Abstract: A cover assembly for an automobile has a case and a rotary shaft mounted within the case. The case can form an integral component of the automobile bumper and can be either curved or straight. The rotary shaft onto which a cover is rotated can also be straight or curved. The cover assembly includes an operating mechanism which features an assembly for curving the rotary shaft and devices for extending or shortening the rotary shaft. The operating mechanism also includes a bearing assembly that provides the shaft with freedom of movement in a vertical direction and in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. A cap is pivotably supported to the case and the cover assembly includes a locking device for securing the cap in place. The cover has a main sheet and an auxiliary sheet, with the auxiliary sheet designed for securement with the locking device such that the main sheet can cover above and below the case.

Abstract: A hinge system for a large or heavy cover member hinged to a container member. A container hinge plate is secured to a side wall of the container member and a cover hinge plate is secured to the side wall of the cover member and rotatably connected to the first hinge means at a hinge pivot means. A gas strut unitary with and pivotably mounted to the container and cover hinge plates raises and lowers the cover member to open and closed positions relative to the container member. The gas strut is pivotably attached to the container and cover hinge plates. A quick connect-disconnect plate removably connected to the cover hinge plate and rotatably connected to the hinge pivot is used to connect or disconnect the container hinge plate from the cover hinge plate and thus to connect or disconnect the cover member to or from the container member and thus connect or disconnect the container member to or from the cover member. The hinge system including the quick connect-disconnect plate can be mounted to a heavy door.

Abstract: Device for balancing a lid of a suspended plan filing cabinet, comprising a stay (4) fixed at one end (40) on a pivot pin (5) fastened to the lid (1), the other end (41) being free, said stay being pulled towards the top of the cabinet by a spring (6) compensating the weight of the lid. The stay is guided by a roller (7) free to turn on a pin (8) fastened to the frame (2). This stay has a notch (9) which is entered by the roller (7) in order to hold the lid open, and a notch (10) holding the lid closed. Means of adjusting the tension of the spring (6) make it possible to fix a safety position (.alpha.) before the complete closure of the lid.

Abstract: A lid support rod for holding open the lid of a storage container is comprised of a first plate member, second and third plate members and a central pin member disposed between the first plate member and the second and third plate members. The second plate member is pivotally mounted on the pin member so as to be rotatable about the axis thereof and cooperates with the stationary first plate member to form a hinge. An elongated support rod is pivotally attached at one end thereof to the second plate member and is free to rotate relative to the second plate member so that the rod has three degrees of freedom of movement to engage the container lid at essentially any desired position thereon.

Abstract: A heat-insulated rotatable handle extends through an opening in the cover side wall of a barbecue grill to interconnect with a generally L-shaped lever arm located inside the cover. By the handle alone, the cover may be raised or lowered, and, at the same time, rotation of the L-shaped lever arm permits selectively locating an end portion of the arm within any one of a plurality of slots in the grill fire bed wall to achieve a corresponding opening relation.

Abstract: A brace for supporting a dump body of a vehicle including means for attaching the brace to a long sill of the body, means for supporting the weight of the body on the vehicle chassis, shaft means rotatably attaching the support means to the attaching means, means for retaining the support means on the long sill of the body and means normally biasing said retaining means into engagement with the long sill of the body. The brace is lowered into position by pulling against the biasing means until the retaining means are disengaged from the body long sill and rotating the brace to its down position. The brace is raised by pulling against the bias, rotating the brace to its retained position and allowing the biasing means to lock the brace into position.

Abstract: A tool box mount for a pickup truck has a frame which supports a tool box, and is itself supported above a bed of the pickup truck for swinging movement over the bed between a position wherein the tool box can be opened during use and a position where the tool box cannot be opened when the box is not in use. Pivotally mounted on a base plate secured to the bed of the pickup truck is an arm assembly which supports the frame for swinging movement, while a lock assembly affixed to the base plate selectively retains the frame in the position permitting the tool box to be opened.