Abstract: A hand loom of improved and simplified construction in which the course of travel of the warp threads during the weaving operation is similar to conventional looms. However, the loom of the present invention is provided with a beater which is mounted for horizontal reciprocation so that the beater is maintained parallel and square with the warp threads at all times during such reciprocal movement. The beater is mounted directly adjacent the front harness at a point proximate the greatest opening of the shed.The present loom also has a plurality of harnesses of novel construction, with each of the harnesses being actuated by its own individual lifting means. Thus, a lifting lever, having an elongated arm and an upstanding leg, is positioned beneath each harness and is adapted to raise a selected harness when the outer end of the lever arm is depressed by the operator.

Abstract: A load-supporting structure such as a table, seat, bench, shelf and the like, including at least one stationary member carrying a slidably adjustable surface which is adapted to support a load. The adjustable load-supporting surface has channel means associated therewith in which the stationary member is slidably disposed. A latching mechanism, pivotally carried by the load-supporting surface, is provided to frictionally engage the stationary member in the channel in order to hold the load-supporting surface in position on the stationary member. The latching mechanism has a positive clamping mechanical advantage so that the frictional pressure exerted by the latching mechanism on the stationary member is directly proportional to the amount of weight placed on the adjustable load-supporting surface.