Carlos L Duarte

US Patent:

7010833, Mar 14, 2006

Filed:

Jul 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/622198

Inventors:

Carlos Duarte - Glendora CA, US
Fred S. Romero - Covina CA, US

International Classification:

E05D 11/06

US Classification:

16358, 16362, 16364, 4498

Abstract:

A hinge assembly for coupling a spa cover to a spa includes a mounting bracket, a slide bracket and a support arm adapted to be attached to the spa cover. The mounting bracket is adapted to be installed near a top of the spa. The slide bracket is slidably coupled to the mounting bracket. The support arm is pivotably coupled to the slide bracket at a pivot point on the slide bracket. A metal plate may be affixed using a double sided tape on an outside surface of the spa cover, and then anchored to the spa cover. The metal plate may be used to attach the support arm to the spa cover.

US Patent:

7073213, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Jul 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/622213

Inventors:

Carlos Duarte - Glendora CA, US
Fred S. Romero - Covina CA, US

International Classification:

E04H 4/00

US Classification:

4498, 4500, 220264

Abstract:

A hinge assembly for coupling a spa cover to a spa includes a mounting bracket disposed near a top of the spa, a support arm which is pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket about an axis of rotation, and a spring member disposed between the mounting bracket and the support arm. The spa cover is movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The support arm is attached on an outside surface of the spa cover at a vertical offset from the axis of rotation when the spa cover is in the fully closed position. The spring member, which may be a gas spring, forms an angle of less than approximately 45 degrees with respect to the top of the spa when the spa cover is in the fully open position. A metal plate may be affixed using a double sided tape on an outside surface of the spa cover, and then anchored to the spa cover. The metal plate may be used to attach the support arm to the spa cover.

US Patent:

20070022524, Feb 1, 2007

Filed:

May 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/436410

Inventors:

Carlos Duarte - Glendora CA, US
Fred Romero - Covina CA, US

International Classification:

E04H 4/00

US Classification:

004498000

Abstract:

A hinge assembly for coupling a spa cover to a spa includes a mounting bracket disposed near a top of the spa, a support arm which is pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket about an axis of rotation, and a spring member disposed between the mounting bracket and the support arm. The spa cover is movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The support arm is attached on an outside surface of the spa cover at a vertical offset from the axis of rotation when the spa cover is in the fully closed position. The spring member, which may be a gas spring, forms an angle of less than approximately 45 degrees with respect to the top of the spa when the spa cover is in the fully open position. A metal plate may be affixed using a double sided tape on an outside surface of the spa cover, and then anchored to the spa cover. The metal plate may be used to attach the support arm to the spa cover.

US Patent:

20070256229, Nov 8, 2007

Filed:

Jun 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/761334

Inventors:

Carlos Duarte - Glendora CA, US
Fred Romero - Truckee CA, US

International Classification:

E04H 4/06

US Classification:

004498000

Abstract:

A hinge assembly for coupling a spa cover to a spa, said spa cover being movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The hinge assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be installed near a top of the spa, and adapted to be coupled to a first end of a spring member; and a support arm pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket about an axis of rotation, adapted to be attached on an outside surface of the spa cover, and adapted to be coupled to a second end of the spring member. At least one of the mounting bracket or the support arm has a plurality of openings for selectively coupling the first end or the second end of the spring member, so as to adjust a coupling location between the spring member and the at least one of the mounting bracket or the support arm.

US Patent:

6442799, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Aug 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/650181

Inventors:

Carlos Duarte - Glendora CA 91741
Fred S. Romero - Covina CA 91724

International Classification:

E05F 108

US Classification:

16277, 16282, 16286, 16288, 16374, 16377, 49399, 312325, 4498

Abstract:

A hinge comprising a base and a plate rotataby coupled to the base about a turn axis fixed in the base. The hinge further includes a swing member rotably coupled to the plate about a pivot axis fixed relative to the plate and a spring coupled between the base and the plate which urges the plate to rotate about the turn axis in a first direction. The plate has limited rotation in the first direction about the turn axis as the swing arm has limited movement relative to the plate about the pivot axis in a second direction, opposite of the first direction. The limited movement of the swing arm is defined by a pivot limit. Movement of the swing arm toward and away from the pivot limit occurs about the pivot axis without effect of the spring on the arm. During contact of the swing arm with the pivot limit, the arm and the plate can move about the turn axis against the effect of the spring.