Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic locking mechanism for a dumpster container having a hinged lid. The elements of the locking mechanism comprise an L-shaped or U-shaped securing member which is attached to one or both sidewalls of the container. The securing member pivots over the lid, and is held in place by a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism fixes the L-shaped or U-shaped securing member in a position that inhibits opening of the container lid. The securing mechanism is autonatically operated by the lifting tines of a trash removal vehicle. The L-shaped or U-shaped locking member automatically swings away from the hinged lid by virtue of a counterweight during container dumping operations, and is returned to a locked configuration when the container is replaced and the lifting tines withdrawn.

Abstract: A refuse collector comprises a wheeled frame at one end of which is a hoop which supports a pliable cylindrical sleeve that is open at both of its ends. The hoop also is adapted to support a trash bag open at one end, the trash bag being accommodated within the sleeve. The handle is coupled to the hoop and is pivotable between a first position in which it extends in prolongation of the hoop and a second position in which it generally parallels the frame. In the first position the handle enables the user to move the frame along the ground with the open end of the trash bag in condition to receive litter and in the second position of the handle it provides a support for the frame in such manner as to maintain the trash bag and its contents in an upright position.

Abstract: A composite rod and bracket assembly for window curtains and valances including an elongated telescopically adjustable metal inner rod. Rod end members detachably supporting the ends of the inner rod and are adjustably mounted on wall brackets to adjust the projection of the inner rod. An outer rod member having a height and cross-section substantially larger than that of the inner rod is formed of thin walled plastic and includes a face wall defining the top, front and bottom of the outer rod member, and upper and lower rear wall portions that extend downwardly and upwardly from the face wall and have grooves in adjacent edges for detachably receiving the upper and lower edges of the inner rod member to support the outer rod member thereon. Bracket covers formed of a low density foamed plastic and having a cross-sectional configuration similar to that of the outer rod member, are detachably mounted on the rod and brackets.

Abstract: The inventon is for an assembly for a mounting frame that has at least three rails or elongated frame members. The assembly comprises a pair of couplings and means for fastening the couplings to each other. Each coupling includes means for receiving one of the rails, the coupling element and the rail being movable relative to each other longitudinally of the rail. Further, each coupling includes means for securing the rail at a pre-selected longitudinal position relative to the coupling. One of the couplings has means for connecting the third rail to itself. When the couplings are fastened to one another, the receiving means on each coupling are disposed to support the first two rails in crossed or non-parallel relationship to one another.The invention is also for an apparatus for mounting an article on support means.

Abstract: A clip-on nut for enabling a panel to be secured to a support structure, the clip-on nut being secured to the support structure. The clip-on nut has a portion for guiding the clip-on nut into an aperture formed on the support structure, the guide portion comprising a spherically rounded projection.

Abstract: An integrated, modular display system for conveying information in a unified theme is disclosed. The display system comprises a plurality of display panels capable of conveying information, a plurality of frames corresponding in size to the plurality of display panels for receiving at least one of the display panels to support the panels, and a plurality of display bodies for supporting at least one of the frames. The display panels, frames and display bodies are adapted to be combined to form a plurality of individual display units, and a portion of the display panels forming one display unit are interchangeable with a portion of the display panels forming another display unit. In the system, the display panels and frames are provided in groups of several similarly sized display panels and frames.

Abstract: A post holder is provided with a breaking arrangement to hold a post without application or external force even under the influence of gravity. In the preferred embodiment, a post holder is provided with a shoe which contacts the post. The shoe is urged toward the post with a spring, in the preferred embodiment a single convolution spring. Preferably, the shoe has a relatively large face area contacting the post, thereby provide more positive locking of the post relative to the post holder with the application of lesser external force. Ideally, the spring applies sufficient force on the shoe that the post does not move under the force of gravity. In operation, the user may remove the external force, move the post relative to the post holder, and reapply an external locking force, at any time the post being supported by the breaking arrangement. In this way, the user may move the post relative to the post holder with a single hand.

Abstract: A cable operated assembly for actuating a device comprises a housing assembly and a plunger movably mounted within the assembly for movement between return and actuating positions. A coil spring is mounted within the housing and biases the plunger toward the return position. A cable is movable in return and actuating directions relative to the housing and has one end engageable with the device to be actuated. The other end of the cable is connected to the plunger so as to permit movement of the cable relative to the plunger when the same moves toward the actuating position, and limiting relative movement of the cable when the plunger is moved toward the return position thereby to move the cable in the return direction. A second coil spring has a biasing force less than that of the first coil spring and urges the cable in the actuating direction, but is normally compressed.

Abstract: A system for mounting vehicle wheels is disclosed in which at least one lock nut secures the wheel upon lug bolts to prevent theft. The dimensions of the lock nut are selected such that a lock nut tool may also tighten and remove polygonal nuts that are used to secure the same wheel to the lug bolts. With this invention, a vehicle owner or a vehicle assembly line is not required to have two distinct type of tools, and the assembly line is not constrained to having the lock nut tightened at a particular lock nut tightening station.

Abstract: A headboard arrangement comprising a vertical shell (10), a body support (12), and connecting means (50,52) for slidably and turnably connecting the body support to the shell such that the body support can be raised and tilted over a bed as a backrest, or, projected from the shell at various ascending angles as a handgrip and support (46). The shell includes spaces for bedside necessities (22).

Abstract: An apparatus is described which optimizes the neurological development in an infant placed therein and which enables the positioning of the infant in relation to a care giver to enhance mutual interaction skills. A plurality of pillows are provided shaped in geometrical configurations. The pillows include two large wedge shaped foundation pillows which mate together and which can be attached to form a substantially rectangular solid. One of the foundation pillows has a hemispherical recess in the inclined surface thereof in which a removable hemispherical detail pillow may be placed. Other smaller detail pillows provide for unidirectional and compound motion in connection with infant activities. The foundation pillow which does not contain the substantially hemispherical recess is provided with a recess to accommodate at least some of the detail pillows for storage.

Abstract: A secure directory device for displaying information on removable plates. The device includes a special key for removing and replacing plates, thereby precluding unauthorized tampering.

Abstract: A portable hammock kit having aminimum of modular components for assembling and disassembling the modular components for storage or transportation to another location and store all components in a convenient carrying bag. The hammock stand can be assembled with three modular components without fasteners or tools. The hammock stand accommodates a hammock bed suspended from a pair of modular leg assemblies that allow for vertical adjustment of the elevation of both the head and foot ends of the hammock bed. A canopy can be readily mounted and dismounted over the assembled hammock stand.

Abstract: In an air-mat apparatus, air mat has four air bags, two of which have a plurality of air-jetting holes and two others of which have no holes. In a preferred embodiment, the bags having the air-jetting holes are arranged in a zigzag pattern while the remaining two bags are arranged in a comb-shaped pattern. Air ports for the bags having air-jetting holes are connected through flowrate-adjusting valves to an air-distributing valve, while the air ports of the bags having no holes are also connected to the air-distributing valve but not through the flowrate-adjusting valves. The arrangement permits two of the air bags to be inflated and deflated to a specific degree, and the other two air bags to be inflated and deflated to a different degree.

Abstract: Mounting structure for a smoke exhauster comprises a housing having at least an exhaust vent, a smoke outlet, a retaining plate axially corresponding to the smoke outlet comprising an upwardly displaced welding rim, for securing the connection and the positioning of the retaining plate and the housing by welding manners, a receiving opening and a plurality of lug guides, retaining holes and rest surfaces for defining as the connection of a fan motor to the retaining plate by connection means. The fan motor includes a central shaft, a centrifugal fan and a plurality of locking lugs, having respectively a plurality of locking holes and a pair of positioning lips. With the motor top end, locking lugs and the positioning lips respective to the receiving opening, lug guides and rest surfaces, the fan motor is secured in position within the retaining plate. The alignment of the locking holes and the retaining holes are adjustable by clockwise and anticlockwise rotation of the fan motor.

Abstract: An improved lock nut of the kind having a deformable section at one end, with a generally elliptical cross-section. The deformable section has a maximum radial thickness in the region of the ellipse's minor axis, to provide a desired degree of frictional locking when threaded onto a bolt, and it has a minimum radial thickness in the region of the ellipse's major axis, to reduce stresses and plastic deformation that could otherwise adversely affect the lock nut's reusability.

Abstract: A security lock for detachably securing a hose fitting includes two hinged members connected by a lock. The hinge members surround the hose fitting. The lock is compact to fit in small areas. The lock is used for securing watering systems on recreational vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking the release of a slide fastener caused by the movement of a slider. According to the preferable embodiment, this apparatus comprises a pair of sliders, which are provided with a pair of ring-projections respectively, and a pair of engaging members as a blocking member for supporting and ensuring the interlocking of the ring-projections. Then, a pair of studs are provided at the engaging members respectively. When the sliders arranged reversely are moved forwardly to be contacted with each other for closing the slide fastener, the ring-projections are interlocked so that the eyes of the both ring-projections are overlapped. Next, each stud is pushed into the overlapped eyes from each side and engaged to another stud in the eyes so as not to be removed and not to be pulled out. Therefore, the release of the slide fastener caused by the movement of the slider is surely blocked.

Abstract: A system uses a single chute in a multi-story building to collect into separate large receptacles different categories of wastes already separated by the tenant for recycling. A turntable carries a large receptacle for each category of waste. Control means on each floor enables a tenant to operate the turntable to position a selected receptacle beneath the turntable to receive a particular category of waste. A microprocessor controller and interlocks on the access doors prevent conflicts between floors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sound silenced window frame jamb liner sash guide pocket. A layer of resilient material is coextruded with the material of the jamb liner to provide reverberation dampening of a window sash spring balance located within the jamb liner sash guide pocket.