Abstract: A hinge mechanism is disclosed which allows for pivotal attachment of a moveable member to a fixed frame member defining a linear edge of an opening. Such pivotal attachment allows for movement of the moveable member relative to the fixed frame member between a closed position, in which the moveable member is positioned substantially within the opening, and an open position, about a pivot axis aligned parallel and adjacent to the linear edge and positioned in offstanding spaced relation thereto. The hinge mechanism comprises a fixed hinge component and a moveable hinge component. The fixed hinge component comprises a base portion, mountable upon the fixed frame member, a longitudinally extending pin portion and a support arm extending between the portions in connecting relation. The pin portion has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and is terminally positioned on the support arm, a portion of the outer surface defining a first bearing surface.

Abstract: A drive bay opening in the front bezel portion of a tower type computer CPU unit is provided with a swing-out plastic access door. The door is pivotable between a closed position and a full open stop position in which it is outwardly pivoted more than ninety degrees away from its closed position. A specially designed concealed, break-away hinge structure removably interconnects the access door and front bezel portion and includes a pair of hinge arms projecting outwardly from the door and molded integrally therewith. Outer end tabs in the hinge arms have apertures therein that rotatably receive hinge pins within recessed pocket areas in the bezel. In the event that the access door is forcibly pivoted outwardly beyond its full open stop position, separate disconnect pins disposed laterally outwardly of the hinge pins act as cams that torsionally deflect the hinge tabs out of engagement with the hinge pins.

Abstract: A snap-on hinge assembly (20) for pivotally mounting a door (14) to a base (12) including a pivot saddle or pin (22) and a snap-acting gripping assembly (24) formed to slidably mount over, and resiliently snap into gripping engagement with, pivot pin 22. The gripping assembly (24) and pivot pin (22) are formed for pivoting of the gripping assembly (24) around the pivot pin (22) while in gripping engagement therewith, and the hinge assembly (20) further is formed with over-travel stopping surfaces (15, 38) positioned so that reaction forces between the door (14) and the base (12), upon relative engagement in an open position, urge the gripping assembly (24) and the pivot pin (22) in a direction preventing unsnapping of the gripping assembly (24) from the pivot pin (22).

Abstract: An improved extrusion having a flexible section of thermoplastic rubber, a substantially rigid section of thermoplastic unitary with the flexible section at a juncture of the sections, and tongue and groove means for increasing the surface area of the juncture. The extrusion can further have at least a second substantially rigid section of thermoplastic unitary with the flexible section at a second juncture and a second tongue and groove means for increasing the surface area of the second juncture.

Abstract: A hinge structure for interconnecting a swing door to a trailer body or the like and which allows the door to breakaway form the trailer body when an excessive shear force is applied to the hinge indicative of the door impacting against a surface or improperly engaging an adjacent trailer body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an opening/closing hinge construction for an electronic and electrical equipment housing. By improving the hinge construction so that the hinge construction between a body case and body cover is contained within the housing, the housing is prevented from being large-sized and the assembling property is enhanced, whereby the whole manufacturing cost including the assembly cost is reduced. The construction is such as to open and close the body case forming an equipment housing by the body cover of cover member, and a hinge sheet having flexibility formed into a sheet form is used for a hinge connection portion. One end of the hinge sheet is fixed to the interior of the body case by using hinge bosses and set screws as a fixed locking end, and the other end is fixed to the inside of the body cover as a movable locking end.

Abstract: A resilient hinge arrangement does not utilize a principal hinge but instead includes at least two hinge parts. One or more tilting steps are arranged in series and are constructed from at least two connecting elements, each of which is formed by a rigid pressure element and a tensionally elastic tension element. The connecting element are each attached, via a hinged connection, normally a film hinge, either to intermediate members or directly to the hinge parts. The pressure and tension elements are arranged to be at least substantially shear-resistant with respect to each other through an associated shear element.

Abstract: A hinge for connecting a lid to a box which includes a flexible web, a pinching means for securing the hinges to a panel of a box and a mounting means for affixing adhesively a lid to the hinge.

Abstract: A landscape timber connecting system for use with landscape timber or the like includes first and second interlocking members. The first and second members each have a bracket shaped to engage an end of a first landscape timber, and in a preferred embodiment, a hinge component. The hinge components are adapted to align with each other and form a channel along a common, substantially vertical pivot axis. A hinge pin shaped to be inserted in the channel along the common pivot axis and extend downwardly into ground beneath the system such that the first and second members can be pivotally positioned relative to each other about the common pivot axis to position associated engaged landscape timbers at a selected angle relative to each other, and the hinge pin anchors and fixes the system to the ground. In an alternate embodiment, the members slidably engage to form a straight, non-pivoting joint.

Abstract: An end mounting (2) for pivotally mounting a housing (5) of a ram (1) to a structure (3) is formed from a single solid piece of material. The end mounting (2) comprises a mounting block (9) which is secured to the structure (3), an end cap (10) which is sealably secured to the housing (5), and a connecting portion (14) which extends between the mounting block (9) and the end cap (10). The connecting portion (14) is of hour-glass shape, cross-section and extends the width of the mounting block (9) to form a plastic hinge. The connection portion (14) defines a pivot axis (18) at the waist (19) of the hour-glass shape about which the end cap (10) and the mounting block (9) are pivotal relative to each other.

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 unitary hinged connector connects a metal container lid and a metal container bottom to form a hinged container. The metal lid and bottom have matching formed edges which may be identical in shape or interfitting. The hinged connector is formed of molded thermoplastic and includes a ring member, a swingable partial segment, and an integrally formed hinge joining the ring member and the partial segment. The ring member, which is substantially continuous about the periphery, is normally attached to the formed edge of the container bottom, and has an upper seat for engaging less than all sides of the formed edge of the lid when the container is closed, leaving a hinge side of the formed edge free. The swingable partial segment securely grips at least the hinge side of the formed edge of the lid. The hinge is positioned to close the container in a normal condition and allow the container lid to pivot about the hinge to open the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible hinge assembly. The hinge component includes a flexible body having a flange extending lengthwise down each side. The body has a groove cut into it extending lengthwise. The body is inserted into an opening in a frame until the flanges engage the upper surface of the frame. Halfway across the opening, two thin bars extend from each end. These bars enter the groove in the top of the flexible body as it is inserted in the opening, thereby holding the flanges in contact with the surface of the frame. The flexible body may be directly attached to an article to be hinged or it may be connected to an attachment device.

Abstract: A flexible web-hinge is extruded from plastic having two U-shaped parts connected together at the center of their backs by a flexible web, each with a slightly arced back and each having flat leaves extending from relatively rigid corners that are nearly right angles. The leaves extend from the edges of their backs toward each other such that a small gap is left between the free ends of the leaves through which a flat panel is to be inserted, one panel in each flexible hinge part. The flexible web from one hinge back to the other hinge back has a dimension that is greater than the outside width of the hinge back such that the leaves of each part is adapted to receive and grip a separate display panel, and one panel may be positioned relative to the other panel at any angle from 0.degree. to 360.degree..

Abstract: A detent device is provided for securing a door to a frame having an opening therein. The detent device includes a sleeve having a cavity therein, an elongated plunger mounted within the cavity of the sleeve, and a spring mechanism connected to the sleeve and the plunger. The spring mechanism yieldably urges the plunger to an extended position from a retracted position. When a door is inserted into a door opening, the plunger of the detent device moves into the retracted position and then returns to the extended position in a detent receptacle.

Abstract: An enclosure for electric, electronic and pneumatic instruments and devices, the enclosure comprising a box, a cover and hinge means (20) for mounting the cover to the fasteners (3) of the box, which fasteners comprise a support (5) parallel with the wall. The hinge means (20) comprise bearing apertures (11) for hinge pins of the cover and turnable handles (10) for opening and closing the bearing apertures. For the purpose that it would not be possible to open the enclosure without permission from the hinge side without opening the cover at first, the hinge means (20) comprise a body (12), which covers substantially the fastener (3), and an elastic locking tongue (14), which is situated below the fastener support (5) parallel with the wall.

Abstract: A container (20) suitable for use as a truck box for a pick-up truck, includes a base container portion (21) having an open top, and a cover (22) to close the open top. The cover (22) is pivotally attached to the base (21) by hinge mechanisms (23) which are uniquely formed by combining a hinge pin assembly (101) with a pin retaining assembly (102). The cover (22) may also be latched to the base (21) by a latch assembly (24) which includes pivotable handles (56, 57) on each end of the base (21) which, when either is pivoted, rotates latch hooks (68, 74) from a position engaging the cover (22) to a position releasing the cover, without moving the other handle. The container (20) may also receive a tray (150) therein positionable on a ledge (30) and positively located in one direction by ribs (159) and in the other direction by feet (162) positioned in depressions (38) formed between ribs (37) on the inside of the base (21).

Abstract: A hinge (1) for locating between two members which are to be folded together and opened apart, comprises a pair of parallel trunnions (2,3) interconnected by spaced webs (4). Each trunnion has axially-spaced cylindrical portions (5) of larger diameter than coaxially-arranged intermediate cylindrical portions (6). The hinge is made of a stiffly resilient plastics material having self-lubricating properties and is mounted between the members with the trunnions located rotatably in respective moulded sockets in the respective members. The webs (4) pass through openings in the end faces of the members and permit them to move in their own planes as well as to rotate during their movement from folded-together positions, to the positions they occupy when they are opened apart. The hinge provides a tidy, clean appearance to the members where they are hinged together.

Abstract: A plastic bin cover for a refuse bin has integrally molded spaced upper and lower cover sheets having upwardly projecting ribs (A) and (B) respectively, the ribs (A) being receivable in ribs (B) of respective plastic bin covers when in stacked, nested relation for shipping or storage. Hinge members integrally formed by blow molding of the bin cover include knuckles (C) forming transverse plastic tubes (D) for receiving a hinge pin.

Abstract: An appliance hinge connects a cabinet top to a cabinet base for pivotal movement therebetween. The hinge includes a first hinge member attached to the cabinet top and a second hinge member attached to the cabinet base. The first and second hinge members are pivotally connected to one another. One of the first and second hinge members includes a leg extending between the cabinet top and the cabinet base to prevent contact therebetween.

Abstract: A living hinge panel connector for a pair of panels which provides stackability therewith of another pair of panels. A hinge member has a pair of first formations for connecting to a pair of panels respectively, a second formation for stackingly connecting the pairs of panels wherein opposite end portions of a pin are press-fit within bores of the second formations of the hinge members for the pairs of panels respectively, and a pair of flexible webs connecting the second formation to the first formations respectively. The pin has a collar intermediate the ends to define the end portions for preventing the pin from sliding so deep into a bore that it cannot be easily removed therefrom.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable screen partition, and a hinge device suitable for incorporation into such a screen partition. The screen partition includes panel-shaped elements interconnected by hinge devices. A releasable fastener secures one end panel-shaped element to a wall. A telescoping leg extends from the bottom of the other end panel-shaped element. Preferably, this leg is spring-biased outwardly and has a wheel on its end, with a brake to secure the end panel-shaped element in a desired position. A second telescoping leg can extend from one of the centrally disposed panel-shaped elements. The hinge device includes first and second hollow body members having three interconnected curved wall portions, with an anchor extending from a concave surface of one of the wall portions to secure the hinge device to a panel-shaped element of a screen partition or other structure. Preferably the wall portions are resilient.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally joining two panels such as a shower door and its enclosure. A pair of continuous channel members are provided which are provided with an axially aligned rod and tubular channel for rotatably receiving the rod. A strip of flexible molding is journalled within one of the elongated members such that when the panel members are aligned to form a continuous plane, the flexible molding is positioned to substantially inhibit the passage of water through the hinge.

Abstract: A flexible hinge for releasably joining together display stands, of the type having an elongated frame element having an interior slotted channel. The hinge is composed of at least one resilient hinge element having a central base wall having opposite ends and a pair of arms each joined to an opposite end of the base wall. The arms of the hinge element are slidably insertable in a releasable, friction-fit manner into one of the frame element channels of a pair of adjacent display stands. The hinge element legs flex to generally conform to the configuration of the channel in which they are received and the hinge central base wall extends through the slots of the channels, thereby joining the display stands together.

Abstract: A pivotal support portion 2 protruding from a frame 1 is clamped between a pair of clamp ends 4 provided at the tip of an earpiece 3. A protrustons 7 formed in the inner surface of each of said pair of clamp ends 4 is fitted within a corresponding pivot hole 6 in each of the upper and bottom surface of said pivotal support portion 2. A lock mechanism 11 including protuberances 12 and recesses 13 is provided at a position where said clamp ends 4 are contacted with said frame 1. When said earpiece 3 is opened or enlarged to the maximum open position, said protuberances 12 become fitted within said respective recesses 13, so as to prevent said clamp ends 4 from separating in the outward direction.

Abstract: Personal leather goods (PLG's) such as wallets, billfolds, pocket calendars have a portion which is required to bend repeatedly. This bending causes cracking and extreme wear which adversely affects the looks of the item and reduces its useful life. Disclosed is a mechanical hinge which attaches to leather-like panels of such PLG's. The hinge includes a set of interleaving knuckles of relatively soft material which form an axial bore along the length of the hinge, the bore receiving a thin pintle made of a relatively stiff but resilient material. The pintle is shorter than the axial length of the bore and is held into the bore by end caps, either separately applied or integrally formed with the hinge leaf. The leaves of the hinge have an overall curving shape having a concave side and convex side to permit the panels to which the hinges attached to remain parallel when materials are received between them.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method of making a hinge joining rigid plastic pieces at least one fourth inch thick and includes machining a series of hinge knuckles along straight edges of first and second pieces of rigid plastic, machining keyhole shaped passages perpendicular to and across the width of hinge knuckles of the pieces, the keyhole shaped passages each having a tubular central portion and an outwardly extending slot of narrower width on one side of each knuckle, each hinge knuckle having a width less than the space between adjacent knuckles so that the knuckles of each of the two pieces may be assembled by interleaving the hinge knuckles, and inserting a hinge pin through the aligned tubular central portion to hinge together the first and second pieces. The invention also relates to the hinge structure as so manufactured.

Abstract: Hinge and latching mechanism for containers having a cover and a base includes a latch which, at its upper portion, is shaped to hook over a strike integrally disposed on the cover. The lower portion of the latch rotates about a pin located between a pair of feet which are provided with hooks to engage a flange extending from a lip on the base. The hinge includes a body and two legs and the former is also shaped to securely engage a second strike also located on the cover. Each leg has a foot which is also hooked to engage the flange of the base. To further secure the hinge and latch, each hook is fastened together and to the container. This structure ensures that hinge and latching mechanism are especially adapted for heavy duty applications while still being light in weight and small in size.

Abstract: The hinge includes a plurality of pintle members that are spaced from each other along the axis of the hinge and that are of generally semi-circular shape and have an arcuate outer surface on a first side thereof and a generally flat surface upon the opposite side thereof. The flat surfaces of some of the pintle members face in a direction opposite to that of the flat surfaces of other of the pintle members. The hinge further includes generally channel shaped knuckle members, some of which face in a first direction and other of which face in an opposite direction. Assembly of the hinge is effected by movement of the barrel and pintle members laterally into engagement with each other while maintaining confronting surfaces thereon in substantially coplanar relationship with each other.

Abstract: A concealed hinge with a door member having a cup which fits into a pocket in the inner face of a cabinet door, the door member and the cup being molded of plastic. Two cantilevered spring fingers are molded integrally with and are located in the cup. As the door is swung closed, the spring fingers coact with a cam on the frame member of the hinge to effect self-closing and self-latching of the door.

Abstract: An improved medicine cabinet is constructed predominantly from molded plastic components adapted for rapid assembly. The medicine cabinet includes a forwardly open main housing having preformed grooves therein which cooperate with one or more upright central shelf support brackets to support an array of half width shelf members in a customized geometry of half and full width shelves. The medicine cabinet further includes an improved self-closing hinge assembly for swingably supporting a mirror door from the cabinet housing, wherein the hinge assembly does not require metal parts. The mirror door includes a recessed baseplate for stable nested reception of a glass mirror, in combination with an improved mirror frame adapted for simple snap fit mounting onto the baseplate.

Abstract: A longitudinal raceway is provided for housing electrical components such as in a space-dividing wall structure or the like. The raceway includes a pair of elongated raceway sections which, when in longitudinal juxtaposition, define a generally closed hollow structure for concealing and protecting the electrical components. A hinge is connected between adjacent longitudinal sides of the raceway sections whereby the sections are movable about the hinge between open and closed positions. Complementary interengaging latches are provided on the opposite longitudinal sides of the raceway sections to hold the sections in the closed position.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet has a door closing device integral with a door top hinge member to fit within the door. The mechanism includes a bearing member secured to the door and a cam member nonrotatably secured to the hinged pin below the bearing member and having a cam follower engaging a cam surface on the lower face of the bearing member. A spring is secured around the lower end of the hinge pin to force the cam member upward against the bearing member and its cam surface, with the cam surface and a cam follower on the cam member being configured to provide a closing bias when the door is near the closed position and detent positions when the door is opened a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An improved medicine cabinet is constructed predominantly from molded plastic components adapted for rapid assembly. The medicine cabinet includes a forwardly open main housing having preformed grooves therein which cooperate with one or more upright central shelf support brackets to support an array of half width shelf members in a customized geometry of half and full width shelves. The medicine cabinet further includes an improved self-closing hinge assembly for swingably supporting a mirror door from the cabinet housing, wherein the hinge assembly does not require metal parts. The mirror door includes a recessed baseplate for stable nested reception of a glass mirror, in combination with an improved mirror frame adapted for simple snap fit mounting onto the baseplate.

Abstract: An articulation system for two panels, comprising a flexible hinge (4) and edge sections (1, 2; 3) for the panels, for receiving and retaining the flexible hinge, a flexible hinge (4) having a central tubular portion (13) arranged in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels is provided and includes two flanges (14, 15) adapted to snap lock into the edge sections; the latter comprise channels (L1, L2) permitting this snap locking engagement, and guide surfaces (S, Sc; Sax, Sac, AL) are arranged on respective parts about the median plane of the panels, for guiding their pivotal movement about an axis of rotation passing through the central tubular portion of the flexible hinge. The invention may in particular be used with sectional doors.

Abstract: Each of two identical hinge plates has projecting from one longitudinal side edge thereof four, spaced, coaxially aligned barrels, two of which have therethrough coaxial bores, and each of the other two of which has a reduced-diameter cylindrical pin projecting from one end thereof. The four barrels of each plate are arranged so that the two barrels containing bores are consecutive or adjacent to each other, and the two barrels bearing the cylindrical pins are adjacent to each other. A hinge is assembled by inserting the pins of each hinge plate coaxially and rotatably into the barrel bores in the other plate. Thereafter a locking element may be inserted between a pair of adjacent barrels to prevent accidental disengagement of the cylindrical pins from the barrel bores.

Abstract: An improved hinge for portable multi-panel display systems, wherein the display system is formed by a plurality of individual composite panels having a cellular paperboard core the periphery of which has a relatively rigid, higher-density edging. The edging is adapted to receive either a flexible hinge for linking panels or an edge trim piece to form a finished periphery for a display system. The flexible hinge is a living hinge with two webs having parallel lines of weakness.

Abstract: The wheelchair of the present invention is made of a non-metallic material. The wheelchair is made so that it is easily assembled, light weight, and less expensive than traditional wheelchairs. The wheelchair employs a unique hinge assembly which provides support for the seat, back and foot rest. By using the hinge assembly, the seat, back and foot rest are selfsupporting because the hinge assembly distributes the forces acting upon these members through the side panels. The hinge members are molded integrally with the seat, back and foot panels. Further, when the side panel of the wheelchair is formed, slots are formed therein for receipt of the hinge member. The same is true of the foot rest. The present invention also employs an improved adjusitng mechanism for adjusting the pivotal relationship of the foot rest and an improved brake assembly.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base and walls. Each of the walls are connected to an edge of the base at a first edge of the wall. Each of the walls are also connected to adjacent walls and have a hinge, integrally formed in the wall to allow the wall to folded. The integral hinge allows the wall to be folded and to be separated into two pieces. The hinge includes at least a first hinge pin and at least a second hinge pin, each with a cylindrical surface portion and a flat surface portion. The hinge also includes arms adapted for rotating on the pins. The hinge members can be separated by moving the arms over the flat surfaces of the pins.

Abstract: A snap-on hinge for a removable load platform in motor vehicles, with a fixing plate which is fixed on the load platform and has a downwardly projecting resilient tongue which cooperates in the manner of a hinge with an opening in a vertical wall in the receiving frame of the vehicle body is constructed as a plastic molding with a central upper tongue with an engaging nose and a lower projection and two lateral lower tongues which cooperate with an upper opening in a horizontal wall and with a lower opening in a vertical wall and has on the lower tongues supporting cams which rest on a horizontal shoulder on the receiving frame.

Abstract: A band assembly for effecting a seal particularly adapted for use in establishing a joint between a sewer pipe and a reinforced concrete manhole riser. The seal is affected by a tapered elastomeric tubular connector boot and a clamping band member that expands one end of the boot into the surface of the riser wall. The band assembly comprises a clamping band and a separate toggle expander. The clamping band includes separated end sections that capture the ends of the toggle expander. When the toggle expander is forced into an expanded position, the clamping band forces the connector boot into contact with the manhole riser. The clamping band includes stiffening lips and the toggle expander also incudes stiffening lips to provide a rigid structure. In one embodiment a tab overlies the end sections in the space of the clamping band and the space therebetween to further improve the evenness of the sealing force applied to the connector boot.

Abstract: The present invention is a deckside computer workstation housing which includes a frame assembly having at least one vertically oriented slot formed therein for insertion of a plug-in circuit board in a vertically oriented manner.

Abstract: A door closure mechanism for use upon a door of a cabinet includes a housing formed from two co-mating first and second members, a drive cam rotatably mounted within the housing, a cam follower mounted within the housing for reciprocating movement relative to the drive cam, and a coil spring mounted within the housing for resiliently biasing the cam follower in a reciprocal manner against the drive cam. The drive cam is formed with cam surfaces which radially engage the cam follower so as to control the relative reciprocal movement of the cam follower with respect to the drive cam. As a safety feature, ther is provided a set of spring pre-load clips which engage the ends of the coil spring so as to prevent full decompression of the coil spring in the event of a housing failure.

Abstract: A kit comprising various components which are connectable to a first and second member for making a phototool from the first and second members.

Abstract: A phototool having frame assemblies connected by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly comprises a first hinge plate, a second hinge plate and a hinge shaft. Protrusions are connected to the first hinge plate and a non-rotating insert is disposed in each protrusion. Each non-rotating insert receives a portion of the hinge shaft and is sized so that the hinge shaft is substantially non-rotatable within each non-rotating insert. Protrusions are connected to the second hinge plate and a rotating insert is disposed in each of these protrusions. The hinge shaft extends through each rotating insert and each rotating insert is sized so that the hinge shaft is rotatable within the insert without movement in radial directions.

Abstract: A portable commode comprises legs which support a tubular frame. The frame defines a chair-like configuration that includes an arm support and front and rear parallel horizontal cross bar members. A seat has an integrally molded seat clamp that projects from a rear portion thereof. The seat clamp has a groove that is situated away from a bottom plane of the seat and configured for locking receipt on, and pivotal movement about, the rear cross bar member. The commode also includes a lid which has an integrally molded lid clamp that projects from a rear portion thereof. The lid clamp has a groove that is situated diametrically away from a bottom plane of the lid and is configured for pivotal receipt on the rear cross bar member.

Abstract: A composite pivot bushing and cover device for a vehicle seat center hinge bracket disposed between side-by-side fold down seat backs. The composite cover is a molded one-piece plastic housing having a top wall, forward and aft end wall extensions, and a side wall oppositely disposed from a matching side closure, defining a chamber with an open-ended bottom adapted to enclose the hinge bracket. The side closure is integrally joined to the aft end wall along its axis of rotation defined by a living hinge. A pivot bushing perpendicularly projects from the inner surface of the side closure and, upon the closure being rotated to its closed position and locked in a snap-action manner, the bushing is captured in a hinge bracket bore aligning it on the seat back pivot axis.

Abstract: A torque control for providing a desired frictional resistance to a pivotally mounted vehicle accessory, such as an armrest or headrest, which includes a resilient member having an irregular arcuate slot. A resistance element extends in the slot to move along the length thereof as the pivoted component pivots about the pivot axis. In one modification, the shape of the slot provides a desired predetermined frictional resistance and in another modification a cutout is made in one of the walls of the slot permitting such wall to flex.

Abstract: A moldable edge connecting apparatus is disclosed that can optionally be employed as a hinge. It is suitable for use as fencing and is particularly applicable to removable fencing. It employs integrally molded connecting fingers that are designed without deep slots, lips thereover, or fully circumscribed openings to economize on mold manufacturing cost and the expense and difficulty of operating the mold, rendering the invention appropriate to very low cost items. The entire structure is substantially coplanar with segments to be connected, even when used as a hinge, and utilizes half-round grooves that are substantially no deeper than the radius of the groove.

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.