Power packs for use with bicentric hinges
US6971996B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2005/0179
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Power packs for use with bicentric hinges and methods for operating hinges are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a power pack has a housing with a cavity and a piston disposed at least partially within the cavity. The housing has an attachment mechanism configured to attach the housing to a hinge. The piston has a head and an arm configured to be connected to the head and one of the hinge members. In one embodiment, the head is moveable about a first axis of rotation along a circular path through the cavity. An embodiment for operating the hinge includes rotating the first hinge member coupled to the piston about the first axis of rotation, displacing a fluid from the cavity to a fluid passageway as the piston rotates, and pivoting the second hinge member about a second axis of rotation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.