Abstract: A mechanical closure and fastening device, having a first part (1), made of a plate with a pin (1A) extending therefrom, the pin having first and second shaped sections in registry alignment and a narrower engaging section therebetween; and a second part (2), made of three plates (2A), (2B) and (2C), joined together, each having an opening in registry alignment and shaped to receive the first and second shaped sections when the pin is inserted thereinto; wherein plate (2B) has a rotatable plate within a fixed housing and having a lever (3) with which the rotatable plate may be rotated between an open position and a tightened, locked position within the housing, wherein in the tightened, locked position the opening in the rotatable plate is rotated out of registry alignment with the openings in plates (2A) and (2C); and wherein when the rotatable plate is in the open position, and the pin (1A) is inserted into the openings, the first and second shaped sections of pin (1A) are fixedly engaged by the openings in

Abstract: A jewelry clasp includes a clasp shell enclosing a spacing, the clasp shell having a first opening for slidably receiving a first end of an elongated member; and a spring-biased push button slidably received in the spacing through a second opening, the button being slidable between a releasing state and a locking state, wherein the button has a hole for receiving the first end of the elongated member when the first end is received through the first opening of the clasp shell, wherein the push button further comprises a stopper, the stopper releasing the first end of the elongated member when the button is in the releasing state; and a magnet exerting a magnetic force which, when the first end of the elongated member includes a magnetic material, acts to pull said first end of the elongated member through the first opening and into the hole of the button.

Abstract: An earring or brooch back for receiving a post includes a housing having a bottom shell and a top shell. The bottom shell and the top shell are provided with mutually aligned openings for forming a passage for the post. A first and a second pressing element are positioned between the bottom shell and the top shell, and the first pressing element is provided with a first stop for the post and a first protruding part which protrudes from the housing. The passage lies between the first stop and the first protruding part, and the second pressing element is provided with a second stop for the post and with a second protruding part which protrudes from the housing. The passage lies between the second stop and the second protruding part, and at least one spring is provided for spring-mounting the first and second pressing element.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a male member having a head portion at a proximal end along a first central axis, an impact retention stem protruding from the head portion along the first central axis towards a distal end, and a tooth portion. A female member, having a first cavity, extends along a second central axis to guidingly receive the impact retention stem, a periphery of the female member having a lip portion extending towards the second central axis and adapted to lockably engage with the tooth portion, and a second cavity, extending perpendicular to and intersecting the second central axis. A locking member is configured to be guidingly received by the second cavity and is adapted to retainingly receive the impact retention stem and provide a biasing force along the first central axis towards the head portion in cooperation with the tooth portion when operably engaged with the lip portion.

Abstract: A positioning structure includes a positioning aiding member attached to a horizontal beam of a sheet feeder and having a positioning hole formed at an opposed portion thereof opposed to the horizontal beam. The positioning aiding member has a guide part that, when an image forming apparatus is installed onto a top of the sheet feeder, guides a horizontal beam of the image forming apparatus such that a positioning hole formed in a lower surface of the horizontal beam of the image forming apparatus approaches a first positioning pin coupled with the positioning aiding member as viewed in an extending direction of the horizontal beam of the sheet feeder.

Abstract: An electrical connector of an image forming apparatus exposes outward from a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus. An electrical connector of a sheet feeder protrudes from a top surface of the sheet feeder. The sheet feeder has a slider configured to be horizontally movable, while holding the electrical connector of the sheet feeder, between a connecting position at which the electrical connectors of the sheet feeder and image forming apparatus are connected and a disconnecting position at which the electrical connectors are disconnected. A locking member having a locking engaged part is fixed to the image forming apparatus. When the slider is moved to the connecting position, a locking engaging part of the slider engages the locking engaged part of the locking member so that the locking member and the slider are locked such that they cannot be separated vertically from each other.

Abstract: A collapsible canopy frame with an improved locking mechanism. The collapsible canopy frame has at least three supporting legs. The collapsible canopy frame also has a central lock that is used for locking the collapsible canopy frame in an unfolded state and permits the collapsible canopy frame to be folded into a folded state when the central lock is unlocked. An outer retractable unit is connected between each adjacent supporting leg. An inner retractable unit having an inner end is connected between each supporting leg and the central lock. The inner end of the inner retractable unit is connected through the central lock.

Abstract: A central lock comprises a center pole (2), a center top cap (1), and a center bottom cap (3). A locking piece (4) is received in the center bottom cap (3); a first through hole (41) is provided in the locking piece (4); and the end part of the center pole (2) is provided with a clamping groove (21) and a clamp locking part (22) located at the lower end of the clamping groove (21). When the central lock is in a locked state, the locking piece (4) is clamped with the clamping groove (21) of the center pole (2), and the locking part (22) abuts against a lower end surface of the locking piece (4); and when the central lock is in an unlocked state, the locking piece (4) is separated from the clamping groove (21), and the clamp locking part (22) can pass through the first through hole (41).

Abstract: The cable locking system is a two-part device that locks a cable-like strap or other flexible or rigid member with an enlarged end into place by using an opposing arrangement of keyhole-shaped apertures bored into two rigid parts. The cable locking system requires no extra hardware to secure the connection, and can be retrofitted to fit virtually any size support system in numerous applications. The cable locking system can be installed quickly and easily without a need for tools, extra labor, or supporting equipment. In the case of a suspension bridge, the suspension parts can be pre-manufactured and assembled, then quickly and easily connected to complete the structure. The cable locking system makes the construction of a suspension bridge or other hoisting device as well as many kinds of structures simple and straightforward, with fewer parts that can potentially fail. The cable locking system can also easily be disassembled.

Abstract: A connector for securing a guitar to a strap, having a body with an opening and an engagement member slidable within the body. The engagement member has an opening with two portions. The first portion is large enough to receive the anchor post and the second portion is narrow enough to prevent the anchor post from passing through it. The user slides the first portion into alignment with the opening in the body and inserts the anchor post. Then, the user slides the engagement member so that the second portion impedes the release of the anchor post. The body may also have an opening for removal of the engagement member and/or an opening to facilitate sliding of the engagement member. Also there is disclosed a flexible support with one or more connectors and a strap, and a system including connector(s), a strap and a guitar.

Abstract: A locking device has a band provided with a locking element on its one end, a housing, a rocker turnably movable relative to the housing and having an edge which in a closed position of the device applies pressure to the band and stops the band from movement, the locking element provided on the end of the band being engageable with the housing, a first unit for turning the rocker and releasing the pressure on the band so that the band is released and can be moved but the locking element can not disengage from the housing, and a second separate unit which, upon release of the pressure on the band and application of an action to the second unit by a user, release the locking element from the housing in a next step so as to disengage the element from the housing and to open the locking device.

Abstract: The clasp for jewelry includes a body, a pin insertable into the body, a stopper engaging to the pin having been inserted into the body to keep the pin engaged to the body, and a releaser releasing the pin from the body. When pulled or slid, the releaser releases the pin from the body.

Abstract: A clasp for jewelry includes a body, a pin insertable into the body, a stopper engaging to the pin having been inserted into the body to keep the pin engaged to the body, and a releaser releasing the pin from the body. The releaser and the stopper are arranged to the body through a single part disposed in the body.

Abstract: A buckle arrangement for releasably connecting two parts of an object that includes a post which projects out at right angles from one part, and a ring-shaped body which is connected to the other part and which is received by the post. The ring-shaped body carries latching shoulders which engage with a waist in the post and which can be released from the post by applying pressure against two exposed press keys connected to the latch shoulders. The buckle arrangement can be used between a lateral end-part of an upper edge-region of a carrier pouch in a child-supporting harness and a chest strap included in the harness, or for mutually connecting the ends of a belt belonging to a babysitter.

Abstract: A clamp for locking at least one pin (30) or the like, comprising a hollow body (1) provided with coaxial apertures (9) and in which there is mounted, slidable but not rotatable, a member (11) loaded by a spring (10) and provided with a through hole (12) able to align with said coaxial apertures (9) for passage of said pin (30), and connected axially but not rotatably to an operating knob (18) able to assume and maintain two positions, namely one in which the pin (30) is released by moving said member against the action of the spring (10) and one in which the pin is locked by the action of the spring.

Abstract: A security clutch for a jewelry post with a circumferential groove includes a housing with a post receiving aperture extending therethrough and two access ports through a side wall. A pair of interlocking C-shaped lock members each include an inner free end that carries a lug anchor and an outer free end that serves as a trigger. The lug anchors are spring-biased by a spring toward one another to thereby urge the triggers outward through their respective access ports. The inner free ends are also urged toward one another by the forces of the spring to slidably reside in the post receiving aperture of the housing into locking engagement with the circumferential groove of the jewelry post residing in the post receiving aperture.

Abstract: A jewelry safety clasp includes a female member and a male member. The female clasp member includes a hollow housing, and a locking member slidably connected to the housing. The locking member has a push button disposed at one end thereof that projects through an opening in the housing. The locking member slides between a first locked position and a second unlocked position. A spring biases the locking member into the locked position. The male clasp member includes a shaft having a first reduced diameter portion adjacent to its free end and a second reduced diameter portion spaced from the first reduced diameter portion. In the locked position, the shaft is received within the housing with the locking member disposed about the second reduced diameter portion, thereby preventing said shaft from moving axially with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A buckle joint includes a clasp member, a catch member, a latch member, and an urging member. The clasp member has a stud with an outer periphery formed with an annular groove. The catch member has a first through-hole, a first tongue portion projecting into the first through-hole, and a recess. The stud projects into the first through-hole. The first tongue portion engages releasably the annular groove. The latch member is mounted slidably in the recess, and has a second tongue portion projecting into the first through-hole for engaging releasably the annular groove. The latch member is slidable into and out of the first through-hole from the recess between a locking position, in which the second tongue portion engages the annular groove, and an unlocking position, in which the second tongue portion disengages the annular groove. The urging member is mounted in the recess for urging the latch member to move to the locking position.

Abstract: A security clutch for a jewelry post, such as an earring post, is disclosed. The security clutch includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall. An access port in the side wall and a post receiving aperture through the top wall and the bottom wall are also provided. A trigger is disposed within the housing and includes a button portion that protrudes from the housing and through the access port for manipulation by the user. A U-shaped post engaging member is disposed within the housing and is in communication with and lies in the same plane as the trigger. A spring-biasing member is connected to the U-shaped post engaging member to position the U-shaped post engaging member into partial blocking of the post receiving aperture and into engagement with the groove of a grooved post received therein.

Abstract: A clamping member for a support pin of components for belt conveyors, for example guide elements. The clamping member having a cylindrical housing and a throughbore extending through the housing for receiving the pin. The clamping member includes a spring loaded movable element coaxially arranged within the housing and being adapted to securely retain the pin within the clamping member. The movable element is selectively movable within the housing from a locked position in which the pin is securely retained in the housing to a clearance position in which the pin can be manually removed from the housing.

Abstract: A clasp device for accessories includes: a locking element provided with an locking hole or locking groove; and a clasp for the engagement with the locking element. The clasp comprises: a receiving member into which the locking element is inserted; a stopper member comprising a U-shaped plate and a push button and having an open space for receiving the receiving member; a coil spring for urging the inner lower end of the U-shaped plate into the inner region of the receiving member; and a positioning casing and a cover lid forming a clasp body. The receiving member is provided with an engaging opening through which the inner lower end of the U-shaped plate protrudes into the inner region of the receiving member. The push button of the stopper member is in the form of a hollow cylinder accommodating therein the coil spring.

Abstract: A snap closure with a male part whose male coupling surfaces have an enlarged closing head at a closing neck, with a two-part female part comprising a housing having an insertion hole for the male coupling surfaces, and with two plate-shaped slides which are identical in shape, spring-loaded in opposite directions, project out on opposite sides of the housing by their outer ends which serve for actuation, and can be pressed in against the spring loading in opposite directions relative to one another transverse to the insertion hole, wherein, on the one hand, the two slides have, in their mutual joint region, complementing closing parts for a common locking profile which engages behind the inserted closing head of the male part when coupling, and, on the other hand, are cut out and have a common release profile for decoupling the closing head, wherein each of the two slides which are made of elastic material are provided at their inner ends with a longitudinally elastic spring portion formed integral with the

Abstract: The object of a snap fastener closure is to couple a male part with a female part (20) as easily as possible, but so that it is difficult to uncouple them. The female part (20) comprises a push plate (30) which is movable longitudinally in a housing (23) and forks into two plate legs in the interior of the housing. The two plate legs are formed of two portions (31, 32) which are profiled differently with respect to the closing head (12) of the male part, one of these portions (31) serving to lock and the other portion (32) serving to release the closing head (12). In order to achieve easy coupling, it is proposed that the portion (31) acting to lock is provided at the free ends of the two plate legs so that they can spread apart elastically. Then, by inserting the closing head (12) of the male part, an automatic coupling in is made possible between the two plate legs. This portion (31) thus becomes the coupling portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a mounting clip system that is operable to mount two foreign surfaces to one another. The mounting clip system includes a cylindrical member with a first and second end with the first end adapted for mounting the cylindrical member to a foreign surface and the second end adapted for engaging the housing; this housing has a mounting surface, a slot formed therethrough and an aperture located in opposing arrangement to the mounting surface; and a retaining pin adapted to attach to the housing through the slot formed therein and releasably attached to the cylindrical member when the cylindrical member is inserted into the aperture of the housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an apparatus body and an optional cassette feeder unit which is detachably mounted on the apparatus body. The optional cassette feeder unit stores sheets and feeds sheets to the image forming section of the body. The image forming apparatus is provided with locking sections which engage with leg sections provided at the lower surface of the apparatus body in order to connect the body to the optional cassette feeder unit.

Abstract: A lock fastener for attachment to a bag or the like comprises a socket member and a plug member releasably engageable therewith. A slide member has resilient means for supporting the slide member resiliently movably within the socket member. The socket member and the slide member are provided with respective circular apertures and of substantially equal diameter which are brought out of registry to lock and into registry to unlock the plug member relative to the socket member.

Abstract: A clasp includes releasibly interconnectible first and second clasp members. The first clasp member includes an outwardly extending lock member. The second clasp member includes an inner tubular member slidably mounted in an outer tubular member. A lock member receiver is formed on the inner tubular member and, in a normal biased position of the inner tubular member, closes an aperture formed in a side wall of the outer tubular member to lockingly engage the lock member inserted through the aperture to join the first and second clasp members together. At least one and preferably a pair of diametrically opposed slots or grooves extend axially from one end of the inner tubular member and engage a pin mounted diametrically across the outer tubular member or projections formed on the outer tubular member, respectively, for guiding and limiting the sliding movement of the inner tubular member within the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A magnetic fastener having a female member with a slide plate which attracted by the permanent magnet of the male member. The slide plate engages with the male member and thereby restrains removal of the male member unless manually slid into disengagement. The female member has first and a second plates between which the slide plate is slideably inserted. So as to secure the first and second plates together, deformable catches are formed on one of the plates and indentions which receive the catches are formed on the other. When the catches of the one plate are inserted in the indented portions of the other and then deformed, the first and the second plates are firmly engaged to constitute a female frame of the fastener.

Abstract: An improved buckle construction for coupling a flexible strap to a bushing includes a special buckle cooperative with both a strap that fits through a slot in the buckle and a bushing. The strap is positioned in a through slot in the buckle and engages the head of the bushing positioned in a keyhole in the buckle to bias the bushing into a locked position. The strap is maintained in a locked position in the through slot by means of a biased lever which is manually releasable.

Abstract: A buckle for connecting opposite ends of a belt or the like is disclosed. the buckle comprises a plug member and a socket member releasably engageable therewith. The socket member has a central through-opening for accommodating a locking member and a spring member which has a plurality of integrally formed strip-like spring elements arranged to provide uniform distribution of pressure over the locking member.

Abstract: The snap release system consists of interfitting base and top members, the base member including a catch plate, the top plate having a T-shaped stud that is captured in aligned openings in the base plate and catch plate. The catch plate includes a bar portion lying alongside the base plate, which bar may be pressed to release the head of the T-shaped stud and to permit the plates to be separated.

Abstract: A novel closure or buckle for a band as might be used as a watchband, a bracelet, a necklace, or like article is disclosed. The closure requires no springs, biasing devices, nor snugly fitting members to remain closed. The closure employs a keyhole-type slot to receive a linking member and features a slide element engaged by the linking member within the keyhole slot, which slide element follows the inserted linking member as it slides into the narrow end of the slot thereby blocking the larger end of the slot to provide a smooth appearance to the closure in its latched position.

Abstract: A device for releasable attachment of an object to a support member, such as a precious stone to a brooch or necklace, includes a first member for attachment to the object and having a releasable locking device and a second member for attachment to the support member and having a tab insertable into a slot of the first member to be engaged by the locking device to thereby releasably secure the first and second members together.

Abstract: A releasable connection device for connecting a motor driven drive cable to a closure includes a pin attached to the closure and having a head supported by a necked down stem. A cylindrical housing member has an opening in a lateral wall thereof which receives the pin. A slide member is attached to the drive cable and is reciprocably carried by the housing member. The slide member has an open ended slot smaller than the head of the pin and receiving the necked down stem. A spring acts between the housing member and the slide member to urge the members to relative positions in which the head of the pin is captured to effect a connection between the drive cable and the closure. The spring yields upon imposition of force to permit energy absorbing limited relative movement between the members and yields further to permit withdrawal of the open ended slot of the slide member beyond the head of the pin so that the pin is released from the housing member.

Abstract: An emergency release device for a backpack-type working machine in which a connecting member whose upper portion is connected to the lower end portion of a shoulder band is formed with a groove slot whose lower portion opens and into which a waist band and a main part of a shaft member can loosely fit, and the groove slot forms an enlarged groove slot portion being capable of engagement with an enlarged end portion of the shaft member.

Abstract: A bed sheet attachment device for use in combination with a waterbed of the type having an upwardly open box-like base holding a fluid-filled flexible mattress. A flat first member of the attachment device defines an opening including a slot and a larger portion connected therewith. A cooperative stud has a neck which fits in the slot, and two larger portions on opposite ends of the neck. At least one of the larger portions of the stud is smaller than the larger part of the opening, so that the stud will fit matingly in the slot with a part of a bed sheet protruding through the slot and wrapped around the neck of the stud. A flexible elastic member connects the first member to the interior of the base of the waterbed, applying tension which urges the stud and sheet toward the narrow end of the slot and holds the sheet in place on the waterbed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for organizing and securing in place wires and/or conduits on the rear face of a control display panel in proximity to a plurality of controls, actuators, signals, devices and the like.

Abstract: An improved cable control mechanism for releasing a hydraulic locking device by an operator from a remote location is provided with a clamping mechanism for quickly attaching one end at the control cable to the output lever assembly at the proper point for reliable operation of the device without prior measurement of the cable length. The clamping lever also covers the sharp free end of the cable to avoid injury to maintenance personnel. Other improvements disclosed include separate retaining clips for more conveniently mounting the output lever assembly to the locking device and for attaching the cable conduit to the output lever assembly.

Abstract: A wrecker for towing disabled automobiles and the like has attachment fittings on the rear bumper each for securing a scotch block chain and a snatch block to the bumper at the same location on the bumper. When an automobile is being winched into towing position, buckling forces exerted on the bumper by tension developed in the scotch block chains are counterbalanced by forces exerted on the bumper by tension developed in the winching cable which is passed around pulleys on the snatch blocks.