Force Applied At Closure Pivot Releases Latch Patents (Class 49/286)
  • Patent number: 8464471
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a panel system including a moveable panel and an opening, the method characterised by the steps of aligning the panel with respect to the opening in an alignment plane so that the panel is capable of moving across the opening in the alignment plane, and positioning a panel release mechanism such that a user pushing on the panel along the alignment plane causes the panel release mechanism to release the panel from a fixed position within the panel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Graeme Owen Bertram
  • Patent number: 6910665
    Abstract: An integrated door closing and leveling assembly for a refrigerator includes a spring biased door closure and an adjustable support integrated into a housing. The door closure includes an arm attached to the housing for relative sliding and pivoting movement, while being biased to a retracted position by a spring having an associated noise dampening element. The interaction between the spring and the arm is such that the spring provides a small degree of resistance to any opening force and also serves to maintain the door fully open once the door is opened beyond a critical point. The support structure houses both front and rear wheels for maneuvering the refrigerator, and feet for leveling and supporting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Jose G. Avendano, Robert Stephen Mercille, Kurt C. Senner
  • Patent number: 5522656
    Abstract: A mechanism for providing a biasing force in the desired directions at appropriate degrees of refrigerator door opening. An cam mounted to the door has a lateral wall with three interconnected linear sections joined with predetermined included angles. An arm is pivotally mounted in an aligned slot in the refrigerator housing and is spring biased into engagement with the cam. The arm and cam are arranged so that the arm exerts a strong door closing bias on the first cam section when the door is closed, exerts a greater door closing bias on the second section when the door is partially open and exerts a slight door opening bias on the third section when the door is more fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas E. Jenkins