as a sunlamp or the like, wherein a mounting bracket pivotally supported on a frame has an irradiation device operatively supported thereon and wherein a drive motor pivotally moves the mounting bracket relative to the frame. A connection mechanism interposed between the drive motor and the mounting bracket includes bearing recesses formed in the mounting bracket, a lifting nut having a pair of articulated pins engaging in the bearing recesses and a lifting spindle driven by the drive motor and having the lifting nut operatively mounted thereon. A mechanically actuated release lever engages the lifting spindle for moving the articulated pins out of engagement with the bearing recesses, and a spring interposed between the frame and the mounting bracket applies a spring biasing force pivotally urging the mounting bracket in a direction for lifting the mounting bracket when the articulated pins are moved out of engagement with the bearing recesses.

Abstract: A gas spring-assisted counterbalance system for a closure member, e.g., the rear door of a hatchback automobile, includes a mechanical spring connected in series with a gas spring. The system is arranged so that the gas spring reaches its fully retracted position before the door is fully closed, after which the door is closed against the force of the mechanical spring. Longitudinal vibrations or short movements of the system which otherwise would impart undesired short stroke cycles to the gas spring are absorbed by the mechanical spring, thereby enhancing the operating lifetime of the gas spring.

Abstract: A compact, spring actuated, counterbalance system (10) for relatively large, inwardly opening aircraft bulk cargo doors (11) and similar closures of the type adapted to be pivoted about a horizontal hinge axis (12) oriented along the upper edge of the door (11) which is of the type commonly shifted through angles on the order of about 50.degree. between fully closed and fully opened positions and employing: (i) an overhead conventional type compression spring assembly (15) including a housing (20), a spring actuator (21) movable axially through the housing (20), and an axially compressible spring assembly (19.sub.a -19.sub.d) bottomed at one end on the housing (20) and at its opposite end on the spring actuator (21); (ii) a bell crank assembly (16) having a bell crank (24) pivotally mounted on the overhead aircraft structural frame (18) and having a pair of angularly related crank arms (24.sub.a, 24.sub.

Abstract: An improved closure panel hinge assembly is provided that gives an improved opening motion to a closure panel, such as a deck lid that has an edge disposed close to a vertical plane associated with the vehicle, such as the plane of a backlite. A pair of horizontal guide tracks and sliding pivots cooperate with an interconnected hinge strap, control link and follower link to shift the edge of the deck lid away from the back light as it is initially raised. Continued raising of the deck lid tilts it upwardly to an open position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a vehicle deck lid is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes a stationary hinge member, a hinge strap secured to the deck lid and pivotally connected to the stationary hinge member, a lever pivotally supported by the hinge member at a location spaced from the pivotal connection of the hinge strap, a torsion rod for biasing the lever into engagement with a roller rotatably carried by the hinge strap, the lever having a cam surface and the torsion rod having a bias such that it causes the deck lid to be automatically raised at a controlled rate upon the deck lid being opened.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimney flue cap for a fireplace which can easily be installed on the top of new or existing chimney flues. The cap comprises a generally planar sheet of metal designed to fit over the opening in the top of the flue. The cap is mounted to the flue by a hinge means formed from two plates. The first plate is mounted on the cap with a portion extending past an edge thereof. The extending portion is divided into three parts, the outer two of which are bent downward to form a portion of the hinge. The center flange is bent upward and is connected to a spring which urges the cap towards the open position. A second plate is mounted on the side of the flue and has three outwardly projecting tabs. Two tabs are connected to the downwardly depending flanges to form the hinge and the third tab serves as an anchor for the spring which opens the cap.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a door which includes a support within the door opening and away from the door jamb. In the closed position of the door, parts of the mechanism including a hinge member are located between the support and the jamb. A door is pivotally mounted on the hinge member at its distal end. As the door moves from the closed to an intermediate position the pivotal mounting of the door on the hinge member follows an arcuate path outwardly and away from the door jamb. When the mechanism reaches the intermediate position the door can be swung on its pivotal connection with the hinge member to a fully open position.

Abstract: A lower edge wall of a luggage case part has camming teeth with intervening grooves. The other case part has a set of spaced apart teeth for consecutive meshing with those of the first case part. One or more leaf springs are received across the meshed teeth of the case parts. The dimensions and geometry of the spring are such that when the case parts reach a predetermined maximum opening angle, the central spring portions contact opposing portions of the two case parts forming a limit stop to further opening of the case.

Abstract: This invention deals with a hinge for opening or closing a dust cover of record players, which, in order to keep the hinge body from being exposed, to prevent the opened dust cover from excessively projecting rearwardly and to stably sustain the dust cover at an intermediate opening angle, comprises: a cabinet; a dust cover; a slider disposed vertically slidable in the rear portion of the cabinet on each side; a spring urging the slider upward; a support member removably mounted to the dust cover and rotatably mounted on the cabinet by a hinge pin; and a follower provided to the support member and adapted to contact the head of the slider. The hinge of this invention may be provided, in addition to the above construction, with a means to stably sustain the dust cover at an intermediate opening angle.

Abstract: A friction hinge arrangement for the hinged connection of a cover to a base, for example a record player base, comprises a hingeable friction member, which is mounted between the limbs of a friction member whose limbs are urged towards each other with the aid of clamping members. In order to minimize the maximum moments to be exerted when the cover is opened and closed the friction hinge arrangement is provided with a spring which biases the hinge pin and partly compensates for the force of gravity acting on the cover.

Abstract: A counterbalance support for hingedly mounting a cover on a cabinet for vertical swinging movements between horizontally disposed closed and vertically disposed open positions, which features an arrangement for maintaining a counterbalance spring device in a deactivated condition permitting non-counterbalanced pivotal movements of hinge parts of the support, as an incident to mounting the cover on the cabinet.