Abstract:
A foldable locking hinge is provided that is configured for use in an apparatus is described. The apparatus may secured to the underside of a surface, such as a chair or a table, and allow an individual to safely and securely position an object in front of them while in use, and then rotate the object 180° to safely and securely reposition the object under the surface to which the apparatus is attached. The apparatus includes a housing and a plank secured to the housing. The housing includes an elongated slot and a cavity positioned adjacent to and parallel with the elongated slot. 
     The elongated slot and the cavity of the housing are each configured to at least partially receive the plank and the plank is configured to rotate 180°.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/833,145, filed Jun. 10, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a foldable locking hinge that can be used to rotate an object secured to an apparatus 180 degrees. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There is a need in the art for an adaptable, foldable hinge that permits an individual to position in object in a first, accessible location when the object is in use, and then conveniently reposition that object in a second, obscured location when the object is not in use, and vice versa. There is an additional need in the art for the an apparatus embodying such a foldable hinge that can be used in public or private settings by securing the apparatus underneath a surface, such as a seat or a table. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present to address these needs in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a foldable locking hinge that is configured for use in an apparatus. The apparatus may be secured to the underside of a surface, such as a chair or a table, and allow an individual to safely and securely position an object in front of them while in use, and then rotate the object 180° to safely and securely reposition the object under the surface to which the apparatus is attached. The user may, with the apparatus, take an object such as a beverage stored in a cup holder secured to a plank on the apparatus, and when the cup holder is not in use, rotate the cup holder and plank 180° to store the cup holder out of the user&#39;s way. 
         [0006]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, there is an apparatus comprising a housing and a plank secured to the housing. The housing includes an elongated slot and a cavity positioned adjacent to and parallel with the elongated slot. The elongated slot and the cavity of the housing are each configured to at least partially receive the plank and the plank is configured to rotate 180°. 
         [0007]    In the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention, the plank may comprise a rod extending through the plank configured to secure the plank to the housing. The cavity of the housing may comprise a track to receive the rod and permit lateral movement of the rod and the plank into or out of the cavity. When the plank is removed from the cavity, the rod is maintained within the track and is configured to allow the plank to pivot towards the housing into the slot. In particular, a portion of the track extends perpendicularly into the elongated slot of the housing and this extended portion of the track is configured to receive the rod to enable the 180° rotation of the plank into and out of the elongated slot. 
         [0008]    Further in the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention, the plank may comprise a magnetic member and the housing may comprise a first magnetic member. The first magnetic member of the housing is configured to align with the plank magnetic member when the plank is inserted into the slot, which aids to secure the plank in the slot. The housing may also comprise a second magnetic member configured to align with the rod when the plank is inserted into the cavity, which aids to secure the plank in the cavity. 
         [0009]    In the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention, the housing may comprise a first plate configured to be secured to a second plate. The cavity may formed in a space between the first plate and the second plate and the slot is formed between opposing side walls on the second plate. 
         [0010]    The plank in the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention is configured to be affixed to an object, such as a cup holder. 
         [0011]    The apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention may comprise one or more bore holes to secure the apparatus to a surface by a bolt or screw inserted through the one or more bore holes. 
         [0012]    According to a second embodiment of the invention, the cavity in the housing of the apparatus may comprise a spring element configured to be secured to the rod of the plank and to bias the plank towards the inside of the cavity when the plank is aligned with the cavity. 
         [0013]    According to a third embodiment of the invention, the housing of the apparatus may comprise a rotatable latch adjacent to the slot configured to secure the plank in the slot by rotating the latch over the plank. According to the third embodiment, the cavity of the apparatus may be formed between the housing and the surface to which the apparatus is secured. 
         [0014]    Having summarized the present invention herein, the invention will now be described in further detail in reference to the accompanying Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows a first view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the plank inserted in the cavity of the apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  shows a second view of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, from the side opposite the view shown in  FIG. 1A , with the plank inserted in the cavity of the apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1C  shows the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the plank removed from the cavity of the apparatus. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1D  shows the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the plank in the process of rotating into the slot. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1E  shows the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the plank in the slot. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1F  shows a side view of the housing of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  shows a first view of the plank of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  a second view of the plank of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  shows a first view of a top plate of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  shows a second view of the top plate of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4A  shows a first view of a base plate of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4B  shows a second view of the base plate of the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  shows the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention secured to a surface, with the plank in the slot. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  shows the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention secured to a surface, with the plank in the process of rotating into the slot 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  shows the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention secured to a surface, with the plank removed from the cavity of the apparatus. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5D  shows the apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention secured to a surface, with the plank inserted in the cavity of the apparatus. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6A  shows a first view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the plank inserted in the cavity of the apparatus. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6B  shows a second view of the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with the plank removed from the cavity of the apparatus. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6C  shows the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, with the plank in the slot. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6D  shows a top plate of the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention 
           [0035]      FIG. 6E  shows a base plate of the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention and a view of the top plate of the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention with plank inserted in the top plate. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7A  shows an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention secured to a surface, with the plank in the slot. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7B  shows a first, side view of the housing of the apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7C  shows a second, base view of the housing of the apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7D  shows a third, side view of the housing of the apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 1A-5E , the foldable locking hinge is embodied in an apparatus  100  for securing and rotating a plank  110  180 degrees. The apparatus  100  comprises the plank  110  and a housing  120 . The housing  120  includes a cavity  122  and a slot  124  in an overlaying and parallel relationship as seen in  FIG. 1F . The cavity  122  and slot  124  are each dimensioned for receiving the plank  110 . 
         [0041]    The plank  110  is an elongated, substantially flattened member capable of supporting an object, such as a cup holder  300 . The plank  110  may be configured with an bore hole or plurality of bore holes  112  used to secure the plank  110  to the cup holder  300  or other object by means of a screw or other securing member (not shown) through the plank bore holes  112  and the object  300 . The plank  110  may include a means for securing the plank  110  to the housing  120  and preventing the plank  110  from unintentionally rotating away from the slot  124  of the housing  120 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-5E , the plank  110  comprises a magnetic member  114  configured to engage the plank  110  to the housing  120  within the slot  124 . The plank  110  further includes a rod  116  inserted through an end of the plank  110 . The rod  116  is configured to permit the plank  110  to slide into and out of the cavity  122  of the housing  110  and rotate 180 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the rod  116  is positioned on an end of the plank  110  opposite the end of the plank  110  comprising the bore holes  112 , or secured to an object  300 . In a preferred embodiment, the rod  116  would be formed from a metallic material, however, the construction of the rod  116  is not limited to this material. 
         [0042]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-5E , the housing  120  is comprised of two components, a top plate  130  and a base plate  140 . The two plates  130  and  140  are secured together by inserting one or more screws or bolts  126   b  through bore holes  126   a  in the housing  120 . The bore holes  126   a  and screws or bolts  126   b  extend through both the top and base plates  130  and  140 . The housing  120  includes bore holes  128   a  which are configured to receive screws or bolts  128   b  in order to affix the housing  120  to a surface  200 . The housing  120  is not intended to be limited by the particular number or size of the bore holes  126   a  and  128   a  shown in the Figures, which can vary. The invention is further not limited to the particular configuration of the screw or bolt  126   b  and  128   b  shown in the Figures, but alternative means can be used for securing the two plates  130  and  140  of the housing  110  together, or for securing the housing  110  to a surface  200 . Additionally, in alternative embodiments, the housing  120  may comprise a similar structure and configuration but made from a single piece of material. 
         [0043]    The top plate  130  can be seen in detail in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The top plate  130  may have a substantially flat surface, as seen in  FIG. 3A , which abuts the surface  200  of the object to which the apparatus  100  is secured. Underneath this flat surface, the top plate  130  provides the space for the cavity  122 . A plank receiving section  132  is configured in between two tracks  134 . The plank receiving section  132  is dimensioned in width so as to fit the plank  110 . The tracks  134 , elevated above the plank receiving section  132 , are configured to receive the ends of the rod  116  when the plank  110  is maintained in the plank receiving section  132 . When the plank  110  is contained in the top plate  130 , the plank  110  can be slid through the plank receiving section  132  with the rod  116  sliding through the tracks  134 . 
         [0044]    The top plate  130  is further configured with a first magnetic member  136  and a second magnetic member  138 . As described in further detail below, the first magnetic member  136  is configured so as to be aligned with an opening  146   a  in the base plate  140 , and when the plank  110  is in the slot  124 , aligned with the magnetic member  114  of the plank  110 . The second magnetic member  138  is positioned within the plank receiving section  132  such that the rod  116 , which in this embodiment is metallic, is positioned near and attracted to the second magnetic member  138 . This magnetic effect secures the plank  110  within the cavity  122  of the housing  120 . 
         [0045]    The base plate  140  of the housing  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , includes a plate  142  having two elongated side walls  144  on each side. The plate  142  and side walls  144  correspond to the slot  124  of the housing  120 . The bottom plate  140  is configured for attachment to the top plate  130  via the bore holes  126   a  and screws or bolts  126   b . The base plate  140  includes one flattened side opposite the side comprising the side walls  144 , shown in  FIG. 3B , which is positioned adjacent to the top plate  130  when the housing  120  is in its assembled form. When the flattened side of base plate  140  overlays the plank receiving section  132  and the tracks  134 , it forms a cavity  122  in which the plank  110  can be stored, inserted or removed. The flattened side of the base plate  140  may further be configured with a rim  146   b  around the opening  146   a  which is configured to align with the first magnetic member  136  and may improve the fit of the attached top plate  130  and base plate  140 . 
         [0046]    The base plate  140  further includes a vertical extension  148  of the tracks  134  which aid in providing the 180 degree hinge mechanism according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical extensions  148  are positioned on the base plate  140  on an end substantially opposing the opening  146   a , and when the base plate  140  is attached to the top plate  130 , opposing the first magnetic member  134  and aligning with an end of the tracks  144 . The plate  142  is dimensioned in a preferred embodiment so as to be shorter in length than the side walls  144 , so that the vertical extensions  148  are constructed in the side walls  144  at a point in between the ends of the side walls  144  and the end of the plate  142 . The vertical extensions  148  may be similar in width to the width of the tracks  144  and dimensioned to receive the rod  116  extending from the plank  110 . 
         [0047]    The 180 degree foldable hinge according to the invention will now be described in reference to  FIGS. 1B-1E . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , the plank  110  can be secured inside the cavity  122  of the housing  120 , formed in between the top plate  130  and base plate  140 . By applying a pulling force to the plank  110  to separate the rod  116  from the second magnetic member  138  inside the cavity  122 , the plank  110  can be pulled out of the cavity  120  by sliding the rod  116  along tracks  144 . The plank  110  can be extended fully out of the cavity  120 , while leaving the ends of the rod  116  in the track  144  as the rod  116  reaches the end of track  144  on the top plate, as shown in  FIG. 1C . From this position, the plank  110  can be rotated back towards the housing  120 , as shown in  FIG. 1D . While the plank  110  is positioned in the cavity  122 , the plank is prevented from making such rotation by the base plate  140 . As the plank  110  rotates towards the housing  120 , the plank  110  can be lifted upwards, or if the apparatus  110  is secured to a surface  200  as in  FIGS. 5A-5E , the plank  110  falls downward, by the rod  116  entering the vertical extensions  148 . From this position, the plank  110  can freely continue its rotation into the slot  124 , as shown in  FIG. 1E . The plank  110  is secured in the slot  124  by the attraction of the magnetic means  114  on the plank  110  to the first magnetic means  136  of the housing  120 . The process of rotating the plank  110  can be reversed by pulling the plank  110  away from the slot  124 , and reversing the rotation until the plank  110  is inserted back into the cavity  122 . 
         [0049]    As a result of this construction of the apparatus  100  and its hinge mechanism described above, the apparatus  100  can be used in an exemplary embodiment for moving an article into and out of view for convenience. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D , the apparatus  100  may be affixed to a surface  200  and to a cup holder  300 . The surface  200  can be the bottom of a seat or an arm rest of a transportation vehicle for example, such as a bus, plane, train, car or other vehicle. The cup holder  300  can be secured to the plank  110  of the apparatus using any known means, including by inserting a screw or bolt (not shown) through the plank bore hole or holes  112  and the cup holder  300  to secure the plank  110  and cup holder  300  together. 
         [0050]    The hinge mechanism of the apparatus  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1B-1E  is the same as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D , which includes the surface  200  and cup holder  300 . When the cup holder  300  is not being used, it can be stored beneath the surface  200  by securing the plank  110  to the slot  124  of the housing  120 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . When the user desires to use the cup holder  300 , the cup holder  300  can be pulled away from the slot  124 , as seen in  FIG. 5B , and extended in front of the user, as seen in  FIG. 5C . The plank  110  supporting the cup holder  300  can be slid into the cavity  122  of the housing  120  of the apparatus  100  to further secure the cup holder  300  in place and prevent it from falling downwardly. When the cup holder  300  is no longer in use, the plank  110  can be rotated back under the surface  200  by reversing the process. The combined apparatus  100  and cup holder  300  is not limited to use solely with a transportation vehicle, but can also be used in connection with any other use where a cup holder  300  is desired and where it can be conveniently moved into and out of the user&#39;s way depending on when use of the cup holder  300  is necessary. For example, the apparatus  100  and cup holder  300  can be used in connection with tables, wheel chairs, beds, stadium seats, movie theater seats, bars, clubs, or any other application that may be deemed appropriate. 
         [0051]    The apparatus  100  may also be used with objects other than a cup holder  300  secured to the plank  110 . For example, the apparatus can be used as a table extender for use with tables that may require extensions or variable sizes, such as a massage table. A table extension can be secured to the apparatus  100 , which can be secured to the bottom of a massage table. If the massage table needs to be extended in length or width to meet the size of a person using the table, the extension can be rotated from underneath the table into alignment with the table in order to increase the width and/or length of the table. Additionally, the locking hinge described herein can also be used in combination with a box having a snapping lid, a pull out shelf, a pull out table, a pocketbook holder, a makeup mirror, drop down lighting, emergency lighting, a plant holder, a flower pot, a baby changing table or an ashtray, for example. If mounted at 90 degree angle can the apparatus can be used as a privacy partition, cubicle walls, privacy screens, or room dividers. 
         [0052]    The apparatus  100  is not limited to any particular set of dimensions, but can vary in size depending on the use. Additionally, although the apparatus  100 , including the plank  110 , housing  120 , top plate  130  and base plate  140  are configured from a suitable plastic material such as polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride, the invention is not limited to being constructed from any particular material substance, but can also be constructed from other materials, including but not limited to metallic materials such as aluminum. 
         [0053]    According to a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus according to the present invention may include a spring to retain the plank within the cavity rather than a magnetic member. This embodiment is discussed herein with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6E . 
         [0054]    The apparatus  400  according to the second embodiment of the invention is comprises similar components as the apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  400  comprises a plank  410  and a housing  420 . The housing  420  includes a cavity  422  and a slot  424  in an overlaying and parallel relationship. The cavity  422  and slot  424  are each dimensioned for receiving the plank  410 . 
         [0055]    The plank  410  may be configured with a bore hole or plurality of bore holes  412  used to secure the plank  410  to an object by means of a screw or other securing member (not shown) through the plank bore holes  412  and the object. The plank  410  may include a means for securing the plank  420  to the housing  420  and preventing the plank  410  from unintentionally rotating away from the slot  424  of the housing  420 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A-6E , the plank  410  comprises a magnetic member  414  configured to engage the plank  410  to the housing  420  within the slot  424 . The plank  410  further includes a rod  416  inserted through an end of the plank  410 . The rod  416  is configured to permit the plank  410  to slide into and out of the cavity  422  of the housing  420  and rotate 180 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the rod  416  is positioned on an end of the plank  410  opposite the end of the plank  410  comprising the bore holes  412 , or secured to an object. 
         [0056]    The housing  420  is comprised of two components, a top plate  430  and a base plate  440 . The two plates  430  and  440  are secured together by inserting one or more screws or bolts  426   b  through bore holes  426   a  in the housing  420 . The bore holes  426   a  and screws or bolts  426   b  extend through both the top and base plates  430  and  440 . The housing  420  includes bore holes  428   a  which are configured to receive screws or bolts (not shown) in order to affix the housing  420  to a surface  200 . 
         [0057]    The top plate  430  can be seen in detail in  FIGS. 6D and 6E . The top plate  430  may have a substantially flat surface that abuts the surface  200  of the object to which the apparatus  400  is secured. Underneath this flat surface, the top plate  430  provides the space for cavity  422 . A plank receiving section  432  is configured in between two tracks  434 . The plank receiving section  432  is dimensioned in width so as to fit the plank  410 . The tracks  434 , elevated above the plank receiving section  432 , are configured to receive the ends of the rod  416  when the plank  410  is maintained in the plank receiving section  432 . When the plank  410  is contained in the top plate  430 , the plank  410  can be slid through the plank receiving section  432  with the rod  416  sliding through the tracks  434 . 
         [0058]    The top plate  430  is further configured with a magnetic member  436  configured so to be aligned with an opening  446  in the base plate  440 , and when the plank  410  is in the slot  424 , the magnetic member  414  of the plank  410 . 
         [0059]    The top plate  430  further includes a spring receiving section  438   a  and a spring attachment component  438   b . The plank  410  according to this embodiment of the invention includes a spring  418   a  secured to the rod  416  on a first spring end  418   c , which may comprise a small loop dimensioned for fitting around the rod  416 . The spring receiving section  438   a  is dimensioned to fit the spring  418   a  therein, as seen in  FIG. 6E . The spring  418   a  is attached to the top plate  440  at a second spring end  418   b , which may also comprise a small loop dimensioned for fitting around the spring attachment component  438   b . By securing the plank  410  to the top plate  440  of the housing  420  by way of spring  418   a , the plank  410  is biased towards the cavity  422 , thereby preventing the plank  410  from inadvertently sliding out of the cavity  422 . 
         [0060]    The base plate  440  of the housing  420 , as shown in  FIG. 6E , includes a plate  442  having two elongated side walls  444  on each side. The plate  442  and side walls  444  correspond to the slot  424  of the housing  420 . The bottom plate  440  is configured for attachment to the top plate  430  via the bore holes  426   a  and screws or bolts  426   b . When the base plate  440  overlays the plank receiving section  432  and the tracks  434  of the top plate  440 , it closes the cavity  422  in which the plank  410  can be stored, inserted or removed. The base plate  440  may further be configured with an opening  446  which is configured to align with the magnetic member  436 . 
         [0061]    The base plate  440  further includes vertical extensions  448  of the tracks  434  which aid in providing the 180 degree hinge mechanism according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical extensions  448  are positioned on the base plate  440  on a side substantially opposing the opening  446 , and when the base plate  440  is attached to the top plate  430 , opposing the magnetic member  434  and aligning with an end of the tracks  444 . The plate  442  is dimensioned in a preferred embodiment so as to be shorter in length than the side walls  444 , so that the vertical extensions  448  are constructed in the side walls  444  at a point in between the ends of the side walls  444  and the end of the plate  442 . The vertical extensions  448  may be similar in width to the width of the tracks  444  and dimensioned to receive the rod  416  extending from the plank  410 . 
         [0062]    The 180 degree foldable hinge of the apparatus  400  is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1B-1E  and described previously. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the plank  410  can be secured inside the cavity  422  of the housing  420 , formed in between the top plate  430  and base plate  440 . By applying a pulling force to the plank  410 , the plank  410  can be pulled out of the cavity  420  by sliding the rod  416  along tracks  444 . If the plank  410  is released while being pulled out from the cavity  422 , the biasing of the spring  418   a  will cause the plank to retreat back into the cavity  422 . The plank  410  can be extended fully out of the cavity  422 , while leaving the ends of the rod  416  in the track  444  as the rod  416  reaches the end of track  444  on the top plate, as shown in  FIG. 6B . From this position, the plank  410  can be rotated back towards the housing  420  into the slot  424 , as shown in  6 C. The plank  410  is secured in the slot  424  by the attraction of the magnetic means  414  on the plank to the magnetic means  436  of the housing  420 . The base plate  440  may also be configured with a slit  450  at the end of plate  442  to aid in the rotation of the plank  410  into the slot  424 . When the plank  410  rotates towards the slot  424 , the spring  418   a  may move away from the top plate  430  in the direction of the base plate  440 . The slit  450  provides an opening for the spring  418   a  to move into during when the plank  420  is in the slot  424 . The process of rotating the plank  410  can be reversed by pulling the plank  410  away from the slot  424 , and reversing the rotation until the plank  410  is inserted back into the cavity  422 . 
         [0063]    The apparatus  400  can be used in combination with additional objects, such as cup holder  300 , and surfaces  200 , in the same manner as the apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         [0064]    According to a third embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D , an apparatus  500  may comprise a housing  520  that is comprised of a singular structure and does not include a separate top and base portion secured together. The housing  520  comprises a cavity  522  and a slot  524 , formed by a plate  542  placed between two side walls  544 . The plate  542  can be positioned substantially in the center of the side walls  544 , as shown in  FIG. 7B . The housing  520  includes bore holes  528   a  which are configured to receive screws or bolts  528   b  in order to affix the housing  520  to a surface  200 . 
         [0065]    The apparatus  500  comprises a plank  510  which may similar in configuration to planks  110  and  410  described above. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D , the plank  510  does not include a magnetic member. Rather, the plank  510  is configured to be secured in slot  524  by way of a latch  550 . The housing  520  includes a bore hole  552  in a side wall  544  configured to receive a screw or bolt  554  inserted through latch  550 . The latch  550  is configured to rotate 360 degrees. As seen in  FIG. 7A , the latch  550  can overlay the plank  510  when the plank  510  is inserted in the slot  524  in order to prevent the plank from falling out of the slot  524 . When the plank  510  is intended to be moved out of the slot  524 , the latch  550  can be rotated so as to be aligned with a side wall  544  and not overlaying the plank  510 . 
         [0066]    The hinge mechanism of the apparatus  500  is similar to the hinge mechanism described in the apparatus  100  and  400 . The housing comprises a track  534  in cavity  522 , which when the apparatus  500  is secured to a surface  200 , may be enclosed by the surface  200 . The plank  510  is configured to be slid through cavity by sliding the rod of the plank  510  through the track  534 . The housing  520  further comprises a vertical extension  548  of the track  534 . The plank  510  can be rotated into the slot  524  by moving the rod of the plank  510  vertically into the vertical extension  548  and directing the plank  510  into the slot  524 . When the plank  510  is in the slot  524 , the latch  550  can be turned to overlay the plank  510  and maintain the plank in the slot  524 . 
         [0067]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.