Floating damper

• US 20060102439A1
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Bivens, Steven L., Doornbos, David A., Anton, Jamison J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,350,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 188/290
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/473 Braking devices, e.g. linear or rotational dampers or friction brakes; Buffers; End stops
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/02 specially for preventing the slamming of swinging wings during final closing movement, e.g. jamb stops
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/06 Buffers or stops limiting opening of swinging wings, e.g. floor or wall stopsE05F5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/21 Brakes
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/254 Fluid or viscous friction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/266 rotary
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/538 Interior lids
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/12 Devices with one or more rotary vanes turning in the fluid any throttling effect being immaterial, i.e. damping by viscous shear effect only F16F9/53 takes precedence; pivoting supports for apparatus or articles placed on stands or trestles F16M11/06

Abstract

A floating damper assembly operates between first and second associated components. A damper is adjustably mounted in the first component and includes a damper gear engaged with a gear on the second component. The second component defines a guide surface and the damper has a bearing surface engaging the guide surface.

Claims

1. A damper assembly comprising:

first and second associated components movable relative to each other;

a gear damper housing adjustably mounted on the first component;

a rotor shaft projecting outwardly from said housing;

a damper gear drivingly disposed on said rotor shaft;

a bearing surface of said damper in fixed location relative to said damper gear;

a second gear disposed on said second component and drivingly engaged with said damper gear; and

a guide surface of said second component disposed in a fixed position with respect to said second gear, said guide surface engaging said bearing surface of said damper.

2. The damper assembly of claim 1, said bearing surface being a distal end outwardly of said damper gear.

3. The damper assembly of claim 1, said guide surface being a channel in said second component.

4. The damper assembly of claim 1, said bearing surface being a distal end outwardly of said damper gear and said guide surface comprising a channel in said second component, with said distal end being received in said channel.

5. The damper assembly of claim 4, said second gear being a rack gear.

6. The damper assembly of claim 4, including a base extending outwardly of said housing and snap-fit features disposed on said base engaging said first component.

7. The damper assembly of claim 4, including a base attached to and extending outwardly of said housing, snap-fit features disposed on said base;

and an opening in said first component receiving said base and said snap-fit features, said opening being larger than said base in at least one direction allowing relative movement between said base and said first component.

8. The damper assembly of claim 4, including a base attached to said housing, said base defining elongated slots therein, said first component defining bosses, and fasteners extending through said slots into said bosses.

9. The damper assembly of claim 4, including a base connected to said housing, said base being adjustably attached to said first component, and said base including spring arms engaging said first component.

10. The damper assembly of claim 1, including a base connected to said housing, and snap-fit features disposed on said base and attaching said base to said first component.

11. The damper assembly of claim 10, said base including spring arms engaging said first component.

12. The damper assembly of claim 1, including a base connected to said housing, snap-fit features on said base;

and an opening in said first component receiving said base and said snap-fit features, said opening being larger than said base in at least one direction allowing relative movement between said base and said first component.

13. The damper assembly of claim 12, said base including spring arms engaging said first component.

14. A damper assembly comprising:

first and second components movable relative to each other;

a damper adjustably attached to said first component;

a rotatable shaft extending outwardly of said damper;

a first gear disposed on said shaft for rotation therewith;

a second gear attached to said second component;

a channel defined in said second component;

said first and second gears being drivingly engaged with each other; and

a distal end outwardly of said first gear being disposed in said channel.

15. The damper assembly of claim 14, said first component defining an opening and said damper being slidably secured in said opening.

16. The damper assembly of claim 15, said damper including snap-fit features engaging said opening.

17. The damper assembly of claim 15, said damper including a base having elongated slots therein, said first component defining fastener bosses aligned with said slots and fasteners extending through said slots into said bosses.

18. A gear damper assembly comprising:

a gear damper having a first gear and a bearing surface in fixed position relative to said first gear;

a second gear engaged with said first gear;

a guide surface provided in fixed position relative to said second gear; and

said bearing surface engaging said guide surface.

19. The gear damper assembly of claim 18, said bearing surface being a distal end outwardly of said first gear.

20. The gear damper assembly of claim 18, said guide surface being a channel.