Abstract: A linear mechanical lock comprises an elongated housing. A rod having a first end inserted into the housing and a second end extending out of the housing. A first lock comprising a locking spring having an end fixed in the housing and extending around a portion of the rod. The normal inside diameter of the locking spring is less than the rod's outside diameter so that the spring grips the rod. A moveable handle engages the locking spring, and movement of the handle uncoils the locking spring to release the rod. A second lock comprises a collet having at least one jaw around the rod within the housing. The jaw normally is out of the engagement with the rod. The collet has a first region having an inside diameter around the normal position of the jaw to provide sufficient room for the jaw to be out of engagement with the rod.

Abstract: The mechanical lock has an elongated housing. A pair of end bushings mounts in the housing, and a rod translates through the end bushings and at least partially through the housing. A pair of coiled locking springs within the housing are around the rod and between the end bushings. One end of each locking spring is fixed within the housing, and the other end of each locking spring is free. The normal inside diameter of each locking spring is less than the outside diameter of the rod so that the locking springs secure the rod. A handle can uncoil the free end of each locking spring to increase their inside diameter and release the rod. A wedge bushing mounts in the housing between the locking springs. The face on each end bushing against its respective locking spring is at an angle, and the wedge bushing also has an angled face on the other side of each spring.

Abstract: A mechanical lock of the type having a lock housing, a rotatable nut axially captive in the housing, a threaded rod axially displaceable through the housing in threading engagement with the nut, and a detent normally locking the nut against rotation in the housing to prevent axial translation of the rod through the housing. Camming surfaces on the nut urge the detent out of locking engagment with the nut when the nut is torqued by axial force on the threaded rod. A detent control element normally keeps the detent in locking engagement with the nut until the detent control element is displaced by an actuator to an unlocked position. The detent control element has a camming surface which urges the detent into locking engagement with the nut when the detent control element is returned to a locking position. The preferred detent is a ball bearing and two variants of the mechanism are disclosed, one having a linearly reciprocating shuttle as the control element, the other using a rotating shaft for this purpose.

Abstract: A push-button actuator for attachment to a Bowden type remote control cable has a frame, a lever pivoted to the frame and connected to the control wire, a plunger reciprocable through an actuating stroke transverse to the control wire for turning the lever and thereby pulling the control wire from the cable sleeve, an exposed portion of the control wire extending from the cable sleeve to the lever transversely to the plunger stroke. The lower end of the plunger in its normal condition is positioned above the wire and moves to a depressed position below the exposed portion of the wire during the actuation stroke, such that the plunger is unimpeded by the wire in its stroke, allowing the cable sleeve to be attached on the frame at a location vertically intermediate the normal and depressed positions of the lower end of the plunger and thereby achieve a more compact push-button actuator assembly.

Abstract: A steerable, self-powered device for use in towing and guiding a plurality of shopping carts attached together in a line from one location to another is disclosed which has a pair of electrically driven wheels located in the rear thereof, and a single wheel located in the front thereof for use in steering the towing and guiding device. The towing and guiding device is small and low to the ground, and includes a retaining mechanism which may be attached to the line of shopping carts by connection to the bottom front cross-bar of the front-most shopping cart in the line of shopping carts. The towing and guiding device is powered by one or more batteries, and in the preferred embodiment includes a battery charger and a retractable cord to supply power to the battery charger.

Abstract: A mechanical lock of the type where a rod is normally locked for axial movement through a lock housing by a spring tightly wound about the rod and axially fixed to the housing, the rod being released by partially unwinding the spring. The lock is assembled without welding of the components to permit use of dissimilar materials in the lock housing selected for strength and weight characteristics and use of plated or painted components. The lock housing is configured to reduce the number of parts in the lock and adjustment can be made to eliminate axial free play of the locking spring following assembly of the lock housing.

Abstract: A mechanical lock of the type where a rod is normally locked for axial movement through a lock housing by a spring tightly wound about the rod and axially fixed to the housing, the rod being released by partially unwinding the spring. The lock housing is configured to reduce the number of parts in the lock and is easily adjustable during assembly to eliminate axial free play of the locking spring. The lock is assembled without welding of the components to permit use of dissimilar materials in the lock housing selected for strength and weight characteristics and plated or painted components.

Abstract: A hydraulic positioner of the type having a piston movable in a hydraulic cylinder and a valve actuatable for releasing the piston for movement in the chamber is provided with a continuously adjustable mechanism for limiting the stroke of the piston. The cylinder and the stroke limiter share a common tubular housing which is partitioned to define the hydraulic chamber, thereby simplifying the device.

Abstract: The stroke length in a positioner of the type having a piston rod movable through a cylinder can be preset through a continuous range of adjustment. A first detent element provided at the end of the cylinder engages another detent element positionable along the rod to limit stroke length. Spacing between the two detents is continuously adjustable by rotation of a threaded sleeve coaxial with the rod. Once installed in a recliner seat or the like, the device is secure against accidental changes in the stroke setting.

Abstract: An electrically driven lockable actuator for an airline seat assembly is provided with an extendable and retractable actuator arm driven through a gear train by an electric motor. The actuator arm can be locked or unlocked through the gear train to the electric motor by manual activation of a clutch mechanism. Regardless of whether the actuator arm is locked or unlocked, the position of the actuator arm is copied by a follower extending exterior to the actuator. The follower is adjustable to selectively activate limit switches to disconnect power to the driving motor. The switch arm is compact and mounted on the actuator so that electrical control of the motor relative to the operation of the lockable actuator is realized without reference to the nature of the design of the seat assembly.

Abstract: An extendable footrest or legrest for a passenger seat or the like including a pressure relief system which permits retraction of the footrest upon the application of a predetermined load. The footrest is supported by a hydraulic actuator that is supported by springs that are compressed by the predetermined load to activate the actuator and allow retraction of the footrest.