On Pintle Patents (Class 16/307)
  • Patent number: 11828095
    Abstract: A sliding door system for inline closure of an opening in the wall of a structure, which may be a building or an item of furniture, for example, that includes a door panel, a guiderail assembly, and a guiderail coupled to the wall mount via a plurality of doubled-hinge assemblies that together serve to allow the guiderail to pivot towards and away from the wall, and includes a stop on the guiderail that serves as a catch, or cam, that causes a closing force on the door panel to be transferred to the double-hinge assemblies and to cause the door panel to be pulled into inline closure in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: INLAY DOOR SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Scott Frankel
  • Patent number: 11627209
    Abstract: Technologies are described for a hinge mechanism coupled to at least a dual-display device wherein the displays can rotate with respect to each other through 360 degrees. The hinge mechanism has at least one flexible connection member that follows a generally S-shaped path when the displays are in a tablet position. In some embodiments, a second flexible connection member can be added that follows a mirrored S-shaped path. The S-shaped path of the first flexible connection member and the mirrored S-shape path of the second flexible connection member together create a cross-configuration. In other embodiments, interconnected friction hinges can allow for a free-stop function at any point along the 360 degrees of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Esa-Sakari Määttä
  • Patent number: 11241990
    Abstract: A side table assembly for a vehicle seat includes a table on which a cup holder inserting part is formed, a body arranged on a side face of the vehicle seat, a joint hinge device coupled between the body and the table to allow the table to be rotated with respect to the body; and a cup holder having an opened upper face and a closed lower face and coupled to the cup holder inserting part. The joint hinge device includes a joint hinge connected to the table at one side and connected to the body at another side, a hinge spring inserted into the joint hinge to elastically support the joint hinge, and a hinge cylinder having one side inserted into the joint hinge and being in contact with the hinge spring and another side inserted into by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Adient Korea, Inc.
    Inventors: Kug-Hun Han, Sang-Ho Kim, Sang-Hwi Yoon, In-Seok Oh, Ki-Seok Kwun, Young-Kyun Oh
  • Patent number: 11047162
    Abstract: A torsion spring door closing apparatus for automatically closing doors with minimal hardware includes a torsion spring having a central coiled portion and a pair of arms. The coiled portion is configured to fit around a shaft of a hinge pin of a door hinge. The pair of arms comprises a hook arm and a catch arm each extending from the coiled portion. The pair of arms moves between a closed position and an open position and the torsion spring is biased towards the open position. When a door opens and squeezes the pair of arms towards the closed position they rebound to force the door to close again. A hook end of the hook is selectively engageable with a catch end of the catch arm to secure the torsion spring in the closed position and disengage the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Leonard Tennessee
  • Patent number: 10808878
    Abstract: A supporting stand for supporting a panel is provided. The supporting stand comprises a base, a one-way damper, a force module, and a rotating element. The one-way damper is disposed on the first connecting board. The force module is disposed on the base and including a mandrel. The rotating element is connected to the panel, the one-way damper, and the force module, and is actuated together with the one-way damper and the force module so that the panel is capable of rotating around the mandrel in a first rotating direction or a second rotating direction. When the rotating element rotates in the first rotating direction, the one-way damper provides a first backward torque to the rotating element; when the rotating element rotates in the second rotating direction, the one-way damper do not provide torque to the rotating element but the force module provides a second forward torque when the rotating element rotates in the second rotating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SYNCMOLD ENTERPRISE CORP.
    Inventors: Jen-Yi Lee, Ming-Chih Shih
  • Patent number: 10729292
    Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a separate “shutter” system is disposed below and attached to the opening of a portable toilet seat in a manner that substantially blocks the underlying tank from view, yet allows for the waste material to easily pass into the tank. The system shutter assembly includes an inverted-V shaped component that is suspended below the toilet opening to block the view of an underlying pit tank while allowing for waste material to pass over either side of the “V” and fall into the tank (also protects user from any waste material splashing upward). The assembly further includes a shutter support assembly connected between the toilet seat opening and the shutter and is used to support the shutter in its suspended place. The shutter may be fixed in place, or permitted to swing back and forth as the waste material encounters the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: PaPa Squat Port A Pot, LLC
    Inventors: Kirk Duffee, Kevin Genevro
  • Patent number: 10443893
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus comprising structure to support a user interface incorporated into the cabinet housing of an electro-mechanical system for improved viewing and interaction with the user interface when the cabinet housing is opened during technician service, while simultaneously not obstructing access to the cabinet interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Harsco Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert H. Arnold, Steven Moyer
  • Patent number: 10344512
    Abstract: Hinge for the support and the maneuvering of doors, made up of two wing elements and provided with means for attachment to a frame part and respectively to a door portion, as well as mutually reinforcing means in a pivoting zone, the means being constituted by appendices internally hollow in the form of a cylindrical body projecting from the wing elements, characterized in that at least one of the appendices of the wings provides on the inner surface axial grooves suitable for housing a push-engagement element housed inside a pivot pin of the wing elements and protruding from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ELESA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Bertani
  • Patent number: 10330242
    Abstract: A supporting apparatus allowing a user to rotate a display panel comprises a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket and the second bracket cooperate to provide lateral and fore and aft support and allow rotation of the display panel with a friction damping arrangement to allow stable orientation and reorientation of the display panel as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HONGFUJIN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (CHONGQING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Hsu Wang, Quan-Guang Du
  • Patent number: 10316563
    Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism includes a dead-center spring element for a swivelable part, and a control curve is provided on a side wall of the swivelable part, and the dead-center spring element engages the control curve via a swivelable control lever to control an opening and closing force progression with the aid of the control curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: fischer automotive systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Flothmann, Gunter Leopold
  • Patent number: 10160570
    Abstract: A dry goods filtering storage container comprising dry goods container comprising a removable top portion, a body portion, a one or more chambers, a height, a width, a depth, a first side, a second side, a front side, a back side, a top, a bottom, a one or more hinged closures and a one or more lid apertures. Said one or more hinged closures are capable of selectively covering said one or more lid apertures. Said one or more chambers comprising a one or more upper chambers and a one or more lower chambers. Said one or more upper chambers are separated by a one or more horizontal dividers. Said one or more horizontal dividers having a plurality of divider apertures. Said dry goods filter storage container holds dry goods of varying sizes. Said one or more chambers being separated by a one or more vertical dividers. Said removable top portion comprises a one or more hinged closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Vimal Ragha
  • Patent number: 9993072
    Abstract: A sliding-pivoting mechanism of a shelf includes a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm. The pivot arms are arranged attached to sidewalls of a body and parallel to each other at a distance from each other. A guide rail is fastened to second ends of the pivot arms in such a way that the guide rail can be pivoted parallel to the plane of the side walls and that the guide rail can be pivoted from a lower position space to a raised, upper position. The mechanism also includes at least one running rail, which can be moved linearly in the guide rail and to which the shelf is fastened. The sliding-pivoting mechanism includes a locking mechanism for preventing a pivoting motion of the sliding-pivoting mechanism in a raised and a lowered end position. The locking mechanism is arranged on the guide rail and on one of the pivot arms and can be actuated by means of an activator fastened to the running rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO, KG.
    Inventors: Mikel Azkue, Oscar Garcia, Eñaut Arriaga, Iker Lopetegi, Unai Laskibar
  • Patent number: 9901224
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved and retrofitted attachment clip for toilets that allows the toilet seat to maintain an upright position. The toilet seat lifter comprises a rectangular plate attached thereto a clip via a spring-loaded hinge, wherein the spring-loaded hinge includes a torsion spring. In operation, the device removably attaches thereto the back rim of the toilet so that the upper end of rectangular plate lays against the underside of the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the present invention further includes a pair of arms that fasten to the toilet seat to ensure that the device is secured onto the toilet seat. The present invention maintains the rectangular plate and the toilet seat in an upright position. The toilet seat can be placed down by applying an external force. When the external force is released the toilet seat returns to an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Yosef Rubashkin
  • Patent number: 9854905
    Abstract: A sliding-pivoting mechanism of a shelf includes a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm. The pivot arms are attached to side walls of a body and arranged parallel to each other at a distance from each other. A guide rail is fastened to second ends of the pivot arms in such a way that the guide rail can be pivoted parallel to the plane of the side walls and that the guide rail can be pivoted from a lower position to a raised, upper position. The mechanism also includes at least one running rail, which can be moved linearly in the guide rail and to which the shelf is fastened. The sliding-pivoting mechanism includes a locking mechanism for preventing a pivoting motion of the sliding-pivoting mechanism in a raised and a lowered end position. The locking mechanism is arranged on the guide rail and on one of the pivot arms and can be actuated by means of an activator fastened to the running rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PAUL HETTICH GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mikel Azkue, Oscar Garcia, Eñaut Arriaga, Iker Lopetegi, Unai Laskibar
  • Patent number: 9821856
    Abstract: A fully foldable mud flap has an upper flap section having a magnet permanently attached and a lower flap section having a magnet of the opposite polarity attached. The flap sections are connected by a hinge which allows rotation of the lower flap section in relation to the upper flap section, such that, in the retracted position, the lower flap section is parallel to and directly faces the upper flap section, with the magnets securing the flap sections in this position. The mud flap can be conveniently manually folded and unfolded, when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Anthony Michael Caruso
  • Patent number: 9758063
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat frame and a seat back pivotably attached to the seat frame. A spring cooperates with the seat back to oppose forward and rearward rotation of the seat back over at least a portion of the rotation range. An actuator is attached to and pivotable with the seat back, and it is configured to contact the spring at a first position during the forward rotation of the seat back and at a second position during the rearward rotation of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Adamik
  • Patent number: 9683693
    Abstract: A self-opening supporting device for a display is provided. The self-opening supporting device comprises a securing element, a first moving element, a stand and an elastic element. The securing element is formed with a first slide extending along an inclined direction. When an external force is applied to the first moving element, the first moving element uses a first sliding block to slide along the first slide so as to drive the stand to swing out from the display. When the stand is swung out exceeding an angle, the elastic element is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Syncmold Enterprise Corp.
    Inventors: Shin-Hong Yu, Ying-Yen Huang, Juei-Hsien Wang
  • Patent number: 9568951
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided, including a main body, a display unit connected to the main body, and an input unit detachably connected to the main body. The input unit has a pad protruding from the bottom side thereof. When the input unit is placed on a surface of an object, the pad contacts the surface. When the main body is placed on the surface and joined with the input unit, the pad and the surface form a distance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Iou-Ren Su, Shun-Bin Chen
  • Patent number: 9115519
    Abstract: A damping mechanism has a housing body defining a cavity with a central axis, a threaded section disposed with female threads revolving about the central axis and a smooth section; a rotating shaft inserted into the cavity; and a piston, wherein the piston comprises a threaded section disposed with male threads revolving about the central axis and a piston head. The threaded section of the cavity and the threaded section of the piston constitute a screw-on fit relationship between the female and male threads. The piston head is clearance-fitted or seal-fitted with the smooth section of the cavity. An axial hole section of the piston is clearance-fitted or seal-fitted with the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is provided with a radially outwardly-opening and axially-extending oiling slot on the sliding path of the piston head while the depth and/or width of the oiling slot changes gradually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Caiyou Li, Feiyong Li
  • Publication number: 20150067984
    Abstract: A hinge device for rotatably moving a closing element includes a fixed element anchorable to a stationary support structure coupled to a movable element anchorable to the closing element for rotating around a first longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The device further includes at least one slider movable along a second axis between a compressed and an extended position. One between the movable element and the fixed element includes at least one operating chamber defining the second axis so as to slidably house the slider, the other element including a pivot defining the first axis. The pivot and the slider are reciprocally coupled so that to the rotation of the movable element around the first axis corresponds the sliding of the slider along the second axis and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: IN & TEC S.r.l.
    Inventor: Luciano Bacchetti
  • Patent number: 8925152
    Abstract: A folding portable device in which a first case and a second case are foldably connected and which can be opened by a simple operation even when a thickness of the case is reduced includes support means for supporting the first case with respect to the second case in a relatively displaceable manner within a specified range and opening assistance means of which an open lock is unlocked when the first case is displaced more than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Limited (Hong Kong)
    Inventor: Daisuke Ejima
  • Patent number: 8683655
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinge apparatus for a door, and more particularly, to a separated type hinge apparatus with an automatic return function, in which a restoring device and a damping device are installed separately so that the overall length of the hinge apparatus is reduced, and thus the hinge apparatus may be buried less deeply. A separated type hinge apparatus comprises: an elastic casing; a first elastic member that provides a restoring force; a clutch device which is combined with one end of the first elastic member and controls the elastic force of the first elastic member to remain constant; a shaft penetratively combined through the clutch device in order to transmit a rotational force; and a spring fixing member which is coupled to the other end of the first elastic member and has a gear groove to control a spring elastic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Chan Ho Hong
  • Publication number: 20140068894
    Abstract: A closing hinge for the pivotable articulation of a first part, in particular a door leaf, on a second part, in particular a door frame, includes a center longitudinal axis, a rotating receiver unit that can be rotated about the center longitudinal axis for fastening to the first part, which can be rotated, in particular, about the center longitudinal axis, and a freely rotating closing unit, which is connected to the rotating receiver unit in a torque-transmitting manner, for fastening to the second part, which is fixed, in particular, with respect to the center longitudinal axis, the closing hinge being displaceable between a closing arrangement and a freely rotating arrangement, the rotating receiver unit being freely rotatable, in particular in a torque-free manner, about the center longitudinal axis relative to the freely rotating closing unit in the closing arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nagl, Florian Stephan, Herbert Müller
  • Patent number: 8578559
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism and a clamshell device thereof are disclosed. The clamshell device includes a first cover and a second cover and the first cover can rotate with respect to the second cover via the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes a main body, an elastic component, and a base. The main body is connected to the first cover and includes a shaft and a projecting part. The elastic component covers the shaft. An internal diameter of the elastic component matches with an outer diameter of the shaft so as to generate a friction force. The first cover can be maintained at any angle by the friction force. The elastic component has a groove used for connecting with the projecting part when the main body rotates to a specific angle. The base is connected to the second cover and has a stop structure used for fixing the elastic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 8505167
    Abstract: Provided is a portable terminal including a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge apparatus rotatably coupling the first housing and the second housing. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge housing fixed to the first housing, a hinge member fixed to the second housing and coupled to the hinge housing, the hinge member rotating around a hinge axis which extends perpendicular to a surface of the first housing, an interference protrusion provided on one of the hinge housing and the hinge member, and a stopper groove formed in the other of the hinge housing and the hinge member wherein the hinge member rotates around the hinge axis while being spaced apart from the hinge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Tae Kim, Sang-Joon Park, Jong-Woo Kim, Seok-Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8459754
    Abstract: A washing machine comprises a casing, a top cover installed on an upper surface of the casing, a door installed at the top cover, through which laundry is accommodated into the casing, and a tub installed in the casing, wherein the door is connected to the top cover by a hinge assembly or a damper assembly provided thereat. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge portion, and a second hinge portion having a torsion spring therein. The damper assembly includes a first damper portion, a second damper portion, and a ring member having a round shape and fitted into an outer circumferential surface of the second damper portion. Accordingly, even when the door has a heavy weight due to its material of a reinforcing glass, the hinge assembly or the damper assembly can endure the weight of the door. This may prevent noise or impact occurring when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Cheon-Soo Cho, Hyuk-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 8443489
    Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge includes a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. The base includes: (i) a channel located between the first and second side walls; and, (ii) a notch comprising first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base. The cam includes: (i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, with a first end of the camshaft located in the first notch portion and a second end of the camshaft located in the second notch portion; and, (ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft. The hinge assembly includes a biasing spring that comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. The outer end of said spring is located outside the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Sir Louis
  • Patent number: 8381356
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft with shaft portion, shaft sleeve, first torque spring, and first sliding member. The shaft sleeve defines a through hole for the shaft portion extending through, a slot extending substantially parallel to the through hole, and forms hooks extending from two opposite sides of the slot. The first sliding member goes over the shaft sleeve, and the first torque spring includes a first end fixed to the shaft and a second end extending through the slot and then fixed to the first sliding member. The first torque provides torque to prevent the shaft sleeve from rotating to the shaft. When the first sliding member is moved along the shaft sleeve to compress the first torque spring, the torque can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song-Ya Chen
  • Patent number: 8272102
    Abstract: A fixing structure is provided. The fixing structure comprises a first housing, a rotating shaft, a second housing and a third housing. The first housing has an accommodating portion, and the rotating shaft is disposed in the accommodating portion. The second housing is disposed on one side of the rotating shaft. The third housing is disposed on the other side of the rotating shaft and covers the rotating shaft and the second housing. The shaft body is wedged into a shaft bore, and the shaft shoulder is wedged into the second housing. The third housing is against one side of the shaft body, and covers the rotating shaft and the second housing. The shaft shoulder is firmly against the second housing. Thus, it does not need any tool to assemble and disassemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventors: Cui-Yu Zhou, Ming Wen, Martin Hsu
  • Patent number: 8272695
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a hinge assembly comprising a mandrel having a longitudinal axis. A first arm is rotationally fixed relative to the mandrel and extends from one end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second arm is rotatably connected relative to the mandrel about the longitudinal axis and extends from the opposite end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A coil spring is sleeved over and snugly surrounds the mandrel. Relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm in an opposite direction tightens the spring around the mandrel. Tightening of the spring generates resistance to relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: King Furniture (Australia) Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: David Russell King, Steven Leonard Higgs
  • Patent number: 8205301
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a damping member, and a torsion resilient member. The first bracket defines a damping protrusion. The second bracket is rotatable relative to the first bracket. The damping member defines a depression. The damping protrusion is configured to engage with the depression. The torsion resilient member urges the first bracket to rotate relative to the second bracket and the damping member. The engagement of damping protrusion and the depression prevents the first bracket from rotating when the first bracket rotates through a predetermined angle. When the first bracket rotates through the predetermined angle relative to the second bracket and the damping member, the first bracket together with the damping member are rotatable relative to the second bracket to any desired angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Xin Wang, Lian-Cheng Huang, Jian Li, Guo-Jin Cai
  • Patent number: 8151415
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a stationary member, a rotating member, and a pivotal shaft. The stationary member forms a position protrusion. The rotating member defines a receiving depression to receive the position protrusion. The pivotal shaft includes an elastic portion. The stationary member and the rotating member are positioned on the pivotal shaft such that the position protrusion is received in the receiving depression. The rotating member is non-rotatable relative to the pivotal shaft. The stationary member is rotatable relative to the pivotal shaft. The elastic portion deforms to push the rotating member to firmly engage the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Xin Wang
  • Patent number: 8104142
    Abstract: A damped hinge module is disclosed and includes a first member, a second member and a torsion spring. The second member is rotationally movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position. The second member being received at least in part within the first member. The torsion spring is located internally with respect to the first member and biases the second member toward the first position relative to the first member. The spring has a preload with the second member in the first position relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lowry, Eugene Novin, Mark Cooper
  • Patent number: 8096020
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a tube, two friction members, and a resilient member. The tube is rotatably sleeved on the shaft. One of the shaft and the tube defines two receiving holes. The friction members are positioned in the receiving holes. The resilient member causes the friction member to resist the other one of the shaft and the tube which does not define the receiving holes. A foldable electronic device applying the hinge assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zi-Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 8091178
    Abstract: A hinge has a pintle, a moving leaf, a resilient device and a stationary leaf. The pintle has a resilient device mount formed on a distal end and is mounted securely in the stationary leaf. The moving leaf is mounted rotatably around the pintle and has a barrel having a protruding limit formed on an outer end. Because the resilient device mount is formed on the pintle, it does not break easily and may slip to prevent terminal failure and be reset when closed. The protruding limit abuts the stationary leaf and ensures a gap is formed between the leaves for wires cabling or the like. Therefore the hinge has improved wear and longer lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett William Degner, Patrick Kessler, Chris Ligtenberg
  • Patent number: 8087128
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a base, a joint member, a pintle, and a coiling spring. The joint member is rotatably connected to the base. The pintle runs through the base and the joint member. The coiling spring has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed relative to the base, and the second end is fixed relative to the joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Cheng Chou, Jin-Xin Wang, Jun-Wu Duan, Fan Zhou, Ben-Gui Long
  • Publication number: 20110271485
    Abstract: A control motion hinge, comprising a first leaf hinge with three knuckles to secure a first pin, wherein the two outer knuckles have roller knuckles, a link having a two knuckles on a first end to interlock with the first leaf hinge and a single knuckle on a second end, a second leaf hinge with two knuckles to secure a second pin when interlocked with the second end of the link, wherein the two knuckles of the second leaf hinge have a roller path for engaging the roller of the first leaf hinge, wherein such rollers traverse the roller path, a first spring device positioned between said first leaf hinge and said link to apply a force therebetween, and thus softly closing the door reducing the sound of closure during the final approach of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Robert F. Irwin
  • Patent number: 8024842
    Abstract: A hinge includes a shaft sleeve, a shaft, and a spring. The shaft sleeve includes a shaft tube, and the shaft includes a fixing rod rotationally received in the shaft tube. The spring is received between the shaft and the shaft tube for guiding lubricant to lubricate the shaft and the shaft tube. The fixing rod is rotatably passed through the spring, and capable of rotating relative to the shaft tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Bin Shen
  • Patent number: 7996958
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a resilient member and two rotary units. Each rotary unit includes a shaft, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tubes are sleeved on the shafts correspondingly. The inner tubes are non-rotatably connected to the shafts and rotatably connected to the outer tubes. The resilient member is positioned between the rotary units, thus causing the inner tubes of the rotary units to resist the outer tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zi-Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 7971317
    Abstract: A hinge assembly and a portable electronic device are provided. The portable electronic device includes a lid, a main body, and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly pivotly connects the lid to the main body. The hinge assembly includes a pivot element, a torsion spring, and a hinge brace. The pivot element is formed on the lid and partially and rotatably received in the main body. The torsion spring is assembled between the lid and the main body. When the lid is in a closed position with respect to the main body, the torsion spring becomes constricted and accumulates potential energy. When the lid is opened from the main body, the potential energy of the torsion spring is released to drive the lid to rotate to an open position with respect to the main body. The hinge brace is attached to the main body for blocking an excessive rotation of the lid with respect to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-Kun Guo, Jin-Feng Liu, Qia-Kai Xie
  • Publication number: 20110140496
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a hinge assembly comprising a mandrel having a longitudinal axis. A first arm is rotationally fixed relative to the mandrel and extends from one end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second arm is rotatably connected relative to the mandrel about the longitudinal axis and extends from the opposite end of the mandrel generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A coil spring is sleeved over and snugly surrounds the mandrel. Relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm in an opposite direction tightens the spring around the mandrel. Tightening of the spring generates resistance to relative rotation of the first arm and the second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: King Furniture (Australia) Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: David Russell King, Steven Leonard Higgs
  • Patent number: 7954781
    Abstract: A flat panel display (FPD) support with a hinge assembly has a base, a stand and a hinge assembly. The stand has a base bracket being securely mounted on the base, an arm protruding from a front edge of the base bracket and a panel bracket protruding from an upper edge of the arm. The hinge assembly is mounted on the panel bracket and is attached to a FPD. Therefore, the base can customized to allow the FPD and the stand to stably stand on the base. Moreover, the stand and the base may be disassembled and folded conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Ching Hsu
  • Patent number: 7913356
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (12) and a follower (16), wherein one of the shaft and the follower defines a thread (122), the other of the shaft and the follower includes at least one resisting portion (166). The thread is separately formed from one of the shaft and the follower with the thread and the shaft and the follower slide and rotate relative to each other. Since the thread is separately formed therewith, the thread may be formed by injection mold. This manufacture method is easy. In addition, the thread may be made of wear resistant material. The thread is not easy to be abraded, thereby the work being stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7866001
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle door opening/closing device arranged to pivotally connect a vehicle body and a door with a hinge member and provided with a damper arranged to impart a braking force to the door when the door is turned, the damper being directly connected to the hinge member, the hinge member includes a first hinge arm fixed to a floor, a pin shaft fixed to the first hinge arm and extending outward of the first hinge arm, and a second hinge arm pivotally mounted on the pin shaft and fixed to a lower end of a lower door, and the damper includes a rotors connected to a projecting portion of the pin shaft, a housing rotatably mounted on the rotor and fixed to the lower door, and a braking means contained in the housing to impart a braking force to the housing when the housing is rotated relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Honda, Ryousuke Ariyoshi
  • Patent number: 7861375
    Abstract: A hinge assembly comprises a first hinge half, a second hinge half, a spring, and a pin passing through the spring joining the first hinge half and the second hinge half. The spring in turn comprises a coil body, a first spring arm extending from the coil body having a first distal end portion, a second spring arm extending from the coil body having a second distal end portion, a first support extending from the first distal end portion towards the first hinge half and bearing on the first hinge half, and a second support extending from the second distal end portion towards the second hinge half and bearing on the second hinge half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: William Conway, Dikran Babikian, Douglas Murphy
  • Patent number: 7832053
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a wireless communication device that pivotally connects a display housing member to a keypad housing member is described. The hinge assembly comprises an upper hinge arm, a lower hinge arm, and a rotating assembly. The upper hinge arm includes an upper hinge plate that is coupled to the display housing member. The lower hinge arm includes a lower hinge plate that is coupled to the keypad housing member. The rotating assembly comprises a first fastener, a second fastener and at least one conductive spring. The first fastener couples the upper hinge arm to one end of the rotating assembly. The second fastener couples the lower hinge arm to the other end of the rotating assembly. At least one conductive spring interfaces with at least one hinge end, and provides a ground path within the hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Luksich, Michael Hidock, Brian Lucas Kash
  • Publication number: 20100125974
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a tube, an acting member, a friction member, a rotating shaft, and a resilient member. The tube is rotatably sleeved on the shaft. The shaft defines at least one receiving hole. The friction member is positioned in the receiving hole. The rotating shaft extends through the acting member and the shaft to connect the acting member to the shaft rotatably. The resilient member causes the friction member to resist the tube and the acting member. A foldable electronic device applying the hinge assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD ., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zi-Ming Tang
  • Publication number: 20100095484
    Abstract: A hinge includes a positioning member, and a first rotational assembly rotatably mounted to the positioning member. The first rotational assembly comprises a first shaft rotatably mounted to the positioning member, an interference member, a resilient member fixed to the first shaft, and a securing member fixed to the first shaft. The interference member is fixed to the first shaft, and slide relative to the positioning member to engage with or disengage from the positioning member. The resilient member comprises an aseismatic block and a spring clamping a circumference of the aseismatic block. The resilient member is sandwiched between the interference member and the securing member, and the interference member abuts against the aseismatic block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEN-BIN SHEN
  • Publication number: 20100064478
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) includes a main shaft (10), a first positioning mechanism (14, 20), a second positioning mechanism (30, 40) and an elastic element (50). The first positioning mechanism is placed around the main shaft and has portions rotatable relative to the main shaft and portions not rotatable relative to the main shaft. The second positioning mechanism is placed around the main shaft and has portions rotatable relative to the main shaft and portions not rotatable relative to the main shaft. The elastic member is placed around the main shaft, and is disposed between the first positioning mechanism and the second positioning mechanism. The elastic member provides an elastic force to bias the rotatable portions of the first positioning mechanism and the second positioning mechanism against rotating relative to the main shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: CHAO DUAN, CHIA-HUA CHEN
  • Publication number: 20090260187
    Abstract: A hinge has a pintle, a moving leaf, a resilient device and a stationary leaf. The pintle has a resilient device mount formed on a distal end and is mounted securely in the stationary leaf. The moving leaf is mounted rotatably around the pintle and has a barrel having a protruding limit formed on an outer end. Because the resilient device mount is formed on the pintle, it does not break easily and may slip to prevent terminal failure and be reset when closed. The protruding limit abuts the stationary leaf and ensures a gap is formed between the leaves for wires cabling or the like. Therefore the hinge has improved wear and longer lifespan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: SHIN ZU SHING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ting-Hsien Wang, Shan-Yi Yang