Abstract: A vacuum pump useful in penile erection systems is provided. The vacuum pump comprises a piston in a cylinder with intake and exhaust valves. The vacuum producing outstroke is powered by a spring having sufficient force to draw a vacuum no higher than the desired upper safety limit, and the reset stroke is powered manually. The pump is constructed to provide an inherent vacuum limit by selecting a spring which, when fully compressed during a reset stroke, exerts a force against the piston which is less than the force exerted against the piston head by the differential pressure between atmospheric pressure and a preselected maximum vacuum pressure inside the cylinder. Thus, when the maximum vacuum pressure is reached, the piston is not returned for successive pumping.

Abstract: A method of excavating a trench (60) wherein lateral confinement such as walls, trenches, vehicular traffic, and the like prevent the accumulation of soil in the confined areas adjacent to the trench (60) and an apparatus for the same. The apparatus (10) consists of a double section belt conveyer, the two sections (12) and (14) connected at an articulable joint (34). The apparatus (10) is capable of selectively raising one end of a section above the other, with the conveyor being supported by axles (25) on which are mounted steerable-drive wheels (21).

Abstract: A retractable cover for closing an opening in a substantially flat surface. The cover has particular application for closing the oil change pit in the floor of a vehicle service facility. The cover comprises a plurality of stacked flat members, each of the flat members being provided with a clasper for engaging the flat member which is stacked therebelow as well as a wheel for engaging a track for guiding the extension of flat members from a first, retracted position in which the flat members are stacked directly above each other to allow access to the opening to a second, extended position in which the flat members are stacked in staircase fashion to cover the opening. Each of the flat members is provided with a stop for engaging the flat member stacked therebelow to retain the flat members in engagement with each other when extended to the second position.

Abstract: A rocksaw device for trenching through hard rock or rocky soil comprising a disc having a mounting base positioned therearound. The mounting base may comprise a plurality of base sections each formed in the shape of a section of a toroid generated by a planar closed curve rotated around the disc axis. The closed curve which generates the toroid is curved along a side opposite the disc axis to provide a convex mounting surface across a mounting surface width in a direction parallel to the disc axis to enable teeth to be mounted at a constant slant angle while maintaining full coverage of the trench area to be cut. An arrangement in which the teeth can be positioned on the bases and a tooth assembly structure usable with the rocksaw are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for excavating hard soils comprising support means, an endless chain capable of movement relative to said support means, drive means for moving said endless chain, means integral with said endless chain operable to contact said hard soils, and means for concentrating the force exerted by said soil contacting means against said hard soils at a specific point along said endless chain while said endless chain is being moved relative to said support means.

Abstract: The device described contains a pneumatically operated hammer, a feeder controlling the flow of pneumatic fluid, an anvil which is struck repeatedly by the hammer, a drill bit attached to or integral with the lower end of the anvil, and an outer casing. The device is typically used as a down hole tool in rotary drilling operations and normally utilizes pressurized air as its pneumatic fluid. The pneumatic fluid first lifts the hammer above the anvil and second pushes the hammer downward to impact against the anvil in a striking movement. Simultaneous with striking, the pneumatic fluid above the hammer is expelled through an exhauster retained in the anvil and out through the drill bit where it is utilized to transport the cuttings from the hole being drilled. The feeder operates in conjunction with the hammer to control pressurization above and below the hammer, while exhaust above the hammer is controlled by the lower end of said feeder tube.

Abstract: A failsafe cutoff valve that may be used with oil and gas wells is shown. A cylindrical body portion has a center bore extending longitudinally therethrough. A piston is located inside of the center bore. The cylindrical body portion has crossbores along a straight line that perpendicularly intersect the center bore. Received into the crossbores and secured in position are generally cylindrical flanges having a saddle shaped lower surface to conform with the center bore. An undercut in the saddle shaped lower portion provides a means for sealing along the piston. The piston is slideably retained inside of the center bore and has a transverse bore therethrough normally positioned along the same axis as the crossbores. End flanges seal around portions of the piston that extend from the center bore and prevent leakage from the center bore. The piston may be activated by any of a number of means, including a remotely located source of high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A partially solid head bit having a flow passage therethrough located at approximately the center of the bit is shown. The bit is designed for use in conjunction with a hammer action drilling apparatus. The flow passage extends through a shank of the bit to the bottom thereof. Surrounding the shank is a substantially hemispherical spiraled burr having an opening therethrough. The burr pushes against a shoulder of the shank during drilling. The mating surfaces of the shank and burr are lubricated by a suitable oil reservoir. On spirals of the burr and on the lower end of the shank are mounted hardened inserts for impacting against and breaking up the formation through which the bit may drill. The bottom of the shank may be even with, extend through, or be recessed with respect to the lower edge of the burr. The shank is angled a few degrees off the centerline of the drilling string to cause a wobbling action upon rotating the drill bit.

Abstract: A fluid operated impact drilling tool has a hammer slidably mounted in a casing connected to a string of drilling pipe. Inside the casing above the hammer is mounted a valve. Both the valve and hammer have reciprocal sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of the tool to substantially interrupt flow of a drilling fluid therethrough. Movement of the valve and hammer predominantly results from different pressures acting on separate pressure areas of the valve and hammer. The hammer may impact either an anvil or a bit attached thereto. Wear on the valve and hammer is reduced by smooth, hardened surfaces at locations subject to wear. A trapped fluid may also be used in an alternative embodiment to dampen the shock effect of the valve as it reaches its upper and lower stops.

Abstract: The present invention is a projectile type demolition tool. A projectile with an enlarged upper cross-sectional area is slideably mounted within and extendable from an inner cylinder. The lower portion of the projectile is extendable through a guide connected to the bottom of the inner cylinder. Upon pressing a working end of the projectile against a work piece to be broken, the projectile recedes upward in the inner cylinder until the enlarged upper area moves above a source of low pressure gas connected through the inner cylinder. The low pressure gas continues to move the projectile upward in the inner cylinder to a cocked position. In the cocked position, a reduced area upper portion of the projectile acts against a moderately high pressure gas injected into a combustion chamber. Thereafter, a high pressure gas is created by an internal combustion in the combustion chamber, which high pressure gas drives the projectile downward into the work piece.

Abstract: A fluid operated impact drilling device wherein a hammer is mounted in a casing for axial reciprocating movement and drilling fluid flows through the hammer. The flow of drilling fluid is controlled by a valve element at the upper portion of the hammer. Differential pressure areas are provided in the flow path of the drilling fluid which coupled with the action of the valve element causes the hammer to be repeatedly lifted up into the valve element and then driven downward against an anvil by the force of the drilling mud. The valve element remains partly open, thereby preventing excessive backpressures from damaging the drill pipe or equipment. The drilling device is attached immediately above the drill bit with the drill bit being secured to the anvil. A catcher device is mounted to stop the reciprocating impact action of the hammer against the anvil upon picking the bit up off bottom.