Abstract: Connection arrangement for detachable connection of components with aligned openings, includes a bolt, rotatable around its own axis, having tapered toward a free end, and at least two lateral notches, and retaining spring, including at least two spring-loaded ends, where spring-loaded ends are arranged to hook into lateral notches when first and second components are connected. At least lateral notches of bolt are arranged to project through opening of second component. Vibration-damping ring includes peripheral groove to receive edge of opening of first component and ring opening. Bush is located in ring opening to guide bolt. Movable ring, having outer diameter that is smaller than diameter of opening of first component and that is larger than diameter of opening of second component, is arranged on bolt. When first and second components are connected, movable ring is positioned between lower side of vibration-damping ring and upper side of second component.

Abstract: A battery cable disconnector enables a battery to be disconnected and reconnected quickly and easily without tools. The disconnector includes a female lug connector and a male lug connector adapted to be detachably connected together, each of the connectors having a two-faced contact section with one face for engagement with a face of the other connector when connected. The female contact section has an upper contact face and a lower non-contact face, the contact section having a centrally located circular opening with slots extending radially from the opening at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions and with grooves extending radially from the opening at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the lower non-contact face.

Abstract: A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.

Abstract: A quarter-turn latch for fastening a first panel to a second panel includes a bolt with a bayonet key that rotationally engages a keyhole in the second panel, and a capture key that engages with the first panel to prevent loss of the bolt. A track on the underside of the second panel, surrounding a portion of the keyhole, secures the bolt in the closed position. Bump stops engageable with the bayonet key define open and closed positions. A spring integrated with the bolt prevents rattles, overcomes misalignment and/or assists disengagement of the latch. The system may be used, for example, in network interface devices (NIDs), plastic enclosures, and other devices.

Abstract: A quick-release fastener system for attaching a first structural body to a second structural body. The quick-release fastener system includes a stud assembly that is engaged with the first structural body and a receptacle assembly that is engaged with the second structural body. The stud assembly includes a stud and a nut body engaged with the stud. The receptacle assembly includes a retaining clip, and a biasing member and receptacle which are engaged with the retaining clip. The stud includes a receptacle-engaging portion which engages the receptacle, and the nut body is engaged with the stud such that rotation of the nut body effects rotation of the receptacle-engaging portion of the stud in the receptacle. The biasing member contacts the stud and biasing the receptacle-engaging portion of the stud into engagement with the receptacle. The engagement between the receptacle-engagement portion of the stud and the receptacle effects attachment of the first structural body to the second structural body.

Abstract: A fastener for coupling two members together is provided with a rotatable core carried by a first member and a protruding elbow for insertion through an elongated slot in the second member. By rotating the core, the elbow is caused to swing over the outer surface of the second member, adjacent the slot, coupling the two members together. The inner, member-engaging surface of the elbow is tapered to form a ramp-like surface that, with rotation, draws the two members together and frictionally fixes the elbow in its engaged position. The latch core when installed in a tubular first member may be provided with resiliently based, expanding locking members positioned adjacent to the core to secure the latch within the hollow core of the tubular first member.

Abstract: A guide blade for steam turbines, having in the blade interior a cavity (18) to which a vacuum is applied, is provided with an opening (3) for drawing off fluid in the region of the trailing blade edge (4). This opening is provided with a porous cover (7). The cover is dimensioned in such a way that, during operation, all its capillaries are filled with the fluid to be drawn off. It is anchored in the guide blade by a mechanical fastening element (20).The mechanical fastening element (20) is a spring-loaded quick-acting lock and comprises a bush (21) which fixes the cover in the blade opening (3) and projects with its cylindrical part (24) into the blade cavity (18), and a pin (25) which is axially displaceable in the interior of the bush, is equipped with spring means (26) and is provided at its end with a cap (28), which rests on the inner wall of the blade.

Abstract: A quarter turn toilet seat pin including a bolt with an elongated bolt with a bolt head, an end portion and a body member. The body member has a linear key way extending upwardly from the end portion. The linear key way has a top end with a side-lock key way. The side-lock key way has a slot. Also, a sleeve is provided and engages the bolt. The sleeve has an interior channel sized for receiving the body member of the bolt. The sleeve has an axial opening that is in receipt of a threaded nipple. The threaded nipple projects from the opening and into the interior of the sleeve for engaging the linear key way as the bolt being slid into the sleeve.

Abstract: A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.

Abstract: A bird feeder support which is mounted to a surface including a base member. The base member possesses an open channel which is accessible from the outer surface of the base member. An arm having a first end portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the first and second end portions, extends from the base member. The arm also possesses at least one flange which is capable of fitting within the channel. The arm is mounted to the base member to permit the flange to extend in one direction and to reverse its orientation within the channel to an opposite second direction. A bird feeder is easily fastened to the arm and is, thus, positioned in two orientations when the flange of the arm is rotated within the channel.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for the releasable, positive fastening of the back wall of the housing of an airbag module to a supporting component of a motor vehicle body, wherein at least two fastening points are formed. For each fastening point, on the housing back wall or on the supporting component, a pin is provided and on the other of the supporting component or the housing back wall, an opening is provided. A resiliently biased catch mechanism is disposed in the area of the opening. The pin has on its shaft a detent and has a cone-shaped or wedge-shaped front portion. The catch mechanism is biased transversely of its longitudinal axis from a closed position to an open position from which it springs back into a catching position when the pin has reached the given fastening position in the opening.

Abstract: A fastener for holding panels together includes a grommet for engaging a first panel, a stud received in the grommet, and a receptacle for securement to a second panel, wherein the receptacle includes a body having an internally threaded bore, an externally threaded barrel member in engagement with the threads of the bore, curved slots in the barrel member for receiving a cross pin of the stud, and a mechanical arrangement for selectively locking the barrel member from movement relative to the body. The grommet can include diametrically opposed slots having open ends extending through an end of the grommet for receiving the cross pin of the stud. The mechanical arrangement can comprise slots on the barrel member and the receptacle body which are registrable with one another and a locking clip secured to the receptacle body, the locking clip comprising an annular portion biasing a fixing member into the registered slots.

Abstract: A semi automatic twistlock for engagement with corner castings of ISO containers is operated by a cable. The cable extends around a shaft journalled in a housing, to rotate the cones that arc fixed to opposite ends of the shaft. The cable is extended or retracted though an operating channel and is biased to the retracted position by a spring coupled to the cable on an opposite end of the cable. The cable has a collar which can engage with a first or second stop formed in the operating channel or can remain disengaged in the fully retracted position to thereby permit selective positioning of the cones relative to the shaft.

Abstract: Two secateur jaws are jointed together by means of a pin with radial lugs engaging a ring attached to one jaw and extending through a sleeve slidably arranged in the two jaws. Said sleeve encloses a helical return spring between the sleeve and the head of the pin. The head of the sleeve has an external screw thread with a ring screwed thereon for adjusting the tension of the spring. The sleeve may be moved axially by screwing said ring on or off to change the tension of the spring and thus the force exerted by the latter on said jaws, whereby the engagement pressure therebetween also changes.

Abstract: A toggle fastener which eliminates the need for time-consuming manipulation of a fastener nut comprises a bolt with a head and a stop collar adjacent the bolt head, a wing toggle threaded onto the free end of the bolt, and a spring which extends from the stop collar to a washer. The washer may be flat or a self-centering conically shaped washer. The invention permits the toggle and toggle fastener to be inserted into an aperture in a panel and to then be automatically secured to the wall with an effective firestop provided by the effect of the spring urging the washer into firm contact with the panel.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching a cover to a panel includes a stud assembly mounted on the cover and having a stud extending through an opening formed in the cover. The stud has a shank portion which extends through the opening in the cover, a head portion provided on an upper end of the shank portion, and a cross pin provided on a lower end of the shank portion. A grommet is secured to the cover within the opening of the cover for attaching the stud to the cover. The fastener assembly further includes a receptacle assembly including a receptacle barrel having a cylindrical wall with an interior surface having female threads formed thereon. The receptacle assembly further includes an insert having a cylindrical body with an exterior surface having male threads formed thereon. A helix is disposed between the receptacle barrel and the insert, the helix being fabricated from wire-like material and having alternating large and small diameter loops extending along the length of the helix.

Abstract: A fastener for holding panels together includes a grommet for engaging a first panel, a stud received in the grommet, and a receptacle for securement to a second panel, wherein the receptacle includes a body having an internally threaded bore, an externally threaded barrel member in engagement with the threads of the bore, curved slots in the barrel member for receiving a cross pin of the stud, and a mechanical arrangement for selectively locking the barrel member from movement relative to the body. The grommet can include diametrically opposed slots having open ends extending through an end of the grommet for receiving the cross pin of the stud.

Abstract: A detachable panel or grill for covering an opening in panelling of a wall or ceiling or in an appliance. The panel can be installed quickly and rigidly without the need for any special framing. The panel or grill can be installed or removed by the rotation of a single screw which passes through a threaded opening in an elongate fastening arm. The arm extends generally parallel to an inner surface of the panel during use thereof. The arm is pivotable relative to the panel between a first position usable for insertion of the arm into the opening and a second position used for clamping the panel to edge structure defining the opening. A slideway is connected to an inner surface of the panel and limits the extent of pivotal movement of the arm. The screw extends through a hole in the panel and connects the arm to the panel. A spring biases the arm so that it pivots towards the second position.

Abstract: The twistlock comprises a housing with a shaft journalled into the housing with a cone formed on a first end of the shaft protruding from a top of the housing. The cone biseing elongate radially for passage through a first elongate slot of an upper container corner casting. An upper surface of the cone is bevelled so that sides of the first elongate can force the cone and shaft to rotate from a locked position to an unlocked position to enable passage through the first elongate slot, and a lower surface of said cone being bevelled so that the sides of the first elongate slot can force the cone and shaft to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position. The shaft is biased by a spring into the locked position.

Abstract: A device used to fasten and retain two or more conducting elements with sufficient normal force to insure a reliable electrical contact. The device consists of three individual parts: a bolt, a nut, and a spring washer. The bolt of this invention differs from conventional bolts in that it has no threads and has a keying feature. The nut is distinguishable from a standard nut in that it also has no typical thread, but has a keying feature and internal ramps. The spring washer provides a linear increase in force proportional to deflection. Like the bolt and nut, the spring washer also has a keying feature.

Abstract: A stored energy torsional rotary fastener device providing ready releasable attachment of first and second components. A fastener housing, attached to the first component, includes a cylindrical socket having an upper open end and a lower end configured by a pair of base segments defining a cross-slot the parallel edges of which are formed with concentrically disposed arcuate cutouts. The segments have interior helical pitched ramp portions establishing an interrupted thread support. A rotor, including an axial stem terminating in a radial disc axially positioned in the socket, is rotatably biased by a coiled spring interconnecting the rotor and housing. The rotor disc is formed with a depending axial hub having its lower portion journalled in the slot cutouts. The hub upper end includes oppositely extending radial lugs, with each lug underface formed with a helical pitch adapted to mate with an associated ramp portion, enabling axial threaded rotor travel.

Abstract: A strongback attachment system for temporarily attaching a reinforcing beam or the like to a poured concrete structural member includes an insert adapted to be set in the poured concrete member. The insert has a body for creating a void in the concrete structural member and a base for supporting the body in spaced relation above a floor of the concrete structural member. The base has a pair of leg members in which a portion thereof extends through the body so as to be free of concrete. A bolt is also provided for securing the reinforcing beam to the concrete structural member, where the bolt includes a shaft with a threaded end and an opposite end terminating in an engagement head. The engagement head is adapted to be releasably engaged by the leg member portions extending through the body.

Abstract: The invention is to a flexible connector for attaching license plates to a vehicle, where the license plate is subject to being hit or moved over objects that would damage the license plate. The connection incudes a spring and plunger in a main body. The plunger has a flexible arm formed thereon which has a key end that connects to a knob. The flexible arm extends through holes in the license plate and a mounting frame and holds the license plate secured to the frame by the knob attached to the key on the flexible arm. When the license plate is hit or moved, the plunger will compress the spring allowing the flexible arm to extend out of the body and flex sufficiently to allow the license plate to move with the force striking it.

Abstract: A connector for juxtaposed elements which are provided with laterally elongated holes therethrough, has a shaft which has a laterally elongated head portion at one end. A rotation blocking member has a washer portion through which the shaft passes, and a blocking portion extending from the washer portion. A reaction member preferably a threaded nut engages the end of the shaft opposite the head portion. In use, in an assembled position for insertion through the holes of the juxtaposed elements, the head portion is disposed in register with the blocking portion on the forward end thereof. Preferably, a spring between the nut and the washer portion tends to retract the shaft relative to the washer portion so that the head portion is lodged in compression on the end of the blocking portion. The shaft is rotated to move the head portion out of register with the blocking portion and to engage a side surface of the blocking portion which itself is non-rotatable within the slot.

Abstract: A terminal box includes a base and a cover detachably securable to the base. The cover is provided with a stepped bore in each corner area thereof, with a spring-loaded locking bolt being insertable therein and slideable in axial direction in opposition to the spring action for securing the cover to the base. Each locking bolt has one end provided with a blade-like expansion which is created through flattening this respective end of the locking bolt. In the area facing the base, the cover is provided with radial slots which are in alignment with radial slots of the base and suitably dimensioned to receive the blade of the locking bolts. When placing the cover upon the base, each locking bolt is pressed down through the bore and radial slots in the base and turned to allow the blade of each locking bolt to bear upon an abutment of the base for securement of the cover to the base.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held data collection terminal is housed in an elongate, protective housing. A frontal surface of the housing includes a display screen and a keyboard. A battery compartment of the data collection terminal has an access opening which is covered and sealed by a lid. The resiliency of a peripheral seal of the lid also absorbes impact forces directed against the terminal. The battery compartment is closed by placing an upper end of the lid under a ledge of the housing and locking an opposite end to the housing with a detented quarter-turn lock button. Detented positions of the lock button indicate the fully locked and fully unlocked positions of the lid. A hand strap on the rear of the housing is attached to the housing and to the lid to support an operator's handgrip on the terminal and to tether the lid to the terminal when the battery compartment is opened. Two types of protectors for indicia on keyboard keys are also disclosed.

Abstract: This apparatus is a fastener assembly for retaining a spring, such as used in the brake actuators of heavy-duty trucks, in a compressed state, including a fully-compressed state, the assembly being variably adjustable to accommodate variations in actual spring dimensions and tolerances. The compressed spring is held between first and second members by a fastener assembly comprising a washer and a clip, the washer having an opening therein for receiving the clip. The clip has an enlarged head with sloping shoulders which ride on the periphery of the opening in the washer, and a shank which engages the second member and maintains the clip stationary with respect thereto.

Abstract: A quarter turn fastener (10) fastens a first component (12) to a second component (14). The fastener (10) has a cap (20) covering and rotating about a cylindrical mounting member (24) with a spring (34) therebetween. The mounting member (24) attaches to the first component (12) by barbs (28). Rotation is limited by a slot and tab arrangement having a tab (42) extending inward from the cap (20) into a slot (44) in the mounting member (24). The slot (44) extends one fourth of the way around the circumference of the mounting member (24) for limiting rotation and includes ridges (46, 48) preventing free rotation of the tab (42) at the ends of the slot (44). A shaft (36) attached to the cap (20) and extends through the mounting member (24), first component (12) and second component (14). A curved retainer member (38) engages slot (18) and has sloping engaging surfaces (52, 54, 56) for guiding the retainer member (38) into and out of the slot (18) when the fastener (10) is twisted.

Abstract: An attached locking pin for releasably securing adjacent concrete forms used in the formation of poured concrete. Such concrete forms are characterized by having a peripheral rail with apertures therethrough adapted to abut the rail and align the apertures of an adjacent form to hold the cement in its desired shape until the concrete has set. The attached locking pin includes a sleeve with an opening therethrough adapted to interlock within one of the aligned apertures of abutting rails. A pin is provided having a head and an end with an intermediate portion having a slot passing therethrough typically for receiving a locking wedge. The pin is adapted to pass the end and slotted intermediate portion through the sleeve and the adjacent aligned aperture to releasably hold the abutting rails securely together after the wedge is driven into the slot.

Abstract: A panel for assembly for closing off an irregularly configured hole in a panel. The assembly has a housing with a head at one end and a shaft at the other end extending through the hole with a plunger mounted in the housing. A spring biased plate configured to the hole is mounted on the outside of said housing. The plate is fixed to the plunger so that it moves when the plunger is moved. The plunger is indexed to the housing so that it can move first in an vertical direction to a position where the plate is spaced from the head of the housing, then be rotated to a position whereby the plate also rotates with respect to the housing. In this manner, the plate can move first from the hole in the panel to a position away from the hole in the panel.

Abstract: A container coupling device is disclosed for coupling upper and lower containers together in a simple and reliable manner to allow for reliable transport of stacked containers. The container coupling device includes a rotation restriction mechanism provided between a lower insertion shank and a lower engaging body. The lower engaging body is formed on upper and lower sides with tapered surfaces. A rotary shaft has a spring to bias the lower engaging body in a locking direction. The rotation restriction mechanism serves to temporarily prevent the lower engaging body from turning in the locking direction. This rotation restriction action can be released by additional turning torque in the locking direction. Such torque is produced when the upper or lower tapered surfaces engage with an engaging hole in the container. Upon release of the restriction mechanism, the spring will turn the lower engaging body toward the locking position.

Abstract: A push button type fastener for releasably joining together two panels. A stud assembly is snap-fit to one panel, and a mating socket is snap fit to the other panel. The stud assembly and the socket are releasably secured to each other merely by pushing a stud of the stud assembly toward the socket, which includes two resilient arms that move apart to receive and lock onto a thin wall portion at the stud's remote end. The stud assembly is released from the socket by rotating the stud such that the thin wall portion spreads apart the two resilient arms of the socket, to allow a spring to urge the stud out of it engagement with the socket.

Abstract: A unitary connection assembly for connecting channel structures is described. The assembly has a special channel fastener coacting with a fixture, a biasing member and a threaded member. A method is described for attaching the unitary connection assembly to a channel.

Abstract: Device for the removable fastening of a plate-shaped component onto a base with a T-groove open in the direction of the component. The invention consists of a pot-shaped receiving element, a head-bolt, a spring element arranged in the receiving-element and a cross bar arranged at the free end of the shaft of the head-bolt. The cross-bar is insertable in the T-groove and movable against the force of the spring element in the direction of the T-groove floor and engageable behind the shoulders of the T-groove by turning through 90.degree.. In accordance with the invention, the cross-bar has at least one stop interacting with one edge of the aperture of the T-groove in front of the head-bolt shaft end bearing the cross-bar. This stop prevents the continued turning of the head bolt after attainment of the locked position.

Abstract: A bumper bar comprised of joined together stampings defining a closed box section has a cage attached inside the bumper bar and overlying an elongated opening in the bumper bar. The elongated opening has a major dimension which extends in the direction of desired adjusting movement of the bumper bar relative to the structural member upon which bumper bar is to be mounted. A bolt has a bolt head at least sufficiently smaller than the elongated opening to permit axial insertion of the bolt head through the elongated opening. The bolt head has a major dimension greater than the minor dimension of the elongated opening so that a quarter-turn rotation of the bolt subsequent to insertion through the elongated opening will align the major dimension of the head for engagement with the bumper bar to prevent removal of the bolt from the elongated opening.

Abstract: An industrial quarter-turn fastener assembly comprises a sheet metal turn member having a turn head, a shank portion and a nose portion; a cap member through which the shank portion extends; and a helical coil spring. In one embodiment the fastener assembly is a blind fastener which is tilted to pass through a hole in a first panel which hole is smaller than the width of the nose portion and in another embodiment the shank portion is held to the first panel by a locking ring. To secure a second panel to the first panel, the nose portion is pushed through a slot hole in the second panel and the fastener turn head is rotated a quarter turn.

Abstract: The device for fixing an object by screwing to a section having two flanges directed substantially towards one another and defining therebetween a longitudinal opening comprises an elongated plate provided with one of the threaded portions and rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to that of the flanges of the section. In a free position, the longitudinal direction of the plate corresponds substantially to that of the section. In a retained position, the plate is retained under the flanges of the section and immobilized in one at least of the directions of rotation. Resilient means are provided for urging the plate towards the flanges of section in the retained position. The resilient means bear on a wedge intended to be inserted between the external face of the flanges of the section and the object to be fixed. This wedge has a passageway for a connecting rod between the plate and the other screw fixing element.

Abstract: A receptacle (20) for a stud (30) is mounted in a rectangular aperture (38) in a member (34). The receptacle has a housing (22) with a base (40) and flat legs (42, 44) and is held on the member (34) by being gripped between flanges (46, 48) on the legs and a non-circular element (28). Each of the legs has a side flange (54) on each side and diametrically opposite one of the said flanges have a slot (55). The pair of opposed flanges on each side of the receptacle define an elongate slot between them in which the non-circular element is free to move after rotation from a position in which it is held within the transverse slot (55).

Abstract: A self-ejecting fastener stud is provided for use with a fastener receptacle to form a fastener assembly for fastening two members together. The stud has an enlarged head portion and a shank portion extending therefrom adapted to extend through an opening in one of the members to be fastened and to engage with a receptacle mounted on the other of the two members to be fastened. The stud has a cam follower and the receptacle has a cam surface positioned so that engagement and relative rotation therebetween will shift the stud and receptacle between fastened and unfastened positions. The stud is adapted to be retained on the one member so that it can be shifted between an inserted position with the head adjacent the one member and an ejected position with the head spaced from the one member. A biasing spring is on the stud tending to direct the stud toward the ejected position so that when the stud is released from engagement with the receptacle the biasing spring will shift the stud to the ejected position.