Abstract: A biasing hinge is disclosed which is made up of a first hinge member and a second hinge member integrally hinged together along a curved line. The hinge members are shaped so that when one hinge member is swung relative to the other, the members are resiliently deformed or stressed and energy is stored in said hinge members. This stored energy will bias the hinge members to swing to an open or a closed position depending on which position is nearest said hinge member at a particular time. The hinge can be molded with the hinge members having the desired shape to provide the necessary stresses to provide the desired biasing. The hinge can also be molded as an integral part of a cap or closure.

Abstract: The present invention features a parcel shelf wherein front and rear panels are formed from the same sheet of material and are divided by a channel-like groove formed across the sheet. The groove defines a thin flexible web-like portion which acts a hinge for the panels. A decorative cover is disposed on the upper surface of the panels.

Abstract: A transformable sewing surface for sewing machines formed of a base consisting of a first section having an upper and lower surface, a second section containing stitch-forming members, extending parallel to the first section and spaced from it, and a platform connected to said first section so as to swing with respect to it in order to assume two positions, in the first of which it is located in the space present between the sections of the base so as to form a continuous sewing surface with it while in the second position it turns with respect to the first section so as to leave the second section free, the connection of the platform being provided with hinges of flexible material by means of which the platform can turn so as to be swung from the first position in which it rests on the lower surface of the first section to the second position where the platform rests on the upper surface of the first section.

Abstract: A collapsible dwelling is provided, including a plurality of elements hingedly joined with each other, which, when in assembled relationship, cooperatively define a protective enclosure suitable for pets, or, when constructed on a larger scale, for young children. All elements are hinged strategically so that the elements can be partially disassembled and the aggregate parts stacked, one upon the other, for inclusion within a container having a length and width no greater than that of the largest elements. At least two anchoring loops are attached at opposing sides of the dwelling and are so situated that ground stakes capturing the loops can be driven into the supporting surface to positively locate the dwelling. The dwelling is designed to be packaged within a rectangular container with one of the anchoring loops coinciding with a cutout in the container, which loop, when drawn through the cutout, serves conveniently as a carrying handle.

Abstract: A track-laying tractor drive track is composed of a plurality of sections which each include a link and a grouser bolted together in sandwiching relationship to a pair of side-by-side disposed flexors. The flexors each include a plurality of superposed, resilient plates encased in an elastomeric material. A lost motion connection between the plates and the link and grouser acts such that tensile loads are simultaneously carried by at least two plates both when the flexor is flat and when the flexor is bent without the plates becoming overstressed when bent. Each link includes first and second transverse bars respectively, adapted for entering adjacent receptacles formed by the teeth of a drive sprocket. A wear cap is held in place on the first transverse bar by adjacent grousers of the track while the second transverse bar includes teeth for cleaning material from the sprocket receptacles.

Abstract: A continuous, moveable thermal barrier system includes a plurality of insulating panels positioned in edge-to-edge relationship and a plurality of insulation means extending between edges of adjacent panels joining same in moveable, sealing relationship.

Abstract: A skeletal framework is provided for supporting furniture, shelf, wall and other types of structural panels. The framework comprises a plurality of elongate frame members, each having a generally rectangular cross section. At least one side of each of the frame members is provided with an axially extending slot. Each of the axially extending slots is provided with a generally dovetail-shaped cross section. A plurality of corner connectors are provided for interconnecting first, second and third frame members which usually extend in mutually orthogonal directions. The corner connectors are each provided with first, second and third extensions for extending into and engaging the axially extending slots disposed on the first, second and third frame members, respectively. A plurality of corner locks are provided, one corner lock being received in each corner member.

Abstract: For lubricating-oil filters for combustion engines, wherein the space available for the installation and removal of the filter cartridge is very confined, there are provided, instead of one filter cartridge, at least two filter cartridges which are axially arranged in series one behind the other.In order to allow these filter cartridges to be installed or removed without difficulties, there is proposed for the connection of these filter cartridges an articulated connecting means which ensures that the filter cartridges can be tilted relative to each other. A clip hinge or a wire or plastics-material strip, provided with clasps or detents, can be used as the connecting means.

Abstract: A spring-biased shelf bracket which comprises a shelf support member which is adapted to operate between a folded closed position and an open position wherein a portion thereof extends away from its folded position. The bracket includes a back member and hinge means having a dimension which separates the shelf support member from the back member. A mounting flange adds rigidity to the shelf support member and provides the means for mounting the bracket to a surface. Channel means are provided at the peripheral portions of the shelf support member, the back member and the hinge means, and spring means are operatively associated with said channel means on at least one side of the shelf member and hinge means, whereby a shelf member supported by the bracket is held in its closed, folded position by the bias of the spring means and can be changed to its open, unfolded position by applying a load to the shelf support member against the bias of the spring means.

Abstract: An integral thermoplastic biasing hinge is disclosed. Hinged plate members are biased to achieve one of two positions, e.g., an open or closed position by the utilization of a spring member having two arms which are resiliently connected at one of their ends and hingedly connected to the plate members at their other ends.

Abstract: A method and article are disclosed for facilitating repeated use in a photolithographic imaging process of a photomask assembly comprising a pair of glass plates by means of a flexible polymeric hinge permanently joining said pair of glass plates.

Abstract: An integral snap hinge of plastic material is intended to be used, e.g., for container closures or vacuum formed packages. At least two flexible joints extending in the direction of the main geometric axis are provided between these two hinge members. At least one of these flexible joints is constituted by a connecting element, which is flexibly linked to the hinge members by film hinges. The film hinges diverge so that the connecting element widens along the main geometric axis. The large or small ends of two connecting elements may face each other. The snap action is due to the fact that components of the snap hinge are resilient. The spring action may be performed by the connecting elements and/or by walls of the hinge members.

Abstract: A plastic hinge integrally interconnecting two plastic container sections having end walls, comprising an intermediate portion, and two reduced thickness webs respectively integrally interconnecting the intermediate portion with the end walls so that the end walls and the intermediate portion define an inverted U-shape, and wherein the end walls and the hinge together define a container end wall when the end walls are swung into a substantially common plane with the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A hinged window assembly for vehicles and the like comprises a rigid support having a base fastened to the upper side of a window frame, and a depending flange with a free edge. An edge molding strip envelops the periphery of a window pane, and includes a flexible hinge segment with one portion adhered to the support flange adjacent the free edge thereof to pivotally mount the window pane in the frame. An inner portion of the hinge segment forms a web which extends over and covers the flange interior to the support base, thereby forming a flexible seal. The web is unattached to the interior surface of the support flange, such that the window can be pivoted beyond a normally fully open position to conveniently install the window in the frame without damaging the seal.

Abstract: A trash collection, management and disposal system for an office area including covered trash collector containers positioned at heights substantially equivalent to the height of a standard desk top and adapted to receive trash generated in the area. Some of the trash collector containers are mounted on wheels and are equipped with tongue-and-hitch assemblies enabling a plurality of these trash collector containers to be coupled together in a train for towing to a dump site. Dump mechanisms at the dump site pick the trash collector containers up and invert them to empty the trash contained therein. The cover on each collector container is pivotally mounted by a hinge assembly enabling the cover member to be moved to an over center position when it is opened to inhibit its return movement to the closed position. Also, the hinge assembly operates to maintain the cover in an upright position when it is opened, allowing the cover to serve as a backstop for deflecting thrown trash into the container.

Abstract: Office partition interconnector assembly comprising a separate and independent generally rigid support member fixedly mountable on a lateral end of a partition panel and having edge retaining channel means, e.g.

Abstract: A rotary device acting as a lock between two parts and affording a supplementary function of hinging the two parts after the parts have been primarily locked. Each of the two semi-circular bolts which are not attached to one another becomes a flap carrying a hinge portion disposed in such a way that the hinge portions of the flaps are aligned with one another when the diameters of the flaps are placed side by side.

Abstract: The movement of a lid such as for a cassette holder in a cassette tape recorder is moderated by a device comprising only two component parts. At least one disc which is interlocked with a roller held in frictional engagement with part of the lid is contained together with damping oil within a housing composed of a pair of halved portions connected to each other through the medium of a hinge. The moderation of the lid movement is accomplished by the damping oil functioning to slow the rotation of the roller.