Abstract: A first panel-like element has a longitudinal fold near a first longitudinal edge. A second panel-like element has a longitudinal crease near a second longitudinal edge. The first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge are parallel to each other and form a longitudinal opening. A fastener is disposed at said longitudinal opening. When the fastener of the closure is closed, the first element and a second element form a flat, longitudinal flap, and the longitudinal opening and the fastener are located on the inside surface of the flap.

Abstract: A collar coacts with a chassis, sleeve and lever of a lockset to provide a retention and reinforcement system for lock assemblies. The collar has a flanged portion and a sleeve-engaging portion and is sandwiched between a lever and the cylinder. The sleeve-engaging portion includes at least one tab that engages the sleeve to retain the collar on the sleeve. Alternatively, the collar can be staked to the sleeve. A spring washer can be mounted between the collar and the chassis to take up variation in manufacturing tolerances. The result is a retention and reinforcement system that provides a protection against attack in the zone of attack around the handle-chassis interface.

Abstract: A mechanical end face seal comprising two relatively rotatable seal rings, a resilient bellows for providing a secondary seal between one seal ring and either a housing or a rotating shaft and a finger spring element nested in the bellows. The resilient bellows comprises an elastomeric material, such as molded rubber, and has a single convolution having a general cross-sectional shape of an inverted “Omega.” The finger spring member comprises a plurality of generally “U” shaped spring fingers which provide the axial biasing force to urge the ring faces in sealing relation. In a preferred embodiment, the spring includes ferrules for providing radially inward force on a flange portion of each end of the bellows to maintain the secondary seal.

Abstract: A bezel setting for a ring or other jewelry item is provided. The bezel setting is mounted along the jewelry item and includes a first bezel element and a facing second bezel element for defining an opening therebetween in which a jewelry stone is received. The bezel elements are movable with respect to one another in order to be able to selectively adjust the distance between the bezel elements, and thus the size of the opening. As a result, the bezel setting can accommodate jewelry stones of varying size.

Abstract: A lock chassis including a chassis housing having two substantially identical housing halves. The housing halves mate to form the housing when oriented 180° relative to each other. The housing halves include sidewalls having a lateral face positioned to abut the opposite housing half when the housing halves are coupled together. The housing is secured by lugs that mate with pockets in the lateral face of the sidewall of the opposite housing half and screws which extend through apertures in one housing half and into threaded holes in the lateral face of the sidewall of the opposite housing half.

Abstract: A vehicle closure has a power operated vehicle compartment latch that includes a fork bolt, a detent lever having a release tab and a stop tab, and an eccentric post on an electric motor driven wheel. The detent lever is driven to a release position by the motor via the post and the release tab to unlatch the vehicle closure. The post engages the stop tab to stall the electric motor after the detent is driven to the release position which allows the fork bolt to move to an open or unlatch position. The stop tab is disabled when the fork bolt is moved to the latch position.

Abstract: A rise assist apparatus comprising a handrail in the form of a convoluted section attached to a vertical pole, and stabilized by a bed frame attachment member and a floor contacting base frame. Alternatively, the rise assist apparatus may be wall mounted, being stabilized by a system of mounted wall brackets. The rise assist apparatus further includes an upper curved, horizontal leveraging handle, which extends from the pole-like support structure. Specifically, the rise assist apparatus allows the user to build momentum by pushing off the upper hand grip, and allows the user to control the momentum by regaining balance, and readjusting posture, by gripping the lower handrail member. Additionally, the user can use the curved grip with one hand, while simultaneously reaching for the handrail during the rising movement thereby allowing the user to support himself or herself as they rise out of bed.

Abstract: A device to prevent the unraveling of common bow-tie shoelace knots. The four ends of a standard bow-tie knot (two loops and two loose ends) are gathered together in a stalk-like shape, and encircled snugly with an adjustable restraining material, which can then be anchored to the shoe to prevent the knot stalk from flopping around or getting snagged on environmental materials (e.g., branches, twigs, weeds, etc.). Referred to herein as a “lace lasso,” the device is light-weight, simple, and rapidly installed and attached to simple and common shoelace knots. The restraining material can be chord, elastic material, or fabric; adjustment in snugness and tension can be accomplished by small spring-loaded ripstop cylinders commonly used in camping gear, or Velcro fabric strips. The device can be attached to the shoe by caribiner-type clips or Velcro fabric strips which are connected to the restraining material wrapped around the ends of the shoelace knot.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for opening and closing a sliding door. When an inner handle is pivoted in a door opening direction in a state wherein a sliding door is closed, as the inner handle is pivoted from a neutral position in the door opening direction, a door-closed-status holding mechanism is unlocked by a locking controller. Also, when the inner handle is pivoted in a door closing direction in a state wherein the sliding door is opened, as the inner handle is pivoted from the neutral position in the door closing direction, a door-opened-status holding mechanism is unlocked by the locking controller.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, a fork pivotal on the housing between a bolt-retaining latched position and a bolt-releasing unlatched position, and a pawl pivotal on the housing between a holding position engaging the fork and retaining it in the latched position and a freeing position allowing the fork to move into the unlatched position. A wheel rotatable about an axis has a radially directed cam surface on which rides a projection on the pawl. A drive motor can rotate the wheel and thereby engage the surface with the projection to displace the pawl into its freeing position. A spring is braced between the pawl and the housing and urges the pawl into the holding position and the projection into engagement with the surface. Furthermore the wheel has a groove having a pair of ends, one radially directed flank formed by the cam surface, and an opposite radially directed flank forming another surface.

Abstract: A doorjamb strengthening device comprising an interior metal plate (1), a primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member (5), an aperture (11), a secondary cylindrical reinforcing member (6), an exterior metal plate (2), a primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member (9), and a secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member (10). Interior metal plate is fastened to exterior metal plate by means of an interference fit between primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member and primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member and secondary interior cylindrical connecting member and secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member.

Abstract: A small frame apparatus which is suitable for use with a necklace or other item of jewelry in which a small display, such as a miniature work of art or photograph, may be secured. The display is adhered to a small metallic plate which may be inserted into the frame and then held in place by a magnet, which is mounted proximate to and rearward of the metallic plate.

Abstract: A jewelry system for emitting a fragrance. The jewelry system includes a pendant for attaching to a portion of a user. The pendant includes a first half and a second half that may be pivotally coupled together such that an interior of the pendant is defined. The pendant includes a hole extending through the first half. A fragrance assembly is provided for emitting a fragrance from the interior of the pendant. The fragrance assembly includes a fragrant liquid for emitting a fragrance through the hole and an absorbent disk removably positioned in the interior of the pendant for absorbing the fragrant liquid.

Abstract: The Advanced Vitrification System (AVS) Melting Process is a process for vitrification of waste in a disposable canister. In the process, waste is dropped into the disposable canister from the top. While the waste is being dropped into the disposable canister, radiant energy is added to the space above the waste in the canister, such that the temperature of the gaseous atmosphere above the waste is higher than the melting point of the waste. Since only the space above the waste in the canister is heated, the temperature of the melt decreases with increasing depth of the waste in the canister. The decreasing temperature permits a small surface melt volume to be maintained and solidified product to form with increasing depth. The process continues until the disposable canister is filled, then all heating is stopped and the disposable canister allowed to cool to ambient temperature.

Abstract: The buckle of the invention provides a secure and essentially irreversible means for securing parts of the straps, ideally about compressed inbaled material and/or baled material that is prone to shrinkage. The clip (1) comprises a single component that can easily and quickly be applied by hand and associated strapping maybe re-tensioned as appropriate without removing the clip or straps from or about the baled material. The clip is made to rotate about approximately 180°, whereby forces at a resilient nose portion (8A, 8B) of a gripping member (4A, 4B) are caused to clamp down on a part of a strap.

Abstract: An information panel that is easily installed on a vending machine spiral in order to identify the product associated with the spiral. The invention comprises a convex channel, that nests with the concave surface at the end of a vending machine spiral, and a graphics surface integral to the convex channel and oriented in the vertical plane for viewing by a consumer of the vending machine. The invention can also incorporate a prior art kicker.

Abstract: A method for building a continuous water seal, creep line increasing cutoff includes the steps of forming spaced borings into the soil in the presence of slurry; developing narrow slots between the formed borings by driving foil boards with cutting edges secured to the bottom therof between adjacent formed borings; and connecting adjacent foil board, which extend between and are recessed into a side of the borings, by means of compensating joint-pins. The steps of developing narrow slots and connecting adjacent foil boards are repeated so that the last boring is connected to the connected, recessecd foil boards forming the cutoff. A prefered embodiment of the invention may include armoring the borings by injecting concrete in the place of the slurry.

Abstract: A jewelry design including a mounting made of a precious jewelry metal, a plurality of fluorescent diamonds having at least medium blue fluorescent intensity which are set in the mounting to form a message, and a plurality of non fluorescent diamonds set within the mounting adjacent the fluorescent diamonds, such that when the mounting is viewed under standard light the fluorescent diamonds are not discernable from the non fluorescent diamonds and the message is not visible, and such that when the mounting is viewed under ultraviolet light the fluorescent diamonds emit visible blue light to form and reveal the message.

Abstract: A pedestal apparatus for use with a patient support, such as an x-ray table, provides a plurality of services, such as gas, vacuum and electric power, near a patient supported on the patient support. The apparatus includes a housing having opposite ends, opposite sides, a top and bottom. The opposite sides of the housing are configured to include a plurality of service outlets. The top of the housing is arched to provide an upwardly-facing convex exterior surface, and the top of the housing is formed with axial sides overhanging the opposite sides of the housing.

Abstract: A jewelry piece that includes a chain or necklace with one or more decorative jewelry pieces removably mounted thereon by way of a narrow necked down minor length portion of the necklace adjacent the necklace clasp. The decorative jewelry pieces have an open ended channel in the rear face thereof slidably receiving therein the necklace. A gap in the channel is wider than the narrow necked down portion but narrower than the remainder of the necklace.