A holding and opening mechanism for a pivoting element which is mounted to be pivotable relative to a supporting element about a first axle via a joint, with a pivoting arm acting between the pivoting element and the supporting element is provided. The pivoting arm is pivotally mounted about a second axle wherein the free end of the pivoting arm acts on a control surface of a guide element. A torsion spring is provided which acts on the pivoting arm in the direction around the second axle, a fixed part and a part pivotable relative thereto likewise provided, with the one part including the guide element and the other part including the pivoting arm. The pivotable part is adapted to be pivotable relative to the fixed part about the joint and the first axle, the pivotable part is connected to the pivoting arm and the pivoting element and the fixed part is connected to the supporting element, the control surface in cooperation with the torsion spring and the pivoting arm determines the holding and opening force via the pivot angle of the pivoting element.

A holding and opening mechanism for a pivoting element which is mounted to be pivotable relative to a supporting element about a first axle via a joint, with a pivoting arm acting between the pivoting element and the supporting element is provided. The pivoting arm is pivotally mounted about a second axle wherein the free end of the pivoting arm acts on a control surface of a guide element. A torsion spring is provided which acts on the pivoting arm in the direction around the second axle, a fixed part and a part pivotable relative thereto likewise provided, with the one part including the guide element and the other part including the pivoting arm. The pivotable part is adapted to be pivotable relative to the fixed part about the joint and the first axle, the pivotable part is connected to the pivoting arm and the pivoting element and the fixed part is connected to the supporting element, the control surface in cooperation with the torsion spring and the pivoting arm determines the holding and opening force via the pivot angle of the pivoting element.

Systems and devices to control rotational and/or arcuate motion are provided herein. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing a shear thickening fluid. In some examples, a door closure system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing two opposing springs.

Systems and devices to control rotational and/or arcuate motion are provided herein. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door. In some examples, a hinge system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing a shear thickening fluid. In some examples, a door closure system is configured to replace a conventional door hinge and to control motion of the door by employing two opposing springs.

A gate apparatus having an automatically returning gate, an upper latch operated by an upper button, and a lower latch operated by an upper finger handle. Each of the latches must be opened to open the gate. The gate returns without the aid of a spring to a position close to the closed position or to the closed position by the structure of a pivot or hinge connection between the gate and the frame of the gate. Gate tubes are rectangular in section for their entire length. Wood panels are included in the gate and excluded from other portions of the gate apparatus to make the gate stand out to the user seeking to open the gate.

A gate apparatus having an automatically returning gate, an upper latch operated by an upper button, and a lower latch operated by an upper finger handle. Each of the latches must be opened to open the gate. The gate returns without the aid of a spring to a position close to the closed position or to the closed position by the structure of a pivot or hinge connection between the gate and the frame of the gate. Gate tubes are rectangular in section for their entire length. Wood panels are included in the gate and excluded from other portions of the gate apparatus to make the gate stand out to the user seeking to open the gate.

An appliance includes a hinge module between a main body and a pull-down door. The hinge module includes a housing, a rotational axis member disposed in the housing serving as a center of rotation between the pull-down door and the main body, an inner link housing movably disposed in the housing that moves with the opening of the pull-down door in a direction of the rotational axis member, and a damper installed in the inner link housing, the damper including a piston and a cylinder and providing damping force according to a relative movement of the piston and the cylinder. Any one of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves with the inner link housing and the other of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves by a predetermined distance as the inner link housing moves and then is interfered by the housing so as not to move further, and the piston and the cylinder of the damper starts damping, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to an opening angle of the pull-down door in which the damping is started.

An appliance includes a hinge module between a main body and a pull-down door. The hinge module includes a housing, a rotational axis member disposed in the housing serving as a center of rotation between the pull-down door and the main body, an inner link housing movably disposed in the housing that moves with the opening of the pull-down door in a direction of the rotational axis member, and a damper installed in the inner link housing, the damper including a piston and a cylinder and providing damping force according to a relative movement of the piston and the cylinder. Any one of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves with the inner link housing and the other of the piston and the cylinder of the damper moves by a predetermined distance as the inner link housing moves and then is interfered by the housing so as not to move further, and the piston and the cylinder of the damper starts damping, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to an opening angle of the pull-down door in which the damping is started.

A pivot hinge includes a spring housing with a central tube, a spring assembly, an upper mounting plate, and a lower mounting plate. A pivot pin is positioned within the central tube and is coupled to a torsion spring. A top end of the pivot pin is received within a central channel of a spring bushing. The spring bushing has a cylindrical main portion and a undulating ridge forming three radially positioned high areas or tongues and three radially positioned low areas, troughs or grooves. The grooves are configured to receive or mesh with interior steps in the central tube to prevent relative rotation between the spring bushing and the central tube Each tongue also includes a spring mounting recess therein. The top end of the cylindrical main portion extends through and is journalled within the top opening of the central tube.

A pivot hinge includes a spring housing with a central tube, a spring assembly, an upper mounting plate, and a lower mounting plate. A pivot pin is positioned within the central tube and is coupled to a torsion spring. A top end of the pivot pin is received within a central channel of a spring bushing. The spring bushing has a cylindrical main portion and a undulating ridge forming three radially positioned high areas or tongues and three radially positioned low areas, troughs or grooves. The grooves are configured to receive or mesh with interior steps in the central tube to prevent relative rotation between the spring bushing and the central tube Each tongue also includes a spring mounting recess therein. The top end of the cylindrical main portion extends through and is journalled within the top opening of the central tube.