Hinge assembly with glide member

• US 6,986,187 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
• Original Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
• Inventors: Habegger, Jeffrey D., Collene, James J., Cummins, Steven O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kyle, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/441,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 16286-288, 163/06, 163/17, 163/65, 163/66, 163/68, 163/70, 126/191, 126/194, 49445-447
• US Class Current: 16/286
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1276 for counterbalancing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/08 with longitudinally-moving bars guided, e.g. by pivoted links, in or on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/26 Mechanical friction
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/264 linear
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/626 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/308 for ovens
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/023 Mounting of doors, e.g. hinges, counterbalancing

Abstract

A hinge assembly for an appliance includes a claw and a channel pivotably connected to the claw. A link assembly is operably connected between the claw and the channel. The link assembly includes a link connected to the claw and a lever connected to the link. A glide member is connected to the lever and movably engaged with said channel. The glide member is slidably movable between first and second operative positions in response to movement of the channel relative to the claw between first and second positions, respectively. A spring is operably connected to a first end of the lever and biases the glide member into engagement with the channel.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly comprising:

a claw adapted for connection to an associated appliance chassis;

a channel pivotably connected to said claw and adapted for connection to an associated appliance door, said channel defining a recess;

a link control member connected to said channel and spanning said recess;

a link assembly comprising;

(i) at least one link having a first end pivotably connected to said claw; and

, (ii) at least one lever pivotably connected to said at least one link, said at least one lever comprising a glide member located in said recess and slidably engaged with said channel;

a spring operably engaged between said link assembly and said channel, said spring connected to a first end of said at least one lever, wherein said glide member is located at a second end of said at least one lever, and wherein said spring urges said glide member into engagement with said channel and urges said at least one link into engagement with said link control member when said channel moves to an between said first and second operative positions.

2. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one lever is connected to said at least one link at a point generally between said first and second ends of said at least one lever.

3. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one lever is pivotably connected to said at least one link.

4. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said glide member is defined as a one-piece construction with said at least one lever.

5. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said glide member comprises a polymeric member connected to said at least one lever.

6. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spring comprises a coil spring.

7. A hinge assembly comprising:

a claw adapted for connection to an associated appliance chassis;

a channel pivotably connected to said claw and adapted for connection to an associated appliance door;

a link assembly comprising;

(i) first and second links each having a first end pivotably connected to said claw; and

, (ii) at least one lever connected to said first and second links, said at least one lever comprising a glide member slidably engaged with said channel;

a spring operably engaged between said link assembly and said channel, said spring connected to a first end of said at least one lever and said glide member located at a second end of said at least one lever;

wherein said at least one lever is sandwiched between said first and second links.

8. A hinge assembly comprising:

a claw adapted for connection to an associated appliance chassis;

a channel pivotably connected to said claw and adapted for connection to an associated appliance door, wherein said channel pivots relative to said claw between first and second operative positions;

a link assembly comprising;

(i) at least one link having a first end pivotably connected to said claw, said at least one link comprising a contact surface; and

, (ii) at least one lever connected to said at least one link, said at least one lever comprising a glide member slidably engaged with said channel;

a spring operably engaged between said link assembly and said channel, said spring connected to a first end of said at least one lever and said glide member located at a second end of said at least one lever;

a link control member connected to said channel, wherein said spring urges said glide member into engagement with said channel and wherein said lever urges said contact surface of said at least one link into continuous and uninterrupted engagement with said link control member when said channel moves to an between said first and second operative positions.

9. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said at least one link defines a dwell point that receives said link control member when said channel is pivoted to said second operative position.

10. A hinge assembly comprising:

a claw;

a channel pivotably connected to said claw;

a link assembly comprising a link connected to said claw and comprising a lever connected to said link, said lever comprising a glide member movably engaged with said channel;

a spring operably connected to a first end of said lever and biasing said glide member into movable engagement with said channel; and

a link control member connected to said channel, wherein said spring urges said glide member into engagement with said channel and wherein said lever urges said contact surface of said link into continuous and uninterrupted engagement with said link control member when said channel moves to an between first and second operative positions.

11. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said channel defines a recess and wherein said glide member is movably located in said recess.

12. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said glide member is located adjacent a second end of said lever and wherein said lever is connected to said link at a point generally between said first and second ends of said lever.

13. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said lever is pivotably connected to said link.

14. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said glide member is defined as a one-piece construction with said lever.

15. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said glide member comprises a polymeric member connected to said lever.

16. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said spring comprises a coil spring.

17. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said link and said lever are each one-piece members.

18. A hinge assembly comprising:

a claw;

a channel pivotably connected to said claw, wherein said channel pivots relative to said claw between first and second operative positions;

a link assembly comprising a link connected to said claw and comprising a lever connected to said link, said lever comprising a glide member movably engaged with said channel, wherein said link comprises a contact surface; and

,

a link control member connected to said channel, wherein said spring urges said glide member into engagement with said channel and wherein said lever urges said contact surface of said link into engagement with said link control member when said channel moves to an between said first and second operative positions.

19. A hinge assembly for an appliance comprising:

a claw;

a channel pivotably connected to said claw, said channel defining a recess;

a link control structure connected to said channel;

a link assembly operably connected between said claw and said channel, said link assembly comprising a link pivotably connected to said claw and a lever pivotally connected to said link between opposite first and second ends of said lever;

a glide member connected to a second end of said lever and located in said recess of said channel and movably engaged with said channel, said glide member slidably movable between first and second operative positions in response to movement of said channel relative to said claw between first and second positions, respectively;

a spring operably connected to a first end of said lever and biasing said glide member into continuous engagement with said channel and urging said link away from said channel into abutment with said link control structure.

20. The hinge assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein said glide member comprises a polymeric body.