Abstract: A safety chain system that includes a drawbar hanger. The drawbar hanger includes a drawbar frame that defines a first aperture. A drawbar rests within the first aperture. A safety chain anchor also rests within the first aperture. The safety chain anchor defines a second aperture. The second aperture receives a safety chain. The safety chain anchor is able to slide in and out of the first aperture.

Abstract: A fastening device for fastening a decoupling device relative to a hole rim of a hole opening of a shielding part; to achieve the vibration-decoupling connection of a bushing to the shielding part, the decoupling device has at least one bridge element, which, at its radially outer edge, has fasteners for producing a fastening connection of the bridge element to the hole rim of the shielding part, wherein the fasteners comprise at least four tabs which, starting from the bridge element, protrude radially outward and a subset of at least two tabs of the bridge element is provided to rest against a first outside of the shielding part and a remainder of at least two tabs is provided to rest against an opposite second outside of the shielding part and the hole rim can be immobilized with a force fit relative to the decoupling device by means of the tabs of the subset and the tabs of the remainder.

Abstract: A shaving blade cartridge includes a housing having first and second longitudinal sides extending between top and bottom sides. A primary cutting blade is mounted on the housing and has a cutting edge. A primary cap is located rearward of the cutting edge. A trimming element includes a trimming edge, the trimming edge and the cutting edge being opposite. A trimming guard bar includes a trimming guard bar edge. The trimming edge, the trimming guard bar edge, and a tangent to the trimming guard bar in the vicinity of the trimming guard bar edge define a theoretical limit trimming curve which is concave when viewed in relation to the trimming guard bar. The trimming guard bar is disposed behind and/or tangential to the theoretical limit trimming curve toward the second longitudinal side, such that the trimming guard bar does not project beyond the theoretical limit trimming curve.

Abstract: The invention discloses several types of fastener, fastening systems, fastener assemblies and related areas. In particular, the invention relates to a releasable fastening system (150) which has a pin (152) with a locking cavity (163). The pin is intended for insertion in an aperture (154). A locking means (158, 160) engages the locking cavity (163) of the pin (152) when the pin (152) is received in the aperture (154), The system (150) also includes unlocking means (162) which includes material adapted to contract when activated. When a material contracts, engagement means (158) included in the locking means (158, 160), disengage the locking cavity (154).

Abstract: A side release buckle includes a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement. The plug includes: a base provided with a belt attachment; a pair of legs projecting from the base; an engaging portion formed to the legs; and a connecting portion connecting the legs to each other. The socket includes: a body provided with a belt attachment and an insertion opening; a housing space formed in the body and housing the legs inserted from the insertion opening; an engaged portion formed in the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a cutout dented toward the insertion opening from an edge of the belt attachment. The cutout is formed over an area surrounded by the legs and the connecting portion when the legs and the connecting portion are housed in the housing space while the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies with swivel and dual release features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly is configured to detachably engage a web connector coupled to a first web. The buckle assembly includes a support structure coupled to a first release actuator, a second release actuator, and a swivel subassembly. The buckle assembly is configured to allow a user to detach the web connector from the buckle assembly via the first and/or second release actuators. Moreover, the swivel subassembly is configured to be coupled to a second web and to prevent the second web from twisting with reference to the buckle assembly.

Abstract: A side release buckle includes a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement. The plug includes: a base being provided with a belt attachment and a pair of legs; and an engaging portion being formed to each of the legs. The socket includes: a body being provided with a belt attachment and an insertion opening; a housing space being formed in the body and capable of housing the legs inserted from the insertion opening (22); and an engaged portion being formed in the body and engageable with the engaging portion. The body includes an undulation being continuously formed in an insertion direction of the legs on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the body.

Abstract: A slidable buckle for a seatbelt includes a cover which has a number of ribs extending from the cover. The ribs function to limit noise caused by the buckle and webbing coming in contact with a vehicle's interior trim, while at the same time providing a softer, grippable surface for the buckle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastener (1) provided with a snap-fitting leg (2) to be pushed through an opening of a panel, said snap-fitting leg (2) including a flat rigid core (8) which extends in an axial direction (A) and at least one curved flexible flange (9) having an inner longitudinal edge (10) running alongside the core (8) which is separated from a free outer longitudinal edge (11) of the flange (9) by a web (12) with a concave inner surface. A stiffening rib (14) is provided on the concave surface of the web of the flange (9). Said rib connects to the free outer longitudinal edge of the flange at two remote points substantially aligned in said axial direction (A).

Abstract: An array of U-shaped flanged brackets and flange tipped posts attached to a supporting surface providing a mechanical connection with an object that is provided with corresponding posts and brackets. The brackets and posts can include electrical contacts or fiber optic contacts for transferring power or signals between connected objects. Various objects can be mounted on the array of brackets and posts to provide positioning flexibility.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a shoe upper including a male member and a shoe sole including a female receptor for locking with the male member. The male member locks with the female receptor by moving the male member with respect to the female receptor in a first direction, which locks the shoe upper with the shoe sole. The male member unlocks from the female receptor by moving the male member an additional distance further in the first direction, which unlocks the shoe upper from the shoe sole. The female receptor includes resilient arms to hold and release the male member and a stop to prevent movement of the resilient arms in a second direction.

Abstract: The invention discloses several types of fastener, fastening systems, fastener assemblies and related areas. In particular, the invention discloses a releasable fastening system (150) which has a pin (152) with a locking cavity (163). The pin is intended for insertion in an aperture (154). A locking means (158, 160) engages the locking cavity (163) of the pin (152) when the pin (152) is received in the aperture (154). The system (150) also includes unlocking means (162) which includes material adapted to contract when activated. When a material contracts, engagement means (158) included in the locking means (158, 160), disengage the locking cavity (154).

Abstract: An opening/closing device for openably/closably supports an opening/closing part with regard to an opened/closed part, and the opening/closing device is characterized in that it comprises an attaching part attached to the opened/closed part so as to rotate around a rotation axis together with the opening/closing part, a rotation part rotatably attached to an attaching portion extending from a rotation center of the attaching part and engaged with the opened/closed part, and a friction torque generation means provided between the attaching portion of the attaching part and the rotation part, as well as in that the opening/closing device is so configured that it can bring the opening/closing part to stop using free-stop function, when the opening/closing part is opened and closed with regard to the opened/closed part.

Abstract: In the first aspect, the invention provides a fastener which includes a fastening element and an actuating means attached to the fastening element. The fastening element has a flexible beam and an engagement means. The actuating means includes a material, such as shape memory alloy, which contracts when activated. When the material is contracted, the beam moves between an engagement position and a disengagement position. In a second aspect, the invention provides a fastener for use in a network of fasteners. The fastener has address means which serve to distinguish the fastener from the other fasteners in the network. The fastener may be the same as the fastener in the first aspect of the invention, or a different fastener. A network or system of such fasteners is also provided.

Abstract: A subsea connector comprises a female element (1) defining a parallel bore (2) adapted to receive a male element (3). First releasable locking means are disposed between elements (2) and (3) and comprise a sprung cage (6) in which balls (5) are retained for movement in tapered grooves circumferentially spaced around element (3). As the cage moves relative to element (3) balls (5) protrude from the cage to a greater or lesser extent to lock the elements together. Second locking means prevent relative movement between elements (1) and (3) in a locking release direction of the first releasable locking means. These second locking means comprise lock balls retained in an apertured body disposed between elements (1) and (2).

Abstract: The connecting device comprises three elements: a core (1; 50), arranged in a male part (3; 70), and a female part (2; 60). The core (1; 50) is formed of a head (5; 53) having a frustoconical portion (5A; 54) and of a stem (4; 51) to which e.g. one of the two ends of a necklace is connected, the other end being connected to the female part (2; 60). The male part is locked inside the female part (2; 60) and at the same time disengaged therefrom by said core. The configuration of the head is such that it neutralizes the snap means (10; 72) in the closed state and causes the device to be locked when a traction is applied to the stem (4; 51).

Abstract: A fastener (10) for fastening together elongate objects (26), such as scaffolding and other items used in the construction industry, is described. The fastener includes first and second portions (12, 14) which engage with one another by means of male (16) and female (18) members. The first and second portions are relatively rotatable, and may be aligned in a range of positions prior to fastening the device. The male and female members serve to retain the fastener in the closed position, and may use a ratchet arrangement, or may use a friction fastening. Also described is a tool (30) for securing the fastener.

Abstract: The plastic snap buckle is provided with a safety latch slidably mounted to an elongated bar of the male plug of the buckle. The latch member is generally rectangular shape having a length equal to the distance between two arcuate portions formed in the free end portion of two flexible arms of the male plug. The latch member may be slidably to locate between the arcuate portion of the flexible arm so as to prevent the flexible arms to be operated inadvertently or forcefully to release the engagement between the male plug and the female receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device to rotate a previously unrotatable receiver used with helmets, preferably aircraft helmets.

Abstract: A buckle comprises a male portion and a female portion, the female portion having a top face, a bottom face and a cavity for accepting the male portion. The male portion is adapted to snap into the female portion to lock the two portions of the buckle together. At least one face of the female portion is formed from an integrally molded screen made of the same material as the rest of the female portion and having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the female portion. The screen reduces the weight of the buckle, making it more comfortable for the user as well as less expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A releasable fastening system for retaining two surfaces at each other or disengaging the two surfaces from each other comprises a first electrode disposed at a first surface, a second electrode disposed at a second surface, and a polymer film disposed between the first and second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode, the polymer film, and the second electrode. A volume of the polymer film is controllably variable to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface. A method of releasably fastening adjacently-positioned surfaces comprises disposing a first electrode at a first surface, disposing a second electrode at a second surface, and increasing the volume of an electrolyte disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode to cause the retention of the first surface at the second surface.

Abstract: There is provided an engagement device allowing two members to readily engage with each other at a position as desired by the user. A bracket has a left end provided with a fixed protrusion, and a right end provided with a vertically movable lever having a groove obliquely traversing both of the vertical and horizontal directions. When the lever is pushed downward, a Z-letter piece moves leftward relative to the bracket's lower portion. While the lever is pushed with a member desired to be attached to the bracket engaging with a left end of the bracket, a right engaging feature of the member is engaged with a right protrusion of the Z-letter piece.

Abstract: A connector for releasably connecting a harness to a stringed instrument. The connector includes an engaging member provided on terminal ends of the harness and a receiving member provided on opposite ends of the stringed instrument body. The connector is operated by rotation of a knob fixed on the engaging member to engage and release the receiving member. An insertion cylinder is provided on the engaging member and includes a pair of diametrically opposed engaging elements which are pivotally mounted therein. The engaging elements are dimensioned so as to engage a fitting groove on an inner peripheral wall of a receiving cylinder of the receiving member. The knob provided on the engaging member is limited to rotation through a predetermined angle. A rotatable shaft extends into the insertion cylinder and can be positioned to engage the engaging elements. The rotatable shaft has a lower cross-sectional shape which has a large diameter and a small diameter.

Abstract: An assembly for holding and tensioning a webbing particularly useful in an article of furniture in which the webbing is adapted to be stressed by a person seated thereon. Male and female members are employed, the female member being fastened to a framework, and the male member being fastened to the webbing. The male member is positioned between side walls of the female member, and first and second abutment surfaces of each member engage each other in the assembly and are urged into engagement by the stress upon the webbing. The male member is levered into engagement with the female member.

Abstract: A telescoping fastener which is concealed upon the interconnection of two separate structures or elements is described. A male element is fastened as by a screw extension to one panel and a recess is provided in the other structural element or panel into which the male element is insertable to form the concealed self-locking joint. In the recess is positioned a cage-like female element which is centered on the axis of the recess as by a threaded member, such as a screw. The male element is pressed axially into the female portion and is frictionally gripped by selected parts of the cage impinging against the male portion at entry. This secures the two elements or portions in prevention of axial withdrawal and centers or stabilizes the male element against wobble or float. Where the cage requires strengthening, the strength is achieved by extending the head of the screw for the female element so that it buttresses the caging and may telescopically receive the male element where the male element is tubular.