Compact hinge apparatus and method of use
AssigneeHardware Resources, Inc.
InventorsDennis McGregor, Travis McElveen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a silent, soft-close compact hinge comprising of a hinge cup pivotally connected to a hinge body via a hinge arm. A set of coil springs biases the hinge to a closed position. A damping mechanism is removably attached to the hinge cup and acted on by the hinge arm. A set of spring sleeves are fitted to the coil springs to insulate the movement of the coil springs on the hinge arm providing the closing bias. The hinge body is comprised of three separate plates adjustably connected to each other with cam screws. The position of the hinge body with respect to the hinge arm is adjustable in three directions without the need for removal or loosening of mounting hardware used to attach the hinge body to a furniture piece.
Claims20
A soft-close hinge for pivotally connecting a cabinet door to a cabinet frame comprising:
- a hinge cup pivotally connected to a hinge arm, the hinge cup having a first side wall and a second side wall defining an interior;
- at least one tab extending from the first side wall into the interior;
- a hinge body adjustably connected to the hinge arm;
- a damping mechanism removably seated in the interior and anchored by the at least one tab;
- a coil spring, having an angular cross-section and connected to at least one side wall of the pair of side walls, biasing the hinge cup toward the hinge arm;
- and,
- wherein a position of the hinge arm relative to the cabinet frame is adjustable in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction.
A method of damping the closing movement of a compact hinge having a hinge cup pivotally connected to a hinge arm, an overlay plate connected to the hinge arm by an overlay screw, an adjustable plate connected to the overlay plate by a depth cam screw, a mounting plate connected to the adjustable plate by a vertical cam screw, a housing abutting at least one tab extending from the hinge cup, a damping cylinder slidably engaged with the housing and adjacent the hinge arm, a coil spring attached to the hinge cup biasing the hinge cup toward the hinge arm, and a spring sleeve encasing the coil spring comprising:
- providing a closing force to the compact hinge to begin the closing movement;
- abutting the cylinder with the hinge arm;
- moving the cylinder through the housing;
- pressing the spring sleeve on the hinge arm;
- and,
- whereby a closing speed of the compact hinge is controlled.
A compact, soft-close hinge for pivotally connecting a cabinet door to a cabinet frame comprising:
- a hinge cup defining an interior and having a tab extending into the interior, the hinge cup connected to a hinge arm;
- an overlay plate adjustably connected to the hinge arm by an overlay cam screw;
- a first set of flanges on the hinge arm slidably engaged with a second set of flanges on the overlay plate;
- an adjustment plate adjustably connected to the overlay plate by a depth cam screw;
- a mounting plate adjustably connected to the adjustment plate by a vertical cam screw;
- a damping mechanism having a housing slidably engaged with a cylinder, the housing seated in the interior and adjacent the tab, the cylinder abuttable by the hinge arm;
- a set of coil springs biasing the hinge cup toward the hinge arm;
- and,
- wherein a position of the hinge arm relative to the mounting plate is adjustable in a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.