Abstract: A surgical instrument for positioning and tying knots during endoscopic surgery is provided with an elongate shaft having a ligature restraining aperture for accepting a strand of the ligature.

Abstract: A canister bracket for mounting a receiver/dryer in a vehicle which includes a ratchet closure for permitting trial assembly and placement of the receiver/dryer prior to final clamping.

Abstract: A multiple panel tailgate having panels which may be unfolded to cover a portion of the pick-up truck cargo bed. The multiple panels may be nested for storage in the primary tailgate panel.

Abstract: An aspiration device for laparoscopic surgery has a tube with a proximal end. A tool access port concentric with the tube permits insertion of a grasping tool for holding a sponge at the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a surgeon operable control handle for grasping surgical needles or other objects. The instrument has a moveable jaw opposed to a fixed jaw. The control handle engages a clamping spring which closes the jaws and exerts a grasping force which is proportional to the size of the object located between the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an endoscopic grasping tool for use inside a patient. As the distal tips of the jaws come together they form a pivot point for continued jaw closure increasing the grasping force of the jaws.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly with a lamp bulb mounted on a ball for motion within a socket to move the lamp with respect to the reflector permitting aiming adjustment of the headlamp.

Abstract: A cage nut for minimizing problems of paint welding comprises a body having a threaded bore, and means for encaging that body, and a separating member located between the body and the necaging means. The separating member may take a variety of shapes, forms and orientations, but is preferably a shim having an uneven surface. In one possible embodiment, the shim may be formed with four detents extending from the surface of the shim towards the body.

Abstract: A crash sensor switch having a plunger held in floating suspension by resilient springs is movable from a magnetically biased, switch inoperative position to a switch operative position by crash forces in excess of the magnetic bias force. In one embodiment, the switch is closed to operate a safety device when current flows from one spring through a conductive zone on the plunger and to the other spring.

Abstract: A self-mounting fastener adapted to mount to an aperture in a workpiece, comprising a fastener body having a base and a connecting stem; and a cage formed of a sleeve sized to slidably receive the base, having an opening in at least one side thereof, and having a fixed latch and at least one hinged latch operable and adapted to engage the aperture by the sliding of the base in the sleeve.

Abstract: A door striker assembly for mounting in a vehicle door receiving aperture for engagement with a vehicle door latch. The striker has a bracket adapted to be mounted in the door aperture. The bracket has two sections joined together at an angle, and a generally L-shaped rod extends between the bracket sections. The ends of the rod are rigidly joined to the bracket sections. The base area joining the bracket sections has a width between about 2.5 to about 7.5 times the diameter of the rod. The rod is adapted to be engaged by the vehicle door latch mechanism. The bracket, rod, and a revetment cooperate to form a rigid assembly. The assembly prevents vehicle door parts from being trapped by the door striker during a collision, which improves vehicle safety by minimizing the possibility of the vehicle door being jammed shut.

Abstract: A die (20) particularly adapted for making a screw blank having a reduced diameter, offset or asymmetric section has a first die section (30) having a central bore (32), which mates with a second die section (50) having a smaller diameter and/or offset bore (52). A shaped end (57) of the smaller or offset bore (52), which forms the reduced diameter, offset or asymmetric section of a screw blank, is coated with a hard lubricating material. The method of manufacturing the die (20) involves making two first die sections (30), which are preferably identical, from a first die body (130), and two second die sections (50), which are also preferably identical and adapted to mate with the first die section (30), from a second die body (150).

Abstract: A fluid conduit coupling adapted for quick connect and disconnect without special tools, and in which a safety latch is provided, comprises a first coupling body having a flanged end; a second coupling body sized and adapted to be joined with the first coupling body; a jacket mounted on the first coupling body and radially spaced apart therefrom; and a resilient locking element attached to the second coupling body and having fingers sized to fit into the space between the jacket and the first coupling body which have angular unions which engage the flanged end of the first coupling body when the coupling bodies are fitted together.

Abstract: A fabric fastener adapted for fastening a fabric to a framework, or a workpiece to a fabric covered framework, comprises a head and shank, and a sharp edged tip section. The tip section has an unthreaded angle side which intersects a threaded side to form the sharp edge. Preferably two prongs with a space therebetween and sharp edges facing the space are formed at the end of the tip. The sharp edges, particularly of the prongs, serve to engage and cut through the threads of a fabric so that the fastener does not become entangled in the fabric, thereby minimizing damage to the fabric and also minimizing cross-threading with a framework aperture into which the fabric fastener is fastened.

Abstract: A spring element for a shock isolating mount is adapted for multiple assembling and disassembling. The spring element comprises an annular segment having holding tabs extending radially inwardly from one end thereof; and aligning tabs which are shorter and wider than the holding tabs, and which extend radially inwardly from the same end of the annular segment.

Abstract: A threaded fastener for preventing cross threading comprises a head, a cylindrical threaded shank projecting from the head, and a tip section formed on the end of the shank opposite the head. The tip section has a generally circular cross-section and has at least one and preferably two partial threads formed on it. The tip section may be generally cylindrical, conical, frusto-conical or bullet shaped. A method of manufacturing an anti cross thread fastener comprises forming a fastener blank with a shank portion joined to a tip section having a tip threading side and a reduced radius side, and applying threads thereto.

Abstract: An improved mounting part is designed for use in securing plastic panels to a metal framework. The mounting part comprises a base plate which is mechanically fastened to the framework by means of substantially oblong cups which are inserted into corresponding slots in the framework and then deformed into round; and a rectangular block for receiving a screw. The plastic panel is secured to the framework by means of a screw threaded fastener which is inserted through an opening in the panel and screwed into a guide hole drilled into the rectangular block and then into the framework. The improved fastener eliminates problems of rust initiation caused by the welded mounting part of the prior art, and acts as a combination of a stand-off washer and a nut.

Abstract: A female threaded fastener, such as a nut, for preventing cross threading with a male threaded fastener comprises a body in which there is a threaded bore. A mouth is formed on at least one open end of the bore. The mouth has a partial thread section and a lip segment. The partial thread section has formed in it at least one partial thread. The lip section is unthreaded and may be angled radially outwardly from the bore.

Abstract: A fastener clip is adapted to be pushed onto an edge of sheet materials of varying thicknesses. The clip has two legs. The first leg has cut from it a U-shaped elongated tongue with an elongate aperture which is between the two legs; the tongue is gutted to provide a clearance between the outer perimeter of the tongue and the surrounding portions of the first leg. The elongated tongue has a length to width ratio of at least 1.3:1. The second leg has a threaded means opposite the elongate aperture for receiving a bolt.

Abstract: A caged fastener adapted to be mounted in a hollow frame member without welding comprises a fastener body having a threaded bore therein and a cage enclosing the fastener body and providing it a limited range of movement in at least one direction and providing access to the threaded bore. Holding members comprising rigid and spring members extend from the cage and frictionally fit inside the hollow frame member. The spring resilience of the spring member allows the caged fastener to be snapped in place and retained in the frame member.