Abstract: A dual stage current limiting surge protector system for protecting telecommunications equipment from power and surge transients is provided. The surge protector system includes a voltage suppressor having first and second ends operatively coupled between input tip and ring terminal pins. The first and second ends of the voltage suppressor are also operatively coupled between output tip and ring terminal pins. First and second current limiting devices are interconnected between the input tip and ring terminal pins and the respective first and second ends of the voltage suppressor. Third and fourth current limiting devices are interconnected between the output tip and ring terminal pins and the respective first and second ends of the voltage suppressor.

Abstract: A ratcheting fastener system such as for point of purchase displays. A bolt has a shank with a head end and a distal end, and a plurality of bolt threads on the shank, each thread having a thread start at the distal end. A nut has a bore with a plurality of thread segments in the bore adapted for engaging the bolt threads when axial force is applied to the bolt with the distal end inserted in the nut. Deflection of the nut thread segments occurs in controlled locations. The bolt and nut can be formed as a single unit connected by a frangible link.

Abstract: A collapsible control knob assembly includes a knob having a tunnel therein for receiving a shaft. Stops in the tunnel are configured and arranged to cooperatively stop the insertion of the shaft during assembly. The stops are configured and arranged to shear from the tunnel when a pre-established collapsing force is exceeded.

Abstract: A breakaway closure device that includes the use of a pair of hermaphroditic clips that attach to the ends of a strap, such as a lanyard cord, and also engage with each other. Each hermaphroditic clip includes both a projection and an aperture that permit the hermaphroditic clips to snap together and form a releasable pair of clips. Each hermaphroditic clip further includes a plurality of interlocking pins and receptacles for securing the clip onto the end of the lanyard cord. Each hermaphroditic clip also includes a guidance lug and a plurality of interlocking lugs and openings to facilitate the easy attachment of the clip to the cord ends by hand without the use of special tools.

Abstract: A printed circuit board mounting system including a panel having an aperture, a mounting clip including a panel support end with a plurality of resilient fingers having corresponding end portions protruding radially outwardly from each other at non-perpendicular angles relative to the panel support end, the mounting clip having a circuit board support end spaced apart from the panel support end by an intermediate portion of the clip, the circuit board support end having a circuit board fastening portion, the plurality of fingers protruding through the panel aperture, some of the clip fingers frictionally engaged with the panel.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided to transmit light from a light source through a prism. The prism includes a light receiving edge surface, a curved edge surface and a light exiting edge surface. The light source is positioned to transmit a beam of light through the light receiving edge surface of the prism. The prism is configured such that the beam of light travels through the prism to strike the curved edge surface. The beam of light is then reflected off of the curved edge surface such that the beam of light changes direction and continues to travel through the prism until such time as it passes through the light exiting edge surface. The lighting system is adapted to provide a substantially uniform light distribution from the light exiting edge surface.

Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit for protecting against excessive voltages on the power line, neutral line and ground line. A voltage detection circuit is coupled and monitors the interterminal voltages between the power, neutral and ground lines. A switch circuit, coupled between the power line and load, provides an electrical current path between the power line and load when the voltage detection circuit detects that all of the interterminal voltages are less than a predetermined maximum voltage and the interterminal voltage between the power and neutral line terminals is greater than a predetermined minimum voltage. The switch circuit interrupts this electrical current path when the voltage detection circuit detects that any of the to interterminal voltages is greater than the predetermined maximum voltage.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a first object such as a headliner to a second object such as the interior of an aircraft or automobile which is also capable of being pre-assembled with the first object in a predetermined orientation is disclosed. A fastener constructed and arranged according to the present invention has an upper head from which extends a shank having a shank fastener formed therein for securing the retainer into a bore formed in the second object. At least one pre-assembly leg is secured to the shank at a predetermined offset distance from the head. A lower head having a bore formed therethrough so that it may be received over the shank of the fastener is secured to a distal end of the at least one pre-assembly leg and actuates the pre-assembly leg so as to double the pre-assembly leg upon itself and simultaneously bias it into contact with the first object, thereby securing the fastener within a bore formed through the first object in the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A voltage and/or surge-current protector and grounding bar arrangement is provided for use with a BIX connector block having two rows of terminals which are laterally spaced with respect to each other so as to form a longitudinally extending channel therebetween. The arrangement includes a housing for receiving voltage and/or surge-current protector devices, four tip/ring terminal contacts, a ground contact and a disconnect arrangement. A grounding bar is disposed within the elongated opening of the BIX connector block and extends generally throughout the length thereof. The ground contact includes two prongs which extend vertically and externally of the housing for connection to a corresponding hole in the grounding bar. The disconnect arrangement allows for testing and line-servicing without removal of the voltage and/or surge-current protector devices from the BIX connector block.

Abstract: A cover structure is provided for the end of a fuel system filler tube. The cover structure includes a closure mechanism that opens and closes as a refueling nozzle is inserted or removed. The cover structure is attached to the filler tube assembly by frangible connections, and will separate from the filler tube assembly in the event of a crash.

Abstract: A headrest assembly is provided wherein a headrest guide and/or a headrest insert permit adjustment of the headrest even when one or more components of the headrest assembly are misaligned or out of tolerance. The headrest guide includes two sleeves, each sleeve forming a channel, the two sleeves rigidly connected with respect to one another so that the channel of each sleeve is parallel with the other.

Abstract: A fastener device is disclosed for fastening a member having a post extending therefrom to a retainer defining an aperture. The arrangement is such that the post is received within the aperture of the retainer for lockably retaining the member relative to the retainer. The device includes a washer which has a peripheral rim and a first and a second face. The washer defines a hole for the reception therein of the post. The washer has a plurality of barbs which surround the hole, the barbs lockably cooperating with the post when the post is inserted into the hole. Also, the washer defines a plurality of ears which extend from the peripheral rim such that when the post is inserted into the aperture of the retainer, the ears engage the retainer for retaining the member relative to the retainer.

Abstract: A surface configuration obscures an object from detection by night vision devices, ultraviolet devices and infrared devices. The surface configuration is three dimensional, having spaced inner and outer surfaces. A wall defines a plurality of enclosed cells, and projections extend from the inner surface within the cells. The cells can be hexagonal, round or otherwise shaped. The projections can be flat sided or curved.

Abstract: The present technique provides a stemmed washer and fastener assembly, which has a fastener retained in assembly with a stemmed washer. The assembly is particularly useful for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion, and a standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the fastener, such as with a plastically deformed skirt portion, to retain the fastener in the assembly. The standoff portion has a toolfree mounting structure, such as a snap-fit member, to mount the stemmed washer and fastener assembly to one or more panels, thereby forming a fastener-panel assembly.

Abstract: A captive fastener retention member includes a cylindrical body having a flange at one end thereof. Work piece retention members project outwardly of the body for securing the retention member in a bore of a work piece. A dimple projects inwardly in the retention member to hold a fastener. The flange on the retention member rests against a work piece, and is shaped to inhibit scratching or gouging of the work piece surface.

Abstract: A nut and plate washer assembly formed from a separate nut body and a separate washer body. The washer body is press fit onto a shank of the nut body, with a head of the nut body embedded in a recess of the washer body. The washer body and nut body can be made from dissimilar materials.