Abstract: A security device for locking a merchandise display rod to a support structure. The device includes a housing slidably received on the display rod and including a locking mechanism movable between a locked and an unlocked position. The housing defines a recess extending inwardly from an exterior surface thereof and perpendicularly to the linear motion of a locking member in the locking mechanism. A complementary shaped dipole magnet of a magnetic key is inserted into the recess to move the locking mechanism to the unlocked position. The security device further includes an adjustment member on a rear surface thereof. The adjustment member is engaged to compensate for different thicknesses of the support structure to which the security device is to be attached.

Abstract: A method for forming a clay slab includes providing a frame, a first panel supported on the frame in a vertical orientation and a second panel supported on the frame in a vertical orientation, with the first panel and the second panel defining a gap therebetween. The method further includes positioning a block of clay adjacent the gap defined by the first panel and the second panel, moving at least one of the first panel and the second panel from an initial position to an intermediate position to draw the block of clay between the first panel and the second panel and thereby form the clay slab, and moving at least one of the first panel and the second panel from the intermediate position back to the initial position to withdraw the clay slab from between the first panel and the second panel.

Abstract: A merchandise display hook includes a display rod and a locking base pivotally attached to the display rod for locking the display hook on a display support. The locking base is configured to pivot relative to the display rod inwardly towards the display support from an unlocked position to a locked position and outwardly from the display support from the locked position to the unlocked position. The display hook includes a first attachment member configured to engage a front surface of the display support and a second attachment member configured to engage a rear surface of the display support. The locking base defines a contact surface configured to engage the front surface of the display support in the locked position. When the locking base is in the locked position, the locking base and the display rod define a first angle therebetween. When the locking base is in the unlocked position, the locking base and the display rod define a second angle therebetween that is less than the first angle.

Abstract: A locking device for a merchandise display hook has an upper rod disposed along a longitudinal axis and a lower rod disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and the upper rod. The locking device includes a housing having a vertical slot adapted to receive the upper rod and the lower rod of the display hook. A bayonet is movable between a locked position in which a portion of the bayonet extends into the slot and restricts movement of at least one of the upper rod and the lower rod within the slot, and an unlocked position in which the bayonet does not extend into the slot and thereby permits movement of the upper rod and the lower rod within the slot. An elongate nose depending outwardly from the housing defines a channel that intersects the slot of the housing and receives the upper rod of the display hook with the upper rod and the lower rod disposed within the slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an end stop bracket for a longitudinal mobile shelving track adapted to moveably support a mobile shelving unit thereabove, the end stop bracket including a main body shaped to cap an end of said longitudinal track, a means of attachment to the end of the longitudinal track, and a means of reducing impact loads resulting from contact between the mobile shelving unit and the end stop bracket.

Abstract: A device and method for delivering a therapeutic drug to a patient in the form of an aerosol includes a heat generating chamber and an aerosol forming chamber separated by a heat conductor. A heating element is disposed within the heat generating chamber in heat conducting relation with the heat conductor. A substrate having a therapeutic drug and an aerosol forming agent deposited thereon is disposed within the aerosol forming chamber in heat conducting relation with the heat conductor. The heating element ignites a fuel source consisting essentially of a combustible liquefied gas to generate heat that is conducted to the heat conductor and then to the substrate via the heat conductor. The heat generated by the heating element activates the aerosol forming agent to volatilize the therapeutic drug into an aerosol drug contained within the aerosol forming chamber and made available to be inhaled by the patient.

Abstract: A merchandise display stand for displaying an item of merchandise defines an angled exit path for a security cable attached to the merchandise. The display stand includes a base configured for attachment to a support surface and an upright extending from the base. The security cable extends from the base through an internal passageway defined by the upright to the merchandise. The upright has an arcuate or an angled shape relative to the support surface and the angled exit path forms an acute angle with a central axis between about fifteen and about seventy-five degrees. A sensor housing may be disposed between an upper end of the security cable and the merchandise and configured for attachment to the merchandise. A first displacement sensor may be provided for indicating whether the base is separated from the support surface and a second displacement sensor may be provided for indicating whether the merchandise is separated from the sensor housing.

Abstract: A clay-pulp mixture is prepared by blending a predetermined ratio of clay and wood pulp (specifically, fiber derived from virgin alpha cellulose) in dry form, moistening the mixture homogeneously by adding water and continuing to blend until a malleable consistency is achieved. Air is extracted from the moist mixture, and solid blocks formed for storage and delivery to end-users.

Abstract: A display stand for displaying an article of merchandise includes a base defining an outer periphery and means for dispensing and collecting a helical cable attached to the article of merchandise. The means for dispensing and collecting supports and guides the helical cable along the outer periphery of the base between a retracted length and an extracted length. The dispensing and collecting means may include at least one wheel disposed on the outer periphery of the base. The dispensing and collecting means may include at least one roller disposed on the outer periphery of the base. The dispensing and collecting means may include a low-friction surface disposed on the outer periphery of the base. The dispensing and collecting means may include a scalloped surface disposed on the outer periphery of the base. The display stand may further include a collection tube for delivering the helical cable to the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a clay slab includes a frame, a front panel supported on the frame and a rear panel supported on the frame. An outer cable is attached to the rear panel at one end and to the rear panel and to the front panel at another end. A rotatable drive axle is configured to simultaneously wind and unwind the outer cable and thereby move the front panel and the rear panel from an initial position to an intermediate position to draw a block of prepared clay into a gap defined by the front panel and the rear panel. The drive axle is further configured to simultaneously wind and unwind the outer cable in the opposite direction and thereby move the front panel and the rear panel from the intermediate position back to the initial position to remove the clay slab from the slab roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ramp assembly for a mobile shelving system including at least one longitudinal track body having a central channel and transverse edges, said ramp assembly including a plurality of ramp sections disposed on either side of the track body, whereby each ramp section includes a hooked edge adapted to rotatably engage a transverse edge of the track body, the angle of the ramp section being adjustable by way of rotation of the ramp section to thereby accommodate track bodies of different height.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for protecting a laptop computer or similar portable electronic product from theft or unauthorized removal includes at least one retaining assembly including a laterally extending retaining arm terminating in a retaining hook for engaging a lateral edge of the laptop computer or similar portable electronic product, a retaining leg depending from the retaining arm and a retaining base for receiving the retaining leg in a locked configuration. The retaining arm is adjustable to accommodate laptop computers or similar portable electronic products having various widths and a lock mechanism includes a shuttle fixed to a collar made of a magnetically attractive material and a biasing spring for biasing the shuttle into engagement with the retaining leg of the retaining arm.

Abstract: A security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station including a logic control circuit having a controller, a communication circuit operably coupled to the controller, and a memory operably coupled to the controller for initially providing a security disarm code (SDC) to a programmable key including a logic control circuit having a controller, a communication circuit operably coupled to the controller and a memory operably coupled to the controller. The programmable key subsequently provides the SDC to a security device configured for attachment to the merchandise and including a logic control circuit having a controller, a communication circuit operably coupled to the controller, and a memory operably coupled to the controller. Thereafter, the security device is disarmed by using the programmable key to verify the SDC in the memory of the key with the SDC in the memory of the security device.

Abstract: A magazine configured for use with a 22 caliber conversion kit and/or a non-converted 22 caliber firearm includes an elongate, hollow, rectangular housing for receiving an ammunition belt on a splined belt pulley. A slide of the firearm applies an impact force to a strike wheel to pivot a cam against a spring-loaded rack. The rack moves downward and causes a rack gear to rotate a drive gear freely in the slip direction of a unidirectional bearing. When the impact force is removed, the spring-loaded rack returns upward under the biasing force of the spring causing the rack gear to rotate the drive gear on the unidirectional bearing in the drive direction. The drive gear turns a drive axle, which turns the splined belt pulley to advance the ammunition belt sufficiently to position the next round of ammunition for entry into the firing chamber.

Abstract: A display assembly for automatically orienting a display item includes a base and a mounting member for mounting thereon the display item. The mounting member is removably mounted on the base to allow handling of the display item when removed and when mounted automatically moves from an unaligned orientation to an aligned display orientation. One alignment mechanism is magnetically operable and preferably includes first and second magnets respectively mounted on the base and mounting member wherein north and south poles of the first magnet align respectively with south and north poles of the second magnet to align the mounting member in the display orientation. Another alignment mechanism includes at least one camming surface for facilitating alignment of the mounting member and preferably camming surfaces respectively on the base and the mounting member which engage one another to facilitate to alignment.

Abstract: A programmable key for use in a security system for protecting items of merchandise has a housing, a power supply mounted in the housing, a logic control circuit which includes a controller, a wireless communication circuit and a security disarm code (SDC) memory. The key has visual indicators such as an LED which is operatively connected to the logic control circuit and pulsed to indicate the state of the SDC. The control circuit includes a timer which has a preset time limit programmed therein, which invalidates the stored SDC if not refreshed by a remote programming source within a certain time period. The logic circuit further includes a counter which counts the number of activations of a control switch, and which permanently deactivates the control circuit upon reaching a certain count value to ensure that the internal battery has sufficient power to maintain the key operational. The wireless communication circuit preferably is infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) controlled.

Abstract: A security alarm module for attaching to an item of merchandise in a security system for protecting the item of merchandise has a housing, a logic control circuit including a central controller, a wireless interface for communicating with a programmable key containing a security code, and a memory circuit for storing the security code. An attachment device attaches the alarm module to the item of merchandise and a sense loop operatively communicates with the attachment device for sensing when the integrity of the attachment device is compromised. An audio alarm is located within the housing and is actuated when the integrity of the sense loop is compromised. A visual indicator such as an LED, indicates the status of the alarm module. The housing includes a base and a bottom housing member which is spaced from the base to form a sound region. The audio alarm is mounted in the bottom housing member and communicates with the sound region which enhances the sound level of the alarm when actuated.

Abstract: A security system for protecting items of merchandise includes a programmable key, a programming station for generating a security disarm code (SDC) into the key, and a security device attached to the item of merchandise. The security device is initially programmed with the SDC from the key and is subsequently disarmed by the key upon matching the SDC of the key with the SDC stored in the security device. A wireless interface is provided in the programming station, programmable key and security device for programming the SDC into the key and for matching the SDC of the key with the SDC of the alarm module. An internal timer in the key invalidates the SDC in the key after a predetermined time period to prevent use of the key for disarming a security device after the time period has expired. The programming station initially generates a unique SDC which remains in the programming station for use with the programmable keys and alarm modules.

Abstract: A programming apparatus for generating and retaining a security disarm code (SDC) for use in a security system for protecting items of merchandise has a housing and a logic control circuit located within the housing. The control circuit includes a controller for generating the SDC, a memory for storing the generated SDC and a wireless communication system for interfacing with a programmable key used for operating a security device attached to an item of merchandise. A visual display includes a plurality of LEDs which indicate the status of the logic control circuit. The SDC is generated initially as a random SDC by the programming apparatus, which SDC is retained in the controller of the apparatus for the life of the programming apparatus.

Abstract: A security system and display module therefore protects an item of merchandise mounted on the display module in a retail environment. The item of merchandise is electrically and mechanically connected to a sensor which is removably mounted on the display module by a first power cord. A second power cord connects the display module to the sensor and a third power cord connects the display module to a source of electricity for supplying electric power to the sensor through the display module and then to the displayed item for maintaining the charge on a battery of the displayed item. The display module contains an alarm unit having an audible alarm which is actuated if the integrity of either of the first or second power cords is compromised. A plunger switch and LED may be contained in the sensor and in a base of the display module and connected to the internal alarm to provide additional security for the protected item of merchandise.