Abstract: An improved swivel coupling is provided for use with a pool cleaner, particularly for use in connecting a pool cleaner of the type powered by a suction or vacuum source to a flexible vacuum hose which is connected in turn to the suction side of conventional pool water filtration equipment. The swivel coupling comprises outer and inner part-spherical ball segments adapted for respective connection to the vacuum hose and to a water flow port on the pool cleaner, wherein the outer ball segment defines a socket for rotationally receiving and supporting the inner ball segment in a manner to accommodate substantial angular and rotational swivel displacement therebetween. A plurality of generally axially extending ribs are formed within the socket for rotationally supporting the inner ball segment with minimal contact area, and to define therebetween a plurality of axially elongated recessed channels.

Abstract: Two parts (120, 160) can be mated and secured from relative movement in three different orthogonal directions or planes by the use of a novel, two piece, plastic fastener structure. The snap fastener has an integral interlocking tab (170) that serves to constrain the movement in a third direction or plane. The snap fastener additionally consists of an operative component (110) and a securing component (150). The operative component has a resilient member (112) that deforms to receive a catch member (152) on the securing component when the operative component and the securing component are snapped or mated together. One of the two components contains an opening (180), while the other contains a body portion shaped more or less like a tab or tongue which is capable of being inserted within the opening when the two components are mated. When so inserted, the relative movement of the two components is restricted in three directions, without the use of a remotely located securing means.

Abstract: A carrying assembly for carrying and/or transporting planar objects is disclosed. The carrying assembly includes a handle with a cross member, a support member and a support assembly which secures a planar object within the carrying assembly.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a manual tool such as a shovel includes an elongate, tubular handle member with a hollow connecting end portion and a screw hole formed in one side. The assembly includes an elongate, hollow connecting member with an exterior surface sized to fit snugly inside the hollow connecting end. A second screw hole is formed in the side of this primary section. The connecting member has an aperture formed in an outer end section. A screw is used to detachably connect the connecting member and the handle member. Ridges extending along opposite sides of the aperture engage flexible connecting members formed in an inner end of a socket of the tool member in order to connect the handle assembly thereto. There is also disclosed a metal connecting device which is elongate and substantially channel-shaped. Integral tabs mount this metal member in the elongate socket of the main tool section.

Abstract: A compact gripping device includes a spring that can be retracted to retract ends of the spring via application of a force. The force can be either a downward (push) or upward (pull) force. The spring ends are retracted by removing the force. The spring engages a compact disc either by gripping an inside surface of a hole provided in the compact disc, or by contacting a bottom surface of the compact disc. An embodiment which grips the inside surface of the compact disc allows the compact disc to be axially rotated by the gripper, while the gripper which grips the bottom surface of the compact disc allows for multiple discs to be gripped at one time.

Abstract: A gripper that is designed to incorporate the functions of gripping, supporting and pressure tongs into one device. The gripper has two opposing finger sections with interlocking fingers that incline and taper to form a wedge. The interlocking fingers are vertically off-set so that the opposing finger sections may close together allowing the inclined, tapered tips of the fingers to extend beyond the plane defined by the opposing finger section's engagement surface. The range of motion defined by the interlocking relationship of the finger sections allows the gripper to grab, lift and support objects of varying size and shape. The gripper has one stationary and one moveable finger section. Power is provided to the moveable finger section by an actuating device enabling the gripper to close around an object to be lifted. A lifting bail is attached to the gripper and is supported by a crane that provides vertical lift.

Abstract: A vehicular power seat slide device includes a lower rail adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body floor, an upper rail slidably mounted on the lower rail for supporting a seat device, a nut member secured to the lower rail, and a screw shaft threadably engaged with the nut member and operatively associated with a gear box. To reduce the bending moment in the screw shaft resulting from a load applied to the upper rail in the vehicle lengthwise direction, a flange is provided on the screw shaft, and a block member is secured to the upper rail between the flange and the gear box, with the block member being mounted with respect to the screw shaft to allow rotation of the screw shaft.

Abstract: A mounting structure for an automobile footrest whereby a footrest can be mounted in a condition with no rattle by a perfectly one-touch operation comprising plate-shaped mounting members mounted with prescribed separation on an automobile body panel and provided with respective engagement parts, and a footrest mounted on these plate-shaped mounting members. The footrest is provided on its rear face with mounting parts capable of engagement in sliding relationship with respective plate-shaped mounting members. These mounting parts are respectively provided with engaging claw structures that resiliently engage engagement parts of the plate-shaped mounting members and are arranged with a separation corresponding to the mounting separation of the plate-shaped mounting members on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle visor assembly is mounted to a vehicle structure for pivotal, rotational, and sliding movement relative thereto and includes a single-piece visor blade and cartridge assembly. The single-piece visor blade includes a first mounting portion with a pair of grooves integrally formed along a top edge of the visor blade. The cartridge assembly includes a rod for attachment to the vehicle structure, a sleeve molded onto the rod, a detent supported on the sleeve, and a housing for mounting the rod and detent to the visor blade. The housing includes a second mounting portion with a pair of inwardly extending tongues that slidably engage the grooves on the first mount. An end cap is fastened to the visor blade to fix the housing to the blade. The visor can slide along the rod to a plurality of extended positions and the detent can hold the visor at any of various rotational positions relative to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: In connection with a device for the screwless mounting of at least one accessory in a cutout of a vehicle support structure, the device includes a base body with locking elements formed thereon that are to be locked to the cutout edges at least one locking element being separated from the base body, and movably attached to at least one further locking element connected with the base body, a blocking wedge that can be driven between the locking elements inserted in the cutout and a detent mechanism between the base body and the locking element which is not directly connected with the base body positioned such that the base body can be supported on the locking element opposite to the insertion direction when the device has been mounted.

Abstract: System for rolling and unrolling canvas around the loading area of transport vehicles. Two appropriate motors exert a force sufficient to move a roll whereon is rolled the canvas, the latter slidingly moving by powered guides until they sealingly cover the area where goods to be transported are placed and likewise automatically gather the canvas when discharging the goods.

Abstract: A retractable awning for attachment to a golf cart is provided. The awning is comprised of a framework having a plurality of U-shaped rib members and a fabric cover. The U-shaped rib members have ends terminating at a common pivot point to allow respective relative movement to move the awning between an extended deployed position and a retracted closed position over a rear compartment of the golf cart. Each successively adjacent rib member is dimensioned slightly less than its preceding rib member to allow nesting of all the rib members in a common plane so that the framework can lie substantially flat in its retracted position. Sleeve members for receiving the rib members are provided on the underneath side of the awning cover to allow the fabric to deploy and retract over the framework without binding.

Abstract: A hail shield which consists of a laminated design, having multiple layers of resilient shock-absorbing material for padding, strength and shape. An outer layer of high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) mesh is layered with closed cell foam to produce a 2-ply covering material. In a preferred embodiment, a thin vinyl scrim or polyethylene sheet is layered between the HDPE mesh and the closed cell foam to provide a 3-ply covering material. The shield is constructed of two generally rectangular top panels affixed to each other along their common longest sides, each top panel being flanked by generally trapezoidally-shaped side panels. The seams between the panels are preferably constructed using a sewing technique which produces a reflexive joint between the panels, tending to fold the panels towards each other, and giving the over all hail shield a reflexive tendency to “grip” the car to increase the attachment security of the shield.

Abstract: A closure panel assembly for a motor vehicle includes an upper member and a lower member. In a first mode, the upper and lower members are rigidly interconnected and the closure panel assembly is permitted to pivot about an upper pivot axis adjacent an upper edge of the upper member. In a second mode, the upper and lower members are free to move relative to one another. The upper member is permitted to independently pivot about the upper pivot axis. The lower member is permitted to independently pivot about a lower pivot axis adjacent a lower edge of the lower member.

Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle provides at least one fixed panel or window and a movable panel or window. A one piece frame is formed which includes a perimeter frame and at least one dividing member. The window panel assembly may be adapted for a vehicle door, whereby the fixed window panel is secured to the dividing member and a portion of the perimeter frame, while the movable window panel slidably engages a portion of the perimeter frame with one edge and the dividing member with the other edge, which is opposite the first edge. A rail or guide member is secured to the second edge of the movable panel for slidable engagement with the dividing member. The rail member and guide member allow the movable window panel and fixed window panel to form a substantially flush, continuous, planar surface across their adjacent edges, while still providing a substantially airtight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A sidewall of a trailer is formed from at least two composite panels joined together by a novel joining configuration. Each panel is formed from inner and outer thin metal skins and a plastic core sandwiched between the skins. In several embodiments, at least one of the skins has at least one end coined to as to compress the core between the skins to define a coined end section. A logistics plate and a splicing member are used to join the panels together and are secured thereto by rivets. The logistics plate and/or the splicing member may sit against the coined end sections. The splicing member may have flat top and bottom portions to facilitate in the attachment of the panels to the top and bottom rails of the trailer. In other embodiments, a logistics plate is secured by rivets to the panels for joining them together. The splicing member is eliminated and instead, the outer skin of at least one panel is extended to lie behind the logistics plate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body including a plurality of vertical pillars defining therebetween a plurality of door frames for access to a passenger compartment of the vehicle body, a plurality of doors supported by pairs of hinges on the front vertical pillar of each door frame for pivotal movement between closed and open positions, and a light weight side impact protection barrier characterized by high elongational stiffness and high strain-at-failure. The light weight barrier may be employed alone or in combination with a horizontal door beam and includes a synthetic cable in the door made from a plurality of helically braided bundles of fibers selected from a group of fibers consisting of aramid fibers and liquid crystal polymer fibers characterized by a strain-at-failure exceeding about 3%. The synthetic cable includes attachments to the front and rear pillars of the door frame when the door is closed.

Abstract: A body component arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a body component having a specific shape which under the action of an applied force has different load and/or stress conditions within different regions of the body component including high load and/or stress conditions in a first region and lower load and/or stress conditions in a second region. A pattern of through holes is provided so that the through holes in the region of the lower load and/or stress conditions form a perforation pattern having a configuration arranged so that the load and/or stress conditions arising in that region under the action of an applied force will have a substantially uniform distribution. This produces a weight saving that is very economical and achieves a reduction of damage in the region of lower load and/or stress conditions.

Abstract: The passenger car has a supporting structure, with at least two longitudinal members (1). The longitudinal members are joined together in the middle by means of a torsionally rigid cross-member (2) which is constructed as a large-volume tubular profile and accommodates at least parts of the transmission, while the longitudinal members (1) at the side bend upwards from a floor panel (5) and in order to increase the flexural rigidity of the longitudinal member (1) about the transverse axis, the vertical extension of longitudinal member (1) is sufficiently great that the top edge (1) is located at least at the height of the seating-surface of the driver's seat.

Abstract: A forward structure for a self-supporting body shell of a passenger car has two forward structure side members, with which a function carrier is connected on at least four fastening points in a force-transmitting manner, the function carrier being constructed of two cross member sections and two side member sections. The function carrier is designed as a one-piece cast component. The cross member sections and the side member sections are provided with a U-shaped shell profile which is open in the downward direction. Each side member section is provided with at least one geometrically caused desired deformation area which, in the event of a deformation of the forward structure side member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, can be additionally plastically deformed.

Abstract: An overhead guard for a vehicle, in the form of a cab for a lift truck, that affords both protection and a high degree of overhead visibility with a relatively open grille work of steel bar and an impact-resistant glazing sheet. The glazing sheet is sandwiched between a rigid framework and a sheet metal panel having a large cutout for the overhead view. Gusset plates reinforce the corners of the framework and provide convenient mounting locations for an air circulating fan. Threshold adaptor brackets are mounted in step pockets of the vehicle chassis to simplify the door structure while permitting the cab to be effectively sealed from the environment when the doors are closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manually actuated sliding golf cart cover system to protect both the occupants and the golf equipment from the elements. Several overlapping panels are configured such that they telescope one with respect to the other in the closed position until all that is visible is a single panel. In the deployed position, the several overlapping panels form a roof cover and the rear-most panel pivots around a hinge and extends over an item storage area thereby protecting the golf equipment housed therein.

Abstract: A retractable tray table for use with a seat having an armrest on one side thereof includes a tray table connected to the armrest by a support arm and moveable to a first position and a second position. A pivot assembly mounts the tray table to the support arm. The tray table is rotatable about a first axis parallel to the support arm and a second axis perpendicular to the support arm to move the tray table from the first position to the second position. A locking mechanism cooperating with the support arm releasably secures the tray table in the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A heated seat assembly especially suitable for outdoor use. A heater insert is positioned in the hollow of the seat cushion and includes a substrate member and a thin film heating element positioned on the substrate member. The heater insert is inserted into the hollow of the cushion through a slot in the rear edge of the cushion to position the thin film heating element within the hollow of the cushion beneath the seating surface. The heater insert is held in position by positioning of the forward edge of the substrate member in a crevice defined interiorly of the cushion proximate the front end of the cushion and by adhesive securement of a handle portion of the heater insert against an outer face of the rear edge of the cushion. Leads extend from terminals of the heating element to a plug in the handle portion of the insert which may be accessed by a plug of a pigtail cord extending from a junction box positioned on a riser surface of a grandstand immediately behind the seat assembly.

Abstract: An activity center for a motor vehicle in which a platform is provided in the vehicle interior, preferably mounted to a seat back. The platform is movable from a stowed position to a horizontal use position overlying a seat cushion and seat back at a seating position for use as a work surface or a play surface. In addition, the activity center includes a storage compartment for toys and other items and may include cup holders, pencil holders, etc. Furthermore, toys such as a stud panel for use with building blocks and drawing toys, such as Etch-a-Sketch®, can be integrated into the activity center.

Abstract: A chair includes a base, a back upright operably supported on the base for movement between an upright position and a reclined position, and a back construction. The back construction includes a back support shell attached to the back upright, and further includes a cushion assembly attached to the back support shell with quick-attach top and bottom connectors. Specifically, the back support shell includes top apertures, and the cushion assembly includes hooks for drop-in attachment to the top apertures. The back support shell also includes a molded bottom section defining a horizontally extending recess, and the back cover includes a stiffened edge flange configured to frictionally engage the recess to retain the back cover to the back support along the bottom section of the back construction. The cushion assembly includes a cover assembly that includes an upholstered front panel, and a rear panel forming a sock that can be pulled upwardly onto a cushion.

Abstract: A small child and infant restraint device is disclosed which can be used with an existing seat of a transportation member such as an aircraft passenger seat. The restraint device includes a base member connected to a back panel by a hinge member. A seat pan provides a seating surface for the child or infant. A seat belt path is defined between the seat pan and the base member for disposal across the base member of a seat belt associated with the existing passenger seat, for attaching the restraint device to the existing passenger seat. The restraint device can be utilized in a forward facing configuration or in an aft facing configuration. The forward facing configuration is utilized with small children and toddlers, while the aft facing configuration is utilized with infants and small children without sufficient neck development. When the device is not in use, the back panel is folded down towards the base member to form a relatively thin stowable assembly where it can be properly stored.

Abstract: A pump assembly is described for use in the field of workstation design. The pump assembly is described for use in combination with a chair back having an expandable fluid bladder for lumbar support. The pump assembly allows a person, while seated, to more easily inflate or deflate an expandable fluid bladder. An actuator for inflating and deflating the expandable fluid bladder is also described.

Abstract: A base structure for a chair seat includes a base mounted to an underside of the chair seat. Two lateral walls of the base include aligned vertical slots. A first pin is slidably extended through the aligned vertical slots. One of the lateral walls includes a retaining slot with a number of vertical retaining positions. The other of the lateral walls includes a guiding slot in alignment with the retaining slot A swivel seat includes a first end pivotally mounted between the lateral walls of the base by a second pin. The swivel seat is connected to an end of a backrest to pivot therewith. An adjusting rod has a first operative end and a second end extended through a second end of the swivel seat and the lateral walls of the base. The second end of the adjusting rod is releasably engaged with one of the vertical retaining positions, thereby allowing adjustment of an inclination angle of the backrest relative to the seat.

Abstract: A tumble seat for use in a vehicle including a seat cushion supported on a frame and a seat back connected to the seat cushion. First supports depend from the frame and have a first pivot connection for pivotally attaching the frame to the vehicle. The seat may be rotated about the first pivot connection between an operative position in which the seat cushion is generally horizontal so that an occupant may be seated on the seat and a nonoperative position in which the seat is rotated from the operative position about the first pivot connection. Second supports depend from the frame in spaced relation from the first supports and include ends for attaching to the vehicle when the seat is in the operative position. A latch mechanism is operatively attached to the frame for securing and unsecuring the ends to and from the vehicle when the seat is in the operative position. A lockout mechanism prevents the seat from rotating about the first pivot connection from the operative position to the nonoperative position.

Abstract: A seat reclining device is provided, which has a base plate secured to a seat cushion; a tooth plate secured to a seatback; a center shaft for permitting the tooth plate to pivot relative to the base plate; first teeth possessed by the tooth plate; a tooth piece having second teeth which are engageable with the first teeth to establish a locked condition between the base plate and the tooth plate, the tooth piece having parallel side walls; and a guide groove defined by the base plate for slidably receiving therein the tooth piece, the guide groove having parallel guide walls which face and contact the parallel side walls of the tooth piece respectively. The parallel side walls are provided near the first teeth with respective projections which are directed toward each other. Due to provision of the projections, the locked engagement between the tooth piece and the tooth plate through the first and second teeth is assuredly kept without producing play even when a marked shock is applied therebetween.

Abstract: An adjusting method for a vehicle seat having at least one seat component to which a drive is assigned as well as a pressure sensor in the seat component which interacts with the drive. The end of the adjustment is determined by a defined contact pressure of the user. The adjustment of the seat component is carried out in any starting position in an operating direction being a function of the contact pressure of the present user at the beginning of the adjustment determined by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A headrest for vehicle seats, has a head cushion and two side cheeks which are assigned to the head cushion and which, in the in-use position, project laterally on the head cushion beyond the cushion front. In their not-in-use position, the side cheeks can be swivelled into the contour of the head cushion. In order not to impair the cushion contour of the head cushion designed under aspects of safety and comport by the use of the side cheeks, the two identically constructed side cheeks are mirror-symmetrically swivellably arranged with respect to the vertical center line of the head cushion such that, in the not-in-use position, they cover the back side of the head cushion.

Abstract: A seat frame of a vehicle seat includes a seat support having two side parts (20,22) and one rear tie-bar (24). The tie bar is detachably connected to the two side parts (20, 22). At least two different tie-bars (24, 25) are provided that may be used optionally one of the tie-bars (25) being conventional and the other tie bar provided with bars for a toddler seat, more particularly with a so-called Isofix connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mining of aggregate material from a seam includes a mining apparatus and a self-propelled conveyor capable of advancing or retreating in the seam on its own power and advancing and steering arrangement for the mining apparatus. The self-propelled conveyor, the electric cables and other services for the mining apparatus are protected against the roof falls. The power input for the self-propelled conveyor is provided by continuous drive shafts powered at either one or both ends of the conveyor. Alternately, a unique reciprocating conveyor mechanically powered at either one or both ends of is provided for conveying of aggregate material. An apparatus for assembling the conveyor and receiving of aggregate material is provided at the rear end of the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an excavation cutting tool holder retention system. The excavation cutting tool holder retention system includes a support block having a tool holder bore. The excavation cutting tool holder retention system also includes a tool holder having an effective shank, the effective shank being expandably adjustable within the tool holder bore so as to retain the effective shank within the tool holder bore.

Abstract: Brushes with a bristle carrier and a bristle facing of individual, vertical plastic bristles are manufactured in that the individual bristles with their fastening-side ends at the front are introduced into in each case one hole of a hole template, whose hole diameter is slightly larger than that of a single bristle and whose hole pattern corresponds to the positioning of the bristles within the bristle facing or part thereof, to such an extent that their fastening-side ends project roughly to the same extent at the opposite side of the hole template, the bristles are subsequently fixed against axial and radial displacement in the hole template, at least on the fastening-side surface of the bristle carrier is prepared a bed of liquid, curable material, the liquid material flows round the bristles with their fastening-side ends immersed in the bed and subsequently the bed is cured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of welding pre-formed toothbrush heads and handles using about 0.7 to about 2.0 micrometers, or about 4.0 to about 6.0 micrometers, wavelength laser beam.

Abstract: A composite-link rear axle has a flexurally rigid and torsionally resilient transverse member with a longitudinal member connected to it at each end by a plug connection, each longitudinal member being designed to receive a wheel carrier at one end and for articulation a vehicle body at the other end. The torsional rigidity of the transverse member and therefore the stabilizer effect are reduced by providing the plug connection with a sliding guide so that slight displacement of the transverse member in its longitudinal direction corresponding to the vehicle transverse axis with respect to the longitudinal member is possible in the region of the plug connection.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system which incorporates several mutually independent brake circuits and does not require additional energy for conducting brake-slip control actions or stability control actions.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a brake controller is provided for controlling an amount of braking force applied to a plurality of wheels of a vehicle running on a surface. Each of the plurality of wheels has a sensor for providing an output signal indicative of a corresponding speed of the wheel. The controller includes a state estimator which estimates an amount of friction between each of the plurality of wheels and the surface based on the output signals of the sensors, the estimated amount of friction for each wheel being based on the estimated amount of friction for the other wheels. The controller further includes a control output which adjusts the amount of braking force applied to the plurality of wheels based on the estimated amount of friction.

Abstract: An elongate back splash molding and method of installing a back splash molding including a horizontal leg, adapted to be received in an upwardly opening notch provided in a counter top, and a vertical leg, integral with the horizontal leg, adapted to be received by a downwardly opening notch provided in a back splash which is mounted on the counter top rearwardly adjacent the slot. The horizontal leg includes a curvilinear top surface and a front surface joined to the curvilinear surface at via an edge which lies flush with the upper surface of the counter top. The vertical leg includes a front curvilinear surface having a lower end which makes a smooth transition with the curvilinear top surface. The vertical leg also includes an elongate top end face which is downwardly forwardly inclined and is joined to the top front surface along an edge which is flush with the front face of the back splash and an upper end disposed flush with the front face of the back splash.

Abstract: An electrical cabinet having a latchable door for providing regular access to electrical components stored therein and a mounting apparatus for holding electrical components therein. The latchable door having a latching member for holding the door in an open position. The mounting apparatus molded to the electrical cabinet and capable of securing electrical components within the cabinet.

Abstract: A casing includes a main body having a rear end, and a side wall formed with a fixed frame plate that is parallel to and spaced from the side wall and that is proximate to the rear end. A casing cover is disposed slidably on the main body and covering the frame plate. The frame plate has a stop member formed on an upper surface, and front and rear spring-retaining holes formed therethrough. The casing cover has a cover plate abutting against the stop member so as to be prevented from sliding in a rearward direction. An elongated spring plate is disposed on the frame plate, and includes front and rear inclined plate sections extending through the front and rear spring-retaining holes and an abutment plate section abutting against a lower surface of the frame plate in such a manner that intersection of the front and rear inclined plate sections press the cover plate away from the frame plate in a direction perpendicular to the latter, thereby fixing the cover plate with respect to the frame plate.

Abstract: A computer housing is constructed to include an outer shell holding a mainframe, a face panel fastened to the outer shell and covered on a front side of the mainframe installed in the outer shell, and a handle fastened to the outer shell and a bracket at a back side of the mainframe installed in the outer shell, wherein the outer shell is injection-molded from plastic having four integrated side walls respectively disposed at the top side, the bottom side, and two opposite lateral sides.

Abstract: An armoire includes an enclosure having an opening defined therein. A door is located in the opening and is connected to the enclosure by a vertical hinge. A desk panel is mounted in the outside of the door and is connected to the door by a pair of four-bar linkages. The enclosure, the door and the desk panel all have convexly curved exterior surfaces, so that when the door is closed and the desk panel is closed, the convex exterior surfaces are co-extensive.

Abstract: A shelving system for a refrigerator includes a plurality of shelf units having opposite sides and placed side-by-side within the interior of the refrigerator and mounted for selective movement along longitudinal directions between a retracted position, wherein the shelf units are located fully within the interior of the refrigerator, and an extended position, wherein the shelf units are placed outside the interior of the refrigerator. Each shelf unit includes a plurality of shelves extending lengthwise in the longitudinal direction, having a relatively narrow width in lateral directions, and spaced altitudinally from one another. In the extended position of each shelf unit, the shelves of the extended shelf unit are exposed for access in a lateral direction through one side of the shelf unit and the stored items are viewable from all sides. In the retracted position, the shelf units essentially fill the interior of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A sliding track assembly includes an outer rail fixedly mounted inside a desk, an intermediate rail carried on a first sliding bearing and moved in and out of the outer rail, an inner rail carried on a second sliding bearing and moved with a drawer in and out of the intermediate rail, and a stop member installed in the intermediate rail to limit forward movement of the inner rail relative to the intermediate rail, wherein the stop member has two rear retaining frames for holding down the second sliding bearing when disconnecting the inner rail from the intermediate rail, the rear retaining frames each having an upright retaining wall for engagement with opposite side walls of the second sliding bearing, the upright retaining wall of each rear retaining frame having a raised portion adapted for engagement with a recessed portion on the respective side wall of the second sliding bearing, the upright retaining walls of the rear retaining frames being respectively spaced from the upright side walls of the interme

Abstract: A retainer assembly for preventing food containers placed on a shelf of a refrigerator door from falling off the shelf when the refrigerator door is abruptly opened or closed includes a retaining element which is connected to a crosspiece extending above a base of the shelf and pivotally movable relative to the crosspiece between first and second extreme positions, as well as a substantially infinite number of intermediate positions. The retaining element is either directly attached to the crosspiece or pivotally connected to a supporting sheath that is snap-fit onto the crosspiece. In either case, the retaining element rides along one or more camming surfaces which causes the retaining element to be physically deformed as it is pivoted between the first and second extreme positions.

Abstract: A heat-insulated wall is formed of two covering layers configured to be substantially vacuum-tight and are disposed at a distance from one another. The two covering layers are connected to one another by a connecting profile that runs along their contour and has a U-shaped cross-section. The two covering layers together with the connecting profile, enclose an intermediate space which can be evacuated and filled with heat-insulating material which can also be evacuated. The U-shaped connecting profile is equipped with limbs whose material thickness is at least approximately in the same order of magnitude as the material thickness of the covering layers, and has a base which connects the two limbs and is configured like a sheet.