The invention relates to a protective device to be utilized on the handlebar of a vehicle equipped with control levers mounted on the handlebar adjacent to the handlebar grips. The device of the invention prevents control levers from imparting damage to the surroundings when the vehicle is transported. The device of the invention further protects the control levers and grips from damage by contact with nearby objects during transportation of the vehicle. The device of the invention further keeps a brake control lever in the fully pulled position, thus actuating the brake and preventing rotation of the braked wheel or wheels.

A thread protector for use with sucker rods and other downhole tools is pushable onto an end of the sucker rod for secure retention. The thread protector is optionally squeezed and rotated for release from the end of the sucker rod. Included on the protector is a sleeve having a closed end and an opposite open end for receiving and pushably engaging with the end of the sucker rod. The sleeve has one or more first regions around a circumference of the sleeve having reduced diameter for engagement with one or more regions of the end of the sucker rod and one or more second regions around the circumference of the sleeve having enlarged diameter. Application of pressure to the one or more second regions of the sleeve causes disengagement of the one or more first regions from the end of the sucker rod for removal of the thread protector.

A thread protector for use with sucker rods and other downhole tools is pushable onto an end of the sucker rod for secure retention. The thread protector is optionally squeezed and rotated for release from the end of the sucker rod. Included on the protector is a sleeve having a closed end and an opposite open end for receiving and pushably engaging with the end of the sucker rod. The sleeve has one or more first regions around a circumference of the sleeve having reduced diameter for engagement with one or more regions of the end of the sucker rod and one or more second regions around the circumference of the sleeve having enlarged diameter. Application of pressure to the one or more second regions of the sleeve causes disengagement of the one or more first regions from the end of the sucker rod for removal of the thread protector.

Port protection device particularly suited for an encapsulated filter unit. In certain embodiments, the protection device comprises a main body defining an internal region configured to receive a port or the like protruding from an encapsulated filter. In certain embodiments, the main body includes a slot that allows for easy removal of the protection device from the port or the like. A tube management system may be provided to receive and hold tubing. One suitable tube management system includes two spaced tangs that extend from the main body of the protection device and are configured to cooperatively receive and hold tubing between them.

An apparatus and method for secure shipment of goods monitors location and status with multiple sensors embedded in the package of the shipment container. Encryption methods help ensure the shipped goods are authentic, and that the goods were not tampered with during shipment. Information placed in an RFID tag may provide the user with the history of performance during transit to ensure the quality of the goods from the shipment site to the receiving site.

An apparatus and method for secure shipment of goods monitors location and status with multiple sensors embedded in the package of the shipment container. Encryption methods help ensure the shipped goods are authentic, and that the goods were not tampered with during shipment. Information placed in an RFID tag may provide the user with the history of performance during transit to ensure the quality of the goods from the shipment site to the receiving site.

A protector for the male or female end of a threaded tubular connection for drilling or operating hydrocarbon wells, comprising a principal body, a first sealing gasket formed from a material which is less rigid than the material of the protector body and intended to make a seal with a surface of an end of the component, the principal body comprising a plurality of orifices through which the sealing gasket passes.

A protector for a connection for a tubular component for drilling or operating hydrocarbon wells, provided with a distal end surface, the protector comprising an annular housing comprising a bottom, two lateral walls, outer and inner, separated from each other and in which an annular gasket is disposed, each lateral wall comprising a bottom lateral wall portion and an exterior lateral wall portion and an upper face, the two exterior lateral wall portions defining an opening with width A.sub.u and characterized in that a distance A between two bottom lateral wall portions is greater than the width A.sub.u, in a manner such as to allow a first annular gasket to be positioned then to allow said annular gasket to be retained in the annular housing.

A protector for a connection for a tubular component for drilling or operating hydrocarbon wells, provided with a distal end surface, the protector comprising an annular housing comprising a bottom, two lateral walls, outer and inner, separated from each other and in which an annular gasket is disposed, each lateral wall comprising a bottom lateral wall portion and an exterior lateral wall portion and an upper face, the two exterior lateral wall portions defining an opening with width A.sub.u and characterized in that a distance A between two bottom lateral wall portions is greater than the width A.sub.u, in a manner such as to allow a first annular gasket to be positioned then to allow said annular gasket to be retained in the annular housing.

Port protection device particularly suited for an encapsulated filter unit. In certain embodiments, the protection device comprises a main body defining an internal region configured to receive a port or the like protruding from an encapsulated filter. In certain embodiments, the main body includes a slot that allows for easy removal of the protection device from the port or the like. A tube management system may be provided to receive and hold tubing. One suitable tube management system includes two spaced tangs that extend from the main body of the protection device and are configured to cooperatively receive and hold tubing between them.