Abstract: A self-erecting sign post has a rigid but frangible section along its length at its lower end and a coextensive helical spring circumjacent the rigid section and interconnecting the separated post portions, the assembly being such that the frangible section constitutes a zone of weakness which will break before the remainder of the sign post bends upon impact, the spring being operative to restore the sign post to its erect position until the frangible section can be replaced.

Abstract: A releasable stabilizer is disclosed for adjustable positioning along a drill string. The stabilizer includes a body positionable around the drill string; a coil spring mounted within the tubular body with the spring having a first and second end; anchoring apparatus mounted with the body to prevent the first end of the string from moving circumferentially around the drill string; and a rotating apparatus mounted with the body for moving the second end of the spring circumferentially around the drill string and anchoring the second end after the spring has gripped the drill string sufficiently tight to secure the body to the drill string while permitting the second end to be released when desired.

Abstract: An outrigger arm assembly to prevent a would-be intruder from successfully climbing over a fence. The outrigger arm assembly is mounted on top of the fence. Each hollow fence post is interconnected to a hollow outrigger arm by a replaceable collar which breaks when a load in the range of 20 to 30 pounds is applied to the outrigger arm, resulting in the downward movement of the outrigger arm, and the fall of the climber. The assembly also includes a movement sensor, within the hollow arm, which is activated and provides an alarm signal, when the outrigger arm is moved more than a predetermined number of degrees, such as the downward movement of the outrigger arm. The assembly further includes a coiled spring, positioned within the hollow fence post and extending into the hollow outrigger arm, by which the arm is automatically returned to its original defensive position, after the load is removed.

Abstract: Means for clamping together two flanged ends of vitreous tubing or the like in which the facing surfaces of the flanged ends are flat wherein screw adjustable strap-like clamps having an array of screw engaging slots along their length are tightly coupled around each piece of tubing near the flanged end. With the flanged ends abutting, tension members, usually springs, are coupled between the clamps. Usually each tension member has at least one end coupled to that part of a clamp which lies between two screw engaging slots.

Abstract: A locking device especially adapted to secure relatively movable concentric members together. The device is particularly useful for locking a bearing on a shaft or within a housing. Broadly, the device includes a locking part disposed between first and second concentric members and biased into a frictional engagement with a first of the members so that when such member moves relative to the second member, the locking part is moved frictionally engaging the second member for locking the members together. In one form of the locking device a coil spring is wound about and frictionally engages a first member within a second member and has a tang engageable with a recess in the second member for interlocking the members responsive to rotation of the first member. Another embodiment of the locking device includes an arcuate-shaped spring having wedge portions engaging a first member within a recess of the second member.

Abstract: A frame for supporting a games net includes a number of tubular frame members having threaded ends and a number of helical springs that are threadably connectable to the threaded ends to form a novel frame structure that is restorably deformable at the joined ends.

Abstract: A spring coil holding device utilizing an integral multi-stage spring coil placed in an actuating sleeve and a housing sleeve, said integral spring coil is actuated to enlarge to a proper caliber by means of said actuating sleeve and housing sleeve for releasing a rod-shaped object or is restored to its original condition by its own resilience for clamp-holding a rod-shaped object.

Abstract: A rail-brake magnet is suspended from structure on a railway vehicle at a predetermined distance above a rail when in its non-operating state by a spring. Abutment means are provided to limit the movement of the spring in the direction of raising the rail-brake magnet so that the spring is subjected to an initial stress when the rail-brake magnet is raised to its non-operating position. This initial stress on the spring may be adjusted.

Abstract: A device for spacing overhead, parallel subconductors of a conductor bundle and for damping vibrations of the subconductors. The device comprises rigid, elongated arms pivotally connected to each other by a rigid means at one end of each arm, with the other end of each arm being radially spaced from the rigid means and provided with a clamp for attaching the arm to a subconductor. Resilient damping devices, such as close coil springs, are secured in the arms at a location adjacent the rigid means pivotally connecting the arms to each other.

Abstract: A flexible coupling is provided for use between the shaft of a screw pump rotor and that of a driving motor where the shafts are required to transfer considerable axial forces and are subject to rotating out of axial alignment with each other. The respective shaft ends are formed either as cones or sections of spheres and are held together by a screwspring which envelopes both ends and transfers much of the torque from one shaft to the other while reducing the possibility for lateral displacement of the shafts. The shaft ends are positioned to roll against each other to reduce wear when the shafts rotate.

Abstract: A self-aligning shaft coupling in which an open coil, helical spring is carried by a flanged disc on a driven shaft for releasable coupling within a housing mounted on a driving shaft wherein the shaft may be in axial or offset misalignment. The housing has a cylindrical internal peripheral surface closed at its rearward end by a face having a plurality of axially extending radially spaced lugs integrally formed thereon, any one of said lugs providing the sole coupling spring driving means. The spring has identical end-turned portions each of which are square with the spring axis and terminate in inwardly directed radial tangs so as to engage a slot in the driven disc and one of the lugs of the driving housing respectively, to provide a flexible torsional shaft coupling that is readily separable.