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A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member. A cylindrical pintle is secured to the second member. A friction element secured to the first member includes first and second cylindrical walls that wrap at least substantially circumferentially around the pintle in opposing

A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member. A cylindrical pintle is secured to the second member. A friction element secured to the first member includes first and second cylindrical walls that wrap at least substantially circumferentially around the pintle in opposing first and second directions, respectively, providing equal resistance to relative rotation therebetween in both directions. A protuberance extends radially from the pintle, into a corresponding slot in at least one of the cylindrical walls, and engages an end of the slot when the first member and second member achieve a first predefined angular relationship, the friction element storing energy from relative movement between the friction element and pintle when the protuberance is engaged at the slot end.

대표청구항 ▼

A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member. A cylindrical pintle is secured to the second member. A friction element secured to the first member includes first and second cylindrical walls that wrap at least substantially circumferentially around the pintle in opposing

A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member. A cylindrical pintle is secured to the second member. A friction element secured to the first member includes first and second cylindrical walls that wrap at least substantially circumferentially around the pintle in opposing first and second directions, respectively, providing equal resistance to relative rotation therebetween in both directions. A protuberance extends radially from the pintle, into a corresponding slot in at least one of the cylindrical walls, and engages an end of the slot when the first member and second member achieve a first predefined angular relationship, the friction element storing energy from relative movement between the friction element and pintle when the protuberance is engaged at the slot end. im 1, wherein the extension of the top-plate has a bifurcated cylindrical shape with a shoulder extending circumferentially about the extension opposite the second surface of the top-plate such that when the extension is engaged with the inner raceway the shoulder extends opposite the top-plate securing the top-plate to the inner raceway. 5. The caster of claim 4, wherein the retention plug has a circular base which extends past the shoulder of the extension. 6. The caster according to claim 1, wherein the housing portion has a cylindrical shaped side adjacent the first surface and extending parallel to the second axis. 7. The caster according to claim 6, wherein the top-plate further comprises a lip extending parallel to the extension which lip slidably envelopes the cylindrical shaped side of the housing portion. 8. The caster according to claim 1, wherein the retention plug has a ridge engaging a complementary channel in the opening of the extension for securely retaining the plug in the opening. 9. The caster according to claim 1, wherein the second surface extends beyond the first surface forming a protruding edge. 10. A plastic caster comprising: a fork assembly having a bearing housing portion, two legs rigid with the housing portion, and at least one wheel mounted on the legs for rotation about a first axis, the bearing housing portion being formed around a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly having inner and outer raceways, the housing portion being formed such that the outer raceway is securely affixed to the housing portion while the inner raceway rotates freely about a second axis which is substantially normal to the first axis, the housing portion further comprising a first surface which is remote from the first axis; a top-plate having a second surface abutting the first surface, an extension extending from the second surface and having an opening therein, the extension engaging the inner raceway thereby permitting the top plate and fork assembly to independently rotate about the second axis; and a retention plug mated with the opening of the extension thereby securely attaching the top-plate to the inner raceway. 11. The caster according to claim 10, further comprising bearings evenly dispersed in a cage between the inner and outer raceways. 12. The caster of claim 11, wherein the extension of the top-plate has a bifurcated cylindrical shape with a shoulder extending circumferentially about the extension opposite the second surface of the top-plate such that when the extension is engaged with the inner raceway the shoulder extends opposite the top-plate securing the top-plate to the inner raceway. 13. The caster according to claim 12, wherein the retention plug has a ridge engaging a complementary channel in the opening of the extension for securely retaining the plug in the opening. 14. The caster of claim 13, wherein the retention plug has a circular base which extends past the shoulder of the extension. 15. The caster according to claim 11, wherein the housing portion has a cylindrical shaped side adjacent the first surface and extending parallel to the second axis. 16. The caster according to claim 15, wherein the top-plate further comprises a lip extending parallel to the extension which lip slidably envelopes the cylindrical shaped side of the housing portion. 17. The caster according to claim 16, wherein the second surface extends beyond the first surface forming a protruding edge. 18. The caster of claim 10, wherein the top-plate has means for attaching the top-plate to a support member. 19. The caster of claim 10, wherein the top-plate forms an integral part of a support member.