# US 7,607,198 B2 · Hinge mechanism for air cleaner > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,198 B2 - Document ID: US7607198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/236,251 - Filed: 2005-09-27 - Published: 2006-03-30 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-30 - Assignees: Toyo Roki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Chikara Shimomura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607198B2 ## CPC - B60H 1/00528: {Connections between housing parts} - B01D 46/0002: {Casings; Housings; Frame constructions} - B01D 2265/028: Snap, latch or clip connecting means - B60H: ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A hinge mechanism which makes detachably engage a casing with a cover including: an insertion portion formed in the casing or cover and protrudes outward from an outer face of the one; and a holding portion extending from the other one which has an insertion hole, wherein a clip for applying a pressing force is engaged with the holding portion or the insertion portion, and includes an engagement part engaged with a tip end of the insertion hole or with an outer peripheral face of the insertion portion, and a spring part, the spring part includes a bending part bent in one axial direction, and -opposing parts on both sides thereof, and generates the pressing force to open the opposing parts, and the insertion portion is pressed against the bottom of the holding portion with the pressing force. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hinge mechanism for detachably engaging a casing with a cover in an air cleaner comprising: an insertion portion which is formed on one of the casing and the cover and protrudes outward from an outer face of the one of the casing and the cover, the insertion portion having an insertion tip; and a holding portion which is formed on the other one of the casing and the cover, the holding portion having an insertion hole for receiving the insertion portion thereinto; an elastic clip member retained on one of the holding portion and the insertion portion, wherein the clip member includes an engagement part which releasably engages the insertion hole of the holding portion or an outer peripheral face of the insertion portion, and a spring part is formed integrally with the engagement part to apply a pressing force, the spring part includes a bending part which includes a bend in the clip member, and first and second opposing parts of the clip member project from either side of the bending part, the insertion portion is shaped and configured to be removably inserted into the insertion hole; wherein the first opposing part is formed into an inside part and an outside peripheral part by a U-shaped slot, the inside part and an outside peripheral part maintaining a connection near the bending part and defining the engagement part; a secondary bending part, which biases the outside peripheral part farther from the second opposing part than the inside part is formed in the outside peripheral part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bending part of the clip member is bent in a direction opposite to the secondary bending part of the clip member, wherein the secondary bending part is disposed between the second opposing part and a third opposing part, the clip member releasably engaging the holding portion so that the spring part is located inside the insertion hole, and the insertion portion is removably inserted between the insertion hole of the holding portion and the spring part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A hinge mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the engagement part of the clip is an engagement hole formed on both the second bending part, and the third opposing part, the holding portion has engagement claws that releasably engage with the third opposing part of the clip member, and the engagement claws are respectively releasably inserted into the engagement holes so as to position the clip member on the holding portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A hinge mechanism according to claim 2, wherein an end of the third opposing part of the clip is outwardly deflected. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the inside part and the outside peripheral part are bent at the bending part in a same direction, the engagement part of the clip member is releasably engaged with an outer face of the insertion portion such that the outside peripheral part is directed toward the insertion hole of the holding portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bending part of the clip member is disposed adjacent to the insertion tip of the insertion portion so as to be opposite to the cover or the casing having the holding portion formed therein. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A hinge mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the engagement part of the clip member is formed in the outside peripheral part or the inside part. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A hinge mechanism according to claim 7, wherein an engagement protrusion is formed on either of the insertion portion or holding portion so as to be inserted into a corresponding space formed in the outside peripheral part of the clip member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A hinge mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the outside peripheral part and the inside part are deflected in directions opposite to each other.