Abstract: A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a pressure plate, a first brake ring, a wedge plate, a biasing spring and a fluid release actuator. The pressure plate is movable along an axis generally parallel with the axis of the plunger. The first brake ring encircles the plunger and has an inner surface for engagement with the plunger. The first brake ring also has a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate. The first brake ring additionally has an outer wedge surface. The first wedge plate has a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring. The spring biases the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another. The fluid release actuator urges the pressure plate away from the wedge plate. Upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement axial of the plunger.

Abstract: A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a pressure plate, a first brake ring, a wedge plate, a biasing spring and a fluid release actuator. The pressure plate is movable along an axis generally parallel with the axis of the plunger. The first brake ring encircles the plunger and has an inner surface for engagement with the plunger. The first brake ring also has a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate. The first brake ring additionally has an outer wedge surface. The first wedge plate has a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring. The spring biases the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another. The fluid release actuator urges the pressure plate away from the wedge plate. Upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement axial of the plunger.

Abstract: A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a pressure plate, a first brake ring, a wedge plate, a biasing spring and a fluid release actuator. The pressure plate is movable along an axis generally parallel with the axis of the plunger. The first brake ring encircles the plunger and has an inner surface for engagement with the plunger. The first brake ring also has a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate. The first brake ring additionally has an outer wedge surface. The first wedge plate has a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring. The spring biases the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another. The fluid release actuator urges the pressure plate away from the wedge plate. Upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement axial of the plunger.

Abstract: A fastening device of the type used to fasten panels together, such as the lid on a trunk, which is essentially recessed in both the locked and unlocked positions thus avoiding any protrusion of the assembly parts. The operating mechanism, which may be of the cam type, is fixed within the recess of the base plate. The slide member which is moved by the operating mechanism is bent upwardly toward the rim of the recess and terminates in a hinge member also within the recess. A catch member is hinged to the slide member and spring loaded so that the spring will rotate the catch member into the recess in the unlocked position.