Abstract: A screw and grommet fastener assembly for securing two mating panels together where the grommet absorbs variations in the relative positions of the panels and allows for expansion of a body portion thereof during insertion of the screw to withstand higher torques from screws of different sizes and dimensions without causing damage to the grommet.

Abstract: A voltage divider which can be manipulated so as to vary the output voltage thereof, prevents mechanical wear of the voltage divider element, provides continuous contact, and can be sealed so as to prevent interaction with the ambient atmosphere including first and second non-conductive substrates with a predetermined spaced portion therebetween. A first conductive strip on the second substrate is depressed across the spaced portion so as to contact at least one of a plurality of conductive taps on the first substrate, each of which are in contact with a voltage divider element so as to complete a desired circuit. By sliding while depressing the second substrate along its surface where the conductive strip is positioned, one or more successive taps are contacted so as to vary the voltage supplied to the circuit.

Abstract: An adjustable high torque damper device is provided which can be easily and rapidly adjusted so as to produce variable amounts of torque over a predetermined range. The damper device includes a plurality of co-mating concentric rings formed on a stator housing and a rotor. As a cap is screwed into or out of the housing, the distances between the rotor concentric rings and the stator concentric rings are selectively and gradually increased and decreased to thereby decrease or increase the amount of torque.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for engagement with an aperture in an article including a fastener having at least a shank, a head at a first end of the shank and a resilient retaining member along the shank for releasably retaining the fastener to the article after insertion of at least a portion of the retaining member within the aperture, and an engagement member for compressing the retaining member prior to insertion within the aperture and contact of the retaining member with the article, and for preventing compression of the retaining member by the article about the aperture.

Abstract: In a straps machine comprising strap-advancing rollers, a sensor for sensing whether a leading end of an advancing strap has reached a predetermined location within a predetermined time, and strap-retracting rollers, a severing and ejecting mechanism comprises a die and an anvil for severing the strap into a leading portion including the leading end and a trailing portion if the sensor has not sensed that the leading end has reached the predetermined location within the predetermined time. The mechanism also comprises a drivable roller, a motor for driving it, and two idle rollers on a pivotable yoke. The drivable roller and one of the idle rollers are operative for ejecting the leading portion after the strap has been severed. The drivable roller and the other idle roller are operative for feeding the trailing portion through the mechanism after the leading portion has been ejected.

Abstract: A snap hook and complementary buckle member having a connector assembly for connecting the snap hook to the buckle and having increased holding power when under a load including a buckle member having a male connector member to be attached to the snap hook having an elongate stem with first and second opposite ends and a shoulder formed on the first end of the stem having a predetermined shape and exterior dimensions, a snap hook including a female receptor member for receiving the shoulder therein having a tapered channel extending therethrough with a first tapered end, a second opposite flared end and a side wall therebetween forming the channel, the interior dimensions of the first tapered end being smaller, and the interior dimensions of the second flared end being larger, than the exterior dimensions of the shoulder, and at least one slot formed through the side wall of the channel having a first end open to the tapered end and extending along the side wall toward the flared end to terminate in a second

Abstract: An oil drain valve assembly is provided for draining oil from an engine crankcase such as in a small internal combustion engine. The drain valve assembly includes an adaptor, an outer sleeve assembly, and interlocking for permitting opening of the valve assembly by relatively limited counter-clockwise rotation and subsequent pulling of the outer sleeve assembly relative to the adaptor. The interlocking means is formed of a pair of diametrically opposed J-slots disposed on the upper end of the outer sleeve assembly and co-mating locking pins disposed on the exterior surface of the adaptor. The locking pins are engageable with detents formed on the J-shaped slots to define a closed or sealed position.

Abstract: A binding machine, such as a strapping machine, for binding a bundle of newspapers or magazines by applying crossed straps around the bundle. Means are provided for conveying the bundle into and from a strapping zone. Means including a strapping head for each strap are provided for applying a transverse strap and a longitudinal strap around the bundle. A transverse chute is provided, which receives the transverse strap, which guides the transverse strap around the bundle, and which releases the transverse strap when the transverse strap is applied. A longitudinal chute is provided, which receives the longitudinal strap, which guides the longitudinal strap around the bundle, and which releases the longitudinal strap when the longitudinal strap is applied. The transverse chute arches from a given side of the strapping zone to its other side.

Abstract: A buckle device comprising separable cooperating receptacle and clasp members and releasable locking means between the receptacle and the clasp. Said locking means includes a through side locking slot and top locking slot in said receptacle and a resiliently supported locking side tab on said clasp engageble with said side locking slot and a second tab on said clasp engageable with said second locking slot. The locking means on said clasp include cam means for disengaging said second tab from said second slot when pressure is applied to said side locking tab of said clasp.

Abstract: An improvement in a buckle of a type comprising a body member and a latch member, which is pivotable in relation to the body member so as to open or close the buckle. A lock pin on one such member must be positively snapped into a lock recess in the other member to close the buckle. The lock pin must be positively snapped out of the lock recess to open the buckle. In a preferred embodiment, the lock pin is one of a pair of lock pins on the latch member, and the lock recess is one of a pair of lock recesses in the body member.

Abstract: An anchor for secure reception of a fastener such as a screw shank can be frictionally welded, by high-speed rotation of the anchor, to the structure upon which the fastener is mounted. The anchor is molded from frictionally meltable material, for example a typical engineering thermoplastic such as ABS resin. The anchor has a generally cylindrical body with an end face at one end defining a surface for frictional welding to the compatible structure. The end face has an aperture which receives the screw shank or the like. The cylindrical body has a cup-like configuration having a cavity formed therein extending from the end face to an open end at the opposite end of the cylindrical body. A cylindrical boss is formed within the cavity and extends from the aperture at an entrance end for receiving the fastener. The boss has a frangible cap covering the end of its bore opposite the entrance end.

Abstract: A control assembly for adjustable displacement of a chair seat or the like comprises a lead screw threaded to a nut for relative longitudinal movement in order to adjust the height of the chair with the relative movement of the screw and nut. The control assembly also includes a rotational bearing for swiveling the seat while maintaining the desired seat height; the rotational bearing also allows backdriving, for example rotation of the screw, without rotation of the seat. The control assembly also includes a locking mechanism for selectively preventing relative movement of the screw with respect to the nut in order to maintain the desired seat height. A power spring can be provided on the assembly to drive selective elevation, for example of the screw and seat, when the screw has been unlocked.

Abstract: For use with a sponge mop, a pad, a frame adapted to be removably attached to the sponge mop, the frame being provided with integral structure forming one part of a two-part interlocking assembly adapted to removably attach the pad to the frame, and a locking member forming the other part of said assembly and being adapted to interlock with said one part of said assembly. In certain embodiments including a preferred embodiment, in which the pad is a compressible pad, a portion of the pad is compressed between the interlocked parts of said assembly. In other embodiments, in which the pad may but does not have to be compressible, the locking member is affixed to the pad. In each embodiment, said assembly is one of a pair of similar assemblies.