Abstract: Herein described is a portable sanitation apparatus for pet waste disposal and method for using the same comprising a micro-composite structure and a means for securing micro-composite structures together to form a macro-composite structure in variable geometric Configurations and sizes for greater area coverage.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to a snap button fastener providing electrical connection. An embodiment of a fastener includes a first mechanical part, the first mechanical part including at least a stud portion, the first mechanical part including a first electrical connector; a second mechanical part, the second mechanical part including at least a socket portion with a spring element and the socket portion, the second mechanical part including a second electrical connector. The stud portion of the first mechanical part and the socket portion of second mechanical part, if separated, are to interlock upon the application of a first force towards each other, and, if interlocked, to separate upon the application of a second force away from each other.

Abstract: Closure devices that may be used for various articles, such as braces, medical devices, shoes, clothing, apparel, and the like. The closure devices may include a tightening mechanism that may function as a handle that allows an individual to wrap an article around body part, couple the article about the body part, and then tension or tighten the article using a single hand.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ejection device for ejecting a movable furniture part from a closed position into an open position along an opening path, comprising a support and a coupling device for coupling the ejection device to the movable furniture part. The coupling device has a coupling piece which can be moved relative to the support and a coupling counter piece which is arranged on the movable furniture part or on a furniture body. The coupling device has a coupling position and a decoupling position, and the ejection device can be coupled to the movable furniture part via the coupling device in the coupling position. The ejection device also comprises a controller, by means of which the coupling device can be switched depending on the opening path, and the coupling device reaches the decoupling position from the coupling position in the event of a specified opening path.

Abstract: A mount for a roller blind. The roller blind has a roller tube securable to a structure between first and second end brackets. In one embodiment the mount comprises at least one yoke and at least one axle member. The yoke is securable to the first end bracket and has a generally horizontally oriented throat. The axle member is releasably securable to a first end of the roller tube with at least a portion retainable within the yoke's throat when the axle member is generally horizontal. The receipt of the said axle member within the throat hangs the first end of the roller tube from the first end bracket while permitting the roller tube to pivot about the first end bracket in a generally vertical plane.

Abstract: An electrical connection structure includes: a tuning fork-shaped terminal having a slit-shaped space formed at an end portion; a first support that supports the tuning fork-shaped terminal; a plate-shaped terminal having a conduction region formed at an end portion; and a second support that supports the plate-shaped terminal, in which the electrical connection structure has a structure in which the conduction region of the plate-shaped terminal is fitted into the slit-shaped space of the tuning fork-shaped terminal by connecting the first support and the second support, and thereby the tuning fork-shaped terminal and the plate-shaped terminal reach an electrical conduction state, and the plate-shaped terminal includes a thin flexible portion that allows deformation due to bending in a plate thickness direction.

Abstract: A releasable interlocking device comprising a pair of interactive plates, for fastening to apparel utilizing a system of two interactive plates which when brought together utilizes the thickness of the apparel and stud of a male plate to engage through the lips of the female plate to snap fit and lock without damage to the aforesaid apparel.

Abstract: Humidity absorber that does not drip, occupies a small space and can be reused, usable both outdoors and indoors, comprising a bag that houses a sack that in turn contains a hygroscopic material, the bag being made of a 3D spacer material configuring a single cavity that houses the sack, provided with an opening having closing means, the opening allowing the sack to be introduced in the cavity or removed from the same such that the sack with hygroscopic material can be replaced to reuse the absorber.

Abstract: A fastener for a garment, particularly suited to use in a garment such as a brassiere, comprises a female part and a male part that interlock together. The female part is connected to a first garment piece and the male part is connected to a second garment piece. The fastener is an overlapping fastener of the type in which the male piece is engaged with the female piece by inserting a connector plate of a male part into an aperture of a female part at an angle and thereafter pivoting the male part relative the female part thereby snap-fitting the connector plate in place in the aperture. The male part has a recess formed therein surrounding the connector plate which provides added stability to the male part and significantly increases its tensile strength characteristic.

Abstract: Contemplated herein is a locking button system which includes a male component having a flange portion and a male locking pin provided on an upper surface of the flange portion. The system also includes a female component having an annular retention ring defining an interior cavity, the annular retention ring having an interior groove provided on the interior surface, the interior cavity having a diameter corresponding to an outer circumference of the flange portion of the male component, an axially telescoping cap, and a second locking pin provided on an interior surface of the axially telescoping cap.

Abstract: A press-fit type connector terminal includes a contact section inserted into a through-hole of a printed circuit board, the press-fit connector terminal being formed of a single elastic metal sheet, the contact section including a plurality of contact pieces surrounding a longitudinal center line of the press-fit type connector terminal, and a pair of binders binding the plurality of contact pieces at opposite ends thereof, the pair of binders having a thickness that is smaller than a maximum thickness of the plurality of contact pieces.

Abstract: A coupling structure includes: a rod-shaped rod attached to a first end of an accessory; and a receiving portion attached to a second end of the accessory and an insertion hole portion, which receives the rod, and an accommodating portion. The receiving portion includes: a cylindrical slider into which at least a tip end portion of the rod is inserted and which is slidable and rotatable in the insertion hole and the accommodating portion; a guide groove configured to restrict the movement of the slider to switch the position of the slider to a first position or a second position; and a locking pin that inhibits the movement of the rod in the receiving portion in a pull-out direction when the slider is located at the first position and that allows the rod to move when the slider is located at the second position.

Abstract: A shopping cart liner includes a body configured to nest in the child seat portion of a shopping cart. The body may define one or more openings positioned to enable the feet of a child seated in the shopping cart to protrude through the body, and the shopping cart liner includes a track at least partially embedded in a portion of the shopping cart liner. A clip is slidingly engaged with the track, and defines an opening for attaching an item to the shopping cart liner. An item such as a toy, teething ring, pacifier, or other item may be attached. The body may be padded, and, and may include one or more pockets. The shopping cart liner may include a seat belt for securing a child to the shopping cart liner, and may be used in combination with a pillow.

Abstract: A front release buckle of the invention includes a plug and a socket. The plug includes: a base; a leg that projects from the base; and an engaging portion formed to the leg. The socket includes: a body having an insertion opening; a housing space that is defined inside the body and capable of housing the leg inserted through the insertion opening; an engaged portion that is formed on the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a manipulation portion that disengages an engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion. The plug and the socket are formed to be flat. The leg is flat and flexible in a thickness direction. The engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other in the thickness direction. The engaging portion projects in a width direction of the leg and is formed within the thickness of the leg.

Abstract: A novel device cradle formed with a substantially rigid spine with a device rest and a spaced apart device retainer formed on a front surface of the spine and adjacent to opposite first and second end thereof. A dual attachment base of the novel device cradle is formed on a back surface of the spine opposite from the front surface thereof and is positioned between the first and second ends thereof. The dual attachment base has a raised attachment plate that is spaced away from the back surface of the spine, a pair of spaced apart fastener attachment holes that are formed through the attachment plate and positioned adjacent to opposite front and back surfaces of the spine, and a pair of spaced apart T-slots that are formed through the attachment plate and positioned substantially between the attachment holes.

Abstract: A keyed channel strut mounted connector device includes channel engagement structure connected to attachment structure. The channel engagement structure includes a key for engaging the channel, and an octagonal neck connecting the key to a boss surmounting the attachment structure. The neck includes clearance facets permitting the key to pass into the longitudinal channel, and relief facets defining support shoulders on the key for supporting the key on the inwardly turned sidewalls of a channel strut. Two pairs of opposed support shoulders permit installation of the device for supporting a run of cables or pipes parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strut, or rotation of the device 90° for supporting the cables or pipes transverse to the strut. By rotating the device 180° in either direction, the head and tail ends of the attachment structure can be reversed without changing the parallel or transverse orientation of the attachment structure.

Abstract: A buckle which is an insertion type, wherein looseness between a buckle main body and an insertion body is eliminated and generation of impact sound or vibration sound is prevented, and in a resin buckle including the buckle main body formed of a housing and the insertion body having insertion leg portions on both sides, a concave guide groove is provided in a longitudinal direction of a center of an inner face of each of an upper face plate and a lower face plate of the housing of the buckle main body, while a guide lever which can be inserted into the guide groove provided in the housing is provided in a protruded form in a center of a proximal lever of the insertion body. A sliding contact portion which is elevated to make pressure contact with an opposing face is provided in part of the guide groove or the guide lever, or both the guide groove and the guide lever.

Abstract: Apparatus using two parts to connect the ends of a flexible member for attaching jewelry to the person. The connected ends of flexible members under tension always extend outward directly opposite to each other, and always have the same predetermined orientation with respect to their connector. The connection of the two parts of this apparatus can only be made or broken by a force between the parts which is essentially perpendicular to the orientation of the flexible member ends under tension, where one direction of the force connects the parts, and the opposite direction of the force disconnects the parts.

Abstract: Apparatus using two parts to connect the ends of a flexible member for attaching jewelry to the person. The connected ends of flexible members under tension always extend outward directly opposite to each other, and always have the same predetermined orientation with respect to their connector. The connection of the two parts of this apparatus can only be made or broken by a force between the parts which is essentially perpendicular to the orientation of the flexible member ends under tension, where one direction of the force connects the parts, and the opposite direction of the force disconnects the parts.

Abstract: A flexible fastener having a body formed from tightly coiled wire, with a head affixed to one end of the body, the other end being attached to a first structure, which may be a component of a computer system. The fastener functions by maintaining the position of a first structure adjacent to a second structure, which is provided with a slotted flange. The head end of the fastener is lifted and allowed to fall back such that it drops into the slot in the flange, with the head on the side opposite from the first structure, thus maintaining the correct alignment. The fastener may be threaded into a threaded aperture in the first structure, as a means of effecting the attachment to the first structure. The length of the fastener may be adjusted for optimum alignment by threading the fastener to a desired depth in the aperture. A locknut is provided, to lock the fastener to maintain a desired length.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting between rotational and linear movement includes a rotatable hub structure and a striker element having an inboard end and an outboard end. In one form of the mechanism, a pivot/spring structure is positioned to engage a pivot location on the striker element between the inboard and outboard ends of the striker element. The pivot/spring structure provides a deflectable pivot fulcrum which can be deflected from a pivot rest position in response to a deflecting force exerted on the striker element. The hub structure can be engaged with the inboard end of the striker element so that a rotational movement of the hub structure provides a force on the striker element tending to cause the inboard end to pivot about the pivot structure, deflecting the pivot fulcrum such that the outboard end of the striker element moves in a generally axial direction. The mechanism can be used in a latch.

Abstract: A device for attaching at least two pieces of a material is disclosed. The device comprises a first portion, the first portion comprising an opening and a ledge therein and a latching mechanism hingedly coupled to the first portion wherein the latching mechanism is capable of being attachably coupled to the first portion via the ledge. Accordingly, the device in accordance with the present invention is easy to open and close, latches securely, and stays closed during package stress testing.

Abstract: A device for joining two concrete members together, such as concrete tunnel or shaft lining segments (1, 2) includes at least one elastic female member (6) anchored in one of the segments and at least one elastic male member (7) anchored in the other of the segment to be joined. The female members (6) are provided with recesses (6A) to receive heads (7A) of the male members (7), each female member (6) being slotted at 6B to receive a respective web (7B) of the male members (7) and is undercut at 6C to receive the head (7A). At least one of the male and female members has a sloping engagement face (8, 9) to provide wedging action by acting to draw the head of the male member further into the female member as the web of the male member is moved along the slot.

Abstract: A cantilever latch mechanism includes a base and a pair of arms extending from the base. The arms are spaced a distanced apart and selectively positionable between an open orientation wherein an opening is formed between the arms, and a closed orientation where the arms are positioned in a closer relation. Each of the arms may include a jaw extending inwardly into the opening. Preferably, the jaws are positioned on different vertical planes on each arm such that they overlap when the arms are in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A fastener joins together opposing front and rear side-parts and respectively of an absorbent article in the form of a diaper or the like, so as to form an encircling waistband. The article includes a central part having an absorbent body, and front and rear pliable side-parts which extend from respective sides of the central diaper part. The fastener includes two mutually coacting first and second fastener elements of which the first element is attached to a front side-part and the second element is attached to the rear side-part on the same side of the central part as its associated first element. The first fastener element or the second fastener element includes a fastening portion which projects out from the perimeter of the waistband and which can be inserted into an insertion opening in the associated second or first fastener element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bezel attachment configuration for securing a detachable bezel to a metal chassis. The bezel attachment mechanism preferably includes the combination of a modified bezel post extending from and integral to the plastic body of the bezel and a bezel snap that is attached to the post. The post includes at least a first region and a second region, where the cross-sectional area of the second region is less than the cross-sectional area of the first region. The difference in cross-sectional areas creates a lip between the first region and the second region that the bezel snap catches on if moved in an upward direction towards the top of the bezel post. The lip of the post acts as a barrier to further movement of the bezel snap, thus providing a secure attachment of the bezel snap to the bezel. The secure bezel snap is inserted into an opening in the metal chassis.

Abstract: A snap-lock attachment element for connecting a multi-layered gasket having at least two metallic gasket layers together in a sealing gasket is disclosed. A first gasket layer includes an aperture with at least two fingers extending radially inwardly. A second gasket layer includes a second aperture having a supporting member with slots therein. The first gasket layer is pressed onto the second layer such that the fingers engage the slots of the second gasket layer in snap-lock engagement.

Abstract: A jewelry connection system utilizing an elastic bent stem having a narrow center section is inserted into a hollow tube such that binding of the stem ends in the tube creates an elastic releasable friction bond (binding) between the stem and tube pieces. A controlled amount of binding can be introduced by controlling the degree of non-colinearity between mating surfaces such that when using a high modulus material, such as Titanium, the use of this system for body piercing openings such as ear and nose rings is successful without reduced risk of loss of jewelry pieces due to vibration, because threaded connections in this arrangement are avoided. Configurations according to the invention can be used in a variety of tiny jewelry pieces as long as a stem can be inserted into a stem receiving member.

Abstract: Locking device for a connector for cooperation with a recess of a member with which the connector is to be connected, said locking device being made of spring elastic material and comprising two shanks which are movable towards and away from each other. At least one of the shanks has, at its end opposite the connector, on its side facing away from the other shank, a protruding hooking means. The shanks are tapered in the direction towards the end opposite the connector and pass over into resilient portions, which have substantially even thickness, have thinner walls than the shanks and project towards each other, said resilient portions being connected by a connecting portion. At the ends facing the connector the shanks form a functionally common base portion.

Abstract: A clasp formed of beveled members, one a male member and the other a female member, which interengage together and are retained in their connection through capillary and frictional forces. The female member may contain a slot, to facilitate its resilient widening, to receive the male member, once inserted. The male member may include, at its frontal portion, a slot, to provide for its compression, and formation of a bevel proximate its front end to facilitate its interconnection with the female member into the beveled clasp. A modification includes a beaded type connector that interconnects together through the formation of a bead, interiorly of the female member, and a complementary groove, formed proximate the beveled front end of the male member, to facilitate the interconnection of the clasp together, and to sustain its hold during coupling.

Abstract: Unlike conventional snap fasteners, this clasp's mechanism temporarily locks to prevent opening by accidental forces which apply unevenly and tilt the socket against the elongated stud that passes through and beyond the socket. Designed for general use, it is especially valuable for bracelets. While accidental opening is virtually impossible, stud and socket support-bodies make intentional opening easy, with one hand. With bracelet between them, middle and index fingers hold the socket support-body on opposite edges, without blocking stud movement, while thumb pressure is applied to the protruding end of the stud to eject it and open the clasp. This procedure keeps axes of stud and socket sufficiently aligned to avoid the locking effect, and automatically leaves the wearer holding the socket side of the clasp to avoid dropping the bracelet. The support-body means of attachment makes pull from chain or bracelet substantially perpendicular to clasp's opening direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a band link with a safety device for use in adjusting and fixing a shoulder band or a waist band of various bags or rucksacks wherein after the band is suitably adjusted according to the physique of the user, the locking piece connected at the side of the band link is moved and fixed toward the band-controlling toothed side, so the band is not disengaged and is fixed as it stands even if excessive force or shock is exerted on the band link.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasably connecting the ends of a bracelet, necklace or watchband. The mechanism includes a male connector component slidably insertable into a female connector component. Two resiliently-biased arms on the male component ride along inturned flanges in the female connector, after which the arms spring outwardly to lock against interior side faces of the flanges. Two squeezable handles extend from the arms for moving the arms together, thereby enabling the male connector element to be withdrawn from the hollow female element.

Abstract: A flotation apparatus such as an inflatable tube is designed for a wide sluice waterslide. A coupling for the tube has a prong on the bow of the tube, which is V-shaped, the prong extending forward along a handle portion and downward to a distal locking knob with radial fins. A positioning plate reinforces the coupling between the prong and a mounting plate on the tube. A coupling ring is attached to the mounting plate or the positioning plate, laterally of the prong, and a second coupling ring is provided at the stern of the tube, such that the tube can be coupled to other such tubes in single file or face to face arrays. The fins of the prong and the inside diameter of the rings are complementarily conical in the insertion and removal directions. A wide sluice waterslide to be traversed by the tubes as joined in lines or arrays has a generally downhill contour along a sinuous path.

Abstract: A fastening device consisting of a first bar and a second bar. The first bar has an interior channel and a longitudinally extending groove communicating with the interior channel. The groove has enlarged openings at spaced intervals. The second bar has a plurality of tongues extending substantially perpendicularly and terminating with an enlarged appendage. The tongues are spaced at intervals corresponding to the interval spacing of the enlarged openings in the first bar. The appendages may be inserted through the openings into the channel and the tongues moved longitudinally along the groove to position the appendages out of register with the openings thereby coupling the second bar with the first bar.

Abstract: A support and stabilizing apparatus for an electrical outlet box, such as a conventional electrical outlet box having a plurality of side walls and a back wall defining a chamber with an open front and having an access bore formed through at least one of the walls. The support and stabilizing apparatus comprises a stud apparatus having a shaft with forward and rearward opposed ends and generally cylindrical forward and rearward abutment plates secured to the shaft in predetermined spaced apart relationship. The rearward plate is disposed at the rearward end of the shaft, and the forward plate is disposed near and spaced inwardly from the forward end of the shaft so as to create a mounting segment between the forward plate and the forward end of the shaft. A flexible retainer is provided for supporting the mounting segment, to grippingly engage that portion of the mounting segment which projects into the outlet box chamber.

Abstract: An improved locking box clasp for use with jewelry comprising a generally rectangular box with a top opening, a side opening and front end openings, a clip member and a locking pin. The clip member inserts into the front end of the box, and contains a locking boss on the top side thereof, which locking boss is of dimensions slightly less than the top opening of the box. When the clip member is inserted into the open front end, it must be compressed and the locking boss seats into the top opening. A locking pin, articulating from the rear end of the box, has a tongue which, when inserted into the side opening of the box, prevents unintentional compression of the locking boss of the clip member, and therefore, unintentional removal of the clip member from the box. One end of a jewelry chain is anchored to the clip member, and the second end is anchored to the box.

Abstract: Splices between conductors in of an aerial telephone cable are covered by a closure located within a terminal. The closure has a large central section connected via tapered joints to two end sections. A settable liquid encapsulant is received in the central section. The closure has two halves joined by a flexible hinge that runs lengthwise along a first longitudinal edge. Two rigid tabs of nonuniform thickness running lengthwise along a second longitudinal edge are secured by snaps through apertures in the tabs. The snaps have tapered sections that clamp the varying thickness rigid tabs along their lengths to prevent leakage of liquid encapsulant. The end sections have open cell foam strips fitting snugly between the cable and the end section walls which are fixed with the liquid encapsulant. The encapsulant sets within the open cell foam to form a barrier to passage of contaminants into the central section.

Abstract: A non-metallic strut support system using a fiberglass channel and composite thermoplastic bands to support piping or ducting used in corrosive environments. The structural strut has a pair of longitudinal flanges which project inwardly. Complimental composite thermoplastic support bands are provided which have a natural curvature for supporting a pipe or duct when the bands are engaged. The bands have flanges on their top portion which engage the flanges of the structural strut when the top portion of the bands are placed within the channel of the strut. The top portion of the bands provides easy insertion and removal of the bands from the strut channel manually, either by inserting and turning to fit in the lock position, or in close clearance areas the head can be compressed to provide snap-in placement into the strut. The bands are adjusted by a bolt in a housing on the end of one band and matching slots on the end of the other band.

Abstract: A non-metallic strut support system using a fiberglass channel and composite thermoplastic bands to support piping or ducting used in corrosive environments. The structural strut has a pair of longitudinal flanges which project inwardly. Complimental composite thermoplastic support bands are provided which have a natural curvature for supporting a pipe or duct when the bands are engaged. The bands have flanges on their top portion which engage the flanges of the structural strut when the top portion of the bands are placed within the channel of the strut. The top portion of the bands provides easy insertion and removal of the bands from the strut channel manually, either by inserting and turning to fit in the lock position, or in close clearance areas the head can be compressed to provide snap-in placement into the strut. The bands are adjusted by a bolt in a housing on the end of one band and matching slots on the end of the other band.

Abstract: A multi-piece garment connector is provided for interconnecting related garments or the like so as to prevent accidental separation of one from the other, as during laundering. The connector comprises male and female elements connectible temporarily to related garments such as a pair of hose, each element being provided with a simple attachment device, and the two elements are interconnected by fitting a tongue-like part on one element into a cavity in the other element. Cooperative parts of the elements provide a detent function operative normally to prevent withdrawal of the tongue from the cavity but yieldable to manual force to separate the cooperative detent portions as to enable such withdrawal.

Abstract: A connector socket adapted to be retained in an opening of a printed circuit board to receive a contact pin or the like, has a tubular body portion receivable in the circuit board opening, and has an external shoulder that acts as a stop during the inserting movement. The body portion contains a spring contactor for engagement with any suitable contact pin. For retaining the connector socket securely in the circuit board, it has at least one external resilient spring retainer finger but preferably two fingers which extend lengthwise of the tubular body and engage the circuit board at the opening thereof. The retainer fingers are movable independently of the body, but are formed integrally therewith.

Abstract: A decorative and protective jewelry chain guard having a first half or bottom member, a top half member, generally closed with pressure, slide, hinge or latch. One of said halves having an anchor pin firmly mounted within the guard over which the loop ends of a precious jewelry chain are fixed. The ends of a jewelry chain are placed over the anchor pin or within the chain guard itself and interconnected by a spring latch and the halves of the chain guard are closed around the chain ends.Various decorative treatments can be made to the chain guard for ornamental appearances, but in essence, it is a protective jewelry chain guard used to prevent loss or accidental breakage of the chain and its ends so that there will be less chance of loss to the wearer.

Abstract: A safety clasp which may be used in particular for a necklace or bracelet chain, comprises two pieces sliding one in the other, namely an outer sleeve and a slide element housed inside the sleeve. The sleeve has hooked thereto, at one end, the first end link of a chain. The sleeve also has a slot which defines a transverse arm opening and a connected longitudinal arm opening which extends in the direction of the end of the sleeve opposite to where the first end link is hooked. The sleeve is adapted to move longitudinally with respect to the sleeve and presenting, in its rear part, a notch for receiving the second end link of the chain. The inner slide element presents, in its front part opposite that part where a notch is provided, an elastically deformable arm terminating in a tooth engaging in a hole for locking provided in the wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A connection for a jewelry band including a male clasp member and a female clasp member. A resilient detent member in the form of a leaf spring having a long tongue section extending from said male clasp member at a first end thereof and a short tongue section from said long tongue section at a second end thereof. Said short tongue section normally maintains an angular posture but resiliently deflective to lie flatly against said long tongue section. Said female clasp member has at least one peripheral wall forming a hollow body and an end wall to define an insertion chamber in cooperation with said hollow body. Said end wall is formed with a slot extending to permit insertion of said long and short tongue sections while flatly lying against each other and to divide said end wall into an upper wall section and a lower section.

Abstract: This invention relates to a jewelry clasp which has a generally tubular body into which is received a catch. The catch consists of a doubled-over strip of spring metal which has central longitudinal portions thereof struck outwardly to provide a bearing surface so that the catch can be more readily inserted into the tubular body. To retain the two parts together, the tubular body has at an open end thereof, an inturned lip while one of the legs of the catch is provided with retaining means in the form of notches that engage the lip on the body.

Abstract: An improved interlocking chain fastener system to attach multiple ornamental chains having any size or length. The chain fastener system is designed with at least two male portions and at least two female portions on alternate sides of the fastener. The device allows for attachment of multiple conventional ornamental chains to a single fastener and allows the chains to hang in a tangle-free concentric pattern.

Abstract: Structure for connecting two members together, each including parallel, spaced apart, oppositely disposed, opposed surfaces having a cross section including a short straight portion adjacent one edge thereof, a longer obliquely extending portion extending from the other edge thereof and merging with an arcuate connecting portion which intersects the shorter straight portion, which surfaces are complementary and arranged to be in engagement with the members assembled. In one modification of the invention, the oblique portion of the surface cross section starts prior to the plane of the short straight line portion of the cross section and crosses it prior to merging with the connecting portion of the cross section.

Abstract: Belt buckle for selective use with any of a plurality of variously decorated insert panels. Each of the inserts has an outer surface which includes decorative indicia, such as sports emblems, insignias, initials, etc. The buckle includes an outer portion which is in the form of a channel open at its opposite ends to slidingly receive therein a selected one of said decorative panels. The buckle channel is defined by a recessed outer surface or well portion and upwardly extending side walls and inwardly extending flanges. The insert panels are of generally rigid construction and each includes side edges dimensioned to fit in sliding engagement within the side edge channels of the buckle. The undersurface of the panel insert and the recessed outer surface of the buckle have interengageable detent elements for releasably retaining the insert panel within the channel with the end surfaces of the panel generally aligned with the corresponding end surface of the buckle channel.

Abstract: A support and stabilizing apparatus for an electrical outlet box, such as a conventional electrical outlet box having a plurality of side walls and a back wall defining a chamber with an open front and having an access bore formed through at least one of the walls, The support and stabilizing apparatus comprises a stud apparatus having a shaft with forward and rearward opposed ends and generally cylindrical forward and rearward abutment plates secured to the shaft in predetermined spaced apart relationship. The rearward plate is disposed at the rearward end of the shaft, and the forward plate is disposed near and spaced inwardly from the forward end of the shaft so as to create a mounting segment between the forward plate and the forward end of the shaft. A flexible retainer is provided for supporting the mounting segment, to grippingly engage that portion of the mounting segment which projects into the outlet box chamber.