U.S. patent application number 11/624991 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for hinge pivot arm for a glass-front merchandiser.
This patent application is currently assigned to HUSSMANN CORPORATION. Invention is credited to William E. Bries, Paul D. Fogarty.
Application Number | 20080174216 11/624991 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39363897 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080174216 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bries; William E. ; et
al. |
July 24, 2008 |
HINGE PIVOT ARM FOR A GLASS-FRONT MERCHANDISER
Abstract
A glass-front merchandiser that includes a case. The case
includes a base that has a forward portion and a rear portion. The
merchandiser further includes an upper case frame, a glass member,
and at least one pivot arm. The upper case frame is coupled to the
rear portion of the base and extends substantially above a product
display area defined by the case. The glass member includes an
upper edge portion that defines an axis of curvature and a lower
edge portion that is supported by the forward portion. The at least
one pivot arm includes a first end that is pivotally coupled to the
upper case frame, and a second end that is disposed at an oblique
angle from the first end. The second end is coupled to the upper
edge portion of the glass member substantially orthogonal to the
axis of curvature.
Inventors: |
Bries; William E.; (St.
Charles, MO) ; Fogarty; Paul D.; (St. Peters,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE, Suite 3300
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
HUSSMANN CORPORATION
Bridgeton
MO
|
Family ID: |
39363897 |
Appl. No.: |
11/624991 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/138.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 2003/008 20130101;
A47F 3/005 20130101; E05D 5/0246 20130101; E05F 1/1091 20130101;
E05Y 2201/416 20130101; E05D 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/138.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/00 20060101
A47F003/00 |
Claims
1. A glass-front merchandiser comprising: a case defining a product
display area and including a base having a forward portion and a
rear portion; an upper case frame coupled to the rear portion of
the base and configured to extend substantially above the product
display area; a glass member including an upper edge portion
defining an axis of curvature, and a lower edge portion supported
by the forward portion; and at least one pivot arm including a
first end pivotally coupled to the upper case frame and a second
end disposed at an oblique angle to the first end, the second end
coupled to the upper edge portion of the glass member substantially
orthogonal to the axis of curvature.
2. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 1, further comprising a
clamp assembly coupled to the second end of the pivot arm to couple
the glass member to the pivot arm.
3. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 2, wherein the clamp
assembly includes a first clamp and a second clamp to receive the
glass member, and wherein the pivot arm is configured to attach to
the second clamp.
4. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the glass
member is defined by one of conical glass and spherical glass.
5. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the upper case
frame includes at least one support member having an hole defining
an axis, and wherein the first end of the pivot arm is coupled to
the hole to rotate the glass member about the axis.
6. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 5, wherein the pivot arm
is defined by a substantially U-shaped body configured to freely
rotate about the axis without impeding the upper case frame and the
glass member.
7. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the upper case
frame defines a first axis, and wherein the first end of the pivot
arm defines a second axis and the second end of the pivot arm
defines a third axis, and wherein the second axis is substantially
perpendicular to the first axis.
8. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 7, wherein the third axis
is at an oblique angle to the second axis and an axis of
symmetry.
9. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the pivot arm
includes a bent end.
10. A glass-front merchandiser comprising: a case defining a
product display area and including a base having a forward portion
and a rear portion; an upper case frame coupled to the rear portion
of the base and configured to extend substantially above the
product display area, the upper case frame including a first
support member and a second support member spaced apart from the
first support member; a glass member including an upper edge
portion adjacent the upper case frame defining an axis of
curvature, and a lower edge portion supported by the forward
portion; a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm, each of the
first pivot arm and the second pivot arm including a first end
pivotally coupled to one of the first support member and the second
support member, and a second end coupled to the upper edge portion
of the glass member, the second end of the second pivot arm
disposed at a first oblique angle from the first end of the second
pivot arm, and disposed at a second oblique angle from the second
end of the first pivot arm.
11. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the first
pivot arm and the second pivot arm are each configured to couple to
the glass member substantially orthogonal to the axis of curvature
of the glass member.
12. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 11, wherein the second
end of the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm is each
disposed orthogonal to the axis of curvature of the glass
member.
13. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the glass
member is defined by one of conical glass and spherical glass.
14. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the first
support member and the second support member each include a hole
defining a first axis, and wherein the first pivot arm and the
second pivot arm are configured to pivot the glass member about the
first axis.
15. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 14, wherein each of the
first pivot arm and the second pivot arm include a substantially
U-shaped body configured to freely rotate about the corresponding
first and second axis without impeding the upper case frame and the
glass member.
16. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 10, further comprising
clamp hardware including a first clamp and a second clamp coupled
to the first clamp to retain the upper edge portion of the glass
member.
17. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 16, wherein the first
pivot arm and the second pivot arm are configured to attach to the
second clamp substantially orthogonal to the axis of curvature.
18. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 16, wherein each of the
first clamp assembly and the second clamp assembly further includes
a third clamp to secure the second clamp to the respective first
pivot arm and the second pivot arm.
19. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 10, wherein each of the
first pivot arm and the second pivot arm includes a bent end.
20. The glass-front merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the first
pivot arm defines a left-hand pivot arm and the second pivot arm
defines a right-hand pivot arm.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a glass-front display
merchandiser. More particularly, the invention relates to a pivot
arm for a glass-front display merchandiser with conical or
spherical glass.
[0002] Glass-front display merchandisers, sometimes referred to as
deli or service merchandisers, are generally assembled from aligned
modular sections or cases. The modular cases typically include
straight cases of variable lengths (e.g., 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 feet
long) and inside and outside wedge cases of variable arc length
(e.g., 45 and 90 degrees). The different modular cases can be
aligned end to end and assembled to form a linear merchandiser or a
merchandiser having a customized shape, such as a 90 degree corner,
a bump out, an inlet, or an S-curve.
[0003] Typically, in display merchandisers that include a
customized shape, the glass fronts of the straight cases can use
"straight" or "curved glass" panes, and the glass fronts of the
wedge cases can use "conical glass" panes or "spherical glass"
panes. Curved glass refers to glass panes that are curved when
viewed in a vertical cross-section, and that are flat when viewed
in a horizontal cross-section. Conical glass panes refer to glass
panes that are curved when viewed in a horizontal cross-section,
and that are flat when viewed in a vertical cross-section.
Spherical glass is curved in both the horizontal and vertical
cross-sections. When a straight case with curved glass is assembled
together with a wedge case having spherical glass, the adjacent
ends of the spherical and curved glass panes are aligned with each
other along a curved path to provide the illusion of a single
seamless customized merchandiser. When a straight case with
straight glass is assembled together with a wedge case having
conical glass, the adjacent ends of the conical glass and the
straight glass panes are aligned with each other along a straight
path.
[0004] In some cases, the top edge portion of the glass pane is
clamped by a clamp assembly through which the glass pane is
pivotally attached to an upper edge portion of the case. Generally,
the case includes an upper case frame or case top, which is
connected to the rear portion of the case by struts. The clamp
assembly for straight or curved glass panes includes clamp hardware
coupled to one or more straight hinge pivot arms to allow pivotal
movement of the straight or curved glass panes. However, these
straight hinge pivot arms cannot attach to conical or spherical
glass panes without specialized clamp assemblies to secure these
glass panes to the straight hinge pivot arms.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, the invention provides a glass-front
merchandiser that includes a case. The case includes a base that
has a forward portion and a rear portion. The merchandiser further
includes an upper case frame, a glass member, and at least one
pivot arm. The upper case frame is coupled to the rear portion of
the base and extends substantially above a product display area
defined by the case. The glass member includes an upper edge
portion that defines an axis of curvature and a lower edge portion
that is supported by the forward portion. The at least one pivot
arm includes a first end that is pivotally coupled to the upper
case frame, and a second end that is disposed at an oblique angle
from the first end. The second end is coupled to the upper edge
portion of the glass member substantially orthogonal to the axis of
curvature.
[0006] In another embodiment, the invention provides a glass-front
merchandiser that includes a case. The case includes a base that
has a forward portion and a rear portion. The merchandiser further
includes an upper case frame, a glass member, and at least one
pivot arm. The upper case frame is coupled to the rear portion of
the base and extends substantially above a product display area
defined by the case. The glass member includes an upper edge
portion located adjacent the upper case frame and that defines an
axis of curvature, and a lower edge portion that is supported by
the forward portion. The merchandiser further includes a first
pivot arm and a second pivot arm. Each of the first pivot arm and
the second pivot arm includes a first end that is pivotally coupled
to the first support member, and a second end that is coupled to
the upper edge portion of the glass member. The second end of the
second pivot arm is disposed at an oblique angle from the first end
of the second pivot arm, and is further disposed at an oblique
angle from the second end of the first pivot arm.
[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glass-front wedge-style
merchandiser that includes a glass clamp assembly and a conical
glass pane.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the glass clamp assembly and the
conical glass pane of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a section view of the glass clamp assembly and a
portion of the conical glass pane of FIG. 2, taken along line
3-3.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of a hinge pivot arm of the glass
clamp assembly of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of the hinge pivot arm of FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front view of another pivot arm of the glass
clamp assembly of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of the pivot arm of FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another glass-front
wedge-style merchandiser that includes glass clamp hardware and a
spherical glass pane.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a top view of the glass clamp hardware and the
spherical glass pane of FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a section view of the glass clamp hardware and a
portion of the spherical glass pane of FIG. 9, taken along line
10-10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise,
the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and
variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and
indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further,
"connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or
mechanical connections or couplings.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a display merchandiser 10 for displaying
food product available to consumers in a retail setting (e.g., a
supermarket or grocery store). The display merchandiser 10 includes
an outside wedge-style display case 12 that is generally defined by
an outward curvature, and that defines a product display area 14
for storing the food product.
[0020] The case 12 includes a base 16 that supports the case 12 on
a surface (not shown) of the retail setting, and elevates the
product display area 14 for easy viewing by consumers. The base 16
includes a front portion 18 that partially defines the product
display area 14, and a rear portion 20 that extends substantially
above the product display area 14. In some embodiments, the case 12
is a refrigerated display case, and the base 16 encloses at least a
portion of a refrigeration system (not shown) that refrigerates the
food product. In other embodiments, the case 12 can be a dry case
or a hot case, and the base 16 can enclose at least a portion of an
air circulation system or heating system (not shown),
respectively.
[0021] The case 12 further includes an upper case frame 24 and a
glass member 28 coupled to the upper case frame 24 with glass clamp
hardware 32, a first pivot arm 36, and a second pivot arm 40 (FIG.
2). The upper case frame 24 is coupled to the rear portion 20, and
includes struts 44 and support members 48. The struts 44 extend
upward from the rear portion 20 over the product display area 14
and attach to the support members 48. The struts 44 are spaced
apart from each other to define access openings that allow food
product to be transferred into and out of the product display area
14. The illustrated embodiment of the case 12 shows two struts 44.
However, other embodiments of the case 12 may include one or more
than two struts 44.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows that each support member 48 includes sidewalls
52 (one shown), an upper wall 56, and a lower wall 60 that
cooperate to define a hollow cavity. A cap 64 is positioned on an
end of each support member 48 to partially enclose the hollow
cavity. Each of the sidewalls 52 includes a hole 66 that defines a
pivot axis 68 (FIG. 2).
[0023] The upper wall 56 extends the length of the support member
48, and includes an aperture 72. The lower wall 60 extends from a
rear of the support member 48 away from the cap 64 toward an end of
the support member 48. The lower wall 60 illustrated in FIG. 3 does
not extend the full length of the support member 48.
[0024] A gas spring 76 is positioned within the hollow cavity of
each support member 48. A first end of the gas spring 76 is
pivotally coupled to the sidewalls 52 by a first pin 80. A second
end of the gas spring 76 extends away from the cap 64 to couple to
the first pivot arm 36 with a second pin 82. A similar arrangement
is used to couple a gas spring (not shown) between the support
member 48 and the second pivot arm 40.
[0025] The glass member 28 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is a conical
glass pane that is defined by a curvature substantially matching
the curvature of the outside-wedge case 12. With reference to FIG.
2, the conically-shaped glass member 28 includes curved top and
bottom edges when viewed in a horizontal cross-section. With
reference to FIG. 3, the conically-shaped glass member 28 is
straight when viewed in a vertical cross-section (i.e., no
curvature). In other words, the glass member 28 is conically-shaped
as if cut from a cone pointing in an upward direction. In some
embodiments, the lower edge portion of the glass member 28 may be
covered with a hard silicone trim piece (not shown) to assist with
resting the glass member 28 against the base 16.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows that the glass member 28 includes a lower edge
portion that is supported by the front portion 18, and an upper
edge portion that is adjacent the upper case frame 24 and coupled
to the clamp hardware 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper edge
portion of the conical glass member 28 includes a curved edge that
defines an axis of curvature 42. The axis of curvature 42 defines
an arc that varies based on the curvature of the case 12.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the clamp hardware 32 and the first and
second pivot arms 36, 40 are positioned between the upper case
frame 24 and the glass member 28 to allow movement of the glass
member 28 between an open position and a closed position. The clamp
hardware 32 includes a first clamp 84, a second clamp 88, and third
clamps 92. The first clamp 84 is a curved extrusion that extends
along a substantial length of the glass member 28 (FIGS. 1 and 2),
and that substantially corresponds to the axis of curvature 42
(FIG. 2). The first clamp 84 includes a ridged surface 96, an
extension 100, and a post 104. The ridged surface 96 is coupled to
an upper side of the glass member 28 when the case 12 is fully
assembled. The extension 100 extends toward the upper case frame 24
to at least partially cover a gap between the upper case frame 24
and the clamp hardware 32. The post 104 extends generally downward
from a center of the first clamp 84 toward the second clamp 88, and
an end of the post 104 is defined by a ball-shaped member 108.
[0028] The second clamp 88 is defined by a curved extrusion that
extends along a substantial length of the glass member 28, and that
substantially corresponds to the axis of curvature 42. The second
clamp 88 includes a ridged surface 112, a recess or groove 116, and
a lower portion 120. The ridged surface 112 is coupled to a lower
side of the glass member 28 when the case 12 is fully assembled.
The groove 116 is disposed along a substantial length of the second
clamp 88, and is defined by a substantially cylindrical wall or
socket that receives the ball-shaped member 108. The lower portion
120 includes "L"-shaped protrusions 124 that define elongated and
opposed slots.
[0029] The third clamps 92 are separate pieces, with one third
clamp 92 coupled to a respective pivot arm 36, 40. In other words,
a first third clamp 92 is associated with the first pivot arm 36,
and a second third clamp 92 is associated with the second pivot arm
40. Each third clamp 92 is coupled to one of the slots defined by
the "L"-shaped protrusions 124, and includes a recess 128 and a
hole 132 that extends into a side of the third clamp 92.
[0030] A screw 136 is passed upward through the second clamp 88 to
engage a rearward end of the first clamp 84 opposite the ridged
surface 96. The screw 136 is a set screw that can be tightened or
loosened to vary the space between the ridged surfaces 96, 112
based on the thickness of the glass member 28. For example, in
embodiments of the case 12 that include a relatively thin glass
member 28, the screw 136 can be tightened to decrease the space
between the ridged surface 96 and the ridged surface 112. In
embodiments of the case 12 that include a relatively thick glass
member 28, the screw 136 may extend partially through the second
clamp 88 to increase the space between the ridged surface 96 and
the ridged surface 112. In other embodiments, a spacer may be
disposed between the first clamp 84 and the second clamp 88 to
secure the glass member 28 between the ridged surfaces 96, 112.
[0031] The glass member 28 is pivotally attached to the upper case
frame 24 by the first and second pivot arms 36, 40. As shown in
FIGS. 3-7, the first pivot arm 36 and the second pivot arm 40 are
each defined by a substantially "U"-shaped body.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the first pivot arm 36 includes a
first end 144 and a second end 148. The first end 144 is partially
inserted into the aperture 72, and defines a first axis 152 that is
substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis 68 (FIG. 2). The
first end 144 includes a hole 156 and a pivot portion 160. A pin
(not shown) is passed through the hole 156 and the holes 66 in the
sidewalls 52 to pivotally attach the first end 144 to one of the
support members 48.
[0033] The pivot portion 160 includes two walls 168, an arcuate
channel 172 defined by the walls 168, and a hole 176 extending
through each of the walls 168. The second end of the gas spring 76
is coupled to the pivot portion 160 within the arcuate channel 172
and secured to the walls 168 with the pin 82.
[0034] The second end 148 defines a second axis 184 that is at an
oblique angle 188 to the first axis 152. In some embodiments, the
second end 148 is bent with respect to the first end 144. In the
illustrated embodiment, the oblique angle 188 is about 10 degrees.
However, the angle 188 may be any angle between 0 degrees and 360
degrees, and is determined by the axis of curvature 42.
[0035] The second end 148 includes an engagement portion 192 and a
protrusion 196. The engagement portion 192 is defined by an
"L"-shaped protrusion 194 that engages one of the slots defined by
the "L"-shaped protrusions 124 of the lower portion 120. The
protrusion 196 is configured to engage the recess 128 of the third
clamp 92. A hole 200 extends through the second end below the
engagement portion 192, and a fastener 204 (e.g., bolt, screw, pin,
etc.) is passed through the hole 200 to attach the first pivot arm
36 to the third clamp 92.
[0036] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the second pivot arm 40 that includes a
first end 208 and a second end 212. The first end 208 of the second
pivot arm 40 is similar to the first end 144 of the first pivot arm
36. The first end 208 defines a third axis 216 that is
substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis 68 (FIG. 2), and
includes a hole 220 and a pivot portion 224. A pin (not shown) is
passed through the hole 220 and the holes 66 in the sidewalls 52 to
pivotally attach the first end 208 to one of the support members
48.
[0037] The pivot portion 224 includes two walls 232, an arcuate
channel 236 defined by the walls 232, and a hole 240 extending
through each of the walls 232. The second end of the gas spring 76
is coupled to the pivot portion 224 within the arcuate channel 236
and secured to the walls 232 with a pin similar to the pin 82.
[0038] The second end 212 of the second pivot arm 40 defines a
fourth axis 248 that is disposed at an oblique angle 252 to the
third axis 216. In some embodiments, the second end 212 is bent
with respect to the first end 208. In the illustrated embodiment,
the oblique angle 252 is about 10 degrees. However, the angle 252
may be any angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, and is
determined by the axis of curvature 42.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, when the merchandiser 10 is assembled
the second end 212 of the second pivot arm 40 is further disposed
at an oblique angle 256 with respect to the second end 148 of the
first pivot arm 36. In other words, the fourth axis 248 is at the
oblique angle 256 with respect to the second axis 184 such that the
fourth axis 248 is not parallel to either the second axis 184 or
the third axis 216.
[0040] The second end 212 includes an engagement portion 264 that
is defined by an "L"-shaped protrusion 266 that engages one of the
slots of the "L"-shaped protrusions 124. The second end 212 also
includes a protrusion 268 that is substantially engaged with the
recess 128 of the third clamp 92. Similar to the second end 148, a
fastener similar to the fastener 204 is passed through a hole 272
in the second end 212 to attach the second pivot arm 40 to the
third clamp 92.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the bent second end 212 of the second
pivot arm 40 bends in a direction that is opposite the direction of
the bent second end 148 of the first pivot arm 36. As such, the
first pivot arm 36 defines a "left-hand" pivot arm, and the second
pivot arm 40 defines a "right-hand" pivot arm. The respective bent
second ends 148, 212 attach different portions of the clamp 92 to
the glass member 28 substantially orthogonally to the axis of
curvature 42.
[0042] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a display merchandiser
310 that includes an inside wedge-style display case 312 that is
generally defined by an inward curvature. The case 312 includes a
product display area 314 for storing food product. Except as
described below, the case 312 is similar to the case 12 described
with regard to FIGS. 1-7.
[0043] The case includes a base 316, an upper case frame 320, and a
glass member 324. The base 316 includes a front portion 328 and a
rear portion 332. The base 316 and the upper case frame 320
generally differ from the base 16 and the upper case frame 24 with
regard to the curvature of the front and rear portions 328, 332,
and the curvature of the upper case frame 320.
[0044] The glass member 324 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 is a
spherical glass pane. The spherically-shaped glass member 324 is
defined by a curvature that substantially matches the contour of
the inside-wedge case 312. With reference to FIG. 9, the
spherically-shaped glass member 324 includes a curved upper edge
portion and a curved lower edge portion when viewed in a horizontal
cross-section. With reference to FIG. 10, the spherically-shaped
glass member 324 is curved when viewed in a vertical cross-section.
The upper edge portion of the spherical glass member 324 defines an
axis of curvature 336. Due to the curvature of the case 312, the
axis of curvature 336 is curved in a direction that is opposite the
curvature of the axis of curvature 42.
[0045] FIGS. 8-10 show the glass member 324 coupled to the upper
case frame 320 by glass clamp hardware 340 that includes the first
pivot arm 36, the second pivot arm 40, a first clamp 344, a second
clamp 348, and a third clamp 352. The first and second clamps 344,
348 are similar to the first and second clamps 84, 88 of the clamp
hardware 32 described with regard to FIGS. 1-3, and are curved to
match the axis of curvature 336. The first and second clamps 344,
348 generally differ from the first and second clamps 84, 88 with
respect to the direction of curvature of the glass member 324. The
third clamp 352 is the same as the third clamp 92. As such, the
clamp hardware 340 will not be discussed in detail.
[0046] The first and second pivot arms 36, 40 pivotally attach the
glass member 324 to the upper case frame 320. The attachment of the
first and second pivot arms 36, 40 to the upper case frame 320 on
the inside-wedge case 312 (FIG. 9) is reversed from the attachment
of the first and second pivot arms 36, 40 to the upper case frame
24 on the outside-wedge case 12 (FIG. 2). In other words, the
second ends 148, 212 are angled outward (i.e., defining the angle
256 between the second ends 148, 212) and symmetrical about an axis
of symmetry 356 in the case 12 illustrated in FIG. 2, and the
second ends 148, 212 are angled inward (i.e., defining an angle 360
between the second ends 148, 212) and symmetrical about the axis
356 in the case 312 illustrated in FIG. 9. Thus, the pivot arms 36,
40 can be used interchangeably to pivotally attach glass members
28, 324 with different axes of curvature 42, 336 to the upper case
frames 24, 320.
[0047] Due to the similarities between the case 12 and the case
312, only the operation of the case 12 will be described in detail.
In operation, the glass member 28 is pivotally attached to the case
12 using the clamp hardware 32. The clamp hardware 32 is attached
to the first and second pivot arms 36, 40 by first pivotably
securing the first clamp 84 to the second clamp 88, and then
sliding the lower edge portion of the second clamp 88 into the
engagement portions 192, 264 of the first and second pivot arms 36,
40, respectively. The third clamp 92 is engaged with the lower edge
portion 128 and secured to the engagement portions 192, 264 with
the fasteners 204.
[0048] The bent second ends 148, 212 attach to the clamp hardware
32 substantially orthogonal to the axis of curvature 42. Once the
clamp hardware 32 is secured to the first and second pivot arms 36,
40, the glass member 28 is inserted between the first clamp 84 and
the second clamp 88. The screw 136 is tightened to pivot the first
clamp 84 in the groove 116 so that the ridged surfaces 96, 112
secure the glass member 28 between the first and second clamps 84,
88.
[0049] The glass member 28 is pivotable between the open position
and the closed position using the clamp first and second pivot arms
36, 40. In the closed position, the lower edge portion of the glass
member 28 is supported by the front portion 18, and the clamp
hardware 32 and the first and second pivot arms are in the position
shown in FIG. 3. The glass member 28 may be moved to the open
position by lifting the glass member 28 from the front portion 18,
and pivoting the glass member 28 about the pivot axis 68.
[0050] The gas springs 76 assist pivotal movement of the glass
member 28 between the open and closed positions by exerting a force
on each of the first and second pivot arms 36, 40. More
specifically, the force of the gas springs 76 against the pivot
portions 160, 224 cause the first and second pivot arms 36, 40 to
pivot in tandem about the pivot axis 68. As the glass member 28
rotates upward, the first and second pivot arms 36, 40 freely
rotate about the pivot axis 68 without impeding the upper case
frame 24 and the glass member 28.
[0051] The glass member 28 is moved to the closed position by
pivoting the glass member 28 generally downward about the pivot
axis 68. The first and second pivot arms 36, 40 freely rotate about
the pivot axis 68 without impeding the upper case frame 24 and the
glass member 28. As the glass member 28 pivots downward, the gas
springs 76 are compressed, providing a controlled closing process
for the glass member 28.
[0052] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *