# US 12,180,774 B1 · Self-close and slow-close hinge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,180,774 B1 - Document ID: US12180774B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/357,584 - Filed: 2023-07-24 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2023-07-24 - Assignees: Cosmetal Fab LLC - Applicants: Cosmetal Fab LLC - Inventors: Ivan Fisher; Jeff Davis; Mason Rhine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180774B1 ## CPC - E05D 3/02: with one pin - E05F 3/20: in hinges - E05F 1/1215: {with a canted-coil torsion spring} - E05Y 2201/21: Brakes - E05Y 2201/484: Torsion springs - E05Y 2900/132: Doors - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract A hinge includes a hinge body, a self-close mechanism disposed within the hinge body, and a slow-close mechanism disposed within the hinge body. The hinge body has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is rotatable with respect to the second portion between an open position and a closed position. The self-close mechanism applies a closing force on the first portion from a first angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion to the closed position, the closing force urging the first portion to the closed position. The slow-close mechanism applies a damping force on the first portion from a second angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion to the closed position, the damping force slowing a rotational speed of the first portion to the closed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hinge, comprising: a hinge body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is rotatable with respect to the second portion between an open position and a closed position; a self-close mechanism disposed within the hinge body, the self-close mechanism applies a closing force on the first portion from a first angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion to the closed position having a 0° angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion, the closing force urging the first portion to the closed position, the first angle of rotation is approximately 180°; and a slow-close mechanism disposed within the hinge body, the slow-close mechanism applies a damping force on the first portion from a second angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion to the closed position, the damping force slowing a rotational speed of the first portion to the closed position, the second angle of rotation is less than or equal to 45°. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hinge of claim 1, wherein the self-close mechanism is adjustable to adjust a magnitude of the closing force. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hinge of claim 1, wherein the slow-close mechanism is adjustable to adjust the second angle of rotation at which the damping force is applied. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hinge of claim 1, wherein the self-close mechanism includes a center pin, a bottom pin, and a torsion spring held between the center pin and the bottom pin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The hinge of claim 4, wherein the torsion spring has a first end fixed to the center pin and a second end fixed to the bottom pin. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The hinge of claim 5, wherein the bottom pin is rotatable within the hinge body to adjust the closing force by rotating the torsion spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The hinge of claim 6, wherein the bottom pin has a base and a post extending from the base, the torsion spring is fixed to the base and positioned around the post. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The hinge of claim 6, wherein the self-close mechanism has an attachment screw positioned within the bottom pin and the center pin and connecting the bottom pin and the center pin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The hinge of claim 5, wherein the center pin has an upper portion and a shaft extending from the upper portion, the torsion spring is positioned around the shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hinge of claim 9, wherein the upper portion has a pin protrusion received in a notch of the first portion of the hinge body, the center pin rotates with the first portion by engagement of the pin protrusion with the notch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The hinge of claim 1, wherein the slow-close mechanism has a damping element and a shaft disposed in the damping element and rotatable with respect to the damping element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The hinge of claim 11, wherein the damping element is rotationally fixed to the first portion of the hinge body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The hinge of claim 12, wherein the slow-close mechanism has a damper stop disposed on the shaft, the damper stop has a damper protrusion received in an indent of the second portion of the hinge body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hinge of claim 13, wherein the damper stop is rotatable with respect to the second portion of the hinge body within a range defined by engagement of the damper protrusion with the indent, the damper stop is rotatable within the range to adjust the second angle of rotation by rotating the shaft within the damping element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The hinge of claim 11, wherein the slow-close mechanism is a rotary damper. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The hinge of claim 1, further comprising a pair of caps connected to opposite ends of the hinge body, the self-close mechanism and the slow-close mechanism are enclosed within the first portion, the second portion, and the caps. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The hinge of claim 1, wherein the first portion has a first housing and a first flange extending from the first housing, and the second portion has a pair of second housings connected by a second flange, the first housing is positioned between the second housings, the self-close mechanism and the slow-close mechanism are positioned in the first housing and the second housings. ### Claim 18 A door assembly, comprising: a door; and a hinge attached to the door and controlling rotational movement of the door, the hinge including: a hinge body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is attached to the door and is rotatable with respect to the second portion between an open position and a closed position; a self-close mechanism disposed within the hinge body, the self-close mechanism applies a closing force on the first portion from a first angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion to the closed position having a 0° angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion, the closing force urging the first portion to the closed position, the first angle of rotation is approximately 180°; and a slow-close mechanism disposed within the hinge body, the slow-close mechanism applies a damping force on the first portion from a second angle of rotation between the first portion and the second portion to the closed position, the damping force slowing a rotational speed of the first portion to the closed position, the second angle of rotation is less than or equal to 45°. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The door assembly of claim 18, wherein the door has a panel, the first portion is attached to a hinge side of the panel and the door has a frame piece with an angled flange on a free side of the panel opposite the hinge side. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The door assembly of claim 18, wherein the hinge is one of a plurality of hinges attached to the door, the closing force and/or the second angle of rotation of each of the hinges is different.