Hinge assembly for refrigerated display cabinet

• US 5,513,420 A
• Filed: 05/04/1994
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill Phoenix Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tyler Refrigeration Corp. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Kennedy, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gurley, Donald M.
• Application Number:
  US08/238,188
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 16/223, 16/252, 16/289, 16/291, 16/297, 16/305, 16/306, 16/382, 16/298, 312/116, 312/139, 312/319.2
• US Class Current: 16/289
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 5/0246 for attachment to glass panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1261 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/204 for display counters
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/306 for freezers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/024 Door hinges
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/10 Refrigerator top-coolers

Abstract

The invention is directed to a hinge assembly for pivotably interconnecting a frame and a glass door of a refrigerated display case. The hinge assembly is pivotable about a horizontal axis and includes a hinge movable between a first position and a second position. The hinge includes a spring biasing device for biasing the hinge to the first position or second position. A clamp is connected to the hinge and holds the glass door using only frictional force.

Claims

1. A refrigerated display case, comprising:

a frame;

a glass door; and

a hinge assembly interconnecting said frame and said glass door, said hinge assembly pivoting about a horizontal axis and including;

a hinge movable between a first position and a second position, said hinge including a spring biasing means for biasing said hinge to one of said first position and said second position; and

a clamp including a first part connected to said hinge and a second part adjustably connected to said first part, said first part and said second part frictionally engaging said glass door therebetween,

said hinge including a mounting bracket, a pivot plate mounted on said clamp, a first pivot means pivotally connecting the pivot plate to the mounting bracket, a pressure plate, second pivot means pivotally connecting the pressure plate to the pivot plate, said pressure plate carrying an elongated planar face offset from said second pivot means, said spring bias means including a coil spring mounted on said mounting bracket, and means for transferring the force of said coil spring to the elongated planar face of said pressure plate.

2. The display case of claim 1, wherein said spring biasing means comprises a compression spring.

3. The display case of claim 1, further comprising an elastomeric member disposed between said glass door and at least one of said first part and said second part.

4. The display case of claim 3, wherein said elastomeric member comprises a means for sealing between said glass door and said first and second parts, and for providing a cushion between said glass door and said first and second parts.

5. The display case of claim 1, wherein said glass door comprises a thermopane glass door.

6. The display case of claim 1, wherein said means for transferring is an elongated member.

7. The display case of claim 6, wherein said coiled spring is compressed between a pair of end plates, said elongated member extending through one of said end plates to engage said pressure plate.

8. The display case of claim 7, wherein said elongated member is threadedly connected to said one end plate whereby the compression of said coil spring may be adjusted by adjusting the elongated member relative to the end plate.

9. A hinge assembly for interconnecting a frame and a glass door of a refrigerated display case, said hinge assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis and comprising:

a hinge movable between a first position and a second position, said hinge including a spring biasing means for biasing said hinge to one of said first position and said second position; and

a clamp means connected to said hinge for holding said glass door using only frictional force,

said hinge including a mounting bracket, a pivot plate mounted on said clamp, a first pivot means pivotally connecting the pivot plate to the mounting bracket, a pressure plate, second pivot means pivotally connecting the pressure plate to the pivot plate, said pressure plate carrying an elongated planar face offset from said second pivot means, said spring bias means including a coil spring mounted on said mounting bracket, and means for transferring the force of said coil spring to the elongated planar face of said pressure plate.

10. The hinge assembly of claim 9, wherein said clamp means comprises a first part connected to said hinge and a second part adjustably connected to said first part, said first part and said second part clamping said glass door therebetween.

11. The hinge assembly of claim 9, wherein one of said first and second parts includes a first opening and an other of said first and second parts includes a second opening disposed substantially coaxial with said first opening and further comprising a threaded bolt extending through said first opening and at least partially through said second opening.

12. The hinge assembly of claim 9, wherein said glass door comprises a thermopane glass door.

13. The display case of claim 9, wherein said means for transferring is an elongated member.

14. The display case of claim 9, wherein said coiled spring is compressed between a pair of end plates, said elongated member extending through one of said end plates to engage said pressure plate.

15. The display case of claim 9, wherein said elongated member is threadedly connected to said one end plate whereby the compression of said coil spring may be adjusted by adjusting the elongated member relative to the end plate.