Abstract: A pair of compound leaf springs are formed to hold a commode seat in the up position. The leaf springs have a primary curve for spring lifting power, a second curve to reduce friction between the seat and spring when the seat is lowered, and a third curve to act as a spring washer to hold the leaf spring in place between the seat and commode. By holding the seat in the up position unless a user wishes to lower it, the seat is less apt to be soiled when the commode is used for urination.

Abstract: This invention discloses a hinge for use in a door of a motorized vehicle. The hinge includes a first part rigidly connected to a frame of the vehicle and a second part rigidly connected to the door. The first and second parts of the hinge are both connected to a hinge pin which enables the second part to be rotatable relative to the first part upon opening and closing of the door. A compressible spring mechanism is rigidly connected to the first part and engagable against the second such that upon swinging of the door the spring is compressed. The second part includes two wheels such that the spring mechanism engages one of the wheels when the door is closed, it engages both of the wheels in a door position when the door is partially open, and engages the other detent wheel when the door is fully open.

Abstract: A pivot mount for a vehicular shift lever which precludes the play in the shift lever. The mount is employed in conjunction with a shift bowl that is rotatably mounted on a steering column. A clevis extends radially outwardly from the shift bowl, and the clevis has laterally spaced connecting plates. A bore penetrates each connecting plate. The bores through the connecting plates are registered. A shift lever having a mounting block is mounted from the clevis. The mounting block has laterally spaced, substantially parallel, first and second faces adapted to be embraced between the connecting plates. An aperture penetrates the mounting block and opens through the first and second faces to register with the bores through the connecting plates. A bushing assembly having an annular body portion with longitudinally spaced first and second rim edges is insertably received within the aperture which penetrates the mounting block.

Abstract: A spring loaded locking handle assembly for an angle cock or the like wherein the helical windings of a torsion type spring are mounted on a fulcrum pin about which the handle proper of a two-piece, locking style handle assembly is pivotally connected to the handle socket. One leg of the torsion spring is fixed to the socket via a pilot hole therein and an aligned index hole in the fulcrum pin to properly locate and secure the fulcrum pin in place. The other leg of the torsion spring bears against the handle proper under tension to positively maintain the handle member in its locked position and to prevent accidental operation of the angle cock.

Abstract: A safety device for a pneumatic tool having a body and an operation lever and a valve stem lowered by the operation lever has an axially movable pivot shaft by which the operation lever is pivoted to one end of the main body of the pneumatic tool. A stop is formed on the pivot shaft so as to move between a resting position and an operating position together with the pivot shaft. A conical coil spring is provided to urge the operation lever upward by its torsional action and the stop as well as the pivot shaft toward the resting position of the stop by its compressive action. A receiving chamber is formed in the operation lever at a position where it coincides with the stop when the stop is moved to the operating position by the depressing of the pivot shaft. When, in this state, the operation lever is pushed downward to cause the stop to enter the receiving chamber, the valve stem is lowered and the operation of the pneumatic tool starts.

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 wide angle hinge is used for articulation of a furniture door on a furniture unit with a base plate mounted on the furniture unit and a housing mounted on the furniture door; mounted on the base plate is a first gear rack on which a gear is rolled in the longitudinal direction of the hinge and meshes with a second gear rack connected with the housing. The second gear rack is mounted directly on the housing and has a circular arc shape that is concentric with the swivel axis of the door.

Abstract: A door hinge torsion spring fixedly mounted at a first end thereof to one hinge member is engaged and deflected at a second end thereof by a second hinge member when the two hinge members are pivotally displaced relative to one another. An intermediate section of the spring is configured in the form of a coil for increasing the length of the spring and reducing the torque applied to the spring per unit length without increasing the mounting space required for the spring, while allowing the spring to be mounted to and operate with existing hinge configurations. The door hinge spring is particularly adapted for use in the door hinge of a vehicle such as a truck, wherein the second hinge member is provided with a pair of spaced, notched rollers for successively engaging the second end of the spring as the door is opened to either bias the door to the closed position or securely maintain the door in either a fully open position or in an intermediate position between full open and closed.

Abstract: A transversely mounted, single pneumatic spring, and dual bell crank and idler link assembly providing a compact counterbalance for hinged closures such as automobile trunk lids. In an automobile trunk installation, the assembly is installed with the spring in lateral disposition in the forward upper portion of the trunk, thus being effectively concealed. Alternative pneumatic spring enhancements, e.g., a multi-output force feature and a pressure decay compensation feature may be incorporated in the spring unit to enhance opening of the lid and to improve life expectancy of the pneumatic spring by minimizing and effectively negating pressure loss due to leakage of gas past the shaft seal. Excess spring cylinder length can provide space or volume zones used for the enhancement features.

Abstract: In a casing pivoting mechanism for a copying machine according to the present invention, the pivotal point of a casing is situated away from the position at which a torsion bar passes through the casing. By doing this, a greater urging force can be obtained with use of the same torsion bar as is used in a conventional mechanism. Also, the space within the casing can be widened for more effective utilization.

Abstract: A spring system for stabilizing bifolding door hinged positions includes an integral "C"-shaped spring with at each end of the "C"-shape a respective straight shank formed at right angles to the plane of the "C"-shape in parallel spacing from each other. On each shank is a rotatable tubular sleeve bearing with a collar-shaped enlargement at the end adjacent the "C"-shape, and a retainer on the free end of each shank that keeps the tubular sleeve bearings in place. Installation is by insertion of the tubular sleeve bearings in parallel-spaced drilled holes in the top edges of two doors that are hinged together so that the spring assembly substantially bridges the hinges and biases the faces of the doors together to keep them in the open position, and biases the edges of the doors together to keep them in the closed position.

Abstract: In an arrangement of gas springs as weight counter-balance and retaining device for a part pivotable substantially about a horizontal axis such as a flap, lid or door, a simple construction is required which guarantees two stable open positions for the pivotable part. This is guaranteed in that two gas springs are arranged where the first of the two gas springs possesses an outward thrust force acting over the entire range of displacement of the pivotable part, while the second gas spring possesses an outward thrust force acting over a part of the displacement range and an additional force-free displacement range.

Abstract: A shock absorbing caster wheel in which the wheel support bracket is pivotally mounted on a caster bracket and a spring engages the wheel support bracket and caster bracket to absorb shocks on the caster wheel. Vibration dampening pads on the caster bracket slidably engage wall surfaces on the wheel support bracket to dampen oscillation of the wheel support bracket.

Abstract: In a variable tension device having an elongated torsion member adapted to be connected at axially spaced points to a relatively fixedly mounted support and to an object rotatably movable relative to said support, novel structure is provided for adjusting (a) the effective length of the torsion element, thereby to vary the effective spring rate, (b) the angular anchor position of that portion of the torsion bar secured to the support, and (c) the axial and, if desired, angular position relative to the torsion element of the member connecting that element to said external object.

Abstract: A mechanical device for maintaining a door in an open position, having an arm slidable in a guide body provided with shoes capable of spreading apart upon the passage of the arm, and springs having a resilient opposing action tending to move the shoes towards each other. According to the invention, the guide body has at least one surface element having a cylindrical outer shape, mechanically connected to the shoes and radially deformable. An opposing action is formed by at least one coil spring which is mounted coaxially around and in contact with the surface element. A preferred application of the device is for doors of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A device for counterbalancing a moving part comprises an elongated torsion member surrounded by a sleeve, the sleeve being connected to the torsion member at one point and the torsion member being fixedly supported at another point spaced from said one point, the moving part and the sleeve respectively carrying cooperating elements of a cam-follower combination, the cam being shaped, taking into account the torsion characteristics of the torsion element, to produce the desired counterbalancing effect.

Abstract: A shock resistant caster includes two structures one of which is connectable to a unit to be supported, and the second of which carries a wheel and is connected to the first structure for pivotal movement relative thereto. A cushion formed of elastomeric material is positioned to be compressed upon imposition of a load on the caster, to attain a cushioned support of the load, and may be held in position by a locating pin connected to one of the two relatively movable structures and extending through a passage in the cushion. The wheel preferably has an elastomeric portion formed of a material which is softer than the elastomeric material of the cushion, with the overall effect of the entire assembly being to produce a ride which is soft under low load conditions and becomes progressively stiffer in non-linear fashion as the load increases to optimize the support of the carried unit under all conditions.

Abstract: A monorail carriage for use with H-beams wherein carriage rollers mounted on frame-cantilevered shafts remain in continuing full-length running engagement with the monorail beam flanges throughout varying downward load deflection of such flanges. Rockable roller bearing elements at opposite ends of each roller include one which is spring loaded so as to force translation or displacement of the roller in response to flange deflection so as to maintain such full-length contact of the roller with the beam flange, although with attendant shift of the center of pressure lengthwise of the roller on the track flange.

Abstract: Molded resin vibration dampener is mounted on coiled tension window balance springs arranged within spring covers. A resin wall of the vibration dampener, shaped for fitting around the tension spring, has a slot oriented longitudinally of the spring, and the wall is flexible enough to allow the slot to be spread open so that the body can be pressed onto a mid-region of the spring. Resilient fins extend obliquely outward from the body far enough to engage an interior surface of the spring cover and thereby hold the body and the spring spaced away from the spring cover to prevent rattling of the spring within the cover.

Abstract: A resilient bearing support is provided for suitcase rollers and the like. A single part made of resilient material is configured to rotatably support travel rollers in a lower fork-like projection. The tip of this part is connected to a lower corner of a frame of a suitcase. To facilitate desired shock absorbing characteristics, the part is provided with a transversely extending triangular opening. The shortest side of this opening is bounded by a thin wall section that is curved outwardly to accommodate flexure of this wall during compression of the part. The other two sides of the triangular opening are curved inwardly to roll on one another to increase the resistance of the bearing part to compression in response to increasing loads.

Abstract: First and second structures are hingedly connected by the engagement of a hinge pin (24) by a hinge knuckle (22). Knuckle (22) is rigidly mounted on the first structure. Pin (24) is attached to a carrier that is slidably mounted on the second structure. A spring, preferably a plurality of stacks of Belleville springs, is positioned between the carrier and the second structure. The slidable mount allows the two structures to move translationally relative to each other to prevent excessive hinge loads. The spring controls such movement and biases the hinge pin, and therefore the hinge axis, into a center position.

Abstract: In a record player comprising a housing and a hinged dust cover, a hinge device is formed by a hinge wall and an abutment which are integral with the housing and spaced from each other. An end portion of a first limb of a hinge coil spring acts against the abutment to urge turns of the hinge spring against the hinge wall. A second limb of the hinge spring projects through a slot in the housing and is coupled directly to the dust cover.

Abstract: A shock absorbing caster including a wheel positioned between a yoke member and a cap member disposed over the yoke member, the cap member being pivotally secured to the yoke member to permit limited rotational movement therebetween. A shock pad of elastomeric material is positioned between the yoke member and the cap member for resiliently cushioning the pivotal rotational movement between the yoke and cap members. A bolt secures the shock pad to the cap member to limit the rotational movement between the yoke and cap members. The rear portion of the shock pad is vertically spaced from the cap member to provide a rear opening to allow cleaning thereof and prevent collection of water therein.

Abstract: A lower edge wall of a luggage case part has camming teeth with intervening grooves. The other case part has a set of spaced apart teeth for consecutive meshing with those of the first case part. One or more leaf springs are received across the meshed teeth of the case parts. The dimensions and geometry of the spring are such that when the case parts reach a predetermined maximum opening angle, the central spring portions contact opposing portions of the two case parts forming a limit stop to further opening of the case.

Abstract: A spring member comprises an annular polymeric structure 1 interrupted by gap 3 to define annular structure ends 4 provided with attachment adaptions, external at 8 and internal at 6. Thus wheel 12 journalled at 7 in extension 6 is resiliently mounted by virtue of the elasticity of the annular structure material. Proportions, dimensions and materials can be varied over a wide range of applications. A particularly valuable application of such a C-shape spring is in the provision of a resiliently mounted castor wheel with a resiliently mounted pilot wheel giving easy passage up over a door sill or the like.

Abstract: A wheel bracket assembly includes an upper bracket having two spaced downwardly extending side flanges and a wheel carrying bracket pivotally supported between the upper bracket side flanges for pivotal movement about an axis. The second bracket has a generally horizontal top plate with a transverse, upwardly facing, concave groove and has side flanges which extend downwardly from opposite sides of the top plate and are adapted to pivotally support a wheel therebetween. Pivotal movement of the wheel carrying bracket in one direction is resisted by a resilient element which has one end engaging the top plate at a location within the groove, which extends away from such location approximately along the path of movement of the location about the pivot axis, which tapers in thickness toward such end, which has a semicylindrical head at the opposite end, and which has a transverse groove on each side thereof adjacent the head.

Abstract: A spring-locking handle mechanism in which a flat piece of spring stock is formed in a generally U-shaped configuration to provide a locking spring, one leg of which bears against the underside of the socket portion of a conventional two-piece locking handle, and the other leg of which bears downwardly on the upper surface of the handle portion. The spring legs must be spread apart in order to assemble the spring with the handle mechanism and are thus normally under tension, so that the handle portion is biased in its downward or locking position relative to the socket portion to discourage unintentional lifting. The width of the one leg corresponds to the distance between the depending locking lugs on the handle portion so as to fit snugly therebetween in both the locked and unlocked position of the handle.

Abstract: A radar loaded, hollow yacht mast is disclosed which is pivoted at the bottom to the deck by a tri-sectioned elastomeric torsion spring hinge assembly in which the torsion is produced by relative rotation between the inner section and the two outer sections. The torsional resistance of the hinge assembly prevents the mast from falling when the bolts and stays are removed and the restoring force in the spring elastomer when the mast is pivoted flat to the deck assists in raising the mast back into its upright position. A hollow, flanged mounting connecting the hollow mast to the movable section of the hinge assembly prevents sea water from entering the hollows. Provisions are provided for pre-loading the hinge spring with a torsional stress in either direction when the hinge is closed.

Abstract: A door hinge and hold open which includes generally U-shaped male and female hinge members having the legs thereof pivotally secured to each other. The hold open lever is pivoted to one of the legs of the male hinge member and biased into engagement with a detent roller on a respective leg of the female hinge member by a compression spring seating between the base of the male hinge member and a spring retainer generally traversing the legs of the male hinge member and having one side thereof engaging the hold open lever and the other side thereof engaging the other leg of the male hinge member.

Abstract: The invention of the present application is a guard for limiting the opening of a door (10) with respect to the frame (12) in which it is mounted. The device includes first and second wire forms (14, 42), each having a looped extension portion (38, 46) formed in ends thereof. The looped extensions (38, 46) have apertures (40, 50) defined thereby, which apertures (40, 50) are significantly larger than dimensions of portions (36) of forms (14, 42) received within the apertures (40, 50). A compression spring (52) is disposed intermediate the looped extensions (38, 46) with coils (54, 54', 56) of the spring (52) encircling portions of the forms (14, 42) intermediate the extensions (38, 46).

Abstract: A pair of oppositely wound torsion springs and a pair of oppositely wound spiral ribbon actuators therefor are provided in a unitary construction as a window sash balance. There are torques developed between each of the spiral ribbon actuators and its respective spring. The two torques are in opposite directions and cancel each other. This eliminates torque which would otherwise, when applied to the window sash, increase the friction between the sash and the window jam and make difficult the operation of tilt type and removable sashes.

Abstract: Anti-rattle, disengagable hinge comprising two members respectively having mating concave and convex surfaces held together by wire-form spring. Spring prevents rattle but allows relative sliding motion of surfaces over an arc. Surfaces can be disengaged at one end of the arc.

Abstract: A device for counterbalancing a moving part comprises an elongated torsion member surrounded by a sleeve, the sleeve being connected to the torsion member at one point and the torsion member being fixedly supported at another point spaced from said one point, the moving part and the sleeve respectively carrying cooperating elements of a cam-follower combination, the cam being shaped, taking into account the torsion characteristics of the torsion element, to produce the desired counterbalancing effect.