Abstract: A sliding door latch with a finger pull mechanism is described that fits within a standardized aperture normally utilized for a hinged door latch. Provided is a latch assembly having an extendable latching hook for mounting in a sliding door and latching with a strike plate mounted in a door frame and a finger pull mechanism for accessing the sliding door from within a surrounding framework. Included are a housing assembly for fitting within the sliding door, an exposed edge plate mounted to the edge of the sliding door beside the housing assembly, a latching hook for engaging with the strike plate and extendable through the exposed edge plate, and a finger pull mechanism mounted in the edge plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling drag and vortex-induced vibration exerted onto a substantially cylindrical element of a fixed position subjected to a fluid flowing environment. Apparatus of the invention comprise a sleeve comprising an ultra-smooth surface. Methods for installing such apparatus onto cylindrical elements, and systems for controlling drag and vortex-induced vibrations in which a substantially cylindrical marine element has an ultra-smooth effective surface.

Abstract: An elongated channel protector has an end wall that precludes axial displacement of the protector along an elongated rail car plug door operating handle in one direction. Angle shaped members extend from the protector laterally for engaging a cover appurtenance on the door for precluding axial displacement of the protector in the opposite direction. A pair of legs depend from the protector side walls and have aligned holes for receiving a bolt seal. Tubular elements surround the holes to protect the seal head and locking body. The seal is seated beneath the handle which is covered by the protector locking the protector to the handle.

Abstract: A jewelry pendant for attachment to a strand of beads having a first and second countersink on opposite sides of the upper attachment end of the jewelry pendant. The countersinks are coupled at a junction to define an aperture through the upper attachment end of the jewelry pendant. The aperture is large enough to permit passage of a connector on a strand of beads and being smaller than the diameter of the end beads.

Abstract: A brilliant-cut gemstone having a pavilion, girdle, and crown is disclosed. The pavilion of the gemstone has 56 facets: specifically, 8 lower diamond-shaped facets, 16 middle kite-shaped facets, and 32 upper triangular facets. The girdle and table may be formed of one or more facets. In one preferred embodiment, the total number of crown facets (excluding the table) is 56, making a total of 114 facets (including the table). In another preferred embodiment, the total number of crown facets (excluding the table) is 64, making a total of 122 facets (including the table).

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for moving a patient from a first support to a second support includes an upper platform, a lower conveyor and an actuator configured to be coupled to the lower conveyor to drive the lower conveyor. The lower conveyor is movable such that movement of the lower conveyor to move the apparatus from the second support to the first support moves the patient from the first support onto the upper platform.

Abstract: A rotary machine has stationary upper and lower housings with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular sealing segments movable toward and away from the rotating components between large and small clearance positions. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side segments by gravity forces and to enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to move vertically between inner and outer clearance positions, the side segments of the lower housing are supported by brackets resting on a support surface forming part of the horizontal midline at the juncture of the upper and lower housings. Consequently, the gaps between the lower ends of the side segments and the opposite ends of the lower segment in the open position of the segments remains, enabling the lower segment to move radially vertically inwardly upon closing the seals.

Abstract: A connection for threaded pipes and other tubular sections including a gasket for interposition between a first and an opposing second interface surface of the connection. The gasket includes a retainer and a generally annular seal element received in a groove formed into at least one side of the retainer. Such retainer side further is formed as having one or more channels extending extend radially through the groove and the inner or outer perimeter of the retainer. Each such channel defines a vent for relieving hydrostatic fluid pressure as the gasket is compressed between the interface surfaces.

Abstract: The latch assembly of the present invention is adapted for use on motor vehicles, such as agricultural and construction vehicles, recreation vehicles, utility and emergency vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks. The latch assembly includes a housing with a rotor and catch rotatably mounted therein for movement between open and closed positions for releasing and retaining a striker bolt on the door. Holes in the housing allow the housing to be mounted either internally or externally to the door frame. The rotor and catch are impregnated with a lubricant to minimize friction and extend the life of the latch assembly. A grease block is also provided within the housing to inhibit entry of contaminants, such as dirt, water, and the like, so as to further extend the life of the latch assembly.

Abstract: A tamper proof label and closure construction includes a coded label section with a passage for reclosing a bag and further includes a closure section which may be wrapped around gathered package material and sealed. Removal of the sealed closure section will indicate tampering or intentional opening of the closed, sealed bag.

Abstract: A door lock includes a tubular casing having a front end-plate covered with a panel. The casing receives a bolt, a linking piece, a trigger and a tumbler therein, with the bolt connected to a slider through the linking piece. The slider has two pairs of cogs, and is movable between two opposite guides. An annular follower is positioned in the guides and has a pair of paws for selectively pushing the pairs of cogs in order to move the slider and hence the bolt backward. The slider further has a pair of indentations and one guide have a pair of teeth engagable with rear ends of the indentations when the bolt is fully extended, so as to provide the bolt with an extended position independent from the panel. Additionally, the guide has two pairs of opposite stops located between the pairs of cogs.

Abstract: A fitting assembly for fluid and vapor connection comprising a first tube, a second tube and a thin strip of polymeric material. A male member is formed at the end of the first tube. A hollow female body is formed at end of the second tube. The male member is received in the female body. The strip of polymeric material has a layer of adhesive applied to one surface of the strip. The strip is bonded to the male member and unbonded to the female body. The strip is compressed between the male member and the female body.

Abstract: A method for reducing the leaching of lead from a lead projectile impact area acting to collect or stop such projectiles includes contacting the lead projectile impact area with a seed of dry granular lead stabilizing agents. This seeding or coating of lead stabilizing agents stabilizes lead in the bullet/shot impact area while also allowing for future lead bullets, fragments or lead shot fired into the soil to be stabilized upon contact with the lead stabilizing agent seeds or contact with rainwater leaching through the lead stabilizing agent seeds produced from the projectile coating, or excess seed from the lead shell projectiles. This method eliminates the need to remove or re-treat range soils and greatly reduces the environmental and health risks associated with the use of lead as projectiles in the open environment as well as at control trap ranges.

Abstract: A vehicle door opening-closing device which enables a reduction in the time for releasing a fully closed condition of the vehicle door without changing the driving force and the driving speed of the actuator when operating a vehicle door from a half closed condition to the fully closed condition and when releasing the fully closed condition. A latch mechanism includes a latch engageable with a striker and an engagement member for maintaining the latch at a condition for operating the vehicle door to the half closed condition and the fully closed condition. An operation mechanism operated by a motor operates the latch by way of a closing lever and operates the engagement member by way of an opening lever based on operation of an operation member. The opening lever possess a smaller lever ratio than the lever ratio of the closing lever.

Abstract: The invention concerns a closing device for a washing machine or clothes dryer with a machine door that locks a loading opening exhibiting a closing piston mounted onto the machine door hinged to the machine housing and a lock in the area of the loading opening, whereby the lock is provided with a latching element that brings the closing piston into a latching closed position when the machine door closes and releases it to an open position when the machine door is opened. An automatic adjustment of the closing piston to the latching element when the machine door closes is achieved in that the closing piston can be adjusted horizontally to a limited extent in the door rim, and that the closing piston with its nose is alignable with the latching element in a receiving element in the door frame around the loading opening.

Abstract: A storage cabinet includes a container having a floor, upright side walls and a rear wall attached to and extending upwardly from the floor, and a ceiling attached to the side walls and rear wall. The floor, side walls, rear wall, and ceiling define a storage cavity. A vertical support member extends upwardly from the floor. At least one door is pivotally attached to one of the side walls and is movable between an open position, in which the cavity is accessible from a position forward of the cavity, and a closed position, in which the door contacts the support member and prevents access to the cavity from a position forward of the cavity. A latching mechanism is attached to the support member and includes upper and lower release members protruding forwardly from the support member that are movable in unison from a latched position to an unlatched position.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch device comprises a pawl lever keeping engagement between a latch and a striker, an output member rotatable in an unlocking direction and in a locking direction by power of a motor and being restored to a neutral position by elasticity of a returning spring when the motor is turned off, a lock lever displaceable between an unlocked position and a locked position by directly receiving rotational movement of the output member, an open link switched between an operative position and a non-operative position by displacement of the lock lever. The open link is directly connected to the lock lever by way of no movable member.

Abstract: A vehicle compartment latch has a support that is fastened to a deck lid. A fork bolt is pivotally attached to the support and moved from an unlatched position to a latched position by a striker when the deck lid is closed. The fork bolt is held in the latched position by a moveable detent lever that is moved to a release position to release the fork bolt so that the deck lid can be opened. The closure latch includes a detent lock-out that holds the detent lever in the release position until the deck lid is opened once the fork bolt is released. The detent lock out includes a striker position lever that is moved to an engaged position by the striker being retained by the fork bolt and a detent pawl that holds the detent lever in the released position once the detent lever is released.

Abstract: A method to set a hollow device into an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig 5 driven by a flow flowing into the flow pipe to displace a hollow device to a point where a stop halts a displacement of hollow device, thereby setting hollow device into position. A method to retrieve a hollow device from an undersea flow pipe uses a flexible pig driven by a flow flowing into flow pipe to retrieve hollow device from a location where hollow device operates.

Abstract: A door lock assembly having a first escutcheon assembly for mounting a latch mechanism. The escutcheon includes a plate having a through-hole, first and second post mounts formed on an inward facing side of the plate outside the through-hole, and first and second removable posts that are removably coupled to the first and second post mounts, respectively, such that they are removable without permanent alteration to the escutcheon. The latch mechanism includes a shaft coupled with the bushing, a torsion spring having two distal ends for centering an angular position of the, wherein the two distal ends rest against a stop formed on the inward facing side of the escutcheon, and wherein at least one distal end is engaged with the off-centered protrusion of the bushing. The bushing may also include an ear protruding radially for engagement with a penannular portion formed in the through-hole of the escutcheon.