Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are directed to automated preparation of food or consumable items, such as for preparation of fried foods. An example cooking apparatus may include processing devices for the consumable items. In some examples, a robot arm is provided that extends from a moveable base. Locators may define a relative position of the moveable base relative to processing device(s) of the cooking apparatus, such that the robot arm is configured to determine robot arm movements to move the consumable items to and from the processing device(s). In some examples, one or more zones may be used to detect movement near a robot arm, with one or more restrictions being placed upon robot arm and/or base movement in response. In some examples, a cooking apparatus provides automated transport of food ingredients for preparation of food or other consumable items.

Abstract: A connecting device of a retaining ring of a safety belt includes a main body, a bolt, and a locking member. The main body is used with the bolt to form an enclosure or not. The bolt passes through a bolt bore of the main body and has a first teeth portion and a stopper located in a first half part of the first teeth portion. The first teeth portion and the locking member are used to control the bolt to lock or to unlock. The locking member could move between a first position and a second position along an axial direction of the locking member and could rotate around a central axis of the locking member. When the bolt is at a closed position and the locking member is at the first position, a second teeth portion of the locking member is meshed with the first half part. When the bolt is at the closed position and the locking member is at the second position, the second teeth portion is meshed with the second half part.

Abstract: A towing apparatus includes a towing bracket configured to protrude rearward from a rear end frame which is disposed to extend in a left-right direction at a rearmost lower end of a vehicle body, and a towing pin assembly which is detachably assembled with the towing bracket and to which a towing mechanism provided in a towing vehicle is to be caught and coupled.

Abstract: A pipe press-fit connecting apparatus includes a connecting device. The connecting device may be used to connect a connected unit to a pressing power providing unit. The connecting device includes a fastener and a coupling pin. The fastener is installed at one end of the installation hole on an exterior surface of a cylinder block and has a fastening pin configured to be resiliently arranged and at least partially be exposed to the installation hole. The coupling pin is inserted through the installation hole and the insertion hole through another end of the installation hole on the exterior surface of the cylinder block to be resiliently coupled to the fastening pin to couple the connected unit to the pressing power providing unit.

Abstract: A universal hammerless pin assembly for internally coupling pieces of heavy machinery includes a pin having a cylindrical shank, a head, and a shoulder disposed therebetween along an axis. A cap is moveable between a free condition off the pin and an assembled condition on the head of the pin. In the assembled condition of the cap, a washer is carried on both the pin and the cap. In the assembled condition of the cap, the cap moves between an uncompressed condition and a compressed condition binding the washer on both the pin and the cap. The washer defines an interference coupling the pieces of heavy machinery and preventing relative movement of the pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-locking hitch pin for joining a hitch device to a receiver hitch in a quick and easy manner using a single, self-contained mechanism. The hitch pin is comprised of shaft with a locking member on one end and a handle and weight on the other end and a spring and retainers to keep the hitch pin in place. The self-locking hitch pin allows for single-handed installation and securing of a hitch device to a receiver hitch with no pin or locking mechanism to be lost or dropped. The self-locking hitch pin can be inserted into the hitch orifice, have pressure applied to the spring, rotate the hitch pin allowing gravity to engage the locking member and then release pressure on the spring coupling both devices together.

Abstract: A mounting/assembly element rivet bush having a deformable first end for insert through items to be connected and a second end for mounting a nut. A draw tool having a break zone is located in the first end of the rivet bush, and the second end of the rivet bush is provided with a non-cylindrical internal cross section which cooperates with an insertion tool, such as an Allen wrench. When the mounting/assembly element is held fast in the items to be connected, the part of the break zone of the draw tool for the deformation of the rivet bush is lying in the deformable first end of the rivet bush. A counter-hold for torsion forces which arise with the dismounting and remounting of the nut is produced with the insertion tool thereby achieving a considerably greater tightening effect and also ensuring that the mounting/assembly element can be reused.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method to join a first structure to a second structure, comprises aligning a first hole in the first structure with a second hole in the second structure and inserting a fastener into the first hole and the second hole. The fastener comprises a shape memory alloy which was formed into a first shape having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in an austenite state and reduced to a second shape having a diameter less than the diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in a martensite state.

Abstract: A securing mechanism for a shackle having a pair of opposed legs with an opening at one end of each of the pair of opposed legs to form a pair of opposed openings. The securing mechanism includes a shackle bolt having a head at one end and a circumferential groove near an opposed end wherein the shackle bolt is received through the pair of opposed openings in the shackle. A two piece hinged clamp assembly is received in the circumferential groove in order to retain the shackle bolt in the shackle. A retainer pin is received in an opening in the two piece clamp assembly to hold the two piece clamp assembly in a closed position. A retainer clip surrounds the retainer pin. A lock pin through the two piece clamp assembly retains the retainer pin in the two piece clamp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-locking hitch pin for joining a hitch device to a receiver hitch in a quick and easy manner using a single, self-contained mechanism. The hitch pin is comprised of shaft with a locking member on one end and a handle and weight on the other end and a spring and retainers to keep the hitch pin in place. The self-locking hitch pin allows for single-handed installation and securing of a hitch device to a receiver hitch with no pin or locking mechanism to be lost or dropped. The self-locking hitch pin can be inserted into the hitch orifice, have pressure applied to the spring, rotate the hitch pin allowing gravity to engage the locking member and then release pressure on the spring coupling both devices together.

Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine casing is provided. The method includes inserting a bolt assembly through a first opening defined generally vertically through a first flange extending from a first casing member, such that a portion of the bolt assembly extends a distance upward from an upper surface of the first casing flange and such that the bolt assembly is retained within the first opening. The method further includes positioning a second casing member including a second flange including a second opening defined therein against the first casing member such that a portion of the bolt assembly extends through the opening defined in the second casing flange.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a pair of components includes a tooth and adaptor for an earth-moving apparatus. The adaptor is for mounting the tooth on an earth-moving bucket, this mounting being releasable to allow replacement of the tooth when worn. The components define aligned passages through which a locking pin extends to retain the components together. The locking pin has formations for engaging formations on the first component when the pin is rotated from a free position into a locked position. The pin has an insertion recess which is aligned with the formations allowing the pin, in the free position, to be inserted into, or removed from, the aligned passages. The formations are resiliently movable to stably engage the pin when in the locked position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pair of components which, in the embodiment described, are a tooth (2) and adaptor (3) for earth-moving apparatus (1). The adaptor is for mounting the tooth on an earth-moving bucket, this mounting being releasable to allow replacement of the tooth when worn. The components define aligned passages (11) through which a locking pin (12) extends to retain the components together. The locking pin has formations (22) for engaging formations (20) on the first component when the pin is rotated from a free position into a locked position. The pin has an insertion recess (27) which is aligned with the formations (20) allowing the pin, in the free position, to be inserted into, or removed from, the aligned passages. The formations (20) are resiliently movable to stably engage the pin when in the locked position.

Abstract: A pin has a shank with a spherical lead-in portion at the free end thereof. The spherical lead-in portion has a diameter that is equal to or slightly less than the diameter of a cylindrical portion of the pin. The purpose of the spherical lead-in portion is to allow a greater portion of the pin to enter a matching hole before further alignment of the centerlines of the pin and the hole is required. This makes aligning the centerlines significantly easier and reduces wear on the structure defining the matching hole. A relief portion following the spherical lead-in portion as well as a chamfer following the relief portion aid in the final alignment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a draw key assembly for securing a kingpin. In some embodiments of the invention, the draw key assembly includes a front portion, a rear portion, a rear end nut, and a front end nut. In a first preferred embodiment, the front portion includes a cylindrical body having a front end, a hex head attached to the front end, and a threaded member extending from the cylindrical body. In the first preferred embodiment, the rear portion includes a flared section with a threaded bore formed therein for mating with the threaded member. In the first preferred embodiment, the rear portion also includes a threaded fastener extending from the flared section. The rear end nut mates with the threaded fastener and the front end nut mates with threads formed about the front end of the cylindrical body. Additional embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting pin riser adaptation is provided, said riser adaptation allowing a mounting pin to be easily extracted from a fifth wheel assembly.

Abstract: An automatic lifting mechanism for motorcycle saddle mainly includes a first and a second supporting arm respectively fixed to a saddle and a body of a motorcycle, at least one spiral spring having two sideward extended terminal ends separately pressed against the two supporting arms, and a damping device located in the at least one spiral spring to rotatably engage at two ends with the two supporting arms. While a spring force of each spiral spring quickly elastically stretches open the first and the second supporting arm when the saddle is unlocked, the damping device limits a rotating speed of the two supporting arms, so that the saddle could be automatically lifted or moved downward at a buffered speed without the risk of injuring a user.

Abstract: A hollow dowel pin adapted to secure together at least two mating components during the assembly thereof includes an elongate generally cylindrical main body portion, first and second mating edges, and at least one outwardly extending tab. The elongate generally cylindrical main body portion is preferably formed from a sheet member, and the first and second mating edges are disposed along a length of the body portion being spaced from one another. The at least one outwardly extending tab is formed along the main body portion and is adapted to engage one of the mating components when an end of the main body portion is frictionally held in an opening formed in the other of the mating components.

Abstract: A safety device for removing a bearing bolt (2), especially a pedal bolt in a motor vehicle, is provided with at least one first mounting part (3), which has at least one through hole for a bolt connection with at least one connecting piece (1), as well as at least one bearing bolt (2). The bearing bolt (2) extends through the through hole in order to connect the mounting part (3) and the connecting piece (1) with one another. The bearing bolt (2) removing structure has at least one pushing element (4), which compresses the bearing bolt (2) that is compressible in the direction of the axial axis of the bolt (2). The bolt (2) is compressed under the action of a force over at least one plane (6) that is oblique in relation to the bolt axis and moves the bearing bolt (2) out of the mounting part (3) in the compressed state in order to hereby open the mounting point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting and dismounting mechanism for a straightening or calibrating roller (2) rotatable about a spindle (1) and provided with a circular groove (13). The spindle (1) has its cavity (4) fitted with a pusher (9), having a tapered thrust face (9a, 9b) which shifts, as a result of the force of a spring (10), a holder element (8) from its release position to its clamping position. The holder element (8) is located in an opening present in a wall (3) of the cylinder (4). A plunger (11), associated with the pusher (9), can be used for moving the pusher against the force of the spring (10) to a position in which the holder element (8) is capable of shifting from its clamping position to its release position in which the roller is removable from the spindle (1) or mountable onto the spindle.

Abstract: A door panel assembly includes a panel with a window regulator mounted on one side and a power mechanism mounted on an opposite side. The panel has a first alignment feature for aligning the window regulator relative to the panel and a second alignment feature for aligning the power mechanism relative to the panel. The first and second alignment features facilitate alignment of the window regulator and the power mechanism to each other. Further, the first and second alignment features allow initial assembly of one of the window regulator or power mechanism components to the panel with a subsequent assembly of the remaining component to the panel without having to hold the first component in place.

Abstract: Fasteners, such as lock-pins, that in selected embodiments can be installed or removed from the near side of a blind installation. In one embodiment, the lock-pin includes a pin and a rotatable key. The pin includes a head portion, a shaft portion having a tip end, and a longitudinal axis of symmetry. A bore extends through the head portion and the shaft portion in a generally longitudinal direction non-colinear with the longitudinal axis of symmetry. In one aspect of this embodiment, the key includes a spring portion toward the head portion of the pin, a retainer portion toward the tip end of the pin, and an actuator rod portion extending therebetween rotatably disposed within the bore of the pin. When the key is rotated to an unlocked position, the retainer portion is disposed within the diameter of the shaft portion such that the pin can be inserted in, or retracted from, a hole only slightly larger in diameter than the shaft portion.

Abstract: A fastener system for adhesively coupling non-threaded components comprises, in combination a rigid bolt. The bolt has a head externally. The bolt has a shaft internally. The head has a generally hemispherical exterior end with a cental axis. The head also has a generally planar interior end. The head further has a top and a bottom. The shaft is in a generally cylindrical shape with a central axis. The fastener system also comprises a nut. The nut has a generally hemispherical exterior end. The nut has a generally planar interior end. The nut further having a top and a bottom. The exterior end of the nut has a radially circular flat region. A recess is provided in the circular flat region of the exterior end. The recess is adapted to receive the shaft. An adhesive provides a secure coupling between the nut and bolt.

Abstract: The improvements apply to lock and retention elements for public works and similar machines of the type incorporating a combination of one or various metal elements with one or various blocks of elastomer material, irrespective of whether they are joined to the former or not, in which the block of elastomer material is made up of an elastic structural material containing multiple internal cavities in the form of closed cells, that are for the most part separated from each other, and which contain a gas that allows the elastomer block to be compressed and reduced in volume during the compression that metal pieces exercise on the elastomer block, showing minimum transverse expansions.

Abstract: A hitch pin for maintaining a clevis pin in a bore including a continuous wire member formed to include a straight portion ending in a constant radius hinge portion. A parallel portion extends from the hinge portion to a constant radius barb portion. The termination of the barb portion is located on the side of the straight portion opposite the parallel portion and resiliently maintained there by properties of the hinge portion as accentuated by material properties of the wire itself. The hitch pin may be installed in a bore defined in a clevis pin by applying force to the hinge portion after inserting the leadin portion in the bore. During installation, the barb portion is resiliently deformed about the clevis pin and returns to a preinstalled position when the hitch pin installation has been completed. Any forces attempting to remove the hitch pin cause the barb portion to strike the clevis pin presenting a mechanical obstruction to removal.

Abstract: An assembly for retaining a pin in aligned bores of two structural members, such as clevis and a tang, includes a support member or boss, a retaining flag and a retaining pin. The retaining flag is slidably mounted on the support member and may be moved between a service position wherein the pin may be inserted into and removed from the bores and a locking position wherein the pin is held in the bores, preferably locked from rotation. The flag includes an opening having engagement surfaces for contacting a groove in the pin in the locking position. The flag is held on the support member by abutment surfaces. Two abutment surfaces serve to guide the flag in its sliding motion between the service and locked positions. Other abutment surfaces maintain the flag on the support member and prevent removal of the flag. The abutment surfaces contact the retaining pin in the locking position to maintain the flag in the locking position.

Abstract: A generally spherical hitch ball has a downwardly extending neck and an outwardly extending flange which engages against the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle. A threaded shaft extends downwardly from the flange through an opening in the hitch. The coupling device is fixed to the hitch by a nut which is threaded on the shaft and engages a washer against the hitch. The nut is retained on the threaded shaft and positively prevented from escaping by a cylindrical pin which extends through an inclined hole formed in the hitch ball and the shaft. The pin has a head which is biased upwardly by a spring against the trailer arm where it fits over the ball. When the trailer arm is locked in place the pin head is inaccessible and the nut may not be removed.

Abstract: A lightweight, easy to fashion, easy to use, lockable spring clip to hold or retain any pin, hinge or body with drilled holes regardless of the location of the holes or shape of the body. Of one piece construction, utilizing a two stage locking procedure, but requiring no tools or special knowledge, this lockable spring clip offers strength, reliability, reusability and versatility not previously available.

Abstract: A roller follower (12) and bracket (20) combination for use in a rotary cam type brake shoe assembly (100) is provided in which bracket (20) is supported on a web (2) of a brake shoe in such a manner that, when a free-end (27) of bracket (20) is inserted into an opening (26) in a trunnion (24) of a pin (11) that supports roller follower (12) for rotation, bracket (20) is operative to prevent roller follower support pin (11) from being rotated by the cam to lessen noise heretofor created by the rotation of trunnion (24) against web (2).

Abstract: A locking pin is provided for detachably connecting a bucket to a backhoe loader. The locking pin comprises a shaft member having an enlarged head portion and an axial bore extending partially therethrough. Spring loaded plunger means are disposed in the axial bore. A planar retaining member is pivotally mounted to the enlarged head portion of the shaft member. The retaining member includes an omega-shaped clasp portion which extends generaly perpendicular therefrom and which is operative with the spring loaded plunger means to lock the pin.

Abstract: A lock for a retainer pin prevents accidental opening of the ring of the retainer pin. A body has an elongated slot receiving the ring of a retainer pin, with a detent to inhibit motion of the body on the ring. A bore in the body is alignable with the pin of the retainer pin. The bore has an open portion that allows free movement away from the pin, and a closed portion that prevents movement away from the pin. The retainer pin may have a colored portion that is outside the bore when the pin is received only in the open portion of the bore, and is inside the bore when the pin is received in the closed portion of the bore.

Abstract: A plug-in connector device comprises a ring-like head portion and a hollow shank. The shank has locking balls which can be held to project outwardly of the shank in a locked condition of the device, and can also move to a retracted position under the control of an axially slidable probe, the movement of which is controlled by an actuator lever on the head portion which can only be moved to release the locking balls from their locked condition on a separate manipulation of a second lever, or in other embodiments a safety catch button, also mounted on the head portion.

Abstract: A hitch pin assembly is provided for locking equipment, such as a crossbar, to a tractor. The hitch pin comprises a locking pin having a head and a pivoted pull ring serving as the locking mechanism. A spring loaded rod including a keeper notch is retained coaxially within the locking pin. An access slot in the pin is provided in alignment with the notch to allow receipt of the ring as it swings toward the pin for locking. The spring loaded rod is retracted into the locking pin, allowing the keeper notch to capture the pull ring. The rod is then released and the pull ring is securely locked in a positive fashion in position. Pressing the rod back into the pin releases the ring to pivot outwardly from the keeper notch so that the locking pin can be removed.

Abstract: A safety coupling pin for securing a towed vehicle tongue to the towing vehicle drawbar using a shaft which is secured by a chain. A ring affixed to one end of the shaft has an opening which is normally closed by a spring loaded cylinder. The chain has one end permanently attached to the ring and the free end can be attached or disconnected to the ring through the opening by moving the cylinder. In use the shaft is inserted into aligned holes in the tongue and drawbar from the top and the chain secured under and around the tongue and drawbar by connecting the free end through the ring to secure the pin in place.

Abstract: A centering pin having a head, round shaft and tapered, ovaloid point is disclosed. Opposing sides of said tapered point are symmetrical such that the radius of each is equal to the radius of the round shaft of the pin. The tapered pin point can readily be inserted into partially aligned holes in metal plates, leather straps, etc. that are to be connected and secured by said pin. A cotter pin or the like is inserted into an aperture on the shaft adjacent the tapered point to securely position the pin once it is passed through the holes of the items being connected.

Abstract: A safety hitch pin having an enlarged upper end or head that is adapted to rest upon apertured parts secured by the pin. An annular retention device or keeper adapted to receive the lower end of the pin therethrough is provided that has a retainer chain attached. The free end of the chain and enlarged upper end of the pin are provided with parts that are adapted to coact so that a selected portion of the chain can be releasably secured to the upper end or head portion of the hitch pin.

Abstract: A lock including an elongate member which is inserted into a lock housing, useful in locking structural frame members together, among other things.

Abstract: This safety headed cotter pin having an annular holding device comprises a substantially cylindrical body, a head formed integrally with this body, an annular device adapted to prevent any undesired removal of the cotter pin and retaining means comprising a stop-forming element rigid with the head and adapted to cooperate with at least one of the end portions of the annular device in order to limit the permissible movement of this device in the direction away from its closed position, this cotter pin being intended notably for use in various farming vehicles and machines, for example for keeping mechanical component elements on parts such as shafts and the like.

Abstract: An improved lock retains the pin connecting a crank in the gear shifting mechanism of an outboard motor to the shift shaft. The crank is mounted on a movable shaft having a groove adjacent the crank. A locking member, fastened to the pin, has a slot by which the locking member is removably retained in the groove for securing the connecting pin in the crank and shift shaft.

Abstract: An improvement to expansible bushing type locking pins which include a handle or clip having camming means at one end to operate the bushings. Such handles or clips include an opening which cooperates with the adjusting nut on the free end of the locking pin to secure the assemblage together and in place on the parts to be assembled using the locking pin and clip assembly. The improvement comprises a nose cone on the free end of the locking pin having a circular cross-sectional shape, the nose cone overlying the adjusting nut so that the criticality of position of the nut on the pin in the prior art is avoided, while at the same time the tapered nose cone provides a guiding function to mount the pin into the parts to be assembled together.

Abstract: A hitch pin for securing a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle comprising an elongated pin member having first and second ends and a radially extending collar formed therebetween and a bail member attached to the pin proximate one end thereof. A toroidal case containing a magnet and having a magnetically permeable material as a base is disposed about the pin between the collar and the bail. A compression-type helical spring surrounds the pin intermediate the case and the bail for normally urging the magnet case against the collar but allowing the case to be displaced against the force of the spring.

Abstract: The invention provides a locking pin (G) comprising a loop (B) and means (R) for pivoting the loop on the locking pin so that said loop (B) may be brought back to surround the spindle (A) in which the locking pin is engaged so as to oppose removal of said locking pin. The pivoting means (R) comprise a mobile bearing (6) supported by two substantially parallel arms (8, 9), the assembly being such that in a "high" position the arms extend on a side which moves the bearing (6) to a maximum away from the opposite end (e) of the locking pin, whereas in a "low" position, said arms (8, 9) have rotated with respect to the "high" position. The locking pin may pass through the loop when the arms are in the "low" position but cannot pass through the loop when the arms are in the "high" position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pin construction for use in hitch assemblies such as those used to connect various types of trailers to a vehicle.