Abstract: A gimballed conduit connector for connecting two conduits transporting high temperature and pressure fluids. Rings having two parallel tabs are attached to the ends of two conduits that are to be connected. A coupler ring between the two tabbed rings has four tab pockets through which four pins are inserted to provide axles for the rotatable retention of the tabbed rings in the connector ring. A bellows around the rings seals the connection. Optimum flexibility and life of the connector is achieved by the gimballed pin and tab system and selection of high flexibility materials and dimensions for the bellows.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging sewage from a holding tank on a travel trailer or the like to a sewer inlet includes a flexible inlet coupling section for connecting to the discharge fitting on the holding tank, an L-shaped fixed outlet coupling section for insertion into the sewer opening, and a telescoping tube section connected to the inlet and outlet coupling sections. The joints or connection points to the flexible inlet coupling sections are sealed by hose clamps, and the connection between the tube sections and the connection between one end of the tube sections and the outlet coupling section are sealed with locking couplings having "O" rings. The flexible coupling and telescoping section accommodate various positions of the holding tank relative to the sewer inlet. A rigid tube section can be inserted between the telescoping tube section and the outlet coupling section to further increase the length of the sewage discharge apparatus.

Abstract: A connector for supplying cooling fluid to an optical device without inducing jitter in the optical device. An outer housing formed as a T section has one end fixed to the optical device. An elbow disposed in the housing has an end fixed to mechanical ground. Bellows means connecting the housing and elbow and forms fluid tight volumes with the housing on each side of the elbow. Conduit means communication with the volumes fills each of the volumes with fluid flowing through the elbow which eliminates jitter of the optical device due to fluid flow.

Abstract: An aircraft duct gimbaled joint is disclosed which permits the ducting to be deflected when high pressure--high temperature gases, vibration and gravitational forces upon take off and during vertical climbs cause substantial expansion and movement. The gimbaled joint comprises two spaced apart end rings, each formed with a pair of perpendicular protruding lobes which are inserted into slots formed in the end face of a center ring. The protruding lobes of the end rings are pivotally connected to the center ring by pivot pins which are doubly supported by the inner and outer walls of the center ring. The lobes of the first end ring are rotated 90 degrees relative to the second end ring providing movement about a vertical and horizontal axis. The rings are sealed by a flexible bellows which fit over and enclose the center ring.

Abstract: A flexible gimbal joint for pipes including an internal flexible seal interconnecting the pipes and an external gimbal ring which also provides secondary sealing. The joint includes spherical portions with mating sinusoidal free edges, the external ring and four trunnion pins, each pin coupled to the ring, two pins pivotally coupled to the first spherical portion and two other pins pivotally coupled to the second spherical portion. The inner surface of the ring is formed substantially as a spherical portion and has a diameter slightly greater than the outer surfaces of the first and second spherical portions. The ring surrounds these spherical portions, covering the gap between them, and thus acts as a secondary seal, while protecting the main internal seal. All axial loads on the joint are assumed by the spherical portions, the external ring and the trunnion pins, so the joint is easily flexed.

Abstract: A tube-in-shell heat exchanger has double sealing joints between the tubes and a tube plate of the heat exchanger constituted by the provision of a secondary tube plate spaced from the normal tube plate and through which each tube extends with sealing in addition to the normal tube to tube plate sealing joints, there being a bellows enveloping the tubes and sealed to both the normal and the secondary tube plates. The space between these tube plates can be monitored for leakage.

Abstract: A first sleeve is connected to a second sleeve by means of a bellows. Brackets are arranged at the mutual circumferential distance along the circumferences of the sleeves which brackets are welded to the first sleeve at an end section thereof. The opposite end section of the brackets rest slidingly on the second sleeve. A clamping ring extends around the second end sections of the brackets at an inclined surface area thereof. This clamping ring is pushed onto these inclined surfaces and urges the end sections of the brackets against the second sleeve. The limiting of the stroke of the compensator is provided by circumferential rings welded to the second sleeve. The relative rotation blocking means is an elongated profile member which is welded onto the second sleeve and contacts a respective bracket.

Abstract: A manhole seal construction adapted to engage the outer surface of the manhole frame and the chimney to seal the corbel joint from the outside and prevent leakage of water and entry of foreign material into the joint and manhole. A resilient ring having a hook-like upper section is engaged with the outwardly extending flange on the manhole frame, and the ring has a thin, stretchable central section which extends across the corbel joint. The lower portion of the ring terminates in a lower section having a series of internal ribs that seal against the chimney and having an outer circumferential groove to receive a clamping band. To provide additional sealing, an annular sealing gasket is bonded to the internal shoulder on the manhole frame and the manhole cover seats on the gasket to prevent leakage from the street into the manhole through the joint between the cover and the frame.

Abstract: A bellows device having a plurality of recesses and ridges in the direction of expansion and contraction is used for a movable part of a vacuum switch tube. The thickness of an middle part in the direction of expansion and contraction is 1.2 times or more than the thickness of a part placed adjacent the middle part. The middle part has three or more ridges.

Abstract: A novel bellows expansion joint design and method of preventing stress corrosion cracking incorporates an internal cylindrical weir or sleeve which defines an inner flushing chamber adjacent the expansion bellows wherein connections are provided on the exterior wall of the expansion joint body to allow the admission of a chemical solution or treating fluid directly onto the inside surface of the bellows from an external connection to the expansion joint. In addition, a further connection is provided to a second flushing chamber surrounding the exterior of the bellows so that a similar solution may be admitted and allowed to overflow from an upper portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A rubber bellows (1) for sealing between an air intake on a spring-balanced, tilting truck cab and a connecting pipe (5) securely mounted on the chassis. The connecting pipe is provided at one end with a bead (7) and the bellows and the corresponding end with an interior lip (6), which when the bellows is connected to the pipe is forced over the bead and in its coupled position is inclined towards the bead, so that the force necessary to pull off the bellows is substantially greater than the force necessary for connecting the bellows.

Abstract: The sealing assembly includes a relatively soft rubber, tubular sleeve having an axial length sufficient to span the joint between hollow members, such as the corbel joint between a manhole frame and a manhole casing, and a sealing portion in each of the opposite ends. The outer surface of each sealing portion is compressed radially outwardly in sealing engagement with the interior walls of the manhole frame and the manhole casing by a generally circular hoop which fits into a groove provided in the inside surface of the sleeve. Each hoop has circumferentially movable, end portions and a radially inwardly extending bracket mounted on each end portion at circumferentially spaced locations. These brackets are adjustably pulled toward each other, to increase the circumference of the hoop, by tightening a nut threaded onto the outer end of a bolt connecting the brackets together.

Abstract: Two rigid cylindrical sleeves are interconnected by a spring bellows. Each cylindrical sleeve carries a flange section. Such flange section is provided with joint plates. The joint plates are a forklike interconnecting structure. A rolling contact wedge member is located in a first number of joint plates and a rolling contact prism member is located in a second number of joint plates. This provides for a hinge-like joint of a rolling contact rocker structure having a line contact only of the parts moving relative to each other. Because no friction exists in such hinge joint, a cold welding is not possible. Accordingly, no additional stresses due to such cold welding will be able to exist in the pipe conduit sections interconnected by this apparatus.

Abstract: A rigid coaxial transmission line in which the inner conductor is formed by axially spaced sections. Adjacent sections are connected by a conductive bellows which permits thermal expansion and contraction of the inner conductor sections relative to one another and relative to the outer conductor of the transmission line. A rigid auxiliary connecting member is disposed within the bellows and is slidably connected to one of the conductor sections. The auxiliary connecting member limits expansion and contraction of the bellows to a safe range to prevent the bellows from being overstressed.

Abstract: A flexible connector apparatus used to join two stiff non-deformable members, such as piping. The apparatus is provided with one or more flexible sections or assemblies each utilizing a bellows of a rolling cuff type connected between two ridge members, with the bellows being supported by a back-up ring, such that only the curved end sections of the bellows are unsupported. Thus, the bellows can be considered as being of a tube-shaped configuration and thus have high pressure resistance. The components of the flexible apparatus are sealed or welded one to another such that it is fluid tight.

Abstract: This suction arm for gaseous fluids comprises a tubular articulated conduit consisting of at least one flexible sleeve (5) disposed between two rigid tubes (8). These tubes (8) are interconnected at either end of the flexible intermediate sleeve (5) by mechanical holding means (9) comprising each at least one pair of first and second members (10a, 10b) pivotally interconnected centrally of the flexible sleeve and rigidly assembled in side by side relationship by distance-pieces (15) under the control of a spiral return spring (13) and detent-positioning means (16, 17, 18), whereby the two rigid tubes (8, 8) are constantly urged to their relative angular position matching that of the ends of the intermediate flexible sleeve (5).

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant component is provided for a corrosion-resistant tube assembly. The component includes a corrosion-susceptible metal tube and a sleeve of corrosion-resistant metal mechanically joined to the tube for protecting the end portions of the tube. The sleeve includes a first portion terminating in a ring-shaped second portion. The first portion annularly extends about a surface of a tube and is mechanically joined thereto. A second portion of the sleeve overlies the annular end surfaces of the corrosion-susceptible tube. The component includes a corrosion-resistant liner for the tube which is sealed with an inside surface of a portion of the sleeve about the circumference by an expansion joint between the liner and tube.A corrosion-resistant tube assembly having a corrosion-resistant component is also provided such that tubes are mechanically and threadably joined by the sleeves. The assembly has all inside surfaces of the tube assembly of corrosion-resistant material.

Abstract: Flexible bellows are utilized between two systems, such as a pumping system and a process station, to partially absorb system vibrations and to compensate for misalignment between the systems. It is common practice to either clamp a rigid spacer between flanges of the two systems (FIG. 3B) to separate them from each other, or to maintain the bellows in unsupported relationship between these systems (FIG. 4B). In the former bellows arrangement, the rigid spacer transmits vibratory energy between the two systems and the bellows tends to function as an undamped or underdamped unit that resonates at its own frequency to create additional vibratory energy, transmitted to the systems. In the latter, unsupported bellows arrangement (FIG. 4B), the pressure differential prevalent between the fluid flowing through the bellows and ambient normally causes extension or retraction of the bellows and resulting misalignment problems.

Abstract: A leak indicating conduit for conveying fluid includes an inner tube and an outer tube, in which the inner tube is separated from the outer tube by a space maintained at a pressure having a predetermined value from the range of values less than the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the ambient pressure, and greater than the pressure of the conveyed fluid and the ambient pressure. A leak indicating device is in continuous communication with the space for indicating a change of pressure in the space from the predetermined value. The indicating device includes a chamber in which an expansible bellows is mounted in communication with the space. The expansible bellows includes a movable plate supporting an indicating element for movement between a concealed first position, thereby indicating no change of pressure from the predetermined value, and a second, visible position, thereby indicating a change of pressure.

Abstract: A suction device for a fuel feed unit in which the suction device has a rigid suction tube on which a suction head is arranged. The suction head is formed as a conically widening elastic bellows having a large suction opening which faces the bottom with a screen arranged in the opening. As a result of the development as an elastic bellows, the suction opening is held resting with initial spring tension (i.e., resilient prestress biasing) against the bottom of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A rigid, molded fiberglass duct having an integral bendable elbow comprised of two sections of cured fiberglass securely bonded to a corrugated metal-foil sleeve. The method of manufacturing the rigid bendable duct is by sliding a corrugated metal-foil sleeve on to a mandrel and then wrapping the ends of the sleeve with uncured fiberglass. The area of the uncured fiberglass overlapping the corrugated, bendable sleeve is compacted by means of a collar which fits around the sleeve and the fiberglass and compresses the fiberglass into the corrugations of the sleeve. In order to enhance the bond, protusions may be provided in the overlapping area of the sleeve, such as by cutting the corrugated sleeve and bending it up to form tabs.

Abstract: A universal joint for a fluid conduit comprises a pair of tubular connectors with cylindrical end portions adapted to be sealingly secured to two adjacent parts of the conduit. A bellows with respective cylindrical ends is sealingly secured within the cylindrical end portions of the tubular connectors, which are also formed with spherically shaped portions fitting one within the other outside the bellows. A spherically shaped load transmitting sleeve is connected to two pairs of diametrically opposed pivots at right angles to each other, with one pair of pivots connecting the sleeve and the outer spherically shaped connector portion, and the other pair of pivots connecting the sleeve and the inner spherically shaped connector portion.

Abstract: Rotatable bellows-like covers made up of a number of sections, each formed from annular elements, incorporate a rotatable section permitting the cover to expand and contract lengthwise and simultaneously permit rotation of a portion thereof with respect to another portion. The rotatable bellows-like covers are particularly suitable for protectively enclosing movable mechanical arms on welding robots and the like and specifically the hinged portions thereof which are movable in angular relation to one another and rotatable with respect to one another.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a double gimbal joint construction for rigid conduit or duct systems. The joint includes a gimbal assembly consisting of a pair of sheet metal concentrically related rings maintained in radial spaced relationship by annular spacers located at 90.degree. circumferential intervals about the rings wherein pivot pins extend through the spacers. Annular conduit receiving collars are pivotally attached to the gimbal ring assembly by fork lugs pivotally connected to the spacer and pivot pin assemblies intermediate the inner and outer rings. The construction permits a "double" shear relationship to be established at the fork lugs and pivot pins improving anti-shear characteristics, and the sheet metal construction reduces costs.

Abstract: A cylindrical elastomeric seal is disclosed for externally sealing a manhole assembly against surface water infiltration between the manhole casting and the supporting structure and through the supporting structure. The seal has a first sealing section adapted to receive the edge of the flange of a manhole casting, a second sealing section adapted to be received by the external surface of the manhole chimney or cone, and an intermediate section, joining the two sealing sections, that spans the vertical distance between the casting and the chimney or cone. Sealing means hold the two sealing sections in place against the casting and chimney or cone, creating watertight seals. An extension skirt increases the area the seal can cover, allowing the entire supporting structure to be sealed in the case where the chimney height is too great to be spanned by the intermediate section of the seal alone. The seal can be used on old or new construction and does not interfere with normal use of the manhole.

Abstract: An internal seal is disclosed between a manhole casting and mating manhole components such as concrete adjusting rings, the concrete manhole cone, or masonry structure of a similar configuration, to prevent water infiltration at this interface. The seal is formed by a continuous elastomeric ring. The ring is held in place by two stainless steel retaining bands. The elastomeric ring is pleated to allow an upward movement or lateral movement of the casting without impairing the sealing ability of the ring. The gasket can be installed either during construction or at any time after construction that there is found to be a problem with infiltration.

Abstract: An external manhole sealing assembly comprising a flexible sleeve spanning the joint between a manhole frame and a manhole casing, a frame adapter for forming a sealing surface for said sleeve, the sleeve being secured to the sealing surface on the adapter and to the manhole casing by mounting bands, the sleeve including sufficient flexibility to allow for heaving of the frame with respect to the casing.

Abstract: High-pressure hydraulic hoses are employed in hydrostatic drive systems to interconnect the transmission and motors thereof. It is imperative that fluid leakage be held to a minimum, or preferably eliminated, particularly where a vehicle employing the drive system is operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a foundry. The hose assembly (13) of this invention provides a high degree of system reliability, relative to hydraulic leaks, and shields a high-pressure hose thereof (14) against damage and heat conduction to hydraulic fluid therein. The hose assembly (13) comprises a flexible high-pressure hose (14), an impervious flexible jacket (17) surrounding the hose in out-of-contact relationship therewith to define a fluid chamber (18) therebetween, and a mounting assembly (22) for mounting the hose (14) and the jacket (17) on a support member (23) to maintain them in out-of-contact relationship relative to each other.

Abstract: A pliable metallic joint for underwater pipelines laid at great depths, having a bellows-like section of a pliable metal or alloy, which is externally reinforced by a sturdy metal wire coiling positioned in the grooves of said bellows and which is internally reinforced by interlockingly arranged U-shaped rings and an axial undulated circular spring that allow a high degree of deformation and facilitate joining two pipes.

Abstract: An oil well blow out preventer hose coupling capable of withstanding blow out conditions. The coupling is characterized by a tubing having a ring connected to one end to which a nipple is attached to receive a corresponding coupling. The second end of the tubing has a stem attached for receiving the blow out preventer hose which is fastened to the stem. This entire structure is then wrapped with insulation and provided with an outside armored covering extending from the ring back over the tubing, stem and blow out preventer hose.

Abstract: An articulated pipe line comprising rigid sections jointed together so as to allow a limited angular movement between adjacent sections, the axis of two successive articulations having different directions and a sealing device ensuring a tight separation between the outside and the inside of the pipe line at the level of the articulation. This device is particularly suitable for immersed pipe lines of large diameter.

Abstract: An expansion coupling connecting a first pipe with a second pipe includes an imperforate expansion member having a first cylindrical end capable of fitting to and forming an impervious fluid seal with the first pipe and a second cylindrical end capable of fitting to and forming an impervious fluid seal to the second pipe. Integrally formed with and interspaced between the first and second cylindrical ends is an expandable, contractable bellows. A sliding sleeve fits over the expansion member and both protects it and prevents distortion of the bellows portion of the expansion member. The sliding sleeve has a first sleeve member, a portion of which connects to the first pipe and a portion of which extends over the bellows, and a second sleeve member, a portion of which connects to the second pipe and a portion of which slides over that portion of the first sleeve member located over the bellows. As the bellows expands and contracts the respective sleeve members slide with respect to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and constraining opposed end members of a heat exchanger frame structure while maintaining the high temperature portions of the heat exchanger thermally isolated from the frame and accommodating relative movement of the heat exchanger due to thermal growth. Thermal isolation with structural support is achieved by the use of strategically positioned, thin-walled metal members aligned in the direction of heat travel between high temperature portions of the heat exchanger and adjacent frame elements. Opposed portions of the heat exchanger are tied together by rods extending between them and secured thereto. Longitudinal growth of the heat exchanger core and associated ducting is accommodated by the provision of flange guides slidable on guide pins attached to the frame.

Abstract: A flexible plastic nipple for coupling a sprinkler head to a sprinkler system pipeline. The nipple includes an elongated plastic tube having a resilient center section and a pair of end sections. The center section has a uniform set of annular undulations which provides both rigidity and flexibility to the nipple. Each end section includes a rigid portion, a flexible threaded section, and a snub portion for mating the nipple with a connector fitting on the sprinkler head or pipeline. The threaded portions have sufficient flexibility to prevent rupturing or stripping when a force is transmitted to the nipple. In addition, the center section will bend before the force transmitted to the threaded portions becomes excessive and will rebound to its original position when the excessive force is removed.

Abstract: A fuel injection system is proposed which serves to supply fuel to a mixture-compressing, externally ignited internal combustion engine in accordance with operational parameters of the engine. The fuel injection system includes a metallic fuel distributor tube, which communicates via at least one branch line with at least one fuel injection valve, wherein the branch line is embodied as a metal tube and is connected with the fuel injection valve by means of a threaded assembly. The material used for the branch line is easily bendable metal. Between the threaded assembly at the branch line and the fuel injection valve, a thin-walled metallic bellows is provided, by means of which a lateral displacement between the attachment point of the branch line at the fuel distributor tube and the installation point of the fuel injection valve is compensated for, and the noise of operation produced by the fuel injection valve is damped.

Abstract: A plurality of distributing pipes arranged in a circular pattern around a central pipe are selectively interconnected with the central pipe by a rotary pipe switch which includes a pipe elbow having a rotary joint at one end thereof connecting the elbow to the central pipe to enable rotary motion of the elbow relative to the central pipe and an axial compensator at the other end of the elbow with a connector attached to the axial compensator for effecting connection and disconnection of the other end of the elbow with each of the plurality of distributing pipes. A driving device is provided to effect compression and expansion of the axial compensator in order to effect selective connection and disconnection of the connector with the various distributing pipes.

Abstract: The specification discloses flexible plastic collars for joining non-interengaging pipe sections and allowing movement therebetween. The collar includes a narrow flexible mid-section with inwardly biased cylindrical skirts that taper outward from relatively thick and relatively rigid shoulders on either side of the flexible center portion. The shoulders have an annularly shaped channel on the inside surface thereof, with O-rings positioned therein which form a seal between the collar and the pipe ends.

Abstract: An equipment unit such as the primary pump of a liquid metal cooled reactor is suspended from the reactor vault roof by means of complementary bearing zones formed respectively in top flanges of the pump and in stationary supporting flanges secured to the vault roof. The flexible connection between the two sets of flanges is provided by a flexible ring, the cross-section of which along a diametral plane comprises a substantially circular convex portion engaged in a concave recess of one bearing zone and a portion having a gear-tooth profile adapted to engage in a corresponding recess of the other bearing zone.

Abstract: An elastomeric expansion belt material includes an under layer having a heat resistant or insulating fabric, or matting, such as an asbestos fabric, carried by a polymerizable elastomer vulcanized to a heat shield including one or more layers of a metal foil, such as aluminum, and a polyester film, such as polyethylene terephthalate having the metal foil on the inner, or heat contacting surface. The heat shield substantially doubles the temperature resistance of the asbestos carried elastomer and substantially increases its resistance to chemically corrosive gases and particulate material.

Abstract: A flexible conduit construction having an inner flexible tubular member and having an outer flexible tubular member telescoped about the inner tubular member with the internal peripheral surface of the outer tubular member being in spaced relation from the other peripheral surface of the inner tubular member throughout the length of the inner tubular member to protect the same, a coiled compression spring being disposed about the inner tubular member in spaced relation therewith and radially engaging the internal peripheral surface of the outer tubular member to hold the internal peripheral surface of the outer tubular member in spaced relation relative to the outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular member even though the tubular members are disposed in various arcuately flexed conditions thereof. The outer tubular member is under axial tension between its opposed ends so as to radially contract and thereby be disposed in radial compression against the coiled compression spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible joint to be inserted between culvert sections. In a culvert joint which consists of anchor members attached to the opposing culvert sections, a flexible member extending between said anchor members and a large number of strengthening members arranged in parallel at the internal and external positions of said flexible member, said strengthening members being classified into one with projections and one with holes to regulate the distance between them; the projections of said member with projections fit into the holes of said member with holes to overlap each other, thereby regulating the distance between them to follow an expansion and contraction or an uneven subsidence of the culvert and therefore, bearing earth pressure sufficiently.

Abstract: Vibration absorbing connector for use in high pressure fluid piping systems such as the refrigerant lines in an automotive air conditioning system incorporates a thin bellows member whose ends are restrained against axial movement by a restraining means such as a plurality of axially extending flexible cables or a braided metal sleeve which surrounds the bellows member. A molded-in-place elastomeric layer fills in the external bellows corrugations to prevent their deformation under load and encapsulates the restraining means. The design permits a 3 inch long bellows having a 0.005" wall thickness to perform as well as a 7 inch long bellows having a 0.020" wall which has a conventional configuration under internal fluid pressures that would collapse the thin wall bellows corrugations in the absence of the elastomeric layer.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe having an axial compensator is provided with means for preventing bending of the axial compensator. This means includes at least one sleeve which is secured to one of the parts of the pipe and a mandrel slidably received by the sleeve and secured to the other part of the pipe, so as to allow axial movement of the parts. Both sleeve and mandrel may be pivotally secured to the parts to allow adjustment in the angle of inclination relative to the axial compensator.

Abstract: A retainer for retaining a corrugated conduit in a wall opening comprising a pair of rings provided by formation of a spring wire or a slit annular part wherein the retainer is insertable into the end of the conduit and is contracted with contraction of the conduit by an externally applied force to permit insertion of the conduit in the opening and then on release of the contracting force the retainer expands and holds two of the conduit corrugations outward of the opening on opposite sides of the wall to prevent pull-out or push-in of the conduit while also retaining an intermediately located corrugation of the conduit in sealing contact with the surface of the opening.

Abstract: An elastic pipe-connecting component for pipes or pipelines or the like, comprises an elastic sleeve with flanges at each end and an annular expansion bulge in its midportion. In its undeformed condition, there is a cylindrical section on each side of the bulge, between the bulge and the portion of the component that is clamped to the pipe or pipeline. These exposed cylindrical portions are adapted to expand outwardly, to form two additional bulges, upon the imposition of pressure. To this end, they are reinforced with fibers of glass or steel or high strength synthetic, which are disposed at an angle to the axis of the component, of less than 55.degree.. A desirably long component is thus provided, from a minimum of material.

Abstract: A process and device for connecting a sink tailpiece to a trap out of alignment therewith. The device has an upper section, a lower rigid section capable of being cut with a hacksaw, and a flexible pleated section.

Abstract: The flexible ball joint is provided with a bellows which is protectively mounted inside a shell. A portion of the shell serves as the spherical socket and a portion of a sphere serves as the ball for the ball joint. The ball is mounted in the socket and is concentric therewith. One end of the bellows is attached to the shell and the other end is attached to the ball. A plurality of generally equally angularly-spaced Purbon buttons are mounted on a support ring which is mounted on the surface of the socket. These buttons are in engagement with the surface of the ball so the ball joint can pivot freely over a wide range of temperatures. A generally spherical shell-like member is mounted in fixed and closely-spaced concentric relation to the outer surface of the spherical socket to limit axial movement between the socket and the ball and hold the Purbond button on the support ring. In addition, the shell-like member has formations shaped to define cooling channels for the protective bellows.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for natural gas lines utilized at transition locations wherein a synthetic plastic gas supply tube connects to a meter or other fitting located above the ground level. The lead-in assembly utilizes a fitting having a rigid elongated nipple to which a polyethylene tube is sealed by means of a crimped socket; and a convoluted metal hose attached at one end to the fitting, and sealed at the other end to the polyethylene tube, encompasses the nipple and tube providing effective protection thereof, yet permits the assembly to be readily bent and formed by hand without kinking of the tube.

Abstract: An improved flexible vacuum bellows is provided for interconnecting flanged pipe sections which comprises a flexible tubular joint member having one or more radially inwardly extending U-shaped convolutions and having bores that align with and are penetrated by fastening means joining the tubular joint member to the pipe sections.

Abstract: A device which is to constitute a tubular duct includes a plurality of flexible tubular sections and a plurality of rigid tubular sections. Articulation units are provided between one section and the next. Each articulation unit includes a pair of brackets provided with fastening collars. The respective collars are secured to ends of the rigid sections, ends of a respective flexible section being mounted on skirts of the adjacent rigid sections. The brackets of each pair of brackets are pivotally connected to move about a first respective axis. At least one bracket of at least one pair is additionally mounted to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the first axis.