A latch is usable to latch and automatically unlatch a lid of a waste container. The latch includes a release weight that moves responsive to gravity in a housing from a first position to a second position to cause the latch to disengage from a release receptacle when the latch and the waste container are oriented in a dump angle orientation. The latch includes a rotary damper in the housing that controls movement of the release weight in the housing such that an amount of time for the release weight to move responsive to gravity from the first position to the second position is slower than the amount of time the release weight would move responsive to gravity from the first position to the second position in the housing absent the effect of the rotary damper on the release weight.

Apparatus for allowing ventilation as usual for underground tunnels through a ventilation shaft opening to atmosphere yet preventing underground flooding from surface waters pouring through the grate, comprises an assembly that fits within the ventilation shaft and includes one or more panels held in an upright home position that allows ventilation as usual but is releasable to rotationally gravitate to a lower sealing position closing a passage between the ventilation shaft and atmosphere to prevent water from entering the underground tunnels. A panel position indicator moves from a hidden position to a visible position with lowering of the panels to visually signify that the panels are lowered and that flooding protection is activated.

An opening and/or closing mechanism associated with a lid, door or cover of machinery are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the system described comprises a lid, and a lid locking mechanism. A counterbalance, a timer, and a controller may also be utilized by the system. The system may allow for automatic starting of device operation in response to s timer expiring. The system may further allow for automatic opening of the lid in response to the timer expiring without the utilization of manual assistance.

An opening and/or closing mechanism associated with a lid, door or cover of machinery are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the system described comprises a lid, and a lid locking mechanism. A counterbalance, a timer, and a controller may also be utilized by the system. The system may allow for automatic starting of device operation in response to s timer expiring. The system may further allow for automatic opening of the lid in response to the timer expiring without the utilization of manual assistance.

Apparatus for allowing ventilation as usual for underground tunnels through a ventilation shaft opening to atmosphere yet preventing underground flooding from surface waters pouring through the grate, comprises an assembly that fits within the ventilation shaft and includes one or more panels held in an upright home position that allows ventilation as usual but is releasable to rotationally gravitate to a lower sealing position closing a passage between the ventilation shaft and atmosphere to prevent water from entering the underground tunnels. A panel position indicator moves from a hidden position to a visible position with lowering of the panels to visually signify that the panels are lowered and that flooding protection is activated.

A self closing and adjustable closing force cam hinge includes a compression spring located on the hinge so that a hinge pin passes through the compression spring and the head of the hinge pin is retracted in a direction away from the compression spring to compress the compression spring. Compression of the spring applies a closing force to the hinge when the hinge is in the open position. The hinge also includes a spring adjuster having an adjustably positionable body that is adjustably positionable relative to the head of the hinge pin. Adjustment of the position of the adjustably positionable body raises or lowers the head of the hinge pin such that raising of the hinge pin increases compression of the compression spring to increase the closing force applied by the compression spring and lowering of the hinge decreases compression of the compression spring to decrease the closing force applied by the compression spring.

There is provided a barrier and a method of opening and closing a barrier. The barrier including a first arm moveable about a first support, a second arm moveable about a second support and at least one coupling. The first and second supports are spaced across an opening and the barrier is arranged between an open and closed position, such that in the closed position, the arms are arranged in combination to traverse the opening. The barrier is further arranged in a locked position, such that the coupling is slidably coupled to the first and second arms. The barrier improves the safety of loading bay areas in order to allow the efficient transfer of goods on freight transportation vehicles.

A display case door assembly for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a frame defining an opening into the temperature-controlled storage device and a transparent unit coupled to the frame. The transparent unit includes a first vacuum pane, a second vacuum pane, and an evacuated gap between the first and second vacuum panes. The evacuated gap has a predetermined thickness within which a vacuum is drawn, thereby providing a thermal insulation effect for the transparent unit. The transparent unit further includes a plurality of spacers disposed within the evacuated gap and configured to maintain the predetermined thickness of the evacuated gap when the vacuum is drawn therein.

The invention relates to a pull-out guide for a movable furniture part, comprising at least one rail, which is horizontal in the installed position, and a drive element for a drive device for the movable furniture part, which drive element can be fastened on the rail, in particular detachably fastened, wherein the driver element can be brought from a release position in a fixing position with the rail by way of a fastening movement of the drive element, the fastening movement being carried out in the horizontal plane.

The invention relates to a pull-out guide for a movable furniture part, comprising at least one rail, which is horizontal in the installed position, and a drive element for a drive device for the movable furniture part, which drive element can be fastened on the rail, in particular detachably fastened, wherein the driver element can be brought from a release position in a fixing position with the rail by way of a fastening movement of the drive element, the fastening movement being carried out in the horizontal plane.