Abstract:
A power closure control apparatus including a power operator for moving a panel along a travel path. There is also included a pinch strip that is in communication with the power operator. The pinch strip includes a lower portion mounted to the vehicle and an upper portion that is movably engaged with the lower portion. A spring mechanism is disposed between the upper and lower portions to maintain a positional relationship between the upper and lower portions. The upper portion has a first extended position and a second retracted position such that when a force is applied to the upper portion it moves to its second retracted position thereby causing the power operator to cease moving the panel along the travel path.
Abstract:
A sash position sensing system for a fume hood (10) and the like having a plurality of movable sashes (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) in a frame includes an indicator element (24) affixed to each sash and an array (20) of sensor elements (22) extending along the frame. The sensor elements interact with the indicator elements when generally aligned therewith. The status of the sensor elements is captured in parallel without the need for multiplexing the sensor array, and a processor (52) reads the captured state information and calculates the open area of the frame. In further aspects, a method for determining the position of one or movable sashes in a frame and a fume hood employing the sash position sensing system of the present invention are also provided.
Abstract:
An actuating system, comprising a base part and a moving part, which can be moved by a compressively preloaded piston/cylinder assembly that comprises a cylinder and a piston rod, wherein a piston on the piston rod divides the cylinder into two working chambers, wherein the base part has an externally powered drive device that stands in operative connection with the moving part and functions in opposition to the operating force of the piston/cylinder assembly, wherein a control system monitors the motion of the moving system and detects an obstacle when a parameter representing the motion deviates from a stored parameter by a threshold limit, wherein the actuating system in the unpowered state holds the moving part with the aid of a locking device, wherein the locking device is formed by a flow connection between the working chambers of the piston/cylinder assembly and a pilot valve for controllably blocking fluid flow through the flow connection.
Abstract:
A movement device for pieces of furniture, for articulating a door with respect to a stationary structure, comprises a first articulation element (12; 12a . . . ) linked to the door and pivotable with respect to the stationary structure, and a second articulation element (14) hinged to the stationary structure, the ends of said two articulation elements being hinged together, the first articulation element having an elastically variable extension, so that said two elements may assume with respect to one another a stable retracted position and a stable extended position, passing through a succession of unstable positions, and further comprises adjusting means (30; 30a; 30b . . . ) for adjusting the distance between an axis (a16) of the hinge between the two elements and a rotation axis (a13) of the second element with respect to the stationary structure.
Abstract:
A rear gate opening and closing apparatus includes a gas stay for biasing a rear gate in an opening direction, a motor for actuating to open or close the rear gate, a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the motor with the rear gate, an encoder for detecting the position of the rear gate, an operating switch for operating an opening and closing motion of the rear gate, and a control means for controlling the motor and clutch to automatically open and close the rear gate. The opening and closing speed of the rear gate is controlled based on a detection signal of the encoder.
Abstract:
A hinge assembly for an oven or range that allows a door to be attached to the cooking chamber, locked in place and removed as desired. The hinge assembly includes a hanger mounted to the door and a locking arm mounted to the hanger. The oven or range chamber has at least one pin for receiving a channel on the hanger. When the locking arm is pivoted to an unlocked position with the hanger channel open, the hanger can receive or disengage the pin. When the locking arm is pivoted to an unlocked position with the hanger channel closed, the pin is trapped and the door is secured to the cooking chamber.
Abstract:
A hydraulic closure system is disclosed for use in a motor vehicle that enables automatic opening and closing, as well as manual closing, of a closure pivotably mounted to an opening frame defining a closure opening in the motor vehicle. The system includes at least one hydraulic actuator assembly attached at opposite ends thereof to the closure and the opening frame, respectively. A motorized hydraulic pump inputs energy to the actuator to move the closure from the opened position to the closed position, and a biased energy storage system inputs energy to the actuator to move the closure from the closed position to the opened position. In a preferred embodiment, the pump is activated by manually generated movement of the closure from the opened position toward the closed position for a prescribed distance in more than a prescribed time. An obstacle detection mechanism detects obstacles interfering with closing of the closure based on monitored pressure in the system. A level detection and compensation feature adjusts the amount of energy stored in the biased energy storage system for opening the closure based on the detected inclination or declination of the vehicle so that the amount of energy stored is commensurate with the amount required to open the closure. An energy monitoring and control system maintains the amount of energy stored in the biased energy storage system for opening the closure within a predetermined range.
Abstract:
An overhead baggage compartment has a lowerable trough, especially for a passenger aircraft, wherein the trough is connected by two quadrilateral bellcrank type levers or links, with the side walls of the trough inside a box-like housing which is open at the bottom and also has two side walls. A substantial weight compensation is achieved by pneumatic springs, whereby each pneumatic spring (14) works on an adjustable attachment point on the corresponding quadrilateral bellcrank link through a guide roller 15. During loading of the trough 3, its weight is so determined and the pneumatic spring 14 is so swivelled by a weighing lever 13, that the guide roller 15 is placed on the corresponding quadrilateral bellcrank link at an attachment point chosen according to the determined weight. It is a special advantage that closing of the baggage compartment only requires a minimal manual force which is largely independent of the weight of the trough.
Abstract:
A fully assembled hinge mechanism for a door of a major appliance which comprises an elongated guide member arranged to be attached to the appliance at spaced apart front edges thereof having a pivotal door hanger lever extending therefrom, and a hinge arm pivotally connected to the door hanger lever and movable on the guide member to permit opening of a door on the hanger lever where the hinge arm is spring biased into contact with the guide member and the spring counterbalances the weight of the door.
Abstract:
A mechanism for use with a removable hinged oven door is provided and includes a hinge bracket pivotally secured to the oven housing. A channel frame is secured within the oven door and is adapted to receive the hinge bracket for rendering the door pivotally cooperative with the hinge bracket for movement between a door closed position and a door open position. A lever is pivotally secured to the hinge bracket for movement between first and second positions. In the first position the lever engages the channel frame to prevent removal of the door from the hinge bracket. In the second position the lever disengages from the channel frame to permit removal of the door from the hinge bracket and further maintains the hinge bracket in a predetermined position with respect to the oven structure when the door is removed from the hinge bracket.