Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a foldable electronic apparatus having a first and a second casing. A first and a second cylindrical hinge are provided on the first and second casings, respectively. The second hinge is formed with lugs each having two contact faces having angles .alpha. and .beta. (smaller than .alpha.). A locking member is received in the first hinge and provided with recesses each contacting one of the lugs at either of the angles .alpha. and .beta., depending on the direction of rotation, i.e., the folding direction or the unfolding direction.

Abstract: In a hinge mechanism, a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion are urged toward predetermined angular relationships relative to one another. A force, directed outwardly from the first hinge portion, is applied by an axle pivotally connecting the first and second hinge portions and having a V-shaped tip against a V-shaped groove in the second hinge portion, urging the V-shaped tip and groove to engage. In addition to being urged toward predetermined angular relationships, the first and second hinge portions are kept in predetermined angular relationships until a torsional force is applied to one of the hinge portions to overcome forces keeping the V-shaped tip and groove in engagement.

Abstract: An angle-adjustable joint consisting of a male joint and a female joint combined together with a pivotal pin, the male joint being rotated in its angle for a wide scope in relating to the female joint and then locked at any angle by a push rod extending in a lateral hole in the female joint and being pushed to locate in a locking position to engage any set of locating teeth around a round end of the male joint, the push rod being pushed most inward to an unlocking position to disengage from the set of locating teeth to free the male joint in relation to the female joint.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier is adapted to be mounted on the rear of a vehicle. The carrier comprises first and second mounting members and a pair of horizontally spaced bicycle supporting arms connected to the mounting members. The mounting members are pivotably connected for relative rotation about a horizontal pivot axis between a plurality of adjusted positions. The carrier includes indicia corresponding to each of the adjusted positions of the mounting members, so that a user can quickly return the carrier to the same adjusted position. The supporting arms carry cradles formed of an elastic material for receiving a bicycle. Each cradle includes a curved supporting surface for receiving a bar of the bicycle frame, and an integral strap which can be extended over the bar to retain the bar within the cradle. An anti-sway bar hangs downwardly from at least one of the supporting arms for resisting swinging movement of a bicycle.

Abstract: A heavy duty bicycle rack which has angle adjustable support legs, wherein adjustment of the support arms does not require simultaneous adjustment of the legs which support the carrier on the vehicle. The rack includes a heavy duty positive locking mechanism in which locking pin ends are biased into a locking position, thereby selecting the angular position for the bicycle support arms relative to the legs. The locking pins are the ends of handles which can be pulled or withdrawn slightly to release the pins from the locking apertures to afford rotary movement of the support arms. The handles with the locking pin ends are supported in clam shell or cup shaped shells, these shells having apertures which permit relative movement of the handles and pin ends. Springs which bias the handles toward the locking position are confined in the cup shaped shells. A bolt secures each pair of shells, one support arm and brackets on each of the support frames together in assembly.

Abstract: A locking hinge assembly includes two butt plates or hinge leaves each having a plurality of interlocking knuckles with an axially shiftable hinge pin mating with the knuckles. A locking mechanism carried by the top of the hinge pin includes pressure and sprocket plates, with one plate keyed to the hinge pin and spring devices adjustably compressible to apply varying degrees of biasing force against the movement of one hinge leaf relative the other hinge leaf. This is accomplished due to the juncture of one hinge leaf to the sprocket plate while the keyed pressure plate is fixed relative the other hinge plate.

Abstract: An adjustable baby cart handrail positioning device including an arched handrail pivotably connected between two supports by two connecting devices. Each connecting device includes a connecting member connected between a circular holder on either support and a circular block on either end of the arched handrail through respective toothed joints, a socket received in an outer hole on the circular block, a first spring retained between the connecting member and the circular holder, a second spring retained between the circular block and the socket, and a screw rod and locknut set to secure the connecting member, the first and second springs and the socket in place. Pressing the socket causes the connecting member to disengage from the circular block permitting the handrail to be rotated on the supports for adjusting its angular position.

Abstract: A locking hinge mechanism (10) that includes a hinge (10a) comprising an articulated axle (28) rotatably attached to first and second members (22,24) such that the operation of the hinge mechanism (10a) causes the members (22,24 ) to controllably move in a first or opening direction and a second or closing direction. The hinge (10a) comprises a fixed locking member (36), and a movable locking member (46) coaxially disposed relative to the fixed locking member (36). A bias mechanism (48) is coupled to the movable locking member (46) that causes it to interlockably engage the fixed locking member (b 36) such that the hinge (10a) causes the first and second members (22, 24) to freely move in one direction. A disengagement mechanism (38, 40) is coupled to the movable locking member (46) to disengage it from the fixed locking member (36) so that the first and second members (22, 24) may freely move in either direction.

Abstract: There is provided a floor sign having a ratchet positionable hinge and replaceable signage. The hinge operates by frictionally engaging one side of the hinge integral with one panel and engaging the opposite side of the hinge, which is integral with the other panel, by means of a ratchet mechanism. This mechanism is arranged to be slideably disengaged by shifting the axial member of the hinge. Selected signage is attachable by magnetic adhesive, or hook/loop (Velcro) methods.

Abstract: An improved hinge for collapsible ladders which includes a depressable release mechanism operable by one hand, leaving the other hand free to make ladder adjustment. The improved hinge includes a guide shaft disposed within a tubular hub member which is journaled within hinge plates to which the ladder stringers are connected. A handle with locking pins is secured to one end of the guide shaft, with the other end of the guide shaft being secured to a depressable hinge release mechanism.

Abstract: A positioning joint for a folding ladder comprising a first joint member, a second joint member disposed between the first joint member, and a hollow shaft inserted into central holes of the first and second joint members. The joint further includes a turning plate disposed on an inner wall of a first disc portion of the first joint member, a crank-shaped strip, and a spring mounted around the hollow shaft. A push knob is inserted into the hollow shaft, and a pin is inserted into a pair of axially elongated holes in the hollow shaft and into a pin hole in the push knob. The crank-shaped strip has a pair of small projections adapted to be inserted into engaging holes of the first and second joint members as well as a pair of large projections adapted to be inserted into the first and second joint members and the turning plate. The crank-shaped strip also has a central portion fixed between the hollow shaft and the spring.

Abstract: A joint for foldable aluminum ladders comprising a first base, a second base, a control plate and a selecting means. The second base has a middle plate inserted between two parallel plates which are connected at the end of the first base. The control plate is inserted between one of the parallel plates and the middle plate. The parallel plates, middle plate and control plate each have a central hole to allow a sleeve to be inserted therethrough. The parallel plates, middle plate and control plate also have apertures which lay some distance along the edges. The selecting means has a fixing link inserted through the sleeve and an inserting link which is shorter than the fixing link. A compressible spring is disposed around the lower end of the fixing link and a nut is secured at the threaded portion of the fixing link.

Abstract: A locking shaft extends through passages in a mounting bracket, a seat bracket and a seat cover bracket to prevent small children from raising the seat and seat cover. The locking shaft and a plunger are mounted to an end cap with the plunger being slidable within an axial passage in a rod upon which the brackets are mounted. A spring connected to the plunger inside the axial passage biases the locking shaft toward a locked position. In order to unlock the seat and seat cover, a person must pull the locking shaft out of the passages in the seat bracket and the seat cover bracket and raise the eat and seat cover, or just the seat cover if so desired, after placing the locking shaft in the unlocked position.

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: An improved hinge for a collapsible ladder includes a pivot pin which has a sufficiently simple construction to permit it to be fabricated by die-casting on a cost-competitive basis. The simple construction is made possible by an improved axial detent arrangement for a shaft which rotates and slides within the hub and to which the hinge locking pins are secured. The detent arrangement includes a detent bore extending radially biased against the shaft. A suitable detent recess in the shaft is angularly aligned with the detent bore for each locking position of the shaft. Axial alignment of the bore and a recess is achieved by fully extending the shaft out of the hub against the restoring force of a bias spring in the hub. The recess and bias member are contoured to permit disengagement of the detent by rotation of the shaft but not by axially applied forces.

Abstract: A device for mounting a support and articulation arm of a sun-glare shield of a vehicle in which the sun-glare shield is engaged in a horizontal aperture of a bearing and in an orifice of a pull-rod member which is elastically biased upwardly. This pull-rod is guided in a support fixed to the roof of the vehicle. The support may be fixed to the roof so as to be downwardly detachable by means of an elastically expansible ring acted upon by a push-member. The latter is guided by the support and is acted upon by the upper surface of the bearing.