Abstract: A tube stand has a base with an interior space for receiving a spent portion of a tube, a panel removably attached to the bottom of the base, and a sleeve removably attached to the cover of the base. The sleeve preferably has a pseudo-conical shape with a circular transverse cross-section at its top end and an elliptical transverse cross-section at its bottom end. The sleeve provides vertical support for the upper portion of the tube but is advantageously removed to allow the base to still neatly hold the tube in an accessible manner when it is nearly empty. An alternative embodiment uses a lid with wedge blocks having V-shaped ramp surfaces that guide the end of the tube into a slot, the ramp surfaces providing lateral support for the tube.

Abstract: A method of joining two pipe ends, by forming male threads on an end of a first pipe with a steep taper angle, forming matching female threads on an end of a second pipe, and applying adhesive material to the threads before twisting the pipes to fully engage the male and female threads, thereby spreading the adhesive material across adjacent load-bearing surfaces of the threads. The threads have multiple start locations for thread engagement so that the pipe ends may be twisted to achieve full engagement in less than one full relative rotation. The male and female threads are formed with a squeeze angle between matching surfaces of the threads between 0.5 and 5.0 degrees. The finished joint provides immediate leak-tightness, and immediate tensile, compressive and torsional strength and does not protrude outside of the pipe profile.

Abstract: A method of joining two pipe ends, by forming male threads on an end of a first pipe with a steep taper angle, forming matching female threads on an end of a second pipe, and applying adhesive material to the threads before twisting the pipes to fully engage the male and female threads, thereby spreading the adhesive material across adjacent load-bearing surfaces of the threads. The threads have multiple start locations for thread engagement so that the pipe ends may be twisted to achieve full engagement in less than one full relative rotation. The male and female threads are formed with a squeeze angle between matching surfaces of the threads between 0.5 and 5.0 degrees. The finished joint provides immediate leak-tightness, and immediate tensile, compressive and torsional strength and does not protrude outside of the pipe profile.

Abstract: A pipe coupler includes a gripping element adapted to engage an outer surface of a pipe end to oppose a pull-out force on the pipe end, and a torque drive mechanism which rotates the gripping element to induce longitudinal movement of the gripping element along the pipe end in an opposite direction. The gripping element may take the form of a collet having a threaded inner surface, and the torque drive mechanism incorporated in a back-up ring that surrounds the collet. The torque drive mechanism may be provided by an inwardly extending, longitudinal flange which is stamped out of the metallic back-up ring, and which engages a longitudinal notch in the collet. This design allows the intentional removal of the coupler at any time that the coupling is not under a large axial load.

Abstract: A toggle connector for connecting the conductors of two or more wires includes a base and two interconnected leaves which may be forced into an over-toggle position to clamp the conductors to each other.

Abstract: An electrical connector which is adapted to join two or more wires together and comprises a pair of hollow cylinders joined together and disposed such that one end portion of each cylindrical is free to be bent back upon itself after a wire is inserted therein to make good contact between the cylinder and the wire.

Abstract: A wiring system for modular structures, such as prefabricated panels, which utilizes a novel disc stack connector. The connector comprises a stack of alternating conductive and insulative discs which are held in place by a rod traversing a central aperture in each disc. A primary supply cable may be attached to the disc stack connector, allowing parallel connections to secondary cables. Connector heads on the cables have several prongs for engaging the conductive discs. In the preferred embodiment, the conductive discs are smaller than the insulative discs, and one insulative disc is made larger to provide keying with a slot in the connector heads (i.e., the heads are polarized). The connector and cables are located out of sight within the raceways of the prefabricated panels.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector (IDC) having internal sealing material which is packed around the wires as the connection is made. The IDC has a plurality of channels for receiving the wires, and at least one metallic element providing electrical contact between the wires. A plurality of voids are in fluid communication with the channels, and the voids are filled with the sealing material, such as a mastic or silicone grease. When the IDC is moved from an open to a closed position, the metallic element makes contact between the wires, and a piston or post subsequently enters the voids, causing the sealant to flow into the channels about the wires and the contact interface.

Abstract: A tubular article, such as a plastic bottle, of optionally stepped cross-sections, with one section next to one of the steps incorporating near vertical tucks permits collapsing of the article. Under an axial force, the bottle or article will collapse in a telescoping manner by inverting inside for outside of the section with the tucks. The invention of the tucks stretch or expand them which increases the area enclosed by the cross-section and thereby allows the telescoping in a pre-determined manner. Reversing the axial force will cause the collapsed container to extend or expand.

Abstract: A connector for communication wire pairs has an insulating body formed with sinuous channels for capturing the insulated wire, U-slot contact elements for making contact with the wires and said contacts having spring elements formed by U-shaped cuts in the periphery of the element for contact with an external circuit to connect the same in series or parallel with said spliced wires.

Abstract: A quick-release radial clamp for fitting over and clamping a hose onto a rigid fitting. The clamp has a split ring with an inner and outer surface. The split in the ring extends in the axial direction of the ring and forms two abutting ends. A stretched elastomeric sleeve is placed upon the outer surface of the ring and is held in that position by the ring as long as the shape of ring is held by the abutting ends. A quick-release mechanism is provided at the ends for disengaging them from their abutting positions, thereby permitting the stretched sleeve to recover and contract. This contracts the rings as well by causing the ends to slide past each other. This clamping contraction is accomplished quickly and easily and provides a sure clamp.

Abstract: A device for composing graphics comprising a flash lamp for irradiating portions of strip material through a template when an arm supporting the lamp is moved to an exposure position at an exposure station. The template is pressed against the strip at the exposure station between a resilient frame-mounted pad and a transparent plate on the lamp arm by a toggle linkage between the frame and the arm. The template has a rectangular array of windows and is manually positionable on locating pins at the exposure station for different exposures. A positive image of each window is provided on the template, and the locating pins are movable via movement of the lamp arm from a preview position where the image is at the exposure station so the operator can see where the graphic will be formed to an exposure position with the associated window located at the exposure station for exposure.

Abstract: A device for composing graphics comprising a flash lamp for irradiating portions of strip material through a template when an arm supporting the lamp is moved to an exposure position at an exposure station. The template is pressed against the strip at the exposure station between a resilient frame-mounted pad and a transparent plate on the lamp arm by a toggle linkage between the frame and the arm. The template has a rectangular array of windows and is manually positionable on locating pins at the exposure station for different exposures. A positive image of each window is provided on the template, and the locating pins are movable via movement of the lamp arm from a preview position where the image is at the exposure station so the operation can see where the graphic will be formed to an exposure position with the associated window located at the exposure station for exposure.

Abstract: An automatic coffee maker for rapid, convenient, drip-free brewing of single cups of coffee has a "flow fuse" acting in the space above a brew basket into which the output of a hot water generator passes: the fuse allows passage of small quantities of steam, but is closed by larger steam flow to force the steam to pass downward through the ground coffee, terminating the brewing process and drying the spent grounds thereafter to permit their removal and discard without drippage.