Abstract: A connection system in the form of an assembly of components which can be connected to one another relatively quickly. The connection system comprises first and second members and a connecting element for interconnecting the first and second members. The first and second members each having a face with a connecting aperture therein opening into an internal space within the member. The connection element comprises a bridge portion and a pair of spigot portions one at each end of the bridge portion and extending transversely of the bridge portion. In connecting the first and second members together, the spigot portions of the connecting element are inserted into the openings in the respective members and displaced with respect to the members such that each spigot portion is received and retained in portion of the internal space of the respective member.

Abstract: A pedestal mount for detachable attachment of a pedestal to a boat deck, including a shallow channel for mounting substantially flush with the deck, a vertical pedestal having an attached horizontal base plate sized for insertion into the shallow channel and for sliding there along into rigid engagement in the shallow channel, and a latch for detachably holding the base plate in rigid engagement in the shallow channel.

Abstract: A trowel handle having a blade, one or more upright supports mounted on that blade and a handle adapted for detachably engaging that support is disclosed. The handle includes a channel having tapered sidewalls configured to form a wedge-like engagement with a respective support, thereby precluding the handle's displacement relative to the blade absent the imposition of a force of considerable magnitude directed in a preselected direction.

Abstract: A quick connect modular unit retainer assembly for easily installing or removing a modular unit such as a disk drive in a computer housing. Threaded inserts having elastomer sleeves are mounted to the modular unit. The insert assemblies are inserted first vertically, and then horizontally, into L-shaped channels on bosses projecting upward from the computer base. Cooperating fingers extending downward from a pivoted computer cover are maneuvered into the L-shaped channels adjacent to the insert assemblies, thereby locking the insert assemblies, and hence modular unit, into place.

Abstract: Robot-friendly connectors, which, in one aspect are truss joints with two parts, a receptacle and a joint, the joint having a head which is loosely inserted into the receptacle and is then tightened and aligned; in one aspect, the head is a rounded hammerhead which initially is enclosed in the receptacle with a sloppy fit provided by the shape, size and configuration of surfaces on the head and on the receptacle.

Abstract: A two-stage reduction valve for gaseous fluids consists of a high-pressure assembly with a high-pressure diaphragm (10) actuating a valve member disposed in the throat of a gas cylinder and of a low-pressure assembly with a likewise diaphragm-operated valve member (21) positioned in a gas duct (18) extending from the high-pressure assembly. A closing rod (30) connected with an operating handle (41) is restrictedly displaceably connected with a diaphragm spindle (14) firmly connected with the high-pressure diaphragm (10) and has at its upper end an essentially cylindrical bore (43) to displaceably receive the lower end of the closing rod (30).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-locking coupling structure for connecting accessories to profiled elements which has the peculiarity of comprising a body which defines a protrusion which can be inserted between the opposite wings which delimit a seat on a profiled element. The protrusion has a curved surface which is delimited, on one side, by an engagement portion which can be inserted below one of the wings by rotation about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the profiled element and is suitable for generating a localized deformation of the wing substantially in the portion affected by the longitudinal extension of the protrusion, and, on the other side, by a stop portion which can engage below the other wing. The protrusion, in locking position, abuts against the bottom of the seat in at least two points which are mutually spaced in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal extension of the profiled element.

Abstract: A drawer is limited on its sides by metal side walls provided at their top with guide rails and at the bottom with a carrying flange for supporting a bottom plate of the drawer. The carrying flange is formed with stamped-out, flat retaining lugs bent up to extend from below into openings of the bottom plate, which drawer also comprises a rear wall mounted between the side walls. In order to permit a reliable, simple and optionally automatic mounting of the bottom plate, the retaining lugs extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the flange and into the openings to hold the bottom plate against longitudinal and transverse displacements. A hook-shaped holding-down member is stamped out from the forward end portion of the carrying flange and extends into a recess provided in the front end face of the bottom plate, and the rear wall of the drawer is secured to the side walls and is arranged to hold down the bottom plate at its rear end portion, which extends under the rear wall.

Abstract: A seat adjuster for a vehicle seat assembly is disclosed in which a drive nut and drive screw are provided with the drive nut lugs and mounting bracket configured to enable assembly of the seat adjuster after the drive screw has been threaded onto the drive nut. The drive screw is a four start screw enabling the speed of rotation of the screw to be reduced while maintaining the operating speed of the seat adjuster. The reduced rotating speeds reduces sound emission during operation of the seat adjuster.

Abstract: A newspaper delivery tube and mounting bracket for protecting the newspaper from the elements. The newspaper tube has a mounting surface that keys to a mounting bracket without fasteners or tools. The mounting bracket has a vertical leg adapted to be fastened to a post and a horizontal leg that is self-mounted to the delivery tube.

Abstract: A device for securing a manipulated component to the fitting portion of a panel so that the shaft of the component extends through the panel. The component includes a boss, a flange, and an engagement portion and that the fitting portion is provided with a through hole and a securing apparatus. The boss projects to the fitting portion, and covers the shaft at the rear end thereof. The flange is formed at the front end of the shaft. The engagement portion is provided on a surface at the fitting portion and located in a position different from that of the boss. The flange is inserted through the hole so that the attaching position of the axis of the engagement portion is different from the manipulating position of the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An indicating lamp unit or the like is mounted on a wall of a motor vehicle body through mounting pins carried by the lighting unit and carrying retaining means which fit in holes formed in the body wall. Each mounting hole in the body wall is of banjo shape, having a first part through which the retaining means can freely pass and a narrower second part which hold the retaining means securely when the lighting unit is moved sideways. Each of the said retaining means comprises a retaining ring having a peripheral groove defining a middle zone bounded by a pair of generally transverse flanks, which engage on either side of the narrow second part of the mounting hole so as to retain the retaining ring to the wall against movement in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A quick-attach coupler for attaching an implement such as a bucket (15) to a machine such as a front end loader or backhoe. The coupler includes attachment structure (25, 29) for attaching the coupler to the machine, upper receiving structure (20) for receiving an upper coupling structure (18) on the implement and lower receiving structure (19) for receiving a lower coupling structure (17) on the implement. The lower receiving structure has an opening including a locating formation in the form of a threshold (19a) which retains the lower coupling structure (17) in the lower receiving structure, and latch structure (34) associated with the upper receiving structure (20) retain the upper coupling structure (18) within the upper receiving structure (20) and prevent the lower coupling structure (17) disengaging the locating formation (19a) of the lower receiving structure thus maintaining the attachment of the implement on the coupler.

Abstract: A plug valve is disclosed which has a radially outwardly directed projection at the end of the valve stem, the projection being received in a complementary cylindric chamber in the plug of the valve for easy exchange of the plug during maintenance of the valve. The plug is freely rotatable relative to the stem of the valve. In the preferred embodiment, the stem of the valve does not rotate during the opening or closing motion. The invention provides a simplified structure, improves reliability of the valve and the simplicity of exchange of the plug in maintenance.

Abstract: A universal lock for securing any of a variety of different design window sashes closed against any of a variety of different design window frames. The lock includes a pair of spaced keepers on the window sash, and a tie bar mounted to the window frame and having a pair of rollers thereon. The tie bar is reciprocable along its axis to selectively move the rollers into or out of engagement with the keepers of the closed window sash to selectively lock or release the sash from the frame. A base pivotally mounts a handle member to the window frame. A coupler link is pivotally secured at one end to the handle member and has a flange at the other end pivotally secured to the tie bar. The flange has a narrow portion with a first width adjacent the coupler link and a wide portion with a second width spaced from the coupler link.

Abstract: A prosthetic capture device to interconnect a sleeve which grips a stump of a limb with a prosthesis. The silicone sleeve is constructed with a threaded screw protruding down from the bottom of the sleeve. A spring loaded sliding plate with a keyhole shaped hole, operating in conjunction with a fixed plate with a circular hole, is used to capture the screw head when it is inserted into the prosthesis. An adjustment plate attached to the capture device on the prosthesis has two circular sections which fit into a base plate, and each of the circular sections has a slot into which is set a clamping screw. The base plate is connected to the body of the prosthesis. The base plate can be moved in an elliptical pattern relative to the prosthesis as the clamping screws slide in the slots.

Abstract: A swashplate type hydraulic device has a ball joint which includes a spherical socket of a major arc longitudinal section formed in a plunger or a shoe member and a ball formed at an end of a connecting rod which connects the plunger and the shoe member, the ball being fitted in the socket so as to permit a swing motion of the rod around the ball, the inlet of the socket having a center offset by a predetermined amount of distance from the center of the socket while the ball having a cylindrical portion which can be fitted in the inlet and which has a center located offset from the center of the ball by an amount equal to the offset amount of the inlet center relative to the socket center, the centers of the inlet and the cylindrical portion being offset relative to each other in a fitted state of the socket and ball. The ball includes a chamferred portion to permit the ball to be fitted in the socket when the rod is at a position outside its normal swinging range.

Abstract: In a horizontal revolute robot, an upper end of a ball screw (21) of a direct-acting actuator (100) is rotatably supported by a top plate of a column (10), and the lower end thereof is coupled to a drive unit (40) disposed on a base plate of the column. A first link (220) is pivotally coupled to a coupling member (210) of a manipulator (200) fixed to a slider (30) of the actuator, and a second link (240) is pivotally coupled to the first link. The ball screw is rotated by the drive unit to move the manipulator along the ball screw in unison with the slider, and servomotors (230, 250) of the manipulator are driven to turn both the links within a horizontal plane, so that a wrist portion of the robot is positioned in a robot installation space for robot operation. Since no base is required to turnably support the actuator, the robot is small-sized, light in weight, and low-priced. Since the lower movement limit position of the manipulator is low, the range of action of the robot is wide.

Abstract: A winding device comprising a winding tube inside which is housed a tubular motor whose profiled output shaft is fitted into a profiled hole in a transverse member fastened to the winding tube, in such a manner that the output shaft is fixed in respect of rotation with said transverse member. The profiles permit interengagement in at least two different angular positions. The output shaft has at least one resiliently retractable hook. The transverse member has at least one hooking point and a number of release passages at least equal to the number of hooks, the dimension of the release passages being such that the hook engaged in a release passage is inoperative, the hook being designed to hook automatically on a hooking point in at least one interengagement position. The positions of the hooks and release passages may be reversed.Depending on the tube in which the motor is mounted, its output shaft may or may not be axially fastened to the drive disk.

Abstract: A direct-acting actuator for an industrial robot has an elongate ball screw or feed screw which is attached or detached quickly and safely in a narrow working space. In attaching the ball screw, upper and lower end portions of the ball screw, diagonally inserted in the inside space of a column (10), are respectively fitted into holes (12a, 33a) of a column top plate (12) and a plate member (33) of a slider (30) through a passage (12b), formed in the top plate and opening in a slider-side end face of the same plate, and a passage (33b), formed in the plate member and opening in the distal end face of the same member. Then, the lower end of the ball screw is coupled to a reduction gear (52), and a bearing unit (22) mounted on the upper end of the ball screw and a ball nut (34) threadedly engaged with the ball screw are respectively fitted into the holes (12a, 32a) so that the bearing unit and the ball nut are fixed to the top plate and the plate member, respectively.

Abstract: Cranes having multisection booms have an apparatus for interconnecting boom sections mounted at the ends of the boom sections. The apparatus for interconnecting the boom sections has: on a first boom section, an upper hook member with its concave portion being concave inwardly towards a central longitudinal axis of the boom section; on a second boom section, an upper fork member, having a pair of extending flange portions supporting a bolt member for being received within the upper hook member during interconnection; upper abutment surfaces, which are planar and are perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the boom sections, and which are located on the end of the upper hook member and between the pair of flanges of the upper fork member; and a lower strap member on a first boom section for being disposed within a lower fork member on a second boom section during interconnection.

Abstract: A quick release type of ball joint providing 3-axes motion, which comprises a socket and a ball is disclosed. The quick release feature is provided by a slot in the socket and a recessed locking slot on the stem of the ball. The ball joint thus provided is simple in design, easy to manufacture and reliable in performance. The quick release feature permits easy disengagement enhancing flexibility of application.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement is disclosed to mount an arm. The arm has a pair of spaced enlarged sections and an intermediate recessed section. The mounting arrangement has a first mount portion with an upwardly facing opening that extends for a distance greater than the diameter of the recessed section, a second mount portion spaced rearwardly of the first, and an intermediate open portion. The recessed section of the arm is positioned over the opening in the first mount portion and moved downwardly. The arm is then moved rearwardly such that the first and second enlarged sections are received within the first and second mount portions, respectively. The improved mounting arrangement provides support over a sufficient axial distance of the arm, but does not require the arm to be slid within the mounting arrangement for the entire distance. Less space is required in front of the mounting arrangement, and less force must be applied to the arm in order to move it within the mounting arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for attaching a flexible elastomeric panel integrally formed with one or more female connectors to an automotive body support surface having one or more associated male connectors in a blind assembly connection. Each female connector comprises a cutting-tooth shaped notch molded in an attaching flange of the panel while the male connector comprises a elongated stem projecting from the support surface. The elongated stem includes a backing plate positioned in parallel spaced relation to the support surface defining a layered gap therebetween. The panel flange is moved into flush contact with the support surface enabling the support flange to be received in a layer-like gap with the stem adapted to be received in a lean-in passage of the female connector.

Abstract: A trailer hitch including a pin that extends axially from a pivotal mounting by a universal joint of a rocking or tilting platform of a trailer draw or towbar. The pin is preferably cylindrical and is grooved circumferentially for fitting into a wide head end of a keyhole or keyway slot formed in a mounting plate attached to a truck bed. The keyway forward circular end includes a flange therearound that fits into the cylindrical pin groove, prohibiting the pin from lifting from the keyway. To complete the locking of the pin to mounting plate, either the pin includes a plug for extending axially into a hole formed in the mounting plate in the center of the keyway forward end, or a brace plate is installed in a keyway large rearward end, resting against the pin prohibiting the pin for being slid therefrom. Which plug is extended or withdrawn by turning a locking or camming rod journaled across the pin, which locking or camming rod is spring biased to a plug extended attitude.

Abstract: A fastener for joining together panels of enclosures having keyhole-shaped holes adjacent one another in abutting side frames, the fastener including a back plate having a size adapted to cover adjacent holes in abutting side frames, a pair of arms projecting at essentially right angles from the back plate, each of the pair of arms adapted to fit within the smaller portion of the keyhole-shaped holes in the abutting side frames, and an enlarged end portion on each of the arms adapted to fit through the larger portion of the keyhole-shaped holes but not to fit through the smaller portion of the keyhole-shaped holes.

Abstract: A supporting arch system is described which can be detachably mounted on a marine craft. The arch is useful for supporting various equipment, such as antennas for radar and radio system. The arch is detachably fastened to mounting plates fastened to the gunwales of the craft. A horizontal cross-member extends between two upright members. Cross-members of different lengths can be used when mounting the arch on marine craft of different widths.

Abstract: A predominantly planar workpiece, having a surface which is punched-in and upwardly-arced, and forms a pocket with a lower surface, having a cutout portion identical to and aligned with a cutout portion of the upwardly-arced surface, such that a grasping device may be inserted into the pocket thus formed, and securely fastened therein, by means of an upwardly-arced semi-circular elevation which transverses the bottom part, such that the grasping device is securely locked within the pocket when inserted therein. A retaining part firmly connected to the grasping device for the acceptance of auxiliary parts remains essentially in the plane of the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for exchanging simple tools that do not need utility service is adapted to facilitate coupling one such tool to, and uncoupling it from, a movable robotic arm. The device comprises an attaching member attachable to the tool, a supporting member connected to the arm and having an open slot therein and a recessed upper surface adjacent to the slot, and a retaining member movably mounted to the arm above the supporting member and spring-biased toward the supporting member slot and upper surface. The attaching member, attached to the tool, is received by the open slot, supported by the recessed upper surface, and yieldably retained there by the spring-biased retaining member during use. The attaching member is then withdrawn from the slot, upper surface, and retaining member, and returned to a storage rack located nearby.

Abstract: A shaft supporting structure includes a shaft having longitudinal end portions, with at least one of the end portions having at least one planar surface parallel to the axis of the shaft. A receiver part which receives the one end portion of the shaft has a regulate structure defining a recess through which the one end portion of the shaft can pass when the one end portion is moved in an insertion direction parallel to the planar surface. The regulate structure is operable to restrict radial displacement of the shaft after the shaft has been received in the receiver part and the shaft has been rotated so that the planar surface is no longer parallel to the insertion direction. A resilient pawl is operable to engage the planar surface and restrict rotation of the shaft in the receiver part.

Abstract: A pallet rack system has a safety lock on end connectors of horizontal beam members to prevent accidental removal of the horizontal beams from the vertical frame supports. The safety lock includes a cross-shaped member rigidly secured to the beam connectors and a U-shaped member associated with the cross-shaped member to operatively couple the U-shaped member with the end connector. The U-shaped member includes a hook which cooperates with an aperture in the frame supports to lock the safety lock device to the frame support which, in turn, locks the horizontal beams with the vertical frame supports.

Abstract: This invention is a lock-in device for a trash compactor assembly including a stationary compacting head and support, and a movable container spaced subjacent the compacting head for containing compacted trash. The lock-in device retains the movable container in fixed relation to the vertical compacting head by the action of first and second interlocking members, wherein when the container is locked in position subjacent the compactor the first member can engage with the second member to prevent the container from moving horizontally relative to the compacting head when compacting is taking place. The lock-in device includes first and second members formed of flat plates bent along their longitudinal length to form angled sections and are jointed to the compaction assembly so that they are engageable to prevent horizontal movement of the container relative to the compactor head.

Abstract: A ring latched coupler includes a male assembly having a plurality of grooves and a female assembly having a plurality of slots. The female assembly is configured to receive the male assembly. A latching ring is rotatably carried by the female assembly. The latching ring is configured such that upon rotation of the male and female assemblies relative to the latching ring, portions of the latching ring extend through the slots in the female assembly to engage grooves in the male assembly.

Abstract: A hold down device is provided using a drive knob having a clutch therein which turns a drive shaft for moving a pawl shaft in and out with respect to the drive shaft. A pawl on the end of the pawl shaft is provided with a cam-like surface which engages a cam-like aperture in a pawl receptacle. The pawl shaft has a cam follower which rides within a cam surface in a cam bracket that surrounds the shaft. Under the urging of a spring, the position of the pawl is controlled from its fully extended, unlocked position to a pre-capture position where the pawl is oriented at approximately 45.degree. to an aperture within the pawl receptacle. Insertion of the pawl into the pawl receptacle forces the pawl to rotate an additional 45.degree. against the urging of the spring. After full insertion of the pawl into the receptacle, the pawl rotates back to its 45.degree. position where it is captured therein.

Abstract: An assembly of wear element for installation on the wearable part of a structure engageable with abrasive material including a relatively elongated base element adpated to be secured to the wearable part and a relatively elongated wear element releasably, reversibly mounted on the base element, each of the elements having longitudinally spaced apart dovetail surfaces in one outstanding wall portion and a single surface in an opposed outstanding wall portion.

Abstract: A window lock having plural ramped keepers for a window sash and plural rollers movably associated with a slider mountable on a window frame to provide multi-point locking. The ramped keepers are constructed and related to enable delayed lock-up of one roller and ramped keeper relative to the other in order to assure locking of racked or warped windows. A roller and associated ramped keeper are bevelled to counteract any flexibility that might be encountered in a flexible window, such as a window made of vinyl. The actuating mechanism provides for toggle positioning of the rotatable actuating handle and associated drive link to prevent movement of the lock mechanism by outside forces other than the handle. One or more tie bars, each having a roller, can be associated with the slider to provide for variation in the number of locking points and with further variations being achieved by the length of the tie bars as well as the number of rollers mounted thereon.

Abstract: A connector assembly adapted to quickly connect and disconnect tools and stem sections in wireline tool strings. Connector assembly (10) comprises box end (12) and pin end (14) adapted to be slidably engaged and locked by rotating either end 90.degree. relative to the other in either direction. Connector assembly (10) is released by the direct application of manual force to ears (48, 50) of locking plate (38) accessible in flutes (26, 27) of box end (12). Once the locking plate is retracted, pin end (14) is rotated 90.degree. in either direction relative to box end (12) and then withdrawn axially from box end (12). Flats (130, 131) are provided on box end (126) and pin end (128) to indicate relative rotational alignment. Disclosed also are provisions for limiting the rotation of axially spaced lugs (138, 140) before the lugs are axially aligned with annular channels (142, 144).

Abstract: A fitting to connect the front plate of a drawer with a rail member thereof includes a dowel casing which can be fitted into the front plate and a hook member connected to the front end of the rail member to be engaged in the dowel casing. A metallic disk provides rigidity for the dowel casing. The hook member has a flange which abuts flush with the front face of the dowel casing and which has a bevelled portion.

Abstract: An antitheft device preventing removal of a pickup truck tailgate from the pickup bed is formed by a pair of metallic members line drilled inwardly of their peripheral edges and disposed on opposing sides of and occulding a portion of the aperture in a pickup tailgate supporting link end portion supported by a stud on the respective pickup bed side wall.The riveted members overlapping a portion of the stud receiving slot in the tailgate supporting link prevents movement of the link in a direction to be manually removed from the pickup bed tailgate link supporting stud.

Abstract: A trowel suitable for spreading underlayment onto a floor and for later spreading an adhesive layer over the hardened underlayment. It makes use of a rail on one side of which the handle is mounted and on the other side of which the blade is mounted. The blade is of a spring metal, and the rail is in the form of a U-shaped channel member secured to the central portion of the blade. The rail is wider than the handle, and covers about 87% of the length and about 60% of the width of the blade, to stiffen the blade while leaving its edges somewhat flexible. The rail is also provided with flange on each side of the channel portion, and the flanges each contain openings for receiving spring clips bent up from the blade, so that the blade can be easily mounted to and demounted from the rail. Punched-up detents on the blade cooperate with bent-down ends of the channel to hold the blade in position on the rail while permitting its easy release for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: A golf club tailored to the requirements of an individual player is assembled from the combination of a club head and a shaft assembly selected from a range of club heads and shaft assemblies having a variety of characteristics. In particular, the shaft assemblies each have a lower end portion defining an axis which is inclined with respect to an axis defined by the remainder of the shaft assembly. By allowing the lower portion of the shaft assembly to be fitted into a bore in the club head in a number of different rotational positions the lie and face angle of the head can be varied without exchanging club heads, thereby allowing a retail outlet to provide a wide choice of club characteristics without having to keep a large stock.

Abstract: A fan clutch assembly for a vehicle includes a pump plate for separating a collecting chamber and a receiving chamber from a reservoir. The pump plate includes an orifice for permitting the passage of fluid from the receiving chamber to the reservoir and for accepting a snap-in-place wiper. The snap-in-place wiper includes a locking element which is receivable in the orifice for quickly securing the wiper to the pump plate.

Abstract: A canopy-support hinge comprising a base member and bolt member is provided. The hinge base member is provided with an open side having a hinge bolt aperture. The open side of said base member is narrower than the diameter of the bolt aperture. The hinge bolt member is provided with two flat parallel sides to make the bolt narrow enough to be passed through the open side but to be contained when the bolt is rotated to different positions. A flanged bolt head and connector means on the bolt member for attaching canopy support tube members thereto renders this device advantageous for forming canopies on boats and on other structures.

Abstract: A coupler assembly is disclosed which is adapted for interconnecting pieces of corrugated sheet material and includes a female member having a back wall and receiving portion mounted on one side of the back wall. A male connecting member couples to the female member and includes front and rear flanges, with the rear flange dimensioned to rotatably fit within the receiving portion, and so that the members may be connected in a selected rotational orientation. A hub interconnects the flanges and a flat planar tab is joined to the side of the front flange opposite the hub for insertion within corrugated sheet material.

Abstract: An ornamental ceramic fitting is mounted between two spaced, confronting, axially aligned, tubular members. The distance between the confronting ends of the tubular members is less than the corresponding axial length of the ceramic fitting. The ceramic fitting includes a threaded rod extending therethrough along the axis thereof and a well in each end of the fitting surrounding the threaded rod. The depth of the well in one end exceeds the difference between the axial length of the fitting and the corresponding axial distance between the confronting ends of the tubular members. The fitting is first placed on the end of one of the spaced tubular members and twisted to a position past the normal seated position. This allows proper alignment of the end of the other tubular member, whereupon the fitting is twisted in the opposite direction to properly complete the mounting operation.

Abstract: A joint structure is disclosed for retaining the peripheral edge of a panel member, as is commonly found in sheet metal cabinets and the like. The joint structure includes an elongate member or extrusion having first and second, spaced-apart transverse flanges, the second flange including a base portion and an outer portion extending toward the first flange to form a C-shaped slot between the flanges. The peripheral edge of the panel is located in the C-shaped slot bearing against both flanges, and a threaded fastener is mounted in one of the flanges disposed at an angle to bear against the panel edge portion and urge same into the slot and releasably retain the edge portion therein.

Abstract: A connector aassembly for releasably joining a first structural member and a second structural member. The connector assembly includes a female connector component carried by the first structural member including a window having first and second ends, an outside surface and an inside surface, a cam wall positioned adjacent the first end and recessed from the outside surface, and a deflector positioned adjacent the second end and the inside surface. The cam wall has a ramp surface which converges with the outside surface away from the second window end. The assembly further includes a male connector component carried by the second structural member. This component includes a male member for reception in the window and a stem joining the male member and the second structural member. The male member is resilient and has a head with an undersurface for riding on the ramp surface along with a tail extending rearwardly from the head. The head and tail have a generally coplanar outside surfaces.

Abstract: A mechanical connection element comprising a substantially rigid body having therein a cylindrical through cavity accessible via a channel to the outside of the body. This element (or anything attached thereto) can be secured simply, reversibly and perpendicularly to a cross-sectionally rectangular bar. Thus, in one orientation, the bar passes through the channel and into the cavity but in a second orientation, achieved by rotation of the bar, is retained in the cavity. Two such connection elements may advantageously be used atop a bunk-bed ladder for safe affixment to a horizontal bar of the bunk. The element ensures such a ladder be unremoveable when in operative mode.

Abstract: A piston head and rod assembly for use, for example, in a gear pump dry valve is disclosed. A cylindrical piston head is provided with a generally oval-shaped cavity formed therein which defines a minor diameter. The cavity opens through one end of the piston head. However, a portion of the opening is blocked by a radially inwardly-extending lip. The lip defines an opening diameter which is smaller than the minor diameter of the cavity. An end portion of a piston rod includes a reduced diameter neck portion and an enlarged diameter tail portion. The neck portion has an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the opening diameter defined by the lip, while the tail portion has an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the minor diameter defined by the cavity. To assemble, the tail portion of the piston rod is inserted through the portion of the opening of the piston head which is not blocked by the lip into the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power door lock actuator for use on a standard door lock system. The actuator operates quietly, has zero back drive and can be mounted on all vehicle types without retooling for each vehicle. The door lock has an arcuately mounted output arms, an attaching portion on the arm, a power source and a clutch to selectively couple the output arm and the motor.