An apparatus for attaching and detaching hard objects allowing for rotation wherein protrusions built in or attached to one object are forced into cavity sockets built in or attached to another by causing force resulting in momentary bending of protrusions or the cavities. The sequential bending causes curvilinear motion allowing protrusions to enter otherwise inaccessible cavity sockets. Once in, the components of the joining mechanism revert to natural position and an equilibrium is reached which keeps the objects attached, yet free to move around an axis. This equilibrium can only be disturbed by causing force at specific points on the mechanism and pulling the objects apart in a curvilinear motion, thereby detaching the objects in one continuous motion with little effort. Momentary bending necessary to operate the apparatus is made possible by empty space in the casing housing the mechanism. Permitted angles of rotation are controllable and attached objects can be locked in a position.

An operable panel for an appliance includes a top panel that defines a hinge receptacle. A lid includes a hinge housing. A hinge is disposed within the hinge housing and extends between the lid and the top panel. A retainer includes a cap and a resilient portion. The retainer partially surrounds the hinge and the cap encloses the hinge housing. The resilient portion of the retainer biases the hinge toward the cap and the hinge receptacle.

An operable panel for an appliance includes a top panel that defines a hinge receptacle. A lid includes a hinge housing. A hinge is disposed within the hinge housing and extends between the lid and the top panel. A retainer includes a cap and a resilient portion. The retainer partially surrounds the hinge and the cap encloses the hinge housing. The resilient portion of the retainer biases the hinge toward the cap and the hinge receptacle.

A method of attaching and detaching objects allowing for rotation wherein protrusions built in or attached to one object are forced into cavity sockets built in or attached to another by causing force resulting in momentary bending of protrusions or the cavities. The sequential bending causes curvilinear motion allowing protrusions to enter otherwise inaccessible cavity sockets. Once in, the components of the joining mechanism revert to natural position and an equilibrium is reached which keeps the objects attached, yet free to move around an axis. This equilibrium can only be disturbed by causing force at specific points on the mechanism and pulling the objects apart in a curvilinear motion, thereby detaching the objects in one continuous motion with little effort. Objects not permitting momentary bending can be attached with the mechanism housed in a casing. Permitted angles of rotation are controllable and attached objects can be locked in a position.

An operable panel for an appliance includes a top panel that defines a hinge receptacle. A lid includes a hinge housing. A hinge is disposed within the hinge housing and extends between the lid and the top panel. A retainer includes a cap and a resilient portion. The retainer partially surrounds the hinge and the cap encloses the hinge housing. The resilient portion of the retainer biases the hinge toward the cap and the hinge receptacle.

An operable panel for an appliance includes a top panel that defines a hinge receptacle. A lid includes a hinge housing. A hinge is disposed within the hinge housing and extends between the lid and the top panel. A retainer includes a cap and a resilient portion. The retainer partially surrounds the hinge and the cap encloses the hinge housing. The resilient portion of the retainer biases the hinge toward the cap and the hinge receptacle.

Pivoting device (1) for a motor vehicle has a holder (50) and a pivoting body (10) which is mounted on the holder (50) via an articulated mounting (31) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (12), wherein the pivoting body (10) and the holder (50) are held together by a snap fastening between at least two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) of the articulated mounting (31), and the pivoting device (1) has a blocking element (40). A closing or release of the snap fastening is possible in at least one first angular position of the pivoting body (10) in relation to the holder (50) and the closing or release of the snap fastening is blocked in at least one second angular position by a relative movement of the two articulation elements (33.1, 33.2, 34.1, 34.2) being blocked in a form-fitting manner by the blocking element (40).

A hinge device includes a base member, a lid member connected to the base member via a hinge structure having a hinge pin and a bearing hole loosely receiving the hinge pin. The base member is provided with a first abutting portion adjacent to the hinge structure, and the lid member is provided with a second abutting portion adjacent to the hinge structure so that the lid member can rotate relative to the base member from an open position to a closed position, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion being configured to abut each other in a direction orthogonal to an axial line of a hinge axis of the hinge structure when an angle formed by the first member and the second member is within a first angular range preceding the closed position.

A combination hinge and latch that enables a door, gate or lid to be opened from a latched side and latched from the hinged side to provide more than one point of access for an area behind the door, gate or lid.

A hinge device includes a base member, a lid member connected to the base member via a hinge structure having a hinge pin and a bearing hole loosely receiving the hinge pin. The base member is provided with a first abutting portion adjacent to the hinge structure, and the lid member is provided with a second abutting portion adjacent to the hinge structure so that the lid member can rotate relative to the base member from an open position to a closed position, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion being configured to abut each other in a direction orthogonal to an axial line of a hinge axis of the hinge structure when an angle formed by the first member and the second member is within a first angular range preceding the closed position.