Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting and storing diverse articles wherein the apparatus comprises a base assembly and an integral upstanding storage panel assembly associated therewith. The base assembly forms a bin for receiving articles to be stored and serves the dual function of providing stabilizing support for the entire receptacle. The upstanding storage panel has a front face, a rear face, one or more openings extending orthogonally therethrough, and one or more shelves, each extending rearwardly from the rear face proximal to a corresponding aperture, respectively. A removable annular closure assembly in the form of a collar member insertable into each aperture is provided for temporarily attaching the open-end portion of a flexible storage bag to the panel assembly in the region of a corresponding opening with the remainder or closed-end portion of the storage bag extending rearwardly and reposing on its corresponding shelf.

Abstract: A preparation device (10) for hot melt adhesives includes a base (20) which supports operational components (30, 40) within a housing (50), the operational components (30, 40) including a supply tank (30), a heater (32), a pump (34), a valve (36), an electric motor 38, a control unit (40), and couplings therebetween. The housing (50) includes a stationary section (52) and a movable section (54), both supported on the base (20). The movable section (54) moves horizontally from a closed housing position to an open housing position, thereby facilitating access to one or more of the operational components (30, 40) for periodic tasks such as repair, maintenance or cleaning. This overall structure for the preparation device (10) provides improved access to operational components (30, 40), and it also allows the operational components (30, 40) to be arranged closer together, thereby achieving another desirable feature of compactness in design.

Abstract: A rifle harness which comprises a belt, an elbow rest having opposite ends, and a strap having opposite ends. One end of the elbow rest is for receiving an elbow of a human being, or adjacent parts of an upper limb adjacent to the elbow. The other end of the elbow rest, is mounted and adjoining the belt. One of the ends of the strap is mounted to hold the belt, adjacent to one side of the elbow rest. The other end of the strap is mounted to hold the belt, adjacent to a side opposite the one side of the elbow rest. Thus the strap is for running from one of the ends holding the belt, for diagonally crossing up the back of that human being, running over the shoulder joining the other upper limb, and diagonally crossing down the thorax, to finally hold the belt, adjacent to a side opposite the one side of the elbow rest. With this harness, shooting is more reliable.

Abstract: A slide rail is intended for use in an extensible table and is composed of a sliding seat and two sliding supports. The sliding seat is provided with two guide rails, two guide slots, and a gear. The sliding supports are provided respectively with a plurality of sliding wheels and a rack. The sliding supports are joined with the sliding seat such that the racks of the sliding supports are engaged with the gear of the sliding seat, and that the sliding wheels are capable of sliding along the guide rails. The stationary leaves of the extensible table are slidably fastened with the slide rails and are therefore capable of sliding in opposite directions to accommodate an extension leaf.

Abstract: A lightweight, high-strength support platform for use in furniture construction, which has superior structural integrity and can be used, by way of example, in portable folding tables, in work tables and in modular furniture of the character typically used in modern office complexes. The support platform embodies a novel structural reinforcement core of a unique configuration which is both lightweight and exhibits superior strength and durability characteristics. In one form of the invention, the support platform is used in the construction of a lightweight, readily portable folding table which includes two pair of legs that are pivotally connected to the platform for pivotal movement between an extended operational position and a retracted storage and transport position.

Abstract: For cut Christmas trees, a stand having a readily adjustable trunk holder which can be adjusted to move the tree to the desired vertical position. The stand is collapsible for storage by folding the legs. A unique means for holding the tree in the stand is also provided.

Abstract: A one-piece front for a drawer is provided. The front includes a generally planar front wall having a top end and a bottom end, and an elongated drawer pull integral with the top end of the front wall. The pull includes an identifier support for displaying and supporting an associated identification card.

Abstract: A display holder, which conveniently presents a supply of business cards for individual distribution, is formed of a unitary extrusion of transparent semi-rigid thermoplastic material. The extrusion defines a channel having open sides and an open top, and a bottom for supporting the business cards. A resilient finger, also extruded with the channel, is attached to the back and has a card-supporting edge sprung toward the front which forms a display face. The finger is attached to the back with a connection sufficiently resilient to allow insertion of a full stack of business cards in the holder, while retaining sufficient flexibility to continue to bias the cards against the face of the holder, even when the supply of cards is depleted to as few as one.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pull-down, storage unit for use in overhead areas. The unit includes a bin and a frame for attaching the bin to a ceiling. The rear of the bin is pivotally suspended from the frame. The front of the bin is releasably secured to the frame by a cable and catch system and may be moved between a raised closed position and a lowered open position. The bin is secured on the frame when closed and suspended on the cables when open.

Abstract: A cover for a rectangular enclosure is pivoted to the rectangular base at the front, swings rearwardly-downwardly and engages the back of the base. A CD drive installed in the base is accessible from one side. For the purpose of inserting CDs and providing access for CD controls and jacks, a base window is formed in the side of the base and its edges are framed with a bezel which projects slightly outward from the base side. The cover has a cover window in one side congruent to the base window but spaced outward so that, as the cover is swung closed, the cover window is displaced outwardly relative to the bezel and the bezel does not interfere with closing the cover.

Abstract: A sliding track assembly including an outer rail fixed to a cabinet, an intermediate rail an inner rail fixed to a drawer, a first sliding ball rack slidably connected between the outer rail and the intermediate rail, a second sliding ball rack slidably connected between the intermediate rail and the inner rail, a first stop plate fixed to the intermediate rail and having two projecting blocks for engagement with a second stop plate on the inner rail and two stop rods for stopping the second sliding ball rack in place, a second stop plate fixed to the inner rail to engage with the projecting blocks of the first plate so as to stop the drawer is place when the drawer is pulled out of the cabinet, wherein first stop plate has two parallel locating plates at the back, each locating plate having a longitudinal split and a rear bevel edge; the second sliding ball rack has two sliding faces at the bottom; the bevel edges of the locating plates guide the sliding faces of the second sliding ball rack into close conta

Abstract: A pallet which includes a series of stackable feet orientated in relation to a platform. The platform is formed from at least two sheets of a fluted plastics material. The sheets of plastics material flutes are orientated so that the longitudinal axes of the flutes are at right angles to each other. The sheets of plastics material are joined together by any suitable means such as an adhesive or by the side edges of the sheets being welded together.

Abstract: One or a pair of aligned dovetail grooves secure various shelves to supports depending upon whether the shelf is an upper or lower unit. Vertical supports have male dovetail projections formed on each end for mating with a groove. A wedge projection is formed on the support end adjacent to the male dovetail projection for wedging against the shelf in interference fit when the male and female elements are assembled. Various embodiments for the wedge projection are disclosed. The supports have a width less than that of the shelves so that the dovetail joints are only visible from the shelving rear. The wedge projections are sufficiently small so as to not be observable from the shelving front. A particular shelf construction employs upper and lower shelves each comprising a dual construction of an upper and lower member. A triangular brace is secured to the lowermost shelf for support when the shelving is hung on a wall.

Abstract: The apparatus for setting furniture in variable elevated positions of the present invention is comprised of a rail (14) which is vertically secured onto the surface of an interior wall; elevating means (12) which vertically move upon and along said rail (14) and include a furniture supporting means and a guide means for engaging with said rail and preventing rotation of said elevating means (12); and means to effect the vertical motion of said elevating means. Said means to effect the vertical motion of said elevating means is comprised of pulley sets (22, 24, 30, 36) and a rope (32) connected to said pulleys, so if a portion of said rope (32) is pulled, said elevating means (12) is elevated, and if said rope (32) is released, said elevating means (12) is lowered.

Abstract: A drawer operating system for controlling a drawer having a sliding direction, the drawer defined by a front end and a rear end and partitioned by walls into a plurality of bins consecutive with one another along the sliding direction for holding various dispensable items, the drawer housed in a cabinet and arranged to move between a closed position and graduated, progressively open positions to allow access to one or more bins and the contents stored therein, the system including a linear encoder for monitoring the position and direction of movement of the drawer, including the length of opening the drawer on its preceding excursion, and for producing a plurality of electronic signals specific to the position and movement of the drawer, a drawer stop device arranged between the drawer and the cabinet, a controller for receipt of the electronic signals, and an electric solenoid, including a spring-loaded plunger slidingly mounted therein, for activation by the controller, after the beginning of the drawer-ope

Abstract: A lock system for casegoods, such as desks, cabinets, storage units, wardrobes and the like, includes an elongated, flexible tape or lock member having a plurality of spaced lock studs positioned thereon. A lock actuator moves the tape between unlocked and locked positions. Catches are mounted on the drawers, doors and the like of the article. When the flexible tape is moved to the locked position, the lock studs block or prevent opening movement of the drawers or doors due to contact with the catches. The flexible tape is routed through channels or other mounting structure formed in panels and tops of the article of furniture. An interlock mechanism, which may be integrated with the lock member, includes a lock lever, a cable attached to the lock lever and a plurality of interlock cams. Control members on the drawers rotate the cams to take up the cable causing the interlock lever to pivot and engage the lock member, thereby moving the lock member to a locked position.

Abstract: A convertible furniture article (1) can be configured alternatively to provide a bench-type seat, a picnic table or work bench, or a platform or staging. The article has a rigid base frame (2) which supports a seat (4) and a movable top structure that can serve as a table top (3), a platform, or a back rest associated with the seat. Two such articles can be juxtaposed in confronting relation to provide a picnic table. The article can be designed to provide seating for one or more individuals according to its size, and can also serve as a work bench or a desk with an adjustably inclinable top surface.

Abstract: An improved adjustable monitor support assembly is provided that utilizes a plurality of interchangeable side support assemblies and monitor supporting shelf assemblies. Each such shelf assembly is engageable with each pair or side support assemblies. Thus, a particular pair of side support assemblies can be used with either a monitor supporting shelf subassembly structure for a conventional monitor or a monitor supporting shelf subassembly structure for a flat LCD type monitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable laptop computer cart having a slidable desktop movable between a closed, retracted position and an open position which exposes a hidden bin/storage area underneath. The cart is mounted on casters or wheels for easy movement. Additionally, with the desktop in the retracted position, the bin is completely hidden from view allowing the cart to be utilized as a conventional end table or the like. The laptop computer cart is particularly well adapted for use with a laptop computer cart or video game entertainment system while the user is seated upon a couch or sofa.

Abstract: A modular furniture system is provided having vertical standards with internal conductors. The conductors are coupled to a source of low voltage electrical power such that adjacent vertical standards are of differing electrical polarity. Brackets for use in the modular furniture system are designed to make electrical contact with the internal conductors when a bracket is engaged in a vertical standard. An electrical device, such as a light fixture, is coupled between a pair of brackets engaged with adjacent vertical standards, thus, energizing the electrical device. Alternative embodiments are provided for use in merchandising displays and office partition systems.