Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly includes a one-piece housing having an inlet and an outlet. During manufacture, the housing is formed with an inlet end plate and a fully open end opposite the end plate. A valve door assembly including a flapper door is secured in the housing, and includes a seal between the flapper door and the housing. The open end is then reformed to provide an outlet from the housing. In a fuel system, a cover assembly is releasably secured to the housing.

Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly includes a one-piece housing having an inlet and an outlet. During manufacture, the housing is formed with an inlet end plate and a fully open end opposite the end plate. A valve door assembly including a flapper door is secured in the housing, and includes a seal between the flapper door and the housing. The open end is then reformed to provide an outlet from the housing. In a fuel system, a cover assembly is releasably secured to the housing.

Abstract: A nail has a head, a penetrating tip and a shank extending from the head to the penetrating tip. The shank has a circumference and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of rows of deformations formed as teeth are formed in the shank extending outwardly of the shank. The rows are formed in a spiral pattern along the length of the shank from about the head to about the penetrating tip. The rows of teeth are formed parallel to one another and formed at an angle of at least 50 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the nail.

Abstract: A nail has a head, a penetrating tip and a shank extending from the head to the penetrating tip. The shank has a circumference and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of rows of deformations formed as teeth are formed in the shank extending outwardly of the shank. The rows are formed in a spiral pattern along the length of the shank from about the head to about the penetrating tip. The rows of teeth are formed parallel to one another and formed at an angle of at least 50 degrees relative to a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nail.

Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a shank having a tip and a head configured for engagement by an associated driving tool. The fastener is configured for use with an associated threaded opening. The head is disposed on the shank opposite the tip. The shank has a helical thread formed thereon. The thread extends from about the tip to about the head and defines a plurality of zones. Each zone has a plurality of individual threads extending 360 degrees about the shank. A leading thread in each zone is formed with a wave-form profile having an amplitude that is greater than the amplitude of each prior leading thread. In one embodiment, threads other than the leading thread in each zone do not have an amplitude as great as their respective leading threads. A fastening assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and improved threaded fastener comprises a first, primary thread lead, and a pair of second, auxiliary thread leads alternatively interposed between successive threads of the first, primary thread lead. As a result of the provision of the pair of second, auxiliary thread leads being interposed between successive ones of the threads of the first, primary thread lead, the formation of the first, primary threaded lead, upon the threaded fastener, is facilitated.

Abstract: A molded hinge assembly is provided. The molded hinge assembly includes a male portion, a female portion formed unitarily with the male portion, a swivel shaft formed unitarily with the male portion, the swivel shaft including a plurality of channels defined along a rotational axis thereof. The molded hinge assembly also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between each respective channel and the female portion, the female portion being subsequently rotatable with respect to the male portion after the molding gates are broken. During operation, the swivel shaft is friction fit within the female portion after the subsequent rotation of the female portion to break the molding gates.

Abstract: A capless refueling assembly is provided that includes a retaining base and first and second doors. The retaining base has a fuel nozzle opening formed therethrough. The first door is pivotally secured to the retaining base, such that the first door covers a first portion of the fuel nozzle opening in a closed position. The second door is also pivotally secured to the retaining base, such that the second door covers a second portion of the fuel nozzle opening in the closed position. The first and second doors oppose one another and are configured to close the fuel nozzle opening in said closed position. The first and second doors are configured to pivot away from one another to open the fuel nozzle opening when a fuel nozzle is urged into the first and second doors.

Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a curved-line path thread provided in a helical pattern along a shank of the fastener. The curved-line path can be provided on either side of the standard straight-line path or on opposite sides of the straight-line path. The curved-line path and can be provided on all or a portion of the thread from near the tip end thereof to near the head end thereof.

Abstract: A push/push latch designed to operate in high and low g-force situations, which may be mounted horizontally or vertically. The latch includes a latch body, a track, a housing surrounding the track and latch body, a follower with a pin that moves in the track to actuate the push/push latch. The invention also includes a hammer that repositions when a g-force is applied to the latch to stop the movement of the track body thus preventing the latch from opening during a g-force situation such as a vehicle crash. The hammer may be connected to the housing or to the latch body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a pressure relief assembly that may include an inner shell having at least one air passage, and at least one membrane flap sealingly covering the air passage. The membrane flap is configured to move to open the air passage based on an air pressure level. The assembly may also include an outer shell secured to the inner shell, wherein an air channel is defined between the inner shell and the outer shell. The outer shell is configured to protect said inner shell from moisture. The assembly may also include at least one moisture catching ledge surrounding the air passage. The moisture catching ledge is configured to trap moisture that passes by the membrane flap.

Abstract: A threaded fastener comprises a first, primary thread lead, and a pair of second, auxiliary thread leads alternatively interposed between successive threads of the first, primary thread lead, except within the vicinity of the tip portion of the fastener so as to define space for accommodating debris generated during the self-tapping of the fastener into a workpiece. The fastener also comprises lobe members formed upon the primary thread lead so as to predeterminedly affect torque insertion and pull-out resistance values.

Abstract: A new and improved thread rolling die, for forming a new and improved threaded fastener, comprises a plurality of first, primary thread rolling die threads, and a plurality of sets of second, auxiliary thread rolling die threads alternatively interposed between successive threads of the first, primary thread rolling die threads, so as to render the manufacturing process more cost effective by reducing the the number of revolutions, through which a blank member must be rotated in order to complete the formation of the thread leads upon the blank member, to be accordingly reduced which, in turn, permits the axial length of the thread rolling dies, and the thread rolling machines, to be reduced in size.

Abstract: A damper includes a housing, a cover, a rotor and a valve relatively rotatable with respect to the rotor. When rotated in one direction, a space between the valve and the rotor is opened to increase damper fluid flow and reduce damper resistance. When rotated in an opposite direction, the space between the valve and the rotor is closed to decrease damper fluid flow and increase damper resistance. A shaped flange on the rotor provides a changing space between the rotor and ribs in the housing when the rotor is rotated. The cover is self-centering on the housing.

Abstract: A male threaded fastener particularly suited for use in plastics has a high thread and a low thread. Depressions are provided in the pressure flank of the high thread. Dimensional relationships are defined for scaling the fastener to commonly accepted sizes.

Abstract: A male threaded fastening member is provided with depressions in at least one or several helix wraps of the thread adjacent the head, the depressions extending inwardly from an edge of the thread at least part way toward a shank of the male fastening member. In a fastening system including the male fastening member, a female member includes projections for engaging the depressions.

Abstract: A new and improved thread rolling die for forming a new and improved threaded fastener, and a new and improved method or technique of manufacturing the new and improved threaded fastener, is disclosed wherein the new and improved threaded fastener comprises a first, primary thread lead, and a pair of second, auxiliary thread leads alternatively interposed between successive threads of the first, primary thread lead. As a result of the provision of the pair of second, auxiliary thread leads being interposed between successive ones of the threads of the first, primary thread lead, not only is additional axial reinforcement provided for the threaded fastener, but more importantly, the lateral or transverse distance through which the material comprising the blank member must be displaced or moved in order to form the successive threads of the first, primary thread lead is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A novel fastener comprises a head having a recess for receiving a rotary driver, a shank having knurls defined by generally helical grooves and intersecting generally annular grooves, wherein a plurality of the knurls include a lateral cutting edge, and a generally pointed tip. Another novel fastener comprises a head having a recess for receiving a rotary driver, a shank having a predetermined diameter small enough so that the head will break away from said shank upon application of a predetermined torque, and said shank having knurls defined by generally helical grooves and intersecting generally annular grooves.

Abstract: A valve has a valve stem including a head operable in an outlet for opening and closing the valve. A resilient bulb functions as a spring for operation of the valve. A lever is used to depress the bulb and move the valve stem. The shape of the channel defined for flow through the valve consolidates the fluid stream leaving the valve.