Abstract: The present invention relates to a door stopper (10) comprising a dampening piston (30), a pin holder (40) provided at the piston end (32) of the piston shaft (31) of the dampening piston (30), and a spring (56) connected to the pin holder (40), in order to decelerate the sliding door during opening thereof in vehicles having sliding door and in order to reduce the hitting effect. As an improvement, the present invention is characterized by comprising a first roller (60) and a second roller (70) connected to each other so as to rotate together in a coaxial manner, and a first rope (61) connected to the pin holder (40) from one end and connected to the first roller (60) from the other end and a second rope (71) connected to the spring (56) from one end and connected to the second roller (70) from the other end, and further characterized in that the first roller (60) is greater than the second roller (70).

Abstract: A dual actuator pneumatic gate closer coupled to a gate including a pair of pneumatic actuators each including a tube having a first and a second end together with a piston/rod combination movable between an extended and retracted position, a first and second coupling block affixed to the first end of each tube and each rod respectively, a spring movable between an expanded and compressed configuration disposed within each tube and a first and second actuator rod coupled between the gate and the first coupling block and a gate post and the second coupling block respectively such that when the gate is moved to an open position each actuator rod extends the corresponding rod compressing the corresponding spring and when the gate is released each spring expands retracting the corresponding rod extending the corresponding actuator rod closing the gate.

Abstract: An opening and closing support mechanism includes: a main body; an opening and closing member; and a support member includes: a first joint support portion that curves to deform when the opening and closing member is closed, and extends straight when the opening and closing member is opened; and a projection portion that projects to an opposite side of a curving side of the first joint support portion at a side of either one end portion or the other end portion of first joint support portion when the opening and closing member is closed, and is elastically deformed in a direction of approaching the first joint support portion while pressed against a portion of the main body or opening and closing member when the opening and closing member is opened, and the support member being fitted between the main body and the opening and closing member.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a damper device which can facilitate an operation to incorporate it into a storage device including an openable/closable member. The damper device includes a cylindrical-shaped cylinder 10, a piston 20 reciprocatingly movable within the cylinder 10 in the axial direction, a piston rod 30 having one end connected to the piston 20 with the other end exposed from the cylinder 10, and a spring 40 for energizing the piston rod 30 in a direction to push it into the inside of the cylinder 10. The damper device further includes hold means which, against the energizing force of the spring 40, can hold a piston 20 connecting member at a moved position where it has been pulled out from the cylinder 10. The hold means includes, for example, a secured pawl 31 provided on the piston rod 30 and an engaging hole 55 formed in a cap 50.

Abstract: A flexible inflatable hinge includes curable resin for rigidly positioning panels of solar cells about the hinge in which wrap around contacts and flex circuits are disposed for routing power from the solar cells to the power bus further used for grounding the hinge. An indium tin oxide and magnesium fluoride coating is used to prevent static discharge while being transparent to ultraviolet light that cures the embedded resin after deployment for rigidizing the inflatable hinge.

Abstract: An automatic door closer for a sliding door. The closer has a reel with a cable extending around a pulley on the end of the rod of a return mechanism. In preferred embodiments, the return mechanism is an oil dammed gas spring or a magnetic spring. A spool rotates on a common shaft with the reel and is wound with a flat tape which is attached to the door frame. The reel, spool, return mechanism and cable are attached to the door so that application of an opening force will cause the cylinder rod to retract. Upon release, the stored energy will cause the rod to extend, rotating the reel and spool to wind the tape onto the spool applying a controlled rate closing force. The spool has a core with a greater diameter than the core of the reel so a mechanical advantage exists between the spool and reel and friction is reduced.

Abstract: A string type air damper includes a cylinder formed in a tubular shape, defining a guide hole at one end portion thereof, a piston, which moves in the cylinder, a helical spring for biasing the piston toward the other end portion of the cylinder, and a string member guided from inside of the cylinder to outside thereof through the guide hole. The piston and the string member are integrally formed. Since the string member is formed integrally with the piston, unlike a method according to a related art, it becomes unnecessary to form a loop at the base end portion of the string member with a complicated work and form a hook portion at the piston and hook the base end portion of the string member at the hook portion of the piston. Therefore, the string type air damper can be very easily assembled.

Abstract: A door hinge and closure mechanism which includes a hinge unit and a closure unit is described. The hinge and closure units are integral in that a hinge plate of the hinge unit serves as a support for components of the closure unit. Generally, the closure unit applies a pre-load force on the door when the door is in a closed position. When the door is between a closed position and a neutral force position, the closure unit applies a substantially constant closure force on the door. Once the door is opened beyond a first lock position, the closure unit applies resisting forces to the door when the door which act as a deterrent to further opening of the door. Rather than being expanded during door opening as with known spring closure mechanisms, the spring of the above described closure unit is compressed. Compressing the spring is believed to result in a more smooth and constant closure force on the door, as well as extending the useful life of the spring.

Abstract: A linear motion absorber for damping linear movement utilizing a cylinder having a reciprocal piston located therein. The cylinder and piston are molded of synthetic plastic and the piston is of an extended length and a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the cylinder as to be self aligning therewith and includes a homogeneous annular lip seal to produce unidirectional sealing. The piston stem or rod is also of a synthetic plastic material and in the rigid stem embodiment homogeneously extends from the piston. The piston rod may also consist of a flexible synthetic strand attached to the piston for transmitting tension forces, and a compression spring within the cylinder acting upon the piston will position the piston to a retracted position. The open end of the cylinder is sealed by a removable cap entirely formed of a synthetic plastic material which may be readily affixed to the cylinder to produce a closed circuit during damping.

Abstract: A sliding door closer for automatically returning a sliding door to a closed position includes a gas spring having a cylinder and a rod slidingly received thereby. Pressurized gas within the cylinder urges the rod to an extended position. A block and tackle pulley system is secured to the opposing ends of the gas spring for rotatably supporting a cable extending between the sliding door and the door jamb. The gas spring rod is compressed as the door is opened. Extension of the gas spring rod causes the door to close when released. A piston secured to the gas spring rod has an orifice therein for causing the rod to extend at a controlled rate. The cylinder includes a quantity of oil to cushion the final extension of the rod to further slow the final closing of the door. The gas spring and pulley system fit compactly within the frame of the door or within a tubular housing secured to a side of the door.