Importance

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Abstract

A slow open slow close hinge assembly for an appliance includes a first hinge assembly including a base; a tab projecting outwardly from the base in a first direction; a support projecting outwardly from the base in a second direction; a hinge arm pivotably connected to the tab via a first pivot point; a tail portion extending through an opening in the base; a slow open slow close dampener operably connected between the support at a second pivot point and the tail portion at a third pivot point; wherein a neutral position for the dampener occurs when the first, second and third pivot points are aligned substantially in a straight line.An appliance includes a body; a door; first and second hinge positions for pivotably connecting the door to the body; wherein each of the first and second hinges includes a base; a tab projecting outwardly from the base in a first direction; a support projecting outwardly from the base in a second direction; a hinge arm pivotably connected to the tab via a first pivot point; a tail portion extending through an opening in the base; a slow open slow close dampener operably connected between the support at a second pivot point and the tail portion at a third pivot point; wherein a neutral position for the dampener occurs when the first, second and third pivot points are aligned substantially in the same plane.A slow open slow close dampener for an appliance hinge includes a body and a rod selectively extensible from and retractable into the body, wherein when the hinge moves from a first operative position, the rod retracts into the body, then the hinge moves to a neutral position and then the hinge moves to a second operative position and the rod extends out of the body.

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First Claim