The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 24, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 04, 2002
Takashi Yoshikawa, Izumi, JP;
Hiroshi Yoshimura, Tondabayashi, JP;
Itsuo Fujibayashi, Kishiwada, JP;
Takashi Yoshikawa, Izumi, JP;
Hiroshi Yoshimura, Tondabayashi, JP;
Itsuo Fujibayashi, Kishiwada, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka-Shi, JP;
Abstract
A cam mechanism has different portions thereof arranged on a main unit, which may be a refrigerator, and on a door. When the door is closed, a hinge pin is locked at one end of a hinge groove, keeping the cam mechanism in a first locked position. As the door is opened, the hinge pin is guided by the hinge groove and a guide pin is guided by a guide groove, permitting the door to rotate and slide. Thus, the hinge pin is locked at the other end of the hinge groove, bringing the cam mechanism to a second locked position. A boss slides on a rib and thereby maintains the second locked position, permitting the door to rotate about the hinge pin. This structure helps realize a door opening/closing mechanism with enhanced operability at reduced cost.