Patent Publication Number: US-6986187-B2

Title: Hinge assembly with glide member

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of the filing date of and priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/381,900 filed May 20, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel and non-obvious hinge assembly. More particularly, the subject development relates to a new and improved hinge assembly for movably connecting the door of an appliance (e.g. an oven) to the body of the appliance. 
     A hinge assembly of the type illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  is widely known. 
     The hinge assembly A′ includes a claw B′ adapted for connection to an appliance frame or chassis, and a first end C 1 ′ of a channel C′ is pivotally connected to the claw B′ at a pivot point D′ so that the channel is adapted for bi-directional movement on an arc E′ relative to the claw. The channel C′ typically comprises a U-shaped cross-section (see  FIG. 2 ) so as to define an open recess. The pivotable interconnection between the first end C 1 ′ of the channel and the claw B′ is provided by a rivet, pin or other fastener R 1 ′. The channel C′ is adapted for connected to an appliance door such as an oven door is generally well known in the art of appliance hinge assemblies. 
     The claw B′ and the channel C′ are also operably interconnected through a link assembly F′. The link assembly F′ comprises at least one and typically first and second parallel, identical link members G 1 ′,G 2 ′ ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) that are pivotally connected at their first ends G 1 - 1 ′,G 2 - 1 ′ to the claw B′ by a rivet, pin or other fastener R 2 ′. The link members are connected at their opposite, second ends G 1 - 2 ′,G 2 - 2 ′ to the first end H 1 ′ of a spring H′ such as a coil spring (shown partially in phantom lines for clarity), usually by way of a transversely extending rivet, pin or other fastener R 3 ′. The opposite, second end H 2 ′ of the coil spring is secured directly to a second end C 2 ′ of the channel, or indirectly through a rivet, pin or other member connected to the channel. 
     A link control member such as a roller I′ spans the channel C′ adjacent the link members G 1 ′,G 2 ′, and the link members G 1 ′,G 2 ′ each define a contact surface J′ that moveably engages the roller I′. The link member G 1 ′,G 2 ′ also each define a catch or dwell point K′ that is adapted to receive and retain the roller I′ when the channel C′ is pivoted a maximum distance away from the claw B′ on the arc E′ (FIG.  3 ). When the roller I′ is seated in the dwell point K′, further movement of the channel C′ on the arc E′ in the first direction E 1 ′ is prevented. The contact surface J′ of each link member G 1 ′,G 2 ′ also defines a lobe or other feature M′ adjacent the link first end that is conformed to engage the roller I′ when the channel is in its first operative position and urge the channel member C′ rearwardly (to the right in FIG.  1 ) so that the channel member is securely held in its first operative position whereby a door connected to the channel is urged firmly into the closed position. 
     In operation, the channel C (and a door connected thereto) is pivotally moveable on the arc E′ to and between two operative positions: (i) a first operative position ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ) wherein the coil spring H′ is relatively relaxed and wherein the roller I′ is spaced from the dwell point K′; and, (ii) a second operative position ( FIG. 3 ) wherein the channel C′ is pivoted a maximum distance away from the claw B′ in the first direction E 1 ′ so that the coil spring H′ is relatively tensioned and elongated and so that the link members G 1 ′,G 2 ′ are moved toward the channel first end C 1 ′ until the roller I′ is seated in the dwell point K′ of links G 1 ′,G 2 ′. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that when the channel C′ is moved from the first operative position to the second operative position, the link assembly F′ moves away from the second end C 2 ′ of the channel. In contrast, when the channel C′ is moved in the opposite direction from the second operative position to the first operative position, the link assembly F′ moves toward the channel second end C 2 ′. 
     Appliance consumers have come to equate appliance quality with smooth and dampened movement of the appliance door relative to the appliance body. As such, appliance hinge manufactures have become focused on designing and manufacturing hinge assemblies that provide smooth and dampened door movement. Of course, competitive pressures require that hinge assemblies be manufactured at the lowest possible cost. This requires minimizing hinge complexity to reduce material and labor costs. Furthermore, owing to the widespread commercial success of hinges such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , it has been deemed desirable to provide hinges of this same basic design, that exhibit improved smoothness and a more dampened feel during use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a hinge assembly includes a claw adapted for connection to an associated appliance chassis and a channel pivotably connected to the claw. The channel is adapted for connection to an associated appliance door. The hinge assembly further includes a link assembly. The link assembly includes: (i) at least one link having a first end pivotably connected to the claw; and, (ii) at least one lever connected to the at least one link. The at least one lever includes a glide member slidably engaged with the channel. A spring is operably engaged between the link assembly and the channel. The spring is connected to a first end of the at least one lever and the glide member is located at a second end of the at least one lever. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, a hinge assembly includes a claw and a channel pivotably connected to the claw. A link assembly includes a link connected to the claw and a lever connected to the link. The lever includes a glide member movably engaged with the channel. A spring is operably connected to a first end of the lever and biases the glide member into movable engagement with the channel. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, 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 continuous engagement with the channel. 
     One advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a hinge assembly that exhibits improved counter-balance characteristics. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of a hinge assembly that exerts an improved pull-in or sealing force on the associated appliance door relative to the associated appliance body. 
     A further advantage of the present invention relates to the provision of a hinge assembly that allows for smooth and dampened door movement in a cost-effective manner. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a hinge assembly wherein hinge movement and feel are less sensitive to variations in spring forces (due to weakening of the spring and/or manufacturing tolerances) and this, in turn, allows a spring of a particular strength to be used over a wider range of applications. 
     Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading the following specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention comprises a variety of components and arrangements of components, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  (prior art) is a side elevational view of a prior art hinge assembly in a first operative position; 
         FIG. 2  (prior art) is a bottom view of the hinge assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  (prior art) is a side elevational view of the hinge assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in a second operative position; 
         FIG. 4  (prior art) is a front elevational view of the hinge assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a hinge assembly formed in accordance with the present invention (with a spring thereof not shown for clarity) in a first operative (closed) position; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the hinge assembly shown in  FIG. 5  in a second operative (opened) position; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  correspond respectively to  FIGS. 5 and 6  but also show a spring operatively positioned; and, 
         FIG. 9  is a partial view of the hinge assembly taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG.  5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the invention, a hinge assembly A formed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In general, except as otherwise shown and/or described, the hinge assembly A is structured and operates similarly to the hinge assembly A′ illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . Accordingly, corresponding components of the hinge assembly A relative to the hinge assembly A′ are identified with like reference numerals/letters without the primed (′) suffix. New components of the hinge assembly A relative to the hinge assembly A are identified with new reference numerals/letters. 
     An important difference of the hinge assembly A relative to the hinge assembly A′ is that the channel C is reversed relative to the channel C′. As such, the U-shaped recess of the channel C is open toward the claw B (and toward the associated appliance frame to which the claw is connected) while the U-shaped recess of the channel C′ opens away from the claw B′ (and away from the associated appliance frame to which the claw is connected). 
     The hinge assembly A includes a claw B adapted for connection to an appliance frame or chassis, and a first end C 1  of a channel C is pivotally connected to the claw B at a pivot point D so that the channel is adapted for bi-directional movement on an arc E relative to the claw. The pivotable interconnection between the first end C 1  of the channel C and the claw B is provided by a rivet, pin or other fastener R 1 . The channel C is adapted for connection to an appliance door such as an oven door is generally well known in the art of appliance hinge assemblies. The channel C need not have a U-shaped cross-section as illustrated herein. Also, the channel C need not be a one-piece construction and can comprise other members connected thereto. 
     The claw B and the channel C are also operably interconnected through a link assembly F. The link assembly F preferably comprises at least one link or link member G 1  that is pivotally connected at its first ends G 1 - 1  to the claw B by a rivet, pin or other fastener R 2 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the link assembly F can comprise two or more the link members including the link member G 1  and others formed similarly or identically thereto. 
     The link assembly F further comprises at least one lever member S connected to the second end G 1 - 2  of the link member G 1  by a rivet R 3 , pin or other fastener or other suitable connection means. More particularly, the lever member S comprises a first end S 1  and a second end S 2 . As shown herein, the lever member S is pivotably connected to the link member G 1  at a point located generally between the first and second ends S 1 ,S 2 . When the link assembly F comprises two link members including the link member G 1  and another link member, the lever member S is preferably sandwiched between the two link members. 
     The first end S 1  of the lever member S includes an aperture or is otherwise conformed or includes other means for being engaged by a first end H 1  of the spring H as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The opposite, second end H 2  of the coil spring H defines a hook or the like and is secured directly to a second end C 2  of the channel C or is secured to the channel C indirectly through a rivet, pin or other member R 4  that is, itself, connected to the channel second end. In either case, the spring H is operably connected between the link assembly F and channel C. 
     With reference also to  FIG. 9 , the second end S 2  of the lever member S is conformed to engage a glide member U that is slidably movable in the channel C and slidably engaged with the channel C. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end S 2  of the lever member S is conformed with a hook or other male protrusion and the glide member U is defined with a mating female conformation whereby the second end S 2  of the lever member S is directly engageable with the glide member U without requiring a fastener, adhesive or other fastening means. 
     The glide member U is defined from any suitable material such as metal or a polymeric material. In the preferred embodiment, the glide member U is defined from a polymeric material such as a molded plastic material (e.g., Nylon) and is closely received in the channel C so that the glide member U can slide axially toward and away from the first and second ends C 1 ,C 2  of the channel (as indicated by the double-ended arrow E 2 ) but cannot move more than minimally in a lateral direction within the channel C. Also, the combination of the lever member S and the spring H urge a bearing surface U 1  of the glide member U into abutment with the channel C at all times. Preferably, the bearing surface U 1  of glide member U slidably engages an inner wall C 3  of the channel. If desired, a viscous lubricant such as a heavy grease can be used at the interface between the bearing surface U 1  and the channel C to provide the hinge assembly A with a more smooth and dampened feel during use. 
     The glide member U need not be defined separately from the lever member S and can be integral therewith or even formed as a one-piece construction with the lever member S. In one embodiment, the second end S 2  of the lever member S is, itself, conformed to define a metallic glide member U including a bearing surface U 1 . In another embodiment, a plastic glide member U is insert-molded to the second end S 2  of the lever member S. It should be noted that the channel C can optionally comprise a member connected thereto that defines a surface against which said glide member U bears and, in such case, the glide member U is still deemed to be “slidably engaged” with the channel C, i.e., any such additional member connected to the channel C and providing a surface against which the glide member U bears is deemed to be part of the channel C. 
     A link control member I such as a roller or a simple cross-pin or rivet spans the channel C adjacent the link member G 1 . The link member G 1  defines a contact edge or surface J that movably engages the roller or other link control member I when the link member G 1  moves during operation of the hinge assembly A as described in further detail below. 
     The link member G 1  also defines a catch or dwell point K that is adapted to receive and retain the link control member I when the channel C is pivoted a maximum distance in the first direction E 1  away from the claw B on the arc E to its second operative position (FIGS.  6  and  8 ). When the roller or other link control member I is seated in the dwell point K, further movement of the channel C on the arc E in the first direction E 1  is prevented. 
     It is important to note that the lever member S is connected to the link member G 1  in a manner such that when the first end S 1  of the lever member S is urged toward the second end C 2  of the channel C by the spring H, the second end S 2  of the lever member S pushes on the glide member U and biases same into abutment with the channel C, in particular, an inner wall C 3  of the channel. This, in turn, causes the lever member S to exert a force on the link member G 1  that urges same away from the inner wall C 3  of channel C so that the contact surface J of the link member G 1  is biased into firm and continuous contact with the roller or other link control member I that spans the open channel for all positions of the channel C relative to the claw B. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the presence and arrangement of the lever member S as disclosed herein ensures firm contact between the link member G 1  and the roller or other link control member I at all times which causes the hinge assembly A to exhibit smooth and dampened movement when the channel C is moved in either direction and to any position on the arc E. Furthermore, the friction between the bearing surface U 1  of the glide member U and the channel C (and any viscous lubricant at this interface) further dampens movement of the channel C when the channel C is moved either direction on the arc E and this friction also results in a counter-balancing force or dampening effect to movement of the channel C relative to the claw B. 
     In operation, the channel C (and a door or other structure connected thereto) is pivotally moveable bi-directionally on the arc E in the first direction E 1  and an opposite second direction to and between two operative positions: (i) a first operative position ( FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  9 ) wherein the coil spring H is shortened and wherein the roller or other link control member I is spaced from the dwell point K; and, (ii) a second operative position ( FIGS. 6 and 8 ) wherein the channel C is pivoted a maximum distance away from the claw B in the first direction E 1  so that the coil spring H is tensioned and elongated and so that the link member G 1  is moved toward the channel first end C 1  until the roller or other link control member I is seated in the dwell point K. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that when the channel C is moved from the first operative position to the second operative position, the entire link assembly F (including the link member G 1 , the lever member S and the glide member U) moves away from the second end C 2  of the channel C. In contrast, when the channel C is moved in the opposite direction from the second operative position to the first operative position, the entire link assembly F moves toward the channel second end C 2 . This movement of the entire link assembly F is indicated by the arrow E 2 . 
     As noted, during pivoting movement of the channel C relative to the claw B in the first direction E 1  or an opposite direction, the spring H acts on the lever S to cause the glide member U to be urged into contact with the channel inner wall C 3  which, in turn, causes the link member G 1  to be biased away from the inner wall C 3  and into continuous firm contact with the link control member I. Owing to the sliding contact between the bearing surface U 1  of the glide member U and the channel inner wall C 3 , movement of the channel C in either direction on the arc E is smooth and dampened relative to conventional hinge assemblies such as that shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     The channel C, claw B, link member G 1  and lever member S are preferably all defined from and/or comprise metal stampings. These members need not be one-piece constructions. It is contemplated that any or all of these components be made from or comprise other suitable materials such as polymeric materials or the like. 
     Based upon the foregoing, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the hinge assembly A comprises a link assembly F that includes a glide member that is slidably engaged with the channel C when the channel moves to and between the first and second operative positions. The engagement of the glide member U with the channel under force of spring H results in the link G 1  of link assembly F being biased into engagement with the link control member I as desired for all positions of the channel C relative to the claw B. 
     The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Of course, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.