Single link hinge assembly with break-away link
First Claim
1. A hinge assembly comprising:
- a claw;
a channel pivotally connected to the claw at a first pivot point and adapted for movement on an arc in a first direction and in a second direction opposite said first direction, said channel movable from a first operative position in said first direction to a second operative position, and further in said first direction to a break-away position;
a link control member connected to said channel;
a spring having first and second ends, said second end operably engaged with said channel;
a single link member defining first and second opposite contact surfaces and first and second opposite ends, said first end pivotally connected to said claw and said second end operably engaged with said first end of the spring, said second contact surface of said link member abutting said link control member and defining;
(i) a peak;
(ii) an operative surface portion on a first side of said peak that cooperates with said peak to define a first dwell point; and
, (iii) a break-away surface portion on a second side of said peak, wherein said link member is movable relative to said link control member in response to pivoting movement of said channel relative to said claw, and wherein;
(i) said link control member is in contact with said operative surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said first operative position;
(ii) said link control member is located in said first dwell point when said channel is located in said second operative position; and
, (iii) said link control member is in contact with said break-away surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said break-away position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hinge assembly for connecting an appliance door to an appliance frame includes a claw and a channel pivotally connected to the claw. A single link member is pivotally connected to the claw, and the link member defines first and second contact surfaces. The second contact surface defines an operative portion and a break-away portion separated from the operative portion by a peak. A spring is operably engaged between the link member and the channel. A link control member is connected to the channel and contacts the second contact surface of the link member. The channel is movable from a first operative position in a first direction on arc of 90 degrees or less to a second operative position where the link control member is in contact with the operative portion of the second contact surface of the link. The channel is movable from the second operative position further in the first direction to a break-away position that is more than 90 degrees from the first operative position where the link control member is in contact with the break-away portion of the second contact surface of the link.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hinge assembly comprising:
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a claw; a channel pivotally connected to the claw at a first pivot point and adapted for movement on an arc in a first direction and in a second direction opposite said first direction, said channel movable from a first operative position in said first direction to a second operative position, and further in said first direction to a break-away position; a link control member connected to said channel; a spring having first and second ends, said second end operably engaged with said channel; a single link member defining first and second opposite contact surfaces and first and second opposite ends, said first end pivotally connected to said claw and said second end operably engaged with said first end of the spring, said second contact surface of said link member abutting said link control member and defining;
(i) a peak;
(ii) an operative surface portion on a first side of said peak that cooperates with said peak to define a first dwell point; and
, (iii) a break-away surface portion on a second side of said peak, wherein said link member is movable relative to said link control member in response to pivoting movement of said channel relative to said claw, and wherein;
(i) said link control member is in contact with said operative surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said first operative position;
(ii) said link control member is located in said first dwell point when said channel is located in said second operative position; and
, (iii) said link control member is in contact with said break-away surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said break-away position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An oven comprising:
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a frame; a door; at least one hinge assembly that movably connects said door to said frame, said at least one hinge assembly comprising; a claw connected to said frame; a channel connected to said door and pivotally connected to the claw at a first pivot point and adapted for movement on an arc in a first direction and in a second direction opposite said first direction, said channel movable from a first operative position in said first direction to a second operative position, and further in said first direction to a break-away position, wherein;
(i) said first operative position corresponds to a fully closed position of said door relative to said frame;
(ii) said second operative position corresponds to a fully open operative position of said door relative to said frame; and
, (iii) said break-away position corresponds to a non-operative over-open position of said door relative to said frame where said door is non-horizontal;link control member connected to said channel; a spring having first and second ends, said second end operably engaged with said channel; a single link member defining first and second opposite contact surfaces and first and second opposite ends, said first end pivotally connected to said claw and said second end operably engaged with said first end of spring, said second contact surface of said link member abutting said link control member and defining;
(i) a peak;
(ii) an operative surface portion on a first side of said peak that cooperates with said peak to define a first dwell point; and
, (iii) a break-away surface portion on a second side of said peak, wherein said link member is movable relative to said link control member in response to pivoting movement of said channel relative to said claw, and wherein;
(i) said link control member is in contact with said operative surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said first operative position;
(ii) said link control member is located in said first dwell point when said channel is located in said second operative position; and
, (iii) said link control member is in contact with said break-away surface portion of said link when said channel is located in said break-away position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A hinge assembly for connecting an appliance door to an appliance frame, said hinge assembly comprising:
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a claw; a channel pivotally connected to said claw; a single link member pivotally connected to said claw, said link member defining first and second contact surfaces, wherein said second contact surface defines an operative portion and a break-away portion separated from said operative portion by a peak that projects outwardly from said second contact surface; a spring operably engaged between said link member and said channel; and
,a link control member connected to said channel and contacting said second contact surface of said link member, wherein said channel is movable from a first operative position in a first direction on arc of 90 degrees or less to a second operative position where said link control member is in contact with said operative portion of said second contact surface of said link, and wherein said channel is movable from said second operative position further in said first direction to a break-away position that is more than 90 degrees from said first operative position where said link control member is in contact with said break-away portion of said second contact surface of said link. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification