Abstract: An article carrier is supported upon a pair of endless roller chains for movement along an endless path having horizontal upper and lower runs extending between end sprockets of like radius. Inner and outer support plates are fixedly mounted upon the carrier at the inner and outer sides of the endless path and formed with opposed chain engaging edges including spaced parallel straight edge sections which upon a plurality of rollers to support the carrier and to frictionally couple the carrier to the chains when the carrier is on the upper or lowr run. The carrier is positively coupled to the chains during transit of the curved portions of the path defined by the sprocket by concave recesses at opposite ends of the straight edge section of the inner support plate in which rollers of the chain are seated and held by the tangential engagement of the straight edge of the opposed outer plate with a roller intermediate the seated rollers.

Abstract: A swivel coupling element for use in sealingly coupling a tubular element to an annular coupling flange.

Abstract: A method of forming a connection between a tubular member and an annular collar which has at least one internal annular recess. The method includes positioning the collar over portion of the tubular member to define an axially extending connection zone embracing the annular recess, positioning a solid deformable transmitting material in the tubular member in alignment with the connection zone, confining the transmitting material axially to the connection zone, and applying a deformation force gradually to the transmitting material to deform its radially outwardly and thus deform the tubular member into the recess of the collar to form a connection.

Abstract: An accumulating endless roller chain conveyor is provided with independently movable, article supporting pallets or carriers mounted upon the roller chains to be frictionally conveyed with the continuously driven chains along the horizontal upper and lower runs of the chains and to be positively coupled to the chains while moving around the end sprockets of the conveyor between the upper and lower runs. The carriers may be stopped at any point along the upper or lower runs without interferring with the continuous movement of the chains.

Abstract: A swivel coupling element for use in sealingly coupling a tubular element to an annular coupling flange.

Abstract: A flexible connection apparatus is disclosed for accommodating relative movement between a compliant offshore structure and the sea floor. The compliant offshore structure supports a fluid-carrying system which conveys fluids between the sea floor and the structure. The fluid-carrying system includes a riser and a helical flowline. The lower end of the riser is connected to the sea floor. The first end of the helical flowline is connected to the upper end of the riser and the second end of the helical flowline is connected to the structure. As the compliant offshore structure is displaced from its vertical equilibrium position due to loading forces induced by wind, waves, and ocean currents, the helical flowline elastically flexes through torsional deflection to accommodate such movement. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, a wellhead is connected between the riser and the helical flowline such that the centerline of the helical flowline is substantially vertical.

Abstract: In a walking beam type accumulating conveyor there is provided a transfer bar which moves in a rectangular motion, first upward, then longitudinally a distance corresponding to the distance between station, then down and then back longitudinally to the initial position. On the transfer bar are pivoted carriers, one for each station. The decision to lift a workpiece and transferred, is made during the elevation step of the cycle of movement based upon whether an empty station exists ahead of the workpiece. The decision is communicated between stations by rope or chain.

Abstract: A locking slip coupling for coupling two tubular elements in sealed relationship. The coupling comprises a first tubular member having an outer end for connection to one tubular element, and having an inner end comprising an axially extending locking sleeve, the locking sleeve having an annular gripping zone defined by the locking sleeve having a plurality of annular gripping teeth along its inner surface in the gripping zone, having cam means along its outer surface in the gripping zone, and by the locking sleeve being radially compressible in the gripping zone. The coupling further comprises a second tubular member having an outer end for connection to another tubular element, and having an inner end comprising an inner barrel located within the locking sleeve.

Abstract: A swivel coupling element for use in sealingly coupling a tubular element to an annular coupling flange.

Abstract: A coupling for coupling two pipe sections in sealed relationship, the coupling comprising a male member for connection to one pipe section, a female member for connection to a second pipe section, a locking member located on the male member, the locking member comprising a locking sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bendable locking fingers which extend integrally and axially from the locking sleeve, a displacement piston mounted on the male member for displacing the free end portions of the locking fingers radially outwardly, and a locking recess in the female member for receiving the locking fingers when displaced by the displacement means while the members are in mating engagement, the locking recess defining a bearing surface against which the free ends of the locking fingers will bear during displacement to draw the two members into sealing engagement with each other, the bearing surface being shaped to allow displacement of the locking fingers into and over center locking position.

Abstract: A high pressure coupling for releasably coupling high pressure tubular elements in sealed relationship, the coupling comprising a first tubular member having a socket formation, a second tubular member having a spigot formation sealingly engaged with the socket formation in mating relationship therewith, one member having an annular recess and the other member having a radially directed annular bearing surface to cooperate with a locking sleeve, and a radially deformable locking sleeve positioned in the annular recess, the locking sleeve being located against radial deformation out of the recess by the bearing surface engaging with the bearing surface of the locking sleeve. The coupling further includes bias means operative between the tubular members to provide a predetermined bias force to restrain axial separation of the mated formations.

Abstract: A refuse collector and bagging device comprising a frame means configured to support at least one hopper means and a corresponding closure means in operative relation thereto, the hopper means retains a disposable refuse receptacle to receive refuse deposited therein. The closure means includes closure actuator means movable between a first and second position and closure element movable between an open and closed position attached thereto such that as the closure actuator means moves from the first to the second position the closure element moves from the normally open position to the closed position to isolate the upper portion of the hopper means from refuse to control the quantity of refuse deposited in the disposable refuse receptacle.