First (3) and second (5) elements are mutually connected by a hinge pin (7). A transmission element (44) is interposed between the second element (5) and a cradle (53) end and includes elastic means (27) having an end connected to the cradle (53) end opposite to transmission element (44). An elongated first box member (41) contains, at least partially, the transmission element (44), the connected cradle (53) and the elastic means (27) whose end opposite to the cradle (53) is fixed to the first box member (41) transmitting the elastic closing force of the elastic means (27) to the second element (5). The cradle (53) contains a damper (57), each end of which has a respective transverse pin (58) whose ends slide in respective slots (54) formed in the cradle (53) and in respective slots (42) formed in the first box member (41).

A furniture drive for moving a furniture part movably-supported relative to a furniture carcass includes a carrier configured to be fixed within or to a sidewall of the furniture carcass, and the carrier has a front face and a longitudinal side protruding substantially at a right angle from the front face. A pivotally supported actuating arm is provided for moving the movable furniture part, and fastening device can fasten a furniture panel of the furniture carcass. The furniture panel extends substantially horizontally in a mounted position, and a fastening device includes a movably-supported locking element for fastening the furniture panel. The locking element is configured to be accessible for a manual or for a tool-assisted actuation from a longitudinal side of the carrier, and the longitudinal side of the carrier faces towards the outside.

A device is proposed for moving a furniture flap received on a furniture body of a piece of furniture having a spring-force unit, which assists the opening and/or the closing of the furniture flap by a predetermined force action of the spring-force unit via an adjusting arm engaging with the furniture flap in the mounted state. According to the invention, an electrically switchable adjusting unit is provided, which is coupled to the spring-force unit in such a way that a movement of the spring-force unit into a predetermined adjustment position of the spring-force unit on the piece of furniture occurs by a switching of the adjusting unit in the mounted state of the device so that a degree of force action of the spring-force unit on the furniture flap can be adjusted in dependence on the adjustment position of the spring-force unit.

A door assembly for providing selective access to a chamber of an appliance includes adjustable balancing masses mounted to the door assembly to enable adjustment of the door assembly's center of gravity. Specifically, the door assembly includes one or more spring hinges attaching the door assembly to the appliance cabinet. Balancing mass are positioned on a mounting apparatus attached to the frame of the door assembly. To achieve an appropriate balance between the gravitational moment of the door assembly and the torsional stiffness of the spring hinges, the balancing masses may be adjusted on the mounting apparatus, thereby altering the center of gravity and gravitational moment generated by the door assembly to a predetermined amount appropriate for a given torsional stiffness of the spring hinge.

According to one aspect of the invention, an assembly is configured to counterbalance components movable relative to one another, the assembly including a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to one of the components; a follower arm pivotally coupled to a follower arm mounting point on the mounting bracket; a follower coupled to a follower mounting point on the follower arm; means for exerting force between a force exerting means mounting point on the mounting bracket and a force exerting means mounting point on the follower arm; and a cam configured to be coupled to another one of the components in such a way that the follower contacts a cam profile of the cam.

The monolithic door of the present invention includes a single panel door having a top edge and a front and back side. The door is hinged at the top edge, within a door opening, to a structure (in one embodiment, a door frame header). A winding mechanism is secured towards the top of a first vertical member of the door frame and a second winding mechanism is secured towards the top of a second vertical member of the door frame, opposite the first vertical member. A compression strut on each side of the door is secured to tension straps or cables which are in turn attached to a corresponding winding mechanism secured to the structure. An actuator operatively connected to the winding mechanisms rotates the drums to either force the door open or allow the door to close.

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.

An extension mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel of a vehicle between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the extension mechanism including: an inner tube having an outer surface; an outer tube having an inner surface and overlapping the inner tube for at least a portion of the outer surface along an extension axis, such that the inner surface and the outer surface are adjacent to one another when overlapped; a first spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the outer tube; a second spring positioned along the extension axis in an interior of the inner tube; a seal positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface; and a stopper to engage the first spring at one end and engage the second spring at an opposite end such that the first spring and the second spring are in series with one another along the extension axis; wherein the one end and the opposite end are spaced apart from one another such that the seal is positioned between the one and opposite end.

A device is proposed for moving a furniture flap received on a furniture body of a piece of furniture having a spring-force unit, which assists the opening and/or the closing of the furniture flap by a predetermined force action of the spring-force unit via an adjusting arm engaging with the furniture flap in the mounted state. According to the invention, an electrically switchable adjusting unit is provided, which is coupled to the spring-force unit in such a way that a movement of the spring-force unit into a predetermined adjustment position of the spring-force unit on the piece of furniture occurs by a switching of the adjusting unit in the mounted state of the device so that a degree of force action of the spring-force unit on the furniture flap can be adjusted in dependence on the adjustment position of the spring-force unit.

An inverted constant force window balance system has a carrier assembly including a housing with a first and a second housing wall, a coil spring with a free end, and a shoe assembly slidably coupled to the housing. The shoe assembly includes a first and a second shoe face. The housing slides between a first and a second position relative to the shoe assembly. When in the first position, the first and second housing walls are substantially non-coplanar with the first shoe face, and when in the second position, the first housing wall is substantially coplanar with the first shoe face and substantially non-coplanar with the second shoe face. The shoe assembly receives a pivot bar from a window sash and extends a brake upon rotation thereof. The balance system also includes a mounting bracket releasably coupled to the housing and coupled to the free end of the coil spring.