Abstract: A sheet metal screw includes one or more of a tapered self-drilling tip, an asymmetric thread angle and/or a trilobular thread edge profile.

Abstract: A layered nut (10) comprises a plurality of thin nuts (12) formed with through-holes (16) having almost the same diameter. On the inner peripheral surface of each thin nut (12), a plurality of screw threads (18, 38) are formed at predetermined angular spacing so as to protrude toward the inside of the through-hole (16). In this case, the thin nuts (12) are layered along the direction of the central axis (14) so that the through-holes (16) become approximately coaxial. The outer peripheral surfaces of the layered thin nuts (12) are subjected to laser welding or the like, thereby joining the thin nuts (12) and completing the layered nut (10).

Abstract: A closure clip for maintaining a bag closed is provided. The clip includes a planar body having a symmetry axis. The planar body defines a rear portion having a frontward border, a rearward border and lateral borders, a pair of shoulders, each extending outwardly and along one of the lateral borders and a pair of tabs projecting from the frontward border frontwardly and towards the symmetry axis, the tabs having free front extremities curving towards each other, the tabs and a portion of the frontward border delimiting an opening for receiving a portion of the bag. The planar body has a perimeter comprising an inflection point provided on each side of the symmetry axis, at a transition between one of the shoulders and a corresponding one of the tabs. The clip can include a displaying label projecting rearwardly from the rearward border. A strip of closure clips is also provided.

Abstract: A nut clip is disclosed. The nut clip may have a nut and a clip. The clip may have a forward reaction wall and an aft reaction wall structured to react tightening and loosening forces associated with the nut and to facilitate caging of the nut.

Abstract: A hanging material (i.e. privacy curtain) support system may include a coupling device, a ceiling mount assembly, and hanging material support tubing. The coupling device may include a removable guide section. The removable guide section may facilitate proper alignment of the coupling device to the hanging material support tubing. If the coupling device is not properly aligned and fixed with the support tubing, the support tubing may not be provided in a level state for allowing support attachment members (i.e.—C-shaped hooks) to flow/move freely across the support tubing. When the support tubing is not secured/fixed in a level state, the attachment members may not move/slide properly across the support tubing which would degrade the operation of the entire system (i.e.—moving a hanging material—i.e. privacy curtain—from open to closed states and vice-versa).

Abstract: A kit of parts includes a ceramic element comprising a cylindrical bore having at least one recess, and a rod comprising an outer tube comprising a jutting portion adjacent to an insert portion. An outer tube wall mates with the cylindrical ceramic bore. An outer tube bore comprises a cylindrical portion. An outer tube projecting member is insertable into a recess in the cylindrical bore. An inner mandrel insertable into the outer bore stabilizes a projecting member in a recess to couple the rod to the ceramic element.

Abstract: A hinged device with dampening of the opening (A) and/or closing (C) end strokes of a door of an appliance includes a first element (3) to be fixed to a body and a second element (5) to be fixed to the door of the appliance and hinged by a hinge pin (7) so that the door rotates along the opening (A) and closing (C) end strokes and an intermediate (I) stroke around the hinge pin (7). The device includes a cradle (11) sliding into the first element (3) and a connecting rod (13) connected to the cradle (11) and to the second element (5) for translation, following the door rotation, of the cradle (11) that slidably houses a damper (21) of variable length and provided with sliding members (25, 27) sliding into first slots (31) of the cradle (11) and into second slots (33) of the first element (3).

Abstract: A hinge is configured for selectively retaining and removing at least one rotation stop without a supplementary tool. The hinge includes a locking device having at least one lever arranged to selectively rotate a retaining member for engagement and disengagement with the at least one rotation stop. The retaining member forms an abutment portion extending from a first portion and a second portion extending from the abutment portion. A non-abutment portion is located opposite the abutment portion along a same segment of the axis of the retaining member.

Abstract: An object is to provide a hinge which can attach a supporting part for supporting rotatably a holder part easily to the holder part holding the door. A hinge comprises a holder part for holding a door (front-side body receiving a left-and-right adjustment segment and back-side body), a supporting part for supporting rotatably the holder part (resin bush inserted in a rotation shaft), and a connection part (resin catcher) for connecting the holder part to the supporting part, and the resin catcher comprises an attachment part (recesses) for attaching to the holder part and a pawl for gripping elastically the supporting part.

Abstract: A fastening system for fastening in a receptacle of a carrier component includes a fastening element with a guide portion insertable into the receptacle along a direction of insertion, and a clip element which is plugged onto the guide portion and which, to hold the fastening element and clip element in the receptacle, has retaining edges which interact with an inner surface of the receptacle, wherein the guide portion and clip element have interacting latching portions formed in such a way that an axial pulling force to release the fastening element and clip element from the receptacle produces a radially outwardly acting force on the retaining edges of the clip element, wherein the fastening element and the clip element further have interacting stop portions which counteract release of the clip element from the fastening element.

Abstract: A caster may include a shaft, a first elastic ring, a C-shaped ring, and a second elastic ring. The shaft has one end inserted and secured in a wheel, and a first rod is extended from the other end of the shaft, and a second rod protrudes from an end of the first rod. The diameter of the first rod is larger than that of the second rod, and an end of the second rod comprises a flexible portion. The shaft only needs to be processed to form the second rod and the flexible portion, and the first elastic ring and the second elastic ring which are identical are adapted to be formed through the same mold so as to save the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

Abstract: A multi-link door hinge capable of facilitating the closing of a door and implementing the shock-absorbing performance of the door during the closing thereof. To this end, the multi-link door hinge includes: a main frame mounted to a main body of an object having a door; a door frame mounted to the door; a body frame rotatably connected to a first side of the main frame; an inner link and an outer link connecting the door frame to the body frame; a plate spring link allowing the outer link to be rotatably connected to the main frame; a locking piece rotatably mounted between side walls of the inner link; an elastic member; and a hook, a first side of which is fixed in the body frame and a second side of which is configured to be held in a second side of the locking piece.

Abstract: A window opening control devices in the nature of a modified vent stop includes a housing having a peripheral flange defining an opening and a body depending from the peripheral flange and further includes a butterfly shaped stop block mounted within the body of the housing for rocking motion about a generally centrally located pivot point between an open position, wherein a first wing of the stop block extends beyond the housing flange, and a closed position wherein the first wing is retracted into the housing. Movement of the stop block between the open and closed positions is effected by pressing on either the first wing of the butterfly shaped stop block or a second wing, and is preferably accomplished without the use of springs or other biasing assistance. The stop block is preferably provided with a pair of ridge projections that cooperate with spring legs located on the interior of the housing to form a detent to maintain the stop block in the closed position.

Abstract: A hinge for a folding bicycle comprising a first tubular portion, a second tubular portion, the first and second tubular portions being able to assume an unfolded position and a folded position; a blocking element which can assume at least one closed position in which it retains the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion in the unfolded position, and an open position in which it allows the movement into the folded position of the first and second tubular portions; a connection part and a return device configured to bring the blocking element from its open position to its closed position.

Abstract: A nut fastening clip comprises a substrate, and a sleeve. The substrate has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. The substrate defines an upper opening. The first lateral side is opposite the second lateral side. The sleeve extends from the substrate. The sleeve defines a lower opening in communication with the upper opening. The sleeve has an outer face and a first anti-rotation plane disposed on the outer side face, adjacent to the first lateral side, and connected to the substrate.

Abstract: An intelligent bolt includes a head region and a threaded region. The head region includes a bolt cavity. A distance between the head region and a bottom end of the cavity changes in operation as a function of longitudinal stress applied between the threaded region and the head region, and the bolt includes a sensor arrangement for measuring changes in the distance. A distal end of the sensor arrangement is disposed adjacent to the bottom end, wherein changes in spatial position of the bottom end relative to the distal end occur as a function of changes in the stress applied to the bolt to define a gap “G” whose size varies depending upon the stress. Interrogating radiation transmission in operation via the gap “G” from a source to a corresponding radiation sensor of the arrangement generates a stress measurement signal that is processed for wireless communication.

Abstract: A dual-shaft hinge module including a first shaft, a first driving gear disposed on the first shaft, a second shaft, a second driving gear disposed on the second shaft, a pair of driven gears coupled between the first driving gear and the second driving gear, and multiple links is provided. The links are respectively pivoted to any two engaged gears to keep a center distance of the engaged gears fixed. A relative distance of the first shaft and the second shaft is changed along with different engagement positions of the driven gears relative to the first driving gear and the second driving gear. A portable electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: A locator guide extension connected to a locator on a host component by at least one retention barb or like feature. The locator guide extension effectively extends the length of the locator to assists an operator in the initial alignment of the host component part to the assembly. An operator locates apertures in the assembly with the locator guide extension prior to inserting attachment clips of the host component. Once initially aligned, the operator pushes the locator guide extension and locator into the aperture, where the locator provides the final fit/finish location. The attachment clip connects the host component to the final assembly.

Abstract: A blind fastener for connecting panels includes a bolt and nut. The bolt includes a shaft, bolt head, and lug. The bolt head is between the shaft and lug. The shaft defines external threads opposite the bolt head. The lug includes a first tool engagement portion and first frangible portion that connects the lug and bolt head. The nut includes a sleeve, nut head, and handling member. A central bore of the sleeve receives the shaft and defines internal threads mated with the external threads. The nut head is between the handling member and sleeve. The nut head extends radially from the sleeve and defines a recess that receives the bolt head. The handling member surrounds a portion of the lug. The handling member includes a second frangible portion and a second tool engagement portion. The second frangible portion couples the second tool engagement portion to the nut head.