Designer's Corner

Push-to-close latch

This latch is quick and easy to open and close, while providing both vibration resistance and compression. Push the panel closed, and the latch engages. As the latch closes, ridges in the receptacle line up with grooves on the latch to resist vibration. Even if not tightly closed, threads on the latch body lock within the receptacle to hold the latch securely.

The compression-style latch won't vibrate loose.

Once the latch engages with the receptacle, rotate a fractional turn to pull the two more tightly together, and apply compression to the panel and frame/gasket material. To open, turn the latch to disengage, and pull the panel open. Available with knob-style head for use with gloved hands, or tool-style heads for tool-only access.

Applications include guard panels, doors, shields, and access panels on agricultural, off-highway, and industrial equipment.

Richard Hipp, Southco, 210 N. Brinton Lake Rd., Concordville, PA 19331; Tel: (610) 361-6706; Fax: (610) 459-4012; E-mail: info@southco.com.

Vaporless fuel system

This patented fuel storage system reduces the number-one safety and environmental threat related to fuel storage vapors. A rigid outer shell contains a flexible double-walled bladder made of a pliable, composite material that is impermeable to fuel. Hydraulic fluid fills the space between the walls, allowing the bladder to expand just enough to hold the amount of fuel received as it enters the empty bladder.

When fuel is consumed and the bladder empties, its volume decreases, continuously contracting, and never allowing air space to form. Without air contacting the fuel, vapors and subsequent vapor hazards are eliminated, even when the tank is empty.

Integrating easily into existing fuel systems, the vaporless fuel system eliminates the need for costly venting and on-board canister systems. It also prevents the loss of fuel through evaporation, prevents contamination, and maintains fuel integrity (including diesel and jet fuels.) Moreover, the design may potentially solve a variety of problems in applications ranging from chemical storage to contamination in water storage systems on recreational vehicles.

Kevin Madison, Top Dog Systems, Box 508, Ridgewood, NJ 07451; Tel: (877) 668-2767.

Rail-lubricating cartridge

Despite all of the "install it and forget it" hype associated with many recently introduced lube-for-life products, adequate lubrication of linear bearings remains a fact of life, especially in contaminated environments. A credible solution, the SLC lubrication cartridge, supplies a continuous flow of lubricant to the critical surfaces of profile linear guideways.

For light to medium duty applications the sealed unit can replace the central lubrication system and greatly minimize the scheduled re-lube maintenance associated with any recirculating roller product. SLC attaches to one or both ends of a carriage, and works in any orientation. Seven lubricant-dispensing pads allow oil to flow from the cartridge reservoir onto the guideway's running surfaces, including the top of the rail, which protects the carriage end seals from wiping across a dry surface.

For use with existing systems, or new monorail carriages, single piece prices start at less than $90.00.

John Skaltsas, Schneeberger Inc., 11 DeAngelo Dr., Bedford, MA 01730; Tel: (800) 854-6333; Fax: (781) 275-4799.