Abstract: A swivel caster method and apparatus including wheels rotatably coupled to a housing, wherein the wheels include a toothed cog on inner sides thereof. The housing is pivotally mounted to an article by a mounting stem having a keyed aperture. A brake lever bracket is pivotally coupled to the housing and includes a brake pin engageable with the toothed cog to prevent wheel movement relative to the housing. A swivel lever bracket is also pivotally coupled to the housing and includes a keyed shaft engageable with the keyed aperture of the mounting stem to prevent mounting stem movement relative to the housing. The brake pin of the brake lever bracket is engageable with the swivel lever bracket to pivot the swivel lever bracket to engage the keyed shaft with the keyed aperture when the brake pin is engaged with the toothed cog.

Abstract: An adjustable hinge has a first leaf and an adjustable leaf mounting assembly which includes a second leaf, a bracket, a cam and an adjusting screw. The second leaf is mounted on the bracket and has one end extending beyond the bracket and pivotally engaged with the first leaf. The cam is rotatably mounted on the bracket and cooperates with a cam follower surface on the second leaf. The adjusting screw has a shank threadably engaged in the second leaf intermediate its ends and has its free end abutting the bracket. In operation, the rotation of the adjusting screw pivots the one end of the second leaf relative to the bracket and the rotation of the cam moves the second leaf vertically relative to the bracket.

Abstract: An improved handle assembly for a refrigerator door including a mounting button secured to a face of the refrigerator door, a mounting block secured to a first or lower end of a door handle, and a mounting bracket integrally formed with a second or top end of the door handle. The mounting block and mounting button cooperate to provide a dovetail-type connection wherein the first end of the refrigerator door handle is slidably secured to a face of the refrigerator door without any exposed mechanical connection. The mounting bracket includes openings through which screws may be inserted to secure the second end of the door handle to a top surface of the refrigerator door.

Abstract: An automobile hinge structure has one of a hinge male member and a hinge female member configured by side pieces which have hinge pin holes and are arranged in parallel with a space therebetween, a vertical front piece for connecting the side pieces, and a base piece. The front piece is disposed to be substantially orthogonal with the base piece in a plan view. Such hinge structure has an L-shaped plan view and a square C-shaped vertical cross section with reduction of plate thickness and weight of hinge members, high strength and high rigidity. The reduction in the plate thickness facilitates forming and simplifies a forming mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge connection between an eyeglass temple and a frame for eyeglass lenses. The eyeglass temple possesses at its end to be connected to the frame a joint element (1) which can be directly coupled to the frame without any snapping effect with a corresponding mounting element (7). The joint element (1) possesses a prolongation, which is connected to the eyeglass frame, with a pin (4) where the ends (5,6) of the pin (4) protrude beyond the prolongation on opposite sides of it. The mounting element (7) possesses two spaced arms (8,) which each surround one of the ends (5,6) of the pin (4) protruding beyond the prolongation of the joint element (1). At least one of the arms (9) surrounds the pin end (5) only partially while forming an introduction aperture (12). When inserting the pin (4) in the pin mounting apertures by pushing the pin (4) in the direction of its longitudinal axis, the prolongation is guided through the introduction aperture (12).

Abstract: A wheeled, manually propelled vehicle with vertical support structure has an ergonomic handle attached to the support structure, the handle having a central section extending substantially horizontally in use and inclined sections which incline downwardly from the opposite ends of the central section and respectively terminate in curved end sections which curve toward the support structure and are integral for attachment plates for attachment to the support structure. The inclined sections facilitate grasping of the handle with an ergonomic arm position when a user is pushing the vehicle and facilitate maneuvering the vehicle around corners.

Abstract: An arrangement for precisely mounting a door on a vehicle body by a door on-door off hinge assembly. A door hinge flange has upper and lower transversely elongated slots and an intermediate rectangular tab opening symmetrically disposed on a common vertical axis. A tapping plate has a base formed with upper and lower bores and a central hook-like resilient tab member lanced-out from its base. The base mating face has a thermosetting film adhesive affixed thereto while an upper tapered locator pin extends therefrom adapted to pass through a door hinge flange clearance aperture and seat in a net hole in the door hinge web to establish a precise re-mounting location of the door hinge. Upon the tapping plate being hung on the flange inner surface, by virtue of the tab member being hooked through the flange tab opening, the locating pin extends through a clearance aperture in the door flange and a net hole in the base.

Abstract: An improved self mounting adjustable hinge which simplifies the pre-installation of a door on a frame resulting in greater efficiency and reduced costs associated with the production of furniture articles such as cabinets, desks and the like. The improved adjustable hinge includes a hinge cup mountable to a door, a hinge arm connected at one end to the hinge cup and a hinge plate connected to the other end of the hinge arm which includes a substantially D-shaped opening for mounting the hinge plate to the frame and securing the door to the frame. The D-shaped opening in the hinge plate is specifically dimensioned to allow a head of a pre-installed fastening screw to pass through the opening only when the hinge plate is tilted relative to the screw head.

Abstract: Rotatable hand tools such as screwdrivers utilize a coextruded tool handle which provides a comfortably grip. The handle has an extruded body formed of a rigid synthetic resin with a uniform cross section over most of the length of its grip portion. Extending axially over the length of the grip portion is a multiplicity of coextruded peripherally spaced stripes of a synthetic resin which is substantially softer than that of the body, and these stripes are firmly bonded to the body.

Abstract: A live axle tension device (15) that is suitable for adjusting the setting of a spring (16) on a live axle door (10). The tension device comprises a spring (16) that connects to a drum wheel (14) and to a spring connecting plate (22). The spring connecting plate (22) is attached to the outside of an axle housing tube (24) that houses the axle (12). The axle housing tube (24) also has two tension plates (26) connected to it which sandwich a tension bracket (20). The tension bracket (20) is fixedly attached to a supporting structure (21) and the axle (12) is free to rotate inside the bracket. The axle housing tube (24) and the plates attached to it can rotate relative to the tension bracket (20). With the spring (16) connected to the drum wheel (14) at one end and connected to the spring connecting plate (22) at the other end, the insertion of a tension pin (32) through the tension plates (26) and the tension bracket (20) fixes the position of the two ends of the spring (16) relative to each other.

Abstract: A friction adjustable positioning pivot includes a first shaft including a tapering threaded rod which defines a hollow space therein and a slot along a periphery thereof. An urging tube includes an inner threaded periphery for rotatably threading onto the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft and an inner smooth tapering periphery adjacent to the inner threaded periphery for limiting the tapering threaded rod to thread into the urging tube at a constant direction. A second shaft includes a rod portion which is received in the hollow space of the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft and is in contact with an inner periphery of the tapering threaded rod.

Abstract: A cookware lid having a where the handle supports a thermometer having a meat probe and an aperture to cause a whistling sound to warn that the internal temperature of a container has reached 180 degrees, eliminating possible carcinogens, e. Coli bacterium, salmonella and the like.

Abstract: An X-shaped automatic hinge structure serving as a fulcrum for supporting and pivotally connecting a swinging cabinet door board to a cabinet body. At a final stage of closing the door board, the hinge structure aids in speedily closing the door board.

Abstract: Two laterally spaced hinges (18, 20) each comprising a pair of pivotally connected brackets (22, 24) (74, 74') one bracket being connected to the hood (10) (10') or deck lid and the other to the edge of the vehicle opening. A pair of links (42, 44) (82, 84) pivotally connected together at one end extend between the brackets of each hinge. Each pair of links is pivotally connected at opposite ends to the associated brackets and in a first embodiment arranged such that the links of one pair (42) fold and unfold in opposite directions from the links of the other pair (44) when the hinges are swung during opening or closing of the hood or deck lid. In a second embodiment, the two pairs of links (82, 84) fold in the same direction. A torsion rod (36) (104) extends between the hinges and is connected at opposite ends to the links of each pair, such that upon closing the deck lid or hood, the links twist the torsion rod at its ends in opposite directions to tension it.

Abstract: An adjustable hinge including a first hinge member having a hinge sleeve and a second hinge member having a guide, with a door leaf coupled to the second hinge member and having at least one tab received within the guide for guiding movement therealong, the door leaf also coupled to the first hinge member and received within the hinge sleeve, allowing selective pivotal movement of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member about a rotational axis extending in a vertical direction. The adjustable hinge features a vertical adjustment mechanism received within the hinge sleeve allowing selective movement of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member in the vertical direction, and a horizontal adjustment mechanism within a cavity formed within the second hinge member with at least one tab of the door leaf is guidably moved along the guide, allowing selective movement of the first hinge member relative to the second hinge member in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A butt hinge is comprised of first and second swingably coupled hinge plates. At least one of the hinge plates is provided with clearance openings to enable the said one hinge plate to be moved over a given range relative to portions of wood screws passing through said clearance openings. A trim plate overlies the said one hinge plate. The wood screws are tightened, sandwiching the said one hinge plate between a base of a mortise and the trim plate to maintain the hinge plate in proper alignment. Engaging surfaces of the hinge plate and trim plate may be roughened to enhance the clamping therebetween. The hinge plate may be provided with set screws threadedly engaging tapped openings in the hinge plate so as to project from the hinge plate surface to compensate for applications in which a depth of a mortise is greater than the combined thickness of the hinge plate and trim plate to bring the exposed surface of the trim plate flush with the surface in which the mortise is formed.

Abstract: A tool handle extension is permanently or semi-permanently attachable to a tool having a straight, elongate handle, such as a snow pusher, push broom, or similar tool. The extension enables the user to extend the reach of the tool for clearing large areas having only limited access thereto, as in clearing snow from a roof area from an overlooking dormer window or the like. The extension is formed of standard, off the shelf components, with a cylindrical tube handle extension and crossmember forming a T configuration. Diagonal brace straps are provided between the ends of the crossmember and a lower point on the handle extension, for better lateral strength. Additional features, such as hand grips, end caps for the tubular members, sleeves to accommodate differences in internal tube diameter and tool handle diameter, and anti-crush plugs inserted into the tubes at various attach points, may be incorporated.

Abstract: A hidden door closer is based upon the positioning of a torsional spring adjacent the hinge edge of a door, which door has a hollow interior hidden closer portion with a closer mounted in an access opening so that the torsional spring and its housed assembly can be mounted in the opening is disclosed. The closer is mounted on the hinge side of the door. The torsional spring has a mid-portion crank which extends through an access opening with a coupler to the jamb or door frame. A pneumatic dampener is mounted in opposed relation to the torsion spring crank to slow the closing action induced by the Coil spring. Adjustment elements are provided in the dampener to emperically adjust its action prior to and after installation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety device, and in particular to a safety device for a sliding panel, such as a patio door. The safety device includes an abutment (20), a carrier (21), for the abutment (20), a mounting arm (22) for the carrier (21), a pivot (25) for the mounting arm (22), a support (24) for the pivot (25), resilient bias element (36) urging the mounting arm (22) towards an abutment condition, the resilient bias element (36) being connected between the mounting arm (22) and the support (24), and manually operable member for moving the abutment (20) against said resilient bias (36), the carrier (21) being substantially parallel to the pivot (25).

Abstract: A hinged platform assembly includes a platform having an end member with a lobed surface on one side thereof and a relatively flat surface on another side thereof. A socket assembly is provided for receiving the end member and enabling the member to turn about an axis within said socket means. The socket assembly includes an opening therein for enabling insertion of the member into said socket means at one angular relationship between said member and the socket assembly and preventing separation of the member and the socket assembly at all other angular relationships therebetween. The socket assembly further includes opposing surfaces for preventing turning of the member within the socket assembly past a selected angle therebetween, thus allowing the platform to support heavy loads without the need of additional components or struts of any kind.