Patent ID: 8292376

Claim:
A lift system for a panel on a structure for an enclosure for merchandising, comprising: a structure for one or more of a temperature-controlled enclosure and a display for merchandising; a hinge mechanism attached to the structure; a panel attached to the hinge mechanism and moveable about an axis of the hinge mechanism relative to the structure, and being subject to a force of gravity biasing the panel toward a first position relative to the structure; and a lift mechanism attached to the structure and the panel for providing a force on the panel causing the panel to be biased toward a second position relative to the structure; and wherein the lift mechanism comprises: a first gas spring having a first end and having a second end; a bellcrank mechanism mounted on the structure and rotatable about an axis, and having a first connection point at a first distance from the axis and attached to the second end of the gas spring and having a second connection point at a second distance from the axis; a force transfer link having a first end attached to the second connection point of the bellcrank mechanism, and having a second end connected to a third connection point on the panel; a length of the force transfer link is adjustable; movement of the second end of the gas spring relative to the structure results in movement of the panel relative to the structure; and movement of one or more ends of the gas spring is two-dimensional.