Unitary Structural Member And Hinge Element Patents (Class 49/397)
  • Patent number: 6247746
    Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a cab frame having structural support post. The tractor also includes a hinge member having a first end portion which is pivotally coupled to the structural support post of the cab frame, and a second end portion which is opposite the first end portion. The tractor further includes a support arm secured to the second end portion of the hinge member in a substantially horizontal orientation. The support arm has a mounting boss secured thereto. The tractor further includes a window panel having a mounting aperture defined therein. The tractor further includes a fastener that is received through the mounting aperture so as to engage the mounting boss thereby securing the window panel to the support arm. Such a configuration allows for replacement of the window panel in the event of breakage thereof without the need to remove the hinge member from the structural support of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Brush
  • Patent number: 6240676
    Abstract: An orientable glazing for a vehicle having a glazing frame which has an attachment flange (3). The glazing includes a toughened window glass (4), a run of elastically deformable adhesive (18) along a part of the periphery of the window glass (4) for bonding the window glass (4) to the attachment flange (3), a profiled elastomer seal (12) laid against the window glass at least in that part of the periphery of the window glass (4) that is not covered by the run of adhesive (18), and an opening and closing mechanism (24), wherein the run of adhesive is along the front edge (5), along the upper edge, along the contour of the upper rear corner (20) of the window glass (4), and along an upper segment (A) of the rear edge (6) of the window glass (4), and wherein the opening and closing mechanism acts in the region of the lower rear corner (22) of the window glass (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Gerd Cornils, Jürgen Panitz
  • Patent number: 6209265
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door for a refrigerator appliance having reinforcing corner brackets that structurally complete the corners of the door. The corner brackets are located at the door corners of the vertical and horizontal side walls of the outer door skin. The brackets structurally replace and reinforce the horizontal side wall immediately adjacent the vertical side wall with a thicker, stronger material, such as, metal or steel, so that loading normally transferred to the outer door skin through the horizontal side wall at this corner location is instead transferred directly to the brackets mounted in the door. The horizontal side wall at the corner adjacent the vertical side wall has a cut-out or an open section. The brackets each have an opening positioned at the cut-out section. The opening is adapted to receive a hinge pin or closure cap. The door has an elongate supporting strut in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube engaging the brackets to reinforce the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Nedo Banicevic, Arnold Estravillo, Murray Klaas
  • Patent number: 6145165
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism is disclosed which allows for pivotal attachment of a moveable member to a fixed frame member defining a linear edge of an opening. Such pivotal attachment allows for movement of the moveable member relative to the fixed frame member between a closed position, in which the moveable member is positioned substantially within the opening, and an open position, about a pivot axis aligned parallel and adjacent to the linear edge and positioned in offstanding spaced relation thereto. The hinge mechanism comprises a fixed hinge component and a moveable hinge component. The fixed hinge component comprises a base portion, mountable upon the fixed frame member, a longitudinally extending pin portion and a support arm extending between the portions in connecting relation. The pin portion has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and is terminally positioned on the support arm, a portion of the outer surface defining a first bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Alwind Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Torcato
  • Patent number: 6123383
    Abstract: An articulating window assembly for a motor vehicle and a method of manufacturing thereof is disclosed, the window assembly comprising a windowpane, a hinge attachment means such as one or more mounting studs for securing the windowpane to a support structure. Preferably the hinge is composed of a unitary elastomeric material such as reaction injection molded polyurethane, having a first surface lying against the inner surface in a closed position. A first portion of such first surface is bonded to the windowpane. A second portion not bonded to the windowpane is spaced therefrom in an open position. Preferably the elastomeric hinge partially encapsulates mounting studs or the like. As the articulating window assembly pivots from a closed position to an open position there is local disengagement of the hinge member from the windowpane at the second surface portion, thereby reducing the stresses on the mounting studs with respect to the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Doerflinger, Kenneth Max Hermsdorfer
  • Patent number: 6068358
    Abstract: A cabinet for the acceptance of electrical and electronic components includes a rack to which a door leaf 8 having a hinge 2 as well as wall elements are mounted in a detachable fashion, the hinge 2 having at least one stationary section 3 attached to a side rail 1 of the rack as well as at least one pivoting section 4 attached to the door leaf 8. The cabinet is improved in such a fashion that the pivot axis 13 of the hinge 2 is disposed in the vicinity of the outer side of the door 14. A cabinet is thereby created whose wall elements can not be accessed from the outside whose attachment elements in the vicinity of the hinge 2 are advantageously easily accessible by opening the cabinet door even when the cabinet is fully equipped and without having to remove its contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Schroff GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Rieger
  • Patent number: 6010180
    Abstract: A clip-in window (100) including a panel (2) made of glass and/or of plastic and at least one hinge element (3) which has at least one rigid rod (5) which can be linked to a complementary element (6) fixed to a frame of an opening, while at the same time keeping at least a degree of freedom of rotation for opening or closing the panel when the window includes one or more hinge elements (3) positioned substantially along just one of its sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Bernard Bureau, Gerard Huchet, Patrick Procureur
  • Patent number: 5992094
    Abstract: An access control chamber security system with a security chamber having an aluminum frame and an entrance door and an exit door, a metal detector located within the access control chamber to detect a weapon being carried within the chamber, locks on the doors and a control device to prevent the doors from being opened at the same time or prevent the exit door from opening when a weapon is detected, and further including a side frame member with a cutout section having an insulated member placed therein to provide an open electrical loop in the side frame member, the metal detector having a plurality of coils located in a plurality of zones, a three second time delay from when the manually operated exit door is opened to when the lock on the exit door is re-activated, ballistic fiberglass disposed within a hollow section of the aluminum frame members, floor contact pads with nitrogen disposed within the pads surrounding the metal plates formed therein, a floor contact pad having a plurality of induction coils
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: William Diaz
  • Patent number: 5975663
    Abstract: The permissible degree of opening of a cabinet door is limited by the interengagement between a cover member for an upper door hinge and abutment structure carried by the door itself. In a preferred embodiment, the abutment structure is defined by another cover member that is secured upon an upper portion of the door. The hinge cover member is provided with a tab that projects into a cavity or recessed section of the door cover member and a portion of this projecting tab is directly engaged by a portion of the door cover member to limit the permissible angular door movement. Furthermore, the hinge cover member is preferably mounted for movement relative to the cabinet. In the preferred embodiment, the hinge cover member is pivoted in direct response to engagement with the first abutment portion of the door cover member and the door is prevented from further pivotal movement when the first abutment portion of the door cover member engages a stop portion defined by the projecting tab of the hinge cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore A. Becker
  • Patent number: 5921645
    Abstract: A residential fire equipment cabinet and method therefore typically employed in a residence or other habitable structure for storing emergency fire equipment including at least one standard size fire extinguisher container is disclosed. The fire equipment cabinet includes a construction incorporating a plurality of features including a box-shaped enclosure for housing the emergency fire equipment. The enclosure includes a top portion, an elevated base portion, a back portion and a pair of parallel side portions. A first arcuate-shaped door is provided for sealing the enclosure and includes a mechanism for rotatively attaching the first arcuate-shaped door to the front of the enclosure. Finally, at least a first recessed cavity is formed within the elevated base portion for securing a fire extinguisher container within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: John A. Lapi
  • Patent number: 5899545
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a frame for a switchgear cabinet. The frame has horizontal and vertical frame members and depth struts; open sides of the frame can be closed by wall elements and at least one door. Mounting a door is simplified in that the depth members have extensions which project beyond the horizontal and vertical frame members at the front and/or back end of the frame and which have with vertically directed holes for hinge pins or closing bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Besserer, Marc Hartel, Jurgen Zachrai
  • Patent number: 5860250
    Abstract: A fully adjustable gate device has a gate panel that may be a two-dimensional or three-dimensional cartoon character or animal to provide an attractive diversion for the confined child. The hinge member and latch member are attachable to the vertical surfaces of either side of a door opening by a C-shaped device, which provides secure fastening force, while not requiring marking with permanent holes or disfiguring the vertical surfaces. The gate panel may be telescoping to accommodate openings of various widths and the C-clamp hinge and latch may be adjustable to accommodate walls or other vertical surfaces having different depths or thicknesses. A compression-activated tong-shaped latch device is engaged and disengaged from the latch member by applying pressure and sliding the telescoping gate to the side, which permits the gate panel to swing freely in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventors: Kathy E. Hill, James I. Bowman
  • Patent number: 5809617
    Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for connecting two elongate members (16, 10) in parallelism and so that one may be moved relative to the other, the other member (10) being adapted to be rigidly mounted and having a neck portion (12a) extending longitudinally and terminating laterally in a longitudinal bead (11) engageable in a longitudinal groove (22) of a longitudinal edge flange of the one movable member (16), there being provided an anti-friction contact strip (17) between the members (16, 10), the strip (17) being substantially tubular or arcuate in cross-section with a longitudinal slit (28) through which the neck portion (12a) of the other member (10) extends when the two members are connected, the parts being so made and arranged that the strip (17) may be fitted by end-wise longitudinal sliding into and along the groove (22) and about and along the bead (11), and the two elongate members (16, 10) and interposed contact strip (17) are then restrained against separation by forces applied transverse
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventors: Patrick William Harris, Maureen Anne Harris
  • Patent number: 5666764
    Abstract: An improved refrigerator hinge assembly which provides for maintaining the proper adjusted position of a refrigerator door with respect to its associated cabinet. A factory setting of the refrigerator door can be accurately maintained with precision even after the hinges are removed for field installation of the refrigerator such as to pass a refrigerator through narrow doorways. A tap plate is located behind the cabinet cladding and has "wrapper" or hinge screw holes for clamping the position of the external hinge with hinge screws, while allowing for factory adjustment of the door position. After the door is factory adjusted in position, a supplemental mechanism is applied to fix the tap plate in the factory position independent of the hinge screws, such as an epoxy application or a separate and independent drill screw applied through the cabinet and engaging the tap plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Beatty, David Foss, James L. Willis
  • Patent number: 5653059
    Abstract: A housing structure, includes a compartment body formed by interconnecting side walls and a door, and hook-shaped hinges for articulating the door to one side wall. The side wall is formed with a groove which extends longitudinally from top to bottom. Each hook-shaped hinge exhibits an angled section and extends through a slot of the door for engagement in the groove, with the angled section of the hinge at least partially overlapping a marginal area adjoining an outer edge of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Bernstein Classic GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rolf Wecke, Jurgen Weiss
  • Patent number: 5613276
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a glass door hinge system for attachment of a glass door to a frame, the system including: an upper hinge member having an upper clamping member for attachment to an upper horizontal edge of the glass door and having an upper base member for attachment to the frame, the upper clamping member being rotatably attachable to the upper base member; and a lower hinge member having a lower clamping member for attachment to a lower horizontal edge of the glass door and having an lower base member for attachment to the frame, the lower clamping member being rotatably attachable to the lower base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: George W. Franz
  • Patent number: 5575115
    Abstract: In a window with a frame of extruded profile members the exterior side of an edge portion of a thermo pane is supported by a first flange portion of the profile member and the inside by a glazing bead connected with the frame profile member. The main frame mainly consists of wood profiles, the exterior sides of which are covered by weather-resisting coverings. A hinge member at the top of the window comprises an edge portion (28) of an extruded profile member (27) forming a hinge pivot firmly connected to the main frame portion (20) at this side and a hook-shaped wall portion (6) of the opposite frame profile member (1) forming a hinge blade. At one of the other sides of the window an arrangement is provided to ensure engagement of said hinge pivot and hinge blade forming portions in the closed position of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: V. Kann Rasmussen Industri A/S
    Inventors: Claes Lindgren, Flemming O. Petersen, Stig F. Vigenberg
  • Patent number: 5560153
    Abstract: A vehicle ventilation side or rear window in a recessed opening to minimize adverse aerodynamic wind resistance and the like, on which the flange periphery which bounds the recess there is deposited a selected amount of urethane which, when cured, advantageously serves both to hold the window in place and also as a flexuring support for an opening pivotal traverse of the window, the angle of the traverse being confined to an extent that does not result in a rupturing of the cured urethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Peter Gold
  • Patent number: 5542215
    Abstract: A sash supporting structure of a hinged swinging window includes a sash bar hinge secured to a horizontal rail of a sash and having a pivot shaft, and a support groove formed in a horizontal frame member of a window frame and pivotally receiving therein the pivot shaft of the sash bar hinge. The support groove has a width dimensioned such that the sash bar hinge can be inserted in the support groove from the inner periphery side of the window frame. With this arrangement, the sash can be readily installed in the window frame without requiring prior connection between the horizontal rail or the sash and the horizontal frame member. The sash supporting structure further has a dislocation stop member secured to the horizontal frame member of the window frame and extending through a cutout opening in the sash bar hinge to prevent horizontal in-plane displacement of the sash bar hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: YKK Architectural Products Inc.
    Inventor: Yuichi Kubo
  • Patent number: 5531471
    Abstract: A air bag and lid arrangement for a vehicle passenger compartment is mounted in an opening in a vehicle instrument panel with an air bag module being mounted on a bracket associated with a steering member. A top edge of the opening has a facing portion corresponding to a flange formed on a top edge of a lid. When the lid is attached over the opening it is situated such that, when the air bag inflates, pressure is applied by the surface of the air bag to an inner surface of the lid proximate the flange causing the flange to act as a hinge for opening the lid with substantially no time lag between the inflation of the air bag and the opening of the lid. The lid is further positioned such that impact applied to an outer surface of thereof will not damage the air bag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiro Terai
  • Patent number: 5528865
    Abstract: A high impact resistant rotationally molded door and process for molding the door is disclosed in which a hinge member is integrally molded to the door along one edge only. This hinge member forms to the hollow door edge without door warpage during curing and shrinking of rotationally molded plastic door body. Door warpage is avoided by delaying full integral attachment of the hinge member to the door until curing of the injected foam interior which both bonds to the interior of the door and the hinge member. An improved seal and hinge seal is disclosed together with a placed window construction that can include both placement and shaping to meet the special order needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Chase/Durus Industries
    Inventors: Carl Johnson, Michael Cloyd, Thomas McCormick
  • Patent number: 5457913
    Abstract: An auto ventilation side window in a recessed opening to minimize adverse aerodynamic wind resistance, in which the flange periphery which bounds the recess is advantageously used also as a flexturing support for an opening pivotal traverse of the window, the angle of the traverse being confined to an extent that does not result in a rupturing of the construction material of the window-supporting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Peter Gold
  • Patent number: 5428925
    Abstract: A fiberglass bulkhead door assembly includes a bulkhead enclosure for mounting on a bulkhead, at least one door and top and bottom hinges for mounting the door to the bulkhead enclosure. The bulkhead enclosure includes fiberglass side walls, a sloping fiberglass top wall and a tie bar connected between the side walls. The top wall has a door opening. The door is movable between a closed position covering the door opening and a open position providing access to the bulkhead. Each of the hinges includes a fixed member attached to the bulkhead enclosure and a movable member attached to the door. The fixed member of the bottom hinge is rigidly affixed to the tie bar so as to transfer stress to the tie bar during opening and closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: Kendrick M. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5394649
    Abstract: In a window with a frame of extruded profile members the exterior side of an edge portion of a thermo pane is supported by a first flange portion of the profile member and the inside by a glazing bead connected with the frame profile member. The main frame mainly consists of wood profiles, the exterior sides of which are covered by weather-resisting coverings. A hinge member at the top of the window comprises an edge portion (28) of an extruded profile member (27) forming a hinge pivot firmly connected to the main frame portion (20) at this side and a hook-shaped wall portion (6) of the opposite frame profile member (1) forming a hinge blade. At one of the other sides of the window means are provided to ensure engagement of said hinge pivot and hinge blade forming portions in the closed position of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: V. Kann Rasmussen Industri A/S
    Inventors: Claes Lindgren, Flemming O. Petersen, Stig F. Vigenberg
  • Patent number: 5361596
    Abstract: A refrigerator system, a control device therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control device comprising a housing having a valve seat and a movable valve member being adapted to open and close the valve seat, the housing having a substantially straight angled edge and the valve member having an end edge that is adapted to pivot on the angled edge, the end edge of the valve member comprising a pair of pivot parts respectively disposed at the opposite ends of the end edge thereof in spaced apart relation and being the only parts of the end edge thereof that engage the angled edge of the housing to pivot thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: David D. Martin
  • Patent number: 5342090
    Abstract: An assembly for an air bag (56) adapted to fit within an opening (22) of a vehicle part (20) including: a housing (44) including: a first wall (100) and an opposite second wall (102), a flexible wall member (106) secured to the first wall (100) defining a space (150) therebetween, one of the first wall (100) and flexible wall member (106) including a plurality of first tabs (112) extending into the space (132), the second wall (102) including a plurality of locating tabs (120) and latching tabs extending outwardly therefrom; a deployment door or cover (30, 40, 42) for enclosing the housing including a hinge portion (40), received in the space, engagable with the first tabs (112) to provide a snap connection therebetween and a seam portion (42) including seam flange (76) engageable with the locating tabs, the seam flange being latched in place by the latching tabs (122) to secure the seam portion (42) to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Sobczak, Mark R. Sturza
  • Patent number: 5327682
    Abstract: An access panel assembly for providing access to the interior of a wall is disclosed. The panel is made of a molded plastic, such as a styrene polymer. The door is press-fit and is held in the frame by grooves in the frame which align with resilient proturbences on the door panel. A hidden hinge, which allows the door to be hinged or removed from the frame, is provided. A pair of eccentric cavities serves to provide pivot points for the hinge and engage with hinge pivots on the access door. In this hinge, the pivot point may vary, thereby preventing jamming of the door. A notch is formed in the eccentric cavity to allow removal of the door. Pry holes are provided to assist in removal of the door. An embodiment is disclosed which permits the hinged door to be flush mounted from either side of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Karp Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Claudia P. Holtz
  • Patent number: 5322336
    Abstract: A hinged tonneau cover assembly that is used on pick-up truck beds to allow for easy access to the truck bed. The hinged tonneau cover assembly has a lightweight internal perimeter frame that is removably secured to the front of the truck bed by a hinged mounting assembly and self-contained piston and cylinder rods adjustably positioned to the rear of the truck bed. The hinged tonneau cover assembly can be raised at one end for immediate access to the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Mark Isler
  • Patent number: 5207023
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door for an electric switch cabinet comprising a door leaf made of a material isolating from fire and arcs, a hinge construction at a vertical edge of said door leaf and connectable to the cabinet frame, and a locking device cooperating with the door frame at the other vertical edge of said door leaf. In order to obtain an improved hinge construction regarding tightness and strength and to make the door lockable from all sides of the frame, the invention provides a hinge construction comprising a hinge composed of slidably and pivotably interengaging profile elements, latch means provided at the upper and lower edges of the door and being adapted to engage complementary latch means provided at the frame, and a jacking or lifting mechanism for vertically displacing the door via the hinge to bring the latch means and the complementary latch means into and out of engagement relative each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Kafak AB
    Inventors: Leif Forsberg, Gunnar Nihlen, Tore Nilsson
  • Patent number: 5136812
    Abstract: The top hung sash assembly of the invention comprises a hinge bar and a frame assembly hingedly connected to the hinge bar. The frame assembly includes a head extrusion member, a sill member and two side members with at least one glazing member mounted therein. The head extrusion includes a first flange which defines a recess. Secured in the recess is weatherstripping which contacts the hinge bar when the frame assembly is closed against the hinge bar. The weatherstripping is only partially compressed when the frame assembly is closed against the hinge bar. The invention further provides a window construction and a related method for joining a plurality of window assemblies which properly spaces the assemblies relative to the building opening and each other and which allows for subsequent thermal expansion and contraction while remaining sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: William P. Voegele
  • Patent number: 5030795
    Abstract: An access hatch for flush floor fitting assembly which is mounted by pivots comprising open ended slots and pins slidingly disposed in the slots. The pivots providing for the hatch to move between a closed position and any of a plurality of open positions and for the hatch, in any open position, to be lifted away from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles N. Domigan
  • Patent number: 4956954
    Abstract: A doorway system, comprising a novel mechanism for controlling tall glass doors and making their installation and repair much easier, and a header that can be used with standard size or tall glass doors, is disclosed. The mechanism features circular bearings, a specially-designed bottom spindle and an upper, adjustable, pivotable housing. The header houses, among other parts, the adjustable housing and allows pre-cut, modular parts to be assembled at the building site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Blumcraft of Pittsburgh
    Inventor: William J. Horgan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4876952
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus for adjusting the direction and quantity of air comprises a duct device forming an air passage passing through the duct device, and an airflow adjusting device. The airflow adjusting device is made from a single thin plate and fitted to the duct device across the air passage to adjust a flow of air. Slits of predetermined patterns are formed on the airflow adjusting device to define a plurality of vanes which are integral to the airflow adjusting device. Functions for adjusting the direction and quantity of air are basically realized only with the single thin plate so that the material and manufacturing costs of the apparatus will be reduced, the transportation, installation and maintenance of the apparatus simplified, and angles of the vanes adjusted separately and freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kyoritsu
    Inventors: Toshio Kuno, Yoshikazu Shindo, Yukio Kuno, Takeshi Ueno, Akira Torimi, Yoji Mori
  • Patent number: 4747742
    Abstract: An unloading flap of a stationary or mobile silo for pourable particulate material having at least one outlet opening comprises an upper part that is secured to a first silo wall and a lower part that hinges on the upper part and can be tilted into the open and closed positions by means of an actuating rod that can be power driven.The lower edge of the straight or angled lower part with respect to the upper part is in the form of a projecting support. In the closed position this support rests along a line or area on a longitudinal groove in the region of the lower edge of a second silo wall. A device attached to one of the two parts of the flap exercises a moment of rotation on the other part of the flap such that the angle (.alpha.) between the upper and lower parts is reduced to an angle (.alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Jurg Zehnder
  • Patent number: 4644697
    Abstract: A security screen assembly comprising a sub-frame mounted within an opening in a building and a hinged main frame which has a screened opening. Keys are provided at each corner of each frame to maintain the frame members in a predetermined angular relationship. The hinge is designed to permit assembly and disassembly of the hinged parts by a movement through an open side of one of the hinge parts. The screen is marginally held within the opening in the pivoted frame by screws extending through the margin of the screen which self-tap into a slot in the frame members, and ribs and slots on the main frame and sub-frame are provided to prevent warping of the parts in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Edmund A. Nida
  • Patent number: 4566222
    Abstract: A window or door guard made of one piece of protective material which conceals hinging and locking components from view and shields them from forcible attack. The guard may be unlocked with a key from the outside, or without a key only from the inside thereof, after which the guard may be easily opened to allow for an emergency escape. The guard may also be removed from its mounting and subsequently remounted, both without a key or tool. No springs, flexible cables, or parts inaccessible to inspection, cleaning, lubrication, or replacement are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Inventor: Charles C. Hatvany
  • Patent number: 4553360
    Abstract: An awning window frame is disclosed which defines a supporting shelf positioned to support a rigid glazing pane, such as glass. The frame defines a ridge extending over the support surface in a spaced relationship thereto, and this ridge is shaped and configured to retain a beading strip. The beading strip fits between the ridge and the supporting shelf in order to conceal the junction between rigid glazing pane and the shelf. When it is desired to use the window frame with a flexible glazing sheet, such as a plastic sheet, the beading and pane are removed and the sheet is held in place on the window frame by means of a channel and spline arrangement. In some preferred embodiments, the channel is defined in the supporting shelf such that the window frame serves to support both the flexible glazing sheet and the rigid glazing pane in the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Inventor: Charles D. Colombo
  • Patent number: 4483102
    Abstract: A system of rigid, generally planar dimensions adapted to by removably, hingeably coupled to a conventional ventilator louver assembly to environmentally seal same to prevent energy losses. The louver covering system includes a rigid, generally rectangular frame formed of specially extruded members, which frame surroundably supports a rigid, generally planar insulating sheet. The frame includes front, side, and rear extrusion members which include integral bosses to aid in assembly. A separate, rigid, elongated extruded hanging rail having a hinge portion is adapted to be permanently coupled to the louver assembly. The system frame rear includes a cooperating hinge portion, which, when coupled to the aforementioned hanging rail hinge coupling extrusion enables the system to be hingeably swung to a closed position relative to the louver assembly. Latching means, preferably coupled to the louver assembly, may be manually twisted to engage flange portions of the frame to seal the louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: James D. Edwards
  • Patent number: 4478005
    Abstract: A substantially planar closure for a cabinet compartment is disclosed having two resiliently retractable pivot hinges disposed in cantilivered fashion approximately co-axial with the rear edge of the door. This closure can be deployed in a housing opening having a cross-sectional area approximately equal to the planar dimension of the door. A front edge of the door includes an integral retractable latch which can lockingly engage a catch receiving recess disposed on the housing. The latch mechanism is co-axial with the forward edge of the door. A support means integrally formed with the undersurface of the door, provides the rear portion of the closure panel with additional support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Glenn R. Mundschenk
  • Patent number: 4438993
    Abstract: A hinge comprising a first elongated hinge member defining an elongated socket and a second hinge member adapted to be positionable in a first angular position wherein at least a portion of the second hinge member is slidably insertable into the socket and slidably removable from the socket and a second angular position at an acute angle to the first angular position and wherein the second hinge member is restrained against removal from the socket. The first hinge member includes a supporting surface and a restraining member spaced from the supporting surface in opposed relation thereto and projecting toward the supporting surface. The restraining member includes a rodlike bearing surface facing the supporting surface, and the rodlike bearing surface and the supporting surface define the socket therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: DCI Marketing
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Rabas
  • Patent number: 4422688
    Abstract: A latching device for a detachably attachable type roof panel in a vehicle constructed with a roof of the vehicle having an opening formed in one part thereof, the opening of which has an inner peripheral brim; a roof panel of a size to be snugly fitted in the opening of the roof in a detachably attachable manner; a detachably attachable hinge member provided on the front edge of the roof panel and which is engaged with the inner peripheral brim of the roof opening; a toggle latch provided on the rear edge of the roof panel to be also engaged with the inner peripheral brim of the roof; a pivotal shaft for connecting one of link members of the toggle latch and the roof being inserted and withdrawn by the expanding and contracting operations of a connecting shaft for the links through the links, and the pivotal shaft being maintained in its fitted state by a spring provided on the connecting shaft; and a locking mechanism which inhibits contraction of the expanding and contracting connecting shaft and is capabl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michitada Kameoka
  • Patent number: 4358011
    Abstract: A livestock feeding apparatus having an endless belt supported on an elongated table above a feed bunk by a plurality of stands. The stands are laterally and vertically adjustable to level the apparatus and accommodate different sized bunks. The belt has an upper run that rides on a wood deck secured to the support. An idler pulley and drive pulley engages one end of the belt opposite ends. The belt is retained in driving engagement with the drive pulley by a driven roller engageable with the lower run of the belt adjacent the drive pulley. A motor drives the roller at a speed so that the surface speed of the roller is greater than the linear speed of the belt to maintain the lower portion of the run of the belt between the roller and the drive pulley under tension. A sweep assembly slidably mounted on the wood deck operates to move the material off of the side of the top run of the belt into the bunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Veda, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd E. Buschbom, Glen D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4294498
    Abstract: A wall cabinet and method for constructing the same is disclosed wherein vacuum formed, heat fusible polymeric sheet material is used to provide a one-piece body portion and a sealed, hollow door portion. The body portion is provided with an integral mounting flange including perpendicularly extending hinge leaves for pivotal mounting of the door portion. Construction of the hollow, sealed door portion enables two separate sheets of polymeric material to be vacuum formed simultaneously and bonded together along a peripheral seam having a thickness substantially less than two sheets in a manner not distracting from the appearance of the door. Assembly of the body portion and door portion is provided by threading studs into the hinge leaves through vertically opposed corners of one side of the door panel. A latching mechanism is provided between the mounting flange of the body portion and the inside surface of the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Inventor: Richard D. Van Luit
  • Patent number: 4175357
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for building openings such as windows and doorways wherein the protective enclosure comprises a peripheral frame member that circumscribes the openings and pivotally mounts a transparent shielding unit. The unit which may function as a window or door, depending upon the application, is provided with a unique hinge and locking arrangement which facilitates the easy opening and closing of the unit with respect to the opening; yet one which provides security against the unauthorized entry through the opening in that the unit may not be removed from the building opening from the outside of the building when the unit is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Marvin L. Goldhaber
  • Patent number: 4130966
    Abstract: A ventilator hatch assembly for vehicles, watercraft and the like, which is characterized by having a hatch member, which is interconnected to a mounting frame restable within a ventilation hatch opening for pivotal movements between alternative open ventilating and closed, latched, non-ventilating positions. The hatch cover and mounting frame are interconnected by separable hinge means and separable flip-action or snap-action latch means which operably cooperate to accommodate rapid opening and closing movements of the hatch cover and also to facilitate complete and rapid removal of the hatch cover from the hatch opening to permit the latter to serve as an emergency exit from the vehicle or craft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: Production Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Kujawa, Jr., Frank J. Kujawa
  • Patent number: 4120598
    Abstract: A furniture assembly fixture having a first fixture section comprising a casing adapted to be embedded in a first furniture part, a second fixture section adapted to be fastened to a second furniture part, the casing having a flange with a lug or lugs, the flange also carrying an adjusting plate for a furniture hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Firma Richard Heinze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst Zernig, Manfred Ruther
  • Patent number: 4104825
    Abstract: A fixed frame mounted on a housing and a vent frame hinged to the fixed frame. The vent frame is moved between closed and open positions by a single-handle double operator actuated from the interior of the housing. The hinge and operator apply forces to create a continuous water seal in the closed position. The seal and hinge prevent rattle of the vent frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Young Windows Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hosmer
  • Patent number: 4099511
    Abstract: A wood burning stove has a fire chamber with an opening surrounded by a jamb, and a door having a pair of hooklike hinge rods is hinged to a hearth plate and is removable. The door has a gasket and, when, closed, the latches clamp the gasket against the jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Inventors: Kendrick H. McIntire, John E. McIntire
  • Patent number: 4087940
    Abstract: A top hinged swinging sash assembly includes a hinge bar adapted for securement to a building girt, said hinge bar including a substantially J-shaped hinge rail. A frame assembly comprising a head member, a sill member, two or more vertical mullions and two side flashing members is joined to the hinge bar through a curved, beaded head rail extending from the head member. The spaced, vertical mullions connect between the head and sill members with flat or corrugated panels being retained between the mullions and mullion caps mounted thereto. Operators connect to the frame and preferably to the mullions or sills to cause the frame to swing out from the hinge bar. In a preferred embodiment the mullions include a planar forward surface having a hub extending outward therefrom to define oppositely extending channels. These channels accommodate flat panels or in the case of the end mullions accommodate the side flashing members in interlocking relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Inventor: William P. Voegele, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4084347
    Abstract: An improved door suitable for use in industrial plants and other such areas where the door is to be opened and closed by objects or vehicles which strike the side of the door. The door has a hollow body provided with a monolithic construction and is formed from a moldable material which is highly resistant to impact forces exerted thereon. The body is filled with a foamed-in-place insulating material and has reinforcing means at spaced locations therein to maintain the shape of the door. Gasket structure is used at one or more margins of the door, and the door is to be swingably mounted on an adjacent door jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Inventor: James W. Brown