Abstract: A sliding door has a latch assembly and a vertically disposed pull handle that would normally interfere with convenient operation of the latch lever. A rotatable latch lever is located beyond the handle and a rotatable latch is located opposite the handle. A 4-bar coupling extends between the lever and the latch so that the latch is conveniently rotatable from beyond the pull handle for engaging a cooperating keeper.

Abstract: Plastic window and doors are effectively latched to surrounding plastic frames by a distributed series of latches pins that are carried on a common carrier opposite and coaxial with a like series of apertures for simultaneous shifting between latched and unlatched conditions from a single point. A series of latch pins mates with an opposing series of cammed apertures that engage the pins when relatively shifted by a single turn of one actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the shock characteristic of a suspension having a proximate portion, a distal portion and a spring portion therebetween has a rotatable structure having a mount for the suspension base portion such that the suspension distal portion is cantilevered over the rotatable structure, and a sensor carried on the rotatable structure for sensing the displacement of the suspension distal portion relative to the suspension proximate portion under shock load from centrifugal force imparted to the suspension by the rotatable structure. The shock characteristic value is determinable from the displacement value.

Abstract: A kite system including a base, a substantially exposed substructure coupled to the base to flex the base, and one or more masts and sails coupled to the base.

Abstract: A novel flexure or interconnect for a disk drive suspension having a locally different thickness and/or width of insulative layer and a locally different thickness, width and/or relative spacing in its trace conductors to vary capacitance and circuit impedance values accordingly to locally desirable different and optimum values for the type of circuit and the suspension features.

Abstract: A flying toy system including a kite portion, and a figure coupled to the kite portion that moves with respect to its coupling with the kite portion.

Abstract: A microactuator suspension assembly has a load beam structure with at least three layers of material in certain portions of the proximal area between the baseplate area and the spring area, the first and third layers comprising substantially inextensible metal, the second layer comprising extensible plastic, the plastic layer operating in shear when driven by an electrodynamically variable microactuator to make a microadjustment of the suspension.

Abstract: A low cost, simplified disk drive suspension not requiring an actuator arm for movement is provided comprising a load beam having at its proximate end attachment structure comprising a mounting hole fixed to an actuator spindle and at its distal end terminal structure adapted to support a slider overlying a disk and having a lift cam and limiters, and a conductor supported by the load beam, the conductor comprising a flexible conductive laminate metal layer flexure and limiter at the load beam terminal structure, undue movement of the flexure and flexure tongue being controlled by the limiters.

Abstract: An illuminated kite comprises a frame and a sail, a plurality of distributed light elements, an electrical power supply carried by the kite for illuminating the light elements, elongated electrical conductors electrically communicating the power supply and the light elements, elongated sleeves for receiving the electrical conductors, the sleeves having only a tangential attachment locus for attachment to the sail and thus free movement relative to said sail and frame with said electrical conductors therewithin about the tangential attachment locus when said kite flexes to protect the conductors within the sleeves from damage from kite sail and frame flexing.

Abstract: A kite in the shape of an aircraft having one or more wings. The number of wings can vary due to novel V-shaped connection members employed together with strut rod members cut to predetermined lengths. The connection members are preformed V-shaped connectors slidably mounted to spar members disposed in open-ended sleeves in the leading and trailing edges of a wing and may be oriented to receive strut members form either above or below the wing, for efficiency manufacturing, ease in assembly, and minimum exposure to breakage during operation, storage and transport. Additional connection members may be added to the spar members to receive strut members connected to additional wings thereby allowing for an airplane kite having one wing, two wings, three wings, or more. Multiple-V connectors may be combined to create hubs for propellers or wheels that rotate when they encounter a front wind. Ram air openings are utilized in the fuselage of the kite to maintain the shape of the fuselage and the angles of wings.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension having a minimized 2nd torsion characteristic includes a load beam having a given side profile and centerline rotation axis. The load beam has a base portion, a spring portion, and a beam portion. The beam portion has a distal section supporting a flexure having a tongue. There is a dimple between the tongue and the load beam, and a slider carried on the tongue for gimballing movement about the dimple. The dimple has a given height that displaces said beam portion so that the beam portion side profile is biased from said centerline rotation axis. A bend is placed in the beam portion distal section of a size and location to offset the displacement of the beam portion by the dimple while maintaining the beam portion before said distal section straight. Thus, the beam portion side profile registers with the centerline rotation axis and its 2nd torsion characteristic is minimized.