Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a first latch member, a second latch member and a ramp mechanism. A first latch element of the first latch member is cooperatively structured with a second latch element of the second latch member to be engageable therewith. The first and second latch members are latched together when the second latch member is disposed in the latching position and the first latch element engages the second latch element. When at least one of the latch members is moved in a first direction to an unlatching position while the first and second latch elements are engaged, the ramp mechanism causes either the first latch member or the second latch member to be displaced in a second direction relative to the other latch member, whereby the first latch element and the second latch element disengage to unlatch the first and second latch members.

Abstract: A dynamic splint which braces any joint and particularly any body joint, and which is capable of cyclically moving the joint through a programmable range of motion while accommodating normal joint component motion and triplanar motion. In a preferred embodiment, a set of inner joint segments nest within a set of outer joint segments and are pivotally attached thereto. An extendable cable slidably attached to the outer joint segments causes a pivoting of the outer joint segments with respect to the inner joint segments and a consequent flexing and extending of the joint.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for operating a door hold-open device and a device for carrying out the method. A door hold-open device which unlatches a held door based upon the occurrence of an unlatch condition includes a door latching mechanism, a signal processing circuit having a power source. The method consists of the steps preventing the signal processing mechanism from consuming electrical current, upon occurrence of an unlatch condition, generating a unlatch condition signal and providing electrical current to the signal processing mechanism to power it, determining the continued existence of the unlatch condition signal with the signal processing mechanism and upon determination of the continued existence of the unlatch condition signal with the signal processing mechanism, transmitting an electrical unlatch signal to the door latching mechanism.