Spring Patents (Class 16/85)
  • Publication number: 20140345083
    Abstract: A door stay for attachment to a door above a floor, the door stay comprising a mounting means, and a floor-contacting element rotatably mounted on said mounting means, the floor-contacting element being biased against said floor by the mounting means. Preferably, the floor-contacting element is a ball and the ball moves over the floor under tension. The door stay provides significant advantages in the positioning of a door so that it will not swing to and fro, but which can still nevertheless be swung open when desired by manual operation of the door. The door stay is attachable to the lower edge of the door, wherever required and removed when no longer required, or when it is required somewhere else. All of these features are provided in a relatively simple low cost door stay which is highly effective in practical use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Maxtech Consumer Products Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Mackay, Olivier Mayrand, Gilles Louis Vachon
  • Patent number: 8893351
    Abstract: A door stop having a first member and a second member, the second member reciprocally telescopically engaged with said first member with a springing element responsive to the movement of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Blue Chip Welding, LLC
    Inventor: James F. Payson
  • Patent number: 8869350
    Abstract: A door check for an automobile has an arm with a cam formed between oppositely directed flanks. A unitary energy storage component cooperates with the arm to provide progressive resistance to opening and closing and a plurality of stable positions. The unitary energy storage component includes a pair of springs, each connected to shoes that bear against the flanks and load the springs in torsion as the shoes moves along the cam. The unitary energy storage component is formed as an integral unit to facilitate handling and assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolph Gruber
  • Patent number: 8857889
    Abstract: A door check system includes a rod interconnecting a door assembly and a body of a vehicle. The door check system secures the position of the door assembly at any location along a swing path of the door assembly, between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A coil spring is disposed about the rod, with the rod extending through a central aperture thereof. An actuator is coupled to the coil spring and configured for tightening and loosening the coil spring about the rod. When the actuator tightens the spring about the rod, the spring grasps the rod and secures the position of the door assembly relative to the body. When the actuator loosens the spring from about the rod, the door assembly is free to move along the swing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Carl W. Wellborn, Timothy Saunders, Erik Rasmussen, Mary Ellen DeCaluwe, Thomas E. Houck
  • Publication number: 20140298614
    Abstract: A blocking device that includes a blocking pin movable on the first element between an unblocked position and a blocked position, and an actuating element secured to the second element and arranged to move the blocking pin. The blocking pin is fastened to the first element by a stressing element arranged to exert a force stressing the blocking pin toward its unblocked position between the unblocked position and an intermediate position of the blocking pin, and to exert a force stressing the blocking pin toward its blocked position between the intermediate position and the blocked position of the blocking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Olivier Leborgne
  • Patent number: 8776316
    Abstract: A device for preventing injury between the surfaces of the leading edge of a closing door and an edge of a recess surrounded by a door jamb which surrounds the door when closed. The device features a housing and two sequential translating members which contact the recess edge and maintain a gap between it and the door edge for a dwell time which the second member remains between the two edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Carlsbad Safety Products, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. McRoskey, John W. McRoskey
  • Patent number: 8776315
    Abstract: A damping device that includes an arm having a longitudinally extending slot and a cylinder cut-out defined therein, and a damping assembly secured in the cylinder cut-out. The damping assembly includes a cylinder housing with a chamber having a piston and fluid disposed therein. The piston includes a rod with a head on a distal end thereof that extends outside the cylinder housing and into the slot. The damping assembly includes a biasing member extending between the cylinder housing and the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Robert Wach, John Michael Roche, Sesha Madireddi, Raghujit Kunapuli
  • Publication number: 20140115823
    Abstract: A detachable and adjustable damper hinge attachment for connection to pre-installed hinge hardware to dampen the closing motion of a swinging cabinet door. The attachment comprises a housing and a spring damper assembly slidingly and removably engaged with the housing. The housing includes an attachment means for detachable engagement with a hinge body. The spring damper assembly extends from the housing and contacts a portion of the hinge to which the door is mounted. One embodiment positions the spring damper assembly to more perpendicularly meet the door portion of the hinge. Another embodiment includes an adjustment knob for adapting the contact point of the spring damper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: HARDWARE RESOURCES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Jeffrey Lowe
  • Publication number: 20140062711
    Abstract: A door safety device for either a hinged or a sliding door which when closing places the vertical door side edge in a position abutting the vertical face of either of two sides of a door jamb, or the vertical face of another sliding door, or the threshold end of a sliding door track. The device employs a body in pivotal engagement with a resilient body for positioning the body in an as-used position between the door side edge and the vertical face to maintain a gap to prevent finger crushing. A curved leading edge provides a deflection of impact forces upon the resilient body to prevent marring of the vertical face of the door jamb or threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Carlsbad Safety Products LLC
    Inventors: Peter K. McROSKEY, John W. McRoskey, Daniel A. McRoskey
  • Patent number: 8656555
    Abstract: A door locking prevention device can be placed on a door to prevent the door from closing tight and locking. The door locking prevention device may be useful for first responders so that, upon passing through a door, then can be assured that exit back through the door is not prevented due to the door closing and locking. The door locking prevention device may include a feature where, once installed on a door, removal without an appropriate tool or key is difficult or impossible. The door locking prevention device includes two members that can be tightened together to clamp on an outer periphery of a door, preventing the door from closing fully. The door locking prevention device may include a lamp, strobe, GPS locator or other feature to help find deployed devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Shaun Brown
  • Publication number: 20140007375
    Abstract: A device for preventing injury between the surfaces of the leading edge of a closing door and an edge of a recess surrounded by a door jamb which surrounds the door when closed. The device features a housing and two sequential translating members which contact the recess edge and maintain a gap between it and the door edge for a dwell time which the second member remains between the two edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Carlsbad Safety Products, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. McRoskey, John W. McRoskey
  • Patent number: 8621713
    Abstract: In an arrangement for damping and/or retarding a movable part, including a housing with a pressure member slidably supported in the housing and a cylinder piston unit arranged in the pressure member and in the housing wherein the housing includes a mounting flange with a support surface provided with at least two throughbores, the mounting flange has at least two spaced guide surfaces which are oriented at least approximately normal to the support surface, the guide surfaces delimiting an adapter area at several sides thereof. The damping arrangement can be used and installed rapidly and accurately to various types of hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20140000066
    Abstract: A cushion member includes a resilient material body having multiple different diameters defining a body bell-shape. The body includes a solid first portion having a first diameter. An aperture extends through the first portion transverse to a body longitudinal axis. A hollow second portion defines a hollow chamber in communication with the aperture. The second portion has a second diameter larger than the first portion first diameter. A third portion has a third diameter smaller than the second diameter. An end flange is connected to the third portion. The differing first, second, and third diameters induce the body to elastically compress when a force is applied to the end flange and to return to an uncompressed state after force dissipation. A flow rate of air forced out of the hollow chamber during second and third portion compression and out the aperture is restricted by an aperture diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Tien T. Diep, Terri L. Wernert
  • Publication number: 20130318743
    Abstract: A check link assembly for positioning a vehicle closure has a selectively positionable detent feature. The check link assembly includes an elongated link having a distal end. At least one cover is attachable to the link in a first orientation and in a second orientation. The cover has a first end, a second end, and a contoured surface between the first end and the second end. At least one member is biased against the link and is configured to ride against the contoured surface of the cover. The contoured surface at least partially defines a detent feature that interferes with the biased member to increase resistance to relative movement of the link and the biased member, thereby establishing a stop position. The detent feature is further from the distal end of the link when the cover is in the first orientation than when the cover is in the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Balakrishna Chinta, Raymond R. Lipowski, Tze On Hui
  • Patent number: 8579092
    Abstract: A damper unit which brakes the speed of movement of a moving body by using a piston damper provided with a cylinder and a piston rod which is connected to a piston inside the cylinder, is provided. The damper unit includes a case wherein the above-mentioned piston damper is disposed; a transmitting member slidably provided inside the case and transmitting an external force accompanied by the movement of the above-mentioned moving body; a link member whose one end side is attached to the above-mentioned case so as to become the rotational center, and also whose the other end side is pivotally supported by the above-mentioned transmitting member; and a connecting member connected between both ends of the link member and being in contact with or connected to either the piston rod or the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiko Kimura
  • Publication number: 20130291336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door holder, comprising a housing that can be fastened to one door and door frame, a stay bar, which penetrates an opening in the housing and can be pivotally fastened to the other door and door frame, and at least one braking member, which interacts with a flat side of the stay bar and is disposed in the housing, wherein the flat side and the braking element are biased toward each other at least in regions of the extension of the stay bar, wherein a retaining force can be produced, which acts at least in one of the displacement directions of the stay bar as a function of the local surface property of the flat side and of the braking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Edscha AG
    Inventors: Peter Hoffmann, Gundolf Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 8567012
    Abstract: A door check apparatus for an automobile comprises a unitary check body containing a pair of compliant leaves and a guidance arrangement which is adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicle door. It also comprises a check arm containing cam surfaces and detent features which is pivotally connected to a vehicle body structure and is configured to slideably interface with the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body. The unitary check body is manufactured from a resilient material so that the compliant leaves are capable of storing and releasing energy in response to the movement of the cam surfaces and detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement. Rotary motion of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body structure is checked with predetermined forces generated from the energy stored and released by the compliant leaves at positions determined by the relationship between the detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventor: Billy Chean Wang Ng
  • Patent number: 8544898
    Abstract: In a damping mechanism for a pivot door arranged in a door frame, comprising a door fixture arranged in or on the door panel, a frame fixture arranged in or on the door frame, a damper arrangement arranged in the door fixture or the frame fixture and a damper arrangement counter part mounted in the frame fixture or in the door fixture, a damper arrangement with a brake catcher provided with a damper member includes a spring element which pulls the brake catcher into the fixture and the damper arrangement counter part includes at least one trigger element which is abutted by the brake catcher during closing of the door, so that the damper arrangement begins to dampen the pivot movement of the door as soon as a fixture part of the door comes into contact with a fixture part of the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20130239365
    Abstract: A door stop having a first member and a second member, the second member reciprocally telescopically engaged with said first member with a springing element responsive to the movement of the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: James F. Payson
  • Patent number: 8528708
    Abstract: An air damper is provided which can exhibit an appropriate braking force in accordance with an input load. There is provided an air damper including: a tubular cylinder 1 in which both end portions are opened; a piston 2 which moves within the cylinder 1; and a cap 3 which closes a one-end opening of the cylinder 1, wherein the cylinder 1 has an annular seal surface 4 formed on a circumferential surface of the one-end opening, wherein the cap is mounted on the one-end opening side of the cylinder 1 so as to be moveable or deformable along an axial direction of the cylinder 1, wherein the cap is brought into contact with or separated from the seal surface 4 in accordance with a pressure change due to a movement of the piston 2 within the cylinder 1, and wherein a first orifice 14 is opened in a base plate 12 of the cap, characterized in that: a second orifice having an inlet area smaller than the first orifice is defined between the cap 3 and the cylinder 1 during an operation of the first orifice 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakai, Tomoyoshi Ohnuki, Takao Nagai
  • Patent number: 8517211
    Abstract: A ventilation apparatus for a cooler combination. The ventilation apparatus has a first cooler engageable portion and a second cooler engageable portion. Each portion is configured to interoperate with either a first cooler location or a second cooler location. A body section connects the first and second cooler engageable portions together. The cooler has four perimeter walls and a lid. The ventilation apparatus is positioned at the first cooler location and second cooler locations which are located on the lid and the perimeter walls. The apparatus maintains a ventilation space between the lid and the cooler perimeter walls promoting ventilation of the interior space of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Chris Brown, Chad Gibbon
  • Patent number: 8505169
    Abstract: A hinge is provided. In at least one embodiment, the hinge includes: a first hinge leaf; a second hinge leaf interleaved with the first hinge leaf; a housing defined within a posterior side of at least one of the first hinge leaf and the second hinge leaf and configured to receive a conduit adapted to receive and pass through a medium of power transfer from the first hinge leaf to the second hinge leaf on an anterior side of the first hinge leaf and second hinge leaf; and an aperture defined on the anterior side of at least one of the first hinge leaf and the second hinge leaf through which to access the housing. In various embodiments the hinge can include multiple housings, fittings, turrets, and ball-and-socket fittings. In various embodiments, conduits are flexible, rigid, both flexible and rigid, elastic, braided, and telescoping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Wesley Wood, Matthew Wood
  • Publication number: 20130160242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture damper for damping a movement of a movably mounted part of a piece of furniture or a movably mounted component of a furniture fitting, comprising a piston arranged in a fluid chamber, a damping action being carried out by a relative movement between the fluid chamber and the piston, in addition to a sealing device for sealing the fluid chamber, said sealing device comprising a first abutment element and a second abutment element that is movably mounted in relation to the first abutment element and designed to seal the fluid chamber. A spring is arranged between the first abutment element and the second abutment element, said spring being compressible by the relative movement of the first abutment element and the second abutment element essentially up to the thickness of the cross-section of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • Patent number: 8458857
    Abstract: A device includes a base attachable to a first side of a door; a swing arm coupled to the base, the swing arm including a bracket flange configured to extend across an edge of the door between the first side of the door and a second side of the door opposite the first side of the door; and a biasing member coupled between the swing arm and the base and configured to urge the swing arm from a retracted position in which the bracket flange is adjacent the edge to an extended position in which the bracket flange is apart from the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: ADCO Industries—Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Davis, Clifton Glenn Hampton
  • Patent number: 8429793
    Abstract: A door check is provided comprising a housing (2) that can be fixed to a door or door frame and is provided with a first housing half (3) and a second housing half (4) which can be connected to each other, and a stay bar (24) that penetrates an opening (23) within the housing (2) and is pivotally mounted on the door frame or door, the housing (2) and the stay bar (24) not being fixed to/mounted on the same part. The first housing half (3) and the second housing half (4) respectively delimit only one section of the circumference of the opening (23). In order to create a door check that allows reliable and secure retaining and can be produced at low cost, a braking member (13) which is biased in the direction of the stay bar (24) by means of a spring element (20) is disposed in at least one of the two housing halves (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Edscha AG
    Inventors: Gundolf Heinrichs, Ute Krüger, Peter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8424159
    Abstract: A door retaining device having a housing and a retaining rod which traverses it, the device including a brake housed in the housing having a brake body stressed by a corresponding compression spring towards the retaining rod. The housing is formed by several parts assembled to one another, including a guide body molded in plastic for guiding the rod, provided with a through hole which is traversed by the rod and with at least one side hole in communication with the through hole; and a receptacle, detachably plugged to the side hole of the guide body, which houses and guides the movement of the brake body towards the retaining rod through the side hole, and in which the compression spring is supported to exert its thrusting action on the brake body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Flexngate Automotive Iberica, S.A.
    Inventors: Joaquin Nicolas Domingo, Aitor Agell Merino
  • Patent number: 8413298
    Abstract: A universal damping mechanism is provided, including a housing having a mounting surface for fixing the housing to an appropriate furniture or fixture surface. The mounting surface includes a bottom surface of a box-shaped portion of the housing, which further includes a pair of laterally opposed side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom surface. Each lateral side surface includes a recessed portion defining a first opening of an angled hole communicating with a second opening of the angled hole provided in the bottom surface proximate a central portion thereof. A shock absorber subassembly is slidably positioned within a shock absorber receiving portion of the housing and has a first end extending from a first end of the housing, and an adjustment mechanism is coupled to a second end of the housing and adjustably engaged with a second end of the shock absorber subassembly within the shock absorber receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Grass America, Inc.
    Inventors: Georg Domenig, Jeffery Morgan, Marte Yerkins, Manfred Peer
  • Publication number: 20130074412
    Abstract: A door check system includes a rod interconnecting a door assembly and a body of a vehicle. The door check system secures the position of the door at any location along a swing path of the door, between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The door check system includes a rod interconnecting the door assembly and the body. A coil spring is disposed about the rod, with the rod extending through a central aperture thereof. An actuator is coupled to the coil spring and configured for tightening and loosening the coil spring about the rod. When the actuator tightens the spring about the rod, the spring grasps the rod and secures the position of the door assembly relative to the body. When the actuator loosens the spring from about the rod, the door assembly is free to move along the swing path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Carl W. Wellborn, Timothy Saunders, Erik Rasmussen, Mary Ellen DeCaluwe, Thomas E. Houck
  • Publication number: 20130061425
    Abstract: A shock absorbing damper incorporated into a shock absorbing/door pull-in mechanism includes a piston inside thereof. If the sliding door is moved in a closing direction, one end of a rod connected to the sliding door closes a pressure release hole formed in a central portion of the piston. Then, a resistance to movement of the piston is generated to absorb a shock occurring when the sliding door is closed. On the other hand, if the sliding door is moved in an opening direction, the rod is separated from the piston. As a result, the pressure release hole in the piston is opened and a shock attenuating medium (oil) flows through the pressure release hole and therefore the sliding door moves lightly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuuzou INAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130055529
    Abstract: A door check for an automobile has an arm with a cam formed between oppositely directed flanks. A unitary energy storage component cooperates with the arm to provide progressive resistance to opening and closing and a plurality of stable positions. The unitary energy storage component includes a pair of springs, each connected to shoes that bear against the flanks and load the springs in torsion as the shoes moves along the cam. The unitary energy storage component is formed as an integral unit to facilitate handling and assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Rudolf Gruber
  • Publication number: 20130055530
    Abstract: A door check for an automobile has an arm with a cam formed between oppositely directed flanks. A unitary energy storage component cooperates with the arm to provide progressive resistance to opening and closing and a plurality of stable positions. The unitary energy storage component includes a pair of springs, each connected to shoes that bear against the flanks and load the springs in torsion as the shoes moves along the cam. The unitary energy storage component is formed as an integral unit to facilitate handling and assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf Gruber
  • Publication number: 20130055528
    Abstract: A detachable and adjustable damper hinge attachment for connection to pre-installed hinge hardware to dampen the closing motion of a swinging cabinet door. The attachment comprises a housing and a spring damper assembly slidingly and removably engaged with the housing. The housing includes an attachment means for detachable engagement with a hinge body. The spring damper assembly extends from the housing and contacts a portion of the hinge to which the door is mounted. One embodiment positions the spring damper assembly to more perpendicularly meet the door portion of the hinge. Another embodiment includes an adjustment knob for adapting the contact point of the spring damper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Jeffrey Lowe
  • Patent number: 8387211
    Abstract: An arrester (1) for locking a vehicle door or vehicle flap or the like in the open position has a male arrester part (2) for fastening to a first vehicle part, with a locking bolt (4), and a female arrester part (3) for fastening to a second vehicle part. The locking bolt (4) can be inserted into female arrester part. The second arrester part has a rotary latch mechanism for latching the inserted locking bolt (4) and a blocking element (118) for locking the rotary latch mechanism in the position latching the locking bolt (4). Both the male arrester part (2) and the female arrester part (3) have a pushbutton mechanism for releasing the locking of the rotary latch mechanism, the locking of the rotary latch mechanism being releasable by actuating either one of the pushbutton mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: D. La Porte Söhne GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Kutschat
  • Publication number: 20130028544
    Abstract: A linear bearing drawer slide assembly comprised of a spring damper mechanism attached to a fixed member slidingly engaged with a middle member slidingly engaged with a drawer member. The spring damper mechanism is comprised of a base connected to a guide track which includes a longitudinal channel and a pair of opposing catches. A carriage slidingly engages the guide track. A pivotal latch pivots on a column of the carriage and further includes a pair of posts that extend through the carriage to engage the pair of catches in the guide track. The base and the carriage secure a pair of springs providing a balanced closing force against a damper which reduces unwanted wear and prolongs the useable life of the drawer slide assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Jeffrey Lowe
  • Publication number: 20130000207
    Abstract: A device for attenuating movement of a door includes a housing having a first surface spaced apart from a second surface for defining a sliding path for an elongated sliding member. The elongated sliding member engages with at least one of the first and second surfaces when the elongated member slides in a first direction. A connecting member having a first end connected to the door and the other end to the elongated sliding member is provided so that opening of the door moves the sliding member in the first direction. Damping material is disposed between the elongated sliding member and at least one of the first and second surfaces. The damping material applies surface tension forces to the elongated sliding member when sliding in the first direction such that movement of the door attenuates or dampens the movement of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Dale Cook, Ian Froi Garcia Divinagracia
  • Publication number: 20130000208
    Abstract: A hold open arm assembly for a door closer to facilitate access to the holding feature by a resiliently biased plunger on a closer arm that is mounted to a soffit plate. A soffit ramp may extend from the soffit plate to provide a sloped surface for engagement by the plunger, leading to the plunger being gradually depressed as the door continues to open and receiving in a recessed area of its free end a rivet head at the soffit plate to hold the door open. When the first arm member pivots relative to the soffit plate and the plunger approaches the head, the plunger engages the sloped surface of the soffit ramp, slides along the sloped surface toward the head, and receives at least a portion of the head in the opening in the free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: YALE SECURITY INC.
    Inventor: Edgar E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20120284963
    Abstract: A door locking prevention device can be placed on a door to prevent the door from closing tight and locking. The door locking prevention device may be useful for first responders so that, upon passing through a door, then can be assured that exit back through the door is not prevented due to the door closing and locking. The door locking prevention device may include a feature where, once installed on a door, removal without an appropriate tool or key is difficult or impossible. The door locking prevention device includes two members that can be tightened together to clamp on an outer periphery of a door, preventing the door from closing fully. The door locking prevention device may include a lamp, strobe, GPS locator or other feature to help find deployed devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Shaun Brown
  • Patent number: 8276240
    Abstract: A door check device to be mounted to a door for selectively maintaining a gap when door closing is attempted. This prevents injuries to children's fingers and the like. The door check includes a base with a journal having action arm pivoted at its proximal end. The arm has a distal end extending outwardly to engage a doorstop. Indexing sockets are formed along the arm's proximal end. Each socket collaborates with the nose of a spring-biased detent to retain the action arm in a preselected position. The arm may be set in a first position to directly engage the doorstop to form a gap. Set in a second position the arm allows door closing but, upon next opening, the arm automatically reverts to door checking position. In a third position the arm is fully lowered to disable the check device. This device may find application to a variety of closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Roman Ritachka
  • Patent number: 8240722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stop armature of an armature system of an aircraft door with a fuselage stop armature (10) and a door stop armature (12, 79), with a stop screw (30; 40; 60) in one of the two stop armatures (10, 12 or 79), which can be pressurized by the other stop armature (10) in the longitudinal direction of the screw (30; 40; 60; 80) on a locating face (34; 52; 70; 88). It is further developed by virtue of the fact that the screw (30; 40; 60; 80) encompasses a screw head (32; 42; 69) with a ball (36; 50; 68; 85) held therein that can rotate around its midpoint (M) as the fulcrum. The invention also relates to a stop screw for a stop armature and the use of a ball thrust screw as the stop screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Dieling, Volker Müncheberg, Dirk Trott
  • Patent number: 8225458
    Abstract: A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the energy storage device from closing the door, and a control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Steven M. Hoffberg
  • Publication number: 20120176014
    Abstract: A consumer appliance with a soft open door mechanism includes a cabinet having top and a bottom and defining an opening along a front side. A door has a top and a bottom and is attached by a hinge to the front side of the cabinet. The hinge is at a bottom of the door so that the door is movable between an upright position closing the opening and a substantially horizontal position opening the opening. A spring is mounted in the cabinet so as to oppose movement of the door toward the horizontal position. A damping device is mounted within the cabinet activatable by an opening movement of the door toward the horizontal position to slow the door motion. The damping device is not active until the door has moved a distance from the upright position toward the horizontal position. Again, various options and modifications are possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron Matthew McDaniel, John Alexander Gardner
  • Patent number: 8186782
    Abstract: Disclosed are a door apparatus for a refrigerator and a damping apparatus for the same. The door apparatus for the refrigerator comprises: a main door for opening/closing the interior of a refrigerator, a sub-door for opening/closing the interior of the refrigerator through a portion of the main door, a sub-door frame disposed on the main door and supporting the sub-door, and a damper disposed at the sub-door frame to reduce an impact due to the pivotal movement of the sub-door. With a damping force required when the door is opened/closed and a more simplified structure of the door, a door design of higher tightness can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Bong Choi
  • Publication number: 20120084941
    Abstract: A gate holder is normally in an open position. When pulled down, a return mechanism is compressed and a gate holding portion engages a self-closing gate for a period of time sufficient to allow a user to move through the gate, and which automatically returns to its open position allowing the gate to close without further interaction by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Theodore John Halter
  • Patent number: 8152147
    Abstract: A torsion spring assembly includes a torsion spring body and a fixed base. The torsion spring body has a first coil part and a second coil part. The first coil part connects to the second coil part. The fixed base has a first fixed arm and a second fixed arm. The first coil part is wound around the first fixed arm and the second coil part is wound around the second fixed arm. The winding direction of the first coil part is perpendicular to the winding direction of the second coil part. A portable electronic device with the torsion spring assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 8136204
    Abstract: A door hinge for a vehicle, having a check function includes: a vehicle body-side hinge member to be fixed to a vehicle body; a door-side hinge member to be fixed to a door; a hinge shaft that relatively rotatably connects between the vehicle body-side hinge member and the door-side hinge member; a movable member capable of being displaced in a direction substantially along this hinge shaft; an operation conversion device that converts a relative rotational operation between the vehicle body-side hinge member and the door-side hinge member into a displacement of the movable member substantially along the axial direction; and a check resistance application device that applies a retention resistance against an operational force to the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ohno, Takeshi Ishikawa, Hidetoshi Ijuin
  • Publication number: 20120030902
    Abstract: Various device and method embodiments for preventing the closing of a door are provided. The device includes a pivot structure and a cushion structure. The pivot structure is connected to the cushion structure. The pivot structure is capable of connecting to a door, wherein the pivot structure is adapted to position the cushion structure in a manner to prevent the door from substantially closing. Related device and method embodiments are disclosed and provide additional advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Donald F. DUFEK
  • Patent number: 8060983
    Abstract: A cushioning device for opening and closing of sliding shutters, particularly of sliding shutters for furniture, to be applied as a single item to each shutter or sliding partition, in order to be able to cushion an end part of their opening and closing movement. The cushioning device includes a cushioning box applied with brackets for support and sliding of the individual shutter; this box being equipped with two opposing braking devices of a rotary type, whose toothed hub directly meshes with a rack fixed to the box, each braking device being joined to its own slider guided by the box and being joined at one end by an elastic device with its opposite end joined to the other slider, both sliders being equipped with a hook for activating and deactivating the corresponding action of the final section of travel to be cushioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Bortoluzzi Mobili S.r.L.
    Inventor: Guido Bortoluzzi
  • Publication number: 20110273065
    Abstract: A merchandiser including a case defining a product display area for supporting and displaying food product. The case includes a case frame that has at least one mullion defining an opening into the product display area, a door that is positioned over the opening and pivotably coupled to the case frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, and a door hold open mechanism attached to either the mullion or the door. The other of the mullion and the door defines a channel, and the door hold open mechanism includes an engagement member that is outwardly biased from the mullion or the door to which the door hold open mechanism is attached such that the engagement member is engageable with the other of the mullion and the door within the channel to hold the door in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: HUSSMANN CORPORATION
    Inventors: David W. Dickey, Paul D. Fogarty, Garrick N. McFarland, Denise Slatton, Raymond P. Twohy
  • Patent number: 8052233
    Abstract: A spring buffer for a furniture item has a furniture body and a furniture part movable from a closed position in or on the furniture body. The spring buffer can be arranged relative to the furniture body and the furniture part such that the movable furniture part in its closed end position can be moved against the force of the spring buffer towards the direction of the furniture body. The spring buffer includes a buffer element for the movable furniture part and the buffer element is acted upon by a spring. The buffer element is movably arranged such that the distance covered by the buffer element against the force of the spring can be changeably adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Emanuel Netzer, Ingo Gasser, Markus Bodingbauer
  • Publication number: 20110187255
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a refrigerator body, a door to open and close the front of the refrigerator body, the door having an opening, a home bar door to open and close the opening, and a hinge device provided at the home bar door, wherein the hinge device includes a hinge shaft, a damper including a case, a first rotation member rotatably disposed in the case, a second rotation member configured to be rotated together with the first rotation member, and a fluid contained in the case to apply rotational resistance to the first rotation member, and an elastic member coupled to the damper to apply force in the direction in which the door is opened, the second rotation member including a fixing part to fix the hinge shaft, a receiving part to receive the elastic member, and a coupling part coupled to the first rotation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Chul Ryu, Yea Jong Bong