Torque rod operated counterbalancing hinge and door assembly
First Claim
1. A counterbalancing hinge comprising:
- a first hinge member;
a second hinge member connected to the first hinge member at a hinge point, the second hinge member being curved and having a cam surface formed thereon;
a torque rod having a fixed end which is fixed relative to the first hinge member and a rotating end which is rotatable relative to a pivot point located at a position displaced from the location of the hinge point;
a bearing surface for contacting the cam surface; and
a lever arm having one end rotatably mounted at the pivot point and the other end having the bearing surface thereon, the rotating end of the torque rod being fixed relative to the lever arm;
whereby rotational hinge motion of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member causes the cam surface to press upon the bearing surface through a moving contact point which rotates the lever arm to produce a counterbalancing twisting of the torque rod.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A torque rod operated counterbalancing hinge comprising first and second hinge members connected together at a hinge point, the second hinge member being curved with a cam surface to the first hinge member, and the other end rotatable relative to a pivot point located at a position displaced from the location of the hinge point. A lever arm has one end rotatably mounted at the pivot point and the other end has a bearing surface for contacting the cam surface. The rotating end of the torque rod is fixed relative to the lever arm whereby rotational hinge motion of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member causes the cam surface to press upon the bearing surface through a moving contact point which rotates the lever arm to produce a counterbalancing twisting of the torque rod. The invention also includes a door assembly employing the counterbalancing hinges.
42 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A counterbalancing hinge comprising:
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a first hinge member; a second hinge member connected to the first hinge member at a hinge point, the second hinge member being curved and having a cam surface formed thereon; a torque rod having a fixed end which is fixed relative to the first hinge member and a rotating end which is rotatable relative to a pivot point located at a position displaced from the location of the hinge point; a bearing surface for contacting the cam surface; and a lever arm having one end rotatably mounted at the pivot point and the other end having the bearing surface thereon, the rotating end of the torque rod being fixed relative to the lever arm; whereby rotational hinge motion of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member causes the cam surface to press upon the bearing surface through a moving contact point which rotates the lever arm to produce a counterbalancing twisting of the torque rod. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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- 2. A counterbalancing hinge according to claim wherein the lever arm is integrally formed from the torque rod by bending.
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10. A counterbalancing hinge according to claim wherein the first hinge member comprises two parallel spaced-apart plates, the second hinge member being pivotally mounted on a hinge pin perpendicularly supported between the plates.
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11. A door assembly comprising:
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a door; a door frame; and at least two counterbalancing hinges mounted at spaced apart locations adjacent an edge of the door, the hinges comprising; a first hinge member; a second hinge member connected to the first hinge member at a hinge point, the second hinge member being curved and having a cam surface formed thereon; a torque rod having a fixed end which is fixed relative to the first hinge member and a rotating end which is rotatable relative to a pivot point located at a position displaced from the location of the hinge point; a bearing surface for contacting the cam surface; and a lever arm having one end rotatably mounted at the pivot point and the other end having the bearing surface thereon, the rotating end of the torque rod being fixed relative to the lever arm; whereby rotational hinge motion of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member causes the cam surface to press upon the bearing surface through a moving contact point which rotates the lever arm to produce a counterbalancing twisting of the torque rod. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A counterbalancing hinge comprising:
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a first hinge member; a second hinge member hingedly connected to the first hinge member at a hinge point, said second hinge member integrally including a cam means having a cam surface formed thereon; and a counterbalance torque means for producing a counterbalancing torque at the hinge point which is a substantially sinusoidal function of the opening angle of the hinge, said counterbalance torque means including; a lever arm means rotatably mounted at a pivot point, said pivot point being located at a position displaced from the location of the hinge point said lever arm means having a bearing surface for contacting the cam surface; and a linear force producing means operatively connected between the lever arm means and the first hinge member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification