Having Force Adjustment Patents (Class 16/298)
  • Patent number: 11215000
    Abstract: A mainframe door assembly for a frame is provided. The mainframe door assembly includes a door having opposed first and second sides and first and second mount assemblies. The first and second mount assemblies are configured to mount the first and second sides of the door to the frame, respectively, such that the door can occupy and move between an installed position and a loading position. In the installed position, the door is flush with the frame. In the loading position, the first mount assemblies support and the second mount assemblies permit a swinging of the door about the first side or the second mount assemblies support and the first mount assemblies permit a swinging of the door about the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suraush Khambati, Shawn Canfield, Budy Notohardjono, Richard M. Ecker, Steven C. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 10674880
    Abstract: A toilet device is provided and includes a toilet seat, a main part, and an electric opening/closing mechanism; the toilet seat includes a toilet seat main body, and a hinge part provided at a rear center of the toilet seat main body; the toilet seat is rotatable by being pivotally supported by the main part at two sides of the hinge part; the electric opening/closing mechanism performs an electric opening/closing of the toilet seat and is provided in the main part; the electric opening/closing mechanism includes a motor and a transmission mechanism; the motor is disposed to have a rotation axis offset from a rotation axis of the hinge part; and the transmission mechanism connects the motor and one end of the hinge part and transfers a drive force of the motor to the hinge part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Onodera, Hiroki Hata, Yosuke Konomi, Yoshikazu Aratsu, Yusuke Tone
  • Patent number: 8991009
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge includes a tension spring having a first end and an opposite second end, the second end of the tension spring being fixed relative to a swing arm hinge mount, a pin having a head including a plurality of projections about a circumference of the head and an opposite end of the pin spaced from the head. The projections of the head are configured to be received by the recesses of a base plate hinge mount, and the pin is positioned to extend through the base plate hinge mount and the swing arm hinge mount and to cooperate with the tension spring so that a first end of the spring is fixed relative to the head of the pin, and then the head of the pin is rotated the first end of the spring also rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Russo, Antonello Nizzia
  • Patent number: 8966713
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge includes a hinge housing rotatably mounted relative to a body, a spring located within the hinge housing, and a spring adjustment system. The spring adjustment system includes a pin having a head including a plurality of projections about a circumference of the head and an opposite end of the pin spaced from the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Russo, Antonello Nizzia
  • Patent number: 8683654
    Abstract: An adjustable torque hinge includes a set hinge, a torque providing unit and a torque adjusting unit. The set hinge unit couples a first and second wing plate with a pivot pin. The first and second wing plates forms a pin joint with a first sleeve and second sleeve. The torque providing unit includes a torque spring to provide turn back recovery. A torque adjusting unit has a torque adjustment member. The first sleeve includes a first cam, and the torque adjustment member includes a second cam which couples with the first cam to drive the torque adjustment member to the torque spring. Conversion between the first and second sleeves enables the bearing hinge to be used in both directions, accumulating force both in normal and reverse directions to adjust the torque force for opening and closing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Waterson Corp.
    Inventor: Waterson Chen
  • Publication number: 20140075720
    Abstract: A hinged and a mechanism for the hinge is described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: D & D Group PTY Ltd
    Inventors: Bartholomew Jeremy Caffin, Filip Tejszerski
  • Patent number: 8650713
    Abstract: In a fully concealed hinge (1), a connecting device (2) joins a first and a second fastening member (1a;1b) allowing their relative mobility between open and closed position. An arm element (20) of the connecting device (2), hinged on a pin (3) of the first fastening member (1a), has at different positions along said pin (3) a first (5) and a second (6) cam element having corresponding active portions (52, 62) interacting with a first and a second tappet (50, 60) of the first fastening member (1a) in respective, at least partly not superposed, angular fields of rotation of the arm element (20). First and second elastic means (51, 61), biasing the first and second tappet (50,60) respectively, are loaded by increasing the angle of rotation in the first or second angular field, respectively, and released by decreasing said angle of rotation, thereby causing movement towards the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Koblenz S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Migliorini
  • Patent number: 8627547
    Abstract: A self-closing invisible hinge for returning a door to its closed position from its opened position including a self-closing structure in which the closing force can be selectively adjusted externally at the hinge and in which the self-closing structure is compact. The self-closing invisible hinge further having an embedded wiring system for providing electrical communication between an area on or in the door and an area adjacent a mounting structure supporting the door, such as a building electrical and/or communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kok Leong Soh
  • Publication number: 20130333291
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating drive for moving a flap of a piece of furniture, comprising: at least one pivotably supported actuating arm for moving the flap, a spring device for applying a pivoting torque to the actuating arm in the opening direction, and an adjusting device having an adjusting screw, which has a thread, wherein the pivoting torque of the spring device acting on the actuating arm can be adjusted by means of a rotational motion of the adjusting screw, wherein the adjusting screw has a screw shaft, wherein a screw nut is supported in such a way that said nut can be moved along the screw shaft by means of a rotational motion of the adjusting screw, wherein the adjusting screw has a blocking device separate from the thread, which blocking device prevents an unintentional rotational motion of the adjusting screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes BLUM
  • Publication number: 20130263407
    Abstract: A decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle includes a counterbalance torque system having a torque storing assembly. The torque storing assembly includes a torque rod having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a torque tube having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end of the torque rod is attached to a linkage system in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, the second axial end of the torque rod is attached to the second axial end of the torque tube in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, and the first axial end of the torque tube is attached to a hinge box in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The torque storing assembly is pre-loaded with a moment to generate a torque for assisting movement of the support member from a closed position into an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Alvin N. Standard, Graham S. Foulkes
  • Patent number: 8549707
    Abstract: A hinge including first and second hinge members movable between an open position and a closed position, the first hinge member including a substantially cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis about which the second hinge member is rotatable to move the hinge between the open position and the closed position; the body portion housing biasing means having an end fixed relative to the second hinge member, the biasing means being in engagement with an adjustment member, the adjustment member being fixed with respect to the first hinge member; wherein the adjustment member includes a ratchet means to move the adjustment member in a first direction to increase the tension in the biasing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Audrius Macernis
  • Publication number: 20130081228
    Abstract: A rotary hinge assembly includes a hinge housing including at least one interior chamber. A spring disposed within the hinge housing provides a torque on an attached door while in an opened and closed position. A rotor rotatably disposed within the at least one interior chamber includes at least one rotor vane that moves in relation to a stationarily mounted stator having at least one stator vane. A fill plug includes a plurality of entrance and exit holes disposed in relation to the stator and rotor vanes to define a fluidic damper assembly. A valve disposed within the fill plug permits selective adjustment of the fluidic damper by restricting or opening the entrance and exit holes of the fill plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Janak
  • Publication number: 20130067686
    Abstract: In a fully concealed hinge (1), a connecting device (2) joins a first and a second fastening member (1a;1b) allowing their relative mobility between open and closed position. An arm element (20) of the connecting device (2), hinged on a pin (3) of the first fastening member (1a), has at different positions along said pin (3) a first (5) and a second (6) cam element having corresponding active portions (52, 62) interacting with a first and a second tappet (50, 60) of the first fastening member (1a) in respective, at least partly not superposed, angular fields of rotation of the arm element (20). First and second elastic means (51, 61), biasing the first and second tappet (50,60) respectively, are loaded by increasing the angle of rotation in the first or second angular field, respectively, and released by decreasing said angle of rotation, thereby causing movement towards the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: KOBLENZ S.P.A.
    Inventor: MASSIMO MIGLIORINI
  • Publication number: 20130020826
    Abstract: A counterbalanced decklid hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a vehicle includes a torque rod extending between a first hinge box and a second hinge box. A support member is rotatably supported by each of the first and second hinge boxes. A linkage system interconnects one axial end of the torque rod to one of the support members, and is attached to the axial end of the torque rod in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends. A lever is attached to and rotatable with the other axial end of the torque rod, and is attached in a manner that allows for a straight axial end of the torque rod, i.e., requires no bends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Krajenke, Alvin N. Standard
  • Patent number: 8347747
    Abstract: A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform. Biasing forces may be applied to opposing portions of a torque transferring member that enable the torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium. A torque may be applied to one of the component and the torque transferring member such that the biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on the torque transferring member to assist in moving the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium. Motion of the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium may be used to assist in moving the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dan J. Clingman, Robert T. Ruggeri, W. Dean Clingman
  • Patent number: 8245353
    Abstract: A hinge has a pivoting leaf (2) and a fixed leaf (3), a hollow axle (7) fixedly connected to the pivoting leaf and rotatably connected to first and second journal bearings (5-1, 5-2) of the fixed hinge leaf, a spiral torsion spring (8) arranged in the hollow axle. One end of the spring is fixed to the hollow axle and the other end of the spring is fixed to a worm wheel (9) that is arranged in the first journal bearing. An endless screw (6) resides in the first journal bearing and engages with the worm wheel. Rotation of the endless screw drives the worm wheel and the spiral torsion spring to rotate, thereby adjusting the tension of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: S-Fasteners GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Homner, Dimitri Svyrsky, Robert Bonfert
  • Publication number: 20120090135
    Abstract: A self-closing invisible hinge for returning a door to its closed position from its opened position including a self-closing structure in which the closing force can be selectively adjusted externally at the hinge and in which the self-closing structure is compact. The self-closing invisible hinge further having an embedded wiring system for providing electrical communication between an area on or in the door and an area adjacent a mounting structure supporting the door, such as a building electrical and/or communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Kok Leong Soh
  • Publication number: 20110072617
    Abstract: A hinge includes a base receiving a coupling device detachably mounted onto a mounting seat. An outer resilient plate includes an end pivotably mounted onto the base. A fixed seat is pivotably mounted onto the other end of the outer resilient plate. A buffer device includes a connecting member, a buffer, and an inner resilient plate. Each of a first pivot hole of the connecting member, an end of the buffer, and an end of the inner resilient plate is pivotably mounted onto the base. The other end of the buffer is pivotably mounted onto a second pivot hole of the connecting member. The other end of the inner resilient plate is slideably mounted onto an arcuate slot of the connecting member. The inner resilient plate further includes a fulcrum pivot hole in at intermediate portion thereof. The fulcrum pivot hole is pivotably mounted by a pivot to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Xin-Hong LIN, Shu-Hua Lin, Shu-Juan Lin, Shu-Jun Du
  • Patent number: 7900320
    Abstract: An original cover closer is described in which a compression coil spring can stably and surely work, an original cover can expeditiously and smoothly be operated, and the compression amount of the compression coil spring can be set and changed in an extremely easy manner. The cover closer comprises: a mounting member mounted to the main body of a copying machine; a supporting member pivotally attached to the mounting member and operable to support the original cover; a first slider and a second slider which are slidably installed in the supporting member; and a compression coil spring inserted between these sliders and operable to urge the original cover in the direction to open, wherein at least one of the sliders is formed integrally with a spring cover which covers the compression coil spring even when the original cover is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Tsutomu Katsumata, Hirofumi Kohda
  • Publication number: 20090151117
    Abstract: A variable friction hinge has a pintle, a stationary leaf and a washer assembly. The pintle is attached securely to a cover of an electronic device. The stationary leaf is attached securely to a base of the electronic device. The washer assembly is mounted around the pintle and has a stationary abrasion washer and a rotating abrasion stationary washer. The rotating abrasion washer has an eccentric hole engaging the pintle. With the eccentric hole engaging the pintle, the rotating abrasion washer alternatively rubs fully or partially against the stationary abrasion washer. Therefore, the hinge provides variable friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Po-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 7546663
    Abstract: A vehicle body hinge mechanism includes at least one hinge set carried by a support plate that retains a pivot pin and a retainer bar in a cantilevered manner. Preferably, the plate is stamped, and the pivot pin supports a lever, such as a gooseneck arm, that will be coupled to the hood. The plate includes a mount that will be carried by peripheral body structure around the hood opening. The retainer bar carries a helically wound spring that secures one end of the spring for resistance to rotation about the axis of the bar. The other end of the spring engages a linkage that urges the lever to pivot toward the open position. Preferably, a stop limit is integrally incorporated in the linkage carried by the plate to stop the lever at a desired hood opening limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Duffy
  • Patent number: 7444714
    Abstract: A ranch gate arm assembly which incorporates a gate arm that is mounted to allow swivelling about a longitudinal pivot when an external man or machine force is applied to either side of the gate arm thereby inducing the gate arm to swing out, and two torsion springs, one assembled on each side of the ranch gate arm which push against correlating sides of the gate and push the gate back to a center position after the external force has passed completely through the opening. This gate arm assembly is equipped with a smoothing release assembly, which eliminates the jolt force caused by the quick returning of the gate assembly to the center position that the gate was originally in before the external force was applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Prairie Valley Mfg Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Lenz
  • Patent number: 7350845
    Abstract: A vehicle body decklid hinge includes at least one hinge set carried by a bracket that retains a pivot pin and a retainer bar in a cantilevered manner. The pivot pin supports a lever, such as a gooseneck strap, that will be coupled to the hood, while the bracket includes a mount that will be carried by peripheral body structure around the decklid opening. The retainer bar carries a helically wound spring that secures one end of the spring for resistance to rotation about the axis of the bar. The other end of the spring engages an adjustor that variably urges the lever to pivot toward the open position. The method and apparatus reduce specificity of components and improve adaptably to various models and styles by reducing adjustments to tension variability in adjusting the biasing force applied to the decklid strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6732408
    Abstract: A spring hinge structure includes a first hinge plate, a second hinge plate, and a restoring control device. The restoring control device includes an upper spindle mounted in the upper shaft tube of the first hinge plate, a lower spindle mounted in the lower shaft tube of the first hinge plate, and a spring mounted in the elongated shaft tube of the second hinge plate. A pair of juxtaposed T-shaped mounting rings made of composite plastic material are mounted between the upper shaft tube of the first hinge plate and the elongated shaft tube of the second hinge plate, and are mounted between the lower shaft tube of the first hinge plate and the elongated shaft tube of the second hinge plate respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Chien-Chen Wu
  • Publication number: 20040045129
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism of an image forming apparatus supporting a platen cover for holding an original at a fixed position on a platen glass includes a hinge unit for supporting the platen cover in such a manner that the platen cover can be opened and closed by swinging it up and down, a compression coil spring for biasing the platen cover in its opening direction, and a hinge holder attached to a housing of the apparatus for accommodating the compression coil spring. The hinge unit is provided with a hinge torque keeping mechanism which causes the compression coil spring to produce a specific amount of hinge torque to bias the platen cover in its opening direction even when the platen cover is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Masato Tamehira, Yoshiyuki Nishizato, Yasumasa Marimoto, Yoshitaka Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6648398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a vehicle body panel partition for pivotal movement between an upright and a retracted position. A mounting includes hinge sets formed from two hinge leafs, each hinge leaf being used to retain one of the alternate ends of the torsion rod pin extending through aligned pivot portions on each pin leaf. Preferably, each hinge set is integrally formed with the torsion pin by retainers holding ends of the torsion pin with respect to each of the leafs. In the preferred embodiment, a return bent end of the torsion pin is received in an extended support member while the other end is retained in a returned bent portion of the second leaf, each end extending in a radial direction aligned at an angle to the direction of the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: M&C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Duffy
  • Patent number: 6619723
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a vehicle body panel partition for pivotal movement between an upright and a retracted position. A mounting includes hinge sets formed from two hinge leafs, a hinge leaf being used to retain one of the ends of the torsion rod pin extending through aligned pivot portions on each hinge set. Preferably, each hinge set is integrally formed with the torsion pin by retainers holding ends of the torsion pin with respect to one leaf of each of the hinge sets. In the preferred embodiment, a return bent end of a common torsion pin is received in a first leaf of one of at least two hinge sets, while the other end of the rod is bent and retained in a second leaf of a second hinge set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Duffy
  • Patent number: 6618902
    Abstract: A tubular spring hinge assembly includes a connecting tube for connecting two tubes, and two separation tubes mounted between the connecting tube and each of the two tubes. Each of the two separation tubes is made of a wear-resistant plastic, thereby eliminating noise due to friction when the two tubes are rotated relatively by the door plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Chien-Chen Wu
  • Publication number: 20030051313
    Abstract: A tubular spring hinge assembly includes a connecting tube for connecting two tubes, and two separation tubes mounted between the connecting tube and each of the two tubes. Each of the two separation tubes is made of a wear-resistant plastic, thereby eliminating noise due to friction when the two tubes are rotated relatively by the door plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Chien-Chen Wu
  • Publication number: 20030014839
    Abstract: A spring hinge structure includes a first hinge plate, a second hinge plate, and a restoring control device. The restoring control device includes an upper spindle mounted in the upper shaft tube of the first hinge plate, a lower spindle mounted in the lower shaft tube of the first hinge plate, and a spring mounted in the elongated shaft tube of the second hinge plate. A pair of juxtaposed T-shaped mounting rings made of composite plastic material are mounted between the upper shaft tube of the first hinge plate and the elongated shaft tube of the second hinge plate, and are mounted between the lower shaft tube of the first hinge plate and the elongated shaft tube of the second hinge plate respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Chien-Chen Wu
  • Patent number: 6481057
    Abstract: A positioning hinge for a notebook computer has multiple collars each provided with an obliquely formed friction plate. The friction plate engages a side face of an extension of a bracket configured to attach securely to a body of the computer to provide the necessary friction force to hole the monitor at an angle relative to the body of the computer. With such an arrangement, the friction force can be adjusted to accommodate different weights of the monitor by reducing or increasing the number of the collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Wen-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 6460220
    Abstract: A spring hinge including a pair of hinge leaves having hollow knuckles on adjacent hinges which are arranged in substantially axial alignment such that the hollow knuckles comprise segments of a hinge barrel. A torsion spring made up of a resilient coiled spring member is housed within the hinge barrel. First and second pintles are disposed at opposing ends of the hinge barrel and extend into and between axially aligned knuckles of the hinge leaves. The first and second pintles each engaging the spring member in a locked arrangement such that the spring member extends in a substantially locked relation between the first and second pintles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Bommer Industries, Inc
    Inventor: B. Stewart Jackson
  • Patent number: 6389611
    Abstract: A hinge device for use to support a seat and seat lid of a toilet bowl openably and closably is provided which can also be implemented even without any rubber ring and provide a delicately controlled feeling with the sea and seat lid when being opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Oriya Fujita
  • Patent number: 6382704
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge assembly for swingably attaching a closure panel over a trunk space of an automotive vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a hinge strap which has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is adjustably attached to two brackets that are attached to the trunk lid and the second end is rotatably attached to the vehicle body using a ball and socket joint. The brackets include rounded surfaces that are rotated and translated relative to attachment surfaces of the hinge strap, and the brackets operate in conjunction with the ball and socket joint to allow the trunk lid to be precisely fit over the trunk space opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ion Nastasoiu
  • Patent number: 6273491
    Abstract: A tonneau cover is provided which has at least one hinge-mounted latch adjacent the front of the cover, at least one support prop along the side of the cover intermediate the front and rear of the cover, and at least one latch mounted adjacent the rear of the cover, with a pair of independent side rails mounted to the vehicle, at least one of which contains a bracket for releasably receiving the hinge-mounted latch, a support prop receiving bracket cantilevered below and away from the vehicle side wall, and a rear catch bracket for receiving the rearward latch independent of dimensional variations induced from thermal forces over the cover. To facilitate release of the hinge-mounted latch within close confines of the front area of the vehicle bed, a self-contained trip handle is included in the receiving bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: John Bath, Devon Eb, Dennis Herrmeyer
  • Patent number: 6243918
    Abstract: A snap hinge and method of manufacturing includes a plurality of articulated levers interposed between a first member and a second member and reciprocally angularly positionable between first and second end positions. An elastic member is interposed between the levers and at least one of the levers includes side portions and at least one interconnecting portion between side portions. At least one lever cooperates with the elastic member at hinge means that are only defined by one interconnecting portion. The components are punched from a metal stamp and bent with side portions at right angles to interconnecting portions to form hinge means integrally with the side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: T.G.N. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Zetti
  • Patent number: 5953791
    Abstract: An earpiece for eyeglasses is characterized by an earpiece body (1) having an eyelet (2) at its end and a threaded section (6) on which is screwed a sleeve (10) containing an elastic mechanism (9) suitable for pushing a cursor (8) against the eyelet (2) so that the distance between the sleeve edge (10a) and the cursor body (8c) can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Marcolin S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alessandro Da Forno
  • Patent number: 5937583
    Abstract: A device for closing road wells in vehicle and pedestrian zones is provided, said device comprising a support frame (2) defining an access opening (4) and a plate closing element (5) rotatably engaged with the support frame (2) about a hinging axis (6) so as to be movable between a raised open position and a lowered closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Riccardo Lamperti
  • Patent number: 5746468
    Abstract: A mechanism for assisting the movement of a deck lid of a vehicle includes a transverse torsion bar centrally formed with a bight segment. A roller is rollably engaged with the bight segment, and the ends of the torsion bar are affixed to the body of the vehicle. A ratchet track is affixed to the deck lid, with the ratchet track including a plurality of longitudinally spaced detents for releasably receiving the roller therein as the deck lid is moved. The torsion bar assists a person in raising the deck lid, with the cooperation between the ratchet track and torsion bar tending to hold the deck lid in positions that are intermediate the fully open and fully closed positions when the person releases the deck lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schoen, Anthony J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5664289
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a hinge strap assembly including a torque rod spring assembly having a torque rod. The torque rod has a pair of end portions connected by a convoluted portion. The convoluted portion has a plurality of legs connected by at least one U-shaped bight portion. A slider block and/or pivot block may be clampingly mounted on the convoluted portion to vary the stiffness of the torque rod spring assembly. The hinge strap assembly may include a hinge box, a hinge strap and a single convoluted torque rod which connects therebetween. Alternatively, the hinge strap may be boxless having a hinge strap and a torque rod upon which the hinge strap is pivotally mounted. An end of the torque rod may be directly affixed to the rear shelf thereby eliminating the conventional hinge box. An insert may be used to pivotally mount the torque rod within the hinge strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventors: Tiete O. Wolda, Randolph Dale Lewkoski
  • Patent number: 5606773
    Abstract: A swingable door assembly and a hinge assembly for urging the swingable door assembly to a closed position is provided. The hinge assembly comprises a torsion spring which may be an elongate torsion rod, which may be preloaded with a predetermined amount of torsion force so that the associated swingable door assembly is urged to a closed position with respect to a casing, such as a refrigerated display case. The hinge assembly includes a ratchet pin connected to the torsion spring. First and second ratchet anchors may be mounted at a predetermined distance from each other on the ratchet pin. A fixed ratchet is secured to the ratchet between the first and second ratchet anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Pike Machine Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Shappell
  • Patent number: 5513420
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Tyler Refrigeration Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5465862
    Abstract: A closure apparatus for a subsurface pit for servicing an aircraft located beneath an aircraft servicing surface across which aircraft travel is provided with an improved spring biasing arrangement. The system employs separate springs interposed between the hollow body of the pit and the lid so as to urge the pit lid from its horizontal seated position toward a fully raised position. Obstructions are provided for separately intercepting and disengaging the springs from acting against the pit lid as the pit lid is opened through intermediate angular positions between the horizontal seated position and the fully raised position. By sequentially isolating the pit lid from the action of each of the springs, one at a time, the moment of spring force opposing closure of the lid more closely follows the moment of the force of gravity tending to close the lid. This substantially reduces the maximum manual force that is thereby required to overcome gravity in opening the pit lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Dabico, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Devlin
  • Patent number: 5465557
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Koch Supplies, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Harte
  • Patent number: 5243738
    Abstract: A hinge for a vehicle deck lid includes a housing, a pivot pin mounted therein, a hinge arm mounted on the pivot pin, a lift spring to bias the hinge arm toward an open position and thereby counterbalance the weight of the deck lid, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tension in the lift spring. The adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism made up of pawls on the pivot pin and catches on the housing that allows one-way rotation of the pivot pin to more tightly wind the lift spring. The ratchet mechanism further includes a bias spring that biases the pawls and catches into engagement, the bias spring having a tension that can be overcome to release the ratchet mechanism and release the tension in the lift spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: RAN Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James Kiefer
  • Patent number: 5235725
    Abstract: A hinge pivotally moves a closure panel between two positions to open and close an access opening formed in a structure. The hinge includes a mounting plate connected to the structure. A strap is pivotally connected at a first end to the mounting plate and is fixedly connected at a second end to the closure panel. A clock biasing spring is connected at a first end to the mounting plate and has a second end rotationally and radially movable with respect to the first end. A link is pivotally connected at a first end to the strap at a position spaced from the pivot connection of the first end of the strap to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. A. Rees
  • Patent number: 5050270
    Abstract: An automobile trunk lid is mounted for swinging on the automobile body between closed and open positions with respect to the trunk compartment. Each hinge includes a slotted hinge arm attached to the underside of the lid and a slotted body bracket attached to the body adjacent one side of the trunk compartment. A follower on the hinge arm projects into and is adapted to travel along the slot in the body bracket while a follower on the body bracket projects into the slot in the hinge arm. As the lid is opened, the followers and slots coact to first elevate the forward portion of the lid away from the body and then to allow the lid to swing open about an instantaneously changing axis. A spring, a cam and a cable coact to apply a spring-assist to the lid during opening, the cam and cable acting to compensate for the spring rate of the spring as the lid moves and its center of gravity changes in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Atwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell J. Burgei, Lavern R. McCallips, Teddy B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4856142
    Abstract: A hinge structure by which an upper unit of a housing can open and close with respect to its lower unit around its edge includes two elastic bars twisting around each other. The elastic forces of these bars are set according to the shearing stress applied to them. Contact pieces may be provided to vary their elastic forces when the units are assembled together. Screws may be further provided to vary the twisting angles of the bars to adjust their elastic forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 4817240
    Abstract: A hinge for a range door and the like having a frame bracket (18) adapted to be mounted to a range housing, a hinge arm (40) adapted to be mounted to a range door and pivotably mounted to the frame bracket (18) and a cam follower arm (16) pivotably mounted to the frame bracket (18). A cam follower element (76) on the cam arm (60) is biased by a tension spring (80) against a cam surface on a cam arm portion (46) of the hinge arm to counterbalance the weight of the range door. The cam surface has indentations (50, 52) which define equilibrium positions of the door for an ajar and fully open position. A tab stop (34) is struck out from the frame bracket (18) to stop the pivotable movement of the cam follower arm (60) as the hinge arm (40) reaches the fully open position (FIG. 5). The cam follower arm (60) has a number of indentations (64) for receiving one end (84) of the spring (80) to adjust the counter-balancing force on the oven door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Ace Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Milo D. Sovis, Jr., James A. Parker
  • Patent number: 4815164
    Abstract: A door hinge torsion spring fixedly mounted at a first end thereof to one hinge member is engaged and deflected at a second end thereof by a second hinge member when the two hinge members are pivotally displaced relative to one another. An intermediate section of the spring is configured in the form of a coil for increasing the length of the spring and reducing the torque applied to the spring per unit length without increasing the mounting space required for the spring, while allowing the spring to be mounted to and operate with existing hinge configurations. The door hinge spring is particularly adapted for use in the door hinge of a vehicle such as a truck, wherein the second hinge member is provided with a pair of spaced, notched rollers for successively engaging the second end of the spring as the door is opened to either bias the door to the closed position or securely maintain the door in either a fully open position or in an intermediate position between full open and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Robert B. Rottinghaus