US5566423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Delay mechanism for retarding relative movement between two members
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1993-12-27
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Granted: 1996-10-22
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Expires: 2013-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for retarding rotation of a pin member, comprising: a sleeve having a body and a chamber within the body, the sleeve body comprising first and second coaxial body segments, the first body segment including a reduced-diameter portion and the second body segment including a counterbore sized to receive the reduced-diameter portion, the reduced diameter portion being axially longer than the counterbore, such that a circumferential recess is formed when the reduced diameter portion is slidingly received in the counterbore; a pair of aligned apertures in the body; a shaft disposed through the apertures and adapted for rotation within the chamber; viscous material surrounding the shaft and substantially filling the shaft and substantially filling the voids in the chamber; and extensions on the shaft for engaging the viscous material and retarding rotation of the shaft in the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen P. Hassler
- 👤 Stephen P. Johnson
- 👤 John Lapp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H31/00; H01H31/02; H01H31/12; H01H31/122; H01H31/127; H01H85/00; H01H85/02; H01H85/04; H01H85/041; H01H85/042; H01H85/05; H01H85/055; H01H85/12; H01H85/30; H01H85/303; H01H85/38; H01H9/00; H01H9/10; H01H9/102; H01H9/30; H01H9/32; C; C08; C08L; C08L2201/00; C08L2201/12; H01H2085/0004; H01H85/0241; H01H2085/0258
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for retarding rotation of a pin member, comprising: a sleeve having a body and a chamber within said body, said sleeve body comprising first and second coaxial body segments, said first body segment including a reduced-diameter portion and said second body segment including a counterbore sized to receive said reduced-diameter portion, said reduced diameter portion being axially longer than said counterbore, such that a circumferential recess is formed when said reduced diameter portion is slidingly received in said counterbore; a pair of aligned apertures in said body; a shaft disposed through said apertures and adapted for rotation within said chamber; viscous material surrounding said shaft and substantially filling the voids in said chamber; and extensions on said shaft for engaging said viscous material and retarding rotation of said shaft in said chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for retarding rotation of a pin member, comprising: a sleeve having a body and a chamber within said body, said sleeve body comprising first and second coaxial body segments, said first body segment including a reduced-diameter portion and said second body segment including a counterbore sized to receive said reduced-diameter portion, said reduced diameter portion being axially longer than said counterbore, such that a circumferential recess is formed when said reduced diameter portion is slidingly received in said counterbore; a pair of aligned apertures in said body; a shaft disposed through said apertures and adapted for rotation within said chamber; viscous material surrounding said shaft and substantially filling the voids in said chamber; and extensions on said shaft for engaging said viscous material and retarding rotation of said shaft in said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extensions comprise a plurality of upsets formed on said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extensions comprise threads formed on said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said extensions comprise fins formed longitudinally along said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said viscous material comprises silicon putty.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
A hinge assembly comprising: a pair of spaced-apart shaft-supporting members, each of said members having an aperture formed therethrough and aligned with an axis of rotation; a pair of spaced-apart sleeve-supporting members disposed between said shaft-supporting members, each of said sleeve-supporting members having an aperture formed therethrough and aligned with said axis of rotation; a sleeve member disposed between said sleeve-supporting members, said sleeve member comprising: a body; a cavity within said body; and a pair of apertures in said body, said apertures aligned with said axis; a pin member having a shaft disposed through said aligned apertures of said shaft-supporting members and said sleeve-supporting members and through said apertures of said sleeve body, said shaft and sleeve body defining an annular void therebetween; and a viscous material in said cavity substantially filling said annular void.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
A hinge assembly comprising: a pair of spaced-apart shaft-supporting members, each of said members having an aperture formed therethrough and aligned with an axis of rotation; a pair of spaced-apart sleeve-supporting members disposed between said shaft-supporting members, each of said sleeve-supporting members having an aperture formed therethrough and aligned with said axis of rotation; a sleeve member disposed between said sleeve-supporting members, said sleeve member comprising: a body; a cavity within said body; and a pair of apertures in said body, said apertures aligned with said axis; a pin member having a shaft disposed through said aligned apertures of said shaft-supporting members and said sleeve-supporting members and through said apertures of said sleeve body, said shaft and sleeve body defining an annular void therebetween; and a viscous material in said cavity substantially filling said annular void.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hinge assembly of claim 6 further comprising extensions on said shaft for engaging said viscous material and retarding rotation of said shaft in said cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hinge assembly of claim 7 wherein said sleeve includes annular collars extending from said body, said collars disposed through said aligned apertures in said sleeve-supporting members and forming journal bearings for supporting said pin member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hinge assembly of claim 8 wherein said sleeve body comprises a first and second body segment, and wherein said sleeve cavity is formed by the interengagement of said first and second body segments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The hinge assembly of claim 9 wherein said pin member includes a head portion and wherein said head portion is attached to one of said spaced-apart shaft supporting members such that rotation of said pin member relative to said shaft-supporting member is prevented.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |