HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR OVEN OR OTHER APPLIANCE

摘要

An appliance hinge includes a control link subassembly operably connected between a base and a door mounting arm. The control link subassembly includes a control link with a first end pivotally connected to the door mounting arm and a second end spaced from the first end. The control link subassembly also includes a spring-arm including an outer end pivotally connected to the second end of the control link and an inner end engaged with the base and adapted for both pivoting and sliding movement relative to the base. The control link subassembly also includes a spring engaged with the spring-arm and exerting a biasing force on the spring-arm that urges said spring-arm toward its extended position. The spring-arm selectively moveable toward a retracted position. The hinge assembly further includes a link controller connected to the base. The spring biases the control link into abutment with the link controller.

主权项

1. An appliance hinge assembly comprising:
a base; a door mounting arm pivotally connected to the base and adapted for pivoting movement relative to the base between a first position and a second position; a control link subassembly operably connected between the base and the door mounting arm, said control link subassembly comprising:
a control link comprising a first end pivotally connected to the door mounting arm and a second end spaced from the first end, said control link further comprising a first edge;a spring-arm comprising an outer end pivotally connected to the second end of the control link and comprising an inner end engaged with the base and adapted for both pivoting and sliding movement relative to the base, said spring-arm moveable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said base;a spring engaged with the spring-arm and exerting a biasing force on the spring-arm that urges said spring-arm toward its extended position, said spring-arm selectively moveable against the biasing force toward its retracted position; a link controller connected to the base, wherein said spring biases the first edge of the control link into abutment with the link controller and pivoting movement of said door mounting arm relative to the base alters a contact location where said first edge of the control link contacts the link controller such that pivoting movement of the door mounting arm relative to the base induces pivoting movement of the control link relative to the door mounting arm to alter a door-closing force Fc exerted on the door mounting arm by the biasing spring through the control link.