Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting an automobile antenna, shaft, mirror or other device within a hole in a support surface such as a fender, at various angles to such support surface, comprises a base which partially passes through the hole, a device-supporting bushing which partially passes through the base, a clamping nut above, and a retainer below, the support surface. The bushing has engagement means above the support surface to mate with the clamping nut and stop means below the support surface against which the retainer pivots and bears. The base has a central aperture receiving the bushing, which can swing through various angles. A spherical upper bearing surface on the base mates with the clamping nut, and includes a flange bearing against the upper support surface. A toothed lower surface and a pair of legs extend downwardly from the base and have inner surfaces parallel to a given plane.

Abstract: A bed frame that includes a novel connector assembly for connecting a cross rail to a side rail at a corner of the bed frame that permits the frame to be easily and quickly set up and taken down, yet which provides a substantially wobble free joint, and a novel box spring retainer bracket that is connected to the frame without use of fasteners yet which is movable between use and storage positions as desired while remaining connected to the frame.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for assembling two shaped sections (1, 2) at intersecting directions. This method consists in engaging one of the shaped sections, 2, into a slot fashioned in the other 1, and in locking the latter using cotters 3 comprising a rod with a thinned segment on part of its periphery; each cotter is introduced by simple sliding action in a hole with its thinned part in contact with the shaped section 2 and then is made to pivot to ensure the locking.The invention is applicable in particular to the housing and construction industries to assemble balustrade or stairway uprights and rails.

Abstract: A joint assembly between structural members having plate portions includes an eliptical opening through the plate portion of a first member and a notched locking plate portion on a second member. The latter plate portion is introduced through the eliptical opening parallel to the major dimension thereof and is then rotated 90.degree. to a locking position parallel to the minor dimension of the opening, whereby the notches interengage with the first plate portion to restrain separation of the two structural members. Resilient spring clips are mounted on the first plate portion outwardly adjacent the eliptical opening in the direction of the minor dimension thereof to releaseably engage the second plate portion against rotation when the latter is moved to the locking position. In another embodiment, a composite beam is assembled from a plurality of structural members having plate portions provided with eliptical openings therethrough.

Abstract: A construction for use in knockdown structures comprising a tubular leg, a cross-bar, and a locking member. The tubular leg has an anchoring member fixed within it adjacent one end. At least one slot is provided in the wall of the leg between the anchoring member and the one end. The cross-bar has a tab that slides into the slot and hooks onto the wall of leg. The locking member cooperates with the anchor member to hold the tab, and thus the cross-bar, in hooked position.

Abstract: A framework comprises bars coupled together by a coupling carried by some of the bars (carrier bars). The other bars have undercut longitudinal slots which receive coupling ends of the coupling. The coupling includes a bearing member on which is mounted an eccentric member which is rotatably accessible from one face of the bar, and a holding member which can be displaced longitudinally and laterally in response to rotation of the eccentric member. The holding member has a hook-shaped coupling end which, in the coupled position, engages in the undercut longitudinal slot in the other bar. The holding member comprises a tongs-shaped leaf-spring comprising a pair of arms joined at one end by a web. The leaf-spring surrounds the bearing member. The holding member includes a recess for housing the eccentric member. The outer end of the bearing member has a wedge portion which extends as far as the longitudinal slot in the other bar when the bars are connected.

Abstract: An improved locking tab for horizontal components of hook-in type shelving, of the kind that is integral with the horizontal components and bent into the upper part of one of the slots of the posts, this locking tab having:(1) an upper surface that is slanted backwards a certain amount so that this surface is perpendicular with the centerline of the post or slightly slanted backwards when the locking tab is bent into the locked position, thus preventing that the locking tab is bent back by shaking of the shelving.(2) a secondary tab with a shoulder surface abutting the post when the tab is bent into the locked position, and a surface away from the post such that the end of a screwdriver can be placed between the latter surface and the post and twisted to bend the locking tab back into its original position, thus making it easy to disassemble the shelving.

Abstract: A coupling system is described for the detachable assembly of two building elements, the first having a slot for receiving the head of a lock bolt and the second having an elongated cavity for receiving the shank of the lock bolt; and a lock assembly comprising an elongated casing adapted to fit within said cavity, the inner portion thereof being provided with an insert body movable in a direction lateral to said casing and the innermost portion thereof being provided with a leaf spring engaging said insert during assembly of the system, the insert body being provided with a central axial opening for receiving said lock bolt shank and a threaded bore connecting an outerface thereof and said central opening for receiving a locking screw for said bolt and an annular projection on said outer face surrounding said threaded bore for engaging a hole provided in a face of said second building element.

Abstract: A connector of a structural part such as a beam with another structural member is disclosed. The connection consists of a first plate which is fastened to the beam in a torsion free manner. The first plate includes a hook having a horizontal supporting area at the lower end and two vertical contact areas. A second plate is fastened to the other structural part and is in planar alignment with the first plate. The second plate includes fitting areas which mate with the supporting area and vertical contact areas of the first plate.

Abstract: A retaining wall comprised of stacked precast stretchers having stacking pads with oppositely disposed slots formed therein for the receipt of connectors. The connectors comprise plates interposed between the pads and pins secured to the plates for engagement with the slots. Anchor rods are secured to the plates for attachment to embedded anchors.

Abstract: A connector for interconnecting joists which define triangular panel roof areas of a geodesic dome and comprised of a metal sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings extending therethrough and a plurality of metal tongues secured to the adjacent ends of the joists at their junction point and extending radially inwardly through the sleeve openings, each having a tapered pin extending through its tongue and bearing against the inner surface of the sleeve to cam the joists' ends against the exterior of the sleeve and thereby hold the same in rigid fixed relation to the sleeve.

Abstract: A display structure having a vertical post and a horizontal rail. The post has a salient side wall with a socket opening therein. The rail has a notched end with a peg projecting therefrom and engaged through the socket opening, thus to support the rail from the post with the notched end of the rail embracing the salient side wall of the post and preventing the rail from twisting with respect to the post.

Abstract: A device for mounting a member onto a plate having a hole therein with diametrically opposed notches opening into the hole. A bearing formed on the member snugly fits within the hole and spring arms carried by a head extending from the bearing pass through the notches only when the head is inserted in the hole and then rotated whereby the free ends of the spring arms firmly engage the adjacent side of the plate to lock the member to the plate.

Abstract: A luggage rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle. The luggage rack is mounted on the trunk lid of the vehicle and comprises a pair of spaced, multi-sided, load carrying cross rails and a pair of side rails and a plurality of center rails therebetween extending front to rear between the cross rails. Locking members located at the opposite ends of the side and center rails are cooperably connected to the cross rails and are engaged by a cover member slidably carried by the side rails so as to secure the side and center rails to the cross rails. The luggage rack includes a plurality of stanchion members for supporting each end of the cross rails. Each stanchion member has a lower end portion adapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: A boomerang comprising a pair of elongate, airfoils coupled together at their midsections to form a cross. Mechanism is provided for releasably coupling the midportions of the airfoils for separation under a predetermined force to normally prevent relative rotation of the airfoils.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic servovalve having a pair of linear, variable, differential transducers (LVDT) affixed thereto in side by side relationship. A spool valve driven by the electrohydraulic servovalve is connected to the movable core in each of the LVDTs so that as the spool valve moves, each of the LVDTs develops a position output signal representative of the position of the spool. The connecting mechanism between the driven spool valve and the LVDT cores is a rod which is attached to the spool and includes a pair of flanges at the opposite end defining a groove therebetween. A pair of plates spaced apart at the center define a slot centrally thereof. The plates at the slot are spaced apart so that the width of the two plates plus the space between them is greater than the width of the groove in the rod. The outermost flange is formed so that it will fit through the slot in the plates. The two cores of the LVDTs include rods which are in turn permanently affixed at each end of the plates.

Abstract: A tape measure reel lock with a locking slide reciprocably mounted for selectively engaging internal V-shaped, angularly spaced abutments of a reel drum, each abutment having a latching shoulder for locking the reel with the slide against unwinding rotation and a camming shoulder for automatically retracting the slide when the reel is rotated to rewind the measuring tape.

Abstract: A knock-down pallet is constructed of a plurality of releasably interlocking aluminum members of one of two types. A unique fastening device is used to achieve, in simple manner without special tools or skill, the interlocking of a plurality of spaced-parallel deck-forming members to two, three or more spaced and parallel stringer members of rectangular cross-section to provide a one- or two-deck two-way or four-way pallet construction. A stop means prevents longitudinal movement of the deck members transverse of the stringer members. A fence structure formed of similar releasably interlocking members also is described.

Abstract: A hollow wall fastener using a specially shaped or conventional toggle bolt and a toggle anchor which is pointed and which has an open groove for receiving the toggle bolt. The end of the groove has a threaded portion which cooperates with a threaded portion of an aperture opposite the groove to permit the anchor to pivot with respect to the bolt to a position where the bolt is threadably engaged and locked in the threaded portions of the anchor, forming a "T" configuration behind the surface of the hollow wall. Thereafter the bolt may be rotated, e.g. by turning a screw or fastener body, to draw the anchor tightly against the interior of the hollow wall.

Abstract: An improved collapsible threaded anchoring device for securing items to a plate-like workpiece is an insert having an upper head portion adapted to engage the working face of the workpiece, an annular cylindrical sidewall which is collapsible and adjacent to the head portion, and a threaded shank portion. The head portion, the collapsible sidewall portion and the shank portion are integrally formed. The improved insert device is adapted for securing to a plastic plate-like workpiece. The improvement comprises a noncylindrical, noncollapsible collar having a cross-sectional width not less than the shank or sidewall portion and interposed between the head portion and the sidewall portion. The collar has an axial thickness slightly greater than the nominal thickness of the plastic workpiece.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting an object to a support structure at a predetermined distance from the latter, comprises an expansion sleeve having an inner hole and insertable into a hole of the support structure, an expander screw adapted to pass through a hole of the object to be mounted so as to support the latter, and partially insertable into the inner hole of the expansion sleeve so as to expand and to anchor the latter in the hole of the structure, and a sleeve-shaped spacer member having an inner hole, and adapted to be fitted onto the expander screw and insertable into the hole of the object to be mounted. The spacer member has resiliently yieldable elements adapted to be spring-loaded after insertion of the spacer member into the hole of the object to be mounted and operative for gripping the latter in the spacer member, and further elements for fixing the spacer member to the expander screw.

Abstract: An automobile engine jacket heater includes a body member having a metal sheathed heating element projecting from the reverse face thereof. An expandable yoke assembly is provided on the reverse face of the body member for securing the heater in an aperture of the engine jacket. The yoke assembly includes a plurality of outwardly divergent wing members and a clamp member movable toward and away from the reverse face of the body member by a single screw operable from the obverse face of the body member for spreading the wing members into engagement with the interior surfaces of the engine jacket after the heater is inserted into the jacket aperture. The screw is loosely journaled in an aperture in the body member of larger diameter than that of the screw threads whereby the screw can be canted to an angle of at least 10 to 15 degrees relative to the face of the body member. The wing members are separately formed and have an enlarged aperture at their inner end through which the screw passes.

Abstract: An improved locking tab for horizontal components of hook-in type shelving, of the kind that is integral with the horizontal components and bent into the upper part of one of the slots of the posts, this locking tab having:(1) an upper surface that is slanted backwards a certain amount so that this surface is perpendicular with the centerline of the port or slightly slanted backwards when the locking tab is bent into the locked position, thus preventing that the locking tab is bent back by shaking of the shelving.(2) a secondary tab with a shoulder surface abutting the post when the tab is bent into the locked position, and a surface away from the post such that the end of a screwdriver can be placed between the latter surface and the post and twisted to bend the locking tab back into its original position, thus making it easy to disassemble the shelving.

Abstract: A device for rapidly fixing a connector in openings formed in a wall, comprising on the one hand, in an insulating block (1) of the connector forming the socket, a recess (2) which opens onto the lower surface opposite the opening in the wall and which is provided with anchoring lugs (61) and (62) and, on the other hand, an elastic fastener with two hooks (6) and (7) arranged parallel to one another in the manner of scissor blades, the fastener being anchored in the recess (2) by the penetration of lugs (30) into the gaps (63) (64), where they are held by the elasticity of the assembly zone (15).

Abstract: A post and rail fence construction comprising a tubular steel post adapted to be mounted in an upright vertical position and a steel rail generally of channel section adapted to extend generally horizontally from the post. The post has at least one hole therein for reception of one end of the rail which has a detent thereon. The rail is sufficiently resilient for springing the sides of the rail together for insertion of the rail and detent inside the post through the hole. On release, the sides of the rail spring apart into engagement with the post with the detent inside the post for locking the rail therein.

Abstract: An automobile antenna mounting structure comprises a base supporting and electrically insulating an antenna mast, the base extending through a bore of laterally elongated cross-section in a lower mounting plate, a circular mounting aperture in a mounting surface, and a bore of laterally elongated cross-section in an upper mounting means, respectively. A pair of downwardly concave shouldered portions on the base support a pair of downwardly depending legs on the lower mounting plate, so formed to permit limited relative pivotal movement between the base and plate in a vertical plane. The base and lower mounting plate are further formed to be both insertable through the mounting aperture in the support surface from the exterior thereof. The lower mounting plate and upper mounting means are adapted to be clamped to the support surface by a nut threaded on the upper portion of the base.

Abstract: Shelving assembly includes vertically disposed corner posts interconnected at their bottom ends by base panels secured to the posts by disjointable connecting means and interconnected at their top ends by header panels disjointably secured to the posts together with a plurality of vertically spaced clips disjointably mounted to each post and arranged to support a plurality of shelves except for the bottom shelf which is arranged for disposition in a horizontal attitude and which also is tiltable by virtue of its support along its rear edge by a tilt beam, the shelf which is disposed immediately above the lowermost shelf being arranged to form a tiltable back portion for the device which is disposed in approximately perpendicular relation to the lowermost shelf when tilted.

Abstract: Extruded bars or columns of a set of structural members are each formed with a central passage and with at least one longitudinal groove having a restricted orifice. A connector member has a body portion secured in the passage of one member and two catches mounted on the body portion and projecting into the groove of another member. One catch has a leading, enlarged head portion and a reduced neck portion trailing the head portion. An operating device on the body portion includes a single, manually operable drive shaft and two motion transmitting eccentrics respectively connecting the shaft to the two catches for moving the catches inward and outward of the groove orifice in timed sequence so that the neck portion of the one catch together with the other catch laterally secures the catches in the orifice while the enlarged head prevents accidental withdrawal of the catches from their locking position.

Abstract: A twist lock coupling for use in handling cargo containers of the type used n I.S.O. systems. An elongated support bar is inserted and rotated within an attachment fitting of the container. A keeper rotatable on the bar, and receivable on the fitting, includes a transverse recess for locking the bar in an orthogonal position thereto.

Abstract: A framework is constructed using posts having side walls in which vertically aligned and spaced-apart slots are formed. The posts support frame members having end edges which abut the side wall. A pair of hooks on the end edge enter into a pair of slots and, when the frame members are moved relative to one another, the hooks engage the side wall and the end edge is clamped to that wall. The end edges have locking tabs which are bent into a slot to prevent disengagement of the frame members.

Abstract: A modular ceiling system utilizing a plurality of stringers interlocked with one another to provide a high strength, non-warping suspended ceiling grid assembly. The T-shaped stringer employed in the grid assembly has a channel-shaped T-head designed to support acoustical ceiling tiles flush with the lower edge of the stringers. The main stringers are arranged parallel to one another and interlocked to secondary stringers to provide a grid of four sided cells. Part of the secondary stringers have the same length as one side of a single cell and others are of double that length. The double length secondary stringers are constructed to have a snug snap-lock joint with the main stringers whereas the single length secondary stringers have a snug, non-locking fit between the mid-portions of the double length stringers.

Abstract: Guard rail having an inclined rail, for staircase or access stairway. The rails are essentially constituted by U-shaped profile sections. The vertical rails are fixed on the rails by elastic clipping action between the flanges of the profile sections.The notches made in the vertical bars to provide this clipping action are incurvate, which makes it possible to adapt one and the same guard rail to variable angles of inclination of the handrail.

Abstract: A joint between a member having an inwardly lipped, channel-shaped cross section and a hollow rail comprises a connection including a key portion which has a head with inclined engagement surfaces located between the sides of the channel-shaped member which also includes engagement surfaces having a corresponding inclination, a clamping device engaging means on the connector to urge the engagement surfaces of the head of the key portion into locking engagement with the surfaces on the lips so that the lips are prevented from splaying apart when the joint is stressed, the connector also including a tongue portion extending away from the key portion and having a threaded hole at the base of a ramp surface, the tongue being inserted into the hollow rail.

Abstract: A scaffold which can be readily assembled and disassembled. The cross numbers are outfitted with retractable hooks for, when extended, engagement with slots in the uprights. With the hooks extended, wedges secure them in tight engagement with the slots. The hooks are unremovably mounted on the cross members, and the wedges are also unremovably mounted.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning dry and wet dirt has a handle carrying a Piassava type brush and a rubber scraping element or squeegee. The handle is secured to a flange having a coaxial extension fitting through an oblique hole in the brush head. The extension protrudes on the underside and is fitted with a wedge fastener. The rubber scraping element is carried by a bent plate secured to the topside of the brush head. This plate is apertured and grooved and engages non-rotatably with the flange extension.

Abstract: The device consists briefly of a short length of flexible cable having an enlargement on at least one end which is releasably attached to a hold-down bar which is affixed to an anchoring object. A lock cover completely envelopes the entire mechanism attached to the anchoring object. The cable permits 360.degree. rotational movement about the axis of the cable and limited movement parallel to the horizontal anchoring object surface but prevents all but minimal movement away from the anchoring object.

Abstract: A fixing member on a support having a noncircular receiving orifice and having two flat faces, comprising two supporting portions coupled to each other by a rigid rod and spaced apart by a distance equal to the thickness of the support, the first portion having an apparent contour equal to that of the receiving orifice and having two axes of symmetry, the second portion comprising at least two locking bosses for the fixing member rigidly fixed to an elastic member, each of said bosses having an external contour the form of which is complementary to two diametrically opposite parts of the internal lateral face of said orifice, the assembly of said bosses having a plane of symmetry passing through the longitudinal axis, said plane of symmetry forming with the corresponding plane of symmetry of the contour of the first portion an angle equal to a fraction of a turn of predetermined value.