Abstract: A hinge assembly (2800) for a wireless communication device (100) having a body (104), and a cover (102) including a barrel (216) integrally formed thereon. The hinge assembly (2800) includes a follower (2802), a cam (2804) coupled to the follower (2802) and a spring (2806) coupled to the cam (2804) and coiled around a segment of the follower (2802). The hinge components can be fully assembled and self contained apart from manufacture of the wireless communication device (100).

Abstract: An operating hinge for a seat and seat lid of a toilet bowl, simply constructed and capable of controlling the angular moment of the seat and lid to softly stop them in place at their respective predetermined ends of pivoting stroke, provided.

Abstract: An operating device of an opening-closing body is supported on both sides on a single rotating shaft and controls the turning torque of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge mechanism for a foldable device. The previously known devices of this type do not stay in the open position in the desired manner, but they either open too much or close too easily. The hinge mechanism according to the invention locks the device in the open position, from which it does not open further even by using more force. Closing takes place using little force, whereby the amount of the force required is easy to adjust by altering the shape of the hinge pins. The hinge pin is divided into two parts (10a, 10b). The first hinge pin (10a) is locked in axial transition to the first hinge lug (8a), and the second hinge pin (10b) is locked into the second lug (8b) correspondingly. One end surface of the hinge pin has ridges (12a, 12b), and the other end surface has corresponding slots (11a, 11b). In the open position of the device the ridges and slots are matching.

Abstract: A supporting bracket for windows which can be used on any side of a window and which can be mounted using existing central mount installation tooling is disclosed. The supporting bracket uses dual sided containment of the vent bar end for preventing sash play and uses camming surfaces to allow for immediate sash pull in which prevents weather-strip problems and prevents the supporting bracket from binding during an opening operation. In some embodiments, an end cap engages opposite sides of a symmetric vent bar end. In another embodiment, a pin attached to the vent bar is engaged on opposite sides by a track formed within the main track of the supporting bracket. In all embodiments, the vent bar and the link pivotally connecting the vent bar to the track are prevented from moving in a direction opposite the direction of opening during an opening operation. The arms of the supporting bracket may have fully rounded edges for preventing binding between adjacent arms during load.

Abstract: An elbow joint assembly including two elbow joints mounted on two opposite ends of a shaft around a screw rod, each elbow joint including a fixed elbow having a barrel raised from the periphery and fixed to a locating rod of a mechanism, two movable elbows turned about the shaft and having a respective barrel raised from the periphery and holding a respective rod, two constraint blocks mounted on the shaft and forced to hold down the movable elbows and the fixed elbow in between the movable elbows, two spring elements mounted around the shaft between the movable elbows and the constraint blocks to force them apart; and two levers respectively pivoted to the shaft and turned between a first position in which the constraint blocks are forced into engagement with the movable elbows, causing the movable elbows and the fixed elbow to be firmly retained in position, and a second position in which the constraint blocks are released from the movable elbows, for permitting the movable elbows to be respectively turned

Abstract: A hinge device for coupling two rotatable members includes a stud and a shaft extended from one rotatable member and a barrel secured on the other rotatable member. The stud has a coarse wedge shaped projection. The barrel includes a coarse frustum shaped inner peripheral surface for engaging with a coarse frustum shaped outer peripheral surface of an actuator. The actuator includes a notch having a coarse tapered surface for engaging with the coarse projection. A spring may bias the coarse surfaces to engage with each other for allowing the rotatable members to be maintained in any suitable relative angular position.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism of a button cover of an electronic apparatus includes a pair of modules installed adjacent each other in respective receiving spaces of a case body. Each module includes: a hinge housing; a hinge shaft having a shaft on a first end thereof and a protrusion on a second end thereof and being inserted into the hinge housing so that said first end is disposed outward; a cam hinge having an indent and a protrusion on the same one end thereof so that the protrusion is engaged with the indent; a hinge cover having a hooking protrusion to be coupled to the hinge housing; and a coil spring installed between the cam hinge and the hinge cover. The shaft is coupled to the button cover so that the cover is opened and shut by the action of the pair of modules.

Abstract: A hinge arrangement having first and second hinges is provided, each hinge being operable upon application of a different torque. The first hinge operates upon application of a first torque to pivot a structure through a first range of motion, beyond which the first hinge is opposed by a relatively high restrictive force. The second hinge operates upon application of a second torque which is greater than the first torque, but insufficient to overcome the restrictive force. Upon applying the second torque, the structure is pivotable through a second range of motion. The hinges thus work cooperatively to pivotally couple first and second panels (or structures) of a clamshell-like device.

Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment includes a door hingedly mounted thereon, with a hold-open device integrally molded on the door and in the storage compartment. The hold-open device includes a substantially one-fourth circle cam molded on an inner surface of the door, and a flex finger molded on an upper surface of the storage compartment. The flex finger serves to hold the door open until manually forced downwardly, thereby bending the flex finger while the cam moves therepast to allow the door to be closed.

Abstract: A hinge with self-closing mechanism includes a hinge arm fastened swivelable to a hinge cup and also includes an elastic element which lies with one end of the elastic element on the hinge arm and disposed outside the hinge cup under the bottom of the hinge cup.

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 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 present invention device for supporting garment hangers within an automotive vehicle comprises an enclosed loop having a peripheral surface, an inside surface and a pair of substantially vertical faces with a horizontally accessible aperture extending therethrough. A hook portion of each garment hanger is retained and supported by the inside surface of the loop. Furthermore, an upper portion of the loop has a hook member formed within the peripheral surface thereof. The loop is pivotably attached to an aesthetically pleasing bezel such that the loop can be pivoted from a stowed position parallel with the bezel to a functional vertically planar position projecting inward from the bezel. Moreover, a lamp may be incorporated within the bezel behind the stowed loop such that a lens, mounted to the bezel, has a shape congruent with the inside surface of the loop and fits centrally therein.

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: A hinge device for a casing of the type having a body portion and an upper cover the device including a substantially L-shaped mounting plate adapted to be securely mounted to the body portion of the casing, two washers respectively attached to both sides of the mounting plate, a pivotal axle having a mounting portion adapted to be securely mounted to the upper cover of the casing, an extension pivotally received in a hole of the mounting plate, a spring member, and a nut mounted on a threaded end portion of the extension. The nut biases the spring and allows the pivotal axle to be freely pivotable relative to the spring. When a desired position of the upper cover relative to the body portion of the casing is reached, the spring member biased by the nut exerts a longitudinal force on the pivotal axle to retain the pivotal axle in position.

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 mechanism is disclosed which is suitable for use on a pivotable character display for an electronic typewriter or portable computer. The hinge mechanism includes braking means for maintaining the character display in a viewing position, wherein friction is generated between disc shaped brake members of the hinge mechanism. Moreover, the addition of a cam in the hinge mechanism provides the selective use of torque to the braking means; the cam is engaged when the display is in a viewing position, preventing the display from slipping out of position, whereas the cam is not engaged when the display is near the horizontal, making it easier to raise and to lower the display. The hinge mechanism disclosed is suitable for use with multi-view position character displays as well as with single view position character displays.

Abstract: The teachings of the present invention include a brake mechanism for a continuously adjustable pivotable character display that does not cover the keyboard of the computer, personal word processor or typewriter, has a relatively small angle of movement and has a relatively short arm length. The brake mechanism comprises a brake pad mounted on the typewriter and a cam located on the pivotable character display such that the display is continuously pivotable between a down position and an upright position. The cam compresses the brake pad as the display is brought towards a down position and the frictional force between the cam and the brake pad is sufficient to hold the display in a desired position between the down position and the upright position. The brake mechanism may include an indentation in the housing of the typewriter such that the brake pad fits into the indentation snugly and is held in place by the walls of the indentation and the friction between the brake pad and the walls of the indentation.

Abstract: A locking hinge device for adjusting the screen viewing angle of a word processor includes a hinge pin to which a keyboard cover is hinged. The keyboard cover has an LCD screen fixed to the front face thereof. The elongated hinge members are integrally formed with the keyboard cover and hinged to the hinge pin. The hinge members have axial bores. The axial bores are constructed to include circumferentially arranged recesses that receive detents which provide a corresponding number of stationary positions for providing different operator viewing angles over a wide range of adjustment. Restraint members are provided with circumferentially arranged detents on the outer circumference thereof for being positioned in the corresponding detent receiving recesses.

Abstract: A slider for a track, such as the track of a friction stay, comprises a slider body adapted to be slidably received in the track, and slider body includes a recess having a cam mounted therein. Rotation of the cam causes the curved portions of the cam to bear against the sides of the recess, which are thereby slightly deformed. This deformation increases the frictional engagement of the slider with the track.

Abstract: A visor assembly including a pivoted cover for a vanity mirror which includes camming surfaces on the pivot socket for urging the cover between open and closed positions. In one embodiment, the visor is selectively illuminated by the operation of a cover controlled switch. In another embodiment, the mirror and cover assembly is snap fitted within the visor.

Abstract: A crosslink hinge for hanging a door on a cabinet has two crosslink arms attached in the middle in a scissors-like manner. One end of one of the crosslink arms is coupled directly to the cabinet-related part of the hinge, which can be fastened on a mounting plate to the cabinet, and one end of the other crosslink arm is coupled directly to the door-related part which is a cup which can be set in a mortise in the door, and at the other end they are coupled indirectly each by a link to the other part of the hinge. The crosslink arm that is directly pivoted at one end on the door-related hinge part is formed by two flanges disposed parallel to one another at a distance apart and joined together at least section-wise by a web to form a channel shape. The hinge furthermore contains a closing mechanism urging it resiliently into the closed position.

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 pair of separable hinge assemblies mount a seat cushion on a vehicle for positioning between a rearwardly folded regular seating mode and a forwardly folded stored mode. The hinge assemblies each comprise a body-half hinge plate mounted to the vehicle body and a seat-half hinge plate mounted to the seat cushion hardened undersurface. The body-half plate has upstanding side webs each formed with open end mirror image slots adapted to releasably capture a pintle pin extending transversely between parallel ear portions of the seat-half hinge plate. Each ear portion includes mirror image first and second cam shoulders adapted to frictionally retain the hinge assemblies in their respective seating or folded modes. Upon placement of the seat cusion in an intermediate position both sets of cam shoulders of each seat-half hinge plate are spaced from their associated body-half plate camming surfaces.

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 hinge for a self-closing door includes a pair of hinge leaves having their respective knuckles joined to a hinge pin, one of the hinge leaves being fixed to the hinge pin and the other rotatable with respect to the same. A torsion spring is wound when the door to which the hinge is attached is opened. The torsion spring exerts a returning force which tends to keep the door in a closed position. Friction means is employed to arrest the closing of the door to prevent slamming. The friction means includes a first and second set of alternately interleaved friction plates, one set of which rotates while the other remains fixed when the door is allowed to close. The rubbing of the friction plates generates a retarding force which arrests the closing of the door. An adjusting member is also added to vary the amount of friction between the friction plates with the degree of opening of the door.

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 spring-loaded hinge assembly is adapted for use in pivotally interconnected components, such as hinged or pivotal components in accessory assemblies in vehicle applications. The hinge assembly provides for at least a pair of predetermined relative rotational orientations, or detented positions, of the pivotally interconnected components. Each of these detented positions is independently controlled by separate and distinct spring-and-cam arrangements, such that the rotational efforts, and consequently the detent holding forces, can be different from one another, if desired in a given application. The hinge assembly is especially advantageous in covered vanity assemblies on automotive sunvisors, for example.

Abstract: A locking hinge mechanism for concrete forms includes parallel hinge strips connected together by hinges positioned at intervals along the length of the strips. Each hinge includes provision for a wedge lock which, when fully inserted, positions the hinge strips at a secure 90.degree. angle. The hinge strips are spaced apart from the juncture of the strips, when arranged at the 90.degree. angle, so that concrete flashings do not clog the hinge. The hinge strips are in turn affixed to the side rails of the joining concrete forms to form a 90.degree. angle, such as for a column form arrangement.

Abstract: A cap member for a window stay, particularly a four bar friction linkage stay, comprises a recess for receiving the tapered end of the bar which is attached to the openable vent of the window when the window is closed, and a pivotally mounted pawl member having a surface which defines an internal cam surface of the recess and which is adapted to engage and guide the tip of the bar as the window is closed and the tapered end enters the recess, the pawl pivoting so that when the tapered end is fully received in the recess the engagement between the tip of the bar and the inner edge of the pawl causes the outer edge of the pawl to bear against the inclined edge of the tapered end to hold the bar, and hence the window vent, firmly in the closed 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: 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 pair of separable hinge assemblies mount a seat cushion on a vehicle for positioning between a normal seating mode and a folded stored mode. The hinge assemblies each comprise a body-half hinge plate mounted to the vehicle body and a seat-half hinge plate mounted to the seat cushion hardened undersurface. The body-half plate has upstanding side webs each formed with open end mirror image slots adapted to releasably capture a pintle pin extending transversely between parallel ear portions of the seat-half hinge plate. Each ear portion includes mirror image first and second cam shoulders adapted to frictionally retain the hinge assemblies in their respective normal or folded modes. Upon pivoting the seat cushion to an intermediate position both sets of cam shoulders of each seat-half hinge plate are spaced from their associated body-half plate camming surfaces allowing the separation of the hinge assemblies and removal of the seat cushion.

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 tilt-lock mechanism for a pivotable panel assembly incorporates a pivotable locking link biased into locking engagement with a curved cam surface on the panel assembly to lock the assembly at a selected tilted position. A slight force applied opposite the bias of the link releases the link to return the panel to an initial position.

Abstract: A holder for cups and similar articles which includes a plurality of elongated articulated members one of which members terminates at one end in an article holding means and at the other end in one-half of an intermeshing pair of joint elements which provide means for forming a positive detent-type joint means. One of the halves of the intermeshing pair of joint elements is in the form of a hub having a plurality of external teeth disposed thereon and the other half of the intermeshing pair of joint elements is in the form of a collar having a plurality of internal teeth arranged and constructed so that the collar fits over the hub element and the respective teeth intermesh to effect an adjustable positive detent joint means.

Abstract: A hinge for rotatably mounting a barrier member to a structural member. The hinge comprises a first hinge assembly which comprises a first hinge bracket attachable to the structural member, a second hinge bracket attachable to the barrier member, a first hinge member mounted for rotation with the second hinge mounting bracket and a second hinge member mounted for rotation with the first hinge member. Both hinge members have correspondingly configured engaging surfaces which permit staged rotation between the hinge members. This facilitates a staged rotation of the barrier member in predetermined sequential increments as determined by the engaging surfaces. This first hinge assembly connects a lower portion of the barrier member to the structural member and is responsible for bearing substantially all of the weight of the barrier member. The invention further comprises at least a second hinge assembly for providing rotational alignment between an upper portion of the barrier member and the structural member.

Abstract: An easel hinge for supporting picture frames and the like comprises two hinge plate members each including a tubular wall. The tubular wall of one hinge plate member is inserted in the tubular wall of another hinge plate member with at least some non-congruent portions whereby the inner tubular wall can be rotated within the outer tubular wall. The outer tubular wall is open and has at its open edge a substantially straight lower end wall portion. When the inner hinge plate member strikes against the substantially straight lower end wall portion of the outer hinge plate member the plates are retained in the end angular position, and further angular displacement of the hinge plate members relative to each other is prevented.

Abstract: A hinge comprises first and second components (10,12) for attachment to respective structural members. A substantially cylindrical surface (26) on the second component (12) snap-fits into a part-cylindrical bearing surface (20) on the first component (10). The components (10,12) have interengaging formations which act to resist closing over a predetermined arc. In one embodiment, one set of interengaging formations comprises blades (28) sliding in slots (22), and another set comprises protrusions (32,34).

Abstract: A position retentive hinge assembly is provided in which two bodies are swing about one or more axially aligned hinge pins. The first body has at least two paired supports holding the one or more hinge pins. The second body has a receiving and retaining portion for each hinge pin. The inner end face of at least one support is non-planar and cooperates with a non-planar opposed adjacent end face of a receiving and retaining portion of the second body. A spring confined between a support and an end face urges the non-planar opposed faces together and position retentive cam and cam follower action is had as the bodies are swung pivotally.

Abstract: A hinge joint wherein a first component is affixed to the body supporting portion and a second component is affixed to the back rest of a seat, particularly in a motor vehicle. The two components are articulately connected to each other by a pintle having a cylindrical portion journalled in a sleeve of the second component, and an eccentric conical portion journalled in a complementary hole of a spur gear forming part of the first component. A spring biases the conical portion into the hole, and the conical portion has an eccentric recess for a cylindrical portion of the sleeve. Such design of the pintle contributes to simplicity and to a reduction of space requirements of the hinge joint. The conical portion can move the spur gear of the first component radially relative to an internal gear of the second component when the pintle is rotated by a hand wheel or by a motor.

Abstract: A hinge arrangement for the lid and seat of a toilet is disclosed. Hinge pins extend outwardly from lugs on a bowl unit of the toilet through corresponding openings in flanges on the seat and lid and are provided with cam surfaces co-operating with corresponding surfaces on the lid. The co-operating cam surfaces generate frictional forces when the lid is raised so that the lid will tend to stay in a position to which it has been raised. The cam surfaces also define open and closed detent positions in which the lid is positively retained. The seat can be hinged freely when the lid is raised and is trapped against the bowl unit when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed which is particularly well suited for vehicle accessory applications, such as for pivotally interconnecting vanity doors with vanity housing structures for example. The hinge assembly, which is also applicable for other applications, includes a pivot means pivotally interconnecting first and second members for relative rotational movement about a longitudinal axis, with a cam on the first member protruding in a generally lateral direction to engage a resilient biasing means on the second member. The resilient biasing means, which is preferably a leaf spring, is slidably engaged and resiliently deflected by the cam on the first member and exerts a resilient biasing force on the cam in a generally lateral direction, generally toward the pivot axis.

Abstract: An elastomeric hinge spring intended primarily for the doors of vehicles, has an outwardly projecting detent formed on a first bracket mounted on the vehicle frame and a roller formed of a compressible elastomeric material mounted on a second bracket attached to the vehicle door. The detent is in the path of movement followed by the roller upon movement of the second bracket and door toward the closed position. The roller retains the door in the open position requiring temporary compression of the roller to move of the door toward the closed position. The detent may have two projections which provide an intermediate door position or have an elongated ramp configuration to achieve other door opening and closing characteristics. Another detent may be formed on the first bracket to partially compress the roller when the door is in the closed position to bias the door toward the open position. The elastomeric roller completely eliminates metal spring components heretofore used in prior hinge spring devices.

Abstract: A box-shaped container for articles, consisting of a bottom part and a lid part, each having side walls, possessess on the side walls joint and rotation-restricting means which consist of one or more joint projections having an oblique surface and a hole having one or more bottom relief surfaces falling away on two sides. In an embodiment having a joint projection in the shape of a frying pan and one or more trapezoidal grooves arranged in a hole in such a way that their position is rotated, automatic closing and opening of the container can be achieved. The container is primarily intended for storing/archiving essentially right parallelepiped recording media, for example audio, video or data cassettes, but other articles too, for example jewelry etc., can advantageously be stored in such containers and protected from damage and dirt.

Abstract: A hinge arrangement for the lid and seat of a toilet is disclosed. Hinge pins extend outwardly from lugs on a bowl unit of the toilet through corresponding openings in flanges on the seat and lid and are provided with cam surfaces co-operating with corresponding surfaces on the lid. The co-operating cam surfaces generate frictional forces when the lid is raised so that the lid will tend to stay in a position to which it has been raised. The cam surfaces also define open and closed detent positions in which the lid is positively retained. The seat can be hinged freely when the lid is raised and is trapped against the bowl unit when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed which is particularly well suited for vehicle accessory applications, such as for pivotally interconnecting vanity doors with vanity housing structures for example. The hinge assembly, which is also applicable for other applications, includes a pivot pivotally interconnecting first and second members for relative rotational movement about a longitudinal axis, with a cam on the first member protruding in a generally lateral direction to engage a resilient biasing springs on the second member. The resilient biasing springs, which is preferably a leaf spring, is slidably engaged and resiliently deflected by the cam on the first member and exerts a resilient biasing force on the cam in a generally lateral direction, generally toward the pivot axis.

Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed which is particularly well suited for vehicle accessory applications, such as for pivotally interconnecitng vanity doors with vanity housing structures for example. The hinge assembly, which is also applicable for other applications, includes a pivot means pivotally interconnecting first and second members for relative rotational movement about a longitudinal axis, with a cam on the first member protruding in a generally lateral direction to engage a resilient biasing means on the second member. The resilient biasing means, which is preferably a leaf spring, is slidably engaged and resiliently deflected by the cam on the first member and exerts a resilient biasing force on the cam in a generally lateral direction, generally toward the pivot axis.