Abstract: A door positioning hinge supports two closure members, and also allows the closure members to be rotated to open or to close. The door positioning hinge can be adapted to allow free-swinging of the closure members or alternatively to hold the closure members in various detent positions. In addition, the particular amount of force can be selected where desired which operates to hold the closure members in the respective detent positions. The operation of the door positioning hinge accommodates use with both vertically swinging or horizontally swinging closure members.

Abstract: A door hinge for a motor vehicle door provided with a braking and retaining function, and including two hinge halves and a hinge pin extending through gudgeons of the two hinge halves for pivotally connecting the hinge halves together, with the hinge pin being secured in a gudgeon of one of the hinge halves against rotation and extending through a gudgeon of another of the hinge halves with a clearance, the hinge pin and bore of the gudgeon of another of the hinge halves having at least along a portion of their common axial extent, complementary, circumferential regions the circularity of which deviates from a regular circular cross-section of their complementary cylindrical surfaces.

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: This invention relates to a hinge which needs only small force to be turned in one rotational direction and relatively larger force to be turned in the opposite direction. The hinge comprises a pair of hinge members each having a cylindrical end and a fixing portion, the fixing portion having at least one aperture defined therein. An intermediate member is disposed between and pivotally connected to the pair of hinge members, the intermediate member having opposite cylindrical ends respectively aligned with and adjacent to the cylindrical ends of the pair of hinge members. A pair of helical springs with leads extending in directions opposite to each other are retained around and have different magnitudes of retaining forces acting upon corresponding adjacent ends of the intermediate member and the pair of hinge members.

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: The present invention provides a hinge device which permits opening and closing operations to be carried out smoothly and with surety, and which contributes to the design of a more compact device. The hinge device, wherein a transmitter is connected to one lateral edge of an operational member in a freely opening and closing manner, comprises two hinge device main bodies. These hinge device main bodies are disposed to either end of the lateral edge along the longitudinal direction thereof, and are provided with a cam shaft and a spring respectively. The cam shaft is affixed to the operating member by positioning the axis thereof parallel to the lateral edge. In addition, the cam shaft is provided with a cam portion at its axis periphery. A spring is affixed to the transmitter, and the cam portion of the cam shaft is elastically held.

Abstract: A pivot joint including a pivot bolt, which has an elongated flat mounting rod section at one end, a screw rod section at an opposite end, which has two longitudinal planes at two opposite sides, and a collar between in the middle, a mounting frame rotatable about the screw rod section, a lock nut in threaded engagement with the screw rod section, a first packing ring mounted around the screw rod section between the mounting frame and the collar, a second packing ring mounted around the screw rod section between the mounting frame and the lock nut, a locating ring mounted around the screw rod section between the second packing ring and the lock nut and rotatable by the pivot bolt relative to the mounting frame, reversed sets of disk-like spring rings mounted around the screw rod section between the locating ring and the lock nut, and a washer mounted around the screw rod section between the spring rings and the lock nut, wherein the second packing ring has a curved flange abutting the locating ring so that th

Abstract: A belt-mounted flashlight holder includes a belt loop subassembly and a cradle subassembly that are pivotally connected to permit the mounted flashlight to be rotated to any of several detented rotational positions. The cradle subassembly can accommodate flashlights or batons of various diameters within a reasonable range and includes a flexible removable jaw that is forced by a cam against the barrel of the flashlight so that the elastic restoring forces in the movable jaw provide the force that retains the flashlight in the cradle. The flexibility of the movable jaw and cradle permits the flashlight to break away from the cradle in which it is held if the flashlight is jerked by an assailant or if the flashlight becomes caught on an object. The cam includes a high spot that renders it stable in both the locked and released positions. The belt loop subassembly includes provision for mounting the flashlight holder on a wall or other reasonably flat surface.

Abstract: A control assembly for a hinge connection is mounted within a lap top, palm top or handy personal computer, or the like. The assembly comprises an elongated pivot member, a brake member disposed around the pivot member, a small-scaled holding member fixedly secured to the display unit or a computer body, and adjusting means for clamping the holding member against the brake member. The holding and brake members have a barrel portion for setting the pivot member and two leaf portions, respectively. Furthermore, the inner surface of the holding member corresponds to the outer surface of the brake member. Thus, the brake member is rotatable about the pivot member together with the holding member.

Abstract: An electronic communication device such as a portable radiotelephone includes a housing and a keypad cover mounted on the housing to rotate about a pivot axis. A hinge connects the keypad cover to the housing and includes a pair of hinge pins extending along the pivot axis between the cover and the housing. The cover includes at least one aperture aligned with the hinge pins, the apertures allowing access to the hinge pins from outside the device to facilitate removal of the keypad cover from the housing. Additionally, the hinge pins include grooved end portions that cooperate with protrusions on the cover to snap the keypad cover toward its open and closed positions.

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 hinge fastens a display screen to a keyboard base, and uses a frictional force generated by one or more compressed friction washers to control angular motion of the display screen with respect to the keyboard base. The hinge includes two shoulders defining inwardly-facing flat abutment surfaces separated by a first distance, the two shoulders being disposed on the keyboard base, and a knuckle having a pair of outwardly-facing flat abutment surfaces separated by a second distance which is less than the first distance, the knuckle being disposed on the display screen. Also included in the hinge is at least one compressible friction washer, disposed between the knuckle and the two shoulders, and having a thickness which is greater than a difference between the first distance and the second distance, but which is compressible to less than the difference. Each of the two shoulders, the knuckle, and the at least one compressible friction washer has an alignable throughbore.

Abstract: A friction tilt mechanism is specially configured to provide precisely controllable tilt angles to devices requiring smooth and stable angular adjustability, by virtue of employing one or more unique frictional tilt devices. Each friction tilt device includes a pair of bronze bearing blocks, one responsive to precisely applied compressive forces to produce user controllable amounts of static and rotational friction to the tilt axis. When a pair of the friction tilt devices are arranged on a support adapted to carry a flat panel display, smooth and precise viewing angle adjustments are readily accomplished and stabily retained for a wide range of display weights.

Abstract: An energy storing spring joint (100) for use between two parts movable with respect to each other and joined by the energy storing spring joint is capable of storing energy in such a way that energy is stored in a displacement path and is released in very precise and predetermined manner, with a variable force over the path of displacement, when the parts move in the opposite or backward direction in the path of displacement. At least one energy storing member (50) or at least two energy storing members (50) connected sequentially or at least two different energy storing members (50) connected in parallel are mounted in or on the energy storing spring joint (100) and may be moved by or loaded with energy when one of both parts (30, 40) is moved relative to the other part. The energy storing member(s) (50) may be locked against releasing their energy.

Abstract: A pivot hinge includes a female connecting member fastened to the mainframe unit of a notebook and having two parallel flat wall portions and axle housing portions connected between the parallel flat wall portions, a male connecting member fastened to the top cover and display unit of the notebook computer and having a cylindrical pivot rod section inserted through the axle housing portions and a neck at the front end of the cylindrical pivot rod section, a plurality of fastening elements fastened to the parallel flat wall portions of the female connecting member for adjusting the friction resistance between the cylindrical pivot rod section of the male connecting member and the axle housing portions of the female connecting member, and a clamp fastened to the neck of the male connecting member to holds the male connecting member and the female connecting member together.

Abstract: An adjusting knob assembly includes a knob member having a knob and an axially extending shaft. A support bracket has an aperture defined in part by a gapped ring section formed by a pair confronting arcuate fingers. The shaft and the aperture have complimentary, longitudinally extending, circumferentially distributed flat surfaces, which provide discrete angular positions for the shaft when the complimentary flat surfaces are in register. Preferably, the gap between the confronting fingers is sized, and the arcuate fingers have a compliance sufficient that the shaft may be passed laterally through the gap and snapped into the aperture. Any one of a plurality of interchangeable cam members can be press fit on to the end of the shaft.

Abstract: A hinge-EMI grounding conductor is disclosed for an electronic device which has hinged operating portions, for example, a portable computer having a display housing hingedly attached to a main body housing. The present invention not only allows the angle between the two portable computer housings be rotably adjusted for optimal user operations but also provides a compact and economical way of implementing a conductive grounding path for purposes such as EMI shielding.

Abstract: An articulating hinge assembly for pivotally coupling objects together, comprising a socket member and a cap member. A plurality of resilient prongs on the cap member reversibly engage a bore in the socket member. Outward facing barbs are included on the resilient prongs which engage a recessed region in the bore of the socket member. A plurality of serrations or grooves are included within the recessed region of the bore in the socket member. Outward facing teeth on the barbs of one or more of the resilient prongs engage and intermesh with the serrations in the recessed region of the socket member. Applying rotational force to the socket member or cap member causes the teeth to disengage the serrations and reposition within the recessed region, allowing pivotal adjustment of the cap member relative to the socket member in precise incremental units defined by the size and shape of the serrations.

Abstract: A sunvisor for automobiles comprises a sunvisor body, a metal reinforcing rod which reinforces the sunvisor body and has two U-shaped ends, a retaining spring, a sunvisor hinge having a vertical arm attachable to a base member fitted to a structure of a vehicle and a horizontal arm snugly attachable to the retaining spring housed in the linking body so that the sunvisor may be rotated about a horizontal arm of the supporting pivot, the linking body being formed as an elongated parallelopipedon with two adjoining hollow longitudinal sections including a front section and a rear section separated from one another by a wall, the front section housing the retaining spring and being open at its free end and also having means for snugly receiving both ends of the metal ring reinforcing rod so that the ends are aligned longitudinally and left facing each other, means for fixing a position of the retaining spring, and means for fixing a position of one of the L-shaped ends of the metal reinforcing rod, the rear secti

Abstract: A grab bar assembly for assisting persons between a seated and standing position is disclosed. The assembly includes a framework having a base plate and a housing. A pivot shaft and coil spring are mounted within the housing. The spring is affixed at one end with respect to the stationary housing and is connected at its other end to the pivot shaft. A swing arm is disposed over the housing and affixed to at least one end of the pivot shaft and a grab bar is connected to the swing arm. The grab bar is designed to permit a user to grasp the bar and pivot it about the stationary cylindrical housing between a stored position and an in-use position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel Indexing Hinge which rotates when a plunger is depressed and locks when the plunger is released.

Abstract: A top-loading precision balance with a draft protection device which includes several walls connected to each other at the edges thereof, and a cover which closes the opening defined at the top of the walls. The cover is fastened through a horizontally extending hinge to one of the walls. The hinge of the cover includes a spring which acts against the direction of movement for closing the cover. The spring mounted in the hinge is a torsion spring which is fixed at both ends thereof. The frame forming the bottom of the draft protection device has on its bottom side a groove into which lugs mounted on the balance housing engage when the draft protection device is placed on the balance housing. A spring is fastened at the groove of the frame under the front side of the draft protection device. The spring engages in a groove of one of the lugs.

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 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 lockable hinge assembly for selectively rotatably locking a first hinge member to a second hinge member includes a first generally cylindrical member and a second member rotatably coupled to the first member. A wrap spring is interconnected between the first and second members. The wrap spring is movable with respect to the first member to control an amount of frictional torque applied between the wrap spring and the first member. An actuator member is in operative engagement with the wrap spring.

Abstract: A hinge assembly allows a display housing to pivot relative to a portable computer base. The hinge assembly has a pivot shaft attached to the display housing and a spring. The spring has two ends. One end is attached to the display housing, and the other end is attached to the base. The spring counteracts the torque created by the weight of the display housing. This allows a smaller, lighter friction mechanism to be used to allow the display housing to remain in an open position at an angular orientation selected by the user. The hinge assembly further provides a mechanism for passing a wire harness through the hinge assembly, the wire harness providing electrical interconnection between the display and the computer base.

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: An automatic toilet seat lowering device integrated into a seat hinge assembly such that a raised seat, when approaching the last ten degrees of upward travel, is latched against the bias of a torsion spring. A rod connected to a flush handle unlatches the seat to allow the spring to bias the seat into an initial stage of descent. During descent, a leaf-type spring on the seat engages a catch on a lid to pull the lid into the descent. The speed of descent of seat and lid is controlled by friction between rotating and non-rotating brake discs mounted on an extension of an axle of the hinge assembly. The brake discs are compressed between a thrust cam driven by the descending seat and a compression spring mounted on the axle. Some of the brake discs are further configured to perform additional functions such as latching the seat in the raised position, and protecting the hinge assembly from excessive-force damage as well as enabling adjustment for differing seat thicknesses.

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: 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 torque limiting device that includes a shaft and a wrap extending around the shaft. The wrap is frictionally engaged with the shaft, and the wrap has an inner and an outer surface. The device further includes a restraining mechanism enclosing the wrap such that there is contact between the restraining mechanism and the outer surface of the wrap, and such that the restraining mechanism prevents the wrap from rotating relative to the retraining mechanism as the shaft is rotated in either one of two opposing rotational directions.

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 torque hinge 20 includes a shaft 14 surrounded with a coating 22 fixed to the shaft 14. The coated shaft 18 fits within a housing cavity 26 such that the coated shaft 18 is in frictional contact with the housing cavity 26. The frictional contact provides sufficient torque to torque hinge 20 to provide constant resistance through the torque hinge's entire range of motion.

Abstract: A friction adjustable positioning pivot includes a first shaft including a tapering threaded rod which defines a hollow space therein and a slot along a periphery thereof. An urging tube is taperingly threaded therein for rotatably threading onto the tapering threaded rod of the first shaft. A spring received in the hollow space of the first shaft includes an outer periphery substantially in contact with an inner periphery of the hollow space of first shaft and an inner periphery. A second shaft includes a rod portion received in the spring and in contact with the inner periphery of the spring.

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: 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 includes a first hinge leaf unit which has a positioning plate secured to the upper housing of a portable computer, two pivot plates secured to two ends of the positioning plate, and two pivot holes formed through the pivot plates. A second hinge leaf unit is secured to the lower housing of the portable computer and has a pivot pin which extends through the pivot holes. A sleeve is sleeved tightly on the pivot pin and provide friction between the sleeve and the pivot pin to locate the upper housing at a selected position relative to the lower housing. A resisting unit includes first and second torsion springs which are sleeved tightly on the sleeve and which are connected respectively to the pivot plates. When the upper housing is turned downward, the first torsion spring provides a returning force to arrest downward movement of the upper housing and is tightened on the sleeve to allow the sleeve to rotate synchronously with the upper housing.

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: The tape dispenser has a cutting device with a blade, a blade protecting shield mounted above the blade, and a pair of pivot shafts. The blade protecting shield has a frontward edge, a rearward edge opposite to the frontward edge, a projection with two opposed end portions which extend integrally and rearwardly from the rearward edge, and a pair of spaced pivot blocks which extend rearwardly from the rearward edge and which are respectively on two sides of the projection such that a clearance is formed between each of the pivot blocks and a respective one of the opposed end portions of the projection. Each of the pivot blocks has a recess to receive a respective one of the pivot shafts and is pivotable relative to the connecting plates between a first position, wherein the front edge of the blade protecting shield uncovers the blade, and a second position, wherein the blade protecting shield covers the blade.

Abstract: A docking station for use with a notepad computer is disclosed. The main electronic housing of the docking station is pivotably mounted with a receiving tray to provide a number of positions for the notepad computer between an upright position and a low angle position. The more upright positions are useful when using the internal display of the notepad computer, particularly if an external keyboard and pointing device are used. The low angle position is useful when an external monitor is used and the overlay of the notepad computer is used for input. The receiving tray is removably mounted to the docking station and may be replaced with another receiving tray of a different size for use with a different notepad computer of a different size.

Abstract: A locking device for pivotally interconnecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support. The interlocking device interconnects the closure and support about a vertical axis, so that the closure can pivot about this axis and open and close relative to the support. The interlocking mechanism includes a locking mechanism having two engageable locking ratchet members. One ratchet member is fixedly coupled to the closure, and the second ratchet member is coupled to the support for movement along the vertical axis. The locking mechanism also has a spring which biases the ratchet members together into engagement with each other. Both ratchet members have compatible teeth with a ramping surface and a stopping surface for limiting the pivotal movement of the closure to a first direction and locking the closure in an open position. The releasing mechanism disengages the ratchet members, which allows the closure to be closed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a friction hinge assembly that can be inexpensively produced having a shaft and, in the simplest embodiment, one sheet metal part. In the preferred embodiment, the friction band and the bracket are one piece. In order to achieve the necessary alignment between the axis of the friction band and the axis of the shaft, the configuration of the mounting hole for the shaft is elongated only along one axis. This provides clearance for necessary manufacturing tolerances without introducing additional backlash. In another embodiment, proper alignment is assured by slotted mounting holes for mounting the friction bands to the bracket.

Abstract: The lid portion of a notebook computer is pivotally secured to the base portion of the computer using a metal hinge structure directly interconnected between the lid portion and the metal I/O plate disposed at the back side of the computer base portion and grounded to the system planar board therein. A direct grounding connection is thus formed from the lid portion to the system planar board through this combination I/O plate/lid hinge structure.

Abstract: An artificial limb joint device for hinging adjoining body protecting members to turn on an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the body protecting members. The limb joint device comprises: a drive disc; a driven disc; a joint pin extending through the individual centers of the drive disc and the driven disc. The drive disc is detachably attached to one of the adjoining body protecting members and includes an outer flange, and an inner flange disposed radially inside of the outer flange and defining an annular groove in the end face of the drive disc together with the outer flange. The outer flange is formed with a through hole extending in a tangential direction of the annular groove. The driven disc is detachably attached to the other of the body protecting members and formed with such a raised segment at the end face confronting the drive disc as to engage in a sliding manner with the annular groove of the drive disc.

Abstract: A collapsible child seat assembly for a shopping cart has a plastic seat panel and a plastic leg opening cover, both of which are pivotally mounted on a horizontal hinge wire that itself is fixedly mounted on a swingable rear gate of the cart. The forward edge of the seat panel is slidably mounted to a seat back pivotally attached to the rear gate. The rear edges of the seat panel and leg opening cover have interdigitated hinge extensions forming slots that accept therein the horizontal hinge wire for pivotal motion thereon. The hinge wire has protuberances corresponding to the locations of the hinge extensions of the leg opening cover. These protuberances cooperate with cantilevered leaf springs extending into the slots of the hinge extensions of the leg opening cover to frictionally retain the leg opening cover in its upright position covering the leg openings until it is manually folded against the seat panel.

Abstract: A retaining spring for automobile sun visor hinges has a body member which is symmetrical about a central plane and has one transverse side and two longitudinal sides. The one transverse side is provided with a longitudinal slot, while two longitudinal sides are provided with longitudinally arranged recesses and with inclined resilient tabs separated by a slot and insertable in a sun visor. The resilient tabs define an inner recess for grippingly receiving a pivot pin of a bent support of a sun visor. A remaining transverse side of the body member together with the two longitudinal sides defines a chamber for snugly receiving means setting a position occupied by a spring within the sun visor.

Abstract: A hinged device (100) comprises a first body portion (105) having a first end (115), wherein the first end (115) is substantially cylindrical and curved about a first axis, and wherein the first end (115) has a first plurality of cogs formed thereon substantially parallel to the first axis. The hinged device (100) further comprises a second body portion (110) having a second end (120), wherein the second end (120) is substantially cylindrical and curved about a second axis, and wherein the second end (120) has a second plurality of cogs formed thereon substantially parallel to the second axis. Securing means (125) movably secures the first body portion (105) to the second body portion (110) at the first end (115) and the second end (120), respectively, such that the first plurality of cogs meshes with the second plurality of cogs when the first body portion (105) is secured to the second body portion (110).

Abstract: A gas kettle-type barbecue grill is provided for use on boats or other environments. The grill includes a bowl-shaped base and bowl-shaped cover which are pivotally connected by hinges on opposite sides of the grill. Each hinge includes a pair of hinge arms having four pivot connections between the base and the cover. A burner is mounted in the bottom of the base, which horizontally receives a fuel inlet line. A flavor plate is mounted on top of the burner so as to evenly distribute heat within the base of the grill. The grill grate is secured within the base by mounting brackets. The grill is mounted to a post connected to a railing on the boat or to legs, and is rotable about a vertical axis so as to block the wind from the grate, regardless of the wind direction.

Abstract: An angle adjusting device to be pivoted on a display device and a main body thereof, herein an angle of inclination of the display is controlled by a frictional force obtained between a rotatable axis and at least a pair of coil spring closely wound over the rotatable axis.

Abstract: An assembly for controlling turn of a hinge is mounted within one section of a hinged structure such as a laptop, palm-top or handy personal computer. In the assembly housing, there are arranged an elongated pivot, a cylindric plastic sleeve having an aperture for setting the pivot, and a socket having a frusto-conical aperture. The sleeve is usually of a truncated biconical shape and has some slot extends axially to one or other end thereof. The inner surface of the housing bore inclines axially in the opposite direction to the inner surface of the socket so that the inclined inner surface can contact with the other frusto-conical outer surface of the sleeve.