Abstract: A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall of the sifting scoop define a reservoir for collecting sediment and holding precious metals and gems separated from the sediment during and after panning. The floor extends forwardly from the back side and can comprise riffles, furrows, or be flat. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

Abstract: A hinged chair having a seat, a fold-down back and a base that is detachable from the bottom of the seat to enable the chair to be shipped disassembled in a compact container. The fold-down back is hingedly coupled to the seat by pivots that extend through frame posts at opposite sides of the back. To reduce the profile of the chair, the fold-down back is rotatable at the pivots between a vertical position standing upwardly from the seat and a horizontal position lying over and in opposite facing alignment with the seat. With the chair removed from its shipping container and the chair back rotated to its vertical upstanding position, locking pins are pushed through the frame posts of the back above the pivots to lock the back in the vertical position ready for use.

Abstract: This invention provides connector assemblies comprising at least two connector elements pivotally joined to each other, wherein each connector element is configured for attachment to a natural tree pole such as bamboo. Useful connector elements include members configured to conform the surface of a natural tree pole. Useful connector elements include terminal connector elements configured for attachment to the terminal end of a natural tree pole and side connector elements configured for attachment to the side of a natural tree pole.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for a motor vehicle wheel suspension, with a spring plate for receiving a vehicle spring, a joint and a connecting strut, which is articulated to the spring plate by way of the joint. The joint includes a fastening section that extends in an axial direction and engages in a fastening hole formed in the spring plate. The fastening section passes through the fastening hole and is shaped outside the hole, on a side of the spring plate facing away from the joint, to form a contact surface that is supported axially against the spring plate.

Abstract: A connection member includes: a main member formed by bending a plate made of a first material having a certain strength into a predetermined shape, and having a hole to which an object to be connected is mounted; and an auxiliary member formed of a second material having a smaller specific gravity than the first material and formed thicker than the main member, jointed around the hole of the main member, and having an insertion hole through which a fastening member for fastening the object to be connected is inserted.

Abstract: A universal beam clamp connector accommodates either a fixed attachment or a swivel attachment of a threaded rod to a support beam clamp. The beam clamp connector includes a connector portion and a threaded rod extender. A threaded rod extender has a cylindrical shape and an exterior surface with threading thereon. The connector portion includes a topside, a tool engaging portion and a central body extending therebetween. The threaded rod extender protrudes from the top side and the tool engaging portion protrudes from the central body. The central body includes an opening therethrough. The opening is defined by a top inner surface, a bottom inner surface and two opposing side inner surfaces. A nut is used to secure a threaded rod of a device to the beam clamp connector.

Abstract: A device 10 for supporting and vertically adjusting the position of a picture or other object after the device 10 is secured to a support structure includes a first member 12 having an upper portion 14 that is secured to a wall or similar support structure, and a lower portion having a plurality of horizontally aligned and alternating ridges 42 and parallel arcuate depressions 44 that are adjacent and perpendicular to opposing vertical channels 22. The device further includes a second member 26 that is slidably secured to the first member 12 via skate members 28 inserted in the channels 22 of the first member 12. An annular hanger member 36 is joined to a lower end 38 of the plate portion 34 to removably receive a substantially “D” configured hanger 40 that supports the object.

Abstract: An accessory clip for attaching medical equipment and the alike to a litter stand that is for attaching to a litter. The accessory clip preferably includes at least one attachment for a piece of medical equipment such as medical monitors, ventilators, infusion pumps, and IV bags. The accessory clip preferably includes components that allow it to be attached to the litter stand.

Abstract: A back rest for a chair with a back support and a back surface secured to the back support and able to swivel about a two-axis joint. The joint has a joint plate connected to the back surface, an element made of an elastic material that supports the joint in a ground position, and a chamber to accommodate the elastic element, connected to the back support. The joint plate is arranged in the receiving chamber between two elements made from an elastic material, holding the joint in a ground position and each being supported against the receiving chamber, and it can swivel about the two swivel axes. When the joint is placed under load, the two elastic elements are only subjected to compression. There are no tension-loaded connections which break under loading and can result in the joint falling apart.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety unit of a hinge for a folding ladder to prevent a user's finger from being caught in the hinge when the hinge rotates. The hinge includes a first joint unit, a second joint unit, and a locking unit, and the safety unit is provided between a first stop shoulder of the first joint unit and a second stop shoulder of the second joint unit. The safety unit includes a mount part and an insert part. The mount part is provided in the first joint unit to be positioned under the first stop shoulder, and an inside portion of the mount part is rounded to surround a part of the first joint unit. The insert part extends from an upper end of the mount part, and is rounded to have the same curvature as the inside portion of the mount part.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the shutters employ a variety of synergistic features which may be used individually or in combination to produce a shutter capable of more completely shutting out light. One aspect is the use of a two-step overlapping end to provide a complementary fit in order to shut out light. Another aspect is the use of an angled engagement pin which engages the louver not at its edge, but into its main expanse and nearer the center of pivot of each louver. Another aspect is the use of an accommodation space to accommodate the “U” shaped attachment member of the simultaneous actuation handle, which accommodation space can vary in size and depth to accommodate structures extending from the simultaneous actuation handle. Regardless of relative size, the louvers, engagement pins, and simultaneous actuation handle can be disciplined to form a neater appearance on the shutter assembly.

Abstract: A joint for pivotally joining a brake head to a brake beam of a railway car which allows to the brake head to modify its radial direction with respect to a bogie wheel, allowing the brake shoe to adapt to the wheel contour, and achieving an adequate force distribution along the brake shoe.

Abstract: A connector includes a pivot portion (10), a sleeve (40) and a connect portion (60). The pivot portion includes a body (12) and a head (14). The body defines two channels (16), and two through holes (18) in respective communication with the channels. The head defines two outlets (20) and two bores (22). Each bore is in communication with a corresponding through hole and outlet. The sleeve surrounds the body and defines a plurality of inlets (42) in communication with the corresponding channels. The connect portion is attached under the pivot portion and engaged with a pivot axle of a manipulator. The sleeve is fixedly attached to a fixed part of the manipulator. When the combined pivot portion and the connect portion is pivoted by action of the pivot axle, the sleeve remains stationary. Pipes connected to the inlets are thereby prevented from being twisted or distorted by the manipulator.

Abstract: A hand table assembly includes a platform having a longitudinal central axis and a platform attachment apparatus for coupling the platform to a patient support deck generally in a horizontal plane and at a 90° angle. The platform attachment apparatus illustratively includes a first member configured to be mechanically coupled to an inboard end of the platform and a second member configured to be mechanically coupled to a side rail of an articulatable back section of the patient support deck. The first member is pivoted relative to the second member about the longitudinal central axis of the platform such that the platform remains generally parallel to the floor when the articulatable back section is articulated.

Abstract: A portable activity floor comprised of a plurality of separate panels that can be readily and selectively interlocked together into a finalized configuration. Each panel has an underlayment providing a core with spaced stringers fastened to the underside thereof. Elongated finishing strips mounted on the upper surface of the underlayment form the outer surface of the panel. In one type of floor assembly, alternate strips are longer than their adjacent strips at the inner side of each panel to form laterally spaced interlock fingers. A pair of hinge members pivotally connects adjacent panels to one another and allows them to be relatively pivoted on a fixed axis with finger interlock alignment accuracy from an initial connected position to a fully assembled position in which the fingers of the finishing strips closely mesh and interlock. Further, the hinge members when connected prevent lateral movement of adjacent panels.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for use with an expandable performance platform that allows relative independent pivotal movement between its first or extension panels and its adjacent second or base panel. The hinge assembly allows the extension panels to lay atop the base panels for storage or transport by providing movement of the pivot axis as the extension panel is pivoted. The hinge assembly also provides a flat performance area with a minimum of gaps along its abutting edges when the extension panels are in a performance mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rigidly joining construction elements to one another based on providing construction elements each having a connecting bore formed therethrough, positioning elements each having a connecting bore formed therethrough for aligning the connecting bores of adjacent construction elements, and partially expandable locking means dimensioned to extend through the aligned connecting bores of at least two construction elements and one positioning element. The construction elements and positioning elements are further equipped with engagement grooves and engagement ribs, respectively, for positioning adjacent construction elements in any number of predetermined angles. The locking mechanism has a radially expanding portion capable of locking the previously positioned construction elements in a rigid fashion.

Abstract: A cabinet construction system comprises a rail member mountable to a fixed support surface from which are suspended end panels by mail mounting brackets at a desired spacing. Floor and top panels are inserted between the end panels to space the end panels on the rail member to define a compartment. Connection brackets are used to secure the spacing floor and top panels to the end panels. The connection brackets are designed to quickly and efficiently lock together the component parts of the cabinets. The brackets are designed so that they are not secured by fasteners that screw directly into the panels. The brackets provide a strong and reliable interconnection of parts.

Abstract: Pivot for articulating the load-bearing components of a jack. The pivot comprises a shaft that rotates in a bore. The components are lengths of U section or have lateral flanges or upright edges that overlap in the vicinity of the pivot. The object is to decrease the weight of the jack. Instead of a solid bolt, the axis is a hollow neck (19) stamped through the sides (15 & 17) or flanges (13) of one component and extending through the bore (18) in its counterpart.

Abstract: A connecting linkage is provided between two structural members which includes a pinned connection to allow rotation of one structural member with respect to the other and which permits adjustment and alignment before locking the device in position without the need for drilling a precisely positioned hole for the pin in the structural member. An oversized hole is formed in one of the structural members and the pin is placed through the hole. A first support plate having pin-sized holes is then placed over each end of the pin followed by a second pair of support plates also having pin-sized holes. The assembly is then moved with respect to the first structural member as permitted by the oversized hole around the pin into a desired position. The second pair of support plates are then welded to the second structural member and the first pair of support plates are welded to the first structural member. If desired, the pin may be welded to the second pair of support plates.

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

Abstract: An actuating lever for a parking and emergency brake mechanism for use in a vehicle drum brake assembly includes a backing plate mounted on the vehicle for supporting a pair of brake shoes. A service brake mechanism is provided for selectively moving the brake shoes apart from one another into frictional engagement with an inner friction surface of a brake drum mounted on a wheel of the vehicle. The brake shoes include respective web portions which are generally flat and crescent-shaped. Arcuate table portions are secured to the opposed outer curved surfaces of the web portions, such as by welding, and friction pads are secured to the outer arcuate surfaces of the table portions of the brake pads. An aperture is formed through the upper end of the web portion of one of the brake shoes. The actuating lever for the parking and emergency brake mechanism is pivotally supported on the one brake shoe.

Abstract: A hinge comprising two hinge parts rotatably connected to each other by support walls, on each of which a support arm of a suspension device for a control device or the like is disposed. The hinge axis extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support arms. Simplified assembly of the hinge and the simple installation of cables or the like is achieved where the hinge parts, which respectively are at right angles to each other, have a support arm fastening wall and a support wall, both of which are provided with a cable passage. The support arm fastening wall and the support wall of one hinge part are connected to each other in one piece by lateral walls which terminate even with the free end of the support arm fastening wall and the free end of the support wall and form an assembly chamber behind the support arm fastening wall and the support wall which is accessible through an opening.

Abstract: A three element pivot bearing for wood frame wall bed systems includes a spindle having an anchoring tang at one end perpendicular to its axis and two cylindrical bearing bushings each with an annular collar at one end journaled around the spindle with the annular collars facing each other. One bearing bushing is received in a hole drilled into/through a wood side frame of a mattress pallet for a wall bed with its annular collar facing out. The other bearing bushing extends into a hole drilled into-through a wood vertical side support of the wall bed with its annular collar facing in. The spindle extends through either the wood side frame of the mattress pallet or wood vertical side support of the wall bed into the respective bearing bushings with its anchoring tang secured to either of the side frame of the mattress pallet or vertical side support.

Abstract: A quick disconnect for suspending a generally horizontal boom from a support. A pair of spaced blocks are clamped on the boom. One block has a slot and the other block has a hanger pin. An elongated body is attached to the support. A head at one end of the body has a slot for receiving the hanger pin on the block. A second head, at the other end of the body, has a threaded hanger pin for receiving the slot on the other block so that the boom is supported parallel to the body. The two heads have a pair of detent pins receivable in openings in the two blocks to prevent the boom from pivoting about the hanger pins. The threaded hanger pin has a handle which the user can manipulate to easily connect one of the blocks to the body.

Abstract: A furniture assembly fixture having a first fixture section comprising a casing adapted to be embedded in a first furniture part, a second fixture section adapted to be fastened to a second furniture part, the casing having a flange with a lug or lugs, the flange also carrying an adjusting plate for a furniture hinge.

Abstract: A tilt-up wall panel in raised position is braced with panel brace assemblies, and the panel brace assemblies are braced with a pair of knee brace assemblies for each panel brace assembly, to form a tripod-like structure which eliminates the need for the conventional lateral bracing of the panel brace assemblies. The knee brace assemblies are connected to the wall panel, and for that purpose, two knee brace assemblies extending laterally between a pair of spaced apart panel brace assemblies include a connector common to both and which is connected to the wall panel. A preferred connector includes a base plate adapted to be connected to the wall panel, and a pair of swivel means mounted on one side of the base plate and each forming part of one of the latter two knee brace assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and securing a rod in a spatially adjusted position comprising a U-shaped element having opposed parallel branches and a bottom portion connecting the branches. At least two superposed plates are disposed between the branches and the plates have mating faces with grooves therein cooperatively defining a hole receiving a rod. A flange is detachably secured to the branches of the U-shaped element to hold the plates and rod between the branches. The top plate is connected to the flange for rotation about an axis parallel to the branches and the bottom plate is rotatable with respect to the U-shaped element about the same axis. As a consequence, the rod can be angularly rotated with the plates in a plane perpendicular to the branches.