Abstract: A lock assembly includes an inner handle assembly having a first control plate and an inner handle, an outer handle assembly having a latching plate, and a latch assembly. The lock assembly is shifted from an unlatched status to a latched status upon operation of the first control plate, and rotation of either of the inner handle and the latching plate may unlatch the lock assembly.

Abstract: A key having profile features which include a shaped indentation on a first side of the blade and an aligned projection on the opposite side of the blade cooperates with a cylinder lock with unauthorized key trapping capability. The lock has an auxiliary locking pin which cooperates with the key indentation and a movable plate member which cooperates with the key projection. Both the indentation and projection must be present and properly sized and shaped for a properly bitted key to operate the lock.

Abstract: A padlock having a U-shaped rigid shackle, a pair of locking balls, a rotatable retainer, and a lock cylinder held into a two piece composite plastic lock body. The two piece lock body can be ultrasonically welded together to capture the mechanical parts inside. The shackle can be metal such as steel, as can be the other mechanical parts. A lightweight, inexpensive yet reliable medium security lock is thus provided. The lock can be used as a safety lock out device or it can be used as a padlock for medium security applications.

Abstract: A mortise lock assembly is provided for mounting in a door opposite a strike plate on a door jamb. The assembly includes an automatic deadbolt feature with a bolt retractor arm that directly contacts and applies inward retraction pressure to a latch bolt and a deadbolt in response to bolt retractor hub rotation to retract the latch bolt and the deadbolt. Two deadbolt stops engage two housing stops when the deadbolt reaches the deadbolt extended position and restrain the deadbolt against further outward movement. Coil extension springs continuously bias the deadbolt and the latch bolt against retraction. A dead lock blocker releasably holds the deadbolt in the deadbolt extended position. The bolt retractor arm is additionally engageable with the blocker to release the blocker in response to bolt retractor hub rotation. A trigger releasably engages and retains the deadbolt in the deadbolt retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the relative positioning of the upper body, neck, and head of infants and young children for airway management and resuscitation. The apparatus is comprised of a support platform with a plurality of cylinders of various diameters which are secured beneath the platform and may be positioned so as to adjust the platform to the proper angle and elevation for the youth laid thereon. A pair of strips of hook and loop fastener are affixed to the lower surface of the platform which cooperate with a pair of bands of hook and loop fastener affixed around the cylinders. A mat is movably secured to the upper surface of the support platform and may secure an x-ray plate to permit the use of a portable x-ray machine for viewing possible lung collapse and the proper insertion of endotracheal tubes.

Abstract: A lockable, slammable paddle operated latch assembly for use as a latching and locking mechanism on a door or panel of an enclosure or compartment has a paddle handle pivotally mounted on a pin transversely mounted through side walls of a recessed draw of a mounting pan and attached at one end to an orthogonal trip/lock member on the interior of the pan adjacent the draw. One extension of the trip/lock member is positioned underneath the locking arm of a key cylinder when the paddle is fully recessed and the key is in the locked position. Another extension of the trip/lock member contacts the latch which is pivotally mounted on the interior of the pan draw. A torsion spring about the latch mounting shank biases the latch into the latched position, but allows the latch to be deflected for engagement with a striker with the trip/lock member locked or unlocked, so that the latch can be slammed shut even when locked. A latch guide can also be mounted on the latch mounting shank.

Abstract: A novel lock system utilizes a cylinder lock and a companion key with a projection extending from one side thereof to improve security. The cylinder lock comprises a shell, a core which is rotatably mounted within the shell and a plurality of pin tumbler stacks normally prevent movement between the shell member and the core. Shear lines are defined between the shell and the core, and also within each tumbler stack. The core also includes an outer surface, a longitudinal keyway and a cut-out which is normally offset from, but alignable with, at least one of the tumbler stacks. A plate member is disposed within the cut-out for movement between a first position, wherein the plate member acts as an extension of the core surface to prevent a tumbler stack from entering the cut-out and a second position, wherein the plate member does not prevent a tumbler stack from entering the cut-out.

Abstract: An anti-theft device (18) mounted to a wheel (90) or the like. Device (18) includes a shield (20) that mounts on top of a wheel (90), with adjustable links (63, 64) at one end (27) of device (18) thrust through voids (91) separating spokes (92) of the wheel (90), and with swingable elbow members (55, 56) at the other end (38) of device (16) thrust through steering wheel voids (91). Legs (58) on the elbow members (55, 56) swing into clasping or yoke members (70), after which a locking bar assembly (80) mounts to the yoke members (70) and by which the device (18) is placed in a locked mode on the wheel (90). The elbow members (55, 56) include arms (57) which, along with the links (63, 64), are adjustable to provide change in depth to the device (18). The shield (20) includes a pair of panels (21, 22) that are slidably engageable with each other, with a fastener (28) and holes (23) in one of the panels that fixes the two together in one of a number of different lengths for the device (18).

Abstract: Automated attendant terminals and a mounting system for such terminals. Each attendant terminal is substantially L-shaped and comprises a housing formed by front, opposing side, rear, and first and second contact surfaces. The first and second contact surfaces form the recessed portion of the L-shape. When used in connection with the mounting system of the present invention, the first contact surfaces and/or the second contact surfaces of each terminal contacts the surfaces of the support mechanism (such as a pole) to result in a "back-to-back" orientation of the terminals. The support mechanism includes opposing surfaces for such engagement with the contact surfaces of the terminals. The mounting system also includes an attachment mechanism which connects the terminals to the poles in this orientation. The attachment mechanism is only accessible through the interior of the housings of the terminals to thereby provide a secure island automated attendant terminal system.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a plurality of mattress structure components are arranged for selective assembly to provide a customized mattress structure at the point of sale to accommodate the musculoskeletal condition and interface pressure preference of the user. The mattress structure components include a perimetrical frame having a central opening and a plurality of cores which are provided in a variety of firmness and support characteristics such that various combinations of firmness and support can be selectively provided. The frame is preferably made from a relatively firm foam rubber such as a high resiliency, high density urethane foam and the plurality of cores includes air bladders, "zone foam" elements, "sculptured foam" shaped from foam blocks, and combinations thereof for filling the central opening of the perimetral frame. The mattress is also suitable for use with an articulating deck having longitudinally spaced head, seat, thighs and foot sections.

Abstract: An air pressurization and control system for a low air loss air floatation mattress or cushion is disclosed. The control system controls air supplied to the air floatation mattress within a range of pressures and flowrates so as to inflate all of the cells of the mattress and to maintain a flow of air to all of the cells over an extended period of time while maintaining all of the cells at a desired level of inflation for the air floatation support of the patient without any of the cells exerting decubitus pressures above the maximum desired decubitus pressure and so as to prevent collapse of any of the cells. A sensor is provided for sensing the pressure of the air within the common supply.

Abstract: A baby rest for placement upon a support surface employs a generally C-shaped inflatable tube member surrounded by padding, the combination of the tube member and padding encased in a generally circular outer fabric cover. The outer cover substantially traverses the center area of the C-shaped tube, thereby creating a thinly padded, central rest area on which an infant may lie. The tube member can be inflated to varying degrees, such that the tube member and the surrounding padding create a peripheral guard around the center rest area of sufficient height to prevent an infant from rolling out of the proportionally smaller rest area.

Abstract: The invention is a music-playing pillow with an internal music playing device. The device has a switch for automatically turning the music on when pressure is applied and turns off when pressure is removed. The pillow has an ovoid shaped depression for the head, consisting of tightly bound cotton material in the interior, which will be elevated on all sides, and up to the cheek bone area, with an elevated portion for the neck to give it warmth, protection and support. The bottom portion of the pillow will end into a "c" shaped curve which will come to either side of the upper trapezius and will support the three basic neck muscles.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a swinging door pivotally mounted on for movement about a first axis between fully open and closed positions includes a support column pivotally mounted for rotation about a second axis parallel to the first axis. One end of the support column is provided with a support block for supporting the door in the open position, and the other end of the support column is provided with a latching bar for securing the support column in a first position where the support block underlies an edge of the door in the open position. A cam surface is provided on the support column, engagable by the door as the door moves from the closed to the open position to rotate the support column and the support block to a position which permits the door to move to a fully open position without interference from the support column or the support block.

Abstract: A rest portion is used to support a load at an adjustable height relative to a base which is connected to the rest portion by a pivotal linkage. A hydraulic ram coupled to a gas spring cylinder applies a spring force between the linkage and the base, the geometry of the linkage and ram being such that the upward component of spring force is invariant with respect to height adjustment. A control valve allows the ram to be locked at a selected height and the spring force provided by the gas spring is adjustable by movement of a second piston within the gas spring cylinder to vary the available volume of gas. A hydraulic pump is used to supply hydraulic fluid to the cylinder for adjusting movement of the second cylinder. The apparatus is suited for use in a chair-bed enabling a patient to be supported at an adjustable height during medical treatment.

Abstract: A security device for personal water craft (PWC) includes a crossbar adapted to cooperate with a trailer component, a securing arm capable of coupling to the crossbar, and a lock mechanism for coupling the securing arm to the crossbar such that translational displacement of the securing arm relative to the crossbar is restricted in at least one direction. The security device couples a PWC to its trailer and prevents unauthorized removal of the PWC from the trailer.

Abstract: A plastic fastener for insertion inside a complementary opening in a part in the course of manufacture, in particular, a panel fastener for insertion inside a prismatic hole formed in a vehicle body part; the fastener compromising a head, and a shank in turn compromising elastic engaging members which snap on to respective sides of the opening and are oriented in at least one plane crosswise to the shank; the fastener being characterized in that the shank comprises an appendix projecting axially in front of the elastic engaging members with respect to the insertion direction of the fastener inside the opening; the appendix being pointed, and presenting at least one rib of a width substantially equal to the diagonal extension of the prismatic opening, and of a thickness much smaller than the width; and the rib being oriented, width-wise, in a plane forming an angle with the plane of the elastic engaging members.

Abstract: A tamper-evident ring is made from a split ring made of a strong resilient material and terminated by male and female fittings. The two fittings can be connected to form a continuous ring of the type that allows keys to slide entirely around the ring. One of the two fittings is breakable to prevent the ring from being reclosed and to provide a visual indication that the ring has been reopened.

Abstract: An adjustable lock nut comprising a one-piece annular body having an internally threaded axial bore extending between and faces of the body and a circumferential outer face. The body has a narrow annular internal groove that opens intermediate the ends of the axial bore and extends generally radially outwardly from the axial bore. A set of radial bores extend into the body at circumferentially spaced locations with their axes disposed in a plane normal to the body axis and bisecting the internal groove and the radial bores each include an internally threaded outer end portion and a threadless conical inner end portion, configured to form semi-conical recesses in the body at opposite sides of the internal groove adjacent the internally threaded axial bore. An externally threaded screw in the outer end portion of each radial bore actuates a wedge that engages the semi-conical recesses to apply separating forces thereto.

Abstract: A child-proof safety latch for a swimming pool safety barrier, or other stretched-panel fence, includes a threaded rod having an expandable nut, such as a toggle-wing nut, that can move to and fro along the rod between a movable stop and a fixed stop adjacent an end of the rod that is distal from a first fence pole to which the rod is permanently affixed. To fasten two adjacent fence panels together, an operator collapses the expandable nut and inserts it through an eyelet attached to a second fence pole. The operator then expands the nut so as to capture the eyelet and turns the expandable nut so as to draw the two poles together.