Door hinge device for a repository
First Claim
1. A door hinge for a repository of the type having a repository housing with an opening in one face thereof and an edge portion defining the opening, a door member to open and close the opening of the repository housing, and a sealing member sandwiched between the edge portion and the door member to seal the door member and the repository housing when the opening of the repository housing is closed by the door member, the door hinge comprising:
- a door-support member adapted to be mounted adjacent the edge portion of the repository housing and having a first coupling portion;
a door-mounted member adapted to be attached to that portion of the door member adjacent to the door-support member in position and having a second coupling portion for cooperatively connecting with the first coupling portion;
a shaft attached to one of said coupling portions;
means defining a shaft-fitting slot formed at the other coupling portion, the shaft being fitted in the shaft-fitting slot so that the shaft and the shaft-fitting slot can rock relative to one another and move relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the face of the repository housing where the opening is formed;
a guide pin attached to one of said coupling portions; and
means defining a guide recess formed at the other of said coupling portions for engaging the guide pin;
the guide pin and the guide recess constraining movement of the shaft and the shaft-fitting slot relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the face of the repository housing when the door member is moved between a closed and a nearly closed position, and permitting the shaft and the shaft-fitting slot to rock relative to one another when swinging said door member between a nearly closed position and a fully open position wherein said rocking causes said door mounting member to rock relative to said door-support member thereby swinging said door to a fully open position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door hinge device comprises a door support member and a door mounting member. The door support member is provided with a tongue, and is attached to a refrigerator housing. The door mounting member is attached to a door, and is provided with a second coupling portion connected to the tongue. A shaft and a guide pin stand on the tongue, and each is loosely fitted with a cylindrical collar. The door mounting member is provided with a shaft fitting slot which extends along the depth of the refrigerator housing when the door is closed, and the shaft is fitted in the shaft fitting slot. A guide recess is formed at the rear portion of the second coupling portion to engage the guide pin. The guide recess and the guide pin jointly move the shaft along the shaft fitting slot when the door is located near the position to close an opening of the refrigerator housing, and rocks the shaft relative to the shaft fitting slot until a given angle is formed between the door and the refrigerator housing when the door is kept away from the position to close the opening.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A door hinge for a repository of the type having a repository housing with an opening in one face thereof and an edge portion defining the opening, a door member to open and close the opening of the repository housing, and a sealing member sandwiched between the edge portion and the door member to seal the door member and the repository housing when the opening of the repository housing is closed by the door member, the door hinge comprising:
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a door-support member adapted to be mounted adjacent the edge portion of the repository housing and having a first coupling portion; a door-mounted member adapted to be attached to that portion of the door member adjacent to the door-support member in position and having a second coupling portion for cooperatively connecting with the first coupling portion; a shaft attached to one of said coupling portions; means defining a shaft-fitting slot formed at the other coupling portion, the shaft being fitted in the shaft-fitting slot so that the shaft and the shaft-fitting slot can rock relative to one another and move relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the face of the repository housing where the opening is formed; a guide pin attached to one of said coupling portions; and means defining a guide recess formed at the other of said coupling portions for engaging the guide pin; the guide pin and the guide recess constraining movement of the shaft and the shaft-fitting slot relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the face of the repository housing when the door member is moved between a closed and a nearly closed position, and permitting the shaft and the shaft-fitting slot to rock relative to one another when swinging said door member between a nearly closed position and a fully open position wherein said rocking causes said door mounting member to rock relative to said door-support member thereby swinging said door to a fully open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification