Abstract: A roof member anti-torsion bracket device includes a base plate portion having a planar base plate surface. The planar base plate surface is adapted to sit on a top plate of a wall construction and to receive a truss assembly. At least one transverse planar surface is oriented substantially transverse to the base plate surface. A locating tab extending longitudinally with respect to the base plate portion abuts an edge of the top plate, thereby locating the anti-torsion bracket device an offset distance from the edge of the wall construction top plate. The base plate portion further includes first and second fastening openings oppositely located with respect to the at least one transverse planar surface. The first and second fastening openings define first and second fastening positions in the base plate, thereby providing torsion resistance, compressive load support, and tension lifting resistance for the base plate portion.

Abstract: A structure anti-torsion device includes a structural column. The structural column is positioned between adjacent studs of a structural stud wall construction and oriented vertically between the studs. A structural column lower end is fastened to a lower base plate which rests on a wall construction bottom plate. A pair of anchor bolts secured to a foundation extends through the bottom plate and the lower base plate and are fastened to the lower base plate. A structural column upper end is bolted using first and second bolts to an upper base plate. The first and second bolts cooperate through the upper base plate to connect the upper base plate to a double top plate of the wall construction such that the double top plate is connected by the upper base plate, the structural column, and the lower base plate to the foundation.

Abstract: An anchor bolt device includes an anchor bolt having a threaded first end and a second end. A flange portion has the threaded first end of the anchor bolt extending freely therefrom. The flange portion defines a planar surface aligned in parallel with a surface of a concrete foundation when the second end of the anchor bolt is received in the concrete foundation. A raised column projection having a threaded portion through which the threaded first end of the anchor bolt is threadably received. The raised column projection is set to a user defined position. The flange portion extends radially outward from and is integrally connected to the raised column projection. The flange portion has at least one offset tab used to position the device a defined distance away from a boundary of a concrete foundation wall. The offset tab includes a series of marks defining multiple break points.

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 one-piece disposable cup lid enables drinking while inhibiting splashing and spilling by blocking straight-line paths through the lid and dispensing beverage through a well. A drinking spout can include a well having a sidewall, a bottom and a penetration into the cup, or a sloping lid section can intersect a raised rim to create a well therebetween, with a penetration in the sloping section or the rim configured to block straight-line paths, for example by upwardly hinging of a flap or depressing half of a split, convex bubble. Embodiments include baffles that force a beverage to flow through a convoluted path and/or through chambers before being consumed. Baffles can be formed in place, or by hinged movement of flaps after forming. Textures and/or protruding structures can intercept, direct, and/or influence surface tension as beverage flows across surfaces. Vent hole sizes and locations can further limit flow and spilling.

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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A method for assembling a pipe joint including an inner pipe having an outside surface and an outer pipe having an annular groove for receiving a gasket and a pipe joint gasket used in that method. The gasket includes front and back regions, the front region being resilient and relatively rigid, the back region being softer and more resilient than the front region. An interior tip of the back region sealingly engages the inner pipe outside surface and spaces the inner pipe from the front region while the inner pipe is being inserted. The exterior tip of the back region in cooperation with the front and back regions, both secures and seals the front and back regions to the annular groove before inserting the inner pipe. The gasket is displaced by the inserted inner pipe which exerts pressure on both pipes thus sealing the annulus between the pipes. The gasket is further displaced by internal pipe pressure or external pressure which exerts proportionally greater sealing force on both pipes.

Abstract: A self-actuating restraining gasket having optional integral sealing means is provided which is used particularly in bell-and-spigot pipe joints or joints employing pipe appurtenances, and more particularly in joints to be assembled in the field, the bell end of the pipe or pipe appurtenance to be employed having an annular recess adapted to receive the gasket therein, the gasket further employing a plurality of pairs of cooperating metal retaining elements embedded in the elastomeric gasket, the pairs of retaining elements being spaced apart around the circumference of the gasket, each pair of retaining elements comprising a wedging member and a backing member for the wedging member, and wherein the pairs of retaining elements act as the self-actuating retention or restraining elements, and an optional compressible back part of the gasket acts as a fluid seal when a pipe spigot is inserted in the bell.

Abstract: An improved form of articulated, segmented ring structure for an axially restrained pipe joint has an articulated, segmented ring formed from articularly interconnected ring segments and a ring adjustment mechanism operable from the exterior of the pipe joint for radially contracting the ring onto the spigot end of one pipe received within the bell end of another pipe. The segmented ring structure provides improved flexiblity in joint assembly and enhanced deflection characteristics for accommodating axial misalignment of the pipes. A ring adjustment mechanism is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use in many cases, including underwater and other limited visibility applications.

Abstract: A pipe joint is restrained against axial separation by the use of a bearing ring. Various embodiments of bearing rings having wedging surfaces cause an increase in the resistance to pipe separation as the joint separating thrust increases. That is, as the force tending to cause pipe separation increases, the wedging surface on the bearing ring cooperates with a corresponding wedging surface on a spigot ring to increase the resistance of the pipe joint to separation. The spigot rings are connected to the spigots by welding, set screws, heat-shrinking, etc.A specially shaped snap ring or bearing ring and associated method of making the bearing ring is used to avoid possible problems resulting from manufacturing tolerances. Specifically, the bearing ring is constructed with a major diameter greater than diameters at other locations on the ring.