APPLIANCE HINGE COUNTERBALANCE ASSEMBLY WITH SNUBBER
First Claim
1. A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge, said counterbalance assembly comprising:
- a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall, said base including;
(i) a channel located between the first and second side walls;
and, (ii) first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls;
a rotating cam supported on the base, said cam including;
(i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, said camshaft comprising a first end located in said first notch portion and a second end located in said second notch portion; and
(ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft;
a biasing spring comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base, said outer end of said spring located outside said channel;
a spring rod including an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lobe of the cam such that said spring biases said spring rod to an extended position; and
a damper assembly comprising a lever operably connected to said spring rod and a piston assembly connected to said base and comprising a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by said lever contacting said piston.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge has a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall. A channel is located between the first and second side walls. First and second notch portions are respectively located in the first and second side walls. A rotating cam is supported on the base and has a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a first end located in the first notch portion and a second end located in the second notch portion. A biasing spring has an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base. A spring rod includes an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lever. The lever also pivotally connects to the lobe of the cam. A damper assembly is connected to the base and having a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by the lever contacting the piston. The piston in turn compresses fluid in the damper assembly thus dampening movement of the lid hinge.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge, said counterbalance assembly comprising:
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a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall, said base including;
(i) a channel located between the first and second side walls;and, (ii) first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls; a rotating cam supported on the base, said cam including;
(i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, said camshaft comprising a first end located in said first notch portion and a second end located in said second notch portion; and
(ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft;a biasing spring comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base, said outer end of said spring located outside said channel; a spring rod including an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lobe of the cam such that said spring biases said spring rod to an extended position; and a damper assembly comprising a lever operably connected to said spring rod and a piston assembly connected to said base and comprising a piston which is moved between a first position and a second position by said lever contacting said piston. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A counterbalance assembly for an appliance hinge, said counterbalance assembly comprising:
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a base including first and second spaced-apart side walls and a transverse face wall, said base including;
(i) a channel located between the first and second side walls;and, (ii) a notch comprising first and second notch portions respectively located in said first and second side walls; a rotating cam supported on the base, said cam including;
(i) a camshaft that extends between the side walls and that is adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, said camshaft comprising a first end located in said first notch portion and a second end located in said second notch portion; and
(ii) a lobe that projects from the camshaft wherein said lobe comprises a curved slot;a biasing spring comprising an inner end engaged with the base and an outer end spaced from the base, said outer end of said spring located outside said channel; a spring rod including an outer end operatively coupled to the spring and an inner end operatively coupled to the lobe of the cam by a fastener that is slidably engaged with said curved slot such that said spring biases said spring rod to an extended position.
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Specification