Abstract: A container comprising a body (1), a lid (5) for the body (1), and a locking arrangement for securing the lid (5) to the body (1): the locking arrangement comprising a handle (23) which fits around at least a part of the periphery of the lid (5), and at least one locking device which connects the handle (23) to the lid (5) such that the lid (5) is movable by the handle (23), which is such that the locking device locks when the handle (23) is lowered with respect to the lid (5), and which is such that the lifting of the handle (23) away from the lid (5) causes the locking device (4) to unlock.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism including a shaft, wherein the shaft is effectively threaded; the shaft includes a threaded non-deformable material interspersed with at least one portion of a threaded deformable material.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable connector including at least two parts, each having a main body with a bore having a longitudinal axis therein, wherein an external surface of the main body of a first part is configured to bear against an internal surface of the bore of a second part when the first part is at least partially inserted into the bore of the second part to form a connection, characterised in that the positioning of the bores with respect to the main bodies is such that when the parts are connected to each other, rotation of one part with respect to the other changes the inclination of the longitudinal axes of the bores with respect to one another.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable mechanism for connecting two or more shafts, including at least a first shaft having an external surface with an outer diameter and a second shaft which is hollow at a first end, wherein a spring is anchored to the first end of the second shaft, the spring having an inner diameter of similar dimensions to the outer diameter of the first shaft, the spring configured such that when a force is applied to the spring its inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the first shaft so that the second shaft can move over the first shaft to a desired position relative to the first shaft, and when the force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original inner diameter to bear against the external surface of the first shaft.

Abstract: A rotary piston machine has a cylinder provided with two ends to form a stator with inlet and outlet apertures, and a piston having a rotor eccentrically mounted within the stator. A vane is connected to the rotor by a hinge and forms an expanding and contracting chamber as the piston rotates. The piston is provided with a sealing means sufficient to restrict movement of gaseous/fluid matter between chambers during operation. The sealing means includes a flexible seal member with a mating lip positioned adjacent to the vane hinge. Each revolution of the eccentrically mounted piston causes the seal member to contact an inner cylinder wall to prevent the escape of displaced gaseous/fluid matter past the vane hinge. The flexible seal member contacts the cylinder wall and bends to form a lip seal resistive to the direction of pressurization.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable connector including at least two parts, each having a main body with a bore having a longitudinal axis therein, wherein an external surface of the main body of a first part is configured to bear against an internal surface of the bore of a second part when the first part is at least partially inserted into the bore of the second part to form a connection, characterised in that the positioning of the bores with respect to the main bodies is such that when the parts are connected to each other, rotation of one part with respect to the other changes the inclination of the longitudinal axes of the bores with respect to one another.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanism including at least two shafts, one of which is hollow, including: a spring attached to a first shaft; the spring having an outer diameter of similar dimensions to the internal diameter of the second shaft, the spring configured such that once force is applied to the spring, its outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the second shaft; and when force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original outer diameter to bear against the inner diameter of the second shaft.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism including: a head a shaft fixed to one end of the head wherein at least part of the shaft is effectively threaded, and at least part of the shaft has no anchoring base for the thread, wherein at least part of the shaft and at least part of the thread are together formed from at least one unbroken wound spiral.

Abstract: A fastening device for cooperating with a shaft, wherein the fastening device includes: a deformable sleeve, and a locking collar, the deformable sleeve is configured to have a perimeter relative to the shaft such that the deformable sleeve can be pushed over the shaft, and the locking collar is configured to push over the sleeve so as to bear against a surface of the sleeve and to cause the fastening device to engage with the shaft.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism including: a deformable body configured to provide a friction fit with at least one element to which it is fitted, at least one slot in the deformable body, wherein the slot traverses at least a portion of the longitudinal and latitudinal direction of the body.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism including a shaft, wherein the shaft is effectively threaded; the shaft includes a threaded non-deformable material interspersed with at least one portion of a threaded deformable material.

Abstract: An adjustable mechanism including at least two shafts, one of which is hollow, including: a spring attached to a first shaft; the spring having an outer diameter of similar dimensions to the internal diameter of the second shaft, the spring configured such that once force is applied to the spring, its outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the second shaft; and when force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original outer diameter to bear against the inner diameter of the second shaft.

Abstract: A securing apparatus, including: a deformable body, wherein the body is configured to provide a secure interference fit with at least one article to which it is fitted, and an aperture within the body, wherein the aperture is configured to accept a noncircular section of a releasing tool, wherein the securing apparatus is only unlocked by the operation of the releasing tool with respect to the body and is locked at all other times upon removal of the releasing tool.

Abstract: A rotary piston machine comprising a cylinder (13) provided with two ends to form a stator, inlet and outlet apertures disposed in the stator, a rotor (1) eccentrically mounted within the stator, and at least one vane (11a, b, c, d) connected to the rotor and in communication with the cylinder (13) to form an expanding and contracting chamber as the piston rotates, the vane (11a, b, c, d) being substantially rigid perpendicular to its line of contact with the rotor (1) but axially and torsionally deformable to allow the internal pressure generated during displacement to force the vane (11a, b, c, d) into simultaneous colinear alignment with the rotor and the cylinder (13) such that incompatibilities in the component parts are reconciled.

Abstract: A container comprising a body (1), a lid (5) for the body (1), and a locking arrangement for securing the lid (5) to the body (1): the locking arrangement comprising a handle (23) which fits around at least a part of the periphery of the lid (5), and at least one locking device which connects the handle (23) to the lid (5) such that the lid (5) is movable by the handle (23), which is such that the locking device locks when the handle (23) is lowered with respect to the lid (5), and which is such that the lifting of the handle (23) away from the lid (5) causes the locking device (4) to unlock.

Abstract: An adjustable length golf putter, including at least one shaft, at least one grip attached to the at least one shaft, a self-locking mechanism associated with the putter for lengthwise adjustment of the at least one shaft relative to the at least one grip, the mechanism configured for accommodating an adjustment tool, and being locked by default so that the tool must be engaged in the mechanism for the lengthwise adjustment.

Abstract: The replaceable grip for mobility devices includes a cylindrical handle portion which includes an opening for installing the grip over the frame of the mobility device. The grip further includes a mechanical means such as mating holes and protuberances or mating teeth which removably fasten the handle to the mobility device such that the grip is prevented from slipping. The grip provides a replaceable, sanitary, stable grasping point for the user of the mobility device.

Abstract: A putter, adjustable in length to suit the golfer's stature and preferred posture, which utilises a self locking design to secure the putter, and necessitates a tool to adjust the length of the putter.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a toilet having a toilet pan 11, an outlet pipe 78 for the contents of the pan, a closeable lid 21 on the pan forming with the pan a waste receptacle chamber, a seal 22 between the lid 21 and the pan 11, means 12 for introducing water into the chamber to wash the internal surface of the pan, and means 2 for subsequently increasing the air pressure in the chamber to force the contents of the pan through the outlet pipe.