Patent ID: 7010834

Claim:
In a multi-part body formed of a first body portion and at least a second body portion, an improvement of a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting the first body portion together with the second body portion, said hinge assembly comprising: a first hinge piece at least selectably affixed to the first body portion, said first hinge piece defining a first-transversely extending axis and defining a longitudinally-extending axis, said first hinge piece having a first annular hinge surface formed annularly about the longitudinally-extending axis; and a second hinge piece at least selectably affixed to the second body portion, said second hinge piece having a second annular hinge surface formed annularly about the longitudinally-extending axis and coaxially positioned with the first annular hinge surface of said first hinge piece; and a transverse seating surface of said first hinge piece comprising a first flanged, annular ring wherein the first body portion comprises a first spindle piece about which the flanged, annular ring is seated in selectable rotatable engagement therewith; wherein said first hinge piece further comprises a second transverse seating surface formed of a second flanged, annular ring, positioned at a side of said first hinge piece opposed to a side of said first hinge piece at which the first flanged, annular ring, and wherein the first body portion further comprises a second spindle piece about which the flanged annular ring is seated; and wherein rotation of the first and second body portions with respect to each other is permitted about the longitudinally-extending axis in the first manner, and rotation of the first and second body portions with respect to each other is permitted about the first transversely-extending axis in the second manner.