Abstract: A counterbalanced adjustable height load bearing support structure comprises a spring biased arm having a cam surface thereon cooperates with a follower of a vertically movable support assembly supporting a load bearing surface. The cam surface in preferred form is generally concave upwardly and has a profile defined by the expressionsRx'=r cos .gamma.+(d-r.sub.r) cos (.beta.+.theta.)Ry'=r sin .gamma.+(d-r.sub.r) sin (.beta.+.theta.)where Rx' and Ry' are a local coordinate system on the cam arm, r represents the distance between the cam surface and the center of rotation of the cam arm, .gamma. is the angle of rotation of the r vector with respect to the x' coordinate system, .theta. is the angular rotation of the cam arm, .beta. is an angle normal to the cam surface at its point of contact with the follower as measured relative to the world coordinate system, d is the distance to the center of curvature of the cam profile and r.sub.r is the radius of the cam follower.

Abstract: A fireplace vent of the direct-vent type comprises two telescoping sections each having outer air intake housings and inner exhaust housings. One section has an adapter configured to communicate with a standard round concentric vent pipe of a fireplace. The other section has a termination cap. A pair of heat shields are disposed in spaced parallel relationship over the outer intake housing of each section. The vent can be installed horizontally on the fireplace to vent the fireplace through a wall with a minimum of height of an associated window or shelving unit above the fireplace. The adjustable telescoping configuration of the two vent sections also allows for ease in installation by avoiding the need to cut the vent to proper length.

Abstract: A hinge bracket assembly for a flipper door comprises a bracket body to which a pair of spaced rollers are fitted along an edge thereof. The rollers are spaced slightly from a flange portion of the bracket body to define slots therebetween. A hinge arrangement is provided along a forward edge of the bracket body for hingeable attachment to a cabinet door. The bracket flange portion is slideable within a simple J-channel mounted to an inside wall of the cabinet whereby the rollers bear against a flange surface of the J-channel and serve to inhibit rotational movement of the bracket body relative to the J-channel as the body is guided lengthwise of the channel. A pair of such brackets each mounted to opposite sides of the door thereby allows the door to freely retract into the cabinet without racking.

Abstract: A system for connecting wall panels in abutting edgewise relation, wherein abutting edges of the panels are formed with semi-circular recesses in them, includes pairs of spaced slots formed in the corners defining transverse semi-circular edges of the panel frames. Two connectors are provided having conical recesses for engaging the edges of the slots. The connectors are each fastened by a screw to an end of an elongate bar which fits within the recesses of the corners. When the connectors are fastened tightly to the bar, the engagement of the conical recesses with the corner edges draws the panels tightly together. By this system, the panels may be connected either in-line or at an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees, without the need for any special corner hardware.

Abstract: A system for interlocking together two panel members comprises a washer member having first and second washer portions connected by a necked down portion and having a through bore for receiving a fastener. The washer member is fastened to a side of a first panel member. A keyhole slot is formed in a second panel member, the slot having a relatively large opening portion leading to a relatively narrow opening portion. An aperture is formed in the second panel member spaced from the keyhole slot to define a bridge portion between the aperture and slot. A clip member attaches with a snap fit to the bridge portion and spans the keyhole slot terminating in an abutment portion at its distal end. When the two panels are interconnected, the necked down portion of the washer member is positioned within the narrow portion of the keyhole slot with the abutment portion of the clip retaining the washer therein.

Abstract: A mounting device for supporting data receptacles within an office partition panel of a type comprising rigid frame members interconnected by pairs of spaced parallel tube members comprises a body portion having two spaced resilient latch arms extending from a first side of the body portion, each arm having an inclined edge directed laterally outwardly of the body portion. The first side also has at least one resilient latch arm having an inclined edge directed in an opposite direction from the. direction of the inclined edges of the first two latch arms. A frame member for supporting a data receptacle is mounted to a second side of the body member. The latch arms are configured to snap into and lock between two parallel adjacent tubes of an office partition panel and, thereby, support a receptacle within the panel.

Abstract: A counterbalanced adjustable height load bearing support structure with a pretensioning mechanism comprises a pair of pivotable arms each having a free end in engagement with a support assembly and being biased by a torsion spring. A lever arm is connected to each torsion spring and exerts a biasing force on the pivotable arm when the lever is rotated, thereby preloading the springs. A cable connects the lever arms and passes over a central bushing. The bushing receives a threaded shaft which may be turned to move the bushing and thereby adjust the tension in the cable. Because the cable is capable of sliding engagement with the bushing, tension in the cable is substantially uniform throughout its length and thus the resultant forces on the lever arms is approximately equal. Correspondingly, the forces on the two pivotable arms and associated support assemblies is approximately equal, whereby binding or racking of the support assemblies is minimized as the support surface is raised or lowered.

Abstract: A low cost task chair comprises a blow molded seat support member having a central planar portion for attachment of a control bracket. A recess in the planar portion beneath the control bracket receives a cross brace. A pair of arm support frames are secured to the ends of the cross brace and to the control bracket. The arms are, therefore, easily assembled to the chair with the cross brace concealed from view. A pedestal is secured to the control bracket and contains a gas cylinder for raising and lowering the seat assembly. Another recess is formed in the seat support member for receiving a flush mounted cylinder actuating lever. A seat back adjustment mechanism for adjusting the outward position of the back relative to the seat comprises a pair of parallel spaced tubular members telescopingly received by the control bracket.

Abstract: A cushion for forming the seat or back of an upholstered chair comprises a rigid unitary body member having a central, relatively flat portion between two marginal edge portions with upstanding ridges formed along each of the two edge portions. The ridges define a central depressed portion which is capable of receiving one or more layers of foam. A foam layer covers both the central layer or layers of foam and wraps over and around the edge ridges to pad the ridges. The ridges thereby serve to reduce precompression of the central foam layer or layers after the form is finished with a covering of upholstery. A chair having cushions with enhanced softness is thereby achieved. In another aspect of the invention, a form for a chair back includes a series of vertical spaced ribs in the lumbar region of the chair back. The ribs also serve to enhance the compressibility of the foam.

Abstract: A modular office panel system comprises a central core surrounded by a rigid frame. A pair of generally rigid panel members are disposed on opposite sides of the core. A channel member has a central portion disposed between the frame and core with right angle bent sides extending around opposite sides of the frame. The channel member sides terminate in reversely bent portions defining flanges for engaging the rigid panel members. The reversely bent portions also define resilient edge portions in engagement with the sides of the frame. A fabric material covers the panel members and is retained on the panel by insertion of marginal edges of the fabric between the sides of the frame and the resilient edge portions of the channel member.

Abstract: A height adjustable load support structure has a base frame and a generally planar support surface. Preferably, two extendable vertical support assemblies support the surface for vertical movement relative to the base frame. Each support assembly is engaged by a spring biased pivotable arm to counterbalance the weight placed on the surface. A cam system cooperating between the distal ends of the pivotable arms and the support assemblies serves to compensate for the changing spring force on the arms by varying the effective moment arms of the arms thereby equalizing the force on each support assembly through its complete range of vertical travel.