Abstract: An extension pad has a clamp device to hold a tablet computer on the extension pad securely. The clamp device has a mounting base and a rotating clamp. A hinge for a tablet computer extension pad in accordance with the present invention is mounted in the clamp device and has a pivoting leaf, a limiting segment, a stationary leaf and a spring. The pivoting leaf is mounted in the rotating clamp. The limiting segment is mounted around the pivoting leaf to selectively limit rotation of the rotating clamp. The stationary leaf is mounted rotatably on the pivoting leaf and is mounted securely in the mounting base. The spring is mounted between the pivoting leaf and the stationary leaf. Consequently, the hinge allows the clamp device to hold the tablet computer securely on the extension pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for opening a tray door of an optical device. The method comprises the steps of first driving the tray door to move horizontally and attain to a position that no interference between the tray door and a front panel occurs, and then driving the tray door to spin outwardly to allow the tray carrying out. The present invention also relates to a tray door opening structure used in the above method.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a chassis, a paper feed roller, a lifting member, and a biasing member. The chassis has a first side surface, a second side surface, and a bottom surface that connects the first and second side surfaces. The bottom surface has one of a first L-shaped projecting portion and a first coupling hole unitarily formed thereon. The paper feed roller is rotatably supported by the first and second side surfaces of the chassis and configured to convey paper. The lifting member is pivotably supported by the bottom surface of the chassis, and has a main portion and the other of the first L-shaped projecting portion and the first coupling hole unitarily formed on the main portion. The first L-shaped projection is pivotably coupled to the first coupling hole, such that the lifting member is pivotably coupled to the bottom surface.

Abstract: The inventive hinge includes a first hinge butt defining a pair of first and second races for receiving a first Soss sliding hinge pin. A second hinge butt defines a pair of third and fourth races for receiving a second Soss sliding hinge pin. The first hinge butt includes a first screw hole and the second hinge butt includes a second screw hole. A first Soss link assembly is mounted between and in the first and third races. A second Soss link assembly is mounted between and in the second and fourth races, the second Soss link assembly being positioned adjacent and spaced apart from, as well as extending in the same direction as the first Soss link assembly.

Abstract: A slide hinge device installed between two terminal bodies opening and closing by sliding is provided. The slide hinge unit includes: a rail hinge unit including an upper supporter, a lower supporter separated from the upper supporter by a pre-determined distance, and at least one guide bar bound with the upper supporter and the lower supporter; and a slide hinge unit, in which a penetration hole corresponding to the guide bar is formed, including a slide guide for sliding along the guide bar and a guide frame bound with the slide guide as one body.

Abstract: A home-bar door opening/closing device for a refrigerator. Guide slots 72 are provided in both side surfaces of an opening 59 provided in a refrigerator door 55 and connected to one ends of links 75 which rotate and vertically move. Then, a home-bar door 63 is installed in the opening 59 so that an upper end of the home-bar door 63 vertically rotates about a hinge 65. The other ends of the links 75 are pivotably connected to both side surfaces of the home-bar door 63, respectively. An upward elastic force from coil springs 77 is provided to the one ends of the links 75, while an elastic force from torsion springs 79 is provided to the other ends of the links 75. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the impact due to the rapid opening of the home-bar door.

Abstract: A long aperture extending along the forward and backward movement direction is formed on each of the brackets, each of the supporting shafts is movably inserted into each of the long apertures, a spring shaft in parallel with one of the supporting shafts is protruded to the back of the front panel, a hold-down spring is formed in the door spring, the door spring is wound up by one of the supporting shafts, the free end of which is engaged with the tray door and also the hold-down spring is wound up by the spring shaft, the free end of which is engaged with the front panel, the forward-advanced tray pushes the tray door against the hold-down spring, by which the tray door is moved forward, and then the tray door is axially opened and moved around the supporting shaft against the door spring.

Abstract: A knuckle arm interconnects a machine body and a top cover of a machine, and includes a base fixed on the machine body, and a pivot seat connected pivotally to the base and attached to the top cover. A biasing unit is disposed between the base and the pivot seat so as to bias the top cover to pivot upwardly. A friction assembly imparts a resistance to pivoting of the top cover so as to maintain the top cover at any position.

Abstract: A dynamic hinge includes a first member connected to a first ladder portion of a ladder, and a second member connected to a second ladder portion. The first member pivots relative to the second member about a pivot axis that does not intersect both the first and second members. The first member includes first and second parallel segments, and the second member includes a third and fourth parallel segments. A guide plate is attached to either the first or second member, and the guide plate is positioned between the first and second segments and between the third and fourth segments. The guide plate includes two non-linear slots, and an other of the first and second members includes two pins, respectively adapted to slide within the two non-linear slots. The pins extend between either the first and second segments or the third and fourth segments.

Abstract: A self-locked hinge device includes a hinge body, a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate and a locking mechanism, The first mounting plate is hinged to a first end of the hinge body, and the second mounting plate is hinged to a second end of the hinge body. The locking mechanism is driven by the second mounting plate when the second mounting plate is moved and incapacitates the first mounting plate from moving relatively to the hinge body when the second mounting plate is rotated to a predetermined position relative to the hinge body. A multi-function peripheral using the self-locked hinge device is also provided.

Abstract: A hinge member comprises a mounting portion to be secured to a vehicle body panel, and an extension portion having a fixed orientation relative to the mounting portion. The extension portion has a pivot-receiving slot defining a hinge pivot hole to receive a hinge pivot, and a slot portion extending from the hinge pivot hole. At least a portion of the pivot-receiving slot has a lateral dimension smaller than a diameter of the pivot hole. A hinge assembly includes a first hinge member pivotally joined to a second hinge member by a hinge pivot having a hinge pivot pin in a pivot pin bushing. Preferably, the pivot pin bushing shears under a pre-selected level of force or load to permit the pivot pin to be slidingly received in the slot. Embodiments of the hinge assemblies are well suited for hingedly mounting motor vehicle body panels to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A slide hinge for a small-sized information terminal having a first casing with keyboard and a relatively slid second casing with display. The slide hinge has a linear slide between the first and second casings, and a turning mechanism for a turning operation of the casings. The slide has a first guide groove provided on an undersurface of the second casing, a guide pin engaged with the first groove and attached to an upper surface of the first casing. The turning mechanism has a rotary hinge on an upper surface of one side of the first casing, a turning member rotatably attached to the rotary hinge in a horizontal direction, and a second pin attached to a free end of the turning member and engaged with a second groove provided on the undersurface of the second casing in cross direction of the first guide groove.

Abstract: A brace is provided so as to be able to maintain the open position of a lid of a keyboard musical instrument (grand piano), is able to rotate between an erect position that maintains an open position of lid and a collapsed position, and is able to be self-standing in the erect position. A position regulating section is provided between brace and body of grand piano that maintains an angle of rotation of brace at a constant angle.

Abstract: A slide hinge is provided for a small-sized information terminal composed of a first casing and a second casing. The slide hinge functions to relatively and automatically slide the first casing and the second casing from predetermined slide positions. The slide hinge is provided between a first casing provided with a keyboard portion and a second casing provided with a display portion so that the two casings are relatively slid. The slide hinge includes a linear slide assembly provided between the first casing and the second casing and a turning assembly being configured to generate rotation torque from a predetermined turning angle so that the first casing and the second casing automatically and relatively slide in an opening direction and/or a closing direction depending on the slide position thereof.

Abstract: A hinge assembly pivotally attaching a tonneau cover panel to a cargo bed of a motor vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a attachment bracket fixedly secured to the cargo bed of the motor vehicle. The attachment bracket defines a slot extending between a closed end and an open end, and the slot includes a pocket disposed adjacent the open end. The hinge assembly also includes a panel bracket fixedly secured to the tonneau cover panel. The panel bracket includes a base and a distal and defining an end aperture. The end aperture is alignable with the slot. In addition, the hinge assembly includes an attachment pin extending through the end aperture and received within the slot for movably securing the panel bracket with the attachment bracket.

Abstract: For securing a fitting to any point of an extruded section by a clamping device, the extruded section has two spaced apart parallel webs between which a holding part of the fitting can be inserted which is supported on the edge faces of the webs facing one another. The holding part has support flanges which can contact the outer sides of the webs. The holding part is provided with at least one bore in which a pin carrying the clamping element is rotatably held such that as a result of its turning the clamping element engages at the inner sides of the webs and tensions the support flanges against the outer sides of the webs.

Abstract: A container includes a container body which includes a base and a plurality of side walls peripherally and upwardly extended from the base to define a storage cavity, a container cover adapted to selectively cover the storage cavity, and one or more wide angled hinges. Each of the wide angled hinges includes a primary jointing frame and a secondary jointing frame to enable the container cover being moved between an opened position and a closed position. In the opened position, the primary jointing frame and the secondary jointing frame are pivotally moved and extended to open pivotally move the container cover away from the container body to form a wide opening angle with respect to horizontal. In the closed position, the primary joint frame and the secondary jointing frame are pivotally moved to receive in the storage cavity through the sliding slot so as to pivotally move the container cover to close the storage cavity.

Abstract: A container includes a container body which includes a base and a plurality of side walls peripherally and upwardly extended from the base to define a storage cavity, a container cover adapted to selectively cover the storage cavity, and one or more wide angled hinges. Each of the wide angled hinges includes a primary jointing frame and a secondary jointing frame to enable the container cover being moved between an opened position and a closed position. In the opened position, the primary jointing frame and the secondary jointing frame are pivotally moved and extended to open pivotally move the container cover away from the container body to form a wide opening angle with respect to horizontal. In the closed position, the primary joint frame and the secondary jointing frame are pivotally moved to receive in the storage cavity through the sliding slot so as to pivotally move the container cover to close the storage cavity.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive hinge system or mechanism that may apply to the front panel or door so as to obtain an easy access to the inside without making the mechanism much more complicated or expensive. The hinge mechanism for a front panel or door is hingedly connected to an enclosure (or cabinet case) and comprises an axis (or shaft) and an axis supporting member having an opening that supports the axis at a first position for door swinging, at a second position for holding the door in a certain state, and at an intermediate position for the axis moving with or without any turning.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member. A cylindrical pintle is secured to the second member. A friction element secured to the first member includes first and second cylindrical walls that wrap at least substantially circumferentially around the pintle in opposing first and second directions, respectively, providing equal resistance to relative rotation therebetween in both directions. A protuberance extends radially from the pintle, into a corresponding slot in at least one of the cylindrical walls, and engages an end of the slot when the first member and second member achieve a first predefined angular relationship, the friction element storing energy from relative movement between the friction element and pintle when the protuberance is engaged at the slot end.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a lighting assembly has a base with a slot, a shuttle guide extending from edges of the slot, a shuttle coupled with the base and capable of sliding through the slot and shuttle guide between an up position and a down position, and a link rotatably coupled to an end of the shuttle. An angle between the shuttle guide and the base is acute to allow the shuttle to easily slide into the shuttle guide. The base has a catch lip that extends from a back edge of the slot, wherein the catch lip is capable of deflecting the link slightly as the shuttle passes through the slot. Apertures in the shuttle and the shuttle guide align when the shuttle is in the up position. The link has a lip that inserts into the apertures in the shuttle and the shuttle guide to releasably hold the shuttle in the up position. The shuttle has tabs on an upper end of its back side to keep the shuttle from dislodging from the shuttle guide.

Abstract: A hinge structure of back door constructed to reduce the sizes of parts comprising hinges of a back door for enabling to obtain an accommodation space, wherein, in a door hinge having a first hinge unit and a second hinge unit rotatively coupled to an inner panel of a door and to a recess of a body, each connected to a rotary axle, the hinge structure for back door comprises a guide member formed at a bottom surface thereof with a coupling hole through which to secure the first hinge unit via a bolt and a nut and formed at both left and right tip ends thereof with a bent piece having a guide hole, a bracket formed at a bottom surface thereof with a coupling hole and formed at both left and left sides thereof with bent pieces formed at one side thereof with a connecting hole, first and second rods having both ends externally expanded for being respectively inserted into the guide hole of the guide member and the connecting hole of the bracket while central units thereof ware made in “⊂” shape,

Abstract: A mounting bracket for an invisible hinge of an operable wall includes upper and lower end portions for attachment of the bracket to the edge frame of the operable wall. The end portions include vertical slots to allow for vertical adjustment of the wall. Holes for locking screws are also provided the secure position of the wall after adjustment. The mounting bracket, includes a recessed portion to receive the main body of the invisible hinge. The bracket may also include an acoustic coating or an optional hinge encapsulating acoustic boot to provide improved sound barrier characteristics for the operable wall.

Abstract: A low cost and long lasting hinge mechanism suitable for hinging a cover to a housing of a device is disclosed. The hinge mechanism has a pair of pins attached to the cover and a corresponding pair of apertures on the housing. The pins fit into the apertures to hinge the cover to the housing to allow the cover to be tilted from a closed position to an open position. The aperture has a first portion and a second constricted portion. A pivoting point is provided on a tab on the housing. A corresponding cam-profiled section is provided on the cover for interacting with the pivoting point to urge the pin into the corresponding constricted portion of the aperture for securing the cover in the open position.

Abstract: A pivoting hinge joint having two end stop positions including a pivot arm including a first guideway, a stationary guide including a second guideway having a bent configuration with a turning point, a pivot axis for allowing the pivot arm to pivot with respect to the stationary guide, a guide member adapted to be guided in the first and second guideways, at least one spring adapted to bias the guided member to a first stop position and a second stop position, wherein the turning point is disposed between the first stop position and the second stop position and wherein the pivot arm pivots with respect to the stationary guide between the first stop position and the second stop position.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinges in general. More particularly, the invention is concerned with hinges wherein it is desired to have no parts of the hinge visible on the outside of a door or enclosure, where, typically in prior art hinges, a hinge pin is located about which the door rotates about the enclosure frame. The hinge of the present invention is visible from only one side of a door and has a first crescent member having a mounting means for mounting to the door and an arcuate cutout, the arcuate cutout describing a radius about a point that is an actual hinge point of the door relative to the frame, a second crescent member having a mounting means for mounting to a frame, and a pair of protruding cylindrical members adapted to be received within the arcuate cut out, the cylindrical members adapted to secure the first crescent member to the second crescent member. The first crescent member is movable about the actual hinge point with respect to said second crescent member.

Abstract: The hinge includes a first flange and a second flange which pivot and translate with respect to each other. The first flange includes a first laterally offset pivot axis. The second flange includes a second laterally offset pivot axis and a translational path. Additionally, a pivot plate is provided with first and second parallel passageways. The first laterally offset pivot axis of the first flange engages the first parallel passageway of the pivot plate and the translational path of the second flange. The second laterally offset pivot axis of the second flange engages the second parallel passageway of the pivot plate. Initially relative pivoting of the first flange and the second flange causes the first laterally offset pivot axis of the first flange and the first parallel passageway of the pivot plate to translate within the translational path. Subsequent relative pivoting of the first flange and the second flange causes the pivoting about the first laterally offset pivot axis.

Abstract: A work vehicle having a novel hood coupling apparatus is disclosed. The work vehicle includes a frame provided with a compartment and a hood. The hood is coupled to the frame by at least one hinge and at least one latch. The latch includes a stationary portion associated with the frame and a movable portion associated with the hood, and the hinge includes a first portion associated with the frame and a second portion associated with the hood. The latch is configured for the stationary portion to engage the movable portion in a particular location when the hood is closed, and the second portion of the hinge is configured to assume an approximate position with respect to the first portion of the hinge, and thereby to the frame, upon engagement of the latch, the latch thereby aligning the hood and the second portion of the hinge to the frame when engaged. The work vehicle may also include a hood biasing device and a hood positioner for controlling the amount of opening of the hood.

Abstract: Disclosed is a front-mounted hinge for mounting a door to a vehicle structure. The hinge includes a housing, a translating base, a hinge strap, and a cover assembly. The housing mounts to the exterior surface of the vehicle structure, and the hinge strap mounts to the exterior face of the door. The translating base is slidably mounted to the interior surface of the housing. The translating base moves relative to the housing between an abutting position, in which the translating base abuts a mounting plate of the housing, and an elevated position, in which the translating base is moved away from the mounting plate. The hinge strap is pivotally connected to the translating base so that when the hinge strap is pivoted, the translating base is caused to move between the abutting and elevated positions and the door moves between closed and open positions.

Abstract: A vehicle overhead console assembly includes a console body with a door pivotally attached to the console body. The door is pivotally movable between open and closed positions. A navigation display unit is connected to the door such that the navigation display unit is exposed for viewing by a vehicle occupant when the door is in the open position, and hidden from view when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle body door check (10) includes a scissors assembly (20) and a keeper (48) received between a pair of elongated check arms (22,24) of the scissors assembly and operable under the bias of a spring (46) to hold an associated vehicle door in an open position upon engagement with a check formation (36).

Abstract: A hinge mechanism including a positive latching assembly is provided for allowing rotation of a first hinge member relative to a second hinge member about a pivot when the positive latch is released and prevents rotation about the pivot when the positive latch is engaged. The positive latching assembly is operably disposed between the first and second hinge members. The latching assembly includes a locking member coupled to the second hinge member and a pivotable latching member coupled to the first hinge member. The latching member is rotatable between a locking position and a release position and includes a locking surface for engaging the locking member in the locking position. Further, the locking surface disengages the locking member when the latching member is in the release position.

Abstract: A horizontal door assembly is provided with pivotal counter balancing spring comprising an upper cylinder and a mating lower cylinder to force the cover of the door to an open position when the door assembly is unlocked wherein the upper cylinder of the counter balancing spring is configured to reduce the forces of the spring on the pivot points of the counter balancing mechanism thereby increasing the life of the counter balancing mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the counter balancing spring mechanism is made of plastic and has an ear at the upper end thereof with an elongated slot opening the slot having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder for mating with a pin inserted in an opening in a yoke bracket attached to the lower side of the cover.

Abstract: A hidden hinge mechanism is provided for mounting a door to a jamb in a door frame. The hinge mechanism may be formed of one or more pairs of body elements, sleeves, and a slide element. The body elements are formed as cylindrical barrels with arcuate cavities defined therewithin. These cavities have a circular curvature centered on a vertical axis of rotation that lies beyond the door and frame. The sleeve elements are hollow and also formed as arcuate structures that are mounted to move within the cavities in the cylindrical body elements in reciprocal fashion relative thereto. The sleeves move between closed positions retracted completely into the body elements and extended positions projecting therefrom. The arcuate slide has opposing ends that are respectively mounted to the sleeve elements in telescoping fashion. The slide moves between an extreme open position withdrawn from the sleeves and an extreme closed position encapsulated within them.

Abstract: A hinge and closure mechanism with an integral door stop which, together with the closure unit of the mechanism, stops a refrigerator door from opening beyond a preselected position is described. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a hinge unit, a closure unit, and door stop. The hinge unit includes a cabinet hinge plate and a door hinge plate. The cabinet hinge plate is mounted to the base of the cabinet, and the door hinge plate is mounted to a refrigerator door. A connector pin and a pivot pin extend through respective openings in the door hinge plate, and door hinge plate is coupled to the cabinet hinge plate by the pivot pin. The closure unit includes a pivot plate coupled to the door hinge plate by the connector pin. The closure unit also includes a compression spring and a link. The link couples the spring to the pivot plate.

Abstract: A crib having a number of upper rods, lower rods and poles securely connected therebetween. The crib is further provided with foldable devices each pivotally connected between two distal ends of the upper rods, plates each pivotally receiving the other two distal ends of said upper rods and securely receiving a distal end of the pole, seats each securely receiving the other end of the pole and pivotally receiving two distal ends of the lower rods, pivoting blocks each pivotally receiving the other two distal ends of said lower rods and a cover enclosing all of the upper rods, the poles and the lower rods and provided with a handle disposed thereon, such that a user is able to fold the crib by lifting upward the handle of the cover after the foldable devices are activated by the user.

Abstract: A work vehicle has an engine hood which may be opened and closed. The vehicle includes a connecting mechanism for allowing the hood to be pivoted upwards after displacement of the hood in the forward or rearward direction relative to the vehicle body, and includes also a movement restricting mechanism for checking sideways and upward movements of the engine hood after the hood is closed. The connecting mechanism includes a first bracket pivotally attached to a vehicle chassis, a second bracket provided to the engine hood, and a connecting member for pivotally interconnecting the first bracket and the second bracket. The movement restricting mechanism includes an engaging portion fixedly provided to the engine hood and an engaged portion provided to the vehicle body for engaging the engaging portion.

Abstract: A friction detent apparatus includes a resistance washer having a planar circular body with a central portion fixedly mounted to a pivot rod attached to a support structure, the body having a first arcuate friction contact surface spaced a first predetermined distance from the central portion and a second arcuate friction contact surface spaced a second greater predetermined distance from the central portion, a first detent nub formed on the first contact surface and a second detent nub formed on the second contact surface. First and second follower pins are fixedly mounted on a device pivotally mounted on the pivot rod for engaging the first and second friction surfaces respectively. The pins move along the friction surfaces as the device is rotated relative to the pivot rod and the detent nubs releasably retain the pins in an "end of travel" position.

Abstract: A barbecue cooker includes a bowl and a cover mounted to the bowl, the bowel having two ears diametrically disposed to an outer peripheral surface thereof, each of the ear having a curved upper surface, a vertical side and a horizontal side, the vertical side having a first flange extending therefrom and the horizontal side having a second flange extending therefrom, the first flange having a first plate extending perpendicularly from an outer edge thereof and the second flange having a second plate extending perpendicularly from an outer edge thereof so as to define a recess between the first flange, the second flange, the first plate, the second plate and an outer surface of the ear, a hole defined in each of the ears, a handgrip pivotally connected between the two holes of the ears such that the handgrip can be snugly received between the first plate and the outer surface of the ear when in a vertical position and snugly received between the second plate and the outer surface of the ear when in a horizonta

Abstract: A main body of a portable radio apparatus is split into an upper box and a lower box, and the upper box is connected to the upper part of the lower box to be rotatable about a hinge section. An antenna is similarly connected to be rotatable on the hinge section. When the lower body is swung open, the antenna is also swung simultaneously. As the antenna can be further swung, the distance between the head of the user and the antenna can be maximized during communication.

Abstract: A hinge (20) includes two hinge plates (22, 24) and a connecting hinge pin (32). A coil spring (48) supported on a bushing (44) overlies the hinge pin (32), which is free to move along its longitudinal axis (30). A cam follower (42) on the hinge pin (32) engages a cam (32) mounted to one of the hinge plates (22), so that the hinge pin (32) slides longitudinally as the hinge plates (22, 24) pivot relative to each other about the hinge pin (32). As the hinge pin (32) slides longitudinally, it axially compresses or decompresses the spring (48). The cam (32) is oriented such that pivoting of the hinge plates (22, 24) in either direction from an open position compresses the spring (48), providing a restoring force which tends to retain the hinge plates (22, 24) in the open position.

Abstract: A casket cap brace support comprises a support bracket adapted to be affixed to a wall of the casket body and including an aperture therethrough adapted to receive an end of a brace member, an elongated brace member having one end pivoted to the cap and the other end received in the support bracket aperture, the other end having a projection thereon, the support bracket having an elongated slot therein with a terminal end, the brace member projection being received in the slot during at least a portion of the movement of the cap to and between the closed and open positions, the slot being so configured such that when the cap is in the open position the brace member is in compression, the brace member projection residing in the slot terminal end and being prevented from moving out of the slot terminal end by the action of the weight of the cap, the cap thereby being resistant to inadvertent closing in the event that the casket cap or body is accidentally bumped.

Abstract: An armrest for a stadium chair. The armrest is connected to a stanchion by a bolt which extends through a slotted oblong lug carried by the armrest. The lug and armrest cooperate with a lobular bearing surface in the stanchion. The lug fits into lobes of the bearing surface in such a way as to retain the armrest in a raised position and a lowered retracted position. Movement of the armrest from the raised position requires a user to first lift the armrest without rotating, and then rotate the armrest to the lowered position. A polymeric bearing plate held between the armrest and the stanchion acts as a guide keeping the movement of the armrest in a single plane.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting to a vehicle body a rear deck movable closure panel, wherein as the panel is opened its forward edge is shifted rearward away from adjacent body structure. The hinge assembly includes a forward sector gear fixed to a panel-half hinge member and an aft sector gear pivoted to a body-half hinge member wherein the sector gears are disposed between a pair of angled link members. The body-half hinge member includes inboard and outboard opposed wall surfaces having upper and lower pairs of aligned horizontal guide slots. The aft sector gear and pair of links are supported between the wall surfaces with the aft sector gear meshed with the forward sector gear and a subjacent gear rack. The links tie a forward sector gear pivot pin to an intermediate pivot pin slidably received in the upper pair of guide slots and an aft pivot pin slidably received in the lower pair of guide slots.

Abstract: An improved hinge assembly for a vacuum packaging machine is designed to pivotally connect a stainless steel tub in the machine to a sealing lid. The lid is equipped with a pair of the hinge assemblies, with each hinge assembly including a stationary hinge plate which is positioned beneath a rear, overhanging lip of the tub. A pair of pins are spaced apart and extend outward from each hinge plate and into and through an arcuate slot in a movable hinge block which is, in turn, connected to the lid. The hinge block is designed to move relative to the hinge plate along a path dictated by the arcuate slot and the pins, with the pins acting as respective stops for the movement. A gas spring is pivotally connected between the rear surface of the machine and each hinge block, with the hinge blocks including different mounting points to vary the effectiveness of the springs.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a grill of the type which includes a cover and a bowl, each having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and four rounded corners. A handle is formed on a front end of the cover, and a plurality of legs are formed from a bottom portion of the bowl. The cover and the bowl are connected by a hinge assembly having two hinge sets, each including first and second hinge members, each of the hinge members having first and second ends, the first ends are respectively pivoted to an inner surface of the cover, and the second ends are pivoted with each other by a connecting element extending through a first slot formed in the side wall of the bowl. The second end of the second hinge member having a second slot formed therein through which the connecting element extends.

Abstract: A gas kettle-type barbecue grill is provided for use on boats or other environments. The grill includes a bowl-shaped base and bowl-shaped cover which are pivotally connected by hinges on opposite sides of the grill. Each hinge includes a pair of hinge arms having four pivot connections between the base and the cover. A burner is mounted in the bottom of the base, which horizontally receives a fuel inlet line. A flavor plate is mounted on top of the burner so as to evenly distribute heat within the base of the grill. The grill grate is secured within the base by mounting brackets. The grill is mounted to a post connected to a railing on the boat or to legs, and is rotable about a vertical axis so as to block the wind from the grate, regardless of the wind direction.

Abstract: A device and method for angularly joining elongate boards end-to-end or edge-to-edge without mitering utilizes a plate for pivotal connection in overlying relation to square-cut abutted board ends to enable the board ends to be subsequently pivoted into their desired angular relationship, whereupon the connecting plate may be rigidly secured to the boards to fix them together.

Abstract: A high strength offset tube hinge is provided for coupling tubing or rods. The hinge has a limited range and prevents overextension with a built-in stop feature that prevents any angles over the limited range. The application for the hinge lies in convertible tops for automobiles and boats as well as awnings or similar applications where it is desirable to have two coupled tubes or rods with limited pivoting range in a single plane.

Abstract: An improved medicine cabinet is constructed predominantly from molded plastic components adapted for rapid assembly. The medicine cabinet includes a forwardly open main housing having preformed grooves therein which cooperate with one or more upright central shelf support brackets to support an array of half width shelf members in a customized geometry of half and full width shelves. The medicine cabinet further includes an improved self-closing hinge assembly for swingably supporting a mirror door from the cabinet housing, wherein the hinge assembly does not require metal parts. The mirror door includes a recessed baseplate for stable nested reception of a glass mirror, in combination with an improved mirror frame adapted for simple snap fit mounting onto the baseplate.