Abstract: A stationery item, e.g. a letter opener or a pencil sharpener, with a motor actuatable to move a cutting member to perform a task, e.g. to cut open a letter or to sharpen a pencil, and in addition to movement of the cutting member, the stationery item also generates a further mechanical, audio, or visual output.

Abstract: A container for elongate articles, e.g. a pen stand (100, 200), is disclosed as including a base (102, 202), a number of platforms (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224) engaged with and movable relative to the base (102, 202), and a number of holders (114, 116, 118, 226, 228, 230) engaged with each of the platforms (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224), each for receiving a stationery item (120), in which the holders (114, 116, 118, 226, 228, 230) move relative to the respective platform (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224) during movement of the platforms (108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224) relative to the base (102, 202).

Abstract: A trailer mounted crash attenuation system has an impact head assembly, a bursting tubular trailer frame member, and a breakaway axle assembly. Upon impact by a vehicle, the head assembly is urged forward bursting the tubular frame of the trailer. As the impact continues, the head assembly contacts an axle accelerator rod which results in the disengagement of the axle, trailer tire, and fenders from the trailer frame member. Impact energy is dissipated by the controlled deceleration of the vehicle as it moves forward through the attenuator system.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing post for absorbing the impact energy of an errant vehicle wherein the impact energy is absorbed by out-of-plane deformation in the material of the post. Out-of-plane deformation is provided by utilizing a through-bolt extending through a splice connection between upper and lower posts sections. Alternatively, out-of-plane deformation is provided by leaving an axial gap on a splice bolts. For terminal applications, a single through-bolt is utilized to allow the upper post section to pivot during end on impacts. Bolt tear out facilitators, including stress concentrators and pre-buckles, or an angled through-bolt decrease any initially high tear-out forces.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing post for absorbing the impact energy of an errant vehicle wherein the impact energy is absorbed by out-of-plane deformation in the material of the post. Out-of-plane deformation is provided by utilizing a through-bolt extending through a splice connection between upper and lower posts sections. Alternatively, out-of-plane deformation is provided by leaving an axial gap on a splice bolts. For terminal applications, a single through-bolt is utilized to allow the upper post section to pivot during end on impacts. Bolt tear out facilitators, including stress concentrators and pre-buckles, or an angled through-bolt decrease any initially high tear-out forces.

Abstract: An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.

Abstract: A lock for a female member of a fastening mechanism is disclosed, in which the female member is releasably engageable with a male member of the fastening mechanism, the male member having two arm members which are movable relative to each other, and the lock is movable relative to the female member between a first position in which, when the male and female members are engaged with each other, relative movement between the two arm members is allowed, thus allowing the male and female members to be disengaged from each other, and a second position in which, when the male and female members are engaged with each other, relative movement between the two arm members is denied, thus locking the male and female members against relative movement.

Abstract: A letter opener is disclosed as including a body with a channel allowing an envelope to pass through, and a cutting blade extending into the channel, in which the body and the cutting blade are movable relative to each other to vary the position along the channel at which the cutting blade cuts the passing envelope. At least part of the channel is of a generally S shape.

Abstract: An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.

Abstract: A crash cushion system to envelop at least one bridge pier. The system has two impact heads, one facing one traffic flow direction and the other facing an opposite traffic flow direction. The heads are connected to multi-stage box beam energy absorbers which are in turn connected to a tubular frame structure which envelops the bridge piers. The frame is spaced apart from the face of the pier sufficiently to avoid an impacting vehicle's snagging the frame and contacting the pier structure. Anchorage cables to stiffen and support the sides of the envelope are positioned inside the frame's parallelogram shape.