Abstract: A building system comprised of panelized, modified rhombic triacontahedral structures further comprised of panels continuously connected along their edges by connectors whose profiles allow panels to swing, snap or slide together into strong, insulated buildings and unfasten for easy disassembly and re-use as temporary housing, storage, emergency shelter, work-camp and vacation homes. Vertical walls allow structures to be nested or mated together and allow use of standard doors, windows and fixtures. The connector is formed from extruded or cast plastic or aluminum, or formed steel. Carbon fiber reinforced resin may be used for specialized uses. The connector allows the use of a variety of standard manufacture laminated panels. The basic structure is comprised of ten identical wall panels and ten almost-identical roof panels joined by use of 35, 144° edge connectors. A minimum tripartite inventory, each of identical, easily mass produced parts, provides ease of production, shipping and assembly.

Abstract: A floor for a basketball court or the like assembled from a plurality of separate floor sections arranged in staggered rows with each section including a plurality of spaced apart sleepers, a subfloor secured to the sleepers, and a wood strip flooring layer secured to the subfloor. Abutting edges of adjoining floor sections are reinforced by tongues and complementary edge pockets mounted on respective abutting edges of adjoining sections. The edge pockets may be formed by recessing the subfloor inwardly of outer edges of the sleepers and the flooring layer. A similar edge pocket may be formed on the adjoining floor section that the tongue is received into. Each tongue is preferably fabricated of a tough, non-marring polymeric material such as ultra-high molecular weight plastic. Alternatively, a similar tongue and pocket arrangement may be formed by mounting a tongue and bracket set on the subfloors of adjoining floor sections.

Abstract: The present invention includes wood I-beams with fiber reinforcement. In a preferred embodiment, a wood I-beam includes an opposed pair of elongated wood flanges and a substantially continuous web positioned between them. In one embodiment, the web includes multiple metal tubes that extend between the wood flanges and form a zig zag pattern. The ends of the metal tubes are flattened parallel to the plane of the metal web so the ends can fit within either slots in the top surface of the bottom wood flange or slots in the bottom surface of the top wood flange. Metal pins pass through the sides of the wood flanges and the flattened ends of the metal tubes to secure the tubular metal web to the flanges. In other embodiments the web includes oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood. Reinforcements are adhered to the wood flanges so that the metal pins also pass through the reinforcements. The reinforcements preferably include multiple fiber strands held within a resin matrix.

Abstract: A cigarette packing apparatus comprising means for repetitively progressing labels through a print location, a signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of presence of the label as it passes adjacent the print location, a second signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed at the print location; a fluid jet printer head adjacent the print location and a controller configured to operate the printer head responsively to the first and second signal generators, with an additional arrangement within the packing apparatus defining a contact-free path portion sufficient for ink to dry at the indicia-bearing portion of the label as the label is progressed beyond the print location.

Abstract: A plant cover, comprising a base formed from a sheet of material, said base having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, an opening intersecting the upper end forming an inner peripheral surface and a retaining space, a skirt formed from a sheet of material, said skirt connected to the upper end of the base, and expansion means formed integrally with the base, the expansion means comprising an excess of material, the expansion means permitting the base to expand and contract to both closely encompass and follow the contours of a pot. Methods of using a plant cover.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: Pouches of flexible packaging material exhibit a tearing zone in the form of a weakness such as perforations or a separation in the material, this in order to be able to remove the contents easily. The packaging material is covered over by at least one film-forming mass, at least in the region of weakness, in order that the package remains closed until the contents are to be used. The film-forming mass may be the decorative printing on the pouch. After packaging, the contents are protected by the pouch and, in order to remove the contents, the pouch may be opened readily by a pulling or snapping movement which causes the covering of film-forming mass to break.

Abstract: Discrete lengths of a web (1) of sample bags are each arranged in a container in an ordered manner such that each web can be removed from its container (13) without additional aids by pulling on a head end (A) of the web length, and so that the tail end (E) of each such web length can also be gripped without changing the web arrangement in the container and independently of the fullness of the container. For feeding sample bags into a processing station, a first container is positioned in the region of the feeding location and the head end (A) of the web length is pulled out of its container and led to a feeding mechanism of the processing station. During the feeding of the first web length of bags into the processing, further containers are formed into a series of containers by connecting the tail end (E) of the web in one container to the head end (A) of a web length in the following container.

Abstract: A machine for filling and closing seed packets has a conveyor system which includes first and conveyors, when continuously advance a succession of preformed seed packets. Packets are filled from a continuously rotating funnel wheel which receives seed from a vibratory feeder as the packets are advanced by the first conveyor. The second conveyor receives packets from the first conveyor and applies sealing pressure to the closing flaps on the packets as the packets are further advanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tape-leading mechanism for an automatic packer including a housing having a tape inlet provided at an upper portion thereof, a tape-storing roller set in the housing near the tape inlet, and a movable tape-feeding bridge interconnecting the tape-storing roller set and a tape-operating unit for automatically feeding a tape to the tape-operating unit which thereafter sends the tape to a tape rail for packing a package. The movable tape-feeding bridge downward extends into a lower tape-storing chamber when there is no tape to be fed to the tape-operating unit. And, when there is a tape to be threaded into the housing and led to the tape-operating unit, a push button can be depressed to rotate the tape-storing roller set and therefore move the tape-feeding bridge to a position interconnecting the tape-storing rollers and the tape-operating unit.

Abstract: The extendable stirrup includes an upper stirrup, a lower stirrup slidably connected to the upper stirrup, a lock, a release and a retraction mechanism. The upper stirrup is a full stirrup, which includes an upper foot plate to support the rider's foot during riding and which attaches in a known manner to the stirrup strap of a saddle. The lower stirrup slides between retracted and extended positions on the upper stirrup and can be extended downward to give the rider a lower “step” for mounting the horse. A lock is disposed on the upper and lower stirrups and engages in the extended position locking the lower stirrup in the extended position. A release disengages the lock upon downward movement of the lower stirrup or, in an alternative embodiment, upon pressure applied to a trigger on the upper foot plate when the lower stirrup is in the extended position. In either embodiment, when the release disengages, the lower stirrup automatically retracts toward the upper stirrup.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting leafy vegetables, lettuce and the like which are very delicate and which are grown in precisely configured beds of either a regular or single width (40 inches or 42 inches) or a double width (80 inches). A single conveyer/cutter assembly is located on one side of the harvester centerline and has a width somewhat exceeding the width of a single width bed. The wheels on each side are separated by somewhat more than the width of a double bed. The driver and engine is located on the other side of the centerline. Such a harvester can cut single width beds, or can cut double width beds by making a first pass in one direction and a second pass in the other direction. The single conveyer/cutter reduces the amount of debris and unwanted material from the harvested leafy vegetables.

Abstract: A chain link for an energy conducting guide chain which comprises two spaced apart and parallel side plates (2) which are connected together by at least one transverse portion. Each chain side plate (2) has a pivotal connecting portion (5) and a receiving means (7) for the pivotal connecting portion. The chain side plate also has an abutment (9). The chain link comprises a first plastic material. In the chain link according to the invention it is proposed that it has at least one region with an insert (13, 15) which forms at least a part of a surface of the chain link. The insert (13, 15) comprises at least one second plastic material which is different from the first plastic material of the chain link. The insert (13, 15) is connected to the chain side plate (2) by way of connecting elements (14, 17) in accordance with the two-component injection procedure.

Abstract: This invention concerns the use of pressurized steam as the cooling medium for a gas turbine combustor. It is distinguished by the following. Steam supply manifolds or ports for the cooling steam are provided on the gas inlet and outlet sides of the combustion chamber in the gas turbine combustor. A steam exhaust manifold or port for the cooling steam is provided between the gas inlet and outlet sides, in approximately the center of the chamber. Cooling channels for the steam are created in the external wall panel of the chamber between the steam supply manifolds and the exhaust manifold. The steam supplied into the wall panel through the steam supply manifolds on the gas inlet and outlet sides of the chamber is exhausted to the exterior via the steam exhaust manifold in the center of the chamber. This design allows pressurized steam with a high thermal capacity to be used to effectively cool the wall panels of the combustor, which are exposed to extremely hot combustion gases.

Abstract: To improve the thermal efficiency when an exhaust heat recovery type combined cycle plant having a gas turbine and a steam turbine in combination is operated at a partial load, the gas turbine exhaust is recirculated and returned to the compressor, and the combustion temperature is prevented from being lowered at the partial load. Preferably, the temperature is maintained constant. In this way, the thermal efficiency during operation at partial load can be improved.

Abstract: A method for improving the overall power rating and thermodynamic efficiency of a steam and gas turbine combined cycle plant having a conventional heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) as part of the bottoming cycle by cooling the inlet air to the gas turbine (particularly under circumstances when the ambient inlet air temperature to the gas turbine exceeds about 60° F.) using an external chiller subsystem.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in monitoring for destructive wet compression power augmentation-related casing distortions in an industrial gas turbine equipped with and employing wet compression power augmentation, in the form of a) an outer ring member having an inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of a gas turbine section downstream of the compressor, b) three or more structural members spaced substantially equally over the outer ring member's inner circumference and which extend radially inwardly in a common plane to define a central opening about the gas turbine, with the common plane defined by the three or more members being parallel to a plane including the outer ring member over its circumference and the outer ring member's center of mass and with one of the three inwardly-extending members being equipped at its inner end with a socket or ball element of a ball and socket joint, and c) a laser reflector positioned on the outer ring member.

Abstract: A spacecraft attitude and altitude control system utilizes sets of three pulsed plasma thrusters connected to a single controller. The single controller controls the operation of each thruster in the set. The control of a set of three thrusters in the set makes it possible to provide a component of thrust along any one of three desired axes. This configuration reduces the total weight of a spacecraft since only one controller and its associated electronics is required for each set of thrusters rather than a controller for each thruster. The thrusters are positioned about the spacecraft such that the effect of the thrusters is balanced.

Abstract: A casing construction is provided on a gas turbine having a fan downstream of which a precompressor is situated, the precompressor casing being detachably connected with the casing of the compressor which follows the precompressor—viewed in the flow direction. An upstream end section of the precompressor casing is additionally linked to the compressor casing by at least two tension-rod-type tension devices which are situated essentially diametrically opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gas turbine. Steel cables are preferably used as the tension devices and are fastened at least on one of the two casings by means of a tension-nut-type end piece. As a result, the precompressor casing can be constructed of a non-high-strength material and, in addition, can be linked by means of several pairs of tension-rod type tension devices to the casing of the compressor.

Abstract: A combustion air management and emission control system injects supplemental air directly into combustion chambers of a diesel engine in order to reduce total particulates in exhaust gases being emitted from the engine. A portion of intake air flowing toward an intake manifold of the engine is diverted to a compressor so that controlled quantities of pressurized supplemental air can be injected directly into each of the combustion chambers while the piston within the combustion chamber is in its expansion and/or exhaust strokes. At least a portion of the diverted intake air can be directed through a selectively permeable membrane device so that oxygen-enriched air and nitrogen-enriched air are produced. At least a portion of the oxygen-enriched air can be supplied to the compressor so that the supplemental air being injected into the combustion chambers will contain a desired, elevated amount of oxygen.

Abstract: A bypass leads away from the exhaust pipe and the bypass flow is set with an electrically actuable exhaust gas valve. Under certain operating states of the internal combustion engine, in particular when the load is increasing rapidly or during warmup, a portion or the entire exhaust gas flow is diverted through a combined hydrolysis/adsorption catalytic converter in the bypass line. The NOx contained in the exhaust gas is adsorbed in a particularly favorable manner.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as power sources includes an air-fuel ratio sensor downstream of a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine. An amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is estimated and, based on the estimated amount of oxygen and an output produced by the air-fuel ratio sensor after the engine is restarted after having been temporarily stopped, it is determined whether the catalyst has excessively deteriorated.

Abstract: In a device for purifying an exhaust gas mixture from an engine, a catalyst traps and reduces NOx in dependence of the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas mixture from the engine. A controller detects a predetermined condition to initiate a catalyst regenerating control to reduce NOx in the catalyst, and controls the engine in a catalyst regeneration control mode when the predetermined condition is detected. In the catalyst regeneration control mode, the controller sets the fuel injection timing on the compression stroke and the fuel injection quantity at a level to make the average air fuel ratio in a combustion chamber equal to or leaner than the stoichiometric ratio and to produce a rich air fuel mixture region richer than the stoichiometric ratio in the vicinity of a spark plug.

Abstract: An exhaust purifying apparatus for an in-cylinder injection type internal combustion engine causes exhaust gas temperature to rise reliably, thereby desorbing reliably a sulfur component (SOx) adhered to an NOx catalyst and enhancing the durability of the NOx catalyst. For this reason, the exhaust purifying apparatus for an in-cylinder injection type internal combustion engine comprises an NOx catalyst (9A) for adhering NOx to itself in an excess oxygen concentration condition and desorbing NOx in an oxygen concentration reduction condition, and sulfur component desorption means (107) for desorbing a sulfur component from the NOx catalyst (9A). The sulfur component desorption means (107) injects additional fuel during an expansion stroke in addition to main injection and burns the additional fuel again so that exhaust gas temperature is raised to a predetermined temperature or beyond, whereby the sulfur component is desorbed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the fluid flow in a fluid circuit 102. The fluid circuit 102 includes a pump 32 driven by an engine 106. The pump 32 delivers fluid to at least one actuator 44, 45 through a control valve assembly 120, 122. In addition, the pump is connected to a bypass control valve, which is connected to a fluid tank. The method includes the steps of establishing a desired fluid flow to be delivered by the pump, determining an expected fluid flow to be delivered by the pump in response to the desired fluid flow, and determining a position of the bypass control valve in response to the expected fluid flow.

Abstract: A first object of the present invention is to make do with a simple hydraulic circuit, which does not utilize a pressure compensation valve, and to enable the use of an inexpensive, low-precision pressure detector, to enable the maintenance of continuous control at all times using simple controls, and to get by without shocking the operator or the mechanical parts, and to cancel the load dependency of a hydraulic actuator flow during combined operation without limiting the control system of the hydraulic pump. In a device according to the present invention, a correction factor for correcting an control input of a operating member corresponding to a pertinent operating valve is calculated for each operating member on the basis of a ratio between a detected differential pressure across an operating valve, and a minimum differential pressure selected from among detected differential pressures across a plurality of operating valves.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle that minimizes vehicle fuel-consumption. A fuel consumption coefficient relating to overall efficiency of a hybrid engine is calculated. An engine operating point whereat this fuel-consumption coefficient is optimized is then determined, and the engine is controlled to operate at the determined engine operating point. When such control is performed, overall engine efficiency in all operating regions can be optimized, and further improvements in fuel consumption can be realized.

Abstract: A cooling and refrigeration apparatus cools one or more surfaces of one or more food handling or food storage devices, such as meat cutting machines, scales, and food preparation areas, so as to inhibit bacterial and other microbial growth thereon. The apparatus includes one or more coolers to lower the temperature of the food contact surfaces to a predetermined temperature which inhibits bacteria and other microbial growth thereon, by providing one or more surfaces at the predetermined temperature adjacent to or at the one or more food handling or storage surfaces. The cooler includes a temperature reducing module, such as a thermoelectric module, enclosed within a movable drawer insert, which is slid or dropped into a drawer housing engagable or in a cooled cavity or sleeve in which the drawer or other container device resides, within a food accommodating device, such as a mobile food court, cabinet, display tray, etc. In addition, the drawer can have an optional lid.

Abstract: A cooling unit for an integrated circuit. The cooling unit may include a peltier device that may be coupled to the integrated circuit and a plurality of fins that are thermally coupled to the peltier device. The fins may be separated by at least one channel. The cooling unit may include a fan that generates a flow of fluid through the channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cooling systems for cryogenic power conversion electronics are provided. The invention includes systems having electronic power conversion apparatus comprising at least one cryogenically operated semiconductor switch and at least one cryogenically operated capacitor and cooling means for cryogenically cooling the at least one cryogenically operated semiconductor switch and the at least one cryogenically operated capacitor to a temperature between 90K to 236K. The systems can also include input/output means for supplying power to said power conversion apparatus and receiving power from said power conversion apparatus. In alternative embodiments, liquid cryogens can be used in heat exchange systems in conjunction with refrigeration cold heads or heat pipes. In these embodiments, the cryogen can be recondensed if boiled.

Abstract: Air conditioning which is designed to cool a vehicle engine and provide air conditioning inside the vehicle is comprised of a condenser (5) cooled by air (6). The condenser (5) is installed in the vehicle and separated from the vehicle radiator (18) so that hot air coming out from the condenser will not pass over the vehicle radiator. The condenser (5) will be placed in some place other than next to the radiator and a fan (4-A) will be installed to provide it with fresh air. A cold low-pressure suction pipe (20) coming from the evaporator (13) is placed inside the vehicle radiator in an area in which water cooling the radiator accumulates in the radiator. The high pressure liquid pipe (7) is split after the receiver in a way that connects to a pipe (16) leading back to the vehicle radiator and connects to another pipe leading to the evaporator.

Abstract: A beverage containing system comprises a sealed drink can 1 having located therein both a liquid 11 to be consumed and a sealed compartment 13. The system includes means 33 for rupturing a wall 23 of the compartment to put its interior in fluid communication with a further compartment 15. A compressed fluid is located in one of the compartments whereby, after the rupturing of the wall, the fluid is confined within the compartments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liner for a refrigerator crisper drawer. The liner comprises a main produce supporting body and provides drawer engaging surfaces. The main body provides a generally upwardly facing produce supporting surface on which items of produce can be placed and has a plurality of openings formed therethrough which enable fluids and air to flow through the main body. The supporting surfaces engage liner supporting surfaces inside the crisper drawer so as to support the items of produce in spaced relation above the floor of the crisper drawer and allow fluids and air to flow along the floor of the drawer beneath the produce supporting body, thereby allowing fluids to drain away from the items of produce through the openings and allowing chilled air within the crisper drawer to flow beneath the items of produce and generally upwardly through the openings to provide circulation to lower portions of the produce.

Abstract: A liquid cooler comprising an elongate cylindrical container for holding a liquid to be cooled, and a buoyant cylindrical stainless steel cartridge containing a refrigerant, that is located in the container. The container is open-topped and is closeable via a dome-shaped moulded polyethylene lid having a spout. The container has a surrounding wall comprising an inner wall section of stainless steel having a relatively high thermal conductivity and an outer wall section. The outer wall section comprises a number of layers of material having relatively high thermal insulation properties. The cartridge has an air pocket trapped therein to provide buoyancy therefor which causes the cartridge to rise, in use, within the container. As such, the container and the cartridge define a space between them along which relative flow of liquid occurs when the cartridge rises within the container, thereby enhancing cooling of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-dispensing cooler comprising a) a cabinet defined by a plurality of opposing walls and a top and a bottom; b) a filling means for adding items to said cabinet located near the top of one of said walls; c) a dispensing means positioned vertically distal from said filling means on one of said walls; and d) a cooling means positioned at least partially inside said cabinet wherein said cooling means defines an inclined channel connecting said filling means to said dispensing means. The self-dispensing cooler is preferably portable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorber which is suitable for use in an electromagnetic wave activated sorption system and which is easily adaptable to packaging constraints. One embodiment of the sorber comprises a flexible enclosure having an outer conductor, and inner conductor, a port through which a sorbate can be communicated into and out of said enclosure, and a sorbent in the enclosure which can adsorb the sorbate to form a sorbate/sorbent compound. The enclosure is configured to be coupled to an electromagnetic wave generator so that waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator propagate through the sorbate/sorbent compound within the enclosure. Another embodiment of the sorber comprises an enclosure which is configured to serve as a structural component.

Abstract: A multieffect distillation process separates multicomponent mixtures containing three or more components into at least four product streams each enriched in one of the components. Thermally linked high pressure and low pressure columns are used in the process. The feed is fed to one of the two distillation columns and a product stream is produced from each end of this distillation column. A mixture stream also is produced from an intermediate location of this column and sent to the other distillation column. A product stream is produced from each end of the other distillation column.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cryogenic separation of a mixture containing at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane comprises two phase separators (A, H), two heat exchangers (D, K) and two stripping columns (B, I). The mixture cooled in the first exchanger is sent into a phase separator and at least some of the condensed fraction is sent into the first stripping column (B). At least some of the head gas from the stripping column is sent into the second phase separator (H) and the liquid produced is sent into the head of the second stripping column (I). The base liquid from the first stripping column may be sent into a purification column (C).

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system for producing very high purity oxygen employing a lower pressure column having a volume in its lower portion set off by a diaphragm, and an upgrader column communicating with the lower pressure column in a defined manner relative to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A mold assembly (34) for cyclically forming heated glass sheets includes a lower mold (36) having an upwardly oriented mold face (356) and an upper mold face having a downwardly oriented mold face (56) that opposes the upwardly oriented mold face of the lower mold to form a heated glass sheet during movement of the molds toward each other. Alignment guides (122,124) align the molds (36,38) with each other as necessary during movement of the molds toward each other. Detachable connectors (362) detachably connect the molds to each other for installation and are disconnectable to permit the molds to be used for glass sheet forming. In one embodiment, the detachable connectors (362) are latches that include a latch member (364) and a keeper (366), and in another embodiment the detachable connectors are retainers (370) engageable and disengageable from the molds to provide their detachable securement.

Abstract: An optical fiber having optical characteristics that vary along its length is made by assembling a plurality of cylindrical glass or soot tablets into or along a glass tablet alignment device, then fused into monolithic assembly. If desired, additional glass may be applied to the assembly before or after the fusing step. A vacuum is preferably applied during the fusing step. Each tablet preferably contains a core region, and it optionally contains a layer of cladding glass. Adjacent tablets are capable of forming optical fiber sections having different optical properties. Prior to consolidating the glass particles, chlorine preferably flows through or around the tablets and alignment device. The resultant draw blank can be drawn into a low loss optical fiber having short transition regions between adjacent areas of fiber. This method is particularly useful for making dispersion managed single-mode optical fibers.

Abstract: A tubular knitted body portion, first and second opposed band portions, each of the first and second band portions formed from a segment of respective tubular knitted band portions containing at least some elastic yarns. First and second seams close respective edges of the first and second opposed band portions to each other to define a single band having an elongated shape for being fitted in a stretched condition onto and hugging only the lower portion of the foot with the joined first and second bands positioned on the asymmetrical portion of the foot below the ankle. One of the seams extends along the top of the foot in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the toes. The other of the seams extends along the back of the heel substantially along the longitudinal axis of the Achilles tendon.

Abstract: A skid steer locking device for immobilizing the steering, bucket and boom controls of a skid steer loader of a Bobcat-type vehicle with a grid cage. The locking device comprises a main shaft body having a keyed or combination lock and a telescopic shaft body, wherein each shaft end has a pair of fingers with offset stopper flanges for engaging the opposite sides of a grid cage. An adapter element attached to the device at the base of the fingers also locks certain bucket and boom controls. The device can be locked in a collapsed position. Clips on the shafts enable hanging the collapsed device inside the cab during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for fastening to equipment subject to theft and having an outer shell provided with a security slot. The device is inserted in the security slot located in the shell of the equipment. The device includes two similarly-shaped, mirror-imaged insert members having a hooked tang protruding therefrom. The tangs are inserted through the security slot so that the hooks grip the inside surface of the equipment shell proximate the security slot, and the insert members are mated in juxtaposition. The insert members further include a cylindrical portion, that, when juxtaposed, creates a channel through which a cable or padlock may be passed to hold the insert members together. The device may include a sleeve to slidably cover the insert members.

Abstract: A lock for a suitcase includes a base on the base portion of the suitcase and an engaging part on the cover of the suitcase. The base has an aperture for retaining a hook on the engaging part. The base has two setting disks each have a notch and a control frame in the base has two protrusions disengagably received in the two notches. The control frame is connected to a retaining member which has a pin inserted into the aperture so that when the protrusions are received in the notches of the setting disks, the control frame and the retaining member are shifted to let the pin be removed from the aperture. A block is inserted into the aperture by rotating a setting member and the block has a thumb which stops a lug on the control frame when the protrusions are received in the notches so that two number disks mounted to the setting disks can be freely rotated to set another locking code.

Abstract: An improved locking mechanism and method for securing drawers and cabinet doors is disclosed which allows the drawers and cabinet doors to be only partially opened until the locking mechanism is unlocked. When the drawer or cabinet door is closed, the hidden locking mechanism of the present invention is entirely concealed from view behind the drawer or cabinet door. The locking mechanism of the present invention allows the drawer or cabinet door to be opened sufficiently to expose the locking mechanism, but effectively prevents the drawer or cabinet door from being more than slightly opened until the locking mechanism is unlocked. When the locking mechanism is unlocked, the drawer or cabinet door may then be fully opened.

Abstract: A locking apparatus of a game machine has the following components: a locking bar provided with a plurality of first engaging portions; engaging members having second engaging portions engageable with the first engaging portions; and a locking bar actuating member for actuating the locking bar from an engaging position where the first engaging portions engage with the second engaging portions to a disengaged position where the first engaging portions are out of engagement with the second engaging portions. A locking device performs, in accordance with operation of a key, a change-over between an unlocked state which permits the actuation of the locking bar into a disengaged position by the locking bar actuating member and a locked state which prohibits the actuation of the locking bar into the disengaged position by the locking bar actuating member.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for picking a lock which utilizes a single blade or pair of elongated thin, rigid, interchangeable blades which are to be inserted within the keyway of the lock. Each of the blades have an upper hiatused surface and can have an off-center sharpened edge so that the sharpened edge will contact the cylindrical lock pins of the lock spaced from the center of each of the lock pins. The off-center sharpened edge could be formed by beveling the side of the blade or by making a cut-out in the blade. The hiatused surface of the blades cause the “V” shaped tips of the cylindrical lock pins of the lock to move lineally with the sharpened edge causing the lock pins to pivot. Instead of a hiatused surface, there could be used one or more deflectable members, tufts of bristles or a brush. The blades are to be driven in a reciprocal manner with one blade moving in and the opposite blade moving out.

Abstract: A position detector used with a roll stand having a fixed frame member and a roll-carrying member movable in a direction relative to the frame member, has first and second sleeves telescoping in the direction adjacent the members, a mount securing one of the sleeves to one of the members, and a fixed-length but elastically bendable link rod extending in the direction and having one end fixed to the other of the members and an opposite end fixed to the other of the sleeves. Thus on relative movement of the fixed and movable members the sleeves slide in the direction in each other. A sensor rod having one end fixed in the first sleeve extends in the direction into the second sleeve. A position sensor in the second sleeve juxtaposed with the sensor rod determines a position of the members relative to each other in the direction.

Abstract: A tubular plate is formed for a wiper device as a support for at least one wiper bearing and a wiper drive, with tubular members for receiving a wiper bearing. The tubular plate is deformed without removal of a material, has tubular members for receiving the wiper drive, and the tubular members are formed on the tubular plate of one piece with it.