Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Steven L Bivens

David A Doornbos

Joseph J Bella

Eric G Parker

Chad K Zeilenga

Ralph G Nedbal

Martin A Witt

Jeffery S Cascio

Gary R Little

Jamison J Anton

Kenneth R Levey

William J Olson

Joseph Wach

Calvin H Derr

Lisa E Chisholm

Daniel T Lindsey

Paul F Donovan

Karly R Miller

Jurgen Benno Hilpert

Jefferey S Cascio

Ralph G Nedbel

Jeffrey S Cascio

Hans-Guenther Mueller

A damper assembly () is configured to dampen motion between a first component and a second component. The damper assembly () includes a housing () having at least one housing rotation-limiting protuberance (). A rotor () is rotatably coupled to the housing (). The rotor () includes at least one rotor rotation-limiting protuberance (). The housing rotation-limiting protuberance(s) () and the rotor rotation-limiting protuberance(s) () cooperate to limit a range of rotation of the rotor () relative to the housing ().

Damper assembly

A tether for attachment to a damper device is formed to include a heated, reshaped enlarged bulbous end.

A damper assembly includes a housing, a rotor rotatable within the housing, a rotor shaft projecting outwardly of the housing and a damper gear disposed on the rotor shaft. A bracket includes legs disposed outwardly of the damper for securing the assembly in a device, the bracket further having a body between the damper and the damper gear, the body exerting force against each the damper and the damper gear. The damper is selectively engageable with and disengageable from the bracket for enabling and disabling relative movement between the damper and the bracket.

Damper assembly and device utilizing the same

A damper assembly includes a fixed rack gear, a rotary gear damper having a gear engaged with the rack gear and a tether movable with the damper along the rack gear and a tether connecting the damper and a movable object to be controlled by the damper. The tether includes enlarged integral ends to secure the tether relative to the damper and the article to be controlled by the damper. A constant force spring interconnects movement of the damper relative to the fixed rack gear.

Viscous strand damper assembly

A floating damper assembly operates between first and second associated components. A damper is adjustably mounted in the first component and includes a damper gear engaged with a gear on the second component. The second component defines a guide surface and the damper has a bearing surface engaging the guide surface.

Floating damper

A latch assembly includes a latch and a casing having a base integrally formed with outer walls, wherein a latch chamber is defined by the base and the outer walls. The casing securely retains the latch within the latch chamber and allows limited movement of the latch within the latch chamber during an impact. Thus, the latch may move within a storage bin door upon impact, thereby preventing unlatching.

Latch assembly

A movement prevention device for a vehicle door latch mechanism includes a body movable between blocking and non-blocking positions in response to sudden changes in inertia on the vehicle, such as during a side impact crash. The device interferes with movement of the handle to prevent unintended opening of the latch mechanism.

Movement prevention device

A push latch that may be used in automobile applications to open and close compartment doors or bins reduces the number of components typically found in prior art designs while retaining the same quality and function. The push latch of the invention further eliminates the use of metal pins and springs, provides an assembly that is easier to assemble and reduces the cost to manufacture. In one embodiment, the push latch generally includes the use of a housing, lock and button. The lock includes the use of a flexible spring arm and bosses, which will engage with cam slots in the button. In operation, when the button is pushed, the cam slots will force the bosses and the lock downward causing the release of the compartment door. When the button is released, the flexible spring arm forces the cylindrical bosses upward in the cam slots thus forcing the button and lock back to their original positions.

Push latch

A push-push latch assembly includes opposed gripper arms moved between opened and closed positions upon axial activation of a slide in a housing. The gripper arms have pin disposed in channels of the housing, the channels being angularly oriented to urge the gripper arms to fully closed and fully opened positions and for controlling the separation of the gripper arms for each position of the slide relative to the housing.

Distortion resistant silent push-push latch

A damper includes a frame, a main gear mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis of rotation, and a spring operably connecting the main gear and the frame such that rotation of the main gear tensions the spring. The main gear has a circumferential recess formed therein that defines a circumferential channel or reel. An elongated flexible member is wrapped around the main gear, disposed within the circumferential channel. A gear damper is mounted to the frame and is operably engaged with the main gear to dampen rotational movement of the main gear. The damper can be configured for one-way and two-way damping.

Damper

A damper includes a housing, a cover, a rotor and a valve relatively rotatable with respect to the rotor. When rotated in one direction, a space between the valve and the rotor is opened to increase damper fluid flow and reduce damper resistance. When rotated in an opposite direction, the space between the valve and the rotor is closed to decrease damper fluid flow and increase damper resistance. A shaped flange on the rotor provides a changing space between the rotor and ribs in the housing when the rotor is rotated. The cover is self-centering on the housing.

Ultrasonic welded hinge damper

A retractable coat hook system that may be used within automobile interiors includes an integral damper and latch mechanisms. The coat hook of the coat hook system may be opened or closed by pushing on the hook. The integral damper gives the coat hook a slow, smooth motion as it opens and closes and latches to the coat hook housing. The retractable coat hook system reduces the number of components typically used with known coat hooks, resulting in reduced costs and improved assembly operations.

Coat hook system with integral damper and latch

A gear damper has a fixed first part and a second part rotatable relative thereto, with a gear formed on the second part. A continuous annular seal is provided between the first and second parts, and a substantially continuous layer of damping fluid is provided between the first and second parts.

A slide mechanism includes first and second rails connected for relative sliding movement with respect to each other. A damper mechanism is secured to one of the rails and can be connected to and disconnected from the other of the rails to provide a damping effect for relative movement of the rails during at least a part of the movement thereof.

Damped drawer slide mechanism

A damper apparatus is disclosed for damping movement between a first and a second element. The apparatus includes an elongate housing secured to the first element, the housing having a first and a second end. The housing defines a bore which extends between the ends of the housing. A rotor is connected to the second element, the rotor including a first and a second portion. The first portion of the rotor is rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A biasing device has a first and a second termination, the biasing device extending between the second portion of the rotor and the housing for rotationally biasing the rotor relative to the housing. A seal is disposed between the first and second portions of the rotor. The seal cooperates with the bore for sealing the bore relative to the second portion of the rotor such that in use of the apparatus, damping fluid sealed within the bore by the seal dampens rotational movement of the rotor relative to the bore when the rotor is rotationally biased. The arrangement is such that movement between the first and second elements is dampened.

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Kankakee, IL, United States of America

Steven L Bivens