Abstract: A handle operated, heavy duty, toggle type draw latch is mountable on one of two members and is operable to selectively engage and disengage a latch-engageable formation connected to the other of the two members. The latch includes a complexly configured operating handle that is pivotally connected near one end to a mounting base for movement relative to the base between closed and open positions, that provides a hand grip near its opposite end, and that, at locations between its opposite ends pivotally mounts a drawbar for movement between extended and retracted positions, and defines not only a plurality of stops but also a catch-engageable formation. One stop engages the base when the handle is closed. Another stop engages the base when the handle is fully open. Still another stop engages the drawbar when the drawbar is retracted. When the handle is open, the drawbar can be pivoted into and out of extended positions for selectively embracing the latch-engageable formation.

Abstract: A slam-capable rotary latch employs a single rotary jaw that is releasably retained in its latched position by a rotary pawl, with the latch having a pair of spaced housing side plates that sandwich the rotary jaw and the rotary pawl, with the side plates defining aligned first and second U-shaped notches that cooperate with a third U-shaped notch formed in the rotary jaw for concurrently receiving and latchingly retaining within the confines of the first, second and third U-shaped notches a suitably configured strike formation, with housing side plate portions that define a selected one of the first and second U-shaped notches being rigidified and strengthened by the close proximity presence of a flange 1) that is formed integrally with side plate portions that define the selected notch and 2) that extends transversely to bridge between the housing side plates at a location near the first and second U-shaped notches.

Abstract: A versatile operating mechanism for a two-point latch or lock includes a "front" module having a flush-mountable handle and housing assembly that can be connected by simple fasteners to a "rear" module having a mounting bracket that movably supports linkage including an operating arm A pair of latch assemblies are connected to and operated by the mounting-bracket-mounted linkage.

Abstract: A slam-capable, flush-mountable, paddle handle operated rotary latch having a pan-shaped housing employs a single rotary jaw that is releasably retained in its latched position by a rotary pawl, with the latch having spaced first and second housing side plates that sandwich the rotary jaw, the rotary pawl and a torsion spring that biases the jaw toward an open position, with the side plates defining aligned first and second U-shaped notches that cooperate with a third U-shaped notch formed in the rotary jaw for concurrently receiving and latchingly retaining a suitably configured strike formation, with the first housing side plate being rigidly connected to the pan-shaped housing, and with the second housing side plate being rigidified in close proximity to its U-shaped notch by an integrally formed flange that extends transversely to bridge between the housing side plates. The pawl defines a release trigger which, when tripped, permits the jaw to be pivoted by the spring to an open position.

Abstract: A rigid ceramic refractory base for a plural-stack annealing furnace is assembled atop a base support structure utilizing a novel set of cast refractory segments, including spaced pairs of C-shaped inner segments that each are surrounded by a sub-set of outer segments. Defined between each set of inner segments and its surrounding sub-set of outer segments is a circular inner seal positioning trough that opens upwardly, and that has a tapered cross section that narrows with depth. A resilient but reinforced inner seal of novel form is installed in each of the troughs, with each of these seals utilizing upper and lower blankets of refractory fiber material that sandwich a plurality of elongate refractory fiber modules arranged end-to-end to circumferentially fill the trough.

Abstract: A rigid ceramic refractory base for a plural-stack annealing furnace is assembled atop a base support structure utilizing a novel set of cast refractory segments, including spaced pairs of C-shaped inner segments that each are surrounded by a sub-set of outer segments. Defined between each set of inner segments and its surrounding sub-set of outer segments is a circular inner seal positioning trough that opens upwardly, and that has a tapered cross section that narrows with depth. A resilient but reinforced inner seal of novel form is installed in each of the troughs, with each of these seals utilizing upper and lower blankets of refractory fiber material that sandwich a plurality of elongate refractory fiber modules arranged end-to-end to circumferentially fill the trough.

Abstract: A slam-capable rotary latch employs a single rotary jaw that is releasably retained in its latched position by a rotary pawl, with the latch having a pair of spaced housing side plates that sandwich the rotary jaw and the rotary pawl, with the side plates defining aligned first and second U-shaped notches that cooperate with a third U-shaped notch formed in the rotary jaw for concurrently receiving and latchingly retaining within the confines of the first, second and third U-shaped notches a suitably configured strike formation, with housing side plate portions that define a selected one of the first and second U-shaped notches being rigidified and strengthened by the close proximity presence to the selected U-shaped notch of a flange 1) that is formed integrally with the side plate portions that define the selected U-shaped notch, 2) that is connected by a tight radius bend to the side plate portions that define the selected U-shaped notch, and 3) that extends transversely so as to bridge between the pair of

Abstract: A rigid ceramic refractory base for a single-stack annealing furnace is assembled atop a base support structure utilizing a novel set of cast refractory segments, including a pair of C-shaped inner segments and four arcuate outer segments. Defined between the assembled inner and outer segments is a circular inner seal positioning trough that opens upwardly, and that has a tapered cross section that narrows with depth. A resilient but reinforced inner seal of novel form is installed in the trough utilizing upper and lower blankets of refractory fiber material that sandwich a plurality of elongate refractory fiber modules arranged end-to-end to circumferentially fill the trough.

Abstract: A foot operated electrical control has a generally rectangular housing for protectively enclosing operating components, formed by a base and a treadle-type cover that have overlying sets of opposed side walls. A mounting shaft extends through aligned holes formed through the side walls to mount the treadle on the base for relative pivotal movement between a normal "non-operated" position and a range of "operated" positions. The operating components include a pair of arms that are connected to the operating shaft for relative pivotal movement between an "off" position and a range of "operating" positions, a first spring that biases the arms toward their "off" position, and a second spring that biases one arm into engagement with the base and also biases the treadle toward its "non-operated" position. A variable resistance potentiometer connected to the one arm has a control shaft that mounts a pinion.

Abstract: A difficult-to-duplicate key for operating a rotatable plug and cylinder lock has an imaginary center axis that extends along the length of the key at a location situated between opposed, relatively narrow edge surfaces, and centered between opposed, relatively wide side surfaces. The edge and side surfaces cooperate to define a key of generally rectangular cross section. First, second and third rows of concave recesses are formed in and extend lengthwise along the side and edge surfaces of the key for receiving rounded inner end regions of pin tumblers of the plug and cylinder lock when the key is inserted to an operating position in a keyway of the lock for positioning the tumblers to permit the plug to be rotated relative to the cylinder. The recesses of the first, second and third rows extend along first, second and third sets of recess axes that extend in first, second and third planes, respectively, that radiate from the imaginary center axis.

Abstract: A length of elongate material such as rubber hose is supported and guided while being fed along a desired path of travel that extends through the hollow interior of a tubular structure. The tubular structure mounts an array of relatively closely spaced rollers that project into the hollow interior to guide and support the moving length of material. The tubular structure is formed as a "tube within a tube" assembly of "inner" and "outer" tubular members that closely interfit, and that sandwich roller support pins between overlying portions of the inner and outer tubular members. The roller support pins bridge roller positioning holes that are formed through the inner tubular member at an array of spaced locations.