Abstract: A binder for panels comprises a main binder part and a wedge member so constructed that the forced insertion of the wedge member into the main binder part causes the split portions formed in the main binder part to spread out and the expansion of the split portions serves to fasten two panels to each other. Into the main binder part set in the perforations formed in advance in the panels, the wedge member can be inserted from either of the outer surfaces of the two panels.

Abstract: A security seal of the type having a housing with an opening to receive a flat strap type of shackle, in which the shackle has an aperture near the end, and said housing has internal means for engaging the shackle to prevent removal after the shackle is properly inserted. The internal means comprises deformable legs which are so deformed by the insertion of the strap end that a free end of one locking leg is caused to move through the aperture of the inserted strap to lock it against removal. In one embodiment of the invention the locking leg has hook means on the free end engaging a stationary portion of the internal structure after it has passed through the strap opening. In another embodiment of the invention two sets of deformable legs are provided so that both ends of a shackle may be engaged in the housing, thereby allowing the user of the seal to provide his own shackles with his own numbering system.

Abstract: A self-retaining locking assembly for threaded couplings. An externally threaded bolt rod end bearing is threadedly secured to a nut or internally threaded piston rod. The bearing includes an axially extending keyway along the threads, and the piston rod includes a circumferential groove at the mating end as well as radially extending slots in the mating face. An annular lock member has a lug projecting radially inwardly of the central aperture for engaging the keyway, and ribs and clips for mating with the radial slots and annular groove, respectively, when the rod is threaded upon the bearing. The lock member therefore cannot rotate relative to the bearing, and the piston rod cannot rotate relative to the lock member whereby the entire assembly is secured together in fixed relationship.

Abstract: A rotatable crank hub has a crank arm slot pivotally connected to the rearward ends of a pair of driving levers, the forward ends of the driving levers being pivotally connected to a longitudinally slideable bolt. Rotation of the crank hub in opposite directions moves the bolt through the crank arm and driving levers forwardly to bolt extended position and rearwardly to bolt retracted position during which a transverse driving pin between the crank arm and driving lever rearward ends moves into forward vertical slots of the latch frame in the bolt extended position and into rearward vertical slots of the latch frame in bolt retracted position. A cam projection on the crank hub is slideably resiliently engaged at one side approaching and in bolt extended position and the other side approaching and in bolt retracted position by a forward leg of a U-shaped spring, a spring rearward leg being engaged with the latch frame.

Abstract: A device to secure an ornament or fixture to the surface of a panelled wall which device is inserted, made immobile and is easily removed from a surface-to-surface boring in the wall, characterized by a multi-part, longitudinally collapsible shaft with anchoring socket, the die-cut, weakened sides of which, when fitted into the wall and when driven clockwise at its tapered threaded base by a removable screw, compress and widen under the force generated by the screw to expand and tighten against the interior surface of the wall furthest from the point of insertion thereby preventing movement of the socket when it is located inside the wall boring, having also the means for removal by the introduction of a rigid insert of a length to reach the tapered, compressed section of the multi-part shaft so that separation of the expanded section of the shaft from the unexpanded section of the shaft occurs when the protruding end of the insert is struck with sufficient force to unsnap the parts of the shaft and the expan

Abstract: A key holder comprising a plate provided with an elastic ring and a detent pawl is insertable into a flat sleeve. The plate has a notch which receives an end section of the ring. The end section is non-displaceable in its fully inserted position since the notch lies within the opening shaft of the flat sleeve.

Abstract: A structural joint for bearing a structural load is formed by a pair of wooden members fastened together by at least one metal connector plate. The connector plate is formed from a metal plate having a plurality of pairs of teeth punched therefrom. The teeth are punched from the plate so as to project in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate. Each pair of teeth is struck so as to leave a corresponding longitudinally extending slot between the teeth. Each of the teeth has a knife edge portion that extends from the plate. This knife edge portion is thinner than the remaining portion of each tooth and has a sharp edge with a cross-sectional angle of less than 20.degree., preferably 8.degree. to 12.degree., for facilitating penetration of each of the teeth into the wooden members to be secured together. These knife edge portions of the teeth are made by a metal forming process which serves to shape such portion of the teeth and simultaneously widen and elongate each tooth.

Abstract: A child-proof latch for preventing access by young children to drawers, cabinets and the like.

Abstract: An anchoring retainer is provided for mounting at one side of a supporting structure such as a wall or ceiling having a through or restrictive opening therein through which the retainer is first inserted to reach one side of the structure or for mounting in a blind hole in a concrete floor or wall. Generally the same retainer may be used with a through opening or blind hole. The retainer, adapted to be used with a threaded element, comprises a flexible unitary one-piece body made from a plastic material. The body has an axis, is of generally triangular configuration and has at the apex thereof a sleeve provided with an opening surrounding the axis through which the threaded element extends. The sleeve has a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging elongated flexible legs.

Abstract: A frangible lock apparatus utilizes a pair of pan-shaped washers, each having shaft engaging tines. The shaft portion of a locking device, having the tumbler mechanism rotatably coupled to one end thereof, and the locking portion rotatably engaged the other, is provided with three pairs of notches along its length. Two pairs of such notches engage the pan-shaped washers located on opposite faces of the locking portion of the apparatus. The remaining pair of notches are disposed immediately adjacent the pan-shaped washer located closest to the tumbler end of the shaft. Upon pulling the tumblers, the shaft parts and the remaining portion thereof presents a virtually ungraspable nub and smooth shaped pan washer, accessible only through the small opening formerly used to house the tumbler mechanism.

Abstract: A tamper-proof fastener consists of a screw body having a flat-faced head portion and a threaded shank portion having at least one slit extending in a radial direction and located in an end of the shank opposite the head portion, the slit forming at least two legs in the end of the shank. The body defines a central bore extending from the flat face of the head portion to a point intersecting the slit at the end of the shank portion to form a squared-off shoulder in at least one of the legs and terminating in a tapered shoulder in at least one other leg. The tamper-proof screw also includes a headless pin which is sized to fit within the bore so that insertion of the pin into the bore causes an end of the pin to abut the squared-off shoulder and to engage the tapered shoulder to deflect the other leg outwardly. The pin is sized to be flush with the face of the head portion when it abuts the squared-off shoulder to eliminate a protrusion which could be grasped to remove the fastener.

Abstract: A key holder has a rigid gapped ring 1, having a gap which is defined between two mutually facing tips, a thin-walled metal sheath 2 having, near one end, two transverse slots or apertures of asymmetric form permitting the transverse introduction of the tips 4 of the ring 1 from one side only of the sheath 2, i.e. the front side as seen in the drawing, and a slide 3 which is longitudinally slidable inside the sheath 2 and comprises at the position of each of the apertures 5 locking ribs situated on that side of the apertures 5 from which the tips 4 are introduced. The locking ribs partially mask the apertures to prevent the tips 4 from being removed when the slide 3 is slid into a closing position in which it is entirely housed inside the sheath 2. The slide is slidable downwards in the sheath to an opening position in which the ribs are clear of the slots or apertures to enable the ring to be removed and enable keys to be fitted to it or removed from it through the gap between the tips 4.

Abstract: The door on an environmental chamber is provided with a single throw, multi-fingered over-center latching mechanism. The latching fingers extend from a common pivoting assembly, and are operated as a unit by a single handle. A hook on the end of each finger engages a post on the chamber housing. As the handle is operated, the over-center action of the pivoting assembly pulls the door towards the housing causing the gasket to seat. The over-center structure biases the latching mechanism in the latched position.

Abstract: A reinforcing device for use in hollow doors and in conjunction with a lockset. The device includes ribs for spanning the space between opposing inner surfaces of the hollow door for maintaining a predetermined spacing therebetween. Further, the device includes at least a portion for surrounding a retracting mechanism of the lockset and a portion tending to support a retractible bolt.

Abstract: A blind fastener is disclosed which comprises a sleeve and pin of a selected metal in which the pin is designed to form a blind head over a wide range of grips which offers substantially uniform tensile values over the entire grip range. The blind head forming end of the pin includes a plurality of spaced annular or helical ribs formed between spaced annular or helical grooves which are designed to progressively distort or fold as the pin is pulled through the sleeve, at least one of the ribs remaining in an unfolded condition after the fastener is set. The pin shank and internal opening of the sleeve may be provided with complementary tapers to provide a sealing effect if desired.

Abstract: A one-piece, plastic fastener for lockable engagement in a workpiece opening, including a stem having an outer end and also having an inner end from which a pair of integrally formed arms extend. The arms have two ends, one end forming an acute angle with the inner end of the stem, and the other or free end terminating at an integrally formed head portion. The head portions are swingable with their respective arms about the inner end of the stem to cooperatively engage each other and to form a complete head having an orifice embracing the stem. The stem and arms are insertable into the opening to locate the head against the outer side of the workpiece. Positive and outward withdrawal of the stem through the opening and orifice causes the arms to swing laterally and abut firmly against the inner side of the workpiece. Serration means between the head and stem maintain the fastener in lockable engagement with the panel by readily permitting outward movement of the stem while resisting its inward movement.

Abstract: A self-drilling dowel is formed by a tubular member defining an axially extending bore. The tubular member has a leading end and a trailing end with a cutting head at the leading end. A spreader member is insertable into the bore for expanding the tubular member. A member, preferably a plate, is positioned within and extends transversely across the bore adjacent the leading end forming a closure. The bore closure member is spaced axially from the leading end and it is separate from the tubular member and is displaceably fitted within the bore.

Abstract: A concealed and joint forming fastener structure in which two screws with differing but telescopically interrelated heads are pressed together allowing the planes of the structural elements to which the screws are attached to come together flushly and with one screw head projecting into a recess in the other screw head and one of said screws located in a recess or socket in one of the structural elements.

Abstract: An anchor bolt is arranged to be secured in a relatively deeply drilled hole having a conical enlargement adjacent the base or inner end of the hole. The anchor bolt is formed of an axially elongated tie rod and an anchor located on the end of the tie rod which is inserted into the base of the drilled hole. The anchor is made up of a number of radially expandable sleeve segments. The anchor also includes a cone element for expanding the sleeve segments radially outwardly into the conical enlargement in the hole. The sleeve segments have an outside radius variable in the axial direction of the segments. The radially outer surface of the segments is substantially smooth for their axial length. At the smaller diameter end of the sleeve, the segments are held together by an annular elastic disc.

Abstract: This unique cylinder shaped toggle type fastener may be used with either a bolt having a saddle type head or a bolt having a saddle type nut. The shape of the slotted toggle having one end tooth shaped allows it to be easily tipped into a saddle from the parallel position with the shank to the perpendicular position from the shank of the bolt or screw after being inserted through the hole in the material it is to be fastened to. The unique shape also leaves a flat V-shaped surface that abutts to the inside of the material. The design of the toggle eliminates the necessity of any pins giving the toggle much greater strength than other varieties. This type of fastener may be manufactured out of any kind of metal, plastic or nylon.