Lid counterbalance mechanism

Claim 2

A mechanism for use in counter balancing the weight of a lid supported on a cabinet for vertical swinging movements between cloSed and open positions, said mechanism comprising; a stationary hinge part adapted to be fixed to said cabinet; a movable hinge part; means for pivotally connecting said movable hinge part to said stationary hinge part for vertical swinging movements relative to said cabinet about an essentially horizontal hinge axis, said movable hinge part being adapted to be coupled to said lid for conjunctive vertical swinging movements when said movable hinge part is swung about said hinge axis; first and second constraining means supported for vertical pivotal movements on said stationary hinge part and said movable hinge part, respectively; a bolt carried by said first and second constraining means to extend essentially transversely of said hinge axis, one of said first and second constraining means providing a rotary end bearing support for one end of said bolt, an other of said first and second constraining means providing a rotary and slide support for an other end of said bolt, said bolt having a screw threaded portion arranged intermediate said first and second constraining means; a plate member threadedly received on said bolt threaded portion; and a compression spring arranged to bear adjacent opposite ends thereof on said plate member and said other of said first and second constraining means, whereby movement of said plate member axially of said bolt threaded portion varies compression of said spring, said spring establishing a moment tending to at least substantially counter balance the torque effects of gravity on said lid throughout substantially the whole of the vertical swinging movements thereof.

Claim 3

A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said movable hinge part is adapted to be fixedly connected to said lid.

Claim 4

A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein friction means are provided for dampening movements of said movable hinge part as a function of compression variations of said spring incident to movable hinge part positional changes, said friction means bearing in engagement with said bolt and being arranged intermediate for engagement by said spring and said other of said first and second constraining means.

Claim 5

A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said one of said first and second constraining means includes a guide projection arranged to extend essentially parallel to said bolt, and said guide projection constrains said plate member from rotation, whereby upon rotations of said bolt said plate member is moved axially of said bolt.

Claim 6

A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said one of said first and second constraining means is said first constraining means.

Claim 7

A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said one of said first and second constraining means constrains said plate member from rotation relative thereto, whereby upon rotation of said bolt relative to said first and second constraining means said plate member is moved axially of said bolt to vary compression of said spring.

Claim 8

A mechanism for use in counter balancing the weight of a lid supported on a cabinet for vertical swinging movements between closed and open positions, said mechanism comprising: a stationary hinge part adapted to be fixed to said cabinet; a movable hinge part; means for pivotally connecting said movable hinge part to said stationary hinge part for vertical swinging movements relative to said cabinet about an essentially horizontal hinge axis, said movable hinge part being adapted to be coupled to said lid for conjunctive vertical swinging movements when said movable hinge part is swung about said hinge axis; first and second constraining means supported for vertical pivotal movements on said stationary hinge part and said movable hinge part, respectively; a bolt carried by said first and second constraining means to extend essentially transversely of said hinge axis, one of said first and second constraining means providing a rotary end bearing support for one end of said bolt, an other of saiD first and second constraining means providing a rotary and slide support for an other end of said bolt and defining a bearing surface; friction means arranged for frictional engagement with said bolt, said friction means having one end thereof arranged in engagement with said bearing surface; plate means fixed to said bolt adjacent said one end of said bolt for adjustable movements axially thereof; and a compression spring arranged to bear adjacent opposite ends thereof on said plate means and an opposite end of said friction means whereby said friction means is biased into engagement with said bearing surface and directed thereby into frictional surface engagement with said bolt and whereby adjustable movements of said plate means axially of said bolt varies compression of said spring, and said spring and said friction means cooperating to establish a moment for counter balancing the torque effects of gravity on said lid throughout substantially the whole of the vertically swinging movements thereof.

Claim 9

A mechanism for use in counter balancing the weight of a lid supported on a cabinet for vertical swinging movements between closed and open positions, said mechanism comprising: a stationary hinge part adapted to be fixed to said cabinet; a movable hinge part; means for pivotally connecting said movable hinge part to said stationary hinge part for vertical swinging movements relative to said cabinet about an essentially horizontal hinge axis, said movable hinge part being adapted to be coupled to said lid for conjunctive vertical swinging movements when said movable hinge part is swung about said hinge axis; first and second constraining means supported for vertical pivotal movements on said stationary hinge part and said movable hinge part, respectively; a bolt carried by said first and second constraining means to extend essentially transversely of said hinge axis, one of said first and second constraining means providing a rotary end bearing support for one end of said bolt, an other of saiD first and second constraining means providing a rotary and slide support for an other end of said bolt and defining a bearing surface; friction means arranged for frictional engagement with said bolt, said friction means having one end thereof arranged in engagement with said bearing surface; plate means fixed to said bolt adjacent said one end of said bolt for adjustable movements axially thereof; and a compression spring arranged to bear adjacent opposite ends thereof on said plate means and an opposite end of said friction means whereby said friction means is biased into engagement with said bearing surface and directed thereby into frictional surface engagement with said bolt and whereby adjustable movements of said plate means axially of said bolt varies compression of said spring, and said spring and said friction means cooperating to establish a moment for counter balancing the torque effects of gravity on said lid throughout substantially the whole of the vertically swinging movements thereof.

Claim 10

A mechanism for use in counter balancing the weight of a lid supported on a cabinet for vertical swinging movements between closed and open positions, said mechanism comprising: a stationary hinge part adapted to be fixed to said cabinet; a movable hinge part; means for pivotally connecting said movable hinge part to said stationary hinge part for vertical swinging movements relative to said cabinet about an essentially horizontal hinge axis, said movable hinge part being adapted to be coupled to said lid for conjunctive vertical swinging movements when said movable hinge part is swung about said hinge axis; first and second constraining means supported for vertical pivotal movements on said stationary hinge part and said movable hinge part, respectively; a bolt carried by said first and second constraining means to extend essentially transversely of said hinge axis, one of said first and second constraining means being formed with a bore opening for rotatively receiving one end of said bolt and forming an end bearing support therefor, an other of said first and second constraining means providing a rotary and slide support for an other end of said bolt, said bolt having a screw threaded portion arranged intermediate said first and second constraining means; a plate member threadedly received on said bolt threaded portion, said one of said first and second constraining means slidably engaging said plate member for constraining said plate member for rotation relative thereto, whereby upon rotation of said bolt said plate member is forced to move axially of said bolt threaded portion; and a compression spring arranged to bear adjacent opposite ends thereof on said plate member and said other of said first and second constraining means, whereby movement of said plate member axially of said bolt threaded portion varies compression of said spring, said spring establishing a moment tending to at least substantially counter balance the torque effects of gravity on said lid throughout substantially the whole of the vertical swinging movements thereof.

Claim 11

A mechanism for use in counter balancing the weight of a lid supported on a cabinet for vertical swinging movements between closed and open positions, said mechanism comprising: a stationary hinge part adapted to be fixed to said cabinet; a movable hinge part; means for pivotally connecting said movable hinge part to said stationary hinge part for vertical swinging movements relative to said cabinet about an essentially horizontal hinge axis, said movable hinge part being adapted to be coupled to said lid for conjunctive vertical swinging movements when said movable hinge part is swung about said hinge axis; first and second constraining means supported for vertical pivotal movements on said stationary hinge part and said movable hinge part, respectively; a bolt carried by said first and second constraining means to extend essentially transversely of said hinge axis, one of said first and second constraining means being formed with a bore opening for rotatively receiving one end of said bolt and forming an end bearing support therefor, an other of said first and second constraining means providing a rotary and slide support for an other end of said bolt, said bolt having a screw threaded portion arranged intermediate said first and second constraining means; a plate member threadedly received on said bolt threaded portion, said one of said first and second constraining means slidably engaging said plate member for constraining said plate member for rotation relative thereto, whereby upon rotation of said bolt said plate member is forced to move axially of said bolt threaded portion; and a compression spring arranged to bear adjacent opposite ends thereof on said plate member and said other of said first and second constraining means, whereby movement of said plate member axially of said bolt threaded portion varies compression of said spring, said spring establishing a moment tending to at least substantially counter balance the torque effects of gravity on said lid throughout substantially the whole of the vertical swinging movements thereof.