Abstract: An overhead console for a vehicle or the like includes a housing defining a transmitter storage compartment for a garage door opener and an opening for permitting access to the storage compartment. A door is pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a closed position for covering the opening and an open position for exposing the interior of the compartment through the lower opening. A hinge assembly for pivotally mounting the door to the housing includes a pair of spaced cams integrally molded to the door and a pair of spaced spring arms integrally molded to the housing. The spring arms are engageable with the cams as the door moves toward the open position from the closed position to arrest the movement of the door at an intermediate position between the closed and open positions. The spring arms are engageable and deflectable by the cam to provide frictional resistance to movement of the door only from the intermediate position to the open position.

Abstract: A tilt hinge comprises a fixing member composed of a fixing base fixed to a main body of a device and a bearing plate; a rotating shaft having a small diameter part rotatably born at the bearing plate of this fixing member; a first friction washer placed between a large diameter part of the rotating shaft and one side surface of the bearing plate with its small diameter part being inserted into and passed through its central part; a second friction washer arranged to be contacted with the other side surface of the bearing plate with the small diameter part being inserted through its central part; a pressing plain washer arranged to be contacted with this second friction washer with the small diameter part being inserted into and passed through its central part; wherein the end part of the small diameter part is press fitted to cause the first friction washer to be press contacted between the bearing plate and the large diameter part and the second friction washer to be press contacted between the bearing plat

Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a pivot axle including a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion, an inner sleeve rotatably mounted on the second cylindrical portion of the pivot axle and including an inner wall containing a first hole for receiving the second cylindrical portion and an outer wall formed with a plurality of juxtaposed locking pieces, a first outer sleeve fixedly mounted on the inner sleeve and including an inner wall containing a second hole 31 for receiving the inner sleeve and an outer wall formed with a retaining block containing a retaining recess connecting to the second hole for receiving the plurality of juxtaposed locking pieces, and a second outer sleeve fixedly mounted on the first cylindrical portion of the pivot axle.

Abstract: A pivot device for use with a notebook computer has a keyed washer and an axle corresponding to the keyed washer. The keyed washer has a keyed opening defined therein and a plurality of keys formed on an inner periphery defining the keyed opening. The axle has a plurality of slots defined in an end thereof, such that when the axle is inserted into the keyed washer, the keys will be forced into one of the corresponding slots and thus a secure connection between the axle and the keyed washer is achieved.

Abstract: The subject matter relates to a turning shaft structure, characterized in its improvement aimed at a previous case which involves the inconvenience of being restricted by the radius of the screw when the turning shaft structure is applied to a notebook computer, comprising: a first fixing plate, a second fixing plate, a screw, a first pad and a second pad; the first end of said screw involves a shaft part, said shaft part to be mounted by said first pad, said first fixing plate and said second pad, said first pad and said second pad respectively made of nylon, fiberglass, Teflon or such materials; the improvement is featured in that said shaft part is further to be mounted by a first washer and a second washer, on the first end of said first fixing plate and the first end of said second fixing plate are respectively a first shaft hole and a second shaft hole, at the first end of said shaft part is a thread part, said thread part is to be mounted by a nut, at the second end of said screw is a rivet part, said

Abstract: A hinge device has a first portion defined therein a channel, a lateral slot and a longitudinal slot and a second portion having an axis formed therewith and rotatably received within the channel of the first portion. The lateral slot and the longitudinal slot of the first portion are able to provide the hinge device of the invention recovery force of dual orientations according to various orientation requirement of load.

Abstract: A tilt hinge supports a cover so that the cover can lightly be opened and can be held in an inclined position at an optional angular position. The tilt hinge comprises: a mounting member having a mounting plate and a bearing plate, and attached to a main unit of a machine; a stepped shaft having an expanded section and a reduced section of a diameter smaller than that of the expanded section, supported for rotation on the bearing plate; a support member for supporting a cover, fixed to the shaft; a torsion coil spring wound around the shaft and resiliently engaged between the support member and the mounting member; and a friction mechanism interlocked with the bearing plate and the shaft.

Abstract: A continuously adjustable power-actuated door lock for a motor vehicle door attachable to a motor vehicle with at least two hinges, and including a locking device connected, with a door pillar and a door and having a braking element movable between a braking position, in which the door is locked, and a release position, and a drive for displacing the braking element between the braking and release positions and including an electric motor controllable in accordance with an actual open position of the door, a direction of door movement, an instantaneous speed of the door movement, and movement characteristics of the door including door weight, inner resistance of a door attachment, with the locking device being formed integrally with one of two door attaching hinges.

Abstract: A first rotating shaft supporting an opening-closing body and rotating with the opening and closing operation of the opening-closing body is rotatably mounted on a mounting member attached on an apparatus body side. A first friction mechanism works on the rotating shaft. A main driving gear is mounted on the first rotating shaft so as to rotate together with the first rotating shaft. A second rotating shaft is mounted on the mounting member; on the second rotating shaft a driven gear engaged with the main driving gear is mounted to rotate with the second rotating shaft. Also, on the second rotating shaft a second friction mechanism works. Furthermore, a click stop means works on the first rotating shaft.

Abstract: A resilient hinge arrangement has a first hinge part and a second hinge part that assumes a plurality of stable pivoting positions with respect to the first hinge part, with a dead center lying at least between two of the stable pivoting positions. The second hinge part is arranged to return from pivoting positions between the two stable pivoting positions through the dead center, outside a dead center itself, in an elastically resilient manner into a nearest one of the stable pivoting positions. Two connecting arms are spaced a distance apart and include at least one coupling element protruding movably from each of the first and second hinge parts, and at least one substantially flexurally rigid intermediate part between the coupling elements that is delimited by two bending regions that are spaced apart and arranged at an angle to each other between the intermediate part and the coupling elements.

Abstract: A pivot joint including a mounting frame, a pivot bolt inserted through a hole on the mounting frame, and a lock nut screwed up with the pivot bolt to hold the mounting frame and the pivot bolt together, permitting the pivot bolt to be turned about its longitudinal center axis, wherein the pivot bolt has a collar stopped against the mounting frame at one side opposite to the lock nut; two washers are mounted around the pivot bolt and retained between the mounting frame and the lock nut; a plurality of corrugated plate springs are mounted around the pivot bolt and retained between the washers.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member which includes a friction element for being secured to the first member. The friction element has an internal surface defining a generally cylindrical cavity. The friction element is geometrically configured to have substantially uniform strength. A generally cylindrical pintle for being secured to the second member includes an external surface and is positioned within the cavity with the external surface of the pintle being in facing frictional engagement with the internal surface of the friction element. As such, substantially uniform forces are created between the external surface of the pintle and the internal surface of the friction element to provide torque transfer and angular positional control of the pintle with respect to the friction element.

Abstract: A closure fastener comprising a hasp assembly pivotally connected to a staple assembly. The hasp assembly includes a latch arm having an aperture adjacent its free end. The staple assembly includes a staple having an aperture disposed transversely therethrough providing a passage for a shackle of a lock, the staple being received by and extending through the latch arm aperture when the latch arm is in a closed position. A base member is integrally connected to the staple and has an aperture therethrough for receiving a switch engagement member of a disconnect switch. A stud is integrally connected to the base member, the stud having an aperture disposed transversely therethrough. A pivot pin in disposed through the stud aperture and through a pivot pin receiving aperture of the latch arm, thereby pivotally connecting the hasp assembly to the staple assembly.

Abstract: A generally planar resilient polymeric member having a viscous film is positioned between a fixed and movable element of the vehicle accessory and provides controlled friction between the two. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixed member is a housing for a vehicle storage compartment and the movable member is a pivoted door. The dampening device has one side secured to either the door or the housing and an opposite surface including a viscous material. The device is compressibly fitted between the fixed and movable member for providing a frictional interface therebetween.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a cover and a housing theretogether, such as a keypad cover and a housing of a portable radiotelephone. A generally tubular hinge arm is formed at an end portion of the cover, and two hinge pins, each having identical cam surfaces formed upon edge surfaces thereof are inserted into the hinge arm and positioned such that the cam surfaces of the respective hinge pins extend beyond opposing sides of the hinge arm such that the hinge pins are caused to rotate in unison with rotation of the cover. A spring member is tandemly-positioned between the two hinge pins to exert spring forces thereupon. Two cam followers are affixed to the housing in a manner such that the cam surfaces of the hinge pins abut against the cam followers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake that allows an object to rotate continually through its full range of movement, but allows the object to be reliably secured at any position within this range. The object is carried by a brake that includes a deformable cylindrical collar and a lever. Normally, a spring exerts force against the lever, which in turn exerts pressure on the collar, causing the interior diameter of the collar to become smaller. The collar then grasps the rod and prevents the rotation of the brake relative to the rod. A pneumatically controlled piston counters the force of the spring to allow the brake to rotate freely.

Abstract: Current pole mounted vacuum sanders have universal connections between the pole and sander which permit the sanding pad to lift off the sanding surface when pressure is applied. The present invention provides a universal connection between the pole and base of the vacuum hand sanding device which allows the head to be semi-locked into position when the pole is angled to the working surface to prevent the pad lifting from the surface.

Abstract: A closing control and opening free assembly for a hinge connection is mounted within various articles of furniture or implements. The assembly has a mounting element having a circular hole, a pivot member or rotor disk connected therewith, the circumference of which gets into contact with the inside surface of the circular hole, one or more pair of spring and roller positioned in each of recess formed on the periphery of the circular hole or the pivot member, and a brake component. When opening a rotatable section upward, the pivot can rotate together with the brake component, and thus it is possible to open freely the rotatable section. When closing the rotatable section downward, the pivot can not rotate with the brake component. Consequently, the rotatable section is rested at a desired turning position.

Abstract: An adjustable cable supporting hinge assembly pivotably couples a support member, such as a tray for holding an electronic component, to a support structure, such as a housing or cabinet for an electronic system. The adjustable cable supporting hinge assembly includes a hollow cylindrical hub member which receives the cables coupling the electronic component to the electronic system. The cables are inserted into a cable-receiving region in the hollow cylindrical hub member during assembly and are protected against damage when the pivotable support member is moved. The adjustable wire supporting hinge assembly further includes an adjustable clamp member which rotatably supports and clamps the hollow cylindrical hub member. The adjustable clamp member is adjustable to provide a variable resistance against rotation for the pivotable support member to accommodate electronic components of different sizes and different weights.

Abstract: A rotary friction damper in a device for connecting a door to an adjacent structure such that the door pivots about an axis during opening and closing of the same and including a torsion spring operatively connected to the door and to the structure for movement about the pivot axis to store energy during opening of the door and to release energy to provide closing during closing of the door. The rotary friction damper is operatively associated with the torsion spring and has an axis of rotation disposed substantially parallel to the pivot axis for controlling the door closing speed. The rotary friction damper is adjustable and variable. A mechanism operatively associated with the damper varies the resistance of the damper to movement of the torsion spring to produce a controlled uniform closing speed of the door and for reducing the resistance of the damper to movement of the torsion spring when the door nears the closed position to allow the torsion spring to close the door in an unrestricted manner.

Abstract: A tilt adjustment mechanism having an upper housing, a lower housing and a shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly receives the gears which are pressed on either end of shaft. The shaft fits through locating slots in the lower housing. Each of the gears are activated by internal gears located on each side of the upper housing. The internal gears are integrally formed with the upper housing. The upper housing is hinged on the lower housing and can rotate 20 degrees. The shaft assembly mechanism provides a torsion bar function to insure that the upper housing moves evenly with respect to the lower housing. Even motion in the upwards and downwards directions of the housing is provided by even rotational torsional motion and opposite rotational torsional motion of the shaft assembly of the tilt adjustment mechanism. The shaft assembly mechanism decouples the frictional load in the two different rotational directions about its shaft.

Abstract: A tilt adjustment mechanism having an upper housing, a lower housing and a shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly receives the gears which are pressed on either end of shaft. The shaft fits through locating slots in the lower housing. Each of the gears are activated by internal gears located on each side of the upper housing. The internal gears are integrally formed with the upper housing. The upper housing is hinged on the lower housing and can rotate 20 degrees. The shaft assembly mechanism provides a torsion bar function to insure that the upper housing moves evenly with respect to the lower housing. Even motion in the upwards and downwards directions of the housing is provided by even rotational torsional motion and opposite rotational torsional motion of the shaft assembly of the tilt adjustment mechanism. The shaft assembly mechanism decouples the frictional load in the two different rotational directions about its shaft.

Abstract: A ventilation stop for limiting the length of movement of a slidable door or window sash. The ventilation stop is located in a fixed element of a window or door assembly, preferably in an interior glazing stop of a fixed sash adjacent to the slidable sash. The stop includes a recess in the glazing stop, a tab disposed in and protruding from the recess, and a hinge pin disposed in friction fit through a bore in the tab and extending into the glazing stop beyond the recess, preferably in both directions from the tab. The axes of the bore and the pin are parallel to the direction of movement of the slidable sash, permitting the tab to be turned into an interfering relationship with the slidable sash, thereby limiting the length of movement of the sash, or to be turned out of interference, thereby permitting unrestricted movement of the sash. Preferably the glazing stop is hollow, allowing for easy insertion of the pin into the tab from within the glazing stop during assembly of a window or door unit.

Abstract: The present invention presents hinge structures for pivotably and detachably coupling two members, i.e., an axial member and an axial member support, in which a pivotal portion is provided at the base edge of an axial blade of the axial member; a disengaging protrusion is provided at the tip edge of the axial blade; a pivotal rotation guide is extended from near the disengaging protrusion; an engaging extension is provided at the tip edge of the pivotal rotation guide; an opening is formed in the axial member support; a pivotal portion rest is formed on one side face of the opening, while an engagement rest is formed on the other side face opposite to said one side face; a curvature is formed from the engagement rest to said one side face with the pivotal portion rest formed; a lock member is pivotably or slidably provided in the axial member, with its locking claw to be engaged with the engagement rest; and said hinge structure can be pivotably and detachably provided with various auxiliary devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a light housing to a conventional mask body or other suitable structure, in which a stationary clamp bracket and a moveable clamp bracket are used to fix a relative position of a clamp body with respect to the mask body or other structure. An externally threaded clamp adjustment screw is rotatably mounted with respect to the clamp body and is used to adjustably move and lock the moveable clamp bracket with respect to the stationary clamp bracket. A track receptacle, which is fixed with respect to the clamp body, has a track bore. A track rod which is fixed with respect to the light housing, is rotatably mountable within the track bore. A lock-bearing rod is slidably mounted with a longitudinal track rod bore of the track rod.

Abstract: A hinge assembly removably connects two bodies for pivotable movement relative to one another. The hinge assembly includes a first convex arcuate surface and a first concave arcuate surface on one body and a second convex arcuate surface and a second concave arcuate surface on the other body. The radii of curvature of the first convex arcuate surface and the second concave arcuate surface are about equal, and the radii of curvature of the second convex arcuate surface and the first concave arcuate surface are about equal, and each surface preferably defines an arc of about 180 degrees. The bodies may be assembled to one another so that the first convex arcuate surface slidingly engages the second concave arcuate surface and the first concave arcuate surface slidingly engages the second convex arcuate surface, thereby preventing relative movement of the bodies in a direction transverse to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member which includes a friction element for being secured to the first member. The friction element has an internal surface defining a generally cylindrical cavity. The friction element is geometrically configured to have substantially uniform strength. A generally cylindrical pintle for being secured to the second member includes an external surface and is positioned within the cavity with the external surface of the pintle being in facing frictional engagement with the internal surface of the friction element. As such, substantially uniform forces are created between the external surface of the pintle and the internal surface of the friction element to provide torque transfer and angular positional control of the pintle with respect to the friction element.

Abstract: A hinge device comprising a shaft to be connected at one end to a first member, a bracket mounted on the shaft, for supporting a second member such that the second member rotates around said shaft, and wave washers held and compressed between said shaft and said support means. The wave washers generates a friction between said shaft and the second member when the first and second members are rotated relative to each other around said shaft, thus suppressing the rotation of the first and second members.

Abstract: The present invention is a footlocker of molded plastic construction which includes a bin having a storage cavity and a lid hinged to the bin for enclosing the storage cavity. Two plastic latches are used to secure the lid in its closed relation above the bin. Each of the latches includes a face plate with a front surface which preferably has graphic indicia molded therein. In order to lock the lid in its closed position and thereby safeguard the contents of the bin, the footlocker preferably includes a padlock hasp. In order to hold the lid open in any position, the footlocker includes a lid stay mechanism connected between the lid and the bin. The bin has a plurality of continuously molded feet and the top surface of the lid a plurality of stacking depressions molded therein for receiving the feet and thereby enabling multiple footlockers to be stacked on top of one another.

Abstract: A spring hinge and method of making same are disclosed. The spring hinge has a housing enclosing the spring and its associated shaft. The housing includes projections adjacent the ends of the spring such that upon rotation of the spring in either direction, an end of the spring is engaged by the housing and the spring is caused to expand into the "wrap open" condition.

Abstract: A hinge joint for use in the seats of motor vehicles to permit changes of inclination of the back rest has a first leaf secured to the body supporting portion of the seat, a second leaf secured to the back rest and a composite shaft having an eccentric cylindrical portion turnably mounted in the first leaf and two coaxial conical portions flanking the eccentric portion and turnably mounting the second leaf. At least one conical portion has a cylindrical core of a metallic material and elastic sleeve surrounding the core and having a conical external surface. A diaphragm spring reacts against the shaft and urges the second leaf axially of the shaft against the first leaf, and a spur gear of the first leaf mates with an internal gear of the second leaf.

Abstract: A portable apparatus comprising a base unit and a display unit rotatably connected to the base unit. The base unit has a recess, and the display unit has a first leg portion mounted in the recess. The first leg portion comprises a rear leg segment conjoining a base unit. The first leg portion has a front leg segment fastened to the rear leg segment, defining a guide path between the front leg segment and the rear leg segment. The leg segments, fastened together, form a shaft having a guide path communicating with the guide path. An opening is formed in one of the side walls defining the sides of the recess and also in the wall defining the bottom of the recess, thus allowing access into the base unit. A support segment is removably fitted in this opening, supporting the shaft such that the shaft can rotate. The portable apparatus further comprises a flexible cable which extends from the base unit into the display unit, guided through the opening, the guide path.

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 portable apparatus comprising a base unit and a display unit rotatably connected to the base unit. The base unit has a recess, and the display unit has a first leg portion mounted in the recess. The first leg portion comprises a rear leg segment conjoining a base unit. The first leg portion has a front leg segment fastened to the rear leg segment, defining a guide path between the front leg segment and the rear leg segment. The leg segments, fastened together, form a shaft having a guide path communicating with the guide path. An opening is formed in one of the side walls defining the sides of the recess and also in the wall defining the bottom of the recess, thus allowing access into the base unit. A support segment is removably fitted in this opening, supporting the shaft such that the shaft can rotate. The portable apparatus further comprises a flexible cable which extends from the base unit into the display unit, guided through the opening, the guide path.

Abstract: A buffering device used in a hinge structure of a lid or cover, such as stool lid of a toilet stool of Western style, which is pivoted on a horizontal axis and generally opened upwards by hand and closed downwards by gravity, comprising two members such as of coaxial cylinder type having mutually facing surfaces, respectively, and being combined coaxially to enable relative rotation, and at least one idle member disposed within a gap between the facing surfaces to roll with the relative rotation, and including no buffering fluid, in which the torque for closure is made large as compared with the torque for opening, so that the lid can be opened lightly when it is opened by hand, while it is automatically braked for preventing it from colliding against the stool body to produce an undesirable strike sound when it is naturally closed by gravity.

Abstract: A vehicle bonnet assembly includes a bonnet hinged to the vehicle body adjacent one edge and having a releasable catch adjacent an opposite edge, the bonnet being hinged to the vehicle body in a manner which will permit rearward movement of the bonnet when an impact is applied to the leading edge thereof, a lifting mechanism being provided to lift the trailing edge of the bonnet in response to rearward movement of the bonnet.

Abstract: A portable apparatus comprising a base unit and a display unit rotatably connected to the base unit. The base unit has a recess, and the display unit has a first leg portion mounted in the recess. The first leg portion comprises a rear leg segment conjoining a base unit. The first leg portion has a front leg segment fastened to the rear leg segment, defining a guide path between the front leg segment and the rear leg segment. The leg segments, fastened together, form a shaft having a guide path communicating with the guide path. An opening is formed in one of the side walls defining the sides of the recess and also in the wall defining the bottom of the recess, thus allowing access into the base unit. A support segment is removably fitted in this opening, supporting the shaft such that the shaft can rotate. The portable apparatus further comprises a flexible cable which extends from the base unit into the display unit, guided through the opening, the guide path.

Abstract: A portable apparatus comprising a base unit and a display unit rotatably connected to the base unit. The base unit has a recess, and the display unit has a first leg portion mounted in the recess. The first leg portion comprises a rear leg segment conjoining a base unit. The first leg portion has a front leg segment fastened to the rear leg segment, defining a guide path between the front leg segment and the rear leg segment. The leg segments, fastened together, form a shaft having a guide path communicating with the guide path. An opening is formed in one of the side walls defining the sides of the recess and also in the wall defining the bottom of the recess, thus allowing access into the base unit. A support segment is removably fitted in this opening, supporting the shaft such that the shaft can rotate. The portable apparatus further comprises a flexible cable which extends from the base unit into the display unit, guided through the opening, the guide path.

Abstract: An angle adjusting device for a display device, wherein at least one coil spring having a free end and another end fixed on a rotatable axis is mounted closely on the inner wall of a fixed axis so as not to expose, and the angle of inclination of a display device is adjusted by a locking torque between the fixed axis and the coil spring.

Abstract: A shaft slide-locking apparatus comprises a stationary shaft housing, a rotary main shaft extending through the shaft housing and rotatably disposed in the shaft housing; a movable cam axially movable on the rotary main shaft; an elastic member disposed between the movable cam and the shaft housing; and a control cam opposing the movable cam and fixed to the rotary main shaft and pushing the movable cam on the side of the shaft housing to press the elastic member towards the shaft housing and the rotary main shaft when the rotary main shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A hinge has an electrical connection contained therein. A first component (1) of two half-shells (11, 12) includes two hollow cylindrical projections (101, 121) having facing end faces provided with respective cylindrical cavities (102, 122) each having one-half contained in a respective one of the half-shells. A second component (2) includes a hollow cylindrical protuberance (201) with two reduced diameter cylindrical ends (202, 203). The projections and the protuberance are designed to axially interfit so as to constitute the hinge connection effected by engagement of the reduced diameter cylindrical ends (202, 203) within respective cylindrical cavities (102, 122). The two components include radial openings for passing portions of the electrical connection between the first and second components.

Abstract: An opening/closing mechanism is used in apparatus such as personal computers, word processors and liquid-crystal televisions, some of these apparatus.

Abstract: A pivotal connection between a handle and a housing, where the handle includes a cylindrical opening, and the housing includes a pair of cylindrical openings on opposite sides of the housing and concentric with the handle opening. A sleeve with a central tubular opening is disposed within the housing and handle openings, and has an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the housing and handle openings. A cylindrical pin has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve tubular opening and is wedged into the sleeve tubular opening to bulge the sleeve outwardly into beveled portions of the handle opening. The connection is formed by first aligning the handle between housing portions so that openings therethrough are disposed substantially concentric to one another. Then, a tubular sleeve is located within the housing and handle openings. Finally, a pin having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tubular sleeve opening is wedged into the sleeve opening.

Abstract: A portable apparatus comprising a base unit and a display unit rotatably connected to the base unit. The base unit has a recess, and the display unit has a first leg portion mounted in the recess. The first leg portion comprises a rear leg segment conjoining a base unit. The first leg portion has a front leg segment fastened to the rear leg segment, defining a guide path between the front leg segment and the rear leg segment. The leg segments, fastened together, form a shaft having a guide path communicating with the guide path. An opening is formed in one of the side walls defining the sides of the recess and also in the wall defining the bottom of the recess, thus allowing access into the base unit. A support segment is removably fitted in this opening, supporting the shaft such that the shaft can rotate. The portable apparatus further comprises a flexible cable which extends from the base unit into the display unit, guided through the opening, the guide path.

Abstract: A one-way damper comprising a cylindrical outer frame 10 with one end closed within which is provided a cylindrical inner frame 20 in a state rotatable relative thereto, packing material G packed between said inner and outer frames, and when a relative rotation being caused between said both inner and outer frames the rotation of said frame of one side may be capable of giving resistance to the rotation of said frame of other side, and inside of said inner frame 20 being provided with a mechanism which may perform meshing and removal according to a direction of rotation of a rotary shaft 50 for effecting transmission and non-transmission of torque from said rotary shaft 50 to said inner frame 20.

Abstract: A shaft lock device includes a cylindrical rotational shaft, and first and second members. The first member supports one end of the rotational shaft so that the shaft is rotatable around the axis thereof, and the second member is fixed to the other end portion of the shaft and rotatable integrally with the shaft. A coil spring, coiled in a predetermined direction and having a coil diameter greater than the inner diameter of the shaft, is arranged in the shaft along the axial direction while the outer surface of the spring is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the shaft when the second member is rotated in the direction opposite the coiling direction, the spring is urged to expand in its radial direction, thereby retaining the shaft from rotating. When the second member is rotated in the coiling direction, the spring is urged to contract in its radial direction, thereby allowing the shaft to rotate.

Abstract: A hinge device comprising a shaft to be connected at one end to a first member, a bracket mounted on the shaft, for supporting a second member such that the second member rotates around said shaft, and wave washers held and compressed between said shaft and said support means. The wave washers generates a friction between said shaft and the second member when the first and second members are rotated relative to each other around said shaft, thus suppressing the rotation of the first and second members.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a portable apparatus having a keyboard base and a display unit pivotable between open and closed positions. The hinge mechanism comprises a rod disposed within a bearing and connected to a bracket mounted on the base. A spring is disposed over the base to provide a compression force against the bearing in the axial direction of the rod to provide frictional engagement between the rod and bearing to hold the display in the open position. The outer wall of the rod is tapered to cooperate with the tapered inner wall of the bearing.

Abstract: A hinge device having a bearing member and a shaft. The bearing member has a sleeve section having a through hole, in which the shaft is inserted. The inner circumferential surface of the sleeve section contacts the circumferential surface of the shaft. The sleeve section has slits which extend parallel to the axis of the sleeve section. Ring springs are mounted on the sleeve section. In their non-expanded state, the springs have an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the shaft. The ring springs tighten the sleeve section onto the shaft, thus generating a frictional force between the sleeve section and the shaft.

Abstract: A hinge assembly has a plurality of rollers which are pressed against an elastic washer by a shaft. The rollers and elastic washer are contained within a cylindrical retainer which is held in a fixed position relative to a first bracket, while the shaft is held in a fixed position relative to a second bracket so that, when either or both the first and second brackets are moved relative to each other, the roller move around the outside diameter of the shaft resisted by the elastic washer, providing a smooth resistance to the movement of the first bracket and/or second bracket relative to the other. An electronic digital device, having a display section with an adjustable viewing angle utilizing the improved hinge assembly, is shown in which the hinge assembly provides a smooth resistance for the movement of the display section relative to the base of the device.