Having Power Driven Means Patents (Class 312/319.5)
  • Patent number: 11047161
    Abstract: A furniture drive for moving a furniture part movably supported relative to a furniture carcass the furniture drive includes a housing having a first housing wall to be fixed to the furniture carcass, and a second housing wall at least partially spaced from the first housing wall. At least the first housing wall includes a guide device for guiding a fastener. At least one supporting body is configured so as to be separate from the guide device for guiding the fastener, at least partially surrounds the guide device, and is firmly connected to the first housing wall as well as to the second housing wall so that a movement of the second housing wall relative to the first housing wall is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 10988966
    Abstract: A furniture drive system for a furniture part that is moveably mounted on a furniture body, includes a mechanical control unit having a pivotally mounted control arm for moving the moveable furniture part and at least one energy store for applying force to the control arm; an electric drive unit configured as a component designed to be separate from the mechanical control unit, and which has an electric motor for the electric motor-powered support of the movement of the moveable furniture part and a driver that can be driven by the electric motor for transmitting a torque of the electric motor to the mechanical control unit; and a damping device for damping the movement of the moveable furniture part. The damping device is arranged in the component of the electric drive unit for damping the movement of the moveable furniture part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Haemmerle, Matthias Grimm
  • Patent number: 10653240
    Abstract: A furniture drive includes an entrainment member for retracting a movable furniture part into a closed position, and the entrainment member is displaceably mounted in sections along a linear travel path and can be detachably coupled to the movable furniture part. A spring device applies force to the entrainment member in a retraction direction, and a damping device damps movement of the entrainment member in the retraction direction. The damping device includes a fluid chamber and a ram which is displaceably mounted relative to the fluid chamber. A holding device is arranged between the ram and the entrainment member, and the holding device holds the ram relative to the entrainment member. The ram is movable through an opening of the holding device when a force acting upon the entrainment member in the retraction direction is exceeded, whereby the entrainment member can be decoupled from the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Christof Goetz
  • Patent number: 10582828
    Abstract: A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions. A release mechanism and/or a reset mechanism may be used to control the retracting cycle of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bassam Fawaz
  • Patent number: 10413064
    Abstract: An electric drawer with gesture sensing includes a cabinet body, a controller, a drawer body, a driving device, and a gesture sensor. The gesture sensor is used for sensing a gesture to open or close the drawer body and for transmitting the corresponding information to the controller. After that, the controller controls the operation of the driving device to open or close the drawer. Through this electric drawer, there is no need for the user to manually push and pull the drawer, and the user can open or close the drawer with a gesture to facilitate the use of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DONG GUAN SONG WEI ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weilin Lu
  • Patent number: 10139154
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment, a door hingedly connected to the cabinet for opening and closing the storage compartment, a drawer provided in the storage compartment, a sensor for sensing whether the door is open, an electric driving unit including a moving frame, the electric driving unit being configured to move the drawer to a manipulating position spaced apart forward from an initial position by a predetermined distance through forward movement of the moving frame when it is sensed that the door is open, and a rail configured to allow the drawer to move forward and rearward relative to the storage compartment, wherein the electric driving unit is driven to return the moving frame to the initial position after the moving frame is moved to the manipulating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Changwoan Yang, Daejin Choi, Dongjeong Kim
  • Patent number: 9777514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock (1) which can be actively released and locked by control technology, particularly for use in automatic storage machines having a plurality of compartments with compartment doors (2) which are to be opened individually, and to an automatic storage machine having at least one such lock (1). The lock (1) comprises a detent pawl (14), which can lock a locking element (9), which is permanently connected to a compartment door (2), in the lock such that the compartment door (2) can be held in closed position. The lock further has a first electric drive element (17) which transitions the detent pawl (14) from the locking position to a release position upon the applying of electrical power, such that the compartment door (2) can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KEBA AG
    Inventor: Franz Engelbert Haidvogl
  • Patent number: 9081887
    Abstract: A medication storage and dispensing workstation for use in a medication management system administering the inventory and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in a healthcare environment is disclosed. The workstation incorporates a linear drawer assembly having a plurality of discrete, removable, storage modules for containing medications and/or other medical supplies. The storage modules are arranged in a linear array extending longitudinally along the travel path of the linear drawer assembly. Each storage module, in turn, comprises a drawer that is extensible laterally relative to the linear arrangement of the storage modules. As such, the drawer assemblies comprise a compartmentalized “drawer-in-drawer” arrangement that provides an efficient use of storage space and enables a user to utilize the workstation in a workspace having a smaller footprint that traditional storage cabinet apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: InterMetro Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Olson, Scott Curtis Miller, James Leo Kilgallon, Tobin H. Williams, Paul Prickett, Karl Haiden, Scott Harshbarger, Adam Troup, Patrick Sweeney
  • Patent number: 8991951
    Abstract: A pop-up monitor with an obstacle sensing function is provided. The pop-up monitor includes a body housing and a monitor frame which is installed to move in a vertical direction with respect to the body housing. The pop-up monitor includes a driving unit, a sensor, and a controller. The driving unit includes a motor, a rotational shaft, and a gear set which transfers a rotational motion of the motor to the rotational shaft. The sensor outputs a sensing signal for whether the rotational shaft rotates. The controller outputs a control signal for a rotational direction of the motor according to the sensing signal and state information regarding whether the motor rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joung Hoon Lee, Wan Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8955802
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luggage storage compartment for an aircraft having high ease of operation. Specifically, the luggage storage compartment comprises a housing and a housing container, with a drive device for moving the housing container between an open position O and a closed position C, with a closure apparatus for locking and unlocking the housing container in the closed position C, and with a control device for controlling the drive device, the control device being designed to actuate the drive device so that said drive device in a relief cycle guides the luggage container first into a relief region R and then into the closed position C, the closure apparatus being lockable or unlockable in a relieved state in the relief cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: Diehl AirCabin GmbH, Diehl Aerospace GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Zinke, Andreas Hanft, Oleg Graf
  • Patent number: 8894163
    Abstract: An ejection device for a movable furniture component disposed in or against a furniture body includes an electric motor, a lever having a free end for ejecting the movable furniture component, and a gear mechanism for transmitting force from the electric motor to the lever. The gear mechanism has a slipping clutch which includes a spring washer and driving dogs. The spring washer extends upon overload and slips over the driving dogs. The ejection device may also include a path measuring device which activates the ejection device. The path measuring device can be a potentiometer directly coupled to the lever such that slipping of the slipping clutch does not change a position of the potentiometer relative to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Gasser
  • Publication number: 20140265782
    Abstract: An arrangement for moving a moveable furniture part, has an ejection device for the ejection of the furniture part from the closed position to a first open position, and the ejection device includes a force accumulator. A loading device loads the force accumulator by a closing movement of the furniture part. The loading of the force accumulator is accomplished by a loading path having an end point, and the force accumulator is fully loaded at the end point of the loading path. The loading path has a variable starting point), and the starting point is defined for a closing movement of the furniture part by the position of the furniture part at the beginning of a closing movement from a second open position which is greater than the first open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Fredi DUBACH
  • Publication number: 20140225491
    Abstract: A controlled access pharmaceutical storage cabinet has at least one pull-out drawer that is divided into a number of locked compartments, arranged in rows. Each row of compartments can be configured as a slide-out tray. A slide bar lock is positioned between rows of the compartments, and has a series of slots along each edge which align with lock pins on hinged lids or covers for the compartments. Only one compartment can be opened at a time. A gear-motor is provided for each slide bar to move the slide bar to a position for access to a given compartment. A locking hinged front door panel can swing down to allow the trays to slide out under the locked lids for refilling or replacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Norman A. Shoenfeld
  • Publication number: 20140175962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of furniture having an outer construction, an inner body that can be raised and lowered in relation to the outer construction via a body motor, and a leaf that is movable via a leaf motor for covering the front face of the raised inner body, wherein the leaf is articulated on the outer construction, wherein an electronic control means operable by way of at least one operating switch for coordinated actuation of the leaf motor and the body motor is provided, wherein starting from a position with the leaf open and the inner body lowered, the inner body first moves at least partially upwards before the leaf closes in order to close the piece of furniture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut HOLLENSTEIN
  • Patent number: 8696076
    Abstract: The invention relates to a furniture item having a furniture body and a folding flap, wherein the folding flap comprises at least three sub-flaps arranged one above the other. A first sub-flap is pivotally mounted relative to the furniture body, a second sub-flap is pivotally mounted with respect to the first sub-flap and a third sub-flap is pivotally mounted relative to the second sub-flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: David Karg
  • Patent number: 8692497
    Abstract: Electromotive furniture-flap drive, characterized by an identification device for automatically identifying the type of furniture flap in the installed state of the furniture flap drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Vogel, Christian Theimer
  • Patent number: 8677568
    Abstract: A furniture hinge is provided for pivotally connecting at least two parts of a piece of furniture. The furniture hinge includes at least two fastening pieces which can be fixed to one part of the piece of furniture, respectively, and can be hingedly joined to each other via at least one articulated shaft. The inventive furniture hinge further includes at least one motor, preferably an electric motor, for swiveling the fastening pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Sutterlütti
  • Patent number: 8668284
    Abstract: An ejector for ejecting a movable furniture part from a closed end position in or on a furniture body includes an ejection lever that can be driven by an electrical drive unit, in particular an electric motor. The ejection lever has a first ejection lever part and a second ejection lever part that can be moved relative to the first ejection lever part. An adjusting device causes the length of the ejection lever to change during the ejection process as a result of the two ejection lever parts sliding relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Hauer
  • Patent number: 8662605
    Abstract: A mobile technology cabinet includes a compartment having a work platform mounted for rotational motion between a substantially vertical storage position and a deployed position. A monitor support is operatively connected to the work platform such that movement of the work platform between the storage position and the deployed position causes the monitor support to rise from a storage position to a deployed position. The work platform may be rotated relative to the cabinet to simultaneously deploy the work surface and to raise the monitor. A base supports the cabinet for movement on wheels. A frame extends from the base and supports a cabinet such that the cabinet is movable between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Grant McRorie, Michael T. Kopczewski, Sean David Montag, Jay F. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20140049147
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a controlling method thereof are provided. A fastened mechanism of the electronic apparatus is configured to secure a first housing and a second housing of the electronic apparatus. An operating object within a sensing range is sensed via a first sensor unit. A first sensing signal is sent to a control unit when the sensor unit sensed the operating object within the sensing range. A control signal is sent to the fastened mechanism for unlocking the fastened mechanism when the control unit receives the first sensing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chun-Te Shen, Yung-Ming Tien, Chih-Tarng Chuang, Hong-Tien Wang, Shi-Kuan Chen, Shih-Chin Gong, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Wei-Chih Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140028168
    Abstract: Height-adjustable work table, preferably kitchen table, comprising at least one cabinet (1) on top of which a table top is located. The cabinet(s) (1) is located on a number of electrically driven height-adjustable platforms (2). In that the platforms (2) are mutually retained by at least one connection rail (14) these appear as stable both during the assembly of the work table and of the assembled table. Between a surface, typically a floor on which the platform is located, and an underside of the cabinet a toe kick (4) is placed. This toe kick (4) is telescopic in height such that the toe kick (4) regardless of the adjusted height of the kitchen table shuts off access under the cabinet. The connection rail (14) may constitute an element of the telescopic toe kick (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Norbert Klinke
  • Patent number: 8622491
    Abstract: A container data center includes a housing, a driving device, a gear device, and a rope. The hosing includes a sidewall, and the gear device and the driving device are received within the housing. The gear device includes a winding member, one end of the rope is connected to the winding member, and the other end is connected to the rotatable sidewall. The winding member is mechanically connected to the driving device, the driving device drives the winding member to wind or unwind the rope, and the sidewall is closed or opened according to the rotation direction of the winding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Yu Fan
  • Patent number: 8596728
    Abstract: A cabinet comprising a holder for attachment of a device comprising a display screen, such as a television device, wherein the cabinet at least comprises a horizontal panel. The cabinet comprises an arrangement for moving the display screen device between two positions, wherein in a first position, called storage position, the display screen is stored below the horizontal panel with the display screen in a lying position and in a second position, called operating position, the display screen is situated externally of the cabinet above the horizontal panel with the screen in standing, essentially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ER Wonen
    Inventor: Reinier I. J. Rozestraten
  • Publication number: 20130298585
    Abstract: An appliance is provided including a noise reduction device to reduce noise generated within a main body of the appliance. The noise reduction device may include a sound absorbing plate having a plurality of sound absorbing holes and a resonance member, one side of which is open and having a hollow portion, so that noise generated by a drive of the appliance passes through the noise reduction device, in order to efficiently reduce noise in the appliance and achieve an increase of internal capacity, a decrease in weight, and a reduction in manufacturing costs for the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Byoungsoo JE
  • Patent number: 8579390
    Abstract: A supporting structure includes an outer body and an inner body that can be lowered. The supporting structure includes two side elements to be installed on the wall at a distance from each other, and at least one cross member detachably connecting the side elements to each other. The supporting structure also has separate fastening points for independently installing the outer body and the inner body on the supporting structure. Each side element has a preferably preinstalled, vertically movable supporting element on the inside facing the inner body, and the supporting elements have the fastening points for the inner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Bruestle, Helmut Hollenstein
  • Patent number: 8562087
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling such a refrigerator is provided in which a receiving box may be automatically drawn in and out together with a door that forms a front face thereof in response to a command input at an input unit, thereby increasing user convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Hwan Eom, Myung Keun Yoo, Hyoun Jeong Shin, Ok Sun Yu, Young Jin Kim, Seung Do Han
  • Publication number: 20130249365
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luggage storage compartment for an aircraft having high ease of operation. Specifically, the luggage storage compartment comprises a housing and a housing container, with a drive device for moving the housing container between an open position O and a closed position C, with a closure apparatus for locking and unlocking the housing container in the closed position C, and with a control device for controlling the drive device, the control device being designed to actuate the drive device so that said drive device in a relief cycle guides the luggage container first into a relief region R and then into the closed position C, the closure apparatus being lockable or unlockable in a relieved state in the relief cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicants: DIEHL AEROSPACE GMBH, DIEHL AIRCABIN GMBH
    Inventors: Michael ZINKE, Andreas HANFT, Oleg GRAF
  • Publication number: 20130241384
    Abstract: A storage VBS with opposing side walls, a top, a bottom, a back with an open or openable front, houses moveable upper and lower adjustable shelving boxes. The shelving boxes are moveably motorized and controlled sequentially. An upper shelf is made accessible by driving an upper shelving box out of the VBS and then adjusting the shelf height for storage or retrieval of an item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Strauss, Eliza Strauss
  • Publication number: 20130181588
    Abstract: A drawer slide with lock mechanism has an elongated outer slide member extendably coupled to an inner slide member. A latch arm or pin is fixed to the inner slide member for latching by a lock mechanism fixed to the outer slide member. The lock mechanism uses a latch receiver that rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is in a travel path of the latch arm. A lever arm rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is positionable to block rotation of the latch receiver in a locked position to retain the latch arm. A motor drives a cam to position the lever arm to free the latch receiver from the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Darush David Hashemi, Xiaoping Zhou, Xiwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8469469
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator may have a door opening device which is connected at an external surface of a main body, and includes a pushing unit operated by a driving unit to open a refrigerator door by pushing one side of the refrigerator door. Also, a buffering member may be provided between the door opening device and the external surface of the main body. Accordingly, the reliability of the refrigerator is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Ho Kim, Sang Chul Ryu, Young Rak Kim, Ji Hoon Kim, Soung Joon Park, Ki Youn Kim
  • Patent number: 8459757
    Abstract: A furniture drive for a pull-out guide system, for driving at least one guide rail of the pull-out guide system, has an electric motor arranged in a housing. The housing has a cup-like portion in which the electric motor is arranged, and has an abutment part for abutment against a wall of a basic furniture structure on which the pull-out guide system is, or can be, fitted. Therefore, in the fitted state of the furniture drive, the electric motor can be arranged in a recess in the wall of the basic furniture structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Gasser
  • Patent number: 8454102
    Abstract: The embodiment relates to a refrigerator. The refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment includes: a cabinet that includes at least one storage compartment; a plurality of doors that open and close the at least one storage compartment; a plurality of operating units that are provided at each door; and a door opening apparatus that is positioned at the cabinet and opens one of the plurality of doors corresponding to the operation of the plurality of operating units, wherein the door opening apparatus includes a driving motor, a power transfer unit that transfers power of the driving motor, and a plurality of push members each of which corresponds to the plurality of doors and are connected to the power transfer unit, and when the driving motor is operated, one of the plurality of push members pushes one of the plurality of doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Myung Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20130113344
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention a secure storage unit comprising a plurality of movable trays (11) within a housing (10) is equipped with a tray selector system for selectively accessing a tray on demand, wherein the selector system is configured to release a selected tray (11) for access by limiting the allowable extent of movement of the tray from a stowed to an accessible position with respect to the storage unit by a pre-determined amount whereby access to selected zones of selected trays controlled. In an embodiment of the secure storage unit, the selector system comprises a plurality of discrete electromechanical locking devices (14) operably juxtaposed with respect to the trays, and configured to be individually selectable for releasing and limiting the allowable extent of movement of the selected tray with respect to the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Jon Elwell
  • Publication number: 20130038189
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ejector (100) for ejecting a movable furniture part (102) from a closed end position in or on a furniture body (101), comprising an ejection lever (1) that can be driven by an electrical drive unit, in particular an electric motor, wherein the ejection lever (1) has a first ejection lever part (11) and a second ejection lever part (12) that can be moved relative to the first ejection lever part, wherein an adjusting device (2) is provided, which causes the length of the ejection lever (1) to change during the ejection process as a result of the two ejection lever parts (11, 12) sliding relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
  • Publication number: 20130028690
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for treating a substrate. More particularly, an apparatus and method for treating a substrate through a supercritical process are provided. The apparatus includes a housing having an entrance in a side thereof and providing a space for performing a process, a door for opening and closing the entrance, and a support member disposed on the door to receive a substrate thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joo Jib Park, Woo Young Kim, Oh Jin Kwon, Boong Kim
  • Patent number: 8360537
    Abstract: An ejection device for a furniture component moveably housed in or against a furniture body. The ejection device includes a swivellably housed lever. A first castor is attached to a free end of the lever, and a second castor is attached to the lever at a distance from the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Gasser
  • Patent number: 8347553
    Abstract: An arrangement comprises a housing, in particular of a cooling and/or freezing device, a door which is articulated to the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis of a hinge, and at least one drive device for pivoting the door relative to the housing, with the drive device comprising a drive unit by means of which a moment is exertable on the door relative to the hinge axis via at least one force transmission means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: SUSPA GmbH, Liebherr-Hausgeraete Ochsenhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Hecht, Dietmar Blersch, Armin Pfister, Florian Stephan, Jens Scharg, Markus Kegel, Herbert Müller
  • Publication number: 20130002114
    Abstract: A display system (5) is described that comprises a flexible display (7), and two display covers (6) that are hingeable with respect to each other between a stored configuration for fixing the flexible display in a storage position and an open planar configuration for fixing the flexible display in an open position. Positioning means (positioners) (6a, 8a, 12b) are provided for stably fixing the display covers into the planar configuration, and comprising at least one cover end stop (6a) on at least one of the covers (6) and an actuating element (12) having an actuating part (12b). The actuating part applies, in the planar configuration, its force adjacent the cover end stop and the hinge axis (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Polymer Vision B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Cornelis Adriaan Hamers, Michael Johannes Anna Maria Walters, Johannes Hermanus van den Tillaar
  • Patent number: 8328299
    Abstract: A drawer slide with lock mechanism has an elongated outer slide member extendably coupled to an inner slide member. A latch arm or pin is fixed to the inner slide member for latching by a lock mechanism fixed to the outer slide member. The lock mechanism uses a latch receiver that rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is in a travel path of the latch arm. A lever arm rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is positionable to block rotation of the latch receiver in a locked position to retain the latch arm. A motor drives a cam to position the lever arm to free the latch receiver from the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Accuride International Inc.
    Inventors: Darush David Hashemi, Xiaoping Zhou, Xiwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8317276
    Abstract: A furniture drive is provided for driving a movable piece of furniture. The drive includes an electric motor, an actuator that can be moved back and forth between two end positions to apply a force on the piece of furniture to be driven, and a gearbox connected between the electric motor and actuator. The gearbox has at least one gear stage configured as an eccentric gearbox and includes two gear wheels that mesh with each other. One of the two gear wheels is firmly connected or coupled to the actuator, and the other gear wheel is coupled to the electric motor such that the eccentric gearbox has two limit positions which correspond to the end positions of the actuator. Upon a rotation of the gear wheels, starting from the limit positions, the gear ratio decreases over a deformed rotational angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Edgar Huber, Gerald Friesenecker
  • Patent number: 8303050
    Abstract: A display case having a preferably square or rectangular outline and a front (1), a rear (2), an upper (5), a right (3) and a left side face (4), a base (6) or in addition an upper part (14) instead of the upper side face (5), all the side faces or at least a part of the same being formed of panes of glass, the interior being sealed in its lower region with a support surface (7) and the display case being sealed extensively in an airtight manner relative to the external air. The display case being formed from two symmetrical halves (8, 9) which are separated from each other vertically, the base (6) and the possibly present upper part (14) forming a part of the front (1), rear (2), right (3) and left side face (4) and the two halves (8, 9) being able to be moved away from each other or towards each other horizontally and parallel, the support surface (7) being excluded from the movement. Such a display case has no door, access to the interior is nevertheless provided in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Glasbau Hahn GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Hahn
  • Patent number: 8303054
    Abstract: A drive for a movable furniture element has an actuating element for moving the furniture element and a motor for driving the actuating element. The actuating element and the furniture element may at times be moved independently of one another, and a position measurement system is provided for determining both the position of the actuating element and the position of the furniture element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Mattle
  • Patent number: 8303053
    Abstract: A basket apparatus includes a basket positioned in a cabinet, a motor to drive the basket from a rearward lowered position in the cabinet to a forward directed raised position outside of the cabinet and a driver connecting the basket to the motor. In one embodiment, the driver has an extendable drive portion to allow manual movement of the basket from the rearward lowered position to a forward lowered position and a rigid drive portion to transmit force from the motor to the basket to drive the basket between the rearward lowered position and the forward directed raised position so that the basket may be pulled by a user from a rearward lowered position to a forward lowered portion and the driver enables the motor to drive the basket to the forward directed raised position outside of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Easy Lift, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Bond, Andrew Tiffin
  • Patent number: 8274251
    Abstract: A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator and a refrigerator employing this system is provided. This system and method allows the drawer to substantially immediately and automatically stop when the drawer encounters an obstacle. This type of automatic control of the drawer may enhance the safe operation of the drawer, prevent injuries to users, and prevent overload and subsequent malfunction of a drive motor used to move the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Keun Yoo, Yong Hwan Eom, Hyoun Jeong Shin
  • Patent number: 8246128
    Abstract: A trigger sensor can trigger an electric furniture drive depending on a movement of the furniture part to be driven by the furniture drive caused by a user. The trigger sensor includes at least one actuator which can be moved by the furniture part into an assembly position, and the trigger sensor can capture movements of the furniture part along at least two directions which are orthogonal to each other. The trigger sensor has at least one actuator which captures each of the at least two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Hauer
  • Patent number: 8215732
    Abstract: Provided are a refrigerator and a refrigerator shelf apparatus configured with a shelf detachably mounted to a drive unit, and the drive unit capable of driving the shelf upward and downward according to electronic controlling by a controller provided on the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyeon Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20120153787
    Abstract: A home appliance that includes a power operated door includes a first sensor that is accessible to a user when the door is closed, and a second sensor that is accessible to the user when the door is open. The first sensor is used to cause the door to move from the closed position to the open position. The second sensor is used to cause the door to move from the open position to the closed position. The first sensor may be located on an exterior of the door and the second sensor may be located on an inner surface of the home appliance or on an inner surface of the door itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerhard Busalt, Joachim Grützke, Graham Sadtler
  • Publication number: 20110316400
    Abstract: A kiosk has a transaction terminal which is suspended between a pair of uprights. A cover is rotatably positionable between a closed position and an opened position to allow access to said terminal. The cover has a transparent, arcuate hood-like shape. The cover is maintainable in a stable opened position and is automatically returnable to the closed position. A solar array and/or communication equipment may be located above the transaction terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: James S. Bianco
  • Patent number: 8066341
    Abstract: A piece of furniture including a body and at least one flap that can be upwardly displaced by means of at least one actuating arm which is joined to the flap in an articulated manner and can preferably be pivoted about a horizontal axis. At least one actuating arm is subjected to the action of a spring device, and at least one electric drive acts on at least one actuating arm. A coupling device acts between the electric drive and the actuating arm, said coupling device having a free wheel for freely displacing the actuating arm into an open position and/or a closed position, in at least one rotary direction over a defined angular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Brüstle
  • Patent number: 8061788
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case having a bearing base and a top glass compartment designed to be alternatively used to display home made ice cream and pastry, the display case has a horizontal wall above the base designed to house the containers of homemade ice cream and having a pair of shelves designed to support pastry trays inside the front wall of the glass compartment the shelves being able to slide together towards the top of the glass compartment in order to be concealed from the sight of customers situated in front of the display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Clabo Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Bocchini