Abstract: A self-closing hinge comprises a pair of hinge leaves pivotally interconnected by an offset hinge pin. One leaf has a flanged head projecting substantially radially with respect to a sleeve of the other hinge leaf, within which the hinge pin is mounted. The external surface of the sleeve serves as a cam surface against which a follower element carried on the head of the other leaf is biased. The cam follower comprises a tubular spring-steel member oriented parallel to the hinge pin and generates a force through the head of the other leaf along an axis distally offset relative to the axis of the hinge pin. During closing of the hinge the follower is brought into registration with a pocket formed in the sleeve to effect a rocking movement of the follower about one edge of the pocket to generate a self-closing moment.

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 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. The shape of the slot provides a desired predetermined frictional resistance.

Abstract: An easel hinge made of a sheet of material having an outer portion with two leg sections joined by a hinge support section. A central portion of the sheet is disposed between the leg sections and interconnected with the hinge support section by bendable hinge elements. Two straddle elements are provided, with each straddle element being spaced from the hinge support section and interconnecting a corresponding leg section with the central portion of the sheet. The sheet includes mounting holes for securing the outer portion of the sheet to one panel of an easel, and the central portion of the sheet to the other panel of the easel, so that the straddle elements limit the angular movement of the easel panels relative to each other.

Abstract: A pinless releasable hinge assembly has complementary curved mating surfaces on first and second members, one of the members being hingedly swingable along a generally arcuate path relative to the other member which remains stationary from a closed configuration through a plurality of open configurations defined along said arcuate path; at a limiting release configuration in the arcuate path the swingable member is releasably removable but is captive until the limiting release configuration is reached; a resilient gasket associated with one of the members resiliently, sealingly engages an abutment surface on the other member, in the closed configuration; the hinge assembly can be employed for ready release of a door mounted on one of the members, from an opening, at which the other member is mounted; the gasket forms a tight seal which does not interfere with the operation of the hinge or ready release feature.

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 high strength composite piano hinge having an integral structure and of particular utility in aircraft, formed of two similar half portions each comprising a flange and an integrally formed loop, the integral flange and loop comprised of composite tape, fabric or filament, formed of fiber reinforced heat curable resin such as graphite fibers impregnated with epoxy resin. The loop can be formed in one embodiment by wrapping the tape or fabric around a pin, with the flanges of the hinge secured together, as by curing the composite. Stitching can be provided across the flanges adjacent to the loop, to reinforce the loop, and prevent peeling of the composite laminates or plies. The thickness of the flanges can be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the loop. Additional composite material or laminates can be co-cured to the flanges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detachable hinge for articulating a first element and a second element, particularly to provide a fisherman's creel/seat.This hinge is characterized in that it consists of a main flap (5), an auxiliary flap (9), a removable connecting member (11) as well as means (12, 13, 8, 7.sub.1, 7.sub.2) which make it possible to displace the connecting member (11) between a locking position in which the flap (9) is capable of pivoting about the flap (5) and a free position, the flaps (9,5) being independent of each other.

Abstract: An appliance hinge having internal stop mechanisms. The hinge has a first member which provides a thin bearing surface on both sides of a formed cylindrical segment on the back lip of the door. The second hinge member is a molded block which mounts on the floor of the door recess on the appliance cabinet top, and has a cylindrical shaped guide slot for receiving the first member in sliding engagement. The first and second hinge members are snapped together to prevent disengagement during assembly. When the door is rotated about the hinge axis, the bearing surfaces of the cylindrical segment slilde along the guide slot until the door contacts the back lip of the slot and the edge of the cylindrical segment contacts the terminating surface of the guide slot. Cooperatively, these two stop mechanisms distribute the strain of a relatively strong opening force.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending, or extendable, member is pivotally positioned by being snapped into a housing. The member includes a recess by which the member is snapped into the housing. A protuberance at the pivot position facilitates the pivoting of the member outwardly from the housing into position for receiving an item that is to be suspended by the member. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the housing is a frame with a rectangular opening and opposed protuberances for receiving, by snap action, the longitudinally extendable member. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a plurality of nested members are includable by snap action within the housing at the pivot position. The suspension members can be pivoted outwardly from the housing and used like a clamp to secure the item being suspended.

Abstract: An improved molded hinge assembly is disclosed and is particularly adapted for pivoted vehicle window applications. The assembly allows for the pivotal mounting of a vehicle window in a window opening in a vehicle body panel while requiring little or no bonding or other affixation of the window gasket or hinge assembly to the outer surface of the window panel. Futhermore, the present invention provides a molded hinge assembly that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to install in a vehicle window application. Such a hinge assembly can also be manufactured by reaction injection molding techniques from multi-constituent materials, such as urethane, for example, which allows molding at relatively low pressures to prevent or minimize glass breakage and provides for secure bonding and sealing between the window gasket and the window panel.

Abstract: An accelerometer for measuring the acceleration of a body in the direction of a reference axis includes a support member, mountable on the body, and a magnet arrangement mounted on the support member which defines an air gap between pole surfaces extending generally parallel to the reference axis. The magnet provides magnetic flux across the air gap which coacts with a magnetic field produced an electromagnetic coil assembly mounted on a movable member. The movable member is mounted on the support member by a hinge which includes a piece of polymer film permitting the movable member to pivot with respect to the support member about a pivot axis generally perpendicular to the reference axis. The polymer film is molded into portions of the movable member and the support member.

Abstract: A ram gun for dispensing viscous fluid products such as adhesive, caulking materials and the like is disclosed. The gun can be rechargeable or can be employed as a single charge, disposable device. In a particular embodiment, the gun is formed in two parts by molding from plastic material. One part comprises the ram. The other comprises a container section for the material to be dispensed and is provided with integrally formed nozzle, handle and trigger. The trigger has an integrally formed pawl. The trigger is attached to the handle by a thin plastic strip acting as a living hinge and biasing the trigger away from the handle. The ram is slidably mounted in the container section and is incrementally advanced therein by operation of the pawl and rack which is actuated by squeezing of the handle and trigger.

Abstract: A housing assembly has an upright back with side channels which carry a cartridge supporting bracket on which is mounted a removable liquid soap cartridge. A casing hinged at the bottom to the back and snapped to the top of the back, encompasses the cartridge and bracket when the casing is closed. A squeese nozzle connected to the cartridge protrudes out of the bottom of the casing and is activated when a plunger on the casing is depressed toward the bracket to squeeze the nozzle, therebetween.

Abstract: A hinge for mounting an access door on a room air conditioner has a hinge member having a tang at one end engaging a slot on the air conditioner front frame to mount the hinge member in a fixed position. The other end of the hinge member has a pair of resilient legs interspaced by a projection and which carry projecting trunnions on their outer ends. The door has a notch in its side having opposed side walls with bores that receive the projecting trunnions to pivot the door about the hinge member. The hinge provides a self-latching arrangement by a projecting, resilient tongue on the hinge member which engages a projecting lug on the door to resiliently bias the door to a closed position when it is within a predetermined distance from the closed position.

Abstract: An article holder characterizd by a unitary construction forming a living hinge structure provided by integral sheet portions and sections coupled together across hinge lines to provide ease of mounting an article on and removing the article from the holder and to permit significant reduction in the number of the component members and elements and accordingly the production cost of the article holder.

Abstract: An improved two part snap hinge is disclosed, including a swinging hinge portion, a reference hinge portion, and a reduced connecting hinge portion, and in which the reduced connecting portion is integral with both the swinging and reference hinge portions and extends continuously between two points in a path which is displaced from the straight line therebetween, and which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the reference hinge portion. In this manner, upon swinging the swinging portion about the reduced connecting portion, it swings through an intermediate position, on either side of which forces are created which tend to urge the swingable portion in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An elongated handle which is foldable to form a package, said handle being formed from a strip divided longitudinally by a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending hinges enabling bending of the strip to provide said handle with a desired configuration, and a plurality of transversely extending hinges enabling folding of said strip to form said package.

Abstract: A hinge (16) pivotally connects a lid (14) to a body (12) of a container (10) for releasably holding the cover (14) at both open and closed positions. The hinge (16) has a pair of hinge leaves (22, 22A) and a boss (48) extending from one leaf (22) forms an outer cam surface having a pair of relatively flat cam portions (50, 52) on opposed sides of a high point (54) of the cam. The other leaf (22A) has a lip (42A) extending therefrom with the inner surface of the lip (42A) riding along the outer surface of the cam formed by the one leaf (22) to define a cam follower which forms a latch member. A high portion (54) of the cam by contacting the lip (42A) restrains movement of the cover (14) at both the open and closed positions thereof until an opening force of a predetermined magnitude is exerted against the cover (14) for moving the lip ( 42A) over the high portion (54) of the cam.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing, mixing and dispensing two components. A casing contains the first component and has a piston therein. A mixing tube containing the second component is axially housed in the casing and has an open end sealed by the piston until mixing of the two components is desired. The mixing tube has a mixing plate adjacent the open end to agitate and mix the two components. The mixing plate comprises arms extending from the mixing with flapping vanes attached on one side of each arm.

Abstract: A hinge for joining a pair of panels, the hinge comprising a first member U-shaped in cross-section with a pair of side walls and a base, at least one of the side walls having a rib parallel to the base and projecting towards the other wall, the rib being receivable in a groove in one of the panels, a second member attachable to the other panel and a flexible web interconnecting the base of the first member and the second member. The second member may be a mirror image of the first member.

Abstract: A two piece dispensing closure for a container in which one piece is a cap having means for attachment to the container such as internal threads which engage external threads on the container and a flat top having a dispensing orifice. The second piece of the closure is a lid connected to the cap by a detachable hinge. The hinge is constructed with a pair of posts projecting adjacent the perimeter of the cap or lid into slots in the other of the cap and lid to permit movement between a closed position in which the dispensing lid is covered to an open dispensing position. The hinge is hidden in the closed position providing a pleasing symmetrical appearance.

Abstract: A hinge with a left-hand side flap plate and a right-hand side flap plate, each of which has no tubular portion for receiving a shaft bar. Each side flap plate has on its end at least one shaft plate having at least one communication hole and at least one semicircular locking hole. The semicircular holes come in contact with each other to form a circular portion when the shaft plates of the right and left flap plates are fitted together. In this circular portion a ball having a washer is fitted. The shaft plates, communication holes and the ball are covered with core shafts communicating with the opposite surface of the shaft plates. The core shafts are made of synthetic resin or die casting alloy.

Abstract: A plastic part has a broad surface area for solvent bonding to another plastic part; the bonding surface has a groove, recess, or non-dissolvable portion for restricting the solvent to a narrow marginal edge area for uniform distribution. In one embodiment, a plastic hinge (FIG. 2) and two hinged members (64,66) are pivotally interconnected by the leaves. Grooves (52, 54) are formed on the mating surface of hinge halves. These grooves define and isolate marginal portions (56, 58) on the faces of the leaves from inner portions (60, 62). The grooves act as barriers to prevent penetration of a solvent, used for bonding the hinge leaves to the two hinged members, from the inner support portions of the leaves. When the solvent is injected into the area of contact between the mating plastic parts from the outer edge of each hinge element, e.g., by a syringe, it wets and dissolves the marginal portions and the underlying areas of the two hinged members but is restricted to the marginal areas by the grooves.

Abstract: In a synthetic resin spacer having two mounting portion (1, 2) for connecting plates (10A, 15) in spaced and parallel relation to each other, one mounting portion (1) is formed integrally with the other mounting portion (2) pivotably through a hinge portion (3); the other mounting portion (2) is provided with a vertical frame (11) which is perpendicular to the plate (10A) connected to the mounting portion (2); and the vertical frame (11) is provided on the side of the hinge portion (3) with an engaging projection (11a) which is engageble with and disengageable from a side edge of the plate (15) connected to one mounting portion (1). With such construction, the two plates can be connected firmly, and the repair or maintenance and inspection of electronic parts on the plates can be done extremely easily.

Abstract: Hardware for a bifold door includes stiles and rails fittable along the edges of a flat panel to form a door and four identical corner blocks for interconnecting the stiles and rails. Each corner block is generally rectangular and fits into a U-shaped channel in an adjacent stile and the U-shaped channel in an adjacent rail. A single hole extends through the block parallel to the stile and closer to one edge of the block than the opposite edge for receiving either a pivot or a guide, depending on the block's location on the assembled door. An orientation indicating marker on the exposed face of the block permits the four blocks to be identically oriented. When assembled to form a pair of doors, pivots are inserted into the holes in one of the pair of doors further from the edge of the door and guides are inserted into the holes nearer the edge of the other door to provide lead-off for smooth closing of the doors.

Abstract: A combination of a control arrangement and a protective shield, the protective shield and methods of making the same are provided, the combination comprising a control arrangement having a housing unit provided with certain external electrical parts and a one-piece protective shield carried by the housing unit and having a section thereof covering the certain external electrical parts. The section of the protective shield is movable relative to the remainder of the shield between a first position thereof that covers the certain external electrical parts and a second position thereof that uncovers the certain external electrical parts.

Abstract: This specification discloses a molded article, for example an original document cover plate for use in a copier, composed of a flexible hinge portion and a pair of solid portions faced across the hinge portion, and adapted to be folded at the hinge portion. The hinge portion has a structure to avoid stress concentration on the end areas in the width direction of the hinge portion.

Abstract: An adjustable friction hinge assembly for use on the lid or cover of a record player is made of plastic material. The hinge has anti-squeak properties to prevent squeaking when the lid or cover is raised. The hinge also has the capability of holding the lid, when raised, in the raised position without falling down. The knuckles of the hinge and the adjustment pin are made of a first plastic material having elastic properties, preferably acetal, while a washer of a different plastic material, preferably nylon, is placed between the facing end surfaces of the movable knuckles. The two different plastics are so selected that, when the two materials are in frictional engagement with each other, the coefficients of static and dynamic friction are similar. This avoids squeaking. The plastic adjustment pin passes through one end knuckle having an internal shoulder and screws into the other end knuckle. The head of the pivot pin abuts against the internal shoulder.

Abstract: An adjustable friction hinge assembly of thermoplastic material comprises a first hinge leaf having spaced-apart non-adjustable knuckles having non-circular through holes and a second hinge leaf having a single clamping knuckle which fits into the space between the spaced-apart non-adjustable knuckles. The hinge pin is a unitary pin having non-circular end portions having a diameter which is larger than that of the circular cross-section intermediate portion. The inside diameter of the middle knuckle as molded is too small to receive the non-circular end portion of the hinge pin. During assembly, the inside diameter of the middle knuckle is extended to receive the non-circular end portion of the hinge pin. The frictional torque resistance on the knuckle is controlled by the middle clamping knuckle which is controlled by an adjustment screw.

Abstract: A protector for a feed tube of a food processor comprises a feed tube cover hingedly mounted to a bowl cover for pivotal movement of the feed tube cover between a closed position over the feed tube and an opened position retracted from the feed tube. A food pusher is detachably coupled to the feed tube cover for reciprocal motion within the feed tube. A latch permanently mounted to the feed tube cover secures the feed tube cover to the bowl cover and operates interlock means to enable operation of the food processor only when the feed tube is properly protected by the feed tube cover. The food pusher includes a hollow pusher shaft which forms a reduced size secondary feed tube into which a secondary food pusher is inserted and detachably secured.

Abstract: A window blind structure is provided for use in a vehicle such as a van. The window blind structure includes a fixed, upright channel, which is mounted to the window frame of a window in a van by means of upper and lower brackets or fittings. The upper bracket or fitting includes a channel-shaped cap embracing the upper end of the fixed channel of the window blind structure, and has an upstanding leg and an angularly disposed foot for securement to the frame of a van window. The lower or bottom fitting or bracket includes a channel-shaped body slidably interfitting with the lower end of the window blind fixed channel by means of protuberances or splines. Angularly disposed legs on the body may or may not be provided with depending feet. In any event, outwardly directed integral pins are provided for interfitting with a stirrup to be mounted flat against a wall surface of a van window frame.

Abstract: A universal living hinge joint includes an integral, preferably molded, body having first and second ends fixedly attached to first and second implement members, connecting the implement members to each other. The integral body has a plurality of substantially rigid sections and a plurality of flexible portions of reduced thickness defining non-parallel axes of rotation which separate and connect the rigid sections to each other. The integral body is bendable along each of the flexible portions permitting rotation of the second implement member in a wide range of angular positions with respect to the first implement member.

Abstract: Hinged glass photomask assemblies for photolithographic processes are disclosed wherein a flexible polymeric split hinge is used to join glass plates thereby providing for greater flexibility of the phototool.

Abstract: An extruded thermoplastic hinge having drastically improved ability to withstand flexure cycles at room as well as at low temperatures is disclosed. The hinge comprises a flexible cross-section of polyester elastomer and a co-extruded section of rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic material selected from the group comprising rigid polyvinyl (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadyene-styrene (ABS), impact modified or general purpose acrylic or high impact styrene. The flexure cross-section may have the thickness ranging from ten percent to 100% of the thickness of the semi-rigid cross-section.

Abstract: A combination of a control arrangement and a protective shield, the protective shield and methods of making the same are provided, the combination comprising a control arrangement having a housing unit provided with certain external electrical parts and a one-piece protective shield carried by the housing unit and having a section thereof covering the certain external electrical parts. The section of the protective shield is movable relative to the remainder of the shield between a first position thereof that covers the certain external electrical parts and a second position thereof that uncovers the certain external electrical parts.

Abstract: A plastic hinge made of fifty percent (50%) glass filled plasticized nylon. The hinge includes a hinge pin having a twenty percent (20%) Delron (trademark) composition. The hinge is non-corrosive and thus is suitable for use in environments where the presence of metallic or other corrosive substances is prohibited. The hinge, which is formed by an injection molding process, is strong but not brittle and is not overly abrasive.

Abstract: A biasing hinge is disclosed which is made up of a first hinge member and a second hinge member integrally hinged together along a curved line. The hinge members are shaped so that when one hinge member is swung relative to the other, the members are resiliently deformed or stressed and energy is stored in said hinge members. This stored energy will bias the hinge members to swing to an open or a closed position depending on which position is nearest said hinge member at a particular time. The hinge can be molded with the hinge members having the desired shape to provide the necessary stresses to provide the desired biasing. The hinge can also be molded as an integral part of a cap or closure.

Abstract: An adjustable friction hinge assembly of thermoplastic material comprises a first hinge leaf having spaced apart non-adjustable knuckles having non-circular through holes, and a second hinge leaf having a single knuckle which fits into the space between the spaced-apart non-adjustable knuckles. The hinge pin has non-circular portions which are received with the corresponding non-circular through holes of said spaced-apart knuckles, and which prevent rotation of said hinge pin in said knuckles. The inside diameter of the middle knuckle is adjustable by an adjustment screw, thereby to control the frictional torque resistance of the knuckle on the hinge pin. Provision is made for squeezing some of the plastic material into the threads of said adjustment screw, thereby to maintain the adjustment at its initially set position despite repeated openings and closings of the hinged door, cover or lid.

Abstract: A collapsible dwelling is provided, including a plurality of elements hingedly joined with each other, which, when in assembled relationship, cooperatively define a protective enclosure suitable for pets, or, when constructed on a larger scale, for young children. All elements are hinged strategically so that the elements can be partially disassembled and the aggregate parts stacked, one upon the other, for inclusion within a container having a length and width no greater than that of the largest elements. At least two anchoring loops are attached at opposing sides of the dwelling and are so situated that ground stakes capturing the loops can be driven into the supporting surface to positively locate the dwelling. The dwelling is designed to be packaged within a rectangular container with one of the anchoring loops coinciding with a cutout in the container, which loop, when drawn through the cutout, serves conveniently as a carrying handle.

Abstract: A dispensing cap for a container. The cap has a tubular body of circular transverse cross-section with a wall closing the top end of the tubular body. An upwardly opening slot is formed in the top end wall and extends across the tubular body with a generally flat wall forming the bottom of the slot. An aperture extends through the bottom of the slot into an area surrounded by the tubular body. A hinge assembly is located in the slot and includes an upstanding member formed on the flat bottom wall of the slot at a location inwardly of the circular perimeter of the tubular body. A flap is integrally connected to the upstanding member of the hinge assembly by a strap. A portion of reduced thickness is formed in the strap to create a hinge at the juncture of the strap and the upstanding member. The portion of the reduced thickness of the strap is formed by an inclined slot cut in the tubular body near the top end wall and extending into the upstanding member.

Abstract: A guy wire protector comprises an elongated tube having a pair of registering free edges to receive a guy wire. A generally tubular clip is integral with and extends from the tube interior wall snugly receives and retainingly engages the guy wire.

Abstract: A locking device for the pivotable tape cassette compartment of a magnetic tape apparatus comprising a radially open detent groove in the side wall of the cassette compartment and a cooperating detent pin on a radially movable spring-engaged detent slide. The release movement of this detent slide is obtained by means of a detent release button which is formed by a hinged integral wall portion of the flat front wall of the casing, the release button carrying on its inner side a cam protrusion in engagement with a cam follower on the detent pin. The casing of the unit and its chassis have snap-action mounting features.

Abstract: An extension control device and a tubing member usable therewith for use with a wall-mounted toggle switch assembly having a switch with a protruding lever. The control device has an elongated member with a lower or distal end portion graspable by a user of the device and a tubing member connected to an upper end portion of the elongated member. The tubing member has a proximal end with two spaced apart pronged portions protruding from a hollow tubular portion. The switch lever is insertable into the hollow tubular portion so that the hollow tubular portion releasably grips the switch lever. Should the cavity of the tubular portion be greater than the exterior circumference of the switch lever, one or both of the pronged portions are inserted into the cavity to reduce its dimensions. Alternatively, the tubing member has a flat proximal end, and all or a portion of a split ring is insertable into the internal cavity of the tubing member to reduce its size.

Abstract: A construction system including a plurality of construction elements joined by removably received, flexible joining elements which allow for relative motion between adjacent construction elements.

Abstract: An integral snap hinge of plastic material is intended to be used, e.g., for container closures or vacuum formed packages. At least two flexible joints extending in the direction of the main geometric axis are provided between these two hinge members. At least one of these flexible joints is constituted by a connecting element, which is flexibly linked to the hinge members by film hinges. The film hinges diverge so that the connecting element widens along the main geometric axis. The large or small ends of two connecting elements may face each other. The snap action is due to the fact that components of the snap hinge are resilient. The spring action may be performed by the connecting elements and/or by walls of the hinge members.

Abstract: A plastic hinge integrally interconnecting two plastic container sections having end walls, comprising an intermediate portion, and two reduced thickness webs respectively integrally interconnecting the intermediate portion with the end walls so that the end walls and the intermediate portion define an inverted U-shape, and wherein the end walls and the hinge together define a container end wall when the end walls are swung into a substantially common plane with the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A folding stool including a top having a depending peripheral skirt and support leg members operatively mounted on the underside of the top, and inward of the peripheral skirt. Leg members are mounted at opposite ends of the stool. Each leg member includes two legs interconnected as a pair. The leg members are pivotally moveable to an extended stool support position, and to a retracted folded position within the confines of the skirt. Selectively engageable double leg locking means are provided, with portions thereof being on the stool top and portions thereof being on the legs of the leg members. The locking means are functionally operable for locking the leg members in the extended stool support position. Engagement and disengagement of the double locking means is manually effected by rectilinear movement of the leg members, toward the stool top when in the extended stool support position. Pivotal movement of the leg members is prevented with the locking means operatively engaged.

Abstract: A telescoping electric hair curling iron includes a molded hollow handle of plastic material having front and rear openings and a longitudinally extending thumb-operated cantilever spring element integrally molded as part of the handle wall. The forward end of the cantilever spring element is downwardly bent to form a depressible thumb button immediately adjacent the front handle opening for operating a spring-biased elongated hair gripping clip pivotally mounted on an electrically heated hair curling rod arranged for slidable telescopic movement through the front opening between a retracted storage position within the handle and an extended operative position outside the handle when the curling rod is in the operative position. The curling rod as heated by a PTC heating element therein. A swivel cord connector is mounted on the inner end of the curling rod and is slidable therewith within the handle and in the retracted position of the curling rod extends out the rear handle opening.

Abstract: A trash collection, management and disposal system for an office area including covered trash collector containers positioned at heights substantially equivalent to the height of a standard desk top and adapted to receive trash generated in the area. Some of the trash collector containers are mounted on wheels and are equipped with tongue-and-hitch assemblies enabling a plurality of these trash collector containers to be coupled together in a train for towing to a dump site. Dump mechanisms at the dump site pick the trash collector containers up and invert them to empty the trash contained therein. The cover on each collector container is pivotally mounted by a hinge assembly enabling the cover member to be moved to an over center position when it is opened to inhibit its return movement to the closed position. Also, the hinge assembly operates to maintain the cover in an upright position when it is opened, allowing the cover to serve as a backstop for deflecting thrown trash into the container.