Abstract: In a shaft coupling structure in which a first shaft and a second shaft are coupled with each other by a combination of a key coupling and a clamp coupling, the first shaft has a cylindrical portion into which the second shaft is inserted and slits which are formed in the cylindrical portion by cutting off portions thereof in the axial direction, and a clamping fastener is mounted on portions of the outer circumference of the first shaft in which the slits are formed and the slit can be also used as a keyway of the key, and the plurality of slits are formed in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A coupling, conduit assembly, method for coupling conduits and faucet assembly are described herein, wherein the coupling includes a female section with a conduit connecting end and a retainer with at least one projection; a male section with a conduit connecting end and a male projecting portion with a two large diameter sections, each having an inwardly facing surface wherein the surfaces define a channel that is configured so a mating surface on the projection or projections contacts the surface of the first large diameter section when the coupling is locked; and a locking piece on the female section capable of sliding along that section to engage the projection or projections when situated in the channel so the mating surface on the projection or projections contacts the surface of the first large diameter section and the locking piece retains the projection or projections in position and locks the coupling.

Abstract: A direction restricting device, for the inner and outer tubes of a bicycle seat post, includes at least one axial groove arranged on the wall of one of the tubes, and a direction restricting element fastened to the other tube at the position relative to the axial groove wall. The direction restricting element may be inserted into the axial groove and at least includes an elastic slider provided with an axial opening in the middle. The direction restricting element may be inserted into the axial groove to enable the axial outer walls of the direction restricting element to engage with the axial inner walls of the axial groove to eliminate the interspace between the slider and the axial groove to prevent deflection and wobbling and to reinforce the steadiness of both tubes when the inner and outer tubes rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular construction system, comprising at least two construction elements (20) and a coupling element (1), wherein: the coupling element (1) comprises a body (2) with two surfaces which are each provided with coupling means, wherein the coupling means of at least one surface comprise a ring of resiliently pivotable lips (4) provided with locking protrusions; at least one of the two construction elements comprises an opening (22) for receiving the lips of the coupling element; the lips are adapted to displace inward in order to release the connection between the coupling element and the construction element; and the plate-like body of the coupling element comprises an opening (6) which is provided with resiliently pivotable tongues (7) extending radially inward which are connected to the lips (4), wherein the tongues are displaced out of the plane of the plate-like body by a force being exerted thereon, such that due to displacement of the tongues the lips are displaced inward.

Abstract: A portable safety rail system includes one or more railings inserted into one or more stackable rail bases. Each rail base can include a plurality of apertures for receiving end rail posts of railings through a raised hub defining an open region between the bottom of the hub and the surface on which the rail base rests. Each end rail post can have a stop flange that engages an upper surface of the hub when inserted therein and an aperture through the end portion that extends into the open region beneath the hub for receiving a pin to lock the post while allowing rotation of the post. The system can also include toe boards that are attached to railings with a mount having an aperture through which railings are extended, allowing the toe boards to also be rotated to be aligned with railings.

Abstract: A flexure based linear bearing includes top and bottom parallel rigid plates; first and second flexures connecting the top and bottom plates and constraining exactly four degrees of freedom of relative motion of the plates, the four degrees of freedom being X and Y axis translation and rotation about the X and Y axes; and a strut connecting the top and bottom plates and further constraining exactly one degree of freedom of the plates, the one degree of freedom being one of Z axis translation and rotation about the Z axis.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a shrouded conduit joint assembly that includes a joint assembly and a boot shroud. The joint assembly includes a first ferrule having a first seal, and a second ferrule having a second seal. A clamp operatively engages the first ferrule and the second ferrule. The boot shroud surrounds the joint assembly and is spaced from the joint assembly to create a leak detection space between the joint assembly and the boot shroud.

Abstract: Systems and methods of fencing systems are provided that incorporate tri-truss assemblies and/or self-closing gates. A tri-truss assembly may provide stability and support to a gate that is part of a portable or temporary fencing system. A tri-truss assembly may be configured to support a self-closing gate that is part of a pool fence. A tri-truss assembly may include three vertical support members. Two of the three vertical support members may include pins configured to be placed within pre-drilled holes in a surface in order to maintain the tri-truss assembly upright. A third vertical support may be a different length (shorter or longer) than the first two vertical support members and include an adjustable foot, such as a threaded bolt, configured to contact the surface and provide additional stability and/or support.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner suction pipe with at least one inner and at least one outer pipe, and at least one locking device, the locking device being movable by manual actuation, the locking device having a toothed rack, and in the locking position the rack being kept engaged to a toothed strip of the inner pipe, as a result of which the position of the inner pipe is fixed relative to the outer pipe. The locking device is movable into a release position by axial displacement relative to the outer pipe, and in the release position, the rack can be disengaged from the toothed strip by a relative force between the outer pipe and inner pipe, without the effect of a spring force, by the flanks of the teeth of the toothed strip pushing the flanks of the teeth of the rack upward.

Abstract: A wear plate assembly for mounting on a substrate to be protected includes a support plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a wear plate having a wear surface and an opposing attachment surface affixed to the first surface of the support plate, wherein the wear surface is a continuous, uninterrupted surface. The assembly also includes a shaft having a base portion attached to the second surface of the support plate, a head portion distal from the base portion and a groove formed between the base portion and the head portion. The assembly also includes a retainer spring adapted to be received in the groove on the shaft, wherein the retainer spring includes a plurality of compressible tabs configured for cooperating with the substrate to releasably attach the wear plate assembly to the substrate.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to couplers that can be used to provide a seal between a source assembly and a vacuum chamber. In certain examples, the seal can be provided upon movement of a moveable component of the coupler. In some examples, rotation of the moveable component is operative to provide an axial force to a stationary component coupled to the moveable component such that the stationary component is biased to provide a suitable seal to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A coupling device for a tube includes a pressure element comprising first and second pressure element segments for exerting a clamping force on the tube. The pressure element includes surfaces that converge towards each other in a radial direction away from the tube and that are directly or indirectly disposed against support elements. The first pressure element segment is placed proximally and the second pressure element segment distally with respect to the tube. The first and the second pressure element segments are each provided with contact surfaces that abut and co-operate with each other at a predetermined incline in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tube such that during tension strain between the coupling and the tube, the first pressure element segment is caused to clamp the tube more tightly and the second pressure element segment endows an increased force on the support elements.

Abstract: Couplings for use with mating couplings with locking rings. A stem coupling may have a coupling head configured to attach with a head portion of the mating coupling, a stem mated to the coupling head where the stem has a threaded portion on an outer surface, and a retractable locking sleeve positioned on a portion of the coupling head. The retractable locking sleeve may have a locked position and an unlocked position for preventing and permitting the coupling head to attach to or detach from the mating coupling. The stem coupling includes a stem locking ring having a first position preventing axial movement of the locking sleeve and a second position permitting axial movement of the locking sleeve. The stem locking ring may also include at least one of a color and indicia to alert a user to a type of media for which the stem coupling is intended.

Abstract: The invention may relate to a bracket that is used in building fences or floor joists or the like. The bracket is substantially concealed from view after assembly. The invention may also be a method for building fences involving a bracket that is concealed from view after the fence is completed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic compensation mechanism for a hinge seal gap in a spherical compressor. A cylindrical hinge formed around a central pin (1), a rotating disk pin seat (81), and a piston pin seat (16) of the spherical compressor. A fan-shaped insert (14) thicker at both sides and thinner in the center thereof is disposed at the bottom of a sump (161) on the pin seat of the cylindrical hinge. The shape of the insert (14) marches the shapes of the sump (161) and of the external cylindrical surface of a semi-cylinder (811) on the pin seat of the cylindrical hinge respectively, forming a dynamic seal fit, thus improving the reliability of the seal, adapting to mass production, and enhancing overall performance.

Abstract: A pin assembly for a retractable pin mechanism of a slider box of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pin guide attached to the slider box. A pin is connected to a retraction mechanism and engages the pin guide. The pin includes an integral inboard and outboard stop. The integral inboard and outboard stops of the pin limit movement of the pin with respect to the pin guide and serve as a positive stop for the pin during retraction and extension of the pin when the retraction mechanism is activated or deactivated by the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rod string with a plurality of rod sections and a method for making up and breaking out the rod sections. The rod sections have corresponding pin and box ends, each having grooves and lands and an ungrooved portion. The rod sections can be connected by inserting the pin end into a box end and turning less than a full turn. A lock engagement mechanism having a first end and a second end is provided inside the rod sections and locks when the pin end is rotated into place. The lock engagement mechanism has a rotation stop which protrudes proximate the first end to prevent relative rotation of two rod sections until a key manipulates the lock engagement mechanism to retract the rotation stop.

Abstract: A wirelessly-controlled automatic releaser including a housing, rechargeable batteries, wireless controls, an electromagnetic mechanism, and a release mechanism. The housing is provided with a cylindrical configuration having a upper cavity and a coaxial lower cavity. The wireless controller includes a remote control, a control switch, antennas, and a wireless control module. The electromagnetic mechanism includes an electromagnet and an iron core. The release mechanism includes a release pin, a movable sleeve and a release sleeve sequentially suited to one another from inside to outside.

Abstract: Techniques and structures to facilitate efficient replacement of windows/domes of optical systems, such as turreted pointer/tracker systems and seekers and other such gimbal-based or fixed targeting systems. The techniques can be implemented, for example, in a mounting ring or bezel, wherein the dome/window center of curvature is actively aligned during assembly to a reference feature on a mounting bezel during the dome-to-bezel alignment. This reference feature then mechanically registers the dome-bezel assembly to a given chassis. In some embodiments, the techniques allow for positioning of a replacement window/dome on an optical lens system, such that co-boresight of multiple beam paths is automatically maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a drive shaft end to a vehicle drive flange of the type that has six equally spaced, axially directed threaded bores. The apparatus includes a yoke member defining a pair of ears for receiving pin members defined by the drive shaft. The yoke member has at least four equally spaced apart axial through bores that are alignable with four of the bores in the drive flange. Fasteners extending through the through bores are threadably received by the aligned drive flange bores and clamp the yoke member to the drive flange. At least one, but preferably two, drive pins are threadably received by two of the six drive flange bores and include portions that are received by associated bores in the yoke member and are preferably sized to tightly fit the bores in a torque transmitting relationship.