Abstract: A dowel fastener for frictionally engaging the sides of recesses, bores or apertures in wood, metal, and/or plastic joint members to hold the joint members together is disclosed. The dowel has a flexible, resilient, compressible tubular body with a spiral slot extending along its length. At least one end of the dowel is tapered and preferably includes inwardly angled, segmented, end flanges terminating in a circular, free end edge of smaller diameter than said body. The flanges lead the dowel into a reduced width or diameter recess or aperture upon assembly into a joint. The opposite end may also be tapered for insertion in a similar recess or include an apertured, planar end preferably formed from bent end flanges for securing the dowel to a surface with a screw or other fastener. Preferably, the diameter of the free end edge of the tapered end or ends is sized to prevent compressive insertion in an aperture or recess which is too small and would otherwise cause deformation or failure of the dowel.

Abstract: In an assembly including components clamped together and in which one or both of the components is subject to a relatively high and variable tensile stress, fretting due to vibration at abutting surfaces of the components can start cracks in the surfaces which is then accentuated in the stressed surface.FIG. 1 of the specification shows a fan turbine rotor disc 4 clamped on a shaft 2 by nut 12 and interposed between confronting surfaces 14 and 16 on the disc and an adjacent bearing is a stress-reducing collar 6 which is slotted at 18 to define struts 20 extending between the surfaces. The struts 20 transmit the clamping load while allowing torsional flexibility to reduce the shear stress and hence fretting between contacting surfaces.In an alternative embodiment the surfaces themselves may be slotted which gives the added advantage that the tensile stress in the surfaces can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A plasma arc spray overlay of cladding metals is used over joints between clad metal pieces to provide a continuous cladding metal surface. The technique permits applying an overlay of a high melting point cladding metal to a cladding metal surface without excessive heating of the backing metal.

Abstract: A self-piercing fastener, such as a stud bolt, for attachment to a panel or the like. The fastener includes a fastener portion, such as a threaded shank, and a self-piercing and riveting end portion. The end portion includes a central recess enclosed by a self-piercing and riveting wall on at least opposed sides of the recess. The wall has an internal surface terminating in a sharp piercing edge at its distal end which is adapted to pierce an opening in the panel. The recess terminates in a bottom wall which is preferably spaced from the piercing edge of the wall a distance greater than the thickness of the panel.

Abstract: A drill steel and method of making a drill steel with an insert which provides a male insertion segment to form a joint with the female end of a drill steel. The insert is formed with a reduced end having an annular lip and can be utilized in a die forming process which forms the end of a drill steel around the insert in a one-step forming operation while at the same time enlarging the drill steel end to form a shoulder abutment.

Abstract: A self-restoring fender panel for a reusable impact attenuation device is provided. Buffer elements are positioned in an ordered array extending forwardly of a rigid backing member adjacent to a fixed structure. Diaphragm members are interposed in the array and extend laterally outward of the array at fixed intervals. Fender panels are pivotally coupled to laterally extending ends of the diaphragm members and extend rearwardly from their associated diaphragm members and partially overlap the fender panels coupled to the succeeding diaphragm members. Biasing means, such as an extension spring, interconnects each of the fender panels with the diaphragm member to which the fender panel is pivotally coupled to bias the fender panels laterally inward. Nonrigid means such as a cable connects the backing member and the diaphragm members. Preferably, the fender panels are connected to the nonrigid means by releasable clips, which may be made of wire.

Abstract: This invention relates to coupling members for coupling an optical system to an endoscope shaft, of the kind comprising a locking ring whose proximal terminal surface has an excision through which may pass an annular collar of the optical system insertible into the shaft, and having a radial guiding stud which is engagable in a groove or slot of the shaft provided with an inclination and which, by twisting out of the insertion position of the optical system, couples the optical system to the shaft in the manner of a bayonet joint. According to this invention, the locking ring has an internal annular groove arranged to receive a spring bent into a circular or partially circular shape and bearing against the bottom of the groove. One end of the spring is connected to the locking ring and the other end of the spring is connected to the shaft. When the annular collar is inserted in the locking ring, the spring is reduced in circumference and is stressed by rotation of the locking ring.

Abstract: In apparatus for connecting a tension member, such as an element of a leg of a tension leg platform, to an underwater anchoring base, actual connection to the anchoring base is accomplished by a connector which is joined to the tension element by a flex joint which is spaced above the connector but surrounded by a tubular element rigid with the anchoring base, the flex joint carrying an annular stop surface which is closely embraced by the tubular element. Lateral loads applied to the flex joint by the tension element are transferred directly to the tubular element and the anchoring base rather than to the connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener assembly (10) and fastener (20) in which a post (11) includes a pair of recesses (14a,14b) for mating engagement with a pair of inwardly extending projections (32a,32b,42a,42b) on a nut-like fastener (20). The structure of the coating assembly (10) allows for sliding relative movement between the nut-like fastener (20) and the post (11) when the nut (20) and post (11) are in a first orientation, and when reoriented permits the harder projections (42a,42b,32a,32b) to cut into the post and thereby inhibit disengagement of the nut (20) from the post (11) until the first reorientation is reobtained.

Abstract: In a ball and socket joint comprising a ball and a socket in mutual swivelling sliding engagement with each other, the ball having a stud integrally formed at one end thereof and projecting outwardly through one end of the socket, the improvement consisting in forming the socket with an annular groove circularly disposed at the edge of the open end of the socket for fitting and retaining therein the beaded end of a flexible oil-resistant seal having a bellows type body provided at one end with an annular band stretched over the periphery of the stud.

Abstract: A workpiece fastening device usable on a machine tool fixture, comprising an elongated tubular body having knurling along the outside of the top end of the body, a taper on the inside thereof, and a plurality of slots extending longitudinally about half the length of the body. A lock washer with a yieldable portion is welded to the bottom end of the body to allow a workpiece to be pulled flush against a fixture. The tubular body is slip-fitted into a through-bore in the workpiece until the lock washer rests upon the fixture, and a bolt having a head taper matching the taper in the tubular body is then inserted through the body and is threadably received in the fixture. Upon tightening of the bolt, the top of the body expands causing the knurling to grippingly engage the bore in the workpiece. After the body is completely wedged in the bore, further tightening of the bolt causes the lock washer to be distorted slightly thereby allowing the workpiece to be pulled flush against the fixture.

Abstract: A demountable sealed joint (1) for the fluid tight connection of a sheet member (2) to a support (3), in which the latter is provided with a dovetail groove (5) engaged by a bead (4) of substantially the same shape as said groove and forming a portion of the sheet member (2) and substantially rigid in a transverse direction; the groove (5) comprising two longitudinal undercuts (6, 7) engaged by respective longitudinal extensions (14, 15) of said bead (4) and of which one is more pronounced than the other, the sheet member (2) being connected to the bead (4) substantially at the base of the extension (15) engaged in the more pronounced undercut and at a predetermined distance from the other extension (14).

Abstract: Joint for door frames or similar frame structures or sections, like window casements and frames, picture frames, etc. in which the sections that are to be jointed form an angle with each other or a direct extension to each other. On the outer or inner surfaces of these sections has been made an incision or a groove wherein a junction plate made of metal has been inserted. The junction plate is either corrugated, jagged, or toothed, whereby the effective thickness of the junction plate is made bigger or larger than the width of the groove in these sections, and such that the pressing of the junction plate into the groove causes it to be fixed in position. The inner edge of the junction plate, at least partly, comprises toothing or teeth, the teeth being pressed into the bottom of the groove at the end of the jointing.

Abstract: A racetrack guard is disclosed which includes a plurality of spaced-apart upright gooseneck curved posts or stanchions. The exposed ends of the posts or stanchions are covered by and attached to a rail which runs from post to post. On the top of the posts or stanchions are disposed a number of generally L-shaped elongated panels in overlapping relationship from end to end. The panels are attached to the rail and to the stanchions. The panels, which are formed of a resilient, shock absorbing material, overlie the posts to provide a cushioning or shock absorbing surface. These conditions are extremely desirable in protecting a jockey from a serious injury in the event of a fall from a horse during a race.

Abstract: A fixing device comprising a first clamp for clamping a mount and a second clamp which is adapted to be clamped to a stationary member. The second clamp is operatively connected to the first clamp by a tubular coupling member so that each clamp may be manually rotatable about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of each of the clamps. The clamps are held in position by a bolt-and-nut arrangement extending through the tubular member.

Abstract: A coupling for intercoupling at least two orthogonal bars or tubes includes an annular member surrounding one of the bars and rigidly fastened thereto. A loose annular member is also positioned on the bar and cooperates with angled guide surfaces. The other bars are provided with links having recesses and projections which cooperate with recesses and projections of the annular members. The rotation of the loose annular member results in it locking the links to the bar, by the cooperation of the loose annular member and the guide surfaces.

Abstract: Connector, particularly for use in underwater well installations, for securing members together under large clamping forces. The connector is characterized by two successive stages of actuation of a locking means, typically a split ring or set of arcuate segments, with the actuating force of the second stage being applied by camming surfaces via low friction means to establish a high compressive preload without use of especially large power devices.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for joining a pair of golf clubs comprising a housing portion and gripping portions disposed along a longitudinal axis. The housing portion has first and second receiving ends and the gripping portions define a bore for receiving the ends of two golf clubs. A tightening mechanism is mounted to cause the gripping portions to move between an open position and a contracted gripping position wherein the tapered handle of the golf clubs is tightly gripped. In a specific embodiment the gripping portions include gripping sections spaced from one another in the open position and are movable toward each other to the contracted gripping position.

Abstract: A roll device includes a roll shaft and at least one roll ring mounted on the roll shaft. A lock means is securable to the roll shaft. A centering element is disposed between the roll ring and the roll shaft to center the roll ring. A first resilient element is axially interposed between the lock means and the centering element. A second resilient element is axially interposed between the lock means and the roll ring. The lock means applies axial force to the first and second resilient elements to position the centering element relative to the roll ring and roll shaft, and clamp the roll ring to the roll shaft for common rotation therewith. The spring rates of the first resilient element can be made less than that of the second resilient element to regulate the relative amount of axial forces applied to these elements.

Abstract: A socket assembly for a ball and socket coupling comprises a socket body having a ball-receiving socket which includes a cylindrical portion. A pair of slots extend through the socket body and open into the cylindrical portion at locations diametrically opposite each other and outwardlyfrom the seated position of the ball. Each slot has a flat surface which generally faces the seated position of the ball and converges inwardly toward the axis of the cylindrical portion of the socket, thus to lie obliquely to the axis of the cylindrical portion. A generally C-shaped spring clip wraps around the socket body. The clip has opposed end portions which extend through the slots and part way into the socket far enough to engage the neck of the ball component. The end portions of the clip are oriented generally obliquely to the axis of the socket.