US3781046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerator door shock absorber
Assignee: Dam Fine Products Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-23
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A shock absorbing device for use in holding open a door of a container in a vehicle including resilient means positionable between the door and an abutment for holding the door in an open position and connector means for preventing the door from opening more than a predetermined amount. The connector means allows the door to be opened less than said predetermined amount, and the resilient means is compressed between the door and the abutment even when the door is opened said predetermined amount.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hinkle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:54
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D23/00; F25D23/02; E; E05; E05C; E05C17/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/28; Y10T292/283; Y10T292/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A device of the kind described comprising: an insulated container of the type usable in vehicles for keeping food cool, said container defining a compartment and having an opening, said container being positonable in a vehicle, said container and said vehicle constituting structure; a door; means for pivotally mounting said door for movement between a closed position in which the door closes said opening through an intermediate position to a fully open position; connector means attached to at leasc one of saod door and said structure for preventing said door from being opened beyond said intermediate position and for permitting said door to be opened to positions intermediate said closed and intermediate positions; resilient means positionable between said structure and said door for resiliently holding the door open, said resilient means being compressed between said door and said structure even when said door is in said intermediate position, the compression of said resilient means between said door and said structure causing said resilient means to be frictionally retained between said door and said structure; said resilient means including at least first and second telescoping tubes and a coil spring within said tubes for urging said telescoping tubes apart; said resilient means including first and second end caps of nonmetallic material for receiving the outer end portions of said first and second telescoping tubes, respectively; and said first and second end caps being positionable in engagement with the door and the structure, respectively, whereby said resilient means is frictionally retained against the door and the structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
255 words
A device of the kind described comprising: an insulated container of the type usable in vehicles for keeping food cool, said container defining a compartment and having an opening, said container being positonable in a vehicle, said container and said vehicle constituting structure; a door; means for pivotally mounting said door for movement between a closed position in which the door closes said opening through an intermediate position to a fully open position; connector means attached to at leasc one of saod door and said structure for preventing said door from being opened beyond said intermediate position and for permitting said door to be opened to positions intermediate said closed and intermediate positions; resilient means positionable between said structure and said door for resiliently holding the door open, said resilient means being compressed between said door and said structure even when said door is in said intermediate position, the compression of said resilient means between said door and said structure causing said resilient means to be frictionally retained between said door and said structure; said resilient means including at least first and second telescoping tubes and a coil spring within said tubes for urging said telescoping tubes apart; said resilient means including first and second end caps of nonmetallic material for receiving the outer end portions of said first and second telescoping tubes, respectively; and said first and second end caps being positionable in engagement with the door and the structure, respectively, whereby said resilient means is frictionally retained against the door and the structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A shock absorbing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubes are interconnected by said spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said tubes has an interior surface and said spring has at least first and second expanded coils adjacent the opposite ends of said spring, said expanded coils being radially enlarged relative to the coils intermediate said expanded coils, said first and second expanded coils tightly frictionally engaging the interior surfaces of the first and second tubes, respectively, to thereby interconnect said tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A shock absorbing device as defined in claim 3 wherein the interior surfaces of said tubes are relatively smooth at least adjacent the region of tight frictional engagement with the expanded coils.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |