Front Frame Hinge For Appliance Door
First Claim
1. A hinge assembly comprising:
- a base;
a lever pivotally connected to the base, said lever including;
(i) an outer end adapted for being connected to an associated appliance door; and
(ii) an inner end;
a cam pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever, said cam comprising a contoured lobe edge;
a cam control member connected to the base;
a spring comprising an first end connected to the cam, said spring exerting a biasing force on said cam in a first direction such that said lever is urged toward a first position and said contoured lobe edge of said cam is urged into abutment with the cam control member;
said lever selectively movable from said first position against said biasing force of said spring to a second position, said cam control member contacting a first portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its first position, and contacting a second portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its second position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hinge assembly includes a base and a lever pivotally connected to the base. The lever includes an outer end adapted for being connected to an associated appliance door and an inner end. A cam is pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever and includes a contoured lobe edge. A cam control member is connected to the base. A spring includes a first end connected to the cam. The spring exerts a biasing force on the cam in a first direction such that said lever is urged toward a first position and said contoured lobe edge of said cam is urged into abutment with the cam control member. The lever is selectively movable from its first position against the biasing force of the spring to a second position. The cam control member contacts a first portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its first position, and the cam control member contacts a second portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its second position.
21 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A hinge assembly comprising:
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a base; a lever pivotally connected to the base, said lever including;
(i) an outer end adapted for being connected to an associated appliance door; and
(ii) an inner end;a cam pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever, said cam comprising a contoured lobe edge; a cam control member connected to the base; a spring comprising an first end connected to the cam, said spring exerting a biasing force on said cam in a first direction such that said lever is urged toward a first position and said contoured lobe edge of said cam is urged into abutment with the cam control member; said lever selectively movable from said first position against said biasing force of said spring to a second position, said cam control member contacting a first portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its first position, and contacting a second portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A hinge assembly comprising:
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a base; a lever pivotally connected to the base, said lever including;
(i) an outer end adapted for being connected to an associated appliance door; and
(ii) an inner end;a cam pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever, said cam comprising a contoured lobe edge; a cam control member connected to the base; biasing means for urging said cam in a first direction such that said contoured lobe edge of said cam is urged into abutment with the cam control member; said lever selectively movable from said first position to a second position, said cam control member contacting a first portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its first position, and contacting a second portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its second position.
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14. An appliance comprising:
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a body including a chamber; first and second hinge assemblies connected to said body respectively adjacent first and second opposite lateral sides of said chamber; a door connected to said first and second hinge assemblies and movable relative to said body between a closed position and an opened position; at least one of said first and second hinge assemblies comprising; a base; a lever pivotally connected to the base, said lever including;
(i) an outer end connected to the door; and
(ii) an inner end;a cam pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever, said cam comprising a contoured lobe edge; a cam control member; biasing means for urging said contoured lobe edge of said cam into abutment with the cam control member; said lever selectively movable from said first position to a second position, said cam control member contacting a first portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its first position, and contacting a second portion of said contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its second position.
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Specification