Abstract: A compact, highly-reusable, self-locking includes a body component, a flexible beam finger component with a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers and one or more outwardly extending tabs, an annular detent ring component including a plurality of detents in radial alignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers, and a biasing component engaging the flange of the flexible beam finger component and the annular detent ring component for providing a biasing force to urge the flexible finger beam component in a direction of a central, longitudinal axis of the self-locking plug. The flexible beam finger component moves relative to the annular detent ring component when the body component is rotated about the central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, thereby causing the plurality of flexible beam fingers to travel across the plurality of detents and cause elastic deformation of the flexible beam fingers.

Abstract: A compact, highly-reusable, self-locking includes a body component, a flexible beam finger component with a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers, a tab sleeve component including one or more downward extending tabs, an annular detent ring component including a plurality of detents in radial alignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers, and a wave spring disposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ring component for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve component in a direction of a central, longitudinal axis of the self-locking plug. The flexible beam finger component moves relative to the annular detent ring component when the body component is rotated about the central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, thereby causing the plurality of flexible beam fingers to travel across the plurality of detents and cause elastic deformation of the flexible beam fingers.

Abstract: A compact, highly-reusable, locking device includes a carrier, roller elements, a body, and a band spring. The carrier includes a plurality of apertures for receiving each a corresponding roller element. The body includes a plurality of detents separated by ridges. The number of detents is different than the number of roller elements. The body is at least partially received in the carrier such that the detents are in radial alignment with the apertures. The band spring is disposed about the roller elements. The roller elements travel across the detents and ridges to cause elastic deformation of the band spring when the body is rotated about a central axis.

Abstract: A compact, highly-reusable, locking device includes a carrier, roller elements, a body, and a band spring. The carrier includes a plurality of apertures for receiving each a corresponding roller element. The body includes a plurality of detents separated by ridges. The number of detents is different than the number of roller elements. The body is at least partially received in the carrier such that the detents are in radial alignment with the apertures. The band spring is disposed about the roller elements. The roller elements travel across the detents and ridges to cause elastic deformation of the band spring when the body is rotated about a central axis.

Abstract: A new capture device comprising a plurality of axially extending tangs (42) on one (10) of a pair of complementary fittings (10, 14) in a fluid coupling and a polygonal circumferential groove (20) on the other fitting (14) adapted to engage the tangs. Upon rotational engagement of the fittings the tangs (42) engage the polygonal groove (20) and "ratchet" about the junctures between the flats (22) until the coupling is tight. Although not limited to particular materials, the new capture device is particularly suited to very tough, strong and hard materials such as titanium, stainless steel and Inconel alloy because the effectiveness of the capture device is dependent upon the stiffness of the tangs (42). The new device prevents vibrational disassembly of the complementary fittings without preventing disassembly solely with wrenches. Moreover, the complementary fittings and capture device can be repeatedly assembled and disassembled without any damage to the threads (12) or capture device.

Abstract: A new capture device comprising a plurality of axially extending tangs on one of a pair of complementary fittings in a fluid coupling and a polygonal circumferential groove on the other fitting adapted to engage the tangs. Upon rotational engagement of the fittings the tangs engage the polygonal groove and "ratchet" about the junctures between the flats until the coupling is tight. Although not limited to particular materials, the new capture device is particularly suited to very tough, strong and hard materials such as titanium, stainless steel and Inconel alloy because the effectiveness of the capture device is dependent upon the stiffness of the tangs. The new device prevents vibrational disassembly of the complementary fittings without preventing disassembly solely with wrenches. Moreover, the complementary fittings and capture device can be repeatedly assembled and disassembled without any damage to the threads or capture device.

Abstract: An external capture device for separable connectors used to connect fluid and electrical tubing and conduits. Two or more spring bands or clips are semi-circular and serrated in form and joined by one or more substantially axial bridges or bars. The spring clips are sized to tightly grip the driving external surfaces of the separable connector to be secured. The driving surfaces of the connector may be of differing circumference. Both axial distance and alignment of the driving surfaces are not critical to attachment of the capture device. The capture device may be added or removed from a closed connector, the bridge or bar forming a convenient means for gripping the device.

Abstract: A dipstick handle of the invention includes a unitarily molded handle, such as a finger ring, having an integrally molded hollow shaft. The shaft has one or two pairs of opposed slots through its outside surface. A dipstick blade is received by one end of a hollow insert which has two pairs of tabs at its other end for snapping into the slots through the surface of the shaft. Pressure on the tabs engaged in the slots releases the tabs and enables the insert and dipstick blade to be withdrawn. The handle seals the tube into which the dipstick is fitted to avoid escape of noxious gases. The blade may be oriented in any of four directions with respect to a plane of the handle.

Abstract: A swim platform is described in which two S-shaped members spanned by a step are pivotally attached beneath a platform which is attached to the transom of a boat. The step hangs outboard of an outboard edge of the platform in use, or may be folded to rest on the platform when not being used.

Abstract: The combination of a dipstick and plug assembly adapted to be inserted within a standard oil filler tube of an engine. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a molded cap element having an integrally formed handle for facilitating gripping thereof. Positioned underneath the cap element is a preferably separately formed, molded cylindrical body which is adapted to be fitted within the oil filler tube. The dipstick comprises a blade member which extends through an aperture in the cylindrical body and is embedded within the cap element. The cylindrical body has a pair of O-rings extending peripherally thereabout. The upper O-ring is integrally molded with the body and serves as a sealing means for the tube. The lower O-ring comprises a separately formed, flexible O-ring which is disposed within a groove formed in the cylindrical body and is adapted to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of the assembly in the filler tube.