Abstract: Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cable systems that include a cable defining a sensing path and comprising a working strand and one or more sensing strands, a signal source to impart a test signal between a first terminal and a second terminal, a sensor to detect the test signal, a transmitter to transmit the test signal to a receiver, and an indicator to generate a display indicative of the test signal. Certain preferred embodiments describe sensing strands that are arranged in alternating concentric layers and/or extend lengthwise in loops. Such configurations facilitate the detection of breakage, insults, excess tension, or excess bending in the cable. The sensing strands may include a fixed resistor to establish a known resistance and facilitate the detection of small resistive changes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Abstract: Described herein is a lockable housing having a base portion and a mated sliding portion. In particular embodiments, the base portion supports a shaft with a free end that is received into the sliding portion when the housing is closed. The housing may include one or more spacers sized for releasable placement around the shaft, thereby reducing the open area near the shaft and increasing security. The housing features a shackle window for receiving a locking element such as a padlock. The housing also features one or more supplemental openings for receiving a secondary element such as a cable that can be used to secure other items or equipment when the housing is closed and locked.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lock assemblies that include, in particular embodiments, a cable assembly, a housing, a sensor assembly, and a wireless transceiver. The cable assembly includes a cable having a sensor element disposed along its length, a first shackle pin on its first end, and a second shackle pin on its opposing end. The housing defines a first pinway for receiving the first shackle pin, a second pinway for receiving the second shackle pin, and a locking mechanism for securing the shackle pins to the housing. The sensor assembly is located within the housing and in communication with the cable assembly for sensing a cable type and a cable condition related to the cable assembly. The wireless transceiver is connected to a power source, in communication with the sensor assembly, and operated by a microcontroller within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cable systems that include a cable defining a sensing path and comprising a working strand and one or more sensing strands, a signal source to impart a test signal between a first terminal and a second terminal, a sensor to detect the test signal, a transmitter to transmit the test signal to a receiver, and an indicator to generate a display indicative of the test signal. Certain preferred embodiments describe sensing strands that are arranged in alternating concentric layers and/or extend lengthwise in loops. Such configurations facilitate the detection of breakage, insults, excess tension, or excess bending in the cable. The sensing strands may include a fixed resistor to establish a known resistance and facilitate the detection of small resistive changes.

Abstract: Described herein is a lockable housing having a base portion and a mated sliding portion. In particular embodiments, the base portion supports a shaft with a free end that is received into the sliding portion when the housing is closed. The housing may include one or more spacers sized for releasable placement around the shaft, thereby reducing the open area near the shaft and increasing security. The housing features a shackle window for receiving a locking element such as a padlock. The housing also features one or more supplemental openings for receiving a secondary element such as a cable that can be used to secure other items or equipment when the housing is closed and locked.

Abstract: A winter front for the front grill of a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of separate panel elements each formed from a thin substantially rigid sheet of acrylic. Each panel can be separately clipped onto the front grill by a spring clip adhesively attached to the rear face of the panel element. In many arrangements the grill has recesses at openings therethrough with structural members across the recesses at a position recessed from the front face of the grill. The elements are separately inserted into respective ones of the recesses with the clips attaching to the structural elements across the grill. A shallow cut out at one edge of the acrylic sheet allows a key to be inserted behind the element to pull the element out of the recess in the grill for removal. The elements in combination cover effectively the whole of the openings in the grill to prevent air flow through the grill. One or more of the elements can be separately removed.

Abstract: A deflector screen for mounting at the front of a vehicle includes an extruded mounting strip having a pair of flanges defining a vertical channel along the length of the strip for receiving a substantially rigid plastic screen. The screen is held within the channel by a shoulder on an inward face of the rear flange which cooperates with a groove formed along the length of the screen. A front face of the front flange carries a longitudinal slot to which can be attached a facing strip carrying a chromed surface. The base strip is of a mat black finish so that the facing strip can be applied or removed to provide different appearances. A rear mounting portion defined by a pair of horizontal flanges having a horizontal channel therebetween is formed on the mounting strip and includes transverse slots set at spaced locations along the length of the strip to allow bending of the strip at specific points.

Abstract: A winter front for the front grill of a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of separate panel elements each formed from a thin substantially rigid sheet of acrylic. Each panel can be separately clipped onto the front grill by a spring clip adhesively attached to the rear face of the panel element. In many arrangements the grill has recesses at openings therethrough with structural members across the recesses at a position recessed from the front face of the grill. The elements are separately inserted into respective ones of the recesses with the clips attaching to the structural elements across the grill. A shallow cut out at one edge of the acrylic sheet allows a key to be inserted behind the element to pull the element out of the recess in the grill for removal. The elements in combination cover effectively the whole of the openings in the grill to prevent air flow through the grill. One or more of the elements can be separately removed.