Abstract:
A method for operating a hydraulic closure system for a motor vehicle includes automatic opening and closing, as well as manual closing, of a closure pivotally mounted to an opening frame defining a closure opening in the motor vehicle. The system used in the method 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 relatively slow manually generated movement of the closure from the opened position toward the closed position. Also, 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.
Abstract:
A display case having a tubular framework with a display window pivotally mounted thereto has a lifting and supporting mechanism for the display window including a strut member having a rod end and a cylinder end. A hinge is pivotally mounted to the cylinder and is adapted to be secured to the display window. A strut body slidably receives a strut member and hinge thereon. A retention arrangement pivotally connects the rod end of the strut and the hinge to the strut body so as to define a strut module which is slidable into and out of the tubular framework of the display case.
Abstract:
An oven door is provided with a mechanism for controlling the rate of door opening and closing. The mechanism includes first and second parts pivotably connected to the oven body and oven door, respectively. A rotary element interconnects the first and second parts in such manner that those parts are relatively longitudinally movable when the door is opened and closed, and such that the rotary member is induced to rotate in response to such relative movement. The rotary member frictionally engages the first and second parts such that relative movement between the parts produces friction forces tending to resist such relative movement and thereby control the rate of opening and closing of the door.
Abstract:
A display counter for use in supermarkets and like establishments for temporary storage, cooling and displaying of foodstuffs has a case with a hollow upper section having a pivotable front panel at the customer side and a horizontal counter top. The front panel can be pivoted by one or more fluid-operated motors with assistance from an attendant and through the medium of hinges which are mounted on forwardly extending arms of the skeleton frame of the upper section of the case. The top marginal portion of the front panel is held between discrete or integra rails of the hinges so that its exposed side is normally flush with the upper side of the counter top. One of the rails has a portion which extends rearwardly and overlies the adjacent portions of the arms and of the counter top to seal the interior of the case from the surrounding atmosphere when the front panel is held in its operative position at the customer side of the counter. An attendant can assist the motor or motors to pivot the front panel to a raised position in which the interior of the upper section of the case is accessible at the customer side for restocking and/or cleaning.
Abstract:
In the illustrative embodiment of the invention as described an engine bonnet is articulated to the framework of a motor car. A gas spring is articulated to both the framework and the bonnet. The gas spring balances part of the weight of the bonnet when the bonnet is to be opened by hand. In case of an accident the framework and/or the bonnet may be crushed in longitudinal direction of the car. In such case the piston rod of the gas spring is pushed inward of the cylinder beyond the normal innermost operational position and a retaining device becomes effective so as to prevent the piston rod from returning towards its outermost operational position.
Abstract:
A door such as an oven door structure in which an enclosure such as the oven has an access opening with a door for closing the opening mounted for rotation about an axis between closed and open positions with the door being easily removable when desired by moving it to a position between open and closed and moving the door by pushing the door downward against a yieldable urging means in a direction to move a pin of each of two pairs of pins into alignment with a side opening in a slot, moving these pins through the opening followed by moving a second pair of pins out of their openings with the result that the door is completely removed from the enclosure. In the preferred construction a pivotally mounted link arm on each side of the door is movable about an axis spaced from the door axis so that the link arms and the door pivot at different rates and with a cavity in each arm that coincides with a pin removal slot only when the door is in its intermediate removable position so that the door can only be removed in the above manner in this intermediate position. An automatic safety catch is provided so that when the door is removed the hinge mechanism is prevented from closing against the enclosure prior to reinstallation of the door on the hinge mechanism.