Counterbalance and method of making the same

Abstract

A counterbalance assembly, including a spring pack, including a rod including a first end and a second end, a connector connected to the first end, an energy storage device arranged between the first end and the second end, a pivot plate arranged on the rod between the second end and the energy storage device, and a spacer removably arranged on the rod between the second end and the pivot plate, the spacer operatively arranged to maintain the energy storage device in a first compressed state having a first compression force.

Claims

1. A counterbalance assembly, comprising: a spring pack, including: a rod having a longitudinal axis, the rod comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end arranged colinearly about the longitudinal axis; a connector connected to the second end; an energy storage device arranged between the first end and the second end; a pivot plate arranged on the rod between the first end and the energy storage device; and, a spacer arranged on the rod between the first end and the pivot plate, the spacer operatively arranged to maintain the energy storage device in a first compressed state having a first compression force.

2. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises a cylinder including a first end surface abutting against the pivot plate and a second end surface.

3. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 2, further comprising a nut threadedly engaged with the first end, the second end surface engaged with the nut in the first compressed state.

4. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 3, further comprising a washer arranged on the rod between the nut and the second end surface.

5. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a spring retainer operatively arranged to adjust a force of the energy storage device.

6. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the spring retainer is slidably arranged on the rod between the second end and the energy storage device.

7. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 6, further comprising a nut threadedly engaged with the rod and arranged between the connector and the spring retainer.

8. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a housing including: at least one side wall supporting the first end; and a pivot nose pivotably connected to the at least one side wall and engaged with the connector; wherein after the spring pack is connected to the housing, the spacer is removed and the energy storage device exhibits a second compressed state having a second compression force, the second compression force being less than the first compression force.

9. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the connector is a tube comprising a first opening and a second opening.

10. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivot plate comprises: a top surface engaged with the energy storage device; and, a bottom surface including at least one tab extending therefrom.

11. A spring pack for a counterbalance assembly, the counterbalance assembly including a housing including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a pivot nose pivotably connected to the first side wall and the second side wall, the spring pack comprising: a rod having a longitudinal axis, the rod comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end arranged colinearly about the longitudinal axis; a tubular connector connected to the second end; an energy storage device arranged between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end; a pivot plate arranged on the rod between the first end and the energy storage device; and, a spacer arranged on the rod between the first end and the pivot plate, the spacer operatively arranged to maintain a first compression force in the energy storage device during installation of the spring pack into the housing.

12. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the spacer comprises a cylinder including a first end surface abutting against the pivot plate and a second end surface.

13. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a nut threadedly engaged with the first end, the second end surface engaged with the nut.

14. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 13, further comprising a washer arranged on the rod between the nut and the second end surface.

15. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein when the spacer is removed the energy storage device comprises a second compression force, the second compression force being less than the first compression force.

16. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 11, further comprising a spring retainer operatively arranged to adjust a force of the energy storage device.

17. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein the spring retainer is slidably arranged on the rod between the second end and the energy storage device.

18. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 17, further comprising a nut threadedly engaged with the rod and arranged between the connector and the spring retainer.

19. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein: the pivot plate is supported by at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall; the connector is rotatably connected to the pivot nose; wherein after the spring pack is connected to the housing, the spacer is arranged to be removed.

20. The counterbalance assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the pivot plate comprises: a top surface engaged with the energy storage device; and, a bottom surface including at least one tab extending therefrom.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top back perspective view of an embodiment of a present counterbalance assembly;

(3) FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a present counterbalance assembly;

(4) FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of a present counterbalance assembly;

(5) FIG. 4 is a back elevational view of an embodiment of a present counterbalance assembly;

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded back perspective view of an embodiment of a present counterbalance assembly;

(7) FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a housing for a present counterbalance assembly;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cross bridge for a present counterbalance assembly;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing mounting plate for a present counterbalance assembly;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pivot nose side wall for a present counterbalance assembly;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pivot pin for a present counterbalance assembly;

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a spring pack for a present counterbalance assembly; and,

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bushing for a present counterbalance assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

(15) Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

(16) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.

(17) Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

(18) Adverting now to the figures, FIGS. 1-5 show embodiments of a present counterbalance assembly, i.e., counterbalance assembly 50. Counterbalance assembly 50 comprises housing 52, pivot nose 54 and spring pack 56. Housing 52 comprises front housing wall 58 and housing side walls 60 and 62. Front housing wall 58 comprises first housing edge 64 and second housing edge 66 opposite first housing edge 64. First housing side wall 60 projects from first housing edge 64 and comprises first retaining slot 68. Second housing side wall 62 is oppositely disposed relative to first housing side wall 60 and projects from second housing edge 66. Second housing side wall 62 comprises second retaining slot 70 in registered alignment with first retaining slot 68. Pivot nose 54 comprises front pivot nose wall 72, first pivot nose side wall 74 and second pivot side wall 76. Front pivot nose wall 72 comprises first pivot nose edge 78 and second pivot nose edge 80 opposite first pivot nose edge 78. First pivot nose side wall 74 projects from first pivot nose edge 78 and comprising first pivot nose through hole 82. Second pivot nose side wall 76 is oppositely disposed relative to first pivot nose side wall 74, projects from second pivot nose edge 80 and comprises second pivot nose through hole 84. First and second pivot nose through holes 82 and 84, respectively, are in registered alignment with first and second retaining slot 68 and 70, respectively. Spring pack 56 is disposed within volume 86 formed by housing 52 and comprises first end 88 engaged with housing 52, second end 90 engaged with pivot nose 54, and energy storage device 92 arranged between first and second ends 88 and 90, respectively. It should be appreciated that energy storage device 92 can be any known means in the art, which may include but is not limited to, a helical spring, a leaf spring, a resilient material such as a rubber, a hydraulic piston, etc.

(19) In some embodiments, counterbalance assembly 50 further comprises pivot pin 94, each of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively, comprises first portion 96 having first width 98 and second portion 100 having second width 102 smaller than first width 98, and pivot pin 94 releasably engages second portion 100 of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively. In some embodiments, pivot pin 94 comprises first end 104 and second end 106 opposite first end 104. In those embodiments, first end 104 comprises shaped portion 108 arranged to complementarily engage second portion 100 of first retaining slot 68 and/or second end 106 comprises shaped portion 110 arranged to complementarily engage second portion 100 of second retaining slot 70. It should be appreciated that as used herein relative to the engagement of second portion 100 of first retaining slot 68 and shaped portion 108 of first end 104, and relative to the engagement of second portion 100 of second retaining slot 70 and shaped portion 110 of second end 106, “complementarily engage” may be interpreted to mean that the shaped portions fit within the second portions and/or the shaped portions fit within and non-rotatably engage the second portions. In some embodiments, shaped portion 108 of first end 104 comprises at least one flat surface, e.g., flat surfaces 112 and 114, arranged to non-rotatably and complementarily engage second portion 100 of first retaining slot 68 and/or shaped portion 110 of second end 106 comprises similar at least one flat surface (not shown) arranged to non-rotatably and complementarily engage second portion 100 of second retaining slot 70. It should be further appreciated that although at least one flat surface is disclosed, other configurations are also possible. For example, the second portions of the slots may comprise wedge shapes and the shaped portion or portions of the pivot pin may comprise a complementary wedge shape thereby preventing rotational movement between the pivot pin and the housing. Moreover, one or both of first and second ends 104 and 106, respectively, may include a shaped portion arranged to non-rotatably engage one or both of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively. Alternatively, or in addition to, the retaining slots may each have a unique size thereby requiring a particular arrangement of pivot pin 94 therein.

(20) In some embodiments, housing 52 further comprises cross bridge 116 arranged between first and second housing side walls 60 and 62, respectively, and to engage first end 88 of spring pack 56. In some embodiments, cross bridge 116 further comprises a pair of recessed channels, i.e., recessed channels 118 and 120, and first end 88 of spring pack 56 comprises pivot plate 122 having a pair of embossed tabs, i.e., embossed tabs 124 and 126, arranged to pivotally engage the pair of recessed channels 118 and 120. In some embodiments, housing 52 further comprises a pair of parallel slots, 128 and 130 in each of first and second housing side walls 60 and 62, respectively, and cross bridge 116 comprises a plurality of tab hooks, i.e., tab hooks 132, arranged to slidingly engage the pairs of parallel slots 128 and 130 in first and second housing side walls 60 and 62, respectively. Cross bridge 116 is arranged to prevent inward movement of first and second housing side walls 60 and 62, respectively, and the plurality of tab hooks 132 are arranged to prevent outward movement of first and second housing side walls 60 and 62, respectively. It should be appreciated that cross bridge 116 may be secured within housing 52 by other means, e.g., welded in place between first and second housing side walls, and in some embodiments to housing front wall 58, and such variations fall within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

(21) In some embodiments, housing 52 further comprises first housing mounting plate 134 and second housing mounting plate 136. First housing mounting plate 134 comprises first mounting tab 138 and first mounting plate through hole 140. Second housing mounting plate 136 comprises second mounting tab 142 and second mounting plate through hole 144. First and second mounting plate through holes 140 and 144, respectively, first and second pivot nose through holes 82 and 84, respectively, and first and second retaining slot 68 and 70, respectively, are in registered alignment. In some embodiments, pivot nose 54 further comprises limit pin 146. Each of first and second pivot nose side walls 74 and 76, respectively, comprises limit through hole 148, each of first and second housing mounting plates 134 and 136, respectively, further comprises arcuate slot 150. Limit pin 146 is arranged in limit through holes 148 of first and second pivot nose side walls 74 and 76, respectively, and each end 157 of limit pin 146 extends into arcuate slots 150 of first and second housing mounting plates 134 and 136, respectively. In some embodiments, second end 90 of spring pack 56 engages limit pin 146. Moreover, in some embodiments, first and second mounting plates 134 and 136, respectively, are fixedly secured to inner surfaces 152 and 154 of first and second housing side walls 60 and 62, respectively. It should be appreciated in view of the foregoing arrangements, in some embodiments, limit pin 146 is fully captured within counterbalance assembly 50. In other terms, limit pin 146 passes through each limit through hole 148 and arcuate slot 150; however, limit pin 146 is captured within housing 52 by inner surfaces 152 and 154. Thus, as counterbalance assembly 50 is actuated from a closed to open position, and from an open to a closed position, users of assembly 50 are protected from potential injury from the moving limit pin 146 within arcuate slots 150.

(22) In some embodiments, each of pivot nose side walls 74 and 76 comprises a mounting tab, e.g., mounting tabs 156 and 158, respectively. Various other aspects of the present counterbalance assembly are now described to enable one to appreciate some of the other features and benefits of the present arrangements. For example, in some embodiments, housing 52 comprises holes 160 and 162 disposed in first and second housing walls 60 and 62, respectively. After assembling counterbalance 50, but prior to installing counterbalance 50 on a subsequent device, e.g., a ceramic grill, a screw or other retaining means can be installed within holes 160 and 162 thereby preventing any upward movement of cross bridge 116. Moreover, housing 52 may include holes 164 in first and second housing walls 60 and 62, respectively, arranged to assist with securing first and second housing mounting plates 134 and 136, respectively, via through holes 166 within the same. As depicted in the figures, bolts 168 may be secured within each of holes 164 and 166 via nuts 170, thereby securing the housing mounting plates to the housing. However, it should be appreciated that any means of securing the housing mounting plates within the housing may be used.

(23) In some embodiments, frictional wear between metal parts may be minimized or prevented via inclusion of bushings. For example, bushings 172 comprising body 174 and flange 176 may be included between pivot nose side walls 74 and 76 and housing mounting plates 134 and 136. Body portion 174 is installed within pivot nose through holes 82 and 84, while flange 176 prevents direct metal-to-metal contact between the pivot nose side walls and housing mounting plates. Similarly, bushings 178 comprising shaped body 180 and flange 182 may be included between pivot nose side walls 74 and 76 and connector 184. Openings 186 and 188 of connector 184 may be shaped to complementarily engage shaped body 180. Body portion 180 is installed within openings 186 and 188, while flange 182 prevents direct metal-to-metal contact between the pivot nose side walls and the connector.

(24) In some embodiments, spring pack 56 comprises spring retainer 190, spacer 192, washer 194 and nut 196. The torque provided by counterbalance assembly 50 may be adjusted by changing the position of spring retainer 190. Spacer 192, washer 194 and nut 196 are used to retain energy storage device 92 in a compressed position until after counterbalance assembly 50 is secured to a subsequent device, e.g., a ceramic smoker/grill. It should be appreciated that, in the embodiments depicted in the figures, forces are transmitted from housing 52 to cross bridge 116, to pivot plate 122, to energy storage device 92, to connector 184, to limit pin 146 and finally to pivot nose side walls 74 and 76, while arcuate slots 150 limit the range of travel of the assembly.

(25) In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a method of assembling a counterbalance, e.g., counterbalance 50. The method comprises: aligning first and second pivot through holes 82 and 84, respectively, with first portions 96 of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively; positioning pivot pin 94 within first and second pivot through holes 82 and 84, respectively, with first portions 96 of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively; and, shifting pivot pin 94 from first portions 96 of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively, to second portions 100 of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively.

(26) In some embodiments, prior to the step of aligning first and second pivot through holes 82 and 84, respectively, with first portions 96 of first and second retaining slots 68 and 70, respectively, the present method further comprises: aligning second end 90 of spring pack 56 with through holes 148 in first and second pivot nose side walls 74 and 76, respectively, and first and second arcuate slots 150, respectively; and, positioning limit pin 146 within second end 90 of spring pack 56, through holes 148 in first and second pivot nose side walls 74 and 76, respectively, and first and second arcuate slots 150, respectively. In some embodiments, after the step of shifting pivot pin 94, further comprises: fixedly securing first and second housing mounting plates 134 and 136, respectively, to first and second housing side walls 60 and 62, respectively.

(27) In some embodiments, the present method further comprises: engaging first end 88 of spring pack 56 with cross bridge 116.

(28) In some embodiments, the present disclosure includes a method of assembling a counterbalance, e.g., counterbalance 50. The method comprises: aligning second end 90 of spring pack 56 with through holes 148 in first and second pivot nose side walls 74 and 76, respectively, and first and second arcuate slots 150; and, positioning limit pin 146 within second end 90 of spring pack 56, limit through holes 148, respectively, in first and second pivot nose side walls 74 and 76, respectively, and first and second arcuate slots 150.

(29) As generally illustrated in FIG. 11, spring pack 56 may comprise rod 198 having first end 88 and second end 90, whereas connector 184 is engaged to second end 90 of rod 198 and pivot plate 122 is arranged proximate first end 88. Energy storage device 92 is disposed on rod 198 and arranged between connector 184 and pivot plate 122. Spacer 192, washer 194 and nut 196 (or at least one of the aforementioned components) is disposed on rod 198 proximate first end 88, i.e., between first end 88 and pivot plate 122. Connector 184 and pivot plate 122 (along with at least one of spacer 192 and nut 196) removably secure energy storage device 92 on rod 198.

(30) As generally shown in the figures, rod 198 has longitudinal axis AX, whereas first end 88 and second end 90 are substantially arranged colinearly about longitudinal axis AX.

(31) Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.