Abstract: A self-latching hinge for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member is provided. The hinge comprises a hinge housing connected to one of the first and second members. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the hinge housing, with the shaft being connected to the other of the first and second members. A cam is located on the shaft. A rotatable roller is located in the housing adjacent to the cam such that as the shaft is rotated, the cam contacts and rotates the roller. Contact between the roller and the cam at a specified angle of rotation causes interference between the roller and the cam to create an increased latching torque which must be overcome for movement of the shaft. A portable computer is also provided having a self-latching hinge located between the display housing and the processor housing.

Abstract: A spring-hinged actuator has a first attachment member (1) joined pivotally to a second attachment member (2) with a hinge (3). The first attachment member and the second attachment member are spring-tensioned pivotally on the hinge with at least one torsional spring (4, 5) fastened to the first attachment member. At least one base torsional extension (6, 8) of the torsional spring is positioned to direct base torsional-spring pressure against the first attachment member in a first rotational direction and to direct torsionally rotative spring pressure in an oppositely second rotational direction against the second attachment member. The first attachment member and the second attachment member have sides at a dihedral angle proximate an axis of the hinge. The dihedral angle is maintained in opposition to opposite-directionally rotative pressure from the torsional spring by a releasable tensioner (14) that is extended intermediate the first attachment member and the second attachment member.

Abstract: A hinge and lock assembly for releasably mounting a vehicle door on a door pillar of a vehicle including two hinge flaps attachable to the door and the door pillar, respectively, a hinge pin for pivotally connecting the two flaps with each other, a support releasably attachable to the door pillar for attaching the hinge to the door pillar an indexing arrangement formed on the hinge flap attachable to the door pillar and including alternating, following each other projections and indentations which cooperate with the torsion bar of the door lock for locking the door in a predetermined position, and a plurality of holding members pivotally supported on one leg of the door pillar hinge flap and cooperating with respective indentations of the indexing arrangement for holding a weighting arm of the torsion bar.

Abstract: A torsional door lock for a motor vehicle door including a torsion spring associated with the door or a door pillar and including a weighing arm and torque rod connected to the weighing arm for joint rotation therewith, and an indexing arrangement associated with another of the door or the door pillar and including two indexing rollers cooperating with the weighing arm of the torsion spring for refraining the door in a predetermined indexing position, support axles for supporting the two indexing rollers for rotation thereabout, and bearing sleeves which are made of a maintenance-free bearing material, for rotatably supporting the two indexing rollers on the support axles.

Abstract: An inlet tray of a car tank, comprising a tray body and a tank cap, the tank cap being pivotally supported by the tray body at one end thereof and being adapted to be brought from a closed position to an opened position and vice versa, the tank cap further including locking or arresting elements cooperating with locking or arresting elements of the tank tray, the tank cap being supported such that upon releasing the locking or arresting elements the tank cap can be moved towards the locking or arresting elements of the tray body, and a spring element is provided between the tray body and tank cap which pretensions the cap towards the mentioned direction of movement.

Abstract: A door lock for a motor vehicle door, and which is to be formed integrally with a motor vehicle door hinge, including a torsional spring supportable on one hinge half and having a weighting arm which extends parallel to a door hinge axis and projects beyond a door hinge height, at least three, substantially identical abutment rollers having a substantially heart-shaped cardioid cross-section at least along a portion of their height, pivotally supportable next to each other and in a spaced relationship relative to the door hinge axis on the abutment support, and cooperating with the weighting arm of the torsional spring for defining indexing positions in which the door can be retained during its opening movement, and three bearing axles for supporting the abutment rollers on the abutment support and arranged on the abutment support of a distance from each other, which is less than the largest diameter of the cross-section of the abutment rollers.

Abstract: The implementation of smart materials (shape-memory alloys (SMA) or piezoceramics) as integral actuating devices for single degree-of-freedom (DOF) hinges, thereby providing mobility as well as actuation to a wide range of mechanisms used in industrial, automotive and aircraft systems. A single DOF hinge is used in which smart materials are used both for actuation and for performance enhancement. The hinge consists of a tang and clevis, two conical inserts, one push block, one bolt and nut, and two washers. Assembly takes place by first putting the push block inside the clevis and putting the tang in place, then inserting the cones, inserting a bolt in the cones and finally tightening the bolt in this arrangement together with the nut to a specified torque. The amount of torque applied is related to the amount of preload in the undisturbed configuration of the hinge and the expansion of the conical inserts required to initiate rotation of the hinge.

Abstract: A spring clip, an arm assembly including a pivot rod, and a clip housing are provided for a vehicle visor for providing holding torque when the vehicle visor is in its storage position against a headliner of the vehicle. The spring clip includes a bowed leaf-spring member having a crown portion which imposes a force against a flat formed on one side of the pivot rod. An equal opposing force is applied to a pair of spaced flats formed on the opposite side of the pivot rod by tab portions which extend from first and second legs which, in turn, extend from opposite sides of the leaf-spring member. In two embodiments, the pivot rod extends through D-shaped holes formed when the tab portions are bent inwardly from their respective legs to allow the pivot rod to pass through the body of the clip. The tab portions are preferably bent from their legs at approximately 90.degree. to form surfaces which bear against the spaced flats of the pivot rod opposite the crown portion of the leaf-spring member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a corner cabinet hinge (30) for hanging a free panel (14b) of a two-panel corner cabinet door (14) on the panel (14a) that is hung by a hinge on the carcase supporting wall. The hinge (30) has two members which are associated one with each of the door panels and which are formed as a hinge cup (38) disposed in one of the door panels, and as a hinge arm (34) mounted rotatably in the hinge cup and adjustably fastened to the other door panel. In the area where the hinge arm (34) is journaled in the hinge cup (38) a thrusting device is provided which in the closed position of the door (14) biases the door panel into a position in which the panel assumes an angle of slightly more than 90.degree.. The thrusting device has a pusher displaceably mounted in the hinge cup and biased against the end of the hinge arm that is journaled in the hinge cup, plus a cam surface formed on this end of the hinge arm, which the pusher attacks.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus of the present invention has a body portion with a keyboard on a front upper part thereof, and a display portion which is connected to a higher position at the rear of the body portion through a hinge portion such that the display portion is folded down and pulled up with respect to the body portion. The display portion is provided with a large-sized display screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) on a front surface thereof.

Abstract: Single articulation door hinge with pressure locking device on a hinge arm, which is located in a hinge cup on a hinge axis; whereby, leg springs of the hinge arm are held resiliently in connection with a pressure roller; whereby, the leg springs are supported with two contact surfaces on the cup casing and have a contact point on the hinge axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing and mounting the body for a cabinet, furniture or the like, consisting of two sides (2, 3), top (1) and base (4), where adjacent end sections of said sides, top and base are provided with articulation devices (6, 7, 8, 11) to join the parts together. Said sides, top and base are arranged in transport or storage state such that said top and one of the sides (1, 2) lie parallel with said base and the other side (3, 4). The body is mounted by moving said two sides (2, 3), together with the top (1) and base (4), in mutually parallel relationship like a parallellogram until said two sides (2, 3) are vertical, whereafter at least one of the two sets of articulation devices (6, 8) situated diagonally in the body is releasably locked into position. The means for forming an articulated joint between adjacent end sections of the structural parts, e.g.

Abstract: An attenuated hinge spring assembly for a trunk lid of an automotive vehicle includes a coiled spring which is connected to a bracket secured to the vehicle, a threaded stud which is secured to the bracket, a plate which is slidably mounted on the bracket and the stud, a nut rotatably attached to said threaded stud and selectively secured to an arm, and a washer which lies between the plate and the nut. The plate lies adjacent to the coiled spring. The arm is pivotally connected to the trunk lid and to the bracket. The spring is connected to the stud and the arm and uncoils as the arm pivots from a lowered position to a raised position to move the lid between a lowered position and a raised position. When the lid is raised, the arm rotates which causes the nut to rotate and translate along the stud, which in turn causes the washer and plate to translate along said stud.

Abstract: A latch arrangement is provided including a first stationary/component member, and at least one second member movably mounted to the first member for movement between an open position and a closed position, the second member including a wall section defining a planar track and an island defining a depression. A first spring biases the second member toward the open position. A latch is rotatably mounted on a pivot pin to the first member for oscillating movement and includes a follower mateably slideably disposed in the track. The follower is adapted to engage the depression to hold the second member in a closed position. The track includes inclined surfaces to direct the follower into the depression as the second member is moved from the open position to the closed position, and also includes inclined surfaces to direct the follower out of the depression as the second member is pressed and then released for movement to the open position.

Abstract: A concealed self-closing hinge for mounting a door on a frame. The door member of the hinge includes a cup formed with vertically aligned slots. The frame member of the hinge includes an arm whose free end is formed with integral pintles which are pivotally received in the slots. A plastic cam is adapted to be slipped onto the free end portion of the arm between the pintles and coacts with a leaf spring to hold the pintles in assembled relation with the slots and also to effect self-closing of the door.

Abstract: A mounting system in combination with a sun visor which is movable between a detented retracted position and an extended position. A pivot shaft with a generally circular cross-section cooperates with the sun visor. The pivot shaft has a flat surface along one side of the shaft which provides a detent position for the sun visor when in the retracted position. An annular groove is provided which is oriented in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A first clip is provided which cooperates with the shaft and sun visor. The first clip has a first leg and a second leg, such that either the first leg or the second leg has a protrusion which cooperates with the annular groove to prevent either the first leg or the second leg from locating the flat surface while allowing the other leg to locate the flat surface to obtain the detent position when the sun visor is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A door hinge with automatic returning means composed of; a male hinge member (1), a female hinge member (2), an inner sleeve (3), a transmission rod (4), main spring (5), a driving element (6), a buffer spring (7) and a retainer (8), in which, the male and female hinge members will take an angle of rotation in anti-clockwise when the door is proceeding to its open position, and in turn to effect the driving element and transmission rod to rotate in synchronized operation respectively. When the movement for driving element is being effected through a helical motion of external/internal thread engagement, and with the restraint imposed onto this element by outer sleeve of female hinge member, this element will move upward to press the main spring to retract.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus has a body portion with a keyboard on a front upper part thereof, and a display portion which is connected to a higher position at the rear of the body portion through a hinge portion such that the display portion is folded down and pulled up with respect to the body portion. The display portion is provided with a large-sized display screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) on a front surface thereof.

Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly includes a housing which is adapted to be mounted to the roof structure of a vehicle and a generally L-shaped pivot rod with one end locked to the housing and an opposite end pivotally mounted to a vanity mirror frame. The pivot rod includes an offset portion defining a cam which engages a cam surface on the frame to control the pivotal motion of the frame with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A concealed self-closing hinge for mounting a door for swinging on a fixed frame. The door member of the hinge includes a cup which is concealed within a pocket formed in the inner side of the door. A durable plastic cam on the arm of the frame member of the hinge receives a hinge pin which is disposed in slots in the cup. A leaf spring is supported by the base of the cup and is bowed around a bridge to bear against and ride on the cam to effect the self-closing action and also to hold the hinge pin assembled in the slots in the cup.

Abstract: A visor control has a plurality of teeth extending in offset relationship from one edge thereof for interlocking the torque control to a plurality spaced notches formed through a fiberboard-type visor core for locking the torque device to the visor core. The opposite edge of the torque control includes a plurality of alternately formed spring arms which selectively engage opposite sides of a pivot rod having alternately staggered flats and lobes for controlling the visor movement between a raised stored position and a lowered use position.

Abstract: A suitcase pivoting arm including an upper and a lower arm member, an actuating plate, a mating block, axle pins, and a spring. The upper and lower arm members are pivotally connected with the actuating plate to allow the actuating plate to freely rotate. The upper arm member includes a round plate shaped front end with inner and outer lugs and one or more notches made therearound, the mating block being pivotally connected to the lower arm member with the top end of the mating block being forced by the spring to be in contact with the periphery of the round plate shaped front end of the upper arm member. Upon turning the arms outward the mating block is allowed to set in the notch of the round plate shaped front end of the upper arm member, the upper arm member is protected from reverse rotation so as to support the lifted suitcase cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge construction of two mounting plates and a substantially U-shaped center link which connects the axes of pivot of the two plates. The link and plates contain stop mechanisms which determine their respective limits of pivot. In addition, the hinge contains a means for restraining the rotation of only one of the mounting plates around its corresponding link arm to insure a pattern of motion that is always consistent, and allows for the hinge to be mounted with a very narrow gap between the members being joined. The hinge of the present invention can be variably constructed to conform to a number of alternative uses.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting a closure lid to the cabinet of a top loading clothes washing machine and maintaining the lid in a releasable self-sustaining open position and out of contact with the knobs of the machine control panel. The assembly includes an integrally formed first hinge portion for attachment to the cabinet and provided with a base, a curved bearing surface terminating in a landing and a pivotal hub, and a second hinge portion for attachment to the closure lid and provided with a pivot pin disposable within a passageway formed in the hub. A pair of the assemblies are used to secure a closure lid provided with a radiused bearing section to the cabinet.

Abstract: A self-closing hinge comprises a pair of hinge leaves pivotally interconnected by an offset hinge pin. One leaf has a flanged head projecting substantially radially with respect to a sleeve of the other hinge leaf, within which the hinge pin is mounted. The external surface of the sleeve serves as a cam surface against which a follower element carried on the head of the other leaf is biased. The cam follower comprises a tubular spring-steel member oriented parallel to the hinge pin and generates a force through the head of the other leaf along an axis distally offset relative to the axis of the hinge pin. During closing of the hinge the follower is brought into registration with a pocket formed in the sleeve to effect a rocking movement of the follower about one edge of the pocket to generate a self-closing moment.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and construction of hinge units for joining a case and its corresponding lid, which comprises: a pair of bend units with a receptacle body in between for keeping a spring integrally connected to a side wall of a case; a guide member slidably inserted in the hollow space of the receptacle body and supported by the spring; a joint plate having a through opening running transversely through the lower portion thereof to be joined with the bend units by means of an inserted pin; and a socket integrally connected to a side wall of a lid for receiving a portion of the joint plate therein.

Abstract: A box for cosmetics comprising a base defining a recess, a cover pivotably mounted on the base around a rear transverse pivot, a movable push rod borne by the base at the rear end cooperating with the cover so as to open it, and a pair of parts cooperating and movable with respect to one another for resiliently holding the cover in the closed position. The pair of parts are complementary in shape with one another, the first part comprising a portion of the cover and the second part comprising a portion of the base, so that the push rod functions mainly to open the cover and not to lock it in the closed position.

Abstract: A hinge includes a hinge arm to be connected with a second hinge part by hinge links. The hinge arm is provided at the front thereof with a joint adjusting screw for engagement with a mounting plate. The rear of the hinge arm is provided with a clamping screw which permits a depth adjustment and extends through a rearwardly open slot in the hinge arm. The clamping screw connects the hinge arm with an intermediate member which carries a tensioning lever which is acted upon by a spring. The tensioning lever holds the intermediate member with the hinge arm on the mounting plate in a clamping arrangement.

Abstract: A motor vehicle sun visor (P) has a substantially tubular spring mechanism (R) fitted in its hinge-rod housing for gripping the rod to retain the visor in a desired angular position on the rod in use. The spring mechanism is formed from a single piece of sheet spring metal and is of substantially tubular form with a longitudinal curved wall (1) connected at opposite longitudinal edges to two parallel flat walls (2, 2') which grip the hinge rod in use. The other edges of the flat walls are joined to two curved wall portions whose free edges (6, 6') define an aperture. The curved wall and wall portions are a close fit in the tubular housing (8) with a longitudinal projection (7) thereof fitted in the aperture to prevent relative rotation of the spring mechanism and the housing, and the spring mechanism has outwardly-projecting tabs (5, 5', 5") which snap engage in a recess (10) in the housing wall to restrain the spring mechanism against axial movement in the housing.

Abstract: There is described a hinged structure comprising two supports and one or more hinges hinging the supports together so that they are parallel and closely adjacent, the or each hinge comprising two hinge members, each hinge member being made of resilient strip material, each hinge member being S-shaped, passing partially round each support and together with the other hinge member forming a letter .chi. or FIG. 8 configuration as seen in a direction along the supports, wherein a releasable catch is provided for holding the supports in a predetermined relative angular position, the catch comprising two cam members each associated with a respective suport and the two being resiliently urged into engagement and so shaped and arranged that rotation away from the said predetermined relative angular position of the supports urges the cam members apart against the resilient urging.

Abstract: A hinge for a range door and the like having a frame bracket (18) adapted to be mounted to a range housing, a hinge arm (40) adapted to be mounted to a range door and pivotably mounted to the frame bracket (18) and a cam follower arm (16) pivotably mounted to the frame bracket (18). A cam follower element (76) on the cam arm (60) is biased by a tension spring (80) against a cam surface on a cam arm portion (46) of the hinge arm to counterbalance the weight of the range door. The cam surface has indentations (50, 52) which define equilibrium positions of the door for an ajar and fully open position. A tab stop (34) is struck out from the frame bracket (18) to stop the pivotable movement of the cam follower arm (60) as the hinge arm (40) reaches the fully open position (FIG. 5). The cam follower arm (60) has a number of indentations (64) for receiving one end (84) of the spring (80) to adjust the counter-balancing force on the oven door.

Abstract: A quick-assembly hinge frame with easily releasable attachment of the furniture-side cover bracket to a mounting plate attached to a furniture piece will be described, in which the connection between the releasable part of the hinge frame and the piece firmly attached to the furniture side is made by a detent engagement. For ease of quick assembly a pivot connection between the base plate of the hinge frame and the mounting plate is provided on the end nearest the door, and on the end furthest from the door a locking side is provided which has an open detent which pivots under spring pressure into the locked position thus connecting the base plate in a quick-release fashion with the mounting plate.

Abstract: Concentric tubes, mounted for relative rotation about their common axis, each include radially extending hinge plates. The tubes carry contra-rotational cam slots through which project the ends of a cross-shaft. Bearings on the ends of the cross-shaft engage the milled cam slots. A cylindrical cross roller bearing block mounting the cross-shaft is axially, slidably positioned within the inner tube and is under a biasing force exerted by a compression spring abutting one end of the block. The cam profiles of the slots includes portions at the ends of the slots extending parallel to the rotational axis to lock the inner and outer tubes together at the beginning and end of the stroke with the cam profile controlling the hinge plate acceleration, deceleration, and velocity, in addition to ensuring positive locking of the hinge in plate open and closed position.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed for application in pivotable or rotatable vehicle accessories, such as visors, vanity covers, storage covers, or other vehicular or non-vehicular applications. A preferred, one-piece resilient sleeve member frictionally engages a preferably compact pivot rod and retains the rotated member in any of a number of pre-adjusted pivoted positions, while still providing for one or more positive, predetermined detent positions.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for use in mounting an auxiliary seat on a vertical body wall of a vehicle such as a pickup truck extended cab. The hinge assembly comprises a seat-half banana hinge member and a body-half bracket hinge member for rotating the auxiliary seat between a first vertical stowed position and a second horizontal seating position. The bracket hinge has a pair of vertically extending side walls each formed with an oblique guide slot so as to movably support one end of a spring rod for reciprocal travel therein. A cam track having forward and rear notched detents is formed on each bracket hinge member side wall and is adapted for capturing a respective one of a pair of cam followers mounted adjacent each end of the spring rod. An overcenter tension spring urges the cam followers into rolling engagement with their associated jump motion cam track providing quick-return capture of the followers into their associated forward or rear notched detents.

Abstract: A hinge of the type wherein a rotor is connected to a front part of a base by link arms in such a manner as to be capable of rotating with respect to the base, and the base is fitted to the fitting member which is fitted to the main body of furniture. The base is provided with a set screw having a ring-like engagement portion at the tip thereof, an elongated hole, and a sliding member having hook portions and pawl portions fitted by a screw inserted through the elongated hole. The fitting member is provided with a notch to which the ring-like engagement portion of the set screw engages from forward side, recesses with which the hook portions of the sliding member are engaged, and a lever having grooves engaging with the pawl portions of the sliding member from forward side, urged forward by a spring rotatably.

Abstract: A bracket hinge and bracket members (10, 10') with a spring biased and movable locking member (30). The locking or latch member (30) has ear parts (38, 39) received in locking openings (25, 25') where wedging surfaces (40, 41) on the ear parts cooperate with complimentary surfaces (42, 42') on the bracket members for bringing the bracket members into a tight end-to-end alignment when the bracket members are in an extended position. When the locking member (30) is moved to an unlocking position, pivoting of the hinge about a pivot pin (32) automatically places locking pins (70, 71) in a circular shaped groove (55) on the locking member (30) to retain the locking member (30) in an unlocked position. In pivoting the hinge from an extended position to a folded position, longitudinal spring members (80, 81) are placed under tension over annular rollers (60, 61) so that the spring tension in a folded position assists in return of the hinge from a folded position to an extended position.

Abstract: The door member of a self-closing hinge includes a cup which is concealed within a pocket formed in the inner side of a door. A curl on the frame member of the hinge pivotally receives a hinge pin which is carried by the cup. To effect the self-closing action, a leaf spring is mounted on the outer side of the end wall of the cup and includes a tongue which extends through an opening in the end wall and into resilient bearing engagement with the curl.

Abstract: A hydro-magnetic door hold open device. A piston on a piston rod is slideably mounted in a cylinder that is mounted eccentrically inside a housing. The piston rod extends out of the housing and connects to a hingedly mounted door so that opening or closing of the door effects reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder. Both the housing and the cylinder within it are filled with hydraulic fluid. A ball valve positioned forwardly of the piston is confined within a valve chamber that has three seats; the inner cylinder is provided with apertures on the rearward side of the piston and forwardly of the valve chamber so that the ball valve is carried by the fluid into either of two of the seats attendant piston advancement or retraction and maintained in such seat by a pressure differential established in the fluid by the travel of the piston.

Abstract: A small foldable household appliance having an elevated body supported by a stand, and having a safety hinge by which the appliance can be locked in an unfolded operating position, and by which the appliance can be folded for storage by depressing small buttons on either side of the appliance.

Abstract: A collapsable flat comprising a corner post (6) pivotally mounted to a stub post (23) provided at the corner of a loading platform (1) of the flat so that the corner post is pivotable out of an upright operational position into a collapsed stowed position and vice versa, interengaging latching means (28,51,52) provided by the stub post and the corner post remote from the pivotal connection (13) therebetween for holding the corner post relative to the platform in its upright operational position, resilient biasing means (35) interconnecting the corner post and the stub post partially to counterbalance the mass of the corner post during the pivotal movement and locking means (27) housed by the stub post for locking the collapsed flat to a similar flat said locking means being extendible from the stub post into an operative position, when the corner post is pivoted into its stowed position.

Abstract: A picture frame hinge. The hinge is attached to backs of picture frames by inserting projections which extend from the hinge leaves into corresponding holes in the backs of the picture frames. The hinge is held in place by a resilient tab. The hinge contains opposing radial teeth which are resiliently biased together, and permit positive adjustment of the viewing angle of picture frames. A prop, for free standing is also provided.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body has a fuel filler neck accessible through a flanged opening in a vehicle body panel and concealed by a door adapted to fit within the opening flush with the vehicle body panel. The door is mounted by a gooseneck hinge bracket having a first end which is mounted on the vehicle body by a main pivot defining a hinge axis located beyond the edge of the door, and having an associated main spring which urges the hinge bracket to a normal position closing the door. The other end of the hinge bracket is connected to the door by an auxiliary pivot having an associated stop which limits pivotal movement of the door relative to the hinge bracket and an associated spring which normally urges the door to the closed position. Depressing the edge portion of the door causes the door to pivot about the auxiliary pivot to an extent permitted by the stop.

Abstract: A closure panel hinge and hold open mechanism includes a hinge bracket adapted for mounting on a vehicle body and a closure panel bracket. A pivot shaft pivotally mounts the closure panel bracket on the hinge bracket. A coil spring surrounds the pivot shaft and has integral first and second spring legs extending outwardly from the endmost spring coils thereof and respectively anchored on the hinge bracket and the closure panel bracket to urge the closure panel to a normal closed position relative the hinge bracket. A detent shoulder is provided on the hinge bracket and is automatically engaged by the second spring leg anchored on the closure panel when the closure panel bracket is moved from the closed position to the open position to hold the second spring leg against return movement and thereby hold the closure panel in the open position.

Abstract: A door-operating mechanism is disclosed which is particularly suited for use with hingedly mounted swinging glass doors of a refrigerated display cabinet. The door operating mechanism includes an extensible gas spring biased toward an extended condition, and a linkage arrangement operatively interconnecting the gas spring with the door. A portion of the gas spring is movably disposed within a slot defined by the linkage arrangement such that in one position of the gas spring the door is biased toward its closed position, and in another position of the gas spring the door may be maintained in an opened position such as for stocking or maintenance of the display cabinet.

Abstract: A safety device for a photocopy machine implemented by inserting a core bar rotatably into a fixed member, while the core bar rotatably supports a rotation member. A spiral spring is secured between the core bar and the rotation member, preventing the rotation of the core bar. A stopper member is placed between the core bar and the rotation member, the stopper member's position being maintained with the aid of a tension coil spring. If the spiral spring breaks, the stopper member shifts in a direction adapted to insert a projection of the stopper member into a detent on the rotation member and thereby prevent the falling of the rotation member.

Abstract: This invention deals with a hinge for opening or closing a dust cover of record players, which, in order to keep the hinge body from being exposed, to prevent the opened dust cover from excessively projecting rearwardly and to stably sustain the dust cover at an intermediate opening angle, comprises: a cabinet; a dust cover; a slider disposed vertically slidable in the rear portion of the cabinet on each side; a spring urging the slider upward; a support member removably mounted to the dust cover and rotatably mounted on the cabinet by a hinge pin; and a follower provided to the support member and adapted to contact the head of the slider. The hinge of this invention may be provided, in addition to the above construction, with a means to stably sustain the dust cover at an intermediate opening angle.

Abstract: A two-piece hinge which is spring biased in both its folded position and in its unfolded or deployed position to provide built-in deployment power for structural members and which is provided with trigger/locking mechanisms which are held in an unlocked position when the hinge and the structural members are in their folded position and which triggers and releases the locking mechanisms to lock the hinge in its unfolded or deployed position for positive locking capability. Two trigger-locking mechanisms are used for redundancy.

Abstract: The invention consists of an infinitely variable seat reclining mechanism which is composed of a first arm attached to the seat cushion frame and a second arm attached to the seat back frame. A pivot pin rigidly secured to the second arm extends to at least one side thereof on an axis of rotation. The first arm is rotatably mounted on the pivot pin to be capable of relative rotation with respect to the second arm. A pair of locking pawls are rotatably mounted on the first arm. The locking pawls are capable of rotation toward and away from one another about separate pivot points and into contact with a circular friction surface on the second arm. The circular friction surface on the second arm has its center at the axis of rotation between the first and second arms. A spring is included for biasing the locking pawls toward one another. Each of the locking pawls has a substantially V-shaped groove on one end thereof which is capable of engaging the friction surface on the second arm.

Abstract: A cabinet which contains an appliance such as a refrigerator is provided with novel hinges having one member secured to the body of the appliance and the other member adapted to carry both the door of the appliance and the door of the cabinet for simultaneous operation. The hinge members are interconnected in a known manner by means of connecting links pivotally mounted at each end to the respective member. A spring may be incorporated in each hinge for biassing the doors into the closed position.