Abstract: A flexible pivot includes a first stage including a first cylinder and interface structure and a second stage including a second cylinder and interface structure in axial alignment with those of the first stage. Flexible connecting members are arranged for connecting the first and the second stages. Each flexible connecting member includes a pair of legs and a cross member joining the legs, each leg extending in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylinders, the legs being attached to the first and the second cylinders respectively. The first cylinder and the first interface structure are concentric. Flexible spokes are attached to the first cylinder by one end and to the first interface structure by the other. Each spoke extends in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylinders. Finally, the second stage includes flexible connection unit arranged to connect the second cylinder to the second interface structure.

Abstract: A barrel for a barrel joint for parts of furniture and furnishing items includes a hollow cylindrical body containing a blocking element and having at least one hole on one of its side surfaces for the passage of a tip of a tool that actuates the blocking element, the hollow cylindrical body also having at least another hole for receiving a pin of the barrel joint.

Abstract: A lock comprising a housing, a plunger, a locking member, a locking plate, and a control assembly. The housing having an internal cavity, a recess, and a bore. The plunger is disposed in the bore and is slidable between a closed position wherein a second end of the plunger is positioned in the internal cavity and an intermediate portion of the plunger extends across the recess, and an open position wherein the plunger is withdrawn from the internal cavity and the recess. The locking member is movable between a locking position wherein the locking member is engaged with the plunger and an unlocking position wherein the locking member is disengaged therefrom. The control assembly operates the locking plate between a lock position to hold the locking member in the locking position and an unlock position to permit the plunger to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A railing support post with threaded holes or receivers for receiving threaded hardware, such as might be used for tensioned cable railing. A decorative sleeve or post cover may be used to at least partially enclose the railing support post. The railing support post may be manufactured, for example, by providing an elongated member of a prescribed length, drilling a plurality of holes spaced along the length of the elongated member, and tapping the plurality of holes to form a plurality of threaded receivers. The threaded receivers are configured to receive rail fittings or other fittings.

Abstract: A door lock that includes a latch adapted to be moved manually relative to a mounting bracket and lock body to attach the body to the mounting bracket. The latch may be movably mounted to the body, and arranged to capture a portion of the mounting bracket between the latch and the body. A detent may be used to hold the latch in the closed position relative to the body, and a spring may be adapted to bias the latch away from the body.

Abstract: Improved vibration damping in a closing bar of a motor vehicle body lock makes use of a bar which is arranged on a bar plate and which is designed to be movable from a rest position in a working direction and is operatively connected to a counter bearing. A base plate is attached to a motor vehicle body. In the event of a movement of the bar from the rest position, in which the bar has a first rigidity, to a first functional position, which represents the operating state of the closing bar, the counter bearing has a second rigidity, which is lower than the first rigidity, and a third rigidity, which is greater than the second rigidity, in a second functional position, which represents a highly dynamic acceleration of the motor vehicle body lock.

Abstract: A combination lock for electronic devices may include a main body, a digit lock core, a key lock core, a control unit, a driving block, a switching unit, and two engaging units. The combination lock can be locked/unlocked through the digit lock core and the key lock core, and also when the combination lock is locked on the electronic device, the main body can be axially rotated to enable a digit wheel of the digit lock core to be faced to the designated direction.

Abstract: A system and method for fastening protective barriers to solar panel systems includes a fastener system including a main clip that is coupled to a support clip and a wireform splice. The main clip and support clip of the fastener system are adapted to engage with a solar panel frame. Once engaged with the panel frame, a barrier, such as wire mesh, is placed adjacent to a front face of the main clip and the wireform splice may be coupled to the main clip and engaged with the barrier. The splice is used to secure the barrier to the faceplate. In one embodiment, the fastening devices may be placed in a spaced arrangement, and the barrier is coupled to each fastening device along the continuous run. In this way, a single section of barrier may be secured to the solar panel array system.

Abstract: A clevis, particularly for a turbomachine includes a body that is attachable to a casing and at least one aperture for fitting a hinge pin. The body is formed in one piece and includes, about the at least one aperture, a honeycomb-type annular portion. The annular portion acts as a vibration filter and has a compressive and/or flexural strain capacity greater than that of the rest of the body.

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain assembly, and method for making the assembly, including first and second torque transmitting members, one of which is made of aluminum and the other of which is made of steel, and being joined by an electromagnetic pulse weld progressively applied along a radial direction relative to a central axis of the assembly.

Abstract: A field-replaceable unit is reversibly secured in place using two captive fasteners. Each fastener includes a telescoping knob that rotates 180 degrees in a first direction to engage a latch mechanism and rotates 180 degrees in the opposite direction to disengage the latch mechanism. The knob automatically extends when the latch mechanism is disengaged. The knob alternately extends and retracts in response to being successively pressed when the latch mechanism is engaged. The knob has two cutaways formed along outside edges to facilitate a two-finger grip for knob rotation and pulling the unit out of another module. A circular groove centered on an axis of rotation of the knob has a contrasting coloration and provides a visual and tactile indication of know location. A nub indicates rotational position of the knob.

Abstract: Assembly for Clamping and Grounding Objects In various representative aspects, an apparatus for clamping and grounding solar panel frames to a mounting rail is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a fastener with an enlarged end, and a shank, with the enlarged end having one or more sharp protrusions that resemble teeth, and a washer with one or more sharp protrusions, and an opening. When installed, the shank is inserted through the opening of the washer, the sharp protrusions of the enlarged end penetrate either the lower or upper surface of the mounting rail and the sharp protrusions of the washer penetrate the other surface of the solar panel frames while at the same time creating a grounding path through the apparatus.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more resilient compression elements extending from the spacer block. The one or more resilient compression elements can be a joist leg configured to engage a joist, or it can be vertically compressible toward a first plane that is transverse to a vertical axis of the spacer block so that portions of it can compress from an open mode to a compressed mode and fit within, then forcibly expand within the groove, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. A related method of use also is provided.

Abstract: A coupling structure includes a welding member formed of resin and a welded member that is formed of resin and to which the welding member is welded. In the welding member, a region that is welded to the welded member on the rear side in a predetermined direction is smaller than a region that is welded to the welded member on the front side in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An improved plunger for a self-locking pin having a plunger section and a base section in a unitary one-piece construction, wherein the plunger section is at least substantially orthogonal to the base section. Wherein the base section comprises at least a substantially planar configuration, and may provide for biasing of the plunger section. A portion of the plunger extends outwardly from a bore of the self locking pin in which the plunger resides. The plunger section is preferably wedge-shaped, or may possess other geometrical shapes, while the portion of the plunger disposed inside the bore is of a cylindrical shape. An extended biasing section tor positioning of the plunger section may be in unitary construction with the base section.

Abstract: A tolerance ring including a sidewall and at least one projection from the sidewall that projects radially and axially to prevent axial displacement of the tolerance ring with respect to a component interior or exterior to the tolerance ring.

Abstract: A tool-less fastening system includes an interface assembly including an interface body having a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, and a contact surface disposed between the first longitudinal surface and the second longitudinal surface, a fastening element coupled to the interface body, and a stop block extending from the interface body at the second longitudinal end, the stop block including an inclined surface. The tool-less fastening system also includes a receiver shaped to receive the interface body. The receiver has a receiver body defining a channel and at least one receiver block extending from the receiver body into the channel, wherein the at least one receiver block includes a receiving surface for receiving the contact surface of the interface body. In some embodiments, the tool-less fastening system can be implemented with shippable furniture, such as office chairs and tables.

Abstract: A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements. The board engagement elements can engage the groove of the board, thereby securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: A connection structure is provided, wherein relative movement between outer and inner members is restrained by an engaging member. The engaging member includes first and second bolding elements. A connection part connected to another-side end part of the second holding element is provided in one-side end part of the first holding element. A first extension part is provided in another-side end part of the first holding element The connection part includes second and third extension parts, and a connection element extending substantially parallel to the second holding element. The first holding element and the first and second extension parts are provided such that an angle formed by the first holding element and the second extension part, and an angle formed by the first holding element and the first extension part are smaller than 90°. Use of the connection structure, which is easily formable, restrains the engaging member from being detached.

Abstract: A thermally insulating fixture includes a self-tapping screw, a fixed member mounted on the self-tapping screw, and a thermally insulating member wrapping the fixed member. The fixed member is provided with a first through hole. The thermally insulating member is provided with a second through hole and a positioning groove. The self-tapping screw extends through the second through hole of the thermally insulating member and the first through hole of the fixed member. A thermally insulating cover is mounted in the positioning groove and covers the self-tapping screw. The thermally insulating cover has a receiving space which receives the self-tapping screw. The thermally insulating cover has a positioning flange which is positioned in the positioning groove when the thermally insulating cover covers the head of the self-tapping screw.