Storage bin assembly

Abstract

A storage bin assembly is disclosed. The storage bin assembly includes a door moveably connected to an enclosure at first and second pivot axes by a pair of compound pivoting mechanisms including a first arm and a second arm. The storage bin assembly also includes an arcuate dampening arm integrally connected to the first arm of each pivoting mechanism to provide damped movement of the door relative the enclosure. A method for adjusting the position of the door relative the enclosure is also disclosed.

1 . A storage bin assembly, comprising: 
 a door moveably connected to an enclosure at first and second pivot axes by a pair of compound pivoting mechanisms including a first arm and a second arm; and    an arcuate dampening arm integrally connected to the first arm of each pivoting mechanism to provide damped movement of the door relative the enclosure.    
   
   
       2 . The storage bin assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are attached at respective first and second ends to opposing inner walls of the enclosure and at outboard walls of the door, wherein the attachment of the first and second arms to the side walls defines the location of the first and second pivot axes, wherein the attachment to the of the first and second arms to the outboard walls defines rotation center points.  
   
   
       3 . The storage bin assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the arcuate dampening arm is integrally connected to each first arm to provide damped movement of the door relative the enclosure, wherein each dampening arm includes teeth rotatably coupled to a toothed dampening gear attached to each inner side wall.  
   
   
       4 . The storage bin assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein each dampening arm includes a boss adapted to engage a stop extending from each inner wall.  
   
   
       5 . The storage bin assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein each first arm and second arm form an over-center relationship to provide a snapping action and detent-locking of the door relative the enclosure upon abutment of the boss and stop.  
   
   
       6 . A storage bin assembly, comprising: 
 a door moveably connected to an enclosure at first and second pivot points of respective first and second arms that form an over-center relationship to provide a snapping action and detent-locking of the door relative the enclosure.    
   
   
       7 . The storage bin assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the over-center relationship occurs when a rotation center point of the second arm is pivoted past an over-center line passing through the second pivot point of the second arm and a rotation center point of the first arm.  
   
   
       8 . A method for adjusting the position of a door relative an enclosure of a storage bin assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 simultaneously pivoting a door relative an enclosure about first and second pivot points to cause a compound pivoting movement of the door relative the enclosure.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8  further comprising the step of ceasing the compound pivoting of the door relative the enclosure about the first and second pivot points and pivoting the door about the second pivot point to cause a single pivoting movement of the door relative the enclosure.  
   
   
       10 . A method for adjusting the position of a door relative an enclosure of a storage bin assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 applying a force to a door to cause a compound pivoting movement of a first and second arm, wherein the first and second arms are rotateably attached to the door at respective first and second rotation center points, wherein the first and second arms are pivotably attached at a first pivot point and a second pivot point, respectively, to an inner side wall of an enclosure;    pivoting the first and second arm about the first and second pivot axes;    ceasing pivoting movement of the first arm about the first pivot point and continuing pivoting movement of the second arm about the second pivot point;    pivoting the second arm past an over-line line that passes through the second pivot point and the rotation center point of the first arm; and    snapping the door into a locked position.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the ceasing step includes abutting a boss into a stop member, wherein the stop member extends from the inner side wall of the enclosure, wherein the boss extends from a damping arm integrated with the first arm.