LOAD LIMITING HINGE WITH SPRING LOADED GATE FOR FREESTANDING APPLIANCE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A home appliance comprising:
- an oven,a door positioned at the front of the oven, anda hinge assembly configured to move the door about a first axis, the hinge assembly including;
a hinge housing secured to the door at a first end and pivotably coupled to the oven at a second end, the hinge housing having a slot extending in a direction perpendicular to the first axis,a follower positioned within the slot and moveable between a first end and a second end of the slot,a rod pivotably coupled to the oven, the rod being coupled to the follower, anda moveable gateway positioned adjacent to the first end of the slot, the gateway being biased in a closed position to prevent movement of the follower toward the first end of the slot,wherein when the door is rotated to a predetermined position, the gateway is moved to an open position such that movement of the follower toward the first end of the slot is permitted.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A home appliance including an oven, a door pivotably coupled to the oven that is configured to rotate relative to the front of the oven about a first axis, and a rod pivotably coupled to the oven. The rod has a pin secured thereto that is configured to move along a second axis extending perpendicular to the first axis as the door is rotated about the first axis. A first gate is positioned along the second axis, and a second gate is positioned along the second axis opposite the first gate. When the door is rotated to a predetermined position about the first axis, the first gate and the second gate are moved apart such that movement of the pin along the second axis is permitted.
37 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A home appliance comprising:
-
an oven, a door positioned at the front of the oven, and a hinge assembly configured to move the door about a first axis, the hinge assembly including; a hinge housing secured to the door at a first end and pivotably coupled to the oven at a second end, the hinge housing having a slot extending in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, a follower positioned within the slot and moveable between a first end and a second end of the slot, a rod pivotably coupled to the oven, the rod being coupled to the follower, and a moveable gateway positioned adjacent to the first end of the slot, the gateway being biased in a closed position to prevent movement of the follower toward the first end of the slot, wherein when the door is rotated to a predetermined position, the gateway is moved to an open position such that movement of the follower toward the first end of the slot is permitted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A home appliance comprising:
-
an oven, a door pivotably coupled to the oven, the door being configured to rotate relative to the front of the oven about a first axis, a rod pivotably coupled to the oven and having a pin secured thereto, the pin being configured to move along a second axis extending perpendicular to the first axis as the door is rotated about the first axis, a first gate positioned along the second axis, and a second gate positioned along the second axis opposite the first gate and contacting the first gate to prevent movement of the pin along the second axis, wherein when the door is rotated to a predetermined position about the first axis, the first gate and the second gate are moved apart such that movement of the pin along the second axis is permitted. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A home appliance comprising:
-
an oven, a door pivotably coupled to the oven, the door being configured to rotate relative to the front of the oven about a first axis, a housing secured to the door, the housing having a slot defined therein, the slot having a longitudinal axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, a rod pivotably coupled to the oven, the rod having a pin extending therefrom positioned within the slot and moveable along the longitudinal axis of the slot, a first gate positioned along the longitudinal axis of the slot, and a second gate positioned along the longitudinal axis of the slot opposite the first gate and contacting the first gate to prevent movement of the pin toward an end of the slot, wherein (i) an angle is defined between the door and the front of the oven as the door is rotated about the first axis, and (ii) when the angle is greater than 90°
the first gate and the second gate are moved apart such that movement of the pin toward the end of the slot is permitted. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification