Having Means To Hold Hinged Members Against Pivotal Movement About Hinge Axis (e.g., Catch) Patents (Class 16/297)
  • Publication number: 20100064477
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a pivotal shaft, a connecting member, a supporting member, a stationary member having an engaging surface, a rotating member having a receiving surface, and a locking member. A first end of the pivotal shaft is fixed to the connecting member. A second of the pivotal shaft is passed through the supporting member, the stationary member, the rotating member, and the locking member. The stationary member is fixed on the supporting member and is rotatable relative to the pivotal shaft. The rotating member is non-rotatable relative to the pivotal shaft. The engaging surface forms two first positioning protrusions and two second positioning protrusions. The receiving surface defines two first positioning grooves to receive the first positioning protrusions and two second positioning grooves to receive the second positioning protrusions. A height of each second positioning protrusion is larger than a height of each first positioning protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY ( ShenZhen ) CO. , LTD ., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO . , LTD.
    Inventor: JIN-XIN WANG
  • Publication number: 20100064476
    Abstract: The object of the invention resolves the issue of the construction of hinge for movable fixing of elements of motor vehicle interior, such as armrest, foldable shelf, or foldable table. The hinge (2) according to the invention has got the body (3) and the lid (4) connected with it forming space, inside of which, a slider-crank system is placed. The role of the crank is fulfilled by the element of vehicle interior (1), which is fixed by means of the mentioned hinge (2). The role of the slider is performed by the protrusion (6) placed at the end of lever (5), which through its other end is connected by articulation with the crank, i.e. the element of vehicle interior (1) where the point of connection of the lever (5) with the element of vehicle interior (1) is away from its axis of rotation by the distance (s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: GESTIND POLAND SP. Z O. O.
    Inventor: Ryszard Zeman
  • Patent number: 7676889
    Abstract: A hinge device for a portable terminal including a first housing, a second housing foldably coupled to the first housing is disclosed. The hinge device causes the first housing and the second housing to be rotatably coupled in such a manner that both housings are either rotated away from each other, or both housings are rotated close to each other. The hinge device includes a hinge shaft fixed to one of the first housing or the second housing. The hinge shaft has a first cam surface on one surface. A hinge cam is movably coupled on the other housing of the first housing and the second housing and has a second cam surface opposite to the first cam surface. An elastic member provides an elastic force in such a way as to cause the second cam surface to contact the first cam surface. The first cam surface has a first peak portion, and the second cam surface has a stopper groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Do-Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20100050382
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) includes a cam (13), a follower (14), a first spring (12), a control member (18) and a second spring (16). The cam has a cam surface. The follower has a latching cam surface engaging with the cam surface. The first spring provides an elastic force causing the cam surface of the cam and the latching cam surface of the follower to resist each other. The control member slidably resists the follower. The second spring provides an elastic force to return the control member. The control member is movable to push the follower to rotate to realize the cam surface of the cam to rotate relative to the latching cam surface of the follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: YU ZHANG, WU-CHUN ZENG
  • Publication number: 20100050383
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a frame having a protrusion, a support, and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly rotatably connects the frame and the support. The hinge assembly includes an elastic member providing a force pulling the frame and the support to move towards each other. The protrusion of the frame and the support cooperatively support the electronic device on a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO. LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JIN-XIN WANG, CHAO-ZHONG FU, JIAN LI, LI-JUN YUAN
  • Publication number: 20100050381
    Abstract: A hinge includes a rack, a shaft, and an interfering assembly. The interfering assembly includes a first interfering member fixed to the rack, and a second interfering member capable of rotating with the shaft. The first interfering member includes a first end surface. A first tab is formed on the first end surface. Each of two opposite ends of the first tab forms a first slope surface. The second interfering member includes a second end surface. A first recess is defined in the second end surface for receiving the first tab therein. Each of two opposite ends of recess forms a second slope surface. The shaft rotates with respect to the rack. One of the first slope surfaces of the first tab is able to engage with a corresponding one of the two second slope surfaces of the first recess to guide the first tab sliding into the first recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Bin Shen
  • Publication number: 20100031472
    Abstract: A hinge includes a shaft, a bracket, and a first interfering member. The shaft includes a post, with a noncircular cross section. The bracket defines a pivoting hole for the post of the shaft extending therethrough. The first interfering member defines a noncircular through hole for the post of the shaft extending therethrough. The first interfering member forms a wedge extending into the through hole for engaging with the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung-Bin Chang
  • Publication number: 20100031473
    Abstract: A tilt hinge includes a movable range fixed tilt hinge and a movable range switching member. The movable range fixed tilt hinge includes a spindle, a movable bracket rotatably arranged around the spindle and having a projecting piece, a fixed bracket fixed to the spindle, and a stopper fixed to the spindle and having first and second cam portions. The stopper restricts a moving range of the movable bracket within a first movable range by engaging the projecting piece with the first and the second cam portions. A friction imparting arrangement has a friction built between the movable bracket and the fixed bracket. The movable range switching member is enable to switch the moving range of the movable bracket between the first movable range and a second movable range smaller than the first movable range by a pushing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Manabu Hayahi
  • Patent number: 7636984
    Abstract: A hinge unit comprises a supporting bracket, a hinge shaft assembly, and a pressing member. The hinge shaft assembly is connected to the supporting bracket to rotate between first and second positions. The pressing member presses the hinge shaft assembly toward the first position (for example, a closed position) when the hinge shaft assembly is located in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Kil Oh
  • Publication number: 20090293228
    Abstract: A door hinge with a checker is provided which has hinge members firmly fixed to a body and a door relatively rotatably coupled with hinge pins and the checker provided between the hinge members, wherein flexibility of a form of the hinge members is increased by rendering the checker placeable in a direction along axis lines of the hinge pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Seiji Sasa
  • Publication number: 20090282648
    Abstract: A trunk hinge apparatus having a pop-up function includes a hinge bracket mounted to an inner panel, a trunk hinge arm hinged to the hinge bracket, an elastic spring secured to the hinge bracket, a pop-up lever hinged at a first end thereof to the hinge bracket, and elastically biased at a second end thereof by the elastic spring, and a pressure unit mounted to the trunk hinge arm to come into close contact with the pop-up lever. When the spring moves the pop-up lever, the additional arm slides along the pop-up lever, moving the trunk hinge arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dae Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7617569
    Abstract: An articulation includes a first shell, a second shell, a gear wheel, a push button, and an elastic member. Thus, the second shell is unlocked from the first shell by pressing the push button so that the second shell is rotatable freely relative to the first shell so as to adjust the angle between the second shell and the first shell. In addition, when each of the limit plates of the gear wheel is separated from a respective limit slot of the second shell, the gear wheel is stopped by the second shell and is not pushed by the elastic member, so that the second shell is rotatable freely relative to the first shell through a larger angle without having to press the push button successively, thereby facilitating a user adjusting the angle in an energy-saving manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Unique Product & Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon Liao
  • Publication number: 20090255090
    Abstract: A hinge assembly and a mobile terminal are disclosed. The hinge assembly can include: a torsion spring; a shaft, which penetrates through the torsion spring; a bushing, coupled to one end of the torsion spring and to one side of the shaft; a holder, which is coupled to the other end of the torsion spring, and which the shaft penetrates through; a sliding cam, which is coupled to the other side of the shaft, and which may move in linkage with the shaft; a fixed cam, which engages the sliding cam; a compression spring, which is positioned between the holder and the sliding cam, and which may place the sliding cam in close contact with the fixed cam; and a housing coupled to the holder and the fixed cam. Thus, the mobile terminal can be unfolded automatically using just a few number of parts without requiring energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong-Geun Kim, Sung-Tai Jung, Ga-Young An, Yun-Mo Kang
  • Patent number: 7594303
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first body, a second body, a pivot set for hinging the second body to the first body and a torsion spring. The pivot set includes a pivot seat and a pivot extending from the pivot seat. The pivot seat is detachably secured to the first body. The pivot rotatably extends into the second body. The torsion spring includes a fixing end thereof fixed to the second body, and a sliding end thereof slidably pressing against the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: He-Li Wang, Xiang-Hui Zhang, Wen-Jie Bao
  • Publication number: 20090231797
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-step hinge. The hinge includes a housing. A rotary member is rotatably installed inside of the housing. The rotary member has a retainer groove formed in the outer circumferential face thereof. A stopper is slidably installed at either side of the rotary member inside of the housing. The stopper has a retainer protrusion formed so as to be engaged with the retainer groove. A resilient member is disposed between the housing and the stopper. A portable terminal having the multi-step hinge is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Laird Technologies MAP Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090217485
    Abstract: A hinge has two leaves (11?), (13?) connected by a hinge pin (42?) retained in alternate sleeves (17?), (19?) on the facing edges of the two leaves, with limited axial movement of the hinge leaves relative to one another along the pin. A spring (46?) biases the leaves towards one end of this movement, where sleeves (19?) on one leaf (13?) have slots (74, 84) at one axial end and sleeves (17?) are axially preceded by flanges (76) which, according to the angular opening of the hinge, either abut the ends of the respective sleeves (19?) or enter one or other of the slots (74, 84). When the flange (76) abuts the sleeve end, the hinge is free to rotate, but when the hinge reaches an opening angle at which spring pressure causes the flange (76) to enter one or other of the slots, the hinge is locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth Springer
  • Publication number: 20090199364
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a hinge for a clamshell-type wireless communication device or other electronic device. In one embodiment, the communication device includes a base portion and a flip portion. A hinge mechanism movably couples the flip portion to the base portion so that the flip portion may pivot between a closed position and an open position. The hinge mechanism comprises first and second hinge parts, an indexing pin, and a spring. The indexing pin is rotatable relative to the first hinge part about a pivot axis. Additionally, the indexing pin is movable axially along the pivot axis. The second hinge part is non-rotatably engaged with the indexing pin and is rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the first hinge part between closed and open positions. The spring applies both an axial force and a rotational force to the indexing pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Gregory S. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20090188079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism (10) for opening and closing an appliance, said mechanism comprising at least one first (15) and a second (16) base part which are arranged so as to move relative to one another around a common axis of rotation (D, d) and can be put into a first and a second end position, where the path of motion of the base parts, which is situated between the two positions, is covered automatically by means of a spring tension which is exerted by a spring element (17) and which is initially set up manually, one end of the spring element being fixed on a first base part and the other end being fixed on a second base part. It is an object of the invention to provide a relatively simple and relatively small-construction mechanism for opening and closing an appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: LUMBERG CONNECT GMBH
    Inventors: Lothar Fuhrmeister, Henning Taschke
  • Publication number: 20090175588
    Abstract: A fiber distribution terminal system includes a below ground vault, and a terminal enclosure positioned within the vault. The system also includes a lift system positioned within the vault, the lift system including at least one torsion member, wherein, as the terminal enclosure is pivoted from a lifted position to a below ground position, the torsion member stores potential energy, and wherein, as the terminal enclosure is pivoted from the below ground position to the lifted position, the torsion member releases the potential energy to assist in pivoting the terminal enclosure to the lifted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James J. Brandt, Trevor D. Smith, Michael Kenneth Barth, Glen Cordle
  • Patent number: 7536751
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-step hinge. The hinge includes a housing. A rotary member is rotatably installed inside of the housing. The rotary member has a retainer groove formed in the outer circumferential face thereof. A stopper is slidably installed at either side of the rotary member inside of the housing. The stopper has a retainer protrusion formed so as to be engaged with the retainer groove. A resilient member is disposed between the housing and the stopper. A portable terminal having the multi-step hinge is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Laird Technologies MAP Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090019668
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic handheld device. The device has a first panel, a second panel rotatable relative to the first panel about an axis and a hinge. The hinge has first and second hinge members. The first member is engaged with the first panel. The second member is engaged with the second panel and rotatable relative to the first member about the axis. The first panel has a hole generally extending along the axis. The first hinge member is configured to linearly move within the hole. The first hinge member has an outer wall that has a curved surface and a key. The curved surface is a circular arc having a radius from the axis when viewed along the axis. The key is located outside an imaginary circle, a portion of the circumference line of which overlaps the circular arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: AMPHENOL PHOENIX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: IN Kl CHEON
  • Publication number: 20090007379
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) includes a main shaft (50), a fixing seat (80), a follower (44), a cam (42) and a first elastic element (30). The fixing seat is fixed with the main shaft. The follower is placed around the shaft, and the fixing seat selectively locks with the follower. The cam is placed around the shaft, and engages with the follower. The first elastic element provides an elastic force to make the cam and the follower resist each other and provides a torsional force to make the cam and the follower rotate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., SUTECH TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: GUANG-XIANG ZHANG, SHI-JIN LONG, XI-QIU WU, GENG-HUI GUO, CHIH-WEI SU, HSIAO-HUA TU
  • Patent number: 7472459
    Abstract: A hinge structure for a flat visual display device comprising: a pivotal plate connected to the flat visual display device; a fixing plate connected to a supporting portion for supporting the flat visual display device; a rotational shaft inserted to vertical planes of the pivotal plate and the fixing plate, for rotation of the flat visual display device in one degree of freedom; a frictional member which is formed on an outer periphery of the rotational shaft for enclosing the rotational shaft, and whose both ends have a frictional member tightening plane of a planar shape on which a second inserting hole is formed; and a tightening member inserted to the second inserting hole, for tightening the frictional member tightening plane, thereby tightening the rotational shaft by means of the frictional member, and generating strong breaking force accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Hoon Lee, Hong Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 7320152
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a main member having a main cam member and a bore extending generally along an axis of rotation. A pivot member, fixed to an end of a shaft extending through the bore, includes a pivot cam member and is rotatable with respect to the main member. At least one torque element is rotatably engaged with the shaft and is substantially rotationally fixed with respect to the main member. The at least one torque element imparts a first frictional resistance to the shaft with rotation of the shaft in a first direction and a second frictional resistance to the shaft with rotation of the shaft in a second direction. The first frictional resistance is greater than the second frictional resistance. Interaction of the main cam member with the pivot cam member assists in maintaining the hinge assembly in at least first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Lowry, Mark Cooper
  • Patent number: 7237304
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a central shaft (20), including an outer screw thread (221); a turning element (30), including a central hole (322) and a holding pin (314), an inner screw thread (323) formed at an inner surface of the central hole; a elastic means (40); a blocking element (50), defining a first through hole (51) and a second through hole (52); and a button (71), including a supporting pin (72). The central shaft extends through the central hole of the turning element, the first elastic element, and the first through hole of the blocking element in that order, the outer screw thread engages with the inner screw thread, and the holding pin of the turning element is received in the second through hole of the blocking element. The present invention enables a foldable electronic device to be opened simply by pressing the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industrial Co., Ltd., Sutech Trading Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Rui-Hao Chen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7234203
    Abstract: A hinge for a folding ladder including a hinge latch movable between a locked position and an unlocked position disposed within a hinge latch cavity. The hinge latch includes a first locking portion protruding therefrom, an elongated slot formed configured to slidingly receive a hinge shaft, a first opening configured to receive a first biasing member, and a second opening configured to receive a locking member. Rotational movement of one hinge casing relative to another hinge casing is prevented by engagement of the first locking portion and locking member with a respective one of the first opening and second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventors: Brett A. Latimer, Ronald K. Burig, Christine A. Brown, David E. Plotner, John J. Fiumefreddo, Roy B. Bendickson, Joseph C. Dangrow
  • Patent number: 7134169
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a claw and a body pivotally connected to the claw and movable to and between a first operative position and a second operative position. A link assembly operably interconnects the claw and the body. The link assembly includes at least one link pivotally connected to the claw and a spring connected between the link and an anchor point. A latch is movably connected to the claw, and the latch is movable to and between a locked position where it is adapted to engage an associated mounting receptacle to prevent separation of the claw from the mounting receptacle, and an unlocked position. Te hinge assembly can be provided as part of a door mounting system that also includes a mating mounting receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, James J. Collene, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 7096534
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (1) includes a housing (10) encasing a rotating mechanism (30) and an elastic plate (40) therein, with an open end (12) of the housing being covered by an end cover (50). The rotating mechanism has a cam portion (32), and a connector (31) and a shaft (33) located at opposite ends of the cam portion. The connector rotatably extends through a hole (51) of the end cover. The rotating mechanism is rotatably engaged in the housing, with the shaft being rotatably received in a bushing (13) inside the housing. The cam portion has an arcuate cam surface (322) defining at least one flat surface (324) thereon. The elastic plate abuts between an inside wall of the housing and the arcuate surface. During rotation of a cover of a folding phone, the arcuate surface is rotatably engaged with the elastic plate until the elastic plate is positioned on the flat surface of the cam portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: FIH Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaozhou Wang, BaoJiang Chen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7059018
    Abstract: A pair of projection elements 42, 42 are formed on the opposite sides of an inner link 4. Each projection element 42 is formed with a cutout recess 42b. A fitting shaft part 72a, which is formed on each end of an abutment shaft 72, is inserted into the cutout recess 42b through an open part thereof and turnably fitted to a bottom part of the cutout recess 42b. A second abutment part 71c of a coiled spring 71 is abutted with an enlarged-diameter part 72b of the abutment shaft 72. The abutment shaft 72 is biased towards the bottom side of the cutout recess 43b from the open part side thereof by the coiled spring 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Koshikawa, Kazuyoshi Oshima
  • Patent number: 7017232
    Abstract: The load limiting hinge provides a rigid, essentially inelastic drop down door mounting structure when normal loads are placed upon the door, but includes an easily replaceable weak link or “mechanical fuse” which breaks or opens when excessive force is applied to the open door. The hinge assembly supports the drop down door with practically no deflection of the door or hinge assembly when normal loads are applied to the open door, but allows the door to drop from the horizontal when excessive loads are applied to the door, to preclude the tipping of an appliance to which the door is attached or the continued use of the door as a platform. The hinge assembly is particularly useful in oven door installations, serving to assure that hot articles atop the stove are not spilled due to tipping of the appliance or inappropriate access by small children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas G. Priddy
  • Patent number: 7013530
    Abstract: The invention concerns a removable linking device 1 between a first element 3 and a second element (2). It comprises a reception cradle (13) delimited by the first element (3), on the one hand, and a connecting means (20) integral to the second element (2) on the other hand, the said means (20) being connected to the cradle (13) on one side by holding means (21) and, on the other, by a flexible means (22) which can be eliminated to allow the separation of the two elements. The cradle (13) delimits a reception space (14) in which the connecting means (20) is inserted. The cradle (13) delimits a reception wall (15) of the holding means (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sagem SA
    Inventor: Jean-François Lallemant
  • Patent number: 6976290
    Abstract: An inventive hinge has the ability to be biased toward open and closed positions and/or is adapted to be hidden in door assemblies. The hinge includes a first bracket adapted to be mounted to a first workpiece. The first bracket comprises a generally tubular sleeve and opposed spaced-apart surfaces including first openings that are aligned with each other. A second bracket is adapted to be mounted to a second workpiece. The second bracket comprises opposed spaced-apart surfaces including second openings that are aligned with each other. The first bracket and the second bracket are oriented with respect to each other effective to align the first openings with the second openings. A hinge pin is received in the first and second openings effective to enable the first bracket to be pivotally movable relative to the second bracket. The tubular sleeve extends from the first bracket generally parallel with an axis of the hinge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Stahl/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Boyer, Doug L. Juga
  • Patent number: 6968597
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance comprises a channel and a stop connected to the channel. A door mounting lever pivots relative to the channel about a pivot axis on an arc between a first operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a first direction about said pivot axis on the arc and second operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a second direction opposite the first direction about the pivot axis on the arc. A glide is operatively coupled to the door mounting lever, e.g., by way of a spring cam member, and is movable slidably on the stop in response to movement of the door mounting lever. A spring biases the glide into continuous engagement with the stop when the door mounting lever is located in both the first and second operative positions and when the door mounting lever moves between the first and second operative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6948285
    Abstract: In order to provide a durable loading dock shelter with an effective seal, the dock shelter is provided with a face panel that is relatively lightweight and firm, yet moveable for sealing against vehicles of various size and position. The face panel can be used as a side curtain or a head curtain. To provide the face panel with durability while minimizing its weight, the face panel is thermoformed of twin sheets of plastic to provide a durable outer shell with a hollow interior. In some embodiments, the face panel is moveable by virtue of an integral living hinge that connects the face panel to a generally stationary support panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Miller, Charles D. Ashelin
  • Patent number: 6941617
    Abstract: A wing or leaf-type hinge assembly for use with a thin panel or lid installation includes a manual snap assembly of its pivot pin. The pivot pin structure includes an interlock, which requires a positive release for disassembly. A backer support plate permits the sandwiching of the thin panel between one wing or leaf member of the hinge and the support plate. A detent mechanism may be included which assists in maintaining (holding) the hinge assembly in a pre-selected position. A sensor may be added to detect the hinge assembly in the open position. Mounting structures assist in the easy mounting of the hinge with fewer fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Ana Christina Pinto
  • Patent number: 6918159
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus disposes a panel to be opened and closed with respect to a body of an appliance. The hinge apparatus includes a fixing bracket fixed on the body, a supporting bracket fixed on the panel and a hinge shaft fixed on the fixing bracket to rotatably support the supporting bracket. The hinge apparatus also includes an automatic pivot unit to cause the panel to be opened with respect to the body by a predetermined free rotation angle when a locking state between the panel and the body is released. Further, the hinge apparatus includes a manual pivot unit to provide a frictional force between the supporting bracket and the hinge shaft. The frictional force restricts the supporting bracket from being automatically rotated by the automatic pivot unit and also fixes the panel, which is opened further from the predetermined free rotation angle, in a fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kang-ho Choi
  • Patent number: 6915545
    Abstract: A latch mechanism positioned at the intermediate extents of the adjacent rail components to hold such components in an aligned orientation including a saddle having opposed parallel faces and a central aperture defined in between the opposed faces. Each opposed face has at least an aperture and a plurality of guide slots provided lengthwise of the saddle. The central aperture is adapted to receive opposed rail components therein. Fastening means extend through the aperture to pivotally couple the saddle with the opposed rail components. An urging block is mounted within the central aperture of the saddle at substantially the center portion of the saddle, in between the opposed rail components. Guide pins are slidably mounted within the guide slots, and a flexible strap is provided to connect the guide pins to the urging block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 6904644
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (1) used for a foldable cellular telephone, wherein a pair of abutment members (5, 6) are forcibly rotated by the biasing force of a bias means (7) to a neutral position where the center parts of the projection (54) and the recess (64) of the abutment members are generally aligned with each other in circumferential direction, the projection is brought into contact with the recess at both side parts of the abutment members in circumferential direction when the pair of abutment members are rotated to the neutral position, and the outer surface of the projection and both side surfaces of the recess in circumferential direction should desirably be formed in an arcuate surface and an outwardly projecting arcuate surface, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Shinichiro Koshikawa, Katsuya Imai
  • Patent number: 6892424
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for connecting an appliance door to an appliance frame includes a claw and a channel pivotally connected to the claw. A single link member is pivotally connected to the claw, and the link member defines first and second contact surfaces. The second contact surface defines an operative portion and a break-away portion separated from the operative portion by a peak. A spring is operably engaged between the link member and the channel. A link control member is connected to the channel and contacts the second contact surface of the link member. The channel is movable from a first operative position in a first direction on arc of 90 degrees or less to a second operative position where the link control member is in contact with the operative portion of the second contact surface of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins, Bruce M. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6789293
    Abstract: A dampened hinge and hinge system for appliances is provided. The system includes first and second hinge portions, at least one of which includes a dampener. The dampener can be a push-dampener, a pull-dampener or a push/pull-dampener. The hinge system allows for movement of the door between a closed position, a fully opened position and a secondary opened position such as a broil-stop position, and the door is self-supporting in the secondary opened position. The first and second hinge portions each include a guide channel, a claw pivotably connected to the guide channel and a link having a first end connected to the claw. The first hinge portion includes a spring having a first end connected to a second end of the link and a second end connected to the guide channel. The second hinge portion includes a dampener that is operably connected between the guide channel and the second end of the link. Both the first and second hinge portions can include a dampener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6789292
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for switching a closed position and an open position of two articles by engagement between a first hinge member which is disposed at one of the two articles such that the first hinge member is non-turnable and non-movable in the axial direction and a second hinge member which is disposed at the other article such that the second hinge member is non-turnable but movable in the axial direction, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of engagement members disposed between the first hinge member and the second hinge member in such a manner as to be away from each other in the circumferential direction, biasing means for pressing the engagement member against the first hinge member, a guide portion for connecting the engagement members, which are disposed at the first hinge member, such that the engagement members are movable only in the radial direction, and a locking portion, which is disposed at the second hinge member, being raised towards the first hinge member and varied in heig
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Katsuya Imai
  • Patent number: 6772481
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (1) used for a foldable cellular telephone, comprising a pair of abutment members (5, 6), a bias means (7) biasing the abutment members so that the abutment members are pressingly brought into contact with each other, a projection (54) extending in the radial direction of one abutment member (5), and a recess (64) allowing the access of the projection thereto formed in the other abutment member (6), wherein the recess (64) is formed of an inside recess and an outside recess on the radial inner and outer sides of the other abutment member, and the inside recess is formed along the center line of the other abutment member and the outside recess is formed so that the width thereof is increased from the inside recess to the outside so that the side surface of the recess is generally formed in a dogleg-like configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Shinichiro Koshikawa, Katsuya Imai
  • Publication number: 20040111837
    Abstract: The invention concerns a removable linking device 1 between a first element 3 and a second element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lallemant
  • Patent number: 6669859
    Abstract: There is provided an inverted sun visor mirror assembly which can be mounted in an automotive sun visor such that it may be opened and used without the necessity of lowering the sun visor to a down position. Provision for a courtesy light is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Tiesler
  • Publication number: 20030229968
    Abstract: A latch mechanism positioned at the intermediate extents of the adjacent rail components to hold such components in an aligned orientation including a saddle having opposed parallel faces and a central aperture defined in between the opposed faces. Each opposed face has at least an aperture and a plurality of guide slots provided lengthwise of the saddle. The central aperture is adapted to receive opposed rail components therein. Fastening means extend through the aperture to pivotally couple the saddle with the opposed rail components. An urging block is mounted within the central aperture of the saddle at substantially the center portion of the saddle, in between the opposed rail components. Guide pins are slidably mounted within the guide slots, and a flexible strap is provided to connect the guide pins to the urging block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20030221285
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for an appliance comprises a channel and a stop connected to the channel. A door mounting lever pivots relative to the channel about a pivot axis on an arc between a first operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a first direction about said pivot axis on the arc and second operative position where the door mounting lever is moved a maximum extent in a second direction opposite the first direction about the pivot axis on the arc. A glide is operatively coupled to the door mounting lever, e.g., by way of a spring cam member, and is movable slidably on the stop in response to movement of the door mounting lever. A spring biases the glide into continuous engagement with the stop when the door mounting lever is located in both the first and second operative positions and when the door mounting lever moves between the first and second operative positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Habegger, Steven O. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6453510
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a claw and a channel pivotably connected to the claw at a first pivot point so that the channel is adapted for movement on an arc in a first direction from a first operative position to a second operative position. The channel is also adapted for movement on the arc in a second direction opposite the first direction. First and second link stops are connected to the channel, and a link assembly is operably interconnected between the claw and the channel. The link assembly, itself, includes: (i) a link member defining first and second opposite contact surfaces and first and second opposite ends, wherein the first end is pivotably connected to the claw; and, (ii) a coil spring having a first end connected to the second end of said link member and a second end connected to the channel adjacent a second end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: Steven O. Cummins, Jeffrey D. Habegger
  • Patent number: 6330161
    Abstract: A computer is disclosed having a power supply assembly that may be rotated into a first position for operating the computer, rotated into a second position for servicing components within the computer, or removed from the computer quickly and easily. The power supply assembly is mounted to a chassis via first and second pivot pins that define an axis of rotation and engage first and second bearing surfaces. The first pivot pin may be disengaged from the first bearing surface without removing a fastener. In one embodinent, the first pivot pin is disengaged from the first bearing surface by relative movement between the first pivot pin and the first bearing surface along the axis of rotation. In another embodiment, the first pivot pin is disengaged from the first bearing surface by passing it through a slot in the bearing surface orthogonal to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Darren B Smith, Ronald P Dean, Samuel M Babb
  • Patent number: 6249934
    Abstract: A hinge cup for mounting a hinge on a door of a furniture article, such as a desk of cabinet, which allows for an increased angular range of opening of the door relative to the door mounting frame of the furniture article. The hinge cup has a side defining a cut-away which is adjacent to a pivotal attachment of a hinge arm, wherein the cut-away receives the hinge arm in a fully open position thereby allowing an increased angular range of opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Grass America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Moser
  • Patent number: 6237191
    Abstract: A hinge for furniture comprises a bowl (11) and a wing (12) interconnected by connecting rods (13, 14) pivotally mounted to enable a movement between a closed position and an open position of the hinge. An automatic closure mechanism (19, 20) urges the hinge towards a closed position when the hinge is brought close to such a closed position. The bowl (11) comprises regions (21) of interference with at least one connecting rod when the hinge is close to the open position, to offer an increased resistance to said movement over a length thereof close to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Franco Ferrari, Carlo Migli