Over-center Spring Or Linkage Travel (e.g., "holdback Hinge") Patents (Class 16/291)
  • Patent number: 10914106
    Abstract: An actuation device for a lifting system for door leaves of furniture, the actuation device comprising a fixing plate that can be connected to the body of the piece of furniture, a supporting lever for the door leaf, which is connected, so that it can oscillate, to the fixing plate at a fulcrum and comprises, at the fulcrum, a connecting portion that extends eccentrically with respect to the fulcrum, and elastic means that comprise a body for accommodating at least one elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: ARTURO SALICE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 10400493
    Abstract: An arrangement for spreading apart at least two door leaves which are part of an item of furniture and are hingedly interconnected, from a folded position into a spread-apart position, includes an energy accumulator and a spreading element impinged by the energy accumulator. The spreading element comprises a pivotally supported lever arm with a free end, and a control contour is provided for controlling movement of the spreading element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Dominik Gabl
  • Patent number: 10315705
    Abstract: A system that mounts a motor vehicle hood on a body of the vehicle includes a guide element to slidably guide the hood relative to the body in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a locking element to lock the hood to immobilize the hood relative to the body in a closed position, in which it seals off an engine compartment. The locking element assumes an activated state as a result of a sliding movement of the hood relative to the body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a first direction. The guide element includes a self-centering element to self-center the hood relative to the body in a direction transverse to the vehicle while the hood slides in the first direction, and ensures that the closed position of the hood is a predetermined position in the transverse direction and is constant relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Silvino Do Nascimento, Philippe Perreux, Patrick Perot
  • Patent number: 10214951
    Abstract: A door hinge having a damping function, comprising a housing, a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a U-shaped rotating shaft, a hinge cup, a linkage member, a torsion spring, a connector, a supporting structure, and a damping structure; one end of the linkage member is rotationally provided in the housing by means of the first rotating shaft, and the other end of the linkage member is rotationally connected to the hinge cup by means of one arm of the U-shaped rotating shaft; one end of the connector is rotationally provided in the housing by means of the second rotating shaft, and the other end of the connector is rotationally connected to the hinge cup by means of the other arm of the U-shaped rotating shaft; the torsion spring is fitted over the second rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Yelin Liang
  • Patent number: 10137773
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a non-linear spring mechanism coupled to a cover element. As an example, a system may comprise: a bar linkage mechanism having a first spring arm coupled to a second pivotable spring arm via a living spring hinge, the second pivotable spring arm having a lower or an equivalent stiffness compared to the first spring arm; an element coupled to at least one of the arms of the bar linkage mechanism. In one example, the element may be a cover cap, swing door or a sliding door. In this way, the linkage mechanism may allow the element to open with ease while providing improved performance in corrosive environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologis, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Michael Terrence Zitkovic, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9695623
    Abstract: A powered folding door or window system includes at least two rigid panels that are linked together by at least one vertical hinge/pivot to fold between a closed state, where the panels extend across an opening, to an open state, where they are retracted to one side of the opening and stacked against each other. The system incorporates a motor and a drive belt mechanism as primary means for driving the panels. The system further includes a powered actuator on one of the panels and a co-operative element on a linked adjoining panel; whereby the powered actuator cooperates with the co-operative element on the linked adjoining panel to move the linked adjoining panel and said one panel about the vertical hinge/pivot linking them; whereby the powered actuator may start the opening of the door or window system and/or complete the closing of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Derek Keith Thomas
  • Patent number: 9574383
    Abstract: A self-locking hinge for agricultural machine panels includes a receptacle configured to slidingly receive an insert along a receiving axis. A hinge with fixed and movable portions and pivot axis transverse to the receiving axis is connected to the insert. A locking retainer is connected to the movable portion and engages an opening in the receptacle as the movable portion is moved toward a first position corresponding with panel closure. Engagement of the locking retainer in the opening precludes movement of the insert portion along the receiving axis. Moving the hinge in an opposite direction disengages the locking retainer from the opening and permits sliding movement of the insert. The locking retainer further includes an arcuate surface configured to engage an edge of the opening which may further be eccentrically arranged about the hinge axis to enable the locking retainer to move the insert into a desired position as the hinge is moved toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Walker, Brian P. Crow
  • Patent number: 9290975
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device for fixing a furniture hinge, comprising a base plate, which is to be fixed to a furniture part, in particular a lateral wall of a furniture body, and comprising a fixing device for fixing the hinge to the mounting device, preferably in a removable manner. The fixing device is movably mounted on the base plate, said mounting device having a connecting element which is mounted on the base plate in a movable manner via at least one toggle lever and which can be fixed to a hinge part that can be moved during the opening and closing movement of the hinge, wherein the fixing device can be moved relative to the base plate via the toggle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Fredi Dubach
  • Patent number: 9021743
    Abstract: A device is provided to assist the opening of a covering element pivotably mounted relative to an edge of a frame. The device includes an assistance cylinder (6). The assistance cylinder (6) includes a hollow shaft (7), a guide pin (10) inserted in the hollow shaft (7) and comprising at the end thereof opposite the end wall (8) of the hollow shaft (7) a yoke (11), a spring (13) inserted in the hollow shaft (7) surrounding the guide pin (10) and mounted pre-stressed when unloaded between the end wall (4) of the hollow shaft (7) and the yoke (11) of the guide pin (10), and a screw (14) secured to the end of the guide pin (10) and engaging with the end wall (8) of the hollow shaft (7) for keeping the pre-stressed spring (13) in the released state thereof. The invention is useful in the field of road systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: EJ Emea
    Inventor: Alexandre Piermee
  • Patent number: 8522480
    Abstract: A multi-piece hinge pivotably connects a top member and a bottom member. The hinge includes an upper hinge member securable to the top member, a lower hinge member securable to the bottom member and fixable in a frame, a hinge cover secured between the upper hinge member and the lower hinge member, and a spring element acting between the upper hinge member and the lower hinge member. The upper hinge member is pivotable relative to the lower hinge member across a pivot range between a closed position and an open position. The pivot range is limited by a stop assembly. In the closed position, the spring element is positioned to bias the upper hinge member toward the closed position, and in the open position, the spring member is displaced over center to bias the upper hinge member toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Group, LLC
    Inventor: Robert R. Shearer
  • Patent number: 8495794
    Abstract: A rotating module includes a fixing member, a rotating member rotatably mounted on the fixing member, a swinging arm and a first elastic member. The swinging arm includes a first end and a second end. The first end is hinged to the rotating member, the second end is slidably and rotatably mounted to the fixing member. The first elastic member is fastened between the fixing member and the second end, the rotating member is rotated relative to the fixing member to drive the second end to slide on the fixing member to compress or release the first elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Liang-Tian Peng
  • Patent number: 8381447
    Abstract: A door panel opening and closing device for a casing includes a face panel, a door panel, and a resilient member. The face panel includes a base wall and a first post disposed on the base wall. The door panel includes a pivot arm pivoted to the base wall and having a second post. A pivot juncture between the pivot arm and the base wall is defined as a turning axis. The door panel is turnable about the turning axis between closed and open positions. The resilient member is an extension spring having two ends hooked to the first and second posts, respectively. When the door panel is turned from the closed position past a specific angular position, the door panel will automatically spring to the open position by virtue of a directional change of a component of tension force of the resilient member to an outward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong-Hui Mao, Chuan-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 8177445
    Abstract: An over-center mechanism includes a pivoting member, rotatable about a pivot point between first and second positions, a drive gear, having a first radius, fixedly attached to the pivoting member at the pivot point, a pinion gear, engaged with the drive gear, having a second radius, and an over-center tension spring, eccentrically attached between the drive gear and the pinion gear, to bias the pivoting member toward the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Jones, Glenn W Gaarder, Michael Janczyk
  • Patent number: 8122568
    Abstract: A swing hinge module bidirectionally swinging a movable body and a portable terminal having the same are disclosed. The swing hinge module includes a rotation cam, a rotation shaft, a fixed plate, and a guide pin. The rotation cam is fixed to the movable body to be rotated with the movable body, and has stopping recesses on an outer circumference of the rotation cam to set a rotation angle of the movable body. The rotation shaft is coupled with a central area of the rotation cam, and the fixed plate is coupled to the fixed body and has a guide hole to receive the rotation shaft. The guide pin is coupled to the fixed plate and contacts the outer circumference of the rotation cam to support the rotation cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Chul Jin, Jeong Hun Seo, Ki Taek Kim, Jin Soo Kim, Young Ki Kim
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100011536
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for interconnecting a cover and a main body of a foldable electronic device, includes a sleeve, a shaft unit, an elastic member and an engaging body. The sleeve has two opposite gaps formed in the interior wall thereof, the shaft unit includes a shaft portion and an end portion formed at an end of the shaft portion, the shaft portion defines a slot therein, the elastic member includes a central wall and two opposite flanges. The shaft unit, the elastic member and the engaging body are mounted into the sleeve, the slot receives the central wall and the two flanges extends into the two gaps correspondingly, the shaft portion is fixed with the engaging body, the elastic member urges the shaft unit return to original position when the shaft unit rotates relative to the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: HAO-SIAN LIN
  • Publication number: 20090241290
    Abstract: An over-center mechanism includes a pivoting member, rotatable about a pivot point between first and second positions, a drive gear, having a first radius, fixedly attached to the pivoting member at the pivot point, a pinion gear, engaged with the drive gear, having a second radius, and an over-center tension spring, eccentrically attached between the drive gear and the pinion gear, to bias the pivoting member toward the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Jones, Glenn W Gaarder, Michael Janczyk
  • Patent number: 6715183
    Abstract: A hinge (10) for furniture doors, the supporting wall stop part of which, which is constructed as a supporting arm (14), is coupled pivotably over two hinge guide rods (16; 18) with the door stop part, which is constructed as a hinge pot (12), with a spring-loaded mechanism, which it is formed by a leg spring, which is disposed in the supporting arm and engages an extension of the out to hinge guide rod (16), and a further leg spring, which is supported in the supporting arm. The leg spring is constructed as a double leg spring (42) with a middle double leg (44) of two parallel leg arms, protruding between two groups of spring coils (47) from, in each case, one of the inner spring coils, and two outer legs (46), protruding from the in each case outermost spring coil of each group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mepla-Werke Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Lautenschläger
  • Patent number: 6505381
    Abstract: A hinge system for deploying panels or other structures from a satellite or spacecraft has at least two configurations. The panels are held in a substantially stacked disposition in the stowed configuration by the hinge system which connects to each panel and includes an intermediate arm sized to span any necessary space between the two panels in the stowed configuration. A deployment cable is attached to one of the panels and threaded over a series of pulleys disposed on the hinge system and onto a spool in the other panel. When the spool is driven to wind the deployment cable onto it, the tension in the cable pulls on the pulleys, causing the hinge to unfold and then slide into a housing located on one of the panels. This deployed configuration allows the panels to be held aligned and directly adjacent to one another by the tension of the deployment cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Astro Aerospace
    Inventors: Mark Thomson, Steve Davis
  • Patent number: 6479746
    Abstract: A plurality of mounting feet securely attach a power inverter to a body. The tabs are to be adjustably or pivotally mounted on the under carriage of the power inverter such that they may be positioned by the user when mounting to a body. When mounted, the tabs absorb vibrations from the host body and prevent the power inverter from resulting damage. During shipping or storage the tabs are retracted to the underside of the power inverter to minimize space required by the power inverter. The tabs are made from elastomeric electrical insulator material in order to ensure a proper ground is maintainer as long as the power inverter is secured via the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Rally Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Saied Hussaini
  • Patent number: 6375175
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting mechanism for spring-assisted actuation of a covering means of a dishwasher such as a door or shutter, having at least one lever which is mounted on a shaft and is connected to a tension spring. Arranged, in this case, between the lever and the spring is a mechanical control means which brings about a more or less constant lever arm between an articulation point of the spring and the shaft over an angle of rotation of the shaft of up to approximately 100°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Winterhalter Gastronom GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Hans Peter Hager
  • Patent number: 6371486
    Abstract: A dart board assembly includes a fixed member connected to a dart board and pivotally connected to a door. A spring member is connected to the fixed member and is engaged with a first plain surface on a first side of the hinge member when the door is at open position to secure the open status. The spring member is engaged with a second plain surface on a second side of the two hinge members when the door is at close position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Yiu
  • Patent number: 6173476
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a box having a base and a cover and comprising a hinge section and a spring section. The hinge section has a pair of segments pivotally mounted to each other. Each segment has outer channel-forming knuckles extending from its outer side edge. The spring section has channel-forming knuckles which extend from each side edge which are pivotally mounted to the outer knuckles of the hinge section. The spring section applies pressure to the two segments of the hinge section in order to maintain the segments of the hinge section into conductive contact with each other and prevent inadvertent folding or unfolding of the segments of the hinge section, thereby preventing inadvertent opening or closing of the box. The outer knuckles of the hinge section and the knuckles of the spring section are pivotally connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 6158088
    Abstract: The invention is a deployable hinge assembly. In detail the hinge assembly includes first and second hinge members, and a pivot system for pivotally connecting the first and second hinge members together such that the second hinge member is rotatable from an over lapping position with the first hinge member to an inline position therewith. An over center latch mechanism is coupled to the first and second hinge members for moving the second hinge member from the over lapping position to the inline position and locking the second hinge member in the inline position upon activation. A spring is used for activating the over center latch mechanism. Finally, an attenuation device is incorporated for absorbing forces generated by the spring the second hinge member approaches the said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Bulboaca
  • Patent number: 5971514
    Abstract: An over-the-top type cabinet door prop unit is characterized in that it comprises a fitting case to be rigidly fitted to the inner surface of one of the lateral walls of the cabinet, a movable spring holder vertically movable relative to the fitting case containing it and urged downward by compression springs, a link arm pivotably linked at the upper end to the movable spring holder by a pivot pin and a swing arm swingable around an arm spindle located in a lower portion of the fitting case and having a base section arranged around the arm spindle and linked to the lower end of said link arm by a link pin and an arm section extending from the base section and pivotably linked at the distal end thereof by an anchor pin to an anchor pin bearing secured to the over-the-top type cabinet door and that the pivot where the link arm and the base section of the swing arm is linked by the link pin is located closer to the cabinet door relative to the vertical axial line connecting the pivot pin and the arm spindle when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Sugatsune Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 5742475
    Abstract: A casing for computer equipment, the casing comprising first and second leaves for mounting the computer equipment, the leaves being hinged together so as to be movable between a folded position in which the first leaf overlies the second, and an open position; and a base to which the leaves are movably secured so as to allow the second leaf to slide relative to the base. In the open position of the leaves part of the base extends under the first leaf so as to provide a support to resist tipping movement when pressure is applied to the first leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Psion Computer Plc
    Inventor: Martin Philip Riddiford
  • Patent number: 5546633
    Abstract: A hinge comprises a seat, an elastic pressing member, a pivoting member and a cam member. The seat is provided with a receiving space in which the pivoting end of the pivoting member and the cam member are pivoted such that the pivoting member is capable of turning on the pivoting end acting as a fulcrum, and that the cam portion of the cam member is pressed by the elastic pressing member so as to regulate the angle at which the seat and the pivoting member are caused to intersect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Sunny Liu
  • Patent number: 5497534
    Abstract: A refrigerator door hinge assembly including a refrigerator bracket and a door bracket, a first link pivotally connected to the refrigerator bracket and the door bracket, a second link pivotally connected to the refrigerator bracket and the door bracket, the distance between the pivot connections of the second link being greater than the distance between the pivot connections of the first link, each of the first and second links being located in different but parallel planes and include a surface which engages the inner wall of the door bracket when the door is in the closed position thereby maintaining the parallel relation between the door and the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Sub-Zero Freezer Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome Caruso
  • Patent number: 5475897
    Abstract: A car door hinge comprises a rotating member 2 hinged on a fixed member I by means of a hinge pin 3. One end 5 of a wire spring 4 is attached to a point on the rotating member 2 distant from the hinge pin, and the other end 8 of the wire spring 4 is attached to a point on the fixed member 1 inside a sector of a circle defined by the hinge pin 3 and an arc subtended at the hinge pin 3 which is described by the end 5 as the rotating member rotates. A spring restoring force therefore acts during the opening and closing of the door so that the door always opens and closes properly. Moreover, the spring occupies a minimum of space, and the rotation of the door is stopped at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Satoh, Katsuo Suzuki, Kouichi Kato, Tomoyuki Asari
  • Patent number: 5417616
    Abstract: A bowling alley bumper system which can be used for conventional bowling and for bumper bowling is disclosed. The bowling alley bumper system includes a pair of gutters having longitudinally extending portions and spring biased extending and retracting mechanisms for moving those portions (bumpers) into an extended position to prevent a bowling ball from falling into a gutter and downwardly into a retracted position which allows bowling balls to fall into and roll along one of the gutters. In one embodiment, the portion is moved upwardly or downwardly along an arc in an XZ plane with little or no lateral movement, and the spring biased mechanism retains the bumpers in their extended and retracted positions. The spring biased mechanism also causes the bumpers to "pop-up" when moved out of the recessed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: AMF Bowling, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent L. Widrick
  • Patent number: 5401096
    Abstract: A desk having a desk top that is movable with respect to a storage compartment under application of an external force through an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. A support member is provided to support the desk top as it moves through these positions. In particular, the support member is adapted so that upon the removal of the external force if the desk top is positioned between the intermediate and closed positions, the desk top will slowly move to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Columbia Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Emil Stang
  • Patent number: 5272789
    Abstract: A spring biased hinge for refrigerator doors and the like includes a stationary mounting bracket, a bent-wire spring mounted between the door and bracket, and a pivot pin for pivotally mounting the door to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is reversible so that it can be used on either side of the door, and includes a slot for receiving an end of the spring, the slot and spring being located so that as the door is opened, the door travels through a first arcuate segment where the spring is compressed and oriented to bias the door closed, through a second arcuate segment where the spring is compressed and oriented to bias the door open, and a third arcuate segment where the spring is not compressed but rather slides in the slot allowing the door to swing freely open until an end of the slot is engaged to limit the maximum door open movement. The hinge is characterized by its low profile and low number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Quest Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry L. Mitchell, Todd A. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5136752
    Abstract: A hinge-latch structure is provided for the hood of a lawn and garden vehicle. The hinge structure includes dual pivots at the forward end of the hood to move the hood forwardly, upwardly and then swing it above a lateral axis to provide access to the engine compartment. An over-center spring mechanism serves to assist the operator in opening or closing the hood and further serves as a latch to urge the hood towards its closed position. A sliding seat latch is carried between the rear of the vehicle and the hood to guide the hood into place and prevent contact with control levers carried about the rear of the hood seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Curtis R. Bening, Dean J. Tessenske
  • Patent number: 5098150
    Abstract: The present invention includes a spring clip hinge for pivotally attaching a cover to the body of a vehicle accessory such as a visor such that the cover is urged toward an open or a closed position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the spring-clip hinge is an integral S-shaped member defining opposed sockets with one socket receiving the accessory body for mounting the hinge to the body, and the remaining socket cooperatively receiving the cover for urging the cover between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Nels R. Smith, Thomas C. VandenBerge
  • Patent number: 5077864
    Abstract: A swing door hinge is provided comprising a first hinge member having a projection of approximately rectangular block shape and provided with at least two engaging recesses, the first hinge member being intended to be mounted to either a wall frame or a swing door, and a second hinge member having at least two engaging arms inserted into respective engaging of the first hinge member for pivotal movement and guide openings provided in the engaging arms. The second hinge member, which is also intended to be mounted to the wall frame or the swing door whichever does not carry the first hinge member, has pivot pins mounted in the guide openings and yieldingly urged by respective springs in the inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Junzaburo Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5063638
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed. A jamb cover of the assembly is adjustably mounted relative to a wall jamb. An adjuster sub-assembly is mounted within the jamb cover. The adjuster sub-assembly includes a bracket with a nut mounted thereon. An adjuster screw, the head of which is secured in a keyhole slot of the wall jamb, threadably engages the nut. A leaf spring is attached to the bracket, and a hinge member for the door extends through the jamb cover and contacts the leaf spring. The hinge is thus concealed from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Sterling Plumbing Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Howard, Charles E. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5058238
    Abstract: A crosslink hinge for hanging a door on a cabinet has two crosslink arms attached in the middle in a scissors-like manner. One end of one of the crosslink arms is coupled directly to the cabinet-related part of the hinge, which can be fastened on a mounting plate to the cabinet, and one end of the other crosslink arm is coupled directly to the door-related part which is a cup which can be set in a mortise in the door, and at the other end they are coupled indirectly each by a link to the other part of the hinge. The crosslink arm that is directly pivoted at one end on the door-related hinge part is formed by two flanges disposed parallel to one another at a distance apart and joined together at least section-wise by a web to form a channel shape. The hinge furthermore contains a closing mechanism urging it resiliently into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Karl Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 5008977
    Abstract: Cabinet hinge having a door-related part configured as a plug-in cup and a carcass-related part configured as an elongated supporting arm, which are articulated relative to one another by two hinge links journaled at their ends in the cup at one end and on the supporting arm at the other. The hinge has a closing mechanism having a cam element disposed at the inner end of the inner hinge link, which is joined corotationally with the hinge link, and on whose cam surface a resiliently flexible section of one leg of a substantially U-shaped leaf spring lies under bias while its second leg is joined to the outer end of the resiliently flexible leg in the interior of the supporting arm by a bridging section and thrusts against the interior of the supporting arm. The inner hinge link has at its inner end two parallel ears spaced apart from one another, between which the cam element is disposed for corotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Karl Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Lautenschlager, Gerhard W. Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 4979265
    Abstract: A wide angle hinge is used for articulation of a furniture door on a furniture unit with a base plate mounted on the furniture unit and a housing mounted on the furniture door; mounted on the base plate is a first gear rack on which a gear is rolled in the longitudinal direction of the hinge and meshes with a second gear rack connected with the housing. The second gear rack is mounted directly on the housing and has a circular arc shape that is concentric with the swivel axis of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Grass AG
    Inventor: Alfred Grass
  • Patent number: 4972546
    Abstract: An over-center hinge for cabinet doors with a door-related hinge part in the form of a recess-mounting cup in which one end of each of two links is journaled whose other ends are journaled on a jamb-related hinge part in the form of an elongated supporting arm. On the side of the inner link facing the outer link a cam is articulated with its free end facing the supportring arm and is urged by a spring inserted between the cam and the pivot eye of the inner link against a counter-surface formed by a section of the inner wall of the supporting arm such that its face forces the hinge resiliently into the closed position upon passing a dead point in the closing movement. The section of the wall of the supporting arm that forms the counter-surface is provided at least in the surface area cooperating with the cam with a smooth, wear-resistant and friction-reducing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Karl Lautenschlager, GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Lautenschalger, Jr., Gerhard Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 4971382
    Abstract: A fuel filler door structure is provided with such an arrangement that one end of a toggle spring is adapted to engage with the bracket for the mount of a fuel filler door complete, and the other end of the toggle spring is adapted to engage with the middle portion of a hinge rod extending in a crank-like shape in an offset relationship with a line passing the both ends of the crank shaped hinge rod. By the effect of the toggle spring, the fuel filler door complete may be urged continuously in either way of closing or opening across the dead point of urging effected by the toggle spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Company Limited
    Inventor: Moriyuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 4947516
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald L. Kretchman, William H. Gartley
  • Patent number: 4873743
    Abstract: A hinge having a base fixed to a piece of furniture and to which a pivotable member attached to a door is joined so that the pivotable member can be turned so as to be opened and closed, the hinge being fixed to a mounting member attached to a body of furniture. A rear screw engaged with the mounting member is inserted into and engaged with a recess in an upper wall of the base with the head of the rear screw positioned above the recess as the base is moved slidingly from the front side on the mounting member so as to be fitted thereon, and the head of a front screw which is engaged with the mounting member is opposed to an opening in the upper wall of the base from the lower side thereof so as to be engaged at least from the upper side with locking members on the base. The mounting member is made longitudinally symmetric, so that the base can be secured to the mounting member in two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Murakoshi Seiko
    Inventor: Hiroaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 4862555
    Abstract: An adjustable fitting for a cabinet with a door adapted to swing up over the head of the user for adjustable fastening of the door-side end of a swivel arm to the inner side of the door embodies a bearing plate pivotally attached to the door-side end of the swivel arm and a base plate fixedly secured to the inner side of the door. A hook-shaped holding lug formed in the base plate slideably engages a cutout and associated shoulder surface conformed in the bearing plate. Open-ended slots are provided in the bearing plate through which locking screws are inserted into threaded holes of associated raised ears in the upper surface of the base plate opposite the holding lug. The locking screws have collar portions which are larger in diameter than the open ends of the open-ended slots and threaded portions which are smaller in diameter than the open ends of the open-ended slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Alfred Grass Ges.m.b.H. Metallwarenfabrik
    Inventor: Alfred Grass
  • Patent number: 4853985
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: Cliff R. Perry
  • Patent number: 4845810
    Abstract: A self closing hinge having a single unitary spring element which functions to maintain the hinge in the open position and to move the hinge to the fully closed position after the hinge is partially closed. A unitary hinge spring having a base section and a ramp section joined by a resilient section which is typically a C shape in cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Inventors: Ron Brown, Florentino Cabais
  • Patent number: 4805264
    Abstract: A suspension mechanism is provided for a hinged part, such as the engine hood of an agricultural tractor. The top of the engine hood is pivoted on an axle via a forked bearing. A follower on the bottom of the engine hood is guided in a track on the vehicle tractor frame. A support strut is provided at the front end of the hood. So long as the support strut is attached, the hood can pivot about the axle and the follower will move in the guide track on the frame, but the hood cannot be removed because the follower cannot leave the track. To remove the engine hood, the support strut is detached from the hood. The follower then can pivot entirely free of the track and the hood can simply be lifted off of the axle support. The support strut preferably is an outwardly biased pre-loaded gas pressurized spring reaching its shortest length somewhere between the open and closed positions of the hood. The spring then will bias the hood towards its open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Friedrich Benning, Berthold Grosse-Kohorst
  • Patent number: 4793024
    Abstract: The hinge device comprises a recess formed in the rod or stem of a pair of spectacles and accommodating a leafspring. The spring has a conformation such that it pivots on the inner surface of the recess and cooperates with an element, rigidly associated with the front of the spectacles and pivotally connected to the rod. An adjustment screw is provided which extends into the recess and which interferes with the spring to vary the biasing action exerted on the element, when rotating the rod relatively thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Celes Optical S.p.A.
    Inventor: Innocente Pivetta
  • Patent number: 4773126
    Abstract: An over-center, two-link hinge mechanism which can be made of simple off-the-shelf components has a hinged part pivotally mounted to a bar spaced apart from a frame. Two pivotally connected links connect the hinged part and the frame in front of the hinged part pivot point. A pre-tensioned volute spring connects an interlink pivot pin with the frame behind the hinged part pivot point. Two hinge mechanisms can be used back-to-back, in which case the pin connecting the link to the frame for one hinge can serve as an attachment point for the spring of the other hinge, and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gerhard Voss
  • Patent number: 4773105
    Abstract: A collapsible sauna box is disclosed, which comprises a collapsible box body consisting of front and rear wall members, inwardly foldable left and right side wall members and a ceiling member provided at one end and heaters pivoted for angle adjustment to brackets capable of being mounted inside the collapsible box body at corners thereof. The side wall members, ceiling member and heaters are completely confined between the front and rear wall members overlapped over each other when the collapsible box body is in a collapsed state. In its collapsed state, the collapsible sauna box can be conveniently carried and stored. The heaters are not obstructive in the sauna box in use and can irradiate the user with far-infrared rays in a face-to-face relation to each other on the opposite sides of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Japan Home Sauna Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Toyoshima