Counterbalance Device, Per Se Patents (Class 16/400)
  • Patent number: 11392179
    Abstract: Provided is an in-folding type hinge structure having a flexible display panel installed therein in a mobile communication terminal in which a flexible display panel is provided in a pair of panel portions which are foldably connected to each other, in which rotation supports are provided in a pair of panel portions and a folding portion that connects the pair of panel portions such that the rotation supports are located between an inside close contact portion and an outside close contact portion which are fixed to the bottom surfaces of the panel portions, and the rotation supports are configured to perform a stable folding operation of the folding portion while the two panel portions are being folded or unfolded and to support the panel portions such that the two panel portions do not rotate over 180 degrees when the two panel portions are fully unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AUFLEX CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hyun Min Park, Seoung Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 10727104
    Abstract: In order to solve a problem that a large load is applied to a particular shaft of a transfer robot in accordance with acceleration during transfer of a transfer target, a control apparatus for controlling a transfer robot having a hand portion and an arm portion includes: a calculating portion that calculates an inclination angle that is an angle of a leading shaft, which is a horizontal shaft on a leading end side of the arm portion, and a vertical velocity that is a velocity in an upper-lower direction of the hand portion such that, during movement of the transfer target, among moments that are applied to the leading shaft, a first moment according to force of inertia in association with the movement and a second moment according to the gravity weaken each other, and that a normal velocity component that is a velocity component of the hand portion in a normal direction of the transfer target is reduced; and a control portion that controls the arm portion according to a result of the calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 10214935
    Abstract: A base for a temporary barrier has a spigot or socket to receive a fencing pole or to cooperate with a plastics fencing panel. The base has a support portion of plastics material on which is provided the spigot or socket. A pair of stabilizing members of plastics material of low profile extending in opposite directions from the support portion. A stiffening member is connected to each stabilizing member and extends horizontally from adjacent the remote end of one stabilizing member to adjacent the remote end of the other stabilizing member. In one form a pair of metal tubes extend upwardly and are connected to a hollow metal portion through which the stiffening member passes. In another form, a plastics portion projects upwardly and defines a socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Whiteley
  • Patent number: 10105032
    Abstract: Apparatus relating to an appliance having a housing with an aperture providing access to an interior compartment of the appliance and a door are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the door may be designed to slide and retract within the housing when actuating between at least a closed position and an open position. Additionally, the door may be designed in various styles, wherein the particular style of door chosen may be dependent upon the particular appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Wilson
  • Patent number: 9677299
    Abstract: A ballast weight is provided for a base for supporting tubular fencing poles on spigots. The ballast weight is in the form of a removable slab of molded plastics which in its underside has groove portions to receive frame members of the base. The end of the slab lies over a central transverse member of the frame and has a recess to accommodate the spigots. A pair of identical slabs can be used, one each side of the central transverse member of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Limited
    Inventor: Christopher James Whiteley
  • Publication number: 20150113767
    Abstract: A weight assembly for a faucet contains: a counterweight including a channel, the channel having an elongated first opening and a longitudinal height, and the longitudinal height being larger than a diameter of the hose; the counterweight also including a non-circular orifice, a first accommodating cavity, and a second accommodating cavity; a retainer inserted into the second accommodating cavity, the non-circular orifice, and the first accommodating cavity and including a notch for defining a second opening facing to the first opening; the notch having an arc-shaped contacting fringe; a longitudinal height of the second opening along the Z-axis direction being larger than the diameter of the hose; a pressing member mounted on a top end of the retainer; a resilient element defined between the first accommodating cavity of the counterweight and the pressing member. Thereby, the counterweight is removed and replaced easily by pressing and releasing the pressing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Chuahua Yuan, Yiping Lin, Yongiun Wu, Cijun Li
  • Patent number: 8814119
    Abstract: An arbor apparatus for use in a counterweight rigging system includes a support structure for supporting counterweight bricks in stacked arrangement. The arbor apparatus can be front-loading with left side, back and right side supports. The arbor apparatus can include a plurality of shelf members spaced apart in a longitudinal direction between the top and bottom ends. The arbor apparatus can also include a gate mechanism. The arbor apparatus can be implemented as a retrofit to existing manual counterweight rigging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Grid Well Inc.
    Inventors: Richard William Boychuk, Jeremy Carl Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140157547
    Abstract: A gravity-balancing device mounted to a head roller of an electric roller shade includes a mounting bracket, a spiral elastic element mounted to the mounting bracket, and a winding element rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket to locate adjacent to the spiral elastic element and connect to the head roller. The spiral elastic element has a fixing end connected to the mounting bracket and a connecting end connected to the winding element. When the head roller is driven by a motor of the electric roller shade to rotate and lower a shade fabric of the roller shade, the gravity-balancing device synchronously generates an upward winding force to the head roller to offset a gravitational force lowering the shade fabric, so that the motor can drive the head roller to rotate reversely and lift the shade fabric with reduced motor torque output to save power and extend the motor life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CHICOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: JU-HUAI CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140130342
    Abstract: A counter weight for installing and removing a lower portion of an inner casing of a turbine section generally includes a semi-annular main body having a first radially extending mating surface and a second radially extending mating surface. A radial gear rack extends radially outward from the main body. The radial gear rack includes a primary segment that extends a first angular distance between the first radially extending mating surface and the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. A secondary segment of the radial gear rack extends a second angular distance from the second radially extending mating surface of the main body. The secondary segment defines an at least partially linear inner surface and an outer arcuate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Publication number: 20130341908
    Abstract: A fluid system includes a loading arm connected to a swivel joint. A counterbalance mechanism is connected between the loading arm and the swivel joint. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the counterbalance force applied by the counterbalance mechanism to the loading arm. The adjustment mechanism includes a guide plate connected to the swivel joint and includes a guide slot and a straight bore guide. A bracket is movably connected to the guide plate and has one or more apertures and a threaded bore guide. Fasteners extend through the guide slot and the one or more apertures to selectively secure the bracket to the guide plate. A lead screw is disposed at least partially within the straight bore guide and the threaded bore guide. Rotation of the lead screw causes the bracket to move along a length of the lead screw and thereby adjust the counterbalance force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Crum, Krzysztof Wejdman
  • Patent number: 8578562
    Abstract: A weight assembly for a faucet being fixed on a hose and contains a body including an open groove with a first opening, a vertical height of the groove being slightly more that a diameter of the hose, a horizontal depth of the groove along a Y-axis direction being larger than the diameter of the hose; the body including a hole, an upper receiving seat, and a lower receiving seat; a first retaining member received in the hole, the upper and the lower receiving seats, and including an open locking recess with a second opening; the locking recess including a concavely arcuate defining fence; a vertical height of the second opening on the Z-axis direction being equal to or more than the vertical height of the groove; a second retaining member used to screw with a top end of the first retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Zhibin Liu, Weidong Qiu
  • Patent number: 8539642
    Abstract: The static air dam includes at least one mounting feature, which is preferably at least one hole or slot to allow a fastener, such as a screw, bolt, rivet, weld, or other similar attachment devices, to secure the air dam to a wall of a jamb channel. Air passage through the jamb channel is prohibited or at least substantially inhibited by the static air dam that is designed to approximate the size and dimensions of the cross section of the jamb channel. At least one side of the air dam includes a tab or similar structure for securing the free end of the curl spring of a curl spring balance. The air dam includes integrally formed reinforcing elements that either abut or are adjacent to the side walls of the jamb channel. The air dam preferably includes a pair of flexible projections for engaging ears on the curl spring carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventor: Mark R. Baker
  • Publication number: 20130127157
    Abstract: An exhaust system having a pipe for conveying exhaust from an engine, the end of which has an outwardly-protruding lip; a first pipe flange having a hole large enough to allow the lipped end of the pipe to pass through it, and a recessed shoulder adjacent the hole; a collar, configured to releasably encircle said first pipe, to abut with the recessed shoulder at its outer periphery, and the lipped end of the pipe at its inner periphery, thereby preventing the collar and lipped pipe assembly from passing through said hole; and a second pipe flange configured to attach to said first pipe flange to connect a tail pipe to the first pipe, and to hold the pipe, flange and collar assembly together. The invention also provides counterweights for counterweighted lift trucks adapted to secure such exhaust systems, and methods of fitting such exhaust systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: NEXEN LIFT TRUCKS LIMITED
    Inventor: William Oakes
  • Publication number: 20130112641
    Abstract: A balance assist system includes a support structure, an assist device, a variable balancing system, and a balancing cable. The variable balancing system is configured for moving a mass in a vertical direction along a Z axis. The variable balancing system includes a balance platform, a lever, and a mobile counterweight. The lever is pivotally attached to the balance platform at a fixed pivot point such that the lever is pivotable at the fixed pivot point about a balance axis. The mobile counterweight is movably disposed on the lever relative to the fixed balance axis and movable between a minimum position and a maximum position. The minimum position corresponds to the mass having a minimum weight such that the mass is statically balanced along the Z axis. Likewise, the maximum position corresponds to the mass having a maximum weight such that the mass is statically balanced along the Z axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: Universite Laval, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Universite Laval
  • Publication number: 20130061428
    Abstract: Counterweight devices and systems for a hand tool, such as a paintbrush, having a forward working end and a handle extending rearwardly along a longitudinal axis, having a distal end, with the hand tool having a center of gravity located on the axis forward of the midpoint between the working and distal ends, are disclosed. A counterweight device includes a counterweight body configured to be mounted to a portion of the handle, and one or more counterweights supported on the counterweight body. The counterweight device is thereby adapted to shift the center of gravity of the hand tool rearward along the axis of the handle to a predetermined extent when the counterweight body is mounted to the handle. A counterweight system includes a set of interchangeable counter counterweights each having a different weight and each configured to be removably attached either to the counterweight body or to a counterweight attached thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Greg Freuler
  • Publication number: 20130062145
    Abstract: A fall prevention system includes a master rope that passes over a roof of a house having a ridge, from the vicinity of the ground on one side of the house, and is installed by being extended to the vicinity of the ground on the other side of the house; a weight that is configured of buckets, is connected to the master rope at an end portion of the master rope, and is installed on the ground; and a retractable fall arrester that connects a harness worn by a worker who works on the roof to the master rope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Hitoshi Inoue, Yoshiyuki Fujihara, Fujio Matsumura, Ryoji Mitsuhashi
  • Publication number: 20120192382
    Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism including: a housing having a first aligned pair of through holes and a second aligned pair of through holes; a pivot nose having a third aligned pair of through holes, a fourth aligned pair of through holes and an aligned pair of arcuate slots; an energy storage device having first and second spring mounts and at least one spring, the first spring mount having at least one first flange and a pivot flange having a fifth through hole, the second spring mount having at least one second flange and a sixth through hole and the at least one spring includes first and second ends, the first end is secured to the at least one first flange and the second end is secured to the at least one second flange; a first pivot pin disposed in the first aligned pair of through holes and the third aligned pair of through holes; a stop member disposed in the second aligned pair of through holes and the aligned pair of arcuate slots; a second pivot pin disposed in the fourth aligned pair of through holes
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Weber Knapp Company
    Inventors: Brent A. HONSBERGER, Warren A. Waxham
  • Publication number: 20120067162
    Abstract: A steering wheel weight formed as a body and having a generally curvilinear shape in a plane that is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the body. At least one indexer extends from the body and is oriented to align the body with respect to a steering wheel armature. At least one deformable tab extends from the body and is oriented relative to the steering wheel armature so that only deformation of the tab positionally secures the steering wheel weight relative to the steering wheel armature. Preferably, the steering wheel weight is crimped to the steering wheel armature thereby securely connecting the steering wheel weight to the steering wheel armature without extraneous fasteners/connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: STEVEN KOLLMANN, GIUSEPPE PETRILLO
  • Publication number: 20120005962
    Abstract: A door overload protection device for a vehicle door, especially for an armored vehicle door is disclosed. The door overload protection includes a door leaf, a door frame and at least one hinge, the device being made such that it can act against a compressive force which has arisen from the weight of the door leaf and which is applied in a vertical and/or a horizontal direction in its moving, opening and closing state. A method for producing a door overload protection device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Klaus ACKERMANN
  • Publication number: 20110266937
    Abstract: A force engine operable to counterbalance a load. The force engine includes one or more energy reservoirs operable to store energy. The one or more energy reservoirs are operable to generate a force to balance the load through the displacement in an operating mode. A traveling member is hingedly connected to the one or more energy reservoirs. The force generated by the one or more energy reservoirs is transferred to the load through the traveling member and an associated linkage. A variable member is coupled to the one or more energy reservoirs. In the adjusting mode the variable member is displaced to configure an operating relationship between the one or more energy reservoirs and the traveling member. A release interacts with the variable member to fix a position of the variable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan Roberts, Clark Davis, Ian Davis, Jonathan George
  • Publication number: 20100263167
    Abstract: A counter-balance apparatus and method, including configurable weights, suspensions, and supports, upon which an external force can be exerted, and as a result, will react as a counter-balance to said external force as a means to provide force resistance and stability; wherein the construct may be encapsulated, varied in materials, size, and substance, enabling said counter-balance with a predictable and known effect to be produced at scale, readily installed, moved, or manipulated, to address a plethora of stabilization applications, and which further comprises fastener(s) and/or band(s) to secure it to immobile, mobile, or in-motion objects, and computational and communications capabilities to dynamically adjust to external factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Seymour Ian Fox
  • Publication number: 20100258699
    Abstract: An arbor apparatus for use in a counterweight rigging system includes a support structure for supporting counterweight bricks in stacked arrangement. The arbor apparatus can be front-loading with left side, back and right side supports. The arbor apparatus can include a plurality of shelf members spaced apart in a longitudinal direction between the top and bottom ends. The arbor apparatus can also include a gate mechanism. The arbor apparatus can be implemented as a retrofit to existing manual counterweight rigging systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Richard William Boychuk, Jeremy Carl Anderson
  • Patent number: 7571898
    Abstract: A counter-balance weight for a modular safety rail includes a solid body of a compact shape which defines a substantially planar major surface which, in use, is intended to rest on a support surface The body defines a substantially linear through-bore for receiving an end of a spacer member. The through-bore extends continuously through the body in a direction substantially parallel with the substantially planar major surface of the body. The through-bore extends between a pair of end faces which, at least in part, are non-parallel end faces and the body further defines a screw-threaded aperture which extends through the body to intersect and communicate with the through-bore. The body may have a substantially triangular shape in transverse cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Kee Klamp Limited
    Inventors: Philip Maurice Higgs, Charles William Stratford Presant, Francis Donald Tegg
  • Publication number: 20090120732
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for preventing disturbing noise caused by the counterweight of an elevator. At first temporary tightening means (8), e.g. slings provided with tightening elements (9), are fitted and tightened around the counterweight (1). After this the actual tightening means (10), e.g. steel belts, are fitted and tightened around the counterweight (1), after which the slings are removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rodney Aardse
  • Publication number: 20090114478
    Abstract: A portable anchorage assembly comprises an extension member interconnecting a counterweight assembly and a base. The counterweight assembly has a cavity configured and arranged to receive at least one weight. The extension member has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally connected to the counterweight assembly. The base is connected to the second end of the extension member and includes a wheel and at least one anchorage point. The base is pivotable about the counterweight assembly on the wheel to position the at least one anchorage point in a desired location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Garry Ernest John Hamilton, J. Thomas Wolner
  • Publication number: 20080127456
    Abstract: An appliance includes a friction member mounted to the outer surface and extending above the outer surface. The height of the friction member is adjustable so that the friction member can engage an underside of cabinetry in which the appliance is located. The height adjustment may be in the friction member, or in the appliance—for example in the appliance feet, or between the appliance and the friction member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: STEVEN MAUNSELL, DRAGOS MUGUREL BLAGA
  • Patent number: 7204463
    Abstract: A balancer device, which is adapted for incorporating with a hanging article having two sidewalls, a front side, and an opposed rear side facing towards a supporting surface, includes two balancing wings each having an inner end, and two connecting units provided at the inner ends of the balancing wings for connecting the two balancing wings on the hanging article, wherein the balancing wings are adapted to be folded at an unfolded position that the two balancing wings are arranged for outwardly extending from the two sidewalls of the hanging article in such a manner that the two balancing wings are capable of blocking a spinning movement of the hanging article with respect to the supporting surface so as to retain the front side of the hanging article in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Ying Chi Cheng
  • Patent number: 7093322
    Abstract: A counter-balance weight for a modular safety rail comprises a substantially solid body which defines a passage to receive an end of an elongate spacer member, a recess region to house a retainer of a kind selectively securable to the elongate spacer member, an access opening for access to the retainer, and a retainer abutment to inhibit movement of the retainer in an axial direction which is parallel with the length direction of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Access Technologies Limited
    Inventor: David Townend
  • Patent number: 7055215
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a hinge assembly having a counterbalance spring, a friction mechanism, and an independent pop-up element attached to a shaft. In one embodiment, a hinge assembly having a counterbalancing spring and an independent pop-up element attaches a display assembly to a base assembly of a portable computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Ligtenberg, Greg Springer, Sung Kim, Kevin Fetterman
  • Publication number: 20030074764
    Abstract: A block and tackle sash balance assembly for providing a counterbalancing force to a sash window pivotally and slideably mounted within a sash window frame is disclosed. The assembly is adapted to disable the counterbalancing force responsive to pivoting of the sash window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Dean Pettit, Mark Eenigenburg
  • Patent number: 6142426
    Abstract: A screw-threaded counterweight adjustment apparatus is journaled in end journals provided with brackets for attachment to the interior of a railroad crossing gate arm casing preferably by jam-type threaded fittings. A traveler is threaded over an elongated helically threaded rod rotatably mounted in the journals. A guide on one side of the traveler fits in an adjustment slot in the casing and a counterweight supporting rod or pin extends from the guide for attachment and support of the counterweights. The helically threaded rod is manually rotated by a wrench or by a motor to move the traveler and guide longitudinally on the counterweight section of the gate when it is desired to adjust the position of the counterweights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas R. Zaro, Scott D. Jones, Glen F. Seng
  • Patent number: 6112336
    Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a cover or lid between horizontal and upright positions. A foot-actuated device is connected by a first cable to a lift mechanism positioned about the lid's pivot. The first cable lies over the profile of an oblong cam in the lift mechanism. Pulling the first cable rotates the cam for rotating the lid. The cam's profile initially produces a large turning moment which compensates for the initially difficult lift and then smoothly decreases the turning moment to compensate for the decreasing force needed as the lid approaches the upright position. In the context of a toilet seat lid, it is convenient to incorporate an automatic lowering device. In upright position, a latch in the cam engages a trigger. The seat is spring-urged to close, restrained only by the latch and trigger. A second cable is float-actuated to disengage the trigger from the latch when the tank begins to refill after being flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Winq Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Evan A. Markle, Jeff R. Morgan