Abstract: A hitch assembly includes a base assembly, a T-shaped mount assembly rotatably mounted to the base, and a step assembly hingedly attached to the base. The base assembly is formed from tabbed and notched sheet metal panels welded together. The mount assembly, which includes one or more coupler engaging devices (e.g., tow balls), rotates about a first axis. The step assembly pivots about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis. A bumper disposed between the step assembly and mount assembly reduces vibration of the step, marring of the mount assembly and attendant noise. A spring plunger operable with one hand releasably secures the step in lowered and raised positions. When lowered, the step entirely covers the coupler engaging devices.

Abstract: A trailer coupler lock includes a shell, a coupler engagement plug, a locking mechanism and an adapter. The shell includes a cove configured to receive a receptacle of a trailer coupler, a plug channel in which a plug moves linearly from extended position to a retracted position, and a lock channel in which a locking mechanism is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking mechanism engages and secures the plug in an extended position with a portion of the plug extending from the channel into the cove. The cove includes a slot in which an interchangeable adapter is removably received. The adapter defines a slot for receiving a portion of a trailer coupler, e.g., the flange at and around the coupler receptacle.

Abstract: A padlock includes a body with a primary channel that rotatably receives a sleeved cam. The sleeved cam contains a vending style lock with a deployable lug. The lug aligns with a window in the sleeve of the sleeved cam and extends through the window into a lug compartment in the body when locked. The cam of the sleeved cam moves locking members (e.g., balls that mate with hemispherical notches in a shackle), when the sleeved cam rotates between locked and unlocked positions. The padlock may be rekeyed by replacing the lock plug.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning dirty water is disclosed. The systems and methods may include two heat exchangers, including a high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) heat exchanger that receives superheated steam and hydrogen gas and a low temperature/low pressure (LT/LP) that receives steam at a reduced temperature and pressure. The LT/LP heat exchanger provides first stage heating to dirty water that is input into the system for cleansing. The LT/LP heat exchanger has a first coil and a second coil. The first coil carries the dirty water to be cleaned. The HT/HP heat exchanger provides a second stage of heating to the dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger. A first coil of the HT/HP heat exchanger carries the superheated steam and hydrogen gas. A second coil carries the preheated dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger.

Abstract: An anti-tampering device secures bolted components, such as a trailer coupler mounted to an adjustable channel. A nut shield provides hexagonal channels in which nuts are contained. A hasp assembly provides a locking tab. Bolts secure the nut shield and the hasp assembly to the components. A hasp shield with a notched annular flange overlays the hasp assembly, receives the tab through a slot in the area surrounded by the notched annular flange, and contains a puck lock in the area. The puck lock engages the locking tab.

Abstract: A trailer coupler includes a lock contained within a channel in a coupler body. A pin extends from the lock. The pin extends through an aperture in an end of the channel and through an aperture in a latch handle when the lock is locked. In such configuration, the pin prevents pivoting the latch handle to an open (unlocked) position. Unlocking the lock allows the lock to be moved at least partially out of the channel, which removes the pin from the aperture in the handle, allowing the handle to pivot to an open (unlocked) position.

Abstract: A door hasp lock includes a first lock plate having a first flange and a first shield. A second lock plate is detachably engaged with the first lock plate and has a second flange detachably engaged with the first flange. The second lock plate has a third flange. The first lock plate and the second lock plate are engaged and disengaged when disposed at an operating locked state and a non-operating unlocked state, respectively. The third flange is spaced apart from the first flange and the second flange while the door hasp lock is disposed at both the operating locked state as well as the non-operating unlocked state. The third flange may be attached to either the first lock plate or second lock plate and has at least one feature that permits the third flange to break away from the second lock plate when tampered by an unauthorized user.

Abstract: An anti-tampering device includes a housing with a bolt channel and a lock channel. The lock channel is aligned with, intersects and is perpendicular to the bolt channel. A head of a bolt and a portion of a shank of a bolt is received in the bolt channel. A lock received in the lock channel extends into the bolt channel, in proximity to the shank of the bolt, when the lock is in a locked position. The portion of the lock extending into the bolt channel prevents removal of the head of the bolt from the bolt channel.

Abstract: A method of producing customized artwork includes forming and finishing a plurality of backdrops by cutting and/or engraving sheet metal. Based upon an order received for a customized artwork a particular backdrop is selected and a customized ornamental component is produced in sheet metal. If the backdrop and customized component are prone to galvanic corrosion, insulation may be provided between the customized component and backdrop and to insulate fasteners from either the customized component or backdrop. The method reduces lead times and production costs for customized artwork, while improving quality of the final product.

Abstract: A trailer coupler lock assembly includes a rigid protective case defining a compartment which receives a trailer coupler and portions of a safety chain assembly, including chain hooks. An interlock adapter, which is separate and removable from the rigid protective case, is received in the compartment. An engagement member of the interlock adapter mates with a socket of the trailer coupler in the compartment. A case hasp above an aperture in the case aligns with an interlock hasp that extends through the aperture, while a shackle of a lock extends through holes of the hasps. Openings in the case, and structures that define the openings, define retention points that retain the safety chain assembly.

Abstract: An anti-tampering device includes a housing with a bolt channel and a lock channel. The lock channel is aligned with, intersects and is perpendicular to the bolt channel. A head of a bolt and a portion of a shank of a bolt is received in the bolt channel. A lock received in the lock channel extends into the bolt channel, in proximity to the shank of the bolt, when the lock is in a locked position. The portion of the lock extending into the bolt channel prevents removal of the head of the bolt from the bolt channel.

Abstract: A method of producing customized artwork includes forming and finishing a plurality of backdrops by cutting and/or engraving sheet metal. Based upon an order received for a customized artwork a particular backdrop is selected and a customized ornamental component is produced in sheet metal. If the backdrop and customized component are prone to galvanic corrosion, insulation may be provided between the customized component and backdrop and to insulate fasteners from either the customized component or backdrop. The method reduces lead times and production costs for customized artwork, while improving quality of the final product.

Abstract: An anti-tampering device secures bolted components, such as a trailer coupler mounted to an adjustable channel. A nut shield provides hexagonal channels in which nuts are contained. A hasp assembly provides a locking tab. Bolts secure the nut shield and the hasp assembly to the components. A hasp shield with a notched annular flange overlays the hasp assembly, receives the tab through a slot in the area surrounded by the notched annular flange, and contains a puck lock in the area. The puck lock engages the locking tab.

Abstract: A battery system of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery system can include at least a first battery string including a number of battery modules, wherein the first battery string has an output that is coupled to the first power bus through a string switch, and wherein each of battery modules includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series. The battery system can also include a number of battery module monitors, wherein each of the battery module monitors is coupled to the battery cells of a corresponding one of the battery modules. The battery system can further include module monitor protection circuitry coupled to each of the battery module monitors, wherein the module monitor protection circuitry includes a plurality of protection circuits.

Abstract: A door hasp lock includes a first lock plate having a first flange and a first shield. A second lock plate is detachably engaged with the first lock plate and has a second flange detachably engaged with the first flange. The second lock plate has a third flange. The first lock plate and the second lock plate are engaged and disengaged when disposed at an operating locked state and a non-operating unlocked state, respectively. The third flange is spaced apart from the first flange and the second flange while the door hasp lock is disposed at both the operating locked state as well as the non-operating unlocked state. The third flange may be attached to either the first lock plate or second lock plate and has at least one feature that permits the third flange to break away from the second lock plate when tampered by an unauthorized user.

Abstract: A battery system of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery system can include at least a first battery string including a number of battery modules, wherein the first battery string has an output that is coupled to the first power bus through a string switch, and wherein each of battery modules includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series. The battery system can also include a number of battery module monitors, wherein each of the battery module monitors is coupled to the battery cells of a corresponding one of the battery modules. The battery system can further include module monitor protection circuitry coupled to each of the battery module monitors, wherein the module monitor protection circuitry includes a plurality of protection circuits.

Abstract: A disposable corrugated board dispensing container including an enclosure having a bottom wall and side walls including a front side wall for containing contents therein. The bottom wall is formed by overlapping flaps attached to each of the side walls at a fold line, and an aperture is disposed in the bottom wall. A funnel is supported by a funnel support disposed between the funnel and the bottom wall, the funnel guiding the contents of the enclosure to the aperture in the bottom wall. A slide valve controls the dispensing of the contents through the aperture, the slide valve being accessed through an access opening in the front side wall.

Abstract: An adapter unit which mounts an auxiliary lens or filter in front of the lens of a pocket camera such as the Kodak Pocket 60 camera. The unit is formed of an L-shaped bracket fitted with a through slot in each leg of the bracket. One slot is fastened by a retaining screw to the tripod mount on the underside of the camera, with the other leg extending beyond the front and below the camera lens. A lens frame member is fastened to the leg projecting beyond the camera lens, to mount in a plane perpendicular to the camera lens axis in front of the camera lens. The lens frame member is formed with slots on the interior edges of the frame members for retaining a lens, filter or other lens accessory, with the rim of the top lens frame member hingeable to permit sliding of such lens accessory into or out of the lens frame.