Sliding Patents (Class 16/327)
  • Patent number: 7874043
    Abstract: Furniture hinge with damping and/or braking device in alternative to those already existing and capable of guaranteeing an improved efficiency during the closing and/or opening operation of doors, or other furniture parts, without any variations to the overall dimensions of standard hinges. The improved efficiency of the hinge is obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous medium present in suitable areas of the hinge and/or by allowing regulation of the trend of the angular velocities of one or more circular shaped elements, for example a disc, which act as braking elements in contact with the viscous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Publication number: 20100291978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a step hinge for a portable communication terminal, and more particularly to a step hinge mounted to a portable communication terminal, which can rotate at various angles thereto. A step hinge for a portable communication terminal according to the present invention, comprises: a housing; a rotating member mounted in the housing; a friction member mounted in the housing and contacting the rotating member; a belleville spring disposed in the housing so as to press the friction member and the rotating member for a tight contact therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Laird Technologies Korea YH
    Inventor: Chang Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7818845
    Abstract: An open-and-close hinge device comprise a shaft member having a first end and a second end; a fixture securely attached to the first end of the shaft member, and including an actuating member with a push-bottom moveably toward the second of the shaft member when triggered; an initiating cam rotationally assembled to the shaft member and next to the fixture, a locking key arranged between the initiating cam and fixture preventing the initiating cam from rotating against the fixture, the initiating cam having a first cam surface toward the second end; a follower rotationally and slidably attached to the shaft, and having a second cam surface biasing against toward the first cam surface of the initiating cam, and a third cam surface toward the second end of the shaft member; a slider cam slidably assembled to the shaft member and having a forth cam surface biasing against toward the third cam surface of the follower; a first compression spring interposed resiliently between the slider cam and the second end of s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Hu, Yusho Nakase, Shi-Jie Tan
  • Patent number: 7808779
    Abstract: A docking system for supporting a portable electronic device with a vertical operational orientation and a horizontal operational orientation is disclosed. The docking system includes a base stand unit that has a flat top surface. Additionally, there is a device support platform that is rotatably mounted to the base stand unit. The device support platform defines a cradle portion that is engageable to the portable electronic device. The device support platform has a first position corresponding to the vertical operational orientation, and a second position corresponding to the horizontal operational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: LDA, LLC
    Inventors: Myk Lum, Matthew Tivnon
  • Publication number: 20100218344
    Abstract: A door hinge assembly with hinge members having axially aligned cylindrical passages with interior surface shape, and a selectively depressible hinge pin with an exterior shape that matches the interior hinge member passages so as to permit selective locking of the hinge members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Jan Van Gennep
  • Patent number: 7784153
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus includes a hinge and a damper and defines an axis direction. The damper includes a fixing housing defining an accepting hole therethrough along the axis direction, a rotating nut accepted in the accepting hole and defining an axis hole therethrough, a damping body accepted in the accepting hole and passing through the axis hole, two gaskets located over and under the rotating nut respectively, and a pushing body capable of pushing the damping body to rotate. Two rotating grooves are opened in a sidewall of the axis hole and extending helically along axis direction. Two sliding blocks are arranged on an outer surface of the damping body and extending helically along the axis direction, the sliding block engaging with the rotating groove. Damping oil is filled between the gaskets, the fixing housing and the damping body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 7669287
    Abstract: A hinge structure is disclosed to include a first hinge structure and a second hinge structure respectively mounted on the base member and cover of a lifter cover type mobile electronic product, two master connecting members coupled between the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure for allowing the cover to be opened from the base member, and two auxiliary connecting members coupled between the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure in such a manner that the auxiliary connecting members lock the cover to the second hinge structure and the cover is closed on the base member, and unlock the cover from the second hinge structure for adjustment of the inclined angle of the cover when the cover is opened from base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Jarllytec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haung Wen Lee, Tasi Shuen Liang
  • 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: 20090235488
    Abstract: A position-fixing hinge has a housing, a pintle and a fixing member. The housing defines an inner space and is mounted in a base of a portable electronic device. The pintle is mounted longitudinally in the housing, is rotatably relative to the housing and has an outer end and an inner end. The outer end connects with a connector to mount a cover of the portable electronic device. The inner end defines a tongue. The fixing member is movably mounted in the housing, has an engaging portion corresponds to and selectively engages the tongue of the pintle by a faces inter-pressing manner. Such that the cover connected with the pintle is securely held at any determined position. Furthermore, abrasion and deformation are effectively prevented, such that the position-fixing hinge is available for a long term of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: SHIN ZU SHING CO., LTD
    Inventor: Hsiang-Chi Chien
  • Publication number: 20090183340
    Abstract: A sliding hinge is mounted in an electronic device and has a stationary bracket, a sliding bracket, a resilient element and a positioning assembly. The stationary bracket is connected to a base of the electronic device. The sliding bracket is connected to a cover of the electronic device, is mounted slidably on the stationary bracket and has a body. The resilient element is mounted the stationary bracket and the body of the sliding bracket to provide effectively friction to maintain the cover at any desired position. The positioning assembly is formed on the stationary bracket, the sliding bracket and the resilient element to simplify the assembling procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SHIN ZU SHING CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Chen-Wei Chiang
  • Patent number: 7536750
    Abstract: A multi-section hinge mechanism (60) includes a rotary member (10), a connecting shaft (20) and a hollow cylindrical body (30). The rotary member includes a disk (11) and a securing portion (12) integrally formed with the disk. The connecting shaft includes a shaft portion (22) and an elastic body (23) provided on the shaft portion. The hollow cylindrical body includes a bottom portion (31) and defining a plurality of grooves (33) in an inner wall thereof. The bottom portion defines a hole (32). The shaft portion is rotatably received in the hole. The shaft portion of the connecting shaft is securely engaged with the securing portion of the rotary member. The elastic body engages in one of the grooves of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignees: ShenZhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chun-Jen Lin, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 7488300
    Abstract: Bicentric hinges for use in braces and methods for operating knee braces and other types of braces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hinge includes a plate, first and second members pivotally coupled to the plate, and a rocker coupled to the plate. The first member is pivotable about a first axis of rotation, and the second member is pivotable about a second axis of rotation spaced apart from the first axis of rotation. The second member is not directly engaged with the first member, and the first member may not be connected to a return mechanism that urges the first member to pivot about the first axis of rotation. The first member has a first recess, and the second member has a second recess. The rocker includes a head at least partially receivable in the first recess and/or the second recess to restrict rotation of one of the first and second members until the other has rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Thusane
    Inventor: Guy M. Houser
  • Patent number: 7478458
    Abstract: A biaxial hinge device, rotates a second member with regard to a first member around a first axis for opening and closing in a vertical direction, and rotates the second member with regard to the first member around a second axis in a horizontal direction. The hinge has a vertical direction rotation controlling mechanism of the second member having the first axis, and a horizontal direction rotation controlling mechanism of the second member having the second axis. A movable stopper is further mounted between a supporting member of the vertical direction rotation controlling mechanism and an attaching member of the horizontal direction rotation controlling mechanism, to which the supporting member is rotably attached. A rotation in a horizontal direction is therefore controlled within a range of predetermined angles, additionally further rotation in the same direction is available via pressing of the second member into the desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideya Tajima
  • Publication number: 20080118057
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus for connecting a first housing and a second housing of a portable terminal is provided. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge housing and a damping member. The hinge housing is connected to the second housing and has an internal wall formed with one or more guide grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the hinge housing. The damping member is rotatably received in the hinge housing and rotates as the second housing rotates. The damping member has one or more frictional projections. In a first section corresponding to the position where the second housing is folded onto the first housing, the frictional projections contact the internal wall of the hinge housing. Similarly, in another section corresponding to the position where the rotation of the second housing is stopped after rotating away from the first housing, the frictional projections also contact the internal wall of the hinge housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Bok Son, Byung-Yeol Ko, Jong-Hwan Choi
  • Patent number: 7373692
    Abstract: Parallel plane rotation hinge for a portable device. The hinge includes a pin defining a rotational axis and a cam having an inner cam track and an outer cam track. A bushing is rotationally fixed and axially slidable with respect to the pin, and includes inner and outer followers for respectively rotationally engaging the inner and outer cam tracks. A biasing member is disposed about the pin to bias the bushing against the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Amphenol-T&M Antennas
    Inventor: Tony Kfoury
  • Publication number: 20080083088
    Abstract: A door hinge structure includes a turning body and a fixing body installed respectively at upper and lower lateral positions of a door plank and a door frame, and the turning body and the fixing body are pivotally coupled by an axial bolt, such that the resilience of a transversal long spring coil installed in the turning body can be enhanced to achieve the effects for installing the door plank successfully in a one-time construction and quickly resuming the door plank to its closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Lin Kun Ta Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 7345871
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for locking a movable appendage (e.g., a display) of an electronic device (e.g., a tablet computer) comprising a rotational lock interfaced with a display hinge assembly of the display, and a docking member disposed to engage at least a portion of the rotational lock when the electronic device is interfaced with an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lev, Earl W. Moore
  • Patent number: 7337498
    Abstract: An electronic device and a hinge assembly thereof. The electronic device includes a base, an elastic member, a first cam, a second cam, and a third cam. The elastic member is disposed on the base. The first cam is disposed on the base in a manner such that the first cam is abutted by the elastic member. The first cam rotates in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second cam is disposed on the base in a manner such that the second cam is abutted by the first cam. When the first cam rotates in the first direction, the second cam rotates along with the first cam. The third cam is disposed on the base in a manner such that the third cam is abutted by the second cam. When the first cam rotates in the second direction, the second cam is blocked by the third cam and does not rotate along with the first cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventor: Yung-Tsun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7334296
    Abstract: A hinge device for a portable terminal having a first housing and a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing such that the second housing is moved between an opened position and a closed position with respect to the first housing is provided. The hinge device extends in one direction to provide a hinge axis, which is a rotational center of the second housing. The hinge device allows the second housing to linearly move in a hinge axis direction and generates rotational force to rotationally shift the second housing into the opened position or the closed position with respect to the first housing about the hinge axis as the second housing linearly moves in the hinge axis direction. A user easily and conveniently opens or closes the portable terminal by horizontally moving one housing with respect to the other housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jeong-Seok Park
  • Patent number: 7334295
    Abstract: An electronic device and a rotating structure thereof. The rotating structure comprises a base, a shaft, a rotating assembly, and a movable assembly. The shaft comprises a first groove, and is disposed on the base. The rotating assembly comprises a second groove, and is disposed on the shaft to be rotated among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The movable assembly comprises an engaging portion, and is disposed in the shaft to be moved between a fourth position and a fifth position. The engaging portion is located in the first groove. When the movable assembly is in the fourth position, the rotating assembly is between the first position and the second position. When the movable assembly is in the fifth position, the rotating assembly can be rotated to the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventors: Ying-Chi Chou, Chien-Hua Sui
  • Publication number: 20080005867
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism (100) for a portable electronic device (500) includes a first sliding member (10), a second sliding member (20), at least one cushion (30), and at least one elastic member (40). The first sliding member has a first body (11). At least one guiding rail (12) is formed on the first body. The second sliding member has a second body (21). At least one guiding arm (22) is formed on the second body. The cushion has a main body (31). The main body defines a receiving slot (314) therein. The guiding rail is configured for reception in the receiving slot. The cushion and the elastic member are sandwiched between the guiding rail and the guiding arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Sutech Trading Limited
    Inventor: Chen-Hui Wu
  • Patent number: 7299525
    Abstract: A self-locked hinge device includes a hinge body, a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate and a locking mechanism, The first mounting plate is hinged to a first end of the hinge body, and the second mounting plate is hinged to a second end of the hinge body. The locking mechanism is driven by the second mounting plate when the second mounting plate is moved and incapacitates the first mounting plate from moving relatively to the hinge body when the second mounting plate is rotated to a predetermined position relative to the hinge body. A multi-function peripheral using the self-locked hinge device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Lun Chang
  • Patent number: 7213301
    Abstract: A folding device can be used for various kinds of electronic apparatuses and is capable of easy processing of parts and lowering of cost. Inner cases 16 and 17 are mounted in outer case 15, which houses fixed member 1 and movable member 13. Groove portions 16A and 17A for holding movable member 13 for movement in the axial direction are provided in inner cases 16 and 17 to construct the folding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sakai, Katsuichi Minami, Takayuki Ishikawa, Toshio Ohie
  • Patent number: 7159279
    Abstract: An improved pivotal hinge mechanism used for portable computer equipped with a stopper device which when portable computer and a docking station are joined together shall be actuated by the docking station to prevent the LCD of the portable computer from rotating in left and right direction, so that the collision happened between the docking station and the LCD of the portable computer due to rotation of the LCD relative to the computer mainframe shall be avoided; when the portable computer is disconnected from the docking station said stopper device shall immediately return to the normal position so that the LCD of the portable computer can rotate again in an angle of 0–180 degrees in left and right direction with respect to the computer mainframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Compal Electronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Hao Liu, Jung-Sheng Chiang, Yu-Yuan Lin, Ko-Chun Cheng
  • Patent number: 7096537
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge device is provided for a foldable apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The foldable apparatus, such as a portable mobile phone, comprises a cover and a body connected by the hinge so as to make the cover rotatable relative to the body between a fully opened position and a fully closed position. When the cover rotates to the fully opened position, a maximum opening angle is defined. According to the relative movement between a rotatable portion and a fixed portion of the adjustable hinge, the maximum opening angle can be adjusted to fit different requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Hsin-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 7012675
    Abstract: A knuckle arm interconnects a machine body and a top cover of a machine, and includes a base fixed on the machine body and having a receiving frame, an inner sliding seat slidable within the receiving frame and having a cam surface, a resilient member disposed between the receiving frame and the inner sliding seat, a first pivotable seat sleeved on the base, a pressing rod extending through the first pivotable seat and biased to contact the cam surface, and a second pivotable seat slidable on the first pivotable seat and attached to the top cover of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kuang-Wei Zhang, Tai-Xiong Chen
  • Patent number: 7007345
    Abstract: An opening and closing device includes a rotor pressed by a rotor spring and a reverse-rotor pressed by reverse-rotor spring, of which rotor cam and reverse-rotor cam are respectively placed at a certain position of stator cam. With this construction, rotor is urged in an opening direction in the opening condition and urged in a closing direction in the closing condition with respect to stator. A release cam pushes the reverse-rotor cam by moving a releaser along an axis, so that the device opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakase, Yasuchika Kudo, Koji Sakai, Hidenobu Sakai, Kiyokazu Yabukami
  • 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: 6880204
    Abstract: A checker-equipped door hinge is provided in which a first notch and a second notch are respectively provided on the front surface and the reverse surface of a fixed base of a second hinge arm, and a torsion spring is formed from a single length of spring wire rod so as to have a torsion shaft portion supported in the first notch, a fixed end portion supported in the second notch, a free end portion rotatably supporting a roller, a U-shaped fixed arm portion providing a connection between the fixed end portion and one end of the torsion shaft portion, and a U-shaped movable arm portion providing a connection between the other end of the torsion shaft portion and the free end portion. This provides a checker-equipped door hinge that has a simple structure for mounting the torsion spring in the second hinge arm, together with good ease of mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Rikenkaki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6859979
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cabinet fitting, in particular a hinge, with integrated braking and damping device, including a fastenable hinge arm on a cabinet component and a fastenable hinge cup on another movable cabinet component that is connected by at least one articulated lever with the hinge arm. The invention is characterized by the driver plate, which can slide, is held in the hinge cup and can be operated directly or indirectly by the articulated lever and has held in the hinge cup at least one pivoting or swiveling brake plate moves turning, so that the brake plate has at least one brake surface that glides on at least one corresponding, fixed brake surface or, on one opposite the first brake surface, a second movable brake surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Grass GmbH
    Inventors: Remo Egger, Wolfgang Mueller
  • Patent number: 6658699
    Abstract: A rotating shaft with open and shut function comprises a shaft part, a fixing part, a slide part, an extension part and/or a rotating part. When a lid on an article rotates, the rotating slants of the rotating projections on the rotating part move along the end projections of the slide part to allow the sliding juts on the slide part moving along the fixing juts on the fixing part so as to compress the extension part between the fixing part and the slide part. When the lid rotates an angle till the rotating projections contacting face to face with the end projections, the lid can be located in a state of standstill. When rotating slants move to the slant side of the respective end projection at the another side thereof, the extension part stretches to allow the slide part moving back axially so that the rotating slants can move along the end slants to form a state of engagement between the rotating slants and the end slants respectively and the lid can be fully opened automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hinge Basestrong Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Huong
  • Patent number: 6629336
    Abstract: In an original pressing plate hinge including a fixing member, an original pressing plate supporting member pivotably installed via a hinge pin to the fixing member, a slider slidably housed in the supporting member, a cam member fixed between the slider and the free end of the supporting member in contact with the slider, and a coil spring provided resiliently between the slider and the free end of the supporting member, the cam member is omitted to prevent an original or document set on the platen glass for copying or printing from being stained with or spoiled by a lubricant when the original touches the cam member to which the lubricant sticks, and instead a pressure receiving pin is used and a cam slider is used in place of the slider. To prevent a heavy original pressing plate from abruptly falling, a fluid damping member is housed in the coil spring and disposed between the cam slider and the top plate or free end of the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hosaka, Hirofumi Kohda
  • Patent number: 6595567
    Abstract: A separating device (13) includes a separating net or a separating grid (14) of a flexible material. On two edges (16, 17) of the separating net (14) that run parallel to one another, in each case a stiffening strut (19, 21) is provided. One of the two stiffening struts (19) serves for the anchoring of the separating device underneath the vehicle roof while the other stiffening strut (21) is anchored at a distance from the roof lining, for example on the (rear) seat back or on the floor of the load compartment. The two stiffening struts (19, 21) contain in each case a hinge (30). In this manner the separating device (13) can be folded up along its width and thereupon rolled-up. A packing device (96, 97) in the form of a pocket provided on the separating device (13) serves for securing of the folded separating device (13) in the packed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eduard Ament, Marina Ehrenberger, Holger Seel, Henning Sparrer
  • Patent number: 6591533
    Abstract: A locking hinge especially used in a folding shoulder rest for paintball guns. The locking hinge comprises a first hinge plate and a second hinge plate in relative rotation. The first hinge plate has a hinge joint axis, a plurality of symmetric mounting holes, and a counter bore for receiving the locking mechanism. The counter bore in the first hinge plate contains a spring and a locking cylinder. The locking cylinder has a taper on the end directed toward the second hinge plate. The second hinge plate has a relative hinge joint axis, a plurality of tapered circular cavities or notches, and a means for symmetric mounting. The locking mechanism sufficiently aligns with the tapered circular cavities or notches at plurality of predetermined positions thereby preventing rotation of the hinge plates. A minor misalignment between the locking mechanism and tapered circular cavities further provide rigid locking of the hinge plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Blackpoint Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Steven John Wygant
  • Patent number: 6588240
    Abstract: Folding handcuffs include a lockable hinge which permits folding the assembly for compact storage but automatically locks into a rigid assembly when fully unfolded. The hinge operates by the movement of a locking bar into locking groove(s) via a tensioning mechanism when the hinge components are aligned in the unfolded, extended configuration. The lockable hinges can also be used to connect the components of a variety of common tools including shovels, saws and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Brent L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6553624
    Abstract: A hinge device includes a base plate securely mounted to a door of a cabinet and an arm securely mounted to a side panel of the cabinet. A first pivotal member includes a first end pivotally connected to the base plate and a second end pivotally connected to the arm by a pivotal pin. A second pivotal member includes a first end pivotally connected to the base plate and a second end pivotally connected to the arm. An elastic member is mounted around the pivotal pin and includes a first end attached to the arm and a second end attached to the second pivotal member. A control seat is securely mounted to the arm and includes a compartment for movably receiving a restraining member therein. The second end of the elastic member is extended into the compartment. When the cabinet is in a stable status, the restraining member does not engage with the second end of the elastic member and thus allows opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Tsung-Lung Lin
  • Patent number: 6539584
    Abstract: A self-locking hinge is comprised of a housing with spaced side walls, and a cogged wheel positioned between the side walls. A pair of slots are respectively positioned on the interior surfaces of the side walls. A stop is connected between the side walls in alignment with the slots. An axle positioned through a center of the cogged wheel has opposite ends positioned in the slots. The cogged wheel is secured in position when it is biased against the stop by springs positioned in the slots and engaged against the ends of the axle. The cogged wheel is pivotable when it is pushed away from the stop against the springs, and is automatically biased against the stop and secured in position when it is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Gillotti
  • Patent number: 6539581
    Abstract: Hinge for connecting doors (1b) to ovens (1,1a) and the like, which comprises a fixed arm (11) engageable with the body of the oven, a movable part (21) which is hinged on said fixed arm (11) and on which one end (23b) of a movable arm (23) is pivotably mounted, there being provided means (15) for fastening the movable arm (23) to the fixed arm (11), said fixed arm (11) having a cross-section in the form of an overturned “U”, between the walls of which there is arranged an idle roller (25), and said movable arm (23) being arranged inside said fixed arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Faringosi-Hinges S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alvaro Faringosi
  • Patent number: 6473937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door hinge having an integrated braking and holding function. Said door hinge is comprised of a first hinge half which acts upon a door assembly part, a door, or a door pillar, and of a second hinge halve which acts upon another door assembly part. The door hinge also comprises a hinge pin which pivotally connects both hinge halves to one another. The hinge pin is made of a solid material and is accommodated in at least one hinge eye of a hinge half with a running fit and is accommodated in at least one hinge eye of the other half with a close fit. A braking and holding device which is integrated in the hinge comprises at least one spring-loaded braking and holding body. Said braking and holding body is aligned in a radial manner relative to the hinge pin and interacts with a circumferential profile of the hinge pin, said profile extending over a part of the circumference thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ed. Scharwaechter GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Morawetz
  • Patent number: 6442800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door brake which has an opening end stop and which is integrated in a hinge. The hinge is comprised of two hinge halves which are interconnected in a jointed manner by means of a hinge pin. Said hinge halves can alternately engage with one of both door assembly parts, the door, or the door pillar. The hinge pin is connected to the first hinge half in a rotationally fixed manner and is accommodated in the hinge eye of the first hinge half in a rotational manner. In addition, the door brake comprises at least one engaging part which is supported against one of the hinge halves, and has at least one braking or stopping part. Said braking or stopping part is assigned to the engaging part and is supported against the other hinge half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Ed. Scharwaechter GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Morawetz
  • Patent number: 6415477
    Abstract: In an original pressing plate hinge including a fixing member, an original pressing plate supporting member pivotably installed via a hinge pin to the fixing member, a slider slidably housed in the supporting member, a cam member fixed between the slider and the free end of the supporting member in contact with the slider, and a coil spring provided resiliently between the slider and the free end of the supporting member, the cam member is omitted to prevent an original or document set on the platen glass for copying or printing from being stained with or spoiled by a lubricant when the original touches the cam member to which the lubricant sticks, and instead a pressure receiving pin or roller is used and a cam slider is used in place of the slider. To prevent a heavy original pressing plate from abruptly falling, a damping member is housed in the coil spring and disposed between the cam slider and the top plate or free end of the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hosaka, Hirofumi Kohda
  • Patent number: 6397433
    Abstract: A knuckle assembly includes two mirror-symmetric knuckle ends that are separately connected to two adjacent ends of two long members so that the two long members may be angularly connected together in a bent or an extended position as desired. The two knuckle ends are provided with two fastening pins, one of which may be easily pushed to lock the two knuckle ends in the angularly extended position and the other of which may be easily pushed to unlock the two knuckle ends from the angularly extended position so that the two knuckle ends may be bent relative to each other to occupy only a reduced space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Shih-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 6373690
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a panel to a chassis of a computer. The apparatus includes a release member movably mounted on a top surface of the chassis and a flange fixedly mounted to a base portion of the chassis. The release member is movable between a static position and a release position. A panel is pivotally attached adjacent to a base portion of the chassis. The panel is movable between a closed position and an open position. A resilient retention member is attached to the panel. The retention member is engaged with the flange when the panel is in the closed position. The release member resiliently deflects the retention member from engagement with the flange when the release member is moved from the static position toward the release position to allow the panel to be moved from the closed position to the open position. The panel can be accurately and consistently aligned and attached to the chassis of the computer system after each removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Eugene Buican, Greg George
  • Patent number: 6353965
    Abstract: The present invention is about a guiding sheath with spacer for the hinge of eye-glasses, such that the sheath provides low frictional spacer to titanium alloy hinges. Sheath with spacer made from bronze or synthetic rubber with frictional coefficient less than that of titanium alloy can effectively lower the wear and tear at the hinge due to friction, enhance the smooth folding of the hinge, and thus extend the durability of the hinge. In addition to providing spacer, the present invention also provides positioning latch to the active core of the hinge and lateral support to the shaft during displacement, effectively enhances the stability of the shaft during displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ching Lan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Yuan Lo
  • Patent number: 6351373
    Abstract: A hinge engages a cam such that the hinge first rotates relative to the cam, then linearly engages the cam. Preferably, the hinge includes a guiding post that rides along a raised arched surface on the cam during the rotary motion of the hinge. Linear motion between the hinge and the cam preferably begins when the guiding post rides off the end of the arched surface. The rotary motion of the hinge is constrained by one or more engagement assemblies. In a preferred embodiment, one or more cams are mounted on a receiving structure and one or more hinges are mounted in corresponding locations on a detaching structure, where said detaching structure is physically separable from the receiving structure. Engagement between the one or more cams and the one or more corresponding hinges allows the detaching structure to first rotate relative to, then linearly engage, the receiving structure, providing for reliable blind mating between connectors on the detaching structure and connectors on the receiving structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Bao G. Le, Derek T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6108868
    Abstract: Disclosed is a positioning hinge for use in a portable computer or an electronic dictionary having a main unit and an LCD display, the hinge comprising a pivotal member for mounting the hinge to the main unit; a substantially disk-shaped cam block non-rotatably provided around the pivotal member; a pivotal base rotatably for mounting the hinge to the LCD display. By biasing against the cam block, this invention allows the LCD display of a portable computer to pivot with respect to the main unit so as to adjust the orientation of the LCD display e. This invention can be simply assembled, includes a low number of components, and is of a relatively compact size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Davys Lin
  • Patent number: 6092263
    Abstract: The invention features a hinge or coupling two panels (P1, P2), one of which at least opens rotatably about an axis (X) parallel to the planes of the said panels, comprising a mobile fixing element (1) on the opening panel, a fixing element on the other panel and linking means (3) between the fixing elements co-operating with elastic return means of the panel opening to at least a stable angular equilibrium position, characterized in that the said return means consists of a ring (4) located in a cavity (10) of the mobile fixing element (1) and capable of being elastically deformed by the pressing action of a cam (30) rotating about a central shaft (5) parallel to the planes of the panels, being carried by the linking means (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Adler S.A.
    Inventors: Eric Boue, Marcel Bourgain
  • Patent number: 6018846
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety hinge mechanism for foldable play yard and that is used to pivotally connect a first frame rod and a second frame rod thereof. The connecting bracket can be selectively rotated along the longitudinal axis of the frame rod into a locking position, or a neutralized position. A locking device is provided and disposed onto any one of the first and second frame rods. The locking device can be moved along the longitudinal direction into a locked position, or a released position. Wherein in the locked position, the locking device is engaged with the connecting bracket and the connecting bracket is prevented from any rotational movement thereof. As a result, the first and second frame rods are allowed to fully extend while they are not allowed to fold together. However, when the locking device and the connecting bracket are disengaged, the connecting bracket is rotated to a neutralized position and the first and second frame rods can be folded in a side-by-side manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Sieno Tsung-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 5937481
    Abstract: Hinge for connecting doors (1b) to ovens (1,1a) and the like, which comprises a fixed arm (11) engageable with the body of the oven, a movable part (21) which is hinged on said fixed arm (11) and on which one end (23b) of a movable arm (23) is pivotably mounted, there being provided means (15) for fastening the movable arm (23) to the fixed arm (11), said fixed arm (11) having a cross-section in the form of an upturned "U", between the walls of which there is arranged an idle roller (25), and said movable arm (23) being arranged inside said fixed arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Faringosi Hinges S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alvaro Faringosi
  • Patent number: D544025
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: The Hilsinger Company
    Inventor: D. Michael Lennox