Hold open apparatus

A hold open apparatus for permitting a movable external member which is biased in a normally-closed position adjacent a stationary external member to be held in an open position spaced apart from said stationary external member, comprising:

• a base member having means for attaching said apparatus to said movable external member;
• a rod member pivotally mounted on said base member;
• resilient means on said base member urging said rod member to automatically rotate into a position in which said rod member extends upwardly from said base member;
• said rod member being rotatably connected to said base member so that said rod member can be rotated into a position in which a substantial portion of said rod member extends substantially parallel to said base member;
• said rod member having a lower portion thereof which limits the movement of said rod member upwardly to an upper position under the influence of said resilient means;
• said lower portion of said rod member cooperating with said base member after said rod member has rotated a predetermined amount to limit the rotational movement of said rod member relative to said base member;
• said movable external member being biased in said normally-closed position adjacent said stationary external member in a fashion so that there is an axis of rotation disposed between between said moveable external member and said stationary external member;
• said rod member being constrained to move in a plane which intersects said axis of rotation disposed between said movable external member and said stationary external member in a predetermined angular relationship;
• and
• said resilient means automatically urging said rod member to rotate into said upper position when said movable external member is moved away from said normally-closed position adjacent said stationary external member.