Abstract: A chuck (1) for angular offset woodturning including a first member (2) adapted to be secured to a lathe, and a second member (3) adapted to support a work piece and secured to the first member in such that the second member is oriented with respect to the first member between at least two configurations. The first member having a first axis (4) coaxial with an axis of rotation of the lathe and the second member having a second axis (5), and in one of the configurations the second axis is coaxial with the first axis, and in the other configuration the second axis is angularly offset. The chuck further includes a releasable fastening member (12) incorporating alignment members allowing the second member to be secured in one of the two configurations and that in the other configuration the second axis lies relative to said first axis at one of a number of predetermined angular offsets.

Abstract: A latch of the over center type for use inter alia in locking together surveyors rods in order to give reproducible measurements. The latch locks together a first axially slidable member (2) and a second axially slidable member (8) in overlapping disposition; it comprises a pair of latch supporting pivots (22) extruding from the first member, on a first common axis a pair of latch fulcrum pivots (26) extruding from the second member on an axis parallel to the first axis, a latch arrester (30) extruding from the first member, a latch body (16) having a face and sides (18) which extend to or past the latch fulcrum pivots (26) each latch side having an S-shaped recess (24) to engage the associated fulcrum pivot and an elongated slot (20) to engage the elongated latch support pivot. At least one of the sides has an edge protrusion (34) which must be snapped past the latch arrester (30) to complete the latch action.