Abstract: An audio-visual system is shown and describe. The audio-visual system comprises a soundbar and a television monitor assembly. The television monitor assembly comprises a television monitor, a first support and a second support. The first support comprises a first base member and a first vertical member, and the second support comprises a second base member and a second vertical member. The television monitor assembly has one or more free-standing configurations in which the lengths of the first and second base members are substantially perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces of the television monitor and one or more wall-mounted configurations in which the lengths of the first and second base members are substantially parallel to the front rear surfaces of the television monitor. An audio visual system may be provided by attaching a soundbar to the first and second base members in the free-standing configurations.

Abstract: A support apparatus for supporting multiple display devices includes an elongated member having at least one groove and/or spline positioned in a rear surface of the elongated member. A connector is attached to the rear surface of the elongated member adjacent a central portion of the rear surface. A first display device collar is attached to the elongated member adjacent a first end of the elongated member and is slideable along the groove or spline of the elongated member from adjacent the first end to adjacent the connector. A second display device collar is attached to the elongated member adjacent a second end of the elongated member and is slideable along the groove or spline of the elongated member from adjacent the second end to adjacent the connector. Display device mounting devices are pivotally connectable to the first and second display device collars for attachment to the elongated member.

Abstract: An anti-theft system for securing a removable battery to a power tool. The system employs a tamper-proof retainer to ensure that the retail display of a combined power tool and its associated battery can be displayed as a single unit without fear of theft of the battery. This may be achieved by the tamper-proof retainer securing a battery release latch against its release position hence securing the battery to the tool in a manner preventing the removal of the battery by a potential thief. The tamper-proof retainer either prevents removal of the battery from the power tool, as removal of the tamper-proof retainer is impossible, or, if it is destroyed by a thief, then it permanently secures the battery to the power tool.

Abstract: A fastener assembly arranged about a perimeter of a door for an enclosure is provided. The fastener assembly includes a compression limiter, a bolt and a retaining ring. The compression limiter is disposed on an inner surface of the door and configured to press against a fastener receptacle block on the enclosure. The compression limiter has an opening. The bolt passes through the opening of the compression limiter and is configured to be fastened to a threaded opening in the fastener receptacle block. The retaining ring is disposed in the opening of the compression limiter and is configured to retain the bolt with the door.

Abstract: A locking device for a storm grate to prevent theft or vandalism by unauthorized individuals. The device typically includes an upper plate, a positioning frame, at least one coupler nut, and a bolt. The positioning frame can include the coupler nut, a catch end for engaging the frame of the grate, a lower plate for engaging the underside of the grate, and a pliers handle for holding the device during insertion through a drain opening. In one embodiment, a second coupler nut is part of a wing wedge that secures a lower plate of the positioning frame to the underside of the grate. A method of inserting the device includes lowering the device through an opening in the grate, securing the catch end around the frame beneath the ground, and then tightening the bolt.

Abstract: A water-proof container for holding a mobile device includes a base adapted to support a mobile device, a cover, a hinge for interconnecting the base and cover to one another, and a locking mechanism for locking the cover to the base. A groove is formed in an interior wall of the cover in circumscribing relation to the cover. A thin, transparent sheet of plastic has a bead formed in its peripheral edge and the bead is press fit into the groove so that the thin sheet of plastic closely overlies the operative face of the mobile device when the cover is latched to the base. A hollow lock housing is pivotally mounted about a pivot pin. A one hundred eighty degree (180°) rotation of the lock housing positions the opening on an opposite side of the container 10, capturing the latch.

Abstract: A storm and hurricane shutter quick release mechanism for permitting quick egress from a building that has storm shutters attached to the doors and windows to allow someone inside the building to leave the building quickly. The system includes a quick release housing mounted at the base of each shutter panel attached to the building that includes removable studs that are actuated by a cam mechanism from the inside of the building that release the attaching studs that hold the shutters in place from the quick release housing thereby releasing the shutter fasteners at the base allowing the shutters to be quickly removed by actuating the cam mechanism from inside the building.

Abstract: A door lock for locking a door to an underlying structure. A machine element disposed in connection to a through opening in the underlying structure is arranged so as to engage a bolt that is insertable into a through opening in the door. The machine element is inserted through the opening in the underlying structure to a position at which the openings in the door and the underlying structure form, together with the part of the machine element that extends outside of the underlying structure, a length that is longer than the bolt length, while at the same time an internal thread on the machine element extends sufficiently far through the underlying structure that, with the joint mounted, it engages the bolt to create the joint. Also, a method for manufacturing the door lock.

Abstract: A quick release fastener mechanism for easy installation and removal of conventional hurricane storm shutters over and from a window or door of a structure. The device comprises a removable stud for engaging and securing the hurricane shutters and a spring-actuated panel fastener that includes a leaf spring and hinged locking element to engage and hold the removable stud in position. The quick release fastener is installed and removed from outside the building by actuating or depressing a lever end of the hinged locking element to lock or to unlock and release the removable stud from within the spring-actuated panel fastener.

Abstract: A hurricane shutter escape mechanism for allowing fast and easy removal of conventional hurricane shutters from a window or door of a structure in the event of an emergency. The device comprises a release member, an anchor, a removable stud for engaging and securing the hurricane shutters, and a spring-actuated panel fastener that includes a leaf spring to engage and hold the removable stud in position. The release member includes a slot having a small aperture to hold the stud in position and a large aperture to release the stud from the anchor. From inside the building, the release member is pushed down to release the hurricane shutters so that the occupants of a structure can escape during an emergency, such as a fire. From outside the building, a rescuer can depress the leaf spring to remove the spring-actuated panel fastener, and thereby, also remove the hurricane shutter panel.

Abstract: A locking system for closing and locking a lid on an enclosure such as a grade level enclosure. The locking system includes a latch formed on an edge of a lid of the enclosure. The latch includes a bolt recess on an upper face of the lid which opens into a slotted wall structure that forms a passage below the lid. The bolt recess has a slotted opening which receives an L-bolt that extends down into a hollow interior of the slotted wall structure. A right angle leg on the L-bolt protrudes below the slotted wall structure when a fastener head atop the L-bolt rests in the bolt recess. The fastener head of the bolt in its at-rest position in the bolt recess provides access for rotating the L-bolt (and its right angle leg) with a tool that fits into the bolt recess to engage the fastener head. The bottom leg of the L-bolt, when rotated to its locked position, protrudes under a locking surface inside the enclosure. This releasably locks the lid to the enclosure.

Abstract: A display monitor mounting apparatus for operably securing one or more display monitors thereto includes a support bar having an exterior surface configuration that is matingly engageable to a specific latch element, the latch element being configured as an interfacial piece between the support bar and a respective display monitor, and which provides a quick-connect removable engagement mechanism for selectively engaging the respective display monitor to the support bar.

Abstract: A wedge bar locking mechanism is provided including a locking pin, a bracket and a wedge bar. In operation, the locking pin and wedge bar are mechanically coupled such that rotation of the locking pin results in translational motion of the wedge bar. The wedge bar and locking pin are received in the bracket which prevents rotational motion of the wedge bar and translational motion of the locking pin. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket has retaining tabs permanently attached or integral thereto, and extending radially inward of a longitudinal cylindrical pathway for accommodating the locking pin therein. The tabs are received within a reduced diameter portion of the locking pin to prevent translation thereof.

Abstract: A temporary door latch for a door having a face bore and an edge bore where the edge bore extends from the face bore to a lateral edge of the door. The edge bore is disposed in substantial alignment with a strike bore of a door jam. The temporary door latch includes a longitudinal bolt portion that is dimensioned to extend through the edge bore and into the strike bore when the bolt portion is in a latching position. An actuation member is disposed adjacent one distal end of the bolt portion and is selectively operable to move the bolt portion between the latching position and a non-latching position. A flexible neck portion is also provided to connect the actuation member to the bolt portion, the neck portion selectively permitting the actuation member to bend in a substantially perpendicular direction to a longitudinal axis of the bolt portion.

Abstract: A tool-operated sliding security system for a lockable enclosure comprising a bracket mounted to an outer door of an enclosure, the bracket being movable between an open position and a closed position, the bracket having at least one cutout therein; the outer door having a tool-operated security member mounted thereto, the security member extending through the cutout and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; the outer door also comprising a tool-operated releasable retention member mounted thereto, the retention member releasably maintaining the outer door in a closed position; the bracket being immovable when the security member is in the engaged position and the bracket being movable when the security member is in the disengaged position; wherein the releasable retention member is accessible when the bracket is in the open position thereby rendering the outer door openable.

Abstract: A latch for attaching a door to a frame, having a latch stud secured to the door having a threaded stud portion and a head portion, the head portion having a driver recess to facilitate axial rotation, and a stud receptacle secured to the frame having a threaded latch stud captivator that allows the latch stud to be longitudinally inserted into said latch stud captivation means and requires the latch stud to be manually axially rotated for removal from the threaded stud captivation means.

Abstract: A motor unit fitted with a buffer mechanism which absorbs the turning force of a motor when an output shaft of the motor stops due to an external load while the motor is operative and which can provide stable performance without causing biting between a worm and a worm wheel. The motor unit fitted with the buffer mechanism causes relative rotation between the output shaft and the worm wheel when the output shaft stops turning while the motor is operative. Springs and rubbers are provided in series or in parallel in a power transmission system within the worm wheel with respect to the direction of rotation of the worm wheel so as to function as buffer members by absorbing the turning force of the motor when the output shaft stops turning while the motor is operative.

Abstract: A lock member projects perpendicularly from the inner surface of the top of a toilet tank cover into the tank and has a bore formed therethrough. A lock rod passes through the bore through the lock member and bores formed through the front walls of the toilet tank in alignment with the bore of the lock member. The lock rod has a threaded part coupled in the bore through the front wall of the tank and a head having keyholes formed therein for accommodating a special key whereby the lock rod is rotatable by the key to insert it through the bores of the tank and lock member and to remove the lock rod from the bores.

Abstract: A closure for a large diameter circular opening such as the end of a tubular conduit subjected to internal positive pressure comprises a coaxial cover lid that may be opened only when a pressure relieving venting valve is opened, the cover lid being connected over the opening by screw threaded means of larger diameter than the inside diameter of the opening, and the venting valve having a removable closure cap which impedes removal of the lid until the internal pressure is vented.