# US 9,974,398 B2 · Door closer mechanism for display case > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,974,398 B2 - Document ID: US9974398B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/206,689 - Filed: 2016-07-11 - Published: 2016-11-03 - Granted: 2018-05-22 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-05 - Assignees: Zero Zone, Inc. - Applicants: Zero Zone, Inc. - Inventors: Paul Simon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9974398B2 ## CPC - A47F 3/043: {Doors, covers (A47F3/0434 takes precedence)} - A47F 3/0434: {Glass or transparent panels} - E05D 7/0009: {Adjustable hinges (E05D7/04 takes precedence)} - E05F 1/1207: {with a coil spring parallel with the pivot axis} - E05F 1/1215: {with a canted-coil torsion spring} - E05D 7/081: the pivot axis of the wing being situated near one edge of the wing, especially at the top and bottom, e.g. trunnions - E05Y 2201/499: Spring tensioners; Tension sensors - E05Y 2201/704: Worm wheels - E05Y 2900/202: for display cabinets, e.g. for refrigerated cabinets - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - 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 display case includes a housing partially surrounding a display space, a door pivotably coupled to the housing and cooperating with the housing to further enclose the display space, and a hinge assembly for pivotably coupling the door to the housing. The hinge assembly includes a biasing member applying a biasing force on the door and a gear drive for adjusting a pre-tension force on the biasing member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A display case comprising: a main housing partially enclosing a display space and defining an opening; a support member fixedly coupled to the main housing; a second housing including a first gear, the second housing coupled to the support member; a second gear supported for rotation by the support member and in meshing relationship with the first gear, rotation of the second gear producing a corresponding rotation of the first gear and the second housing; a door pin defining a door axis, the door pin supported for rotation about the door axis by the second housing; a biasing member connected to the door pin and the second housing and operable to provide a biasing force to the door pin, the biasing force being adjusted in response to the rotation of the second housing; and a door coupled to the door pin for co-rotation therewith, wherein the biasing force biases the door toward a closed position, and wherein the second housing, the biasing member, the first gear, and the second gear are disposed completely outside of the door and supported by a flange, and a portion of the door pin is received by the door to facilitate movement of the door with respect to the shell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The display case of claim 1, wherein the second housing and the first gear are rotatable about the door axis, and the biasing member exerts a biasing force about the door axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The display case of claim 2, wherein the second gear is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the door axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The display case of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes a bore receiving at least a portion of the door pin, wherein the biasing member is a torsional coil spring positioned within the bore between the second housing and the door pin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The display case of claim 1, wherein the support member includes an elongated sleeve having a bore, wherein the second housing is positioned within the bore of the sleeve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The display case of claim 1, wherein the second gear is a worm gear mounted on a gear shaft, rotation of the gear shaft driving the first gear to rotate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The display case of claim 1, wherein the second gear is rotatable about an axis that is offset from and perpendicular to the door axis. ### Claim 8 A display case comprising: a main housing partially enclosing a display space and defining an opening; a support member fixedly coupled to the main housing; a second housing including a first gear, the second housing coupled to the support member; a second gear supported for rotation by the support member and in meshing relationship with the first gear, rotation of the second gear producing a corresponding rotation of the first gear and the second housing; a door pin defining a door axis, the door pin supported for rotation about the door axis by the second housing; a biasing member connected to the door pin and the second housing and operable to provide a biasing force to the door pin, the biasing force being adjusted in response to the rotation of the second housing; and a door coupled to the door pin for co-rotation therewith, wherein the biasing force biases the door toward a closed position, wherein the second housing, the biasing member, the first gear, and the second gear are disposed completely outside of the door and a portion of the pin is received by the door to facilitate movement of the door with respect to the shell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The display case of claim 8, wherein the second housing and the first gear are rotatable about the door axis, and the biasing member exerts a biasing force about the door axis, wherein the second gear is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the door axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The display case of claim 8, wherein the second housing includes a bore receiving at least a portion of the door pin, wherein the biasing member is a torsional coil spring positioned within the bore between the second housing and the door pin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The display case of claim 8, wherein the support member includes an elongated sleeve having a bore, wherein the second housing is positioned within the bore of the sleeve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The display case of claim 8, wherein the second gear is a worm gear mounted on a gear shaft, rotation of the gear shaft driving the first gear to rotate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The display case of claim 8, wherein the second gear is rotatable about an axis that is offset from and perpendicular to the door axis.