US2723776A - Cover support device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15, 1955 c. H. JACOBSON 2,723,776

COVER SUPPORT DEVICE Fil ed Dec. 31, 1951 INVENTOR CARL H. JAOOBSON ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiiice COVER SUPPORT DEVICE Carl H. Jacobson, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application December 31, 1951, Serial No. 264,296

11 Claims. (Cl. 217-60) This invention relates to devices for maintaining a cover or lid of a cabinet or the like in a desired position, and also relates to devices wherein the speed with which the cover may be moved to a closed position is adjustable.

An object of the invention is to provide a support device to safely maintain a cover of a cabinet or housing in any position to which it may be moved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover support device wherein the speed with which the cover may be moved to a closed position is adjustable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover support device wherein a cover is opened with a relatively free motion and closed with a restrained motion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which includes two cooperatively related parts, one of such parts being adapted for securing to a cabinet or housing, and the other of said parts being adapted for securement to a cover for said cabinet or housing, the cooperation of said parts being of such a character as to enable the cover to be safely maintained in any open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover supporting unit for a cabinet or housing, said unit comprising a rigid arm portion pivotally connected to the cover and passing between spring urged friction means comprising a washer adjacent the side of the arm, and rollers carried in inclined grooves of a block adjacent the other side of said arm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover support device which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture, of strong and sturdy character, and one which is easily installed and eflicient in its operation.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which discloses, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a sufiicient portion of a machine housing or cabinet and the cover thereof, in

open position, to illustrate the application and functioning of the cover stay device of the present invention as applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on theline 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 and showing the detail structure of a portion of the cover stay device.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a machine housing or a cabinet comprising a body portion and a cover portion 11 pivotally attached thereto by a hinge 12. When the lid is in a fully closed position, the underedge 13 of the cover rests upon the upper edge 14 of the body portion 10. The upper part of the body portion is open over the greater part of the area of the cover so that with the cover in any open position, such as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, any machine or other device mounted within the housing is readily accessible.

A cover brace, generally designated 15, maintains the cover in any desired open position and also serves to con- 2,723,776 Patented Nov. 15, 1955 trol the speed with which the cover may close. The cover brace comprises a fiat bar or arm 16 containing a slot 17 which extends longitudinally from a point near one end to a point near its other end. The upper end of the arm, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is pivotally attached to a bracket 19 by a fastening 20, the bracket being rigidly secured to the underside of the cover 11 in any suitable manner. Secured to the inner side of the wall 21 of the body portion 10 is a bracket 23 which extends outwardly from the wall as indicated. The outer end of the bracket 23 contains a hole which slidably receives a bolt 24.- The bolt extends through and slidably engages the previously mentioned slot 17 in the arm 16. It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the bolt 24 includes a shoulder 24A, the purpose of which will be later evident.

Slidably mounted on the bolt, between its head portion 25 and the arm 16, is a roller block 26 having two wedge shaped recesses 27 in a surface of the block adjacent to the arm. Mounted in-each of the wedge recesses is a roller 29 having a body portion 30 positioned between the surface of its related recess and the arm 16 as shown in Fig. 3, and having enlarged end portions 31 which prevent the roller from escaping the related recess 27. The enlarged end portions also serve to maintain the rollers and block in alignment with the arm 16 by their engagement with the edges of the block and arm. It will be noted that the inner surface of the end portions 31 are slightly tapered, and the purpose of this taper will be later explained.

Slidably mounted on the bolt 24 between the arm 16 and the bracket 23 is a flat washer 33. Similarly mounted on the bolt at the other side of the bracket 23 is a collar 34 having a reduced hub portion 35 extending from one side. A spring 36 surrounds the hub portion 35 and has one of its ends seating against the collar 34. A collar 37, identical to collar 34 and also slidably mounted on the bolt 24, is similarly engaged by the other end of the spring 36. Nuts 38 screwed in the bolt 24, as indicated, maintain the collar 37 on the bolt 24 so that the spring 36 is compressed between the two collars.

When the cover is in its closed position, the arm 16 is positioned further downward relative to the bolt 24 than the position indicated in Fig. 1, the bolt being near to the upper end of the slot 17. positioned in the most shallow end of the related recess 27 in the block 26, approximately as indicated in Fig. 3. With the rollers in this position, the bolt is positioned relative to the bracket 23 so that there is a clearance between the shoulder 24A of the bolt and the collar 34. It'will be appreciated that with the mechanism in the above described position, the spring 36 yieldably maintains the washer 33 in frictional engagement with one side of the arm 16, and also maintains the body portion 30 of each of the rollers 29 in engagement with the other side of the arm and the inclined surface of the related recess 27 on the block 26. By adjustment of the nuts 38 on the bolt, the frictional forces acting against the arm 16 may be adjusted.

As the cover is raised from its closed position, the arm- 16 slides upwardly on the bolt 24 and also rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 1 relative to the bolt. The rollers 29 and the washer 33, by reason of the tension of spring 36, tend to frictionally retard this upward movement of the arm relative to the bolt. As a result, the initial portion of the upward movement of the arm causes the rollers to roll upward relative to the block 26 towards the deepest part of the recesses 27. As the rollers move towards the deepest part of the recesses, the block 26 and bolt 24 are shifted towards the right in Fig. 2 under the urging of the spring 36. The shouldered portion of the boltf24 is of such a length that as the rollers approach the deepest part of the recesses, the shoulder 24A extends outward In addition, each roller 29 is' slightly beyond the surface of the bracket 23. As a result, the collar 34 bears against the shoulder 24A rather than against the bracket 23. Thus, the spring pressure on the rollers and arm is completely removed and the remaining upward movement of the cover is elfected with complete freedom of any drag due to the tension of spring 36. During the latter part of the opening movement of the cover, the rollers rotate in the deepest part of the recesses 27.

The previously mentioned tapered inner surfaces of the end portions 31 of the rollers prevent any possible binding or jamming action between the end portions 31 and the edges of the block and the arm. These surfaces, however, engage the edges of the block and arm sufficiently'to maintain the rollers, block, and arm in the same aligned relationship at all times. It should be noted in Fig. 3 that the diameter of the body portions 30 of each of the rollers 29 is greater than the depth of its mounting recess 27 at the deepest point so that the block itself is always maintained free of engagement with the arm 16. The lower end of the slot 17 engages the bolt 24 to limit the amount the cover may be opened.

When the cover has been raised to its maximum open position or any desired open position less than the maximum, it is released. Upon the release of the cover, the weight thereof starts to force the arm 16 downwardly on the bolt 24. A slight downward movement of the arm moves the rollers from the deepest part of their recesses in the block 26 toward the more shallow portions of the recesses, This action results in a shifting of the block and bolt to the left in Figs. 2 and 3 and finally into the position indicated. During this leftward shifting of the bolt and block, the collar 34 is reengaged with the bracket 23 while at the same time the shoulder 24A is disengaged from the collar 34. At this instant, the full force of the spring 36 is reapplied to the washer 33 and the rollers 29 bearing against the arm 16. With the nuts 38 properly positioned in the bolt, the spring 36 is precompressed to such a degree that the frictional force suddenly applied to the arm as a result of the above described action is sufficient, to support the cover against gravity and against any jarring and vibration to which it may be subjected.

When it is desired to close the cover, hand pressure is applied thereto. A slight further compression of the spring 36 as the block is crammed all the way to the left from the, position indicated in Fig. 3, does not significantly change the frictional force tending to maintain the cover in anopenposition. The force requiredto close the cover must exceedthe, frictional force and must be a steady force, in order to, effect acontinuous closing movement of the cover.

It will be appreciated that by adjusting the nuts 38 on the bolt, the: frictional force exerted on the arm 16 by the rollers 29, and: the washer 33, during a closing movement ofthe cover, may be adjusted. As a result, the force necessary to close the cover and the speed with which the cover may-be closed, may be controlled as. desired.

Whilethere have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as appliedto a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the apparatus illustrated and; in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, It is the intention, therefore, to be, limited only as. indicated e s ap he f l w i What is claimed is:

1. A device for retainingin an open position a cover or the likehinged upon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, an arm pivoted at one end, to said cover, an elongated member slidably mountedon said supporting structure for longitudinal movement in aplane atf right angles to a face. of saidarm, a block loosely mo n ed Qn ai longa d. memb djac sa dfacc on. a d. s id. la k. nclud ng pl nar a n. sur ac s n clinedfrom the plane of. said. face, a roller positioned between each of said cam surfaces and said face, said roller being smaller in diameter than the length of the related cam surface so as to permit a limited movement of the roller thereon in a direction at right angles to the axis of the roller, and means including a spring for urging said block toward said arm so as to maintain each roller in engagement with its related cam surface and with said face of said arm.

2. A device for releasably holding or retaining in an open position a cover or the like hinged upon a supporting structure, said device comprising a slotted arm pivoted at one end to said cover structure, a bolt passing through said slot in said arm and slidably mounted upon said supporting structure for longitudinal movement, a block slidably mounted on said, bolt between a head portion thereof and one side of said slotted arm, said block including cam surfaces inclined from the plane of said arm, a cylindrical roller cam positioned between each of said cam surfaces and said arm, a nut on the other end of said bolt, and resilient means acting between said nut and said supporting means to maintain each roller frictionally engaging said arm and its related cam surface.

3. A device for retaining in an open position a cover or the like hinged upon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, a slotted arm having one end pivotally attached to said cover and the other end extending downwardly therefrom, a bracket member secured to said supporting structure, a pin slidably extending through said bracket and said slotted arm, said pin having an enlarged head portion at one end, a block member slidably mounted on said pin between said head and one side of said arm, said block member having wedge shaped recesses in one face thereof, said recesses tapering from a shallow depth at their lower ends to a greater depth at their upper ends so as to form a cam surface inclined from the plane of said arm; a cylindrical roller positioned in each said recess between the related cam surface and one side of said arm, said rollers being of larger diameter than the depth of said recesses at their deepest point; a fastening secured to the other end of said pin, and resilient means acting between said fastening and said bracket wherein said rollers are frictionally engaged with said related cam surfaces and said arm.

4. T he mechanism of claim 3 wherein said rollers have enlarged end portions with inner surfaces lying closely adjacent to the edges of'said' block and said arm to maintain said rollers, block, and'arm in correct alignment.

5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein said inner surfaces of, said end portions are slightly tapered to prevent possible jamming action between said inner surfaces and said edges of said block and said arm.

6. A device for retaining in an open position a cover structure or the like hinged upon a supporting structure, said, device comprising, in combination, a first bracket member secured to said supporting structure, a second bracket member secured to said cover structure, a slotted armpivoted at one end to said second bracket, a bolt slidably extending through said first bracket and through saidv slotted arm, a member slidably mounted on said bolt between a head thereof and one side of said slotted arm, said member including cam surfaces inclined from the plane of said arm, a cylindrical roller positioned between each of said carn surfaces and said, arm, a nut on the other end of said bolt, and a coiled spring mounted on said bolt and acting between said first bracket and said nut to maintain each roller in engagement with its related cam surface and the adjacent side of said arm.

7. A device for retaining in an open position a cover structure or the like hinged upon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, a first bracket member secured to said, supporting structure, a second bracket member secured to said cover structure, a slotted arrn pivoted at one end to said second bracket, a bolt slidably extendingthrough said first bracket and through said slotted arm, a block slidably mounted on said bolt between a head portion thereof and one side of said slotted arm, said block having wedge shaped recesses in one face thereof, said recesses tapering from a shallow depth at their lower end to greater depth at their upper ends so as to form a cam surface inclined from the plane of said arm, a cylindrical roller positioned in each of said recesses between said cam surface and one side of said arm, said rollers being of larger diameter than the depth of said recesses at their deepest point, a washer slidably mounted on said bolt between said arm and said first bracket, a nut on the one end of said bolt, and a coil spring surrounding said bolt and acting against said nut and said first bracket to maintain each roller frictionally engaging said arm and its related cam surface in said block.

8. A device for retaining in an open position a cover or the like hinged upon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, an elongated arm pivoted at one end to said cover for movement therewith, a member movably mounted on said supporting structure for movement in a plane at right angles to the movement path of said arm, said member having wedge shaped recesses on one face thereof which taper from a shallow depth at their lower ends to a greater depth at their upper ends so as to form cam surfaces inclined from the plane of said arm; a roller positioned between each of said cam surfaces and said arm, said rollers being movable from the shallow end of their recesses to the deepest end of their recesses by the initial movement of said arm during an opening movement of said cover, and conversely movable from the deepest part of said recesses to the most shallow part by the initial movement of said arm during a closing movement of said cover; resilient means acting between said supporting structure and said member for forcibly maintaining said rollers engaging said cam surfaces and said arm, and means integral with said movable member for rendering said resilient means operative when said rollers are displaced a predetermined distance from said deep end towards said shallow end of said recesses, and for rendering said resilient means inoperative when said rollers are displaced a predetermined distance from said shallow end towards said deep end of said recesses.

9. A device for retaining in an open position a cover or the like hinged upon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, a slotted arm pivoted at one end to said cover structure, a bolt slidably extending through said slotted arm and through an extension of said supporting structure, said bolt including a shouldered portion of critical length and a reduced diameter portion of non-critical length; a member slidably mounted on said shouldered portion of said bolt between a head portion thereof and one side of said slotted arm, said member having recesses in a face thereof which taper from a shallow depth at one end to a greater depth at another end thus forming cam surfaces inclined from the plane of said arm; a roller positioned between each of said cam surfaces and said arm, a collar movably mounted on said reduced diameter portion of said bolt adjacent to said extension, the mounting opening of said collar being smaller than the diameter of said shouldered portion of the bolt; a nut on the end of said bolt, a precompressed coil spring surrounding said bolt and acting against said nut and said collar, wherein when said rollers are positioned in the deepest portion of their mounting recesses by a movement of said arm in an opening movement of said cover, said member and said bolt are shifted relative to said extension so that the end of said shouldered por tion of the bolt extends outwardly beyond the extension and engages said collar; and wherein when said rollers are positioned in the most shallow portion of their mounting recesses by the movement of said arm in a closing movement of said cover, said member and said bolt are shifted relative to said extension so that said end of the shouldered portion of the bolt is free of engagement with said collar, the collar then being free to engage said extension.

10. A device for retaining a hinged cover of a container in an open position comprising, in combination, a slotted arm pivotally connected to said cover, a bracket attached to said container and lying adjacent said arm, an elongated member extending loosely through the slot in said arm and an opening in said bracket, 9. spring surrounding a portion of said member at one side of said arm, abutment members for said spring loosely mounted upon said elongated member, means for limiting movement of said abutment members away from each other to positions at which said spring is partially compressed, a block mounted upon said elongated member at the opposite side of said arm, tapered recesses in said block adjacent said arm, and rollers in said recesses acting against said arm and urged by longitudinal movement of the latter toward one end or the other of said recesses, said rollers operating upon movement in said recesses toward the shallow ends of the latter to move said block away from said arm, said elongated member moving with said block and causing engagement between one of said abutment members and said bracket to efiect compression of said spring as said rollers are moved beyond a predetermined point toward the shallow ends of said recesses.

11. A device for retaining a hinged cover of a container in an open position comprising, in combination, a slotted arm pivotally connected to said cover, a bracket attached to said container and lying adjacent said arm, a bolt extending loosely through the slot in said arm and an opening in said bracket, said bolt having a reduced portion providing a shoulder at its inner end, a nut threaded upon the outer end of said reduced portion, washers mounted loosely upon said reduced portion, a spring acting between said washers and held partially compressed when said washers engage said shoulder and said nut, a member mounted upon the head end of said bolt and having a cam surface, and a roller arranged between said cam surface and said arm for etfecting relative movement between said bolt and said arm as said roller moves over said cam surface, the arrangement of the parts being such that the compression of said spring is varied during only a portion of said relative movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 906,514 Dengler Dec. 15, 1908 1,256,218 Foster Feb. 12, 1918 1,362,255 Lund Dec. 14, 1920 2,291,412 Schonitzer July 28, 1942 2,488,305 Monger et al. Nov. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 124,495 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1928

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