Hinge Patents (Class 16/54)
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100199459
    Abstract: A hinge structure (1) for self-closing doors or the like comprises a first stationary element (2) attachable to the frame (T) of a door (P), a first movable element (3) securable to the door (P) and pivotally mounted to the first stationary element (2) for rotating about a longitudinal axis (X) between an open door position and a closed door position. The structure (1) further comprises closing means (4) acting on the first movable element (3) for automatically returning the door (P) to the closed position during opening, hydraulic damping means (5) operating on the first movable element (3) to oppose and damp the movement produced by the closing means (4), The closing means (4) and the hydraulic damping means (5) are housed within a first operating chamber (6) locate internally of the first stationary element (2). An assembly incorporates such hinge structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Luciano Bacchetti
  • Publication number: 20100180399
    Abstract: An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad F. PATZER, Michael D. J. SMITH, Stanislav MAGOVSKI, David W. SHAW, Joaquin HUNG
  • Patent number: 7757348
    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 or opening operation of the doors, or other furniture parts, thanks to an improvement of the characteristics of rigidity and, simultaneously, elasticity of the means for transmitting motion from one of the rockers to the damping elements. The improved efficiency of this hinge is also obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous medium present in suitable areas of the hinge and by allowing regulation of the trend of the angular velocity of a circular shaped element, for example a disc, which acts as braking element in contact with the viscous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7748080
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a body defining a refrigerated enclosure, a door movable between a closed position and an open position, a hinge comprising a first member coupled to the body and a second member coupled to the door and pivotably coupled to the first member, and a closure mechanism configured to provide a varying force to the door depending on the position of the door relative to the body. The closure mechanism includes a guide slidably mounted in a slot on the first member, a biasing mechanism coupled to the first member, and a closer arm coupled to the door and to the biasing mechanism through the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sub-Zero, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip F. Hottmann
  • Patent number: 7730583
    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 or opening operation of the doors, or other furniture parts, thanks to an improvement of the kinematic motion for transmitting motion from one of the rockers to the damping elements. The improved efficiency of this hinge is also obtained by increasing the friction surfaces with a viscous medium present in suitable areas of the hinge and by allowing regulation of the trend of the angular velocity of a circular shaped element, for example a disc, which acts as braking element in contact with the viscous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Publication number: 20100127606
    Abstract: A slow open slow close hinge assembly for an appliance includes a first hinge assembly including a base; a tab projecting outwardly from the base in a first direction; a support projecting outwardly from the base in a second direction; a hinge arm pivotably connected to the tab via a first pivot point; a tail portion extending through an opening in the base; a slow open slow close dampener operably connected between the support at a second pivot point and the tail portion at a third pivot point; wherein a neutral position for the dampener occurs when the first, second and third pivot points are aligned substantially in a straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Brian White
  • Publication number: 20100024159
    Abstract: An unburied hydraulic door hinge system for automatically closing a door is directly mounted on a bottom corner of a door. Since the unburied hydraulic hinge system can be installed on the bottom corner of the door, it does not damage the aesthetic appearance of a transparent glass door such as a reinforced glass door, and is very easy to install and repair because it is not buried. From the maintenance point of view, the worker can easily gain access thereto because the split-type mounting plates can be quickly and easily separated. A hydraulic cylinder and a rotating drive mechanism, having a simplified structure and operation, not only improve the durability and lifespan of the hydraulic hinge system but also provide the possibility of mass production as well as production cost saving. Consequently, the hydraulic door hinge system has high economical efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Se Jin Oh, Gum Sung Oh
  • Patent number: 7647020
    Abstract: A multi-mode foldable electronic apparatus and the method thereof are provided. The multi-mode foldable electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a first hinge, a second hinge and a system. The first hinge and the second hinge are used for connecting the first housing and the second housing. A first magnet and a second magnet are disposed in the first housing, and magnetism changes when the first and the second magnet being moved. A first magnetism sensor disposed in the second housing is used for sensing the changes in magnetism of the first magnet and generates a first signal thereby. A second magnetism sensor disposed in the second housing is used for sensing the changes in magnetism of the second magnet to generate a second signal thereby. The system commands the apparatus in one of different modes in response to the first and the second signals being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chia Chuang
  • Patent number: 7596830
    Abstract: A hinge includes a housing. A stopper plugging up one end of the housing defines a through-hole. A sliding cam slideably received in the housing defines concave portions on a top surface thereof and an axial hole. A rotatable cam has a base portion extending downward to form pushing portions disposed in the concave portions. The base portion defines a receiving hole. A top surface of the base portion protrudes upward and defines a stepped portion. A spring is slideably received in the housing. One end of the spring is fixed on the sliding cam and the other end of the spring is fastened around the stopper. A shaft received in the housing runs through the axial hole, the spring and the through-hole. An end of the shaft is fixed with the stopper, and an opposite end of the shaft is received in the receiving hole. A damper has a top wall extending downward to form an enclosure. A top surface of the top wall protrudes upward to form a preventing block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-hung Yin, Shan-yi Yang, Ming-han Lin, Wei-jia Liang, Chih-heng Chien
  • Publication number: 20090096246
    Abstract: An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad F. Patzer, Michael D.J. Smith, Stanislav Magovski, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
  • Patent number: 7484266
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus includes a hinge and a damper. The damper includes a damping shell having a shell body. A cover board is formed on an end of the shell body, an axial hole is opened in the center of the cover board. A damping body received in the damping shell has a base portion and a column portion extending from one end of the base portion. The column portion extends outside the damping shell through the axial hole. A plurality of rotatable pieces and a plurality of limiting pieces are received in the shell body of the damping shell and alternately disposed on the column portion of the damping body. The rotatable pieces engage with the column portion so as to rotate together with the damping body, the limiting pieces are fixed to the damping shell. Damping oil is filled between the adjacent limiting pieces and the rotatable pieces. A hermetic ring is disposed on the damping body and pressed against the shell body. A rotatable body is adapted for pushing the damping body to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shan-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7416063
    Abstract: A one-way damper includes a cylindrical housing, a viscous fluid contained within the housing, a rotor rotatably disposed in the housing, and a valve body. The rotor has a center part for forming a rotational center, and a control wall extending radially outwardly from the center part for dividing an inside of the housing. The control wall has a distribution path. The valve body has a holding part for holding the center part, and a free edge part extending from one side of the holding part for opening-and closing the distribution path. A seal member prevents the viscous fluid from leaking between the housing and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Araki, Masami Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7418279
    Abstract: A mobile radio communication apparatus includes a first housing including an input part, a second housing including a speaker and a display, a hinge part that connects the second housing to the first housing so that the second housing can be folded over the first housing, an opening mechanism that automatically opens the second housing from a folded state to a first angle between 160° and 170° relative to the first housing in a non-stop motion, a damper mechanism that brakes opening of the second housing by the one touch opening mechanism, and a free stop mechanism that maintains the second housing relative to the first housing at a second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hisamitsu Takagi
  • Publication number: 20080189906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge arrangement, in particular refrigerator housing comprising a refrigerator door pivotably articulated thereto, with a first part (2), with a second part (4) pivotably articulated to the first part (2) via a hinge (3, 3a), with a piston cylinder damping unit (6), which is operatively arranged between the first part (2) and the second part (4) for damping a pivoting movement of the two parts (2, 4) relative to one another, and which is articulated to at least one part (2, 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicants: SUSPA HOLDING GmbH, Liebherr-Hausgerate-Ochsenhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Corinne Resnik, Josef Hecht, Dietmar Blersch
  • Patent number: 7412270
    Abstract: A mobile radio communication apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge part that foldably connects the second housing to the first housing, a one touch opening mechanism that is provided to the hinge part, and automatically opens the second housing from a folded state to an angle between 160° and 170° relative to the first housing in a non-stop motion, a damper mechanism that is provided to the hinge part and brakes an opening action of the second housing by the one touch opening mechanism, the damper mechanism including a damper having a rotational shaft that generates a braking power and a damper bush having a fixed shaft connected to the rotational shaft, and a flexible printed circuit that is twisted around the rotational or fixed shaft of the damper mechanism, and electrically connects the first and second housings to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hisamitsu Takagi
  • Patent number: 7406749
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-link hinge (10) for hinging a door leaf (12) to the body of a piece of furniture with a body fitting which may be fixed to the support wall (14) of the body and a door leaf fitting (20) connected to the above by means of a joint mechanism. The support wall fitting, embodied as an extended support arm is arranged on a fitting plate (18) which may be fixed to the support wall of the body and coupled to the door leaf fitting, embodied as a hinge cup fitted in a recess in the back face of the door leaf (12), by means of the joint mechanism, embodied with two joint arms (22; 24) each connected to one of the fittings such as to pivot. A damping device acts on a support wall side hinge piece, for example the body fitting (16) or the fixing plate (18) and one of the joint arms (24), at least during a locking part of the pivoting motion of said joint arm on a closing or opening motion of the door leaf fitting (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Mepla-Werke Lautenshlaeger GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Markus Herper
  • Patent number: 7356878
    Abstract: A door closer includes an anchor assembly for mounting on a door frame, an actuator assembly for mounting within the thickness of a door which is hinged for movement between open and closed positions, an operating member coupled by a linkage to the anchor assembly and mounted for a range of movements between a retracted position and an extended position, a resilient driving apparatus arranged to exert a driving force on the operating member, a damper mechanism operatively connected to the operating member so as to damp movement of the operating member at least in a direction towards the retracted position, and a resilient thrust device arranged to exert an increased driving force on the operating member over a defined part of its range of movement as the operating member approaches the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samuel Heath & Sons PLC
    Inventor: Keith Foster
  • Patent number: 7343646
    Abstract: A door handle includes a damper wherein a difference in torque changed according to a rotational direction becomes large. A rotor and a valve are completely separated and only the rotor rotates, so that it is possible to significantly reduce torque applied to the rotor. When the rotor and the valve are connected or separated, torque applied to the rotor is changed greatly. Accordingly, instead of gradually changing torque according to a rotational angle of the rotor, it is possible to set a specific point where torque is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7340799
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adaptor for a braking deceleration device for doors or movable furniture parts, which essentially comprises a plunger which can be pushed into a housing against a braking force, with an adaptor body. According to the invention, the adaptor body comprises at least one accommodation recess for accommodating the housing of the braking deceleration device, and the adaptor body comprises suitable means by way of which it can be fixed to an attachment plate and via it to the frame or furniture carcass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7334292
    Abstract: A connecting cylindrical part of a second hinge member is inserted between first and second support arm parts of a first hinge member such that an axis of the second hinge member is aligned with that of a rotation axis. A hinge cylinder is passed through the connecting cylindrical part. The hinge cylinder is non-turnably fitted to opposite end parts of the connecting cylindrical part. The opposite end parts of the hinge cylinder projecting from the connecting cylindrical part are turnably fitted to the first and second support arm parts through bearings, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Anzai
  • Patent number: 7331435
    Abstract: A continuously blockable arresting device includes a housing and a shaft having an end received in the housing and which may be externally acted upon causing rotation thereof. The housing has a fluid-filled working space and two subchambers which can be connected to the working space. The subchambers lie next to each other. First and second pistons are guided respectively in a displaceable manner in the subchambers and can be displaced therein by a swash plate. The shaft is connected to the swash plate for rotating the swash plate. Respective control devices of the subchambers include blocking valves for respectively connecting the subchambers to the working space and passage valves for respectively connecting the working space to the subchambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Mintgen, Wilhelm Schwab, Paul Muders
  • Patent number: 7275284
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damping device for parts of furniture which are joined together by means of hinges and which can be pivoted in relation to each other. The housing contains a damping fluid in the cavity thereof and a resistance element which can be displaced relative to the dumping fluid and connected to an actuating element protruding from the housing. During at least one part of the pivoting movement of both pieces of furniture, said actuating element is drivingly connected to the second piece of furniture and transfers the movement distributed to the second piece of furniture to the resistance element. The damping device is arranged in the region of at least one of the hinges which pivotally couples both pieces of furniture, and whereby either the damping housing and/or the actuating element engages with one of the mounting element of the corresponding hinges, at least during the damping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mepla-Werke Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Wilhelm Lautenschläger, Harald Helmut Ulrich, Markus Herper
  • Patent number: 7275626
    Abstract: A damper device includes a check valve operated to apply braking force to a rotary shaft having wing portions when rotated in a cylinder in one direction and, when the rotary shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, the check valve is not operated. Movement restricting flow passages for restricting the movement of a viscous fluid between front and rear-side oil chambers divided by the wing portions are formed between an inner wall of the cylinder and the wing portions, and a selective communication passage having the check valve is formed between the wing portions and one of two side walls forming the oil chambers, such that the side wall and the check valve can be rotated along with the rotation of the wing portions, thereby avoiding rotation of the check valve in contact with the inner wall of the cylinder, for pronged service life of the damper device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Fukuzawa, Takayuki Tomura, Naohisa Tanaka, Ryosuke Hayashi, Seiichiro Inoue, Yoshiro Terada, Satoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7257862
    Abstract: A decelerating device includes a bushing and a pin carried coaxially by the bushing. A first end of the pin is housed inside the bushing and a second end of the pin, opposite to the first end, projects axially in cantilever fashion from the bushing. Inside the bushing, between the pin and one internal side wall of the bushing, there are housed, alongside one another, at a pre-set axial distance apart from one another, one or more deformable annular gasket elements. Each deformable annular gasket element has in radial cross section, in undeformed conditions, a peripheral profile defining at least one concavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: ITW Industrial Components S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alberto Bassi
  • Publication number: 20070174995
    Abstract: An electronic device having a first body, a second body and a hinge is provided. The first body and the second body are pivoted through the hinge. The hinge includes a sleeve, at least one first positioning member, a shaft and a second positioning member. The first positioning member is inserted into the sleeve. A first end of the shaft passes through the sleeve. The second positioning member is inserted into the shaft. The second positioning member and the first positioning member are linked through magnetic force to fix the position of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Wen-Ting Yu
  • Patent number: 7243394
    Abstract: A door closing hinge device includes two flaps for attaching to a door frame and a door panel, a seat and a housing attached to the flaps. A follower is slidably disposed in the housing, and includes an inclined surface for engaging with an inclined surface of the seat, and for moving the follower up and down relative to the housing when the follower and the housing are rotated relative to the seat. A guiding device may guide the follower to move up and down relative to the housing, and a forcing device may force the follower and the door panel to rotate relative to the door frame back to an original position where the inclined surfaces of the seat and the follower are engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Ching Chih Kao
  • Patent number: 7243398
    Abstract: A pivot-action damper which for example dampens the impact effect of the closing movement of doors, furniture doors or flaps displays excellent braking force or damping force, even over small angular regions as a result of an outer cylindrical body which encompasses an inner body which is pivotable in relation to said outer cylindrical body. Between the two bodies there are two chambers, separated from each other by a gap or a throttle position, with said chambers containing a liquid. This liquid is displaced from one chamber to the other as a result of the rotation of the two bodies in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7194785
    Abstract: A buffer bar fastening structure for fastening a buffer bar to a hinge of a cabinet door includes a barrel which has flanges on two ends to couple with arched portions at two ends of a latch member to couple the buffer bar on the barrel in a turnable manner. The latch member has one side connecting to a fastening member, which may be coupled with an adjusting slot of the hinge and a fastening section on another side to fasten the buffer bar to the hinge. The structure is simple and easy to install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lushridge Incorporated
    Inventor: Chih-Hung Li
  • Patent number: 7155776
    Abstract: A multipurpose hinge apparatus having an automatic return function is provided in which the apparatus is installed between the door and a main body. The apparatus includes a driving mechanism for ascending and descending a piston rod according to opening and closing of the door which is installed in the upper portion of a cylindrical housing. A piston is connected with the piston rod, in which a one-direction check valve is installed in the piston. The piston partitions an upper chamber and a lower chamber and ascends and descends in association with the piston rod. A first oil path communicates with the upper and lower chambers via the lower portion of the piston rod in the central portion of the piston. A compression spring which makes the piston ascend is inserted into the lower chamber. Oil is filled in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: I-One Innotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong Mook Park
  • Patent number: 7120967
    Abstract: A pet door hinge adapted to accommodate potentially damaging forces. The hinge mechanism includes a shaft that is received by a shock-absorbing bearing. The bearing is received by a sleeve. The bearing rotates within the sleeve to allow pivoting of the flap. In the event of potentially damaging forces, a resilient and deformable material forming the core of the bearing gives to prevent damage to or destruction of the hinge mechanism or the pet door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7103937
    Abstract: An axle positioning structure includes a sleeve, a shaft, and an elastomer. The sleeve includes a bottom and an inner wall. The bottom and the inner wall form a receiving space. The shaft is rotatably coupled to the sleeve. The first end of the shaft goes through the hole of the bottom, and the second end of the shaft is disposed within the receiving space. The elastomer is connected to the second end of the shaft for holding the sleeve by stretching onto the inner wall of the sleeve, so that the shaft is positioned after rotating a determined angle relative to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Shih-Lung Weng
  • Patent number: 7096535
    Abstract: A hinge device includes a frame bracket adapted to be secured to a door frame, a door bracket adapted to be secured to a door panel, first and second links pivoted to the frame bracket and the door bracket, an urging member for urging the door panel to move from an opened position toward a closed position relative to the door frame, and a damping member adapted to be secured to the door frame and connected movably to the second link through a transmission link so as to damp pivoting movement of the door panel relative to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Ming-Jeng Lin
  • Patent number: 7065829
    Abstract: A damper device applies damping force to a movable body assembled on a fixed body. The damper device includes a damping part, a clutch case attached to one of the fixed body and the movable body in a state having received the damping part, and a rack part moving or relatively moving accompanying movement of the movable body. The damper device effectively operate the movable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Syunsuke Okabayashi, Ken Hayashi, Masaru Arakawa
  • Patent number: 6971996
    Abstract: Power packs for use with bicentric hinges and methods for operating hinges are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a power pack has a housing with a cavity and a piston disposed at least partially within the cavity. The housing has an attachment mechanism configured to attach the housing to a hinge. The piston has a head and an arm configured to be connected to the head and one of the hinge members. In one embodiment, the head is moveable about a first axis of rotation along a circular path through the cavity. An embodiment for operating the hinge includes rotating the first hinge member coupled to the piston about the first axis of rotation, displacing a fluid from the cavity to a fluid passageway as the piston rotates, and pivoting the second hinge member about a second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Thuasne
    Inventor: Guy M. Houser
  • Patent number: 6928699
    Abstract: An automatic closing door hinge, an automatic closing door mechanism, and a hinge of the automatic closing door mechanism, for smoothly opening a door or closing, with damping, a door. For example, an automatic door closing mechanism has a hinge having a pair of wing plates one of which has a cylinder in a circular cylindrical form received therein a piston, the other wing plate fixing an upper portion of an operation rod engaged with the piston, the piston being to be advanced and retracted through the operation rod associatively with a rotation of the other wing plate. The automatic closing door mechanism comprises a cam formed on the piston. An engaging part provided in the operation rod and movable in the cam. The cam and the engaging part engaging between the piston and the operation rod. A sphere arranged in a recess formed in an outer surface of the piston. A recess groove formed lengthwise in the cylinder. The sphere rolls along the recess groove, to allow the piston to slide within the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Kazu Sawa
  • Patent number: 6922869
    Abstract: A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Bivens, Joseph J. Bella, Jefferey S. Cascio
  • Patent number: 6913125
    Abstract: A damper includes a housing having a cylindrical shape and filled with a viscous fluid, a first rotor rotatably received in the housing and having a first connecting portion formed at an end portion thereof, and a second rotor rotatably housed in the housing coaxially with the first rotor and having a second connecting portion formed at an end portion thereof. The first and second connecting portions engage to allow the first and second rotors together, and forms a space therebetween to allow the viscous fluid to pass therethrough. An elastic member urges the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion to connect together, and accumulates an elastic force in a state that the connection between the first and second connecting portions is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6886217
    Abstract: A door closer having a pair of main driving springs, a fluid-filled damper arrangement and a pair of thrust springs is provided, the thrust springs coming into effect during the latter part of a door closing operation, so as to provide an augmented closing force at that point. The position at which the augmented closing force is applied is variable, with a cam mechanism being used to control application of the increased closing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Samuel Heath & Sons PLC
    Inventor: Keith Foster
  • Patent number: 6817061
    Abstract: A hinge for a cellular phone that has a cover and a base comprises an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and a spring. The spring is mounted between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve and provides a torsion force to open the cover. A layer of buffering gel is applied the outer surface of the inner sleeve between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve to damp the opening rate of the cover so that the pivoting device can keep a wire between the cover and the base from breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jiin-Chang Wu, Hung-Yueh Huang
  • Patent number: 6725503
    Abstract: A door closer includes a housing having one or more bulges, a shaft rotatably received in the housing and having an axle, and one or more resilient rings engaged between the shaft and the housing. The bulges of the housing may be engaged with the resilient rings for preventing the shaft from moving axially relative to the housing. An adjustable spring biasing device may apply a spring biasing force between the housing and the shaft for recovering the shaft relative to the housing. One or more spring biased projections may limit the movement between the shaft and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Wu Shiong Lin
  • Patent number: 6684453
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a damping unit mounted on a securing seat that is connected to a door frame, a housing embedded in a door panel, and a hinge member and a positioning member interconnecting the securing seat and the housing. The damping unit includes a fluid cylinder and a piston rod having an actuating end pivoted to the positioning member. Due to the presence of the damping unit, movement of the door panel relative to the door frame can be damped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fu Luong Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Publication number: 20030229965
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a damping unit mounted on a securing seat that is connected to a door frame, a housing embedded in a door panel, and a hinge member and a positioning member interconnecting the securing seat and the housing. The damping unit includes a fluid cylinder and a piston rod having an actuating end pivoted to the positioning member. Due to the presence of the damping unit, movement of the door panel relative to the door frame can be damped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Fu Luong Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 6662405
    Abstract: A detented and dampened hinge mechanism with push-pull and pull-push operation is disclosed. The present invention relates generally to a hinge mechanism that includes a first arm and a second arm that are pivotally connected to one another such that the arms can be moved relative to one another between a closed position and an open position. A damper is fitted into a cutout of the second arm such that the damper can engage with a length of teeth of the first arm when the hinge mechanism moves between the open and closed positions. Biasing means is fitted between hooks or bosses of the arms, and biases the first and second arms toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Fabrice Vitry
  • Patent number: 6658694
    Abstract: A hinge member includes a rotatable cam element with a first cam face and a slidable cam element with a second cam face associated with the first cam face in such a manner that the second cam face moves away from the first cam face when the slidable cam element is cammed by the rotatable cam element due to an applied external force. A biasing member is connected to the slidable cam element so as to accumulate a returning force when the second cam face moves away from the first cam face and so as to urge the second cam face to move toward the first cam face when the external force ceases to be applied on the rotatable cam element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Fu Luong Hi-Tech Co., LTD
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Wang
  • Patent number: 6625847
    Abstract: A door closer comprises an actuator assembly (20) adapted for fitting within the thickness of a door and an anchor member (10) adapted for fitting in a door frame in opposed relation to said edge face of the door. An operating member (30) is driven by spring means (45) and coupled to said anchor member (10) to draw the door towards the door frame. An adjustable fluid-filled damper (50) is coupled to said operating member (30) and arranged to provide variable regulation the rate of movement of the operating member under the force of said spring means (45). Resilient thrust means (85) are arranged to exert an increased driving force of said operating member (30) and adjustable control means (100) are provided whereby said thrust means (85) is operative to augment the driving force to said operating member (30) over a defined but variable part of said range of movement corresponding to movement of the door over the final part of its movement into its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Samuel Heath & Sons PLC
    Inventor: Barrie Jones
  • Publication number: 20030140451
    Abstract: A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Steven L. Bivens, Joseph J. Bella, Jeffery S. Cascio
  • Patent number: 6594864
    Abstract: A cushioning device (10, 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Utescheny AG
    Inventors: Verena Epp, Uwe Luksch
  • Patent number: 6591454
    Abstract: A hinge for pieces of furniture comprising a hinge arm (2) and a hinge casing (1) which are connected to each other by means of at least one hinge axle. The hinge arm (2) is provided with a fluid damper (20). The fluid damper is mounted on the side of the hinge arm without the use of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Julius Blum Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Klaus Brustle
  • Patent number: 6510588
    Abstract: A turning mechanism for providing a turning motion, and a hinged electronic device. The turning mechanism comprises a power element which is arranged to generate the turning force for the turning motion, and a damping element which is arranged to control the speed of the turning motion. The damping element comprises a substantially cylindrical casing inside of which a spindle is mounted using a clearance fit. The power element is connected with respect to the spindle to allow the spindle to rotate inside the casing along with the turning motion. The clearance fit between the casing and the spindle is provided with an elastic medium which controls the motion of the spindle with respect to the casing and dampens the stopping of the turning motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventor: Marko Eromäki