Various types of hinge assemblies for oven doors and other appliance applications are known. Appliance manufacturers and users are continuously seeking new and improved hinge assemblies that provide optimal performance, durability, affordable cost, and ease of assembly and repair. Known hinge assemblies generally meet these requirements, but it has been deemed desirable to provide a new and improved appliance hinge assembly that provides improvements with respect to these and other criteria.
In accordance with one aspect of the present development, a hinge assembly includes a base and a lever pivotally connected to the base. The lever includes an outer end adapted for being connected to an associated appliance door and an inner end. A cam is pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever and includes a contoured lobe edge. A cam control member is connected to the base. A spring includes a first end connected to the cam. The spring exerts a biasing force on the cam in a first direction such that said lever is urged toward a first position and said contoured lobe edge of said cam is urged into abutment with the cam control member. The lever is selectively movable from its first position against the biasing force of the spring to a second position. The cam control member contacts a first portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its first position, and the cam control member contacts a second portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its second position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present development, a hinge assembly includes a base and a lever pivotally connected to the base. The lever includes: (i) an outer end adapted for being connected to an associated appliance door; and (ii) an inner end. A cam is pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever. The cam includes a contoured lobe edge. A cam control member is connected to the base. The hinge assembly includes biasing means for urging the cam in a first direction such that the contoured lobe edge of the cam is urged into abutment with the cam control member. The lever is selectively movable from its first position to a second position. The cam control member contacts a first portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its first position, and contacts a second portion of the contoured lobe edge when said lever is located in its second position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present development, an appliance includes a body with a chamber. First and second hinge assemblies are connected to the body respectively adjacent first and second opposite lateral sides of the chamber. A door is connected to the first and second hinge assemblies and is movable relative to the body between a closed position and an opened position. At least one of the first and second hinge assemblies includes a base and a lever pivotally connected to the base. The lever includes: (i) an outer end connected to the door; and (ii) an inner end. A cam is pivotally connected to the inner end of the lever and includes a contoured lobe edge. A cam control member is provided. Biasing means urge the contoured lobe edge of the cam into abutment with the cam control member. The lever is selectively movable from the first position to a second position. The cam control member contacts a first portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its first position, and contacts a second portion of the contoured lobe edge when the lever is located in its second position.
At least one of the hinge assemblies H1,H2 is constructed in accordance with the present development. As shown herein, both hinge assemblies H1,H2 are constructed in accordance with the present development, although the structure and operation of the hinge assemblies H1,H2 is explained herein with reference only to the hinge assembly H1. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the hinge assembly H2 is identical to the hinge assembly H1 and/or the hinge assembly H2 is otherwise formed in accordance with the present development as described herein.
Referring now also to
A door-mounting lever 20 is pivotally connected to the tab 12 using a first pivot fastener R1 such as a rivet or pin or other pivot fastener. The oven door D is mounted to a first or outer end 20a of the lever 20 that is located outside the appliance body B. The lever 20 includes a second or inner end or tail 20b at least part of which extends through the opening O so as to project into the appliance body B. The first pivot fastener R1 separates the first end 20a of the lever from the second end 20b of the lever. The lever 20 pivots about a horizontal pivot axis defined by the first pivot fastener to and between a first position (
Referring also to
A cam 30 is pivotally connected to a distal end 20c or other portion of the lever tail 20b that is located inside the appliance body B by a second pivot fastener R2 such as a rivet, pin or other pivot fastener. The cam 30 includes a contoured lobe edge 32 that abuts the cam control member 15. The lobe edge 32 has a profile that includes a working portion 32a that is gently curved and a dwell point 32b defined by a deep concave recess. A first end of the working portion 32a is connected to and blends/transitions smoothly into the dwell point 32b by a convexly curved portion 32d, and a second end 32c of the working portion 32a is spaced from the dwell point 32b. The cam 30 moves or translates relative to the cam control member 15 in a first (downward) direction and an opposite second (upward) direction D2. In particular, when the lever 20 pivots from its first (door closed) position toward its second (door opened) position, the cam 30 moves relative to the cam control member 15 in the second direction D2, and when the lever 20 pivots from its second (door opened) position toward its first (door closed) position, the cam 30 moves relative to the cam control member 15 in the first direction D1.
The hinge assembly H1 further comprises a biasing spring 40 for urging the cam lobe edge 32 into abutment with the cam follower 15 and for biasing the lever 20 toward its first (door-closed) position. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam 30 includes a projection such as a spring arm 34 that extends away from the second pivot fastener rivet R2 on a side opposite the lobe edge 32 and that provides a location that is engaged with a first end 40a of the biasing spring 40, e.g., such as by a hook or loop formed in the first end 40a of the spring. An opposite, second end 40b of the biasing spring 40 is connected to a fixed anchor location such as a base FB or other part of the appliance body B. As shown in
The base 10, lever 20 and cam 30 are typically defined from respective metal stampings or other metal structures, although polymeric or other materials could be used depending upon the type of appliance A and the temperature and other environmental conditions to which the hinge assembly H1 will be exposed. As shown herein, the base 10, lever 20 and cam 30 are defined by respective one-piece metal stampings, but other metal or polymeric one-piece or multi-piece structures are contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring is a steel coil spring but it is not intended that the present development be limited to any particular material for the spring 40.
It can be seen that pivoting movement of the lever 20 between its first and second positions induces corresponding translational movement of the cam 30 relative to the cam control member 15, such that the cam control member 15 is in contact with a different portion of the contoured lobe edge 32 for each angular position of the lever 20.
The tension coil spring 40 can be replaced by a compression coil spring or any other mechanical and/or fluid charged (gas/oil/pneumatic/etc.) spring or other suitable biasing means that will bias the lever 20 and cam 30 of the hinge assembly H1 as described herein. For example, the spring 40 can be replaced by a fluid-charged strut that uses a gas and/or liquid biasing fluid, a spring-loaded damper and/or any other spring means or biasing means, and it is not intended that the present development be limited to the illustrated spring 40.
Other modifications and alterations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading and understanding this specification. It is intended that the present invention, as defined by claims, be construed as encompassing all such modifications and alterations.
This application claims priority from and benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/347,957 filed May 25, 2010, and said provisional patent application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present specification.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61347957 | May 2010 | US |