Abstract: A fastener assembly having a bolt having a shaft and a nose portion at its terminal end. A ring is mounted on the bolt. The ring is an elongated piece of resilient material curving from a first end about the bolt shaft, then curving back around to a second end adjacent the first end parallel thereto but spaced therefrom. In this manner the ring resiliently grips the bolt shaft and is adapted to hold the bolt in a hold out position when it is mounted in aligned openings in abutting panels.

Abstract: An aircraft latch is disclosed for latching to the preexisting latch pin of an aircraft assembly. The latch includes a trigger safety to block the trigger from accidentally being opened. A link trunion adds rigidity to the system and cooperates with the trigger safety to provide an anti-vibrating feature. A detent on the latch cooperates with the installation housing in which the latch pin is mounted to hold the latch handle in place when the latch is fully opened to prevent the aircraft doors in which the latch is mounted from being closed inadvertently while the latch is still unlatched.

Abstract: A strut for propping open the door of an aircraft including an outer tube connected at one end to the aircraft and a telescoping inner member connected to the aircraft door. The inner member is extended out of the outer tube when the door is fully opened and automatically locks in place. The strut can be unlocked by grasping a sleeve mounted on the outer tube, pulling it downwardly while rotating the same clockwise. The strut remains locked until the door is lifted upwardly until it stops thereby unlocking the strut. Lowering the door returns the strut to its stowed position with the inner member received within the outer tube.

Abstract: A fastener assembly having a bolt having a shaft with a plurality of spaced elongated closed end splines spaced from a like plurality of open ended splines. Each pair of splines are interconnected by a crossover slot of the same or greater depth than the closed end and open ended splines. The entry into the crossover slots is wide enough for ears of a retaining ring that is inserted onto the open ended splines of the bolt shaft to pass through the crossover slots and be forced out of a restricted width exit leading from the crossover slot to the closed end spline thereby trapping the ring on the bolt shaft with the ears reciprocating in the closed end splines.

Abstract: A fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded portion with an interior cavity. A plug mounted in the cavity configured similarly thereto having an enlarged head generally the same outer diameter as the enlarged end of the fastener and abutting against the same closing off the opening leading into the cavity. The plug is releasably locked in the cavity and released by magnetic action when the releasable lock is released.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: A wedge-type fastener and tool for installing the same for preventing the separation of structural members during drilling or other operations. The fastener includes four spring biased pins which are adapted to be extended into aligned holes in the structural members providing four prongs of engagement increasing the bearing surface of the fastener without deformation of the structural members.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a pin and nut fastener assembly for temporarily or permanently securing two panels having conventional drilled generally aligned holes into which the assembly is inserted. Weight of the pin and nut is reduced while retaining predetermined industry established strength requirements. The thread section of the pin is reduced along with the mating thread of the nut. The pin may be cold-worked in critical areas.

Abstract: A nut and bolt locking system including a bolt having an anti-lock threaded shaft receiving a lock washer thereon with a plurality of spaced ears and mating anti-lock configuration. A nut threads onto the bolt shaft after placement of the washer thereof. The nut has flats on its front face that mate with the ears on the lock washer. As the nut is torqued onto the bolt during assembly, the ears of the lock washer deform back into the flats of the nut locking the washer to the nut.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack assembly for retaining a roof rack to the roof of a vehicle. The assembly includes a plurality of spanners which span a pair of spaced round holes through the roof of the vehicle at preselected locations. Each spanner includes a main body portion having spaced integral downwardly extending insert portions or apertured bosses which extend into the spaced round holes. These apertured bosses are self tapping for receiving screws therein. Thus, the rack, having holes at each end aligned with the apertured bosses, receives a self tapping screw in each apertured boss securing the rack to the roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fail safe hold open telescoping rod movable from a retracted to an extended position. A locking member coacts with telescoping tubes of the rod to allow the tubes to be fully extended by pulling the member away from the tubes and locking the same in a retracted position permitting extension of the tubes without need for manually holding the locking member. When the fully extended position is reached, the locking member automatically returns to a lock position holding the tubes in a fully extended position.

Abstract: A lightweight towable trailer for a wheelchair having a quick disconnect support member attachable to the frame of a wheelchair. The trailer is wheeled and pivotable about the wheelchair. A basket for carrying items is supported between the sides of the trailer.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for permanently securing together a pair of mating panels having aligned apertures therethrough including a bolt having an enlarged head at one end, a threaded shaft portion at the other end and an integral main body portion interconnecting the head and the shaft portion, a split ring bushing encircling the bolt, a first nut threadably mounted on the bolt having deformable protrusions thereon and a second nut threadably mounted on first nut also having first deformable protrusions thereon, both sets of protrusions being deformable at a predetermined load thereon into the threads of the bolt and the first nut respectively, the first nut being forced against the bushing when threaded on the bolt and the second nut abutting against an underside of one of the panels when threaded on the first nut thereby providing a mechanical lock between the deformed protrusions and the mating threads permanently locking the panels together.

Abstract: A vehicle roof rack assembly for retaining a roof rack to the roof of a vehicle. The assembly includes a plurality of spanners which span a pair of spaced round holes through the roof of the vehicle at preselected locations. Each spanner includes a main body portion having spaced integral downwardly extending insert portions or apertured bosses which extend into the spaced round holes. These apertured bosses are self tapping for receiving screws therein. Thus, the rack, having holes at each end aligned with the apertured bosses, receives a self tapping screw in each apertured boss securing the rack to the roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag mounting system for mounting an air bag module in the preexisting steering wheel air bag receiving pocket of a vehicle. The system includes a mounting plate having a plurality of spaced bolt assemblies extending therefrom receivable in a like plurality of aligned spaced holes in the pocket. The bolt assemblies are non-rotational with respect to the mounting plate and snap into the holes in a locking relationship. The module can be thus mounted from the access side of the pocket, automatically locked thereto, then released by unthreading of a threaded lock portion of the bolt assemblies from the blind side of the pocket.

Abstract: A new and improved air bag inflator module adapted for quick action, snap-on, permanent mounting on a steering wheel requires the use of no tools to install. The module is pre-positioned in front of the steering wheel and is thrust into place until locked. The inflator module includes a base facing and movable in one direction directly toward the steering wheel with a plurality of quick action, snap-on type fasteners carried thereby. Each fastener has a first portion extended into an opening in the steering wheel as the inflator module is pushed into place with a unidirectional thrust and a second portion for supporting the first portion projecting outwardly thereof. A snap-action, annular compressible and expandable holding skirt is provided on the first portion of each fastener for lockingly engaging a surface on the steering wheel when expanded after the first portion of the fastener is fully inserted through an aligned opening in the steering wheel.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for joining a panel to a sub-panel comprising a receptacle assembly having a threaded stud secured to the undersurface of the sub-panel. The assembly includes a bolt having an enlarged head at one end and a nose at the other end. The panel has a countersunk opening aligned with an opening in the sub-panel. The bolt is threaded for threaded engagement to the stud. The body of the bolt includes a plurality of spaced grooves extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the bolt body. A retainer surrounds the bolt body having spaced ears riding in the grooves and a stop in a groove adjacent the nose of the bolt stops the downward movement of the retainer. A cup member surrounds the retainer thereby protecting the retainer during its movement along the grooves.

Abstract: A ball locking device having a ball locking mechanism releasably attachable to a receptacle to lock the device thereto until released. The device has a handle which is removably attached to,the device so that the handle can be changed for another. The handle may be of a non-metallic material whereas the main components of the ball locking mechanism may be of metallic material.

Abstract: A method of forming adjustable bushing rings comprising the steps of drawing wire of round cross-section and predetermined diameter through a die forming said drawn wire in a wire having a generally trapezoidally-shaped cross-section. The drawn wire is cut into segments and these segments are bent about a rigid cylindrical form of a predetermined diameter until the elongated sides of said drawn wire are adjacent but spaced from each other a predetermined distance forming bushing rings.