Abstract: A tether device includes a tether assembly disposed between two entities maintaining connection between the entities. A resilient element is integrated with the tether assembly. A geometry of the tether assembly and the resilient element create first and second resilient element and tether force-displacement responses when the resilient element and tether assembly are together subjected to at least first and second axial displacement forces. The second axial displacement force is greater than the first axial displacement force. The first force-displacement response, when subjected to the first axial displacement force, is greater than the second force-displacement response when subjected to the second axial displacement force. The geometry can include a tether configured in a serpentine formation in a relaxed position. The serpentine formation straightens taut when the tether is fully extended by the second axial displacement force. The geometry can also include multiple O-rings.

Abstract: The subject invention improves traditional safety equipment intended to protect the lower leg, ankle, foot, and toes applicable in industrial and commercial as well as casual and athletic uses. The personal protective equipment (PPE) of the subject invention comprises a soleplate, a metatarsal component, a toe cap, and a tibia-fibula component; these components can be implemented alone or in combination within a shoe or boot providing for various levels of protection depending on the desired application. Further embodiments provide for both the implementation of the protective components within the footwear as well as components that can be worn in conjunction with pre-existing shoes or boots.

Abstract: A splash and spill resistant insulating lid for beverage containers comprising an insulated splash and spill barrier integrated into a cup lid combination. This is achieved by creating a barrier and/or labyrinth flow path, which buffers and deflects sloshing liquid. Accidental/incidental release of liquid is minimized and/or prevented while allowing the normal flow of liquid for drinking. These features of the SSRIL further create an insulating barrier to keep a cup's fluid hotter or cooler for a longer period of time, enhanced by using an appropriate insulating material combined with finite number of transfer holes that are of a specific shape and/or specific location and/or specific orientation to promote the formation of a surface tension film of fluid across the transfer holes, creating additional barriers against the escape and exchange of both fluid and vapor outside the cup.

Abstract: A tether device includes a tether assembly disposed between two entities maintaining connection between the entities. A resilient element is integrated with the tether assembly. A geometry of the tether assembly and the resilient element create first and second resilient element and tether force-displacement responses when the resilient element and tether assembly are together subjected to at least first and second axial displacement forces. The second axial displacement force is greater than the first axial displacement force. The first force-displacement response, when subjected to the first axial displacement force, is greater than the second force-displacement response when subjected to the second axial displacement force. The geometry can include a tether configured in a serpentine formation in a relaxed position. The serpentine formation straightens taut when the tether is fully extended by the second axial displacement force. The geometry can also include multiple O-rings.

Abstract: A novel gasket includes at least one gripping element embedded in an annular member for forming a seal between two tubulars. For tubulars having socket and spigot ends, the gripping element includes teeth for gripping an outer surface of the spigot end and a blunt tooth for contacting a front wall of the socket end. The blunt tooth rolls along the front wall during relative movement between the tubulars and can include a contacting face of a specialized geometry to adjust contact dynamics and/or roughened surfaces to increase the frictional contact between the blunt tooth and the front wall. The embedded element can also include at least four teeth arranged such that no more than two teeth normally grip the outer surface of the spigot end. One or more teeth can also include a transverse groove to enhance penetration into the outer surface of the spigot end.

Abstract: A method of forming metal parts or components from strip stock or roll stock without yielding is accomplished by first placing the part/components into fixtures that hold the stock in a non-yielding position therein. The fixture and metal stock parts are placed in a liquid, gas, or pack carburizing heat treatment process. Once the carburization process is complete, the part is released from the fixture with little or no spring back, maintaining the shape it was held in while in the fixture, resisting returning to its original shape, and optionally imparting spring-like qualities not associated with the stock before treatment.

Abstract: A splash and spill resistant insulating lid for beverage containers comprising an insulated splash and spill barrier integrated into a cup lid combination. This is achieved by creating a barrier and/or labyrinth flow path, which buffers and deflects sloshing liquid. Accidental/incidental release of liquid is minimized and/or prevented while allowing the normal flow of liquid for drinking. These features of the SSRIL further create an insulating barrier to keep a cup's fluid hotter or cooler for a longer period of time, enhanced by using an appropriate insulating material combined with finite number of transfer holes that are of a specific shape and/or specific location and/or specific orientation to promote the formation of a surface tension film of fluid across the transfer holes, creating additional barriers against the escape and exchange of both fluid and vapor outside the cup.

Abstract: A method of forming metal parts or components from strip stock or roll stock without yielding is accomplished by first placing the part/components into fixtures that hold the stock in a non-yielding position therein. The fixture and metal stock parts are placed in a liquid, gas, or pack carburizing heat treatment process. Once the carburization process is complete, the part is released from the fixture with little or no spring back, maintaining the shape it was held in while in the fixture, resisting returning to its original shape, and optionally imparting spring-like qualities not associated with the stock before treatment.

Abstract: An improved method of molding an extended product having a longitudinal hollow through the center, wherein the use of numerous lateral chaplets to stabilize the product core during the molding process is significantly reduced or eliminated. Tangential structures positioned on a core suspended throughout the length of the cavity will eliminate or minimize the need for chaplets or other core stabilizing means. The core is placed in the open cavity of a mold used to manufacture rubber products and is suspended throughout the length of the cavity. The tangential structures on the core will maintain the suspended position of the core as rubber flows around it filling the cavity. After the cavity is filled and vulcanization of the rubber is complete, the mold is opened and the core is removed from the cavity with the molded product intact. Upon removal from the mold, the core is extracted from the product.

Abstract: A shroud-adapter for attaching a windshield wiper blade/beam assembly to a windshield wiper arm, comprising either a unitary or two-piece shroud-adapter which is detachably attachable to a connector element by snapping means, the connector element being attached to a wiper blade/beam assembly. The connector is of formed steel with crimp tabs bendable to impinge upon the wiper beam, but can be made from plastics or other suitably-engineered polymers or castings known in the field. The shroud-adapter portion can be molded from plastic or suitably-engineered materials or cast from any one of numerous materials. If a separate adapter portion is used in cooperation with the shroud, it can be molded from a plastic or suitably-engineered material, as well, but also can be cast, machined or formed by other appropriate methods. The shroud-adapter is designed to be compatible with many of the popular side pin, J-hook, and European style wiper arms.

Abstract: The subject invention improves traditional safety equipment intended to protect the lower leg, ankle, foot, and toes applicable in industrial and commercial as well as casual and athletic uses. The personal protective equipment (PPE) of the subject invention comprises a soleplate, a metatarsal component, a toe cap, and a tibia-fibula component; these components can be implemented alone or in combination within a shoe or boot providing for various levels of protection depending on the desired application. Further embodiments provide for both the implementation of the protective components within the footwear as well as components that can be worn in conjunction with pre-existing shoes or boots.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade assembly is disclosed which comprises a resilient wiper blade having an axial passage through which a flexible support beam is positioned to provide structure. A universal connector element for connecting the blade assembly to a plurality of different wiper arms crimps onto the blade and support beam assembly approximately midway along the wiper blade in a manner which does not puncture nor interfere with the resilient windshield wiper material, while at the same time preventing the relative axial translation of the support beam within the windshield wiper blade as well as translation between the blade and the connector itself.

Abstract: A preferred joint restraint includes a dampening force and a restraining force to control relative movement between a pad and gland and between the gland and bolt, respectively. The preferred restraint includes a gland, pads, and bolts. Preferably, a flexible member disposed in the pad selectively provides the dampening and retaining force. A preferred joint restraint also includes a pad and a bolt that coact to provide a controlled wedging action. The wedging action supplies supplemental tooth penetration and/or enhanced clamping force that stabilizes a shifting tubular member (pipe). A preferred tooth arrangement for a restraint pad produces an intermittent penetration pattern in the pipe. A preferred spacing member for a restraint tunes a clamping force generated by the restraint to accommodate variations in pipe geometry and/or materials. A preferred restraint is arranged according to a method that uses pipe expansion to provide an enhanced gripping action.