Abstract: Swimming pool recess covers and methods of covering swimming pool recesses, for example, stairwells, are disclosed. The recess covers include a flexible sheet adapted to at least partially cover the recess, and one or more fasteners mounted to an edge of the sheet. The fasteners are adapted to engage a main pool cover. The fastener may be an elongated fastener having a receptacle adapted to receive a projection mounted on the main pool cover. The receptacle may have an opening defined by opposing arms adapted to deflect when contacted by the projection on the main cover. The flexible arms may also include projections that enhance engagement of the receptacle with the projection on the main pool cover. Swimming pool peripheral recess cover fasteners are also provided.

Abstract: A resealable vacuum-tight closure mechanism has a first closure element that includes a first base and a second closure element that includes a second base. A first contact surface on a first interlocking profile depends from the first base and a second contact surface on a second interlocking profile depends from the second base. The first and second contact surfaces provide a maximum occlusion distance when the first and second interlocking profiles are in an occluded state. A first sealing member extends from the first base, has a first length, is spacedly disposed from the first interlocking profile, and has a first sealing surface disposed thereon. A second sealing member extends from the second base, has a second length, is spacedly disposed from the second interlocking profile, and has a second sealing surface disposed thereon that is complementary to the first sealing surface.

Abstract: A closure comprising: a first surface having a plurality of first projections extending outwardly from said first surface and terminating at a distal end to present a plurality of first heads respectively; a second surface having a plurality of second projections extending outwardly from said second surface and terminating at a distal end to present a plurality of second heads respectively; said plurality of first heads different from said plurality of second heads; whereby the space between adjacent first upstanding projections define a first cavity to capture said second heads of said second surface; and wherein the space between adjacent second upstanding projections to define a second cavity to capture said first heads of said first surface.

Abstract: A plastic bag having a zipper-type closure which includes opposing closure members which each has a plurality of projections. The projections of the closure members are configured for interlocking and sealing engagement when the zipper is closed. At least one of the projections on one of the closure members is in one embodiment made of a softer material than at least one of the other projections. In some embodiments, the soft projection(s) are not configured for close tolerance fit with complementary mating projections. In some embodiments, the closure is used in combination with a slider. The closure can include deformations for providing tactile or audible feedback against movement of the slider. The closure can include slider rails at a top edge margin to minimize the size of the slider.

Abstract: A guard door monitoring system comprising a guard door monitoring module for monitoring a state of a guard door to a safety area. The guard door monitoring system also comprises a control unit, configured to analyze a guard door signal generated by interaction between an actuator and a sensor, and to control a machine or system located in the safety area depending on the guard door signal. A locking device with a main body and a locking lever arranged on the main body is additionally provided. The locking lever can be moved relative to the main body from a release position into a blocking position in which the locking lever prevents the interaction between the actuator and the sensor, wherein the locking device comprises a receptacle for a lockable securing part, which, when introduced into the receptacle, keeps the locking lever in the blocking position.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for securing a first panel to a second panel. The fastener includes a stud insertable through apertures in the first and second panels. A handle pivotally connected to a stud head and pivotal between an upright position and a folded. A biasing assembly is connected to the stud head and the handle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head. A fastener is also provided for securing together the first and second panels, including a grommet, a receptacle and an insert in threaded engagement with an interior of the receptacle. The receptacle may be a rivet nut.

Abstract: A zipper includes a ball portion. The zipper portion further includes a socket portion. The ball portion includes a leading edge, the leading edge composed of a first material having a low coefficient of friction. The ball portion includes a trailing edge and a neck portion, the trailing edge and neck portion composed of a second material. The socket includes a socket opening, the socket opening composed of the first material. The socket includes a socket interior, the socket interior composed of the second material.

Abstract: A configuration has a component equipped with a retaining foot and a fixing system with a fixing element for elastic attachment of the component to a panel-shaped support part. The fixing element has a central connecting region in the form of a shaft, to which a support plate is attached at one end and to which a cam element is attached at the other end, and an elastomer sleeve surrounds the connecting region, the sleeve having a groove into which the retaining foot engages. The cam element is inserted through a borehole in the support part such that the elastomer sleeve is pressed together between the support plate and the support part, and the fixing element is rotated for a latching connection. A retaining foot plug part with an annular shape partly open in a C shape and adapted to the inner diameter of the retaining groove.

Abstract: A hook-connector includes a first hook part and a second hook part. Each hook part includes a first plate and a second plate. The plates have a cord opening defined there-through. The hook-connector further includes a hub disposed between the first and second plates which hold the plates in essentially parallel, spaced apart relationship. The hook-connector further includes a hook member attached to a first end of at least one of the first or second plates. The hook member includes a hook element defining a hook opening, and the hook opening is sized to receive the hub of a corresponding hook part. The hook-connector further includes a means for ensuring a positive and releasable engagement of each hook element about the hub of the corresponding hook part.

Abstract: A clip device for releasably securing objects together is provided. The clip device comprises a clip body with a first slot formed in the clip body and a second slot formed in the clip body substantially parallel to the first slot. A cross member divides the first slot from the second slot. A faceplate substantially parallel to the cross member is formed in the clip body with the faceplate having a substantially planar front face surface and a rear face surface. A finger extends from the front face surface with the finger curling back toward the front face surface. An opening is formed through the faceplate wherein upon positioning of the front face surfaces of two adjacent clip bodies together, the finger is releasably receivable within the opening formed in the front faceplate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing fastener ears for absorbent articles and other garments includes the step of cutting a wave-shaped pattern along the longitudinal axis of an elongated strip of material. The wave-shaped cutting pattern is substantially centered along the strip and divides the strip into a first web and a second web. Each web has a series of ear shapes, with each ear shape having a wave crest portion. Each wave crest portion has a first edge with a convex curvature. The method also includes the step of cutting each of the ear shapes out of its respective web to form a plurality of fastener ears. A fastener ear formed by such method is also contemplated.

Abstract: A snap-together assembly mechanism includes a first body having a projection defining a reduced diameter portion and a shoulder. The assembly mechanism also includes a second body defining a trough which receives the projection, the trough including a web spanning the sides of the trough, wherein as the pin enters between the web and the trough, it momentarily stretches the web until the shoulder passes the web, wherein the web snaps back once it is aligned with the reduced diameter portion of the projection.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiments, the device and method for fastening includes a first component including an aperture, and a second component including a base with a perpendicular post to be inserted into the aperture to engage the fastener and of a diameter similar to the diameter of the aperture, a sprung latch with a flange to be inserted into the aperture along with the post that engages the surface of the first component underneath the aperture to fasten the second component to the first component, a rotating actuator that rotates on an axis on the base and actuates the flanges to allow clearance for insertion or extraction from the aperture, and a hinge to assemble the rotating actuator to the base.

Abstract: A clip has an opposed jaw end, a bridged back end and defines a slot extending across the bridged back end. It is connected to an article, for example, another clip or a float, which has an enlarged spherical head extending longitudinally therefrom. The head of the post has a diameter which is slightly greater than the width of the slot so that the connected item has rotational freedom of movement by receipt of the spherical head through the slot.

Abstract: A hook-connector includes a first hook part and a second hook part. Each of the first hook part and the second hook part include a first plate and a second plate, and a hub disposed between the first and second plates. The hub holds the first and second plates in essentially parallel, spaced apart relationship. The hub and the first and second plates define a cord opening there-through. The hook-connector further includes a hook member that is attached to a first end of the first and second plates. The hook member includes a hook element that defines a hook opening that is sized to receive the hub of a corresponding hook part. The hook member further defines a sloped portion configured to slidingly mate against the sloped portion of the corresponding hook part in one mating configuration of the first and second hook parts.

Abstract: A fastening means is provided for fastening an expansion tank for cooling water of an automobile to a holder. The fastening means includes, but is not limited to a first insertion edge and a second insertion edge, and the second insertion edge is disposed substantially parallel to the first insertion edge, and at a distance there from which is selected in such a manner that a fastening rib may be inserted between the insertion edges. The fastening means further includes, but not limited to a first retaining edge and a second retaining edge for delimiting a pivoting movement of the fastening rib. The second retaining edge is disposed substantially parallel to the first retaining edge and at a distance there from which is selected in such a manner that the fastening rib is pivotable from an insertion position in which the fastening rib is disposed between the insertion edges, into a retaining position in which the fastening rib is disposed between the retaining edges.

Abstract: A connector (90) consists of a first connector component (52) and a second connector component (54) and an engagement mechanism (56, 58). A first connector component (52) and a second connector component (54) of a first connector (90a) are releasably engageable with a second connector component (54) and a first connector component (52) of a second connector (90b). In this way the first connector (90a) and the second connector (90b) are releasably connectable. The connector (90) of the present invention is releasably connectable with another like connector (90).

Abstract: A device for fixing a fabric includes a frame of polygonal shape that is able to accommodate at least one insert, whereby the fabric is wedged between the frame and the insert, the frame includes a groove with a shrunken mouth, and the insert includes a horseshoe-shaped body that can be deformed elastically and can be inserted forcibly into the groove, characterized in that the body includes, on the one hand, a first wall that delimits a housing that opens toward the outside, and, on the other hand, a second wall that defines a retaining surface that can work with the groove, whereby a recess is arranged between the two walls (26, 32) so as to make the deformations of each wall (26, 32) independent, whereby junction zones are provided to connect the first wall and the second wall on both sides of the mouth of the housing.

Abstract: An elongated shut apparatus includes a primary plate and a follower plate with the inner sides thereof facing to each other. Both the primary and the follower plate are made of soft high molecular material and have a concave shaped cross section with a thick central part getting thinner toward two lateral ends thereof.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for a reclosable polymeric bag is disclosed, the closure arrangement comprising convex and concave areas that facilitate opening the bag. To initially open the bag, first and second films are separated from each other by tearing perforations. Next, interlocked closure profiles are detached from each other by grabbing onto gripper ridges and pulling the opening of the bag apart. If the first or second film becomes tucked into the groove left by the perforations such that the gripper ridges are difficult to access even after tearing the perforations, then the end of the opening may be flexed up or down, thereby causing separation of the convex area and concave area to provide access to the gripper ridges.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a plastic zipper equipped with a slider which zipper is imparted with high hermetical-sealability and facility in unsealing and reopening/reclosing; further a plastic zipper equipped with a slider which zipper is imparted in addition thereto with a function capable of detection of its having been unsealed after sealing packaging; and a bag body fitted with the zipper with a slider attached.

Abstract: A new method of binding at least one article, and a new binding strap for use in binding an article or articles is taught.