Soft close device for compact hinges
Disclosed is a soft-close device for a compact hinge comprising a housing removably fitted to the compact hinge and a plunger slidingly engaged with the housing. The housing includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the plunger. The plunger includes a collar that when the plunger is rotated will engage a slot in the housing to deactivate the soft close functionality of the device. In an alternate embodiment, a tab slides around the exterior of the collar to engage the slot. In another alternate embodiment, the plunger includes a detent that engages a catch formed in the housing. The catch extends from a flexible arm of the housing that can be elastically deformed to deactivate and reactivate the soft-close functionality.
1. A soft-close device for a compact hinge comprising:
a housing configured to be attached to the compact hinge;
a plunger slidingly engaged with the housing and configured to abut the compact hinge;
a detent extending from the plunger;
a catch extending from the housing for engagement with the detent;
wherein upon contact with the compact hinge the plunger slides toward the housing and provides a soft-close functionality;
wherein upon engagement of the detent with the catch, the soft-close functionality is deactivated; and,
wherein the housing further comprises:
a cavity spaced between a first sidewall and a second sidewall;
a flexible arm extending from an upper surface;
a first slot adjacent the first sidewall and the arm;
a second slot adjacent the second sidewall and the arm; and,
an arch extending from the arm adjacent the first slot and the second slot.
2. The soft-close device of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises:
a first side extending from an upper surface;
a second side extending from the upper surface;
a first attachment means on the first side configured to be attached to the compact hinge; and,
a second attachment means on the second side configured to be attached to the compact hinge.
3. The soft-close device of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises:
the flexible arm adjacent the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the cavity; and,
whereby deformation of the flexible arm in a direction away from the cavity allows the detent to bypass the catch.
4. The soft-close device of claim 1 wherein the plunger further comprises:
a fluid filled body for slidable engagement with the housing;
a piston rod extending from the body and configured to abut the compact hinge;
a piston head attached to the piston rod for movement through the body; and,
wherein the detent extends from the body.
5. The soft-close device of claim 1 wherein the plunger further comprises:
a body, having a first cross-section, for slidable engagement with the cavity formed in the housing, where the cavity has the first cross-section; and,
an angled face on the body configured to abut the compact hinge.
6. The soft-close device of claim 1 wherein the plunger further comprises:
a fluid filled body for slidable engagement with the housing;
a piston rod extending from the body and configured to abut the compact hinge;
a spring, surrounding the piston rod, adjacent the body and the housing; and,
the spring biasing the body away from the housing.
7. A method of deactivating the soft-close functionality of a soft close device having a housing slidingly engaged with a plunger, a first part defined in the housing, and a second part extending from the plunger comprising:
providing the housing configured to be attached to the compact hinge;
wherein the housing is provided to include:
a cavity spaced between a first sidewall and a second sidewall;
a flexible arm extending from an upper surface;
a first slot adjacent the first sidewall and the arm;
a second slot adjacent the second sidewall and the arm; and,
an arch extending from the arm adjacent the first slot and the second slot
providing a plunger slidingly engaged with the housing and configured to abut the compact hinge;
providing the second part, including a detent extending from the plunger;
providing the first part, including a catch extending from the housing for engagement with the detent;
contacting the plunger with the compact hinge;
sliding the plunger toward the housing until the first part is adjacent the second part;
engaging the first part with the second part; and,
whereby the soft-close functionality of the device is deactivated.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first part extends from a flexible arm formed in the housing, further comprising:
deforming the flexible arm away from the plunger; and,
sliding the plunger away from the housing until the second part bypasses the first part.