Comprising Relieved Axially Opposed Relatively Rotating Surfaces Patents (Class 16/376)
  • Patent number: 11797059
    Abstract: A portable information handling system housing rotationally couples first and second housing portions with a hinge assembly having first and second axles held in a parallel fixed lateral disposition by interaction of first and second chassis that slide to move the axles to varied distances. The first and second axles transfer rotation through one or more belts and first and second transfer pulleys rotationally coupled with members that adjust transfer pulley positions as the distance between the first and second axles change to maintain belt tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: James H. Hallar, John Trevor Morrison
  • Patent number: 10890023
    Abstract: Door hinges on safe doors include recessed areas within the holes and the recessed areas include partial obstructions. Body hinges on safe bodies include protruding appendages. The appendages fit inside the recessed areas and during circular movement of the doors the doors are stopped when the protruding appendages abut and are blocked by ends the partial obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Liam Fraser Mccafferty
  • Patent number: 10170264
    Abstract: An information display system for a switching device includes a cover for the switching device, the cover including a first section and a second section, and a faceplate magnetically attracted to the cover and configured to carry information about the switching device, the faceplate further including an opening, at least a portion of the second section of the cover overlapped by the faceplate. The faceplate is adjustable with respect to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Ashish Mishra, Allison Stacey Conner, Piotr Slawomir Woronkowicz, Jung Soo Park
  • Patent number: 9870878
    Abstract: An information display system for a switching device having a handle includes a cover for the switching device and a faceplate. The cover includes an opening sized to allow passage of the handle. The faceplate is configured to carry information about the switching device. The faceplate is rotatable with respect to the cover to change an orientation of the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Malik Hocine, Simhadri Ramalingeswara Rao Gupta, Jason Edward Harmon, Anurag Arjundas Jivanani, Ashish Mishra, David Adam Ouellette, Allison Stacey Conner, Piotr Slawomir Woronkowicz, Jung Soo Park
  • Patent number: 9673013
    Abstract: An interface assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a first handle partially extending through the housing, separable contacts located within the housing, an operating mechanism to open and close the separable contacts, a main printed circuit board located within the housing, and a number of electrical rating settings associated with the main printed circuit board. Each of the electrical rating settings has a magnitude. The interface assembly includes: a base assembly comprising a base, the base being disposed on the housing, the base having a mounting surface; and a second handle coupled to the mounting surface, the second handle and the first handle being structured to drive each other. The mounting surface has at least one port. The magnitude of a corresponding one of the electrical rating settings is visible through the at least one port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jack Devine, Mark A Janusek
  • Patent number: 9007760
    Abstract: A hinge assembly having a hollow clutch is arranged to pivotally couple a portable computer base portion to a portable computer lid portion. The hinge assembly includes at least a hollow cylindrical portion that includes an annular outer region and a central bore region, the central bore region suitably arranged to provide support for electrical conductors between the base and lid portions. The hinge assembly also includes a plurality of fastening components that couple the hollow clutch to the base portion and the lid portion of the portable computer, with at least one of the fastening regions being integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical portion such that space, size and part count are minimized. The integrally formed fastening region(s) can be flat with holes dispersed therethrough for screws, bolts or the like. The central bore can also support a heat transfer element and can also serve as a lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Brett William Degner, John M. Brock, Bradley Joseph Hamel
  • Patent number: 8695166
    Abstract: A hinge for a portable computing device has a shaft, a rotating bracket and a stationary bracket. The shaft includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is a cylindrical tube. The cylindrical tube has an internal cavity. The second portion has an outer surface and a notch. The notch is formed in the outer surface of the second portion and communicates with the internal cavity of the cylindrical tube. Therefore, cables extending through the internal cavity of the cylindrical tube of the shaft will extend through the notch to electrically connect their corresponding devices in a base and a cover of the portable computing device. The connection of the cables to their corresponding devices is facilitated, because there is no obstruction in the notch, thereby increasing productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ting-Hsien Wang, Zheng-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8646154
    Abstract: An adjustable door stop system. The system includes a hinge pin having an axis about which the hinge leaves rotate, a top end, and an opposed bottom end. In one embodiment, a hinge pin cap has a first portion extending radially from the top end of the hinge pin and a second cylindrical portion extending from the first portion parallel to the access of the hinge pin. A control cap has an opening to receive the hinge pin therethrough, the control cap having a radially extending first portion and a cylindrical second portion substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge pin. A mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the hinge pin cap with respect to the control cap including a plurality of teeth on the control cap second cylindrical portion and a plurality of teeth of the control cap cylindrical portion which mate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: B. Jack Smith
  • Publication number: 20140033477
    Abstract: A hinge for a portable computing device has a shaft, a rotating bracket and a stationary bracket. The shaft includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is a cylindrical tube. The cylindrical tube has an internal cavity. The second portion has an outer surface and a notch. The notch is formed in the outer surface of the second portion and communicates with the internal cavity of the cylindrical tube. Therefore, cables extending through the internal cavity of the cylindrical tube of the shaft will extend through the notch to electrically connect their corresponding devices in a base and a cover of the portable computing device. The connection of the cables to their corresponding devices is facilitated, because there is no obstruction in the notch, thereby increasing productivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Ting-Hsien WANG, Zheng-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8479359
    Abstract: A hinge device includes a first frame member having a securing section at which the first frame member is secured to a first body, a rotation shaft supporting the first frame member allowing rotation thereof, a stopper provided on the first frame member in such a manner as to project in a direction in which the rotation shaft extends and to rotate together with the first frame member about the rotation shaft, and a second frame member. The second frame member having a securing section at which the second frame member is secured to a second body, a rotation-shaft-supporting section supporting the rotation shaft, and a stopper-receiving portion receiving the stopper. The stopper and the stopper-receiving portion are subjected to load-redirecting processing such that a load produced upon contact between the stopper and the stopper-receiving portion is applied in such a direction that a thickness of the stopper becomes larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Yuichi Yamada, Tomoyuki Sonoda
  • Patent number: 8423099
    Abstract: A rotating mechanism, comprises a retaining plate having a cut-out defined therethrough, the cut-out being curved; a rotating plate being capable of rotating in a plane parallel to the plane of the retaining plate by a shaft; a pin slidably engaging with the cut-out and retained on the rotating plate; and a guiding assembly is coupled between the rotating plate and the retaining plate to guide the rotating plate to rotate relative to the retaining plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Shi-Xu Liang
  • Patent number: 8327505
    Abstract: An adjustable door stop system. A hinge mounted door has a least one hinge leaf connected to the door, a least one hinge leaf connected to a doorway, and a hinge pin having an axis about which the hinge leaves rotate. A movement control cylinder includes a first finger extending radially and axially, a cylindrical portion substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge pin, and an axial opening. A movement control cap has a second finger extending radially and axially, a cylindrical portion substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge pin, and an axial opening. The cylindrical portion of the movement control cylinder engages the cylindrical portion of the movement control cap to prohibit rotational movement of the door beyond a selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: B. Jack Smith
  • Patent number: 8250713
    Abstract: A hinge assembly, which allows a cable to be disposed therein quickly, includes a first coupling member with a first hole and a first slot, a second coupling member with a second hole and a second slot, and a limit member with a third hole and a third slot. The first, second and third holes collectively define a compartment, with the first, second and third holes being aligned one another. The first, second and third slots collectively define an entrance, with the first, second and third slots being aligned one another. The entrance defines a space with a size greater than a cross-sectional size of the cable to allow insertion of the cable. The limit member is operably rotatable to a position that the cable is retained in the compartment and is prevented from exiting from the entrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Leohab Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 8156613
    Abstract: An adjustable door stop system. The system includes a hinge pin having an axis about which the hinge leaves rotate, a top end, and an opposed bottom end. In one embodiment, a hinge pin cap has a first portion extending radially from the top end of the hinge pin and a second cylindrical portion extending from the first portion parallel to the access of the hinge pin. A control cap has an opening to receive the hinge pin therethrough, the control cap having a radially extending first portion and a cylindrical second portion substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge pin. A mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the hinge pin cap with respect to the control cap including a plurality of teeth on the control cap second cylindrical portion and a plurality of teeth of the control cap cylindrical portion which mate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: B. Jack Smith
  • Patent number: 8141207
    Abstract: A two-axis hinge device includes a first-rotation-axis defining unit which defines a first rotation axis; a rotating arm fixed to a first housing, the rotating arm being provided on the first-rotation-axis defining unit such that the rotating arm is rotatable around the first rotation axis; a second-rotation-axis defining unit fixed to a second housing, the second-rotation-axis defining unit having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a second rotation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis, the first-rotation-axis defining unit being fixed to and supported by the second-rotation-axis defining unit; and a hole-communicating connector fixed to the second-rotation-axis defining unit, the hole-communicating connector having a substantially cylindrical shape and being provided with a hole which communicates with a hole in the second-rotation-axis defining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communicatoins Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Isao Endo, Tsutomu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8082632
    Abstract: A hinge device in a portable terminal is provided. In the hinge device, a first hinge base has a stopper protrusion at a predetermined position on an outer circumferential surface thereof. A second hinge base is rotatably engaged with an end of the first hinge base, facing the first hinge base, and fixed within a cylindrical hinge housing. The hinge housing has a stopper which pops out therefrom when the stopper contacts the stopper protrusion. The stopper restricts an angle at which a sub-housing is opened from a main housing in the portable terminal. Thus, a voice call can be conducted conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang-Jin Bae
  • Patent number: 8032987
    Abstract: One end portion of a connecting member 31 is connected to a first housing 1 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a first rotation axis L1 fixed in position with respect to the first housing 1. The other end portion of the connecting member 31 is connected to a second housing 2 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a second rotation axis L2 fixed in position with respect to the second housing 2 and extending parallel to the first rotation axis L1. The first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are located in different locations in a direction of the first and the second rotation axes L1, L2 such that a top surface 1a of the first housing 1 and an undersurface 2b of the second housing 2 are located generally on a same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Nintendo Co., Ltd., PKM Corporation, Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Shinichirou Koshikawa, Ryou Niimi, Hisashi Fukai, Manabu Hasegawa, Kenta Naganuma
  • Patent number: 7966697
    Abstract: A hinge has two leaves (11?), (13?) connected by a hinge pin (42?) retained in alternate sleeves (17?), (19?) on the facing edges of the two leaves, with limited axial movement of the hinge leaves relative to one another along the pin. A spring (46?) biases the leaves towards one end of this movement, where sleeves (19?) on one leaf (13?) have slots (74, 84) at one axial end and sleeves (17?) are axially preceded by flanges (76) which, according to the angular opening of the hinge, either abut the ends of the respective sleeves (19?) or enter one or other of the slots (74, 84). When the flange (76) abuts the sleeve end, the hinge is free to rotate, but when the hinge reaches an opening angle at which spring pressure causes the flange (76) to enter one or other of the slots, the hinge is locked. It can be released by manually sliding the locked sleeves (17?), (19?) apart against the spring pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth Springer
  • Publication number: 20110078876
    Abstract: A hinge device for a mobile device of folding type has a first body being a main body and a second body being a cover. The second body is rotatable with respect to the first body upwardly or downwardly. The hinge device is connected to a first hinge arm formed at one side of an upper end of the first body and a second hinge arm at the other side of an upper end of the second body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Prexco Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Se-Bum Choi
  • Patent number: 7743468
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is used in a notebook computer and has a combination bracket, a keyed shaft, a stationary bracket, a limiting assembly and a pressing assembly. The notebook computer has a monitor panel and a base. The monitor panel is mounted horizontally pivotally upon the base. The combination bracket is attached to the monitor panel. The keyed shaft is attached securely to the combination bracket. The stationary bracket is mounted rotatably around the keyed shaft and is mounted securely on the base. The limiting assembly is mounted rotatably on the stationary bracket, is connected to the keyed shaft and allows the keyed shaft to rotate 360°. The pressing assembly is mounted around the keyed shaft below the stationary bracket to provide friction. Consequently, the hinge assembly allows the monitor to rotate 360° relative the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Bin Chang, Shun-Yu Hung
  • Patent number: 7533449
    Abstract: A hinge to improve panel stability has a central bracket, a tilt hinge assembly and a rotating hinge assembly. The central bracket has two ribs. The tilt hinge assembly connects to the central bracket and connects to a base of an electronic device. The rotating hinge assembly connects to the central bracket, connects to a panel of the electronic device and has a flange abutting against the ribs of the central bracket to keep the panel steady when the panel rotates relative to the base via the rotating hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jia-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 7377012
    Abstract: An axle positioning structure to provide stable positioning and an automatic reposition function includes an axle and a rotary member. The axle has a stem with an axial tangent surface. The rotary member has a non-continuous annular sleeve slightly larger than the outer diameter of the stem. The annular sleeve has a pressing surface on an end corresponding to the axial tangent surface. The pressing surface can be swiveled away from the axial tangent surface and then press on the perimeter of the stem such that the inner diameter of the annular sleeve is expanded to provide a pressing force for the stable positioning. When the pressing surface is swiveled to the middle portion of the axial tangent surface, the pressing surface escapes from the perimeter of the stem so that the annular sleeve provides a returning force to automatically return to the original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Hannspree, Inc.
    Inventor: Ji-Ye Lu
  • Patent number: 7162775
    Abstract: A trunk lid hinge in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to operate a trunk of an automobile in a conventional manner as well as in an unconventional manner about two pivot axes. The trunk lid hinge comprises a hinge mount, a hinge bracket, and a locking element. The hinge mount is an elongated member having a mount first end and a mount second end opposite the mount first end. The hinge bracket is pivotally coupled to the mount second end and is adapted to be positioned at and between a first pivot position and a second pivot position about a pivot axis in addition to the stock pivot axis. Embodiment of the present invention permit the automobile enthusiast to retrofit the conventional trunk lid to operate as in an unconventional manner and allow the automobile manufacturers to incorporating trunk lids in automobiles with unconventional opening characteristics without requiring major redesign of the current trunk lids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7111363
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a door hinge structure for a refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lotte Engineering & Machinery Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Ryong Lee, Sang-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 6929224
    Abstract: The disclosed system is directed towards a multi-hinge. The multi-hinge comprises a body including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end defines a beam axis of rotation and the second end defines a bracket axis of rotation. A bracket coupling is rotatably coupled to the second end of the body along the bracket axis of rotation. The bracket coupling includes a rotary section rotatably coupled to the second end of the body along the bracket axis and a mounting section disposed coaxially with and rotatably coupled to the rotary section. The multi-hinge includes a base rotatably coupled to the first end of the body about the beam axis of rotation. The multi-hinge further includes a moment arm pivotally coupled to the base at a radial distance from the beam axis and pivotally coupled to the rotary section of the bracket coupling at the radial distance from the bracket axis. The multi-hinge includes a torsional preloading member coupled between the body and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuni Masuda, Joe Miseli
  • Patent number: 6701577
    Abstract: A barbecue grill hinge assembly has a cover bracket, a body bracket and a hinge pin. The cover bracket has a cover bracket body, two curved arms and at least one cover leaf. Two curved arms extend down from the cover bracket body. Each arm has a semicircular end, an outer edge and a positive stop formed on the outer edge. The body bracket has a transverse bracket body, two wings and at least one body leaf. The transverse bracket body has an outer edge and two ends, and the two ends are bent upward to form the two wings. Two pivot pin holes are respectively formed though the two wings and the two ends of the arms. At least one body leaf is formed around the body bracket. The hinge pin extends through the pivot pin holes to connect the cover bracket to the body bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Jui-Ju Yeh
  • Patent number: 6430769
    Abstract: A wheelchair ramp assembly (10) is disclosed as including a first ramp section (22) and a second ramp section (24) joined by a keyway joint (26). The keyway joint (26) connects the two ramp section (22, 24) surfaces when the ramp is in an extended position. The keyway joint (26) includes a first ramp section outer rotating member (64a) and a second ramp section outer rotating member (64b) that each rotate about an inner member (68). The inner member (68) is configured to limit the rotation of the outer members (64) with respect to one another, thereby limiting the rotation of the first ramp section (22) with respect to the second ramp section (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Richard D. Allen
  • Patent number: 6353970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of hinges, and specifically, to seat hinges of the type used for foldable boat seats. A hinge including two seat cushion supporting members and a back plate is taught. One supporting member has a peripheral recess facing outwardly relative to a pivot pin and forms a generally u-shaped area. Laterally spaced-apart abutment surfaces extend angularly from the u-shaped area. The other supporting member is provided with an upstanding protuberance which cooperates with the abutments to limit the hinge between its fully closed and fully opened positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Estran Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Spaeth
  • Patent number: 6330734
    Abstract: A hinge assembly has a first hinge rod unit and a second hinge rod unit. The first hinge rod unit is fixed at its upper end to the bottom of a hood by means of a first hinge pin and at its lower end to a fender apron by means of a second hinge pin. The second hinge rod unit is fixed at its upper end to the bottom of the hood by means of a third hinge pin and at its lower end to the fender apron by means of a fourth hinge pin. The first and third hinge pins are spaced apart by a first interval, while the second and fourth hinge pins are spaced apart by a second interval longer than the first interval. Each of the first and second hinge rod units comprises a first hollow hinge rod, a second hinge rod slidably inserted into the first hinge rod, and a means for locking the second hinge rod to the first hinge rod, that is breakable when a force greater than a predetermined certain amount is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sun-Hyung Cho
  • Patent number: 6116806
    Abstract: A connection tightness and swing angle adjustable pivot includes a rotary shaft, a stationary shaft having a slit end rotatably received in an end of the rotary shaft, and an adjusting bolt. The adjusting bolt is screwed into the slit end of the stationary shaft with a head portion located in the rotary shaft but accessible with a hand tool via openings formed on the rotary shaft. The adjusting bolt has a tapered portion contacting with another tapered surface around inner wall of the stationary shaft. When the adjusting bolt is turned at the head portion via the openings on the rotary shaft so that it is screwed further into the stationary shaft, its tapered surface tightly presses against the tapered surface in the stationary shaft to expand the slit end of the stationary shaft, so that the stationary shaft more tightly contacts with inner wall of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Chin Pao Chang
  • Patent number: 5812368
    Abstract: A monitor viewing angle adjusting assembly mainly including a monitor, a supporting arm assembly, and a base. The supporting arm assembly includes two parallel and symmetrical supporting arms which each includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending in opposite directions in one plane and slightly bent toward each other at their joint. The monitor and the base are pivotally connected to circular ends of the first and the second arm portions of the supporting arms, respectively, via turning-limit assemblies and locating brackets. The monitor can be turned relative to the supporting arms and the supporting arms can be turned relative to the base, so that the monitor can be adjusted to almost any angular position relative to the base and a viewer may select a viewing angle most suitable for him. When the monitor is adjusted to be parallel with the base, the whole monitor assembly can be hung on a vertical wall to effectively save the space required to pack and store the monitor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Kuo Feng Corporation
    Inventors: Ray-Jei Chen, Chih-Wen Lin
  • Patent number: 5493760
    Abstract: There is provided a biaxial hinge assembly, which is mounted on a box and a door so as to be flush with a front surface of the box and that of the door. The hinge assembly prevents the door from extending outward in its closed position, and improves the door in its sealing properties to a fixed frame element. In the assembly: each of stopper hinges 5a, 5b has its one end portion inserted between bearing sleeve portions 9a and 9b of a stationary wing plate 3, and the other end portion thereof inserted between bearing sleeve portions 10a and 10b of a rotatable wing plate 4; a first pintle 13 is inserted into bearing sleeve portions 11a, 11b of the stopper hinges 5a, 5b and the bearing sleeve portions 9a, 9b; a second pintle 14 is inserted into the other bearing sleeve portions 12a, 12b of the stopper hinges 5a, 5b and the bearing sleeve portions 10a, 10b; and, stopper projections 7, 8 are formed in base-end portions of the wing plates 3, 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Takigen Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhide Takimoto
  • Patent number: 5455989
    Abstract: An easel hinge includes an outer hinge plate and an inner hinge plate interconnected with each other for relative pivotal movement therebetween. The outer hinge plate has a relatively flat leaf portion terminating in a curled barrel at one side thereof and at least two spaced apart notches formed in the curled barrel. The inner hinge plate has a relatively flat leaf portion and at least two spaced apart lobes extending from the inner hinge plate leaf portion in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the inner hinge leaf portion. The lobes are received in the curled barrel of the outer hinge plate through the notches of the curled barrel for permitting relative rotational movement of the inner hinge plate with respect to the outer hinge plate. Lugs formed on the lobes limit the relative rotational movement of the hinge plates and prevent the longitudinal movement of the plates with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand E. Roy
  • Patent number: 5382108
    Abstract: In a slow-acting rotary shaft device, a shaft, which rotatably supports a second member, includes a hollow shaft body latched to a first member inrotatably, a cap member outwardly inserted on an end portion of the shaft body rotatably and latched to the second member inrotatably, a torsion bar which has one end latched with the shaft body and another end latched with a cap member, and a viscous grease enclosed between the shaft body and cap members. The hollow shaft body is divided into two portions, a body portion of which latches to one of the end portions of the torsion bar. In opposite surfaces of the two portions, a projection formed at one surface and a concave portion formed at another surface are loosely inserted and provided with a relatively rotatable race area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juji Ojima
  • Patent number: 5362933
    Abstract: An electrical switching device such as a low voltage power circuit breaker, can have a cover with a slot-like opening for providing access to a switch lever of the switching device. The cover can extend to cover over any chambers for shunt releases and/or auxiliary switches etc. which chambers can be located on both sides of the switch lever within the enclosure. The cover can also have fastening devices for attachment of a mechanical rotary actuator or a motor drive. The cover is connected to the enclosure in a manner which provides for a simple opening and closing of the cover, and essentially eliminates the danger of losing and mixing up such covers. The cover is designed with bearing legs which are bent at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the cover plane. The bearing legs are preferably parallel to one another and laterally overlap the enclosure. The cover is mounted to the enclosure by means of the bearing legs and pivot bearing with coaxially interlocking pivots and pivot bearing openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Klockner Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kutsche, Wolfgang Kremers, Andreas Baldewein, Gerd Hentschel, Gerd Voiss
  • Patent number: 5334354
    Abstract: Utility clamp for use in a laboratory or other environment containing caustic elements. The clamp has a fully-enclosed hinge which is isolated from the environment. The critical hinge components such as the hinge pin and coil spring are internally located in the hinge and are protected from corrosion or attack by agents which might contact the clamp during normal use. A method is also provided for assembling the clamp whereby pre-loaded springs are positioned within the internal cavity to normally bias the jaws of the clamp in an open position relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Troemner, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Johnston, Alan L. Hooper, Peter D. Byar, Ronald G. Pridham
  • Patent number: 5289616
    Abstract: A motion limiting device for hingedly connected storage containers which includes a motion limiting protrusion, an arcuate slot, a rib, and an arcuate groove. The motion limiting protrusion and the rib are abutted and formed in the rear sidewall portion of a first member. The arcuate slot and arcuate groove are correspondingly shaped and formed in the rear sidewall portion of a second member such that the motion limiting protrusion and rib become matingly engaged with the arcuate slot and arcuate groove respectively when the first member and second member are hingedly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Taniyama
  • Patent number: 5287596
    Abstract: A universal hinge is a hinge with the capability of performing stop and hold mechanisms without installing extra stop and/or catch components on an object abutted to the universal hinge. The universal hinge comprises a hinge body, a stop mechanism, and a hold mechanism. Both the stop mechanism and the hold mechanism of the universal hinge are provided by specially shaped hinge knuckles while no extra component is needed. An alternative improvement of the universal hinge is provided by adding a specially designed self-locking spring-bushing assembly which comprises a conical spring and a step-configured ring bushing. The self-locking spring-bushing assembly complying with the stop and hold mechanisms can serve the improved universal hinge with the adjustable stop angle capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Haw-Renn Chen, Feichu H. Chen
  • Patent number: 4979266
    Abstract: An easel hinge includes first and second hinge plates, each including a substantially flat main portion, a curled or rolled barrel portion and a pair of rosette type fastening elements. The barrel portions of the hinge plates cooperate to hingeably connect the main portions for movement of the hinge between a closed position wherein the main portions are in closely adjacent, substantially parallel relation, and an open position wherein the main portions are in angular relation. The hinge further includes a pair of daps on the main portion of at least one of the hinge plates for maintaining the main portions in closely spaced relation when the hinge is in the closed position thereof so that the hinge can be more effectively plated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo T. Roy
  • Patent number: 4934025
    Abstract: An improved play yard having a lower horizontal support formed of rails, an upper horizontal support formed of rails and vertical support rails pivotably coupled therebetween, a central hub pivotably coupling the radially interior ends of the rails of the lower horizontal support and hinges coupling the rails of the upper horizontal support at intermediate locations. The hinges are adapted to be rotated about their axes between a locked position wherein the play yard is secure for operation and use and an unlocked position wherein the upper rails may be pivoted and the entire play yard collapsed upon the raising of the hub. Also disclosed is the hinge per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: John V. Mariol
  • Patent number: 4928350
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge construction of two mounting plates and a substantially U-shaped center link which connects the axes of pivot of the two plates. The link and plates contain stop mechanisms which determine their respective limits of pivot. In addition, the hinge contains a means for restraining the rotation of only one of the mounting plates around its corresponding link arm to insure a pattern of motion that is always consistent, and allows for the hinge to be mounted with a very narrow gap between the members being joined. The hinge of the present invention can be variably constructed to conform to a number of alternative uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: James C. Morgan
  • Patent number: 4914783
    Abstract: A sliding hinge for mounting a nose cone or cover on a nacelle or housing, such as an equipment package suspended from the wing of an aircraft. Typically two hinges are used, positioned at opposite sides of the housing, for pivoting the nose cone upward to provide access to the equipment within the housing. Each hinge includes a sleeve mounted in the housing, a slide block sliding in the sleeve, and a slide arm pivotally attached to the slide block and mounted in the nose. To open the package, the nose is initially slid forward from the housing and then pivoted to an upward position. During this operation the slide arm slides out of the sleeve from a retracted position to an extended position and then pivots upward to the open position, with the slide block remaining in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: The Hartwell Corporation
    Inventors: Frank T. Jackson, Bernard W. Henrichs
  • Patent number: 4914782
    Abstract: A wide-angle hinge for furniture doors, comprising a hinge boss fittable into a door wing and a hinge arm fastenable to a furniture side wall. The hinge boss and the hinge arm are connected to each other by means of hinge links which cross in a scissor-like manner. The latter-mentioned are provided with a locking means which is insurpassable, when the hinge is opened, but removable. The locking means is formed by a bracket fitted onto one of the hinge links which cross in a scissor-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Julius Blum Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helmut Rupprechter
  • Patent number: 4821374
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed which is particularly well suited for vehicle accessory application such as for vehicle sun visors for example. A hinge assembly according to the present invention includes a rod member interconnected with the vehicle interior or other fixed member. A generally hollow elongated sleeve member is interconnected with a movable member and is adapted for longitudinally receiving the rod member for relative rotation therewithin. A resilient biasing member, which is preferably a leaf-type spring, is received within the sleeve member for resiliently biasing the rod member laterally against the interior surface of the sleeve member in order to provide a frictional relative rotational engagement between the rod member and the sleeve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Irvin Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Gavagan
  • Patent number: 4501045
    Abstract: A self-locking hinge is disclosed for pivotally attaching a door to a frame member. The hinge includes first and second hinge members which are pivotally joined together by a pin. A socket is formed in the first hinge member which is designed to receive a detent mechanism. The detent mechanism has at least one tooth formed on its lower surface which will engage a complimentary notch formed on the upper surface of the second hinge member upon rotation of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member. The tooth and notch are so configured as to permit rotation of the first hinge member in one direction but will prevent its rotation in an opposite direction once the tooth has engaged the notch. A spring is positioned located within the socket of the first hinge member so as to bias the detent downward towards the second hinge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jack C. Boyer
  • Patent number: 4477941
    Abstract: A lower edge wall of a luggage case part has camming teeth with intervening grooves. The other case part has a set of spaced apart teeth for consecutive meshing with those of the first case part. One or more leaf springs are received across the meshed teeth of the case parts. The dimensions and geometry of the spring are such that when the case parts reach a predetermined maximum opening angle, the central spring portions contact opposing portions of the two case parts forming a limit stop to further opening of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventor: James S. Gregg
  • Patent number: 4349942
    Abstract: An easel hinge for supporting picture frames and the like comprising an outer hinge plate and an inner hinge plate, both having curled barrels, the inner barrel being positioned within the outer barrel for relative rotational movement therewith without the use of a separate hinge pin. At least one opening is provided in the outer barrel and a tang is provided projecting upwardly from the inner barrel and extending into said outer barrel opening. The full arcuate separation between the plates causes the tang to engage a lower edge of the opening in the outer plate to limit the degree of angular separation between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo T. Roy