Abstract: A user adjustable variable axial length vehicle attachment stem is disclosed. The vehicle attachment stem includes a pair of extension elements which connect to a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, on one end and a mirror or other vehicle accessory on the other. The user can adjust the axial length of the stem by screwing in or out a threaded connection between the extension elements, and once the desired length is selected, the connection is secured by a connector, such as a hand adjustable threaded lock or a detent.

Abstract: A method or the realisation and the maintenance of overhead line plants for telecommunications, in which the anchor or “mooring” device of the self-gripping two-way supports of the cables, is made integral with a movable structure free to move along the supporting post. The structure includes a chain allowing lowering of the line from span level to ground level, and its successive lifting to the predetermined operative height at the end of the maintenance intervention. The lowering of the line to the ground level is achieved by exploiting the gravity force acting on the line itself, and the successive lifting, by pulling this anchor chain. The movable structures are provided according to different configurations, depending on the characteristics of the posts where these structures are used.

Abstract: An impeller shaft assembly, coupler and molten metal pump are described, in which a coupling member is configured to be secured to a pump drive shaft and includes a socket part that is defined by a socket wall formed about and extending along an axis. The socket wall includes a plurality of coupling shaft engaging surfaces and a plurality of socket corner surfaces joining the shaft engaging surfaces. The socket corner surfaces are disposed radially outward from adjacent shaft engaging surfaces with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A high strength grouted pipe coupler by which either a pair of spaced, axially aligned steel reinforcement bars (i.e. rebars) are reliably spliced to one another or a single reinforcement bar is spliced to a flat steel plate to form a T-headed bar configuration. The reinforcement bars are surrounded by a spiral reinforcing spring within a hollow cylindrical sleeve or tube. The coupler tube is filled with an epoxy or cement based grout within which the reinforcement bars and the reinforcing spring are embedded. Set screws are moved through the coupler tube to maintain the position of the reinforcement bars prior to the coupler tube being filled with epoxy or cement. The pipe coupler herein disclosed has application for connecting together contiguous columns, walls, beams and similar structures to enable buildings, parking garages, bridges, subways and airports to be better able to survive a seismic event.

Abstract: The invention concerns fail-safe devices for use in reinforced concrete structures. The device (1) comprises a link (8) of high tensile strength material and first (2) and second (3) end regions. The end regions (2, 3) and the link (8) joining them are formed from a single piece of material. The link (8) is waisted such a portion thereof is of a reduced cross section. The device is designed to yield at a given loading to within close tolerances and enables the design and construction of buildings which will react in a safe way under earthquake conditions.

Abstract: A leg structure of a desk constructed to provide a stronger durability at places such as kindergarten, children's house and the like and to conform to body shape of a user such as child, thereby facilitating to easily adjust height of an upper plate, which comprises a plurality of leg members; a male screw part screwed to one end of the leg members with a bolt part externally protruded at the center thereof; a female screw part screwed to the other end of the leg members with a nut part at the center thereof to be coupled with the bolt part of the male screw part, so that a plurality of leg members with the male and female screw parts coupled at both sides thereof are sequentially connected to form a leg of a desk; a coupling unit having a bottom side coupled with an upper end of the leg, a flange part formed at an upper side to be coupled to an upper plate with a plurality of screws and a fitting protruder formed at the top center of the flange part; and a fitting groove formed at the bottom surface of

Abstract: A coupling unit for a bicycle head tube of includes a hollow bowl, and a bearing received in the bowl and having an annular inner wall that is indented to form an annular step. The annular step has an annular riser with a riser face that extends axially of the annular inner wall, and an annular tread with a tread face that extends radially and inwardly from the riser face. A cap has annular upper and lower flanges. The upper flange is disposed over the annular inner wall of the bearing. The lower flange radially reduces from the upper flange and extends fittingly into the bearing. The lower flange has an annular peripheral wall face that complements and that is in face-to-face contact with the riser face, and an annular bottom end face that extends radially and inwardly from the peripheral wall face and that complements and that is in face-to-face contact with the tread face.

Abstract: A self-centering line connector for insulated window spacer frame tubing. There is an elongate connector body having first and second ends. First and second ramps extend upwardly from the connector body towards a mid-point of the connector body. The base ends of the ramp portions are yieldingly mounted to the connector body, and the free ends have perpendicularly extending stop surfaces. Either end of the connector can be inserted into the open end of a section of spacer frame tubing. As this is done, the first ramp portion is depressed by the web of the tubing so as to permit the tubing to pass thereover until insertion is arrested by the end of the tubing coming up against the stop surface of the second ramp member, at approximately the mid-point of the connector body.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar connector is disclosed, which includes two male connectors respectively welded to one end of each of two reinforcing bars, each male connector having at least one radially extended protrusion, two female connector elements respectively fitted over the periphery of said male connectors and abutted radially against each other to hold said male connectors in a line, each female connector element having at least two concavities for engagement with the at least one radially extended protrusion of each of the male connectors, and a sleeve axially sleeved onto the female connector elements to lock the female connector elements.

Abstract: Multi-piece elevator links, which may be of variable length or capacity or both, are produced by cutting a unitary link into two parts and connecting different combinations of shanks and link ends to form the desired elevator link. Rotation of the link ends with respect to the shank may be prevented. Adapters may be employed between the shank and the link ends to provide varying connections.

Abstract: An adaptor for a ceiling fan downrod which uses a pair of concentric cylinders with a larger cylinder capable of receiving a large downrod component and a smaller cylinder capable of receiving a smaller downrod component.

Abstract: An expandable rod is formed of an outer tube, an inner tube, and a locating device. The locating device comprises a connection tube, a fixation ring, a press member, and rotary tube. The connection tube is fixed on one end of the outer tube by the fixation ring. The press member is disposed in the rotary tube which is rotatable on the connection tube. The inner rod is slidably fitted into one end of the outer tube via the press member. The press member is actuated by the rotary tube to catch or release the rod body of the inner tube.

Abstract: A drive connector for elastomerically coupling a drive shaft to a driven shaft. An elastomeric coupling includes openings on opposite ends that are generally “D”-shaped forming an interference fit with correspondingly shaped ends of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. A web extends transversely within the interior of the elastomeric coupling, limiting the distance that the drive shaft and driven shaft are inserted within the openings of the coupling. The coupling includes a rib that runs longitudinally along its outer length. A sleeve having a groove corresponding in size and shape to the rib is slipped over the coupling and is connected to the driven shaft. The sleeve includes a rigid interior element that is overmolded with an elastomeric material. A cam bearing is fitted over a cam surface on the sleeve and provides a force in one direction, urging a plunger to displace an elastomeric membrane in a pumping cassette, forcing medicinal fluid to flow through the pumping cassette.

Abstract: A union is adapted to butt two reused plastic bottles at their mouths to provide a teaching aid for simulating the forming of spring and convection due to a pressure difference between two spaces. The union includes a hollow tubular body having a radially extended middle partition. An internal screw thread is provided on an inner wall surface of the union at each side of the middle partition to engage with an external screw thread on the mouth of the plastic bottle. The middle partition is provided with two symmetrical through holes, each of which is axially divided into two parts by a radially inward projected annular rib. Each part of the through holes is sized for a suction tube of predetermined dimensions to insert thereinto.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar connection for concrete construction utilizes a sleeve supporting internal spring washers having flexible inner edges which engage a bar inserted in the sleeve. The reinforced inner edges of the washers bite into the bar and grip the bar preventing withdrawal. The washers have openings which permit the sleeve to be filled with a hardenable matrix such as grout or resin. In a preferred form, shoulder forming wedge grooves are formed in ends of the sleeve. The connection may be used as a dowel socket, a continuity set, or as butt end-to-end bar splice for axially aligned bar of the same or different size. The connection provides not only high compressive and tensile strengths but also will provide the dynamic and/or fatigue characteristics to qualify as Type 2 coupler approved for use in all United States earthquake zones.

Abstract: A high strength reinforcing bar splice uses a contractible jaw assembly bridging the bar ends to be joined. The jaw assembly includes interior teeth designed to bite into the projecting ribs or deformations on the outside of the bar ends which form the overall diameter of the bar but not the core or nominal diameter of the bar. The jaw assembly is constricted from both axial ends by driving tapered locking collars on each end of the jaw assembly with a tool while concurrently causing the jaw assembly to constrict and bite into the bar ends. When the tool is removed, the collars remain in place locking the jaw assembly closed. The splice provides not only high tensile and compressive strengths but also has good fatigue and dynamic strength to qualify as a Type 2 coupler.

Abstract: A rod coupling formed of a tubular housing having a first box end and a second box end. The tubular housing has an interior surface defining a bore extending along the tubular housing from the first box end to the second box end, and has an exterior surface. Plural openings extending transversely through the housing from the interior surface to the exterior surface. A coating on the exterior surface of the tubular housing covers the plural openings, and may fill the openings or extend through the openings to form knobs inside the tubular housing. The coatings may taper from the exterior surface towards the interior surface. The openings are preferably distributed uniformly around the tubular housing. The openings are preferably distributed in plural rows. A rod string may be made up of plural such rod couplings and connecting rods.

Abstract: Improved sucker rod joints for down hole petroleum pumping applications are provided within the form factor of standard API sucker rods, such that existing inventory in suitable condition is fully usable in more demanding applications. The pin ends are selected or processed such as to provide preselected axial distance between a flat pin end and at least one reference surface, such as a threaded region or reference shoulder or both. The coupler is dimensioned such that the pin ends are in abutment either with each other or with opposite sides of an intervening torque washer in the central region, when the connection is made to a selected level of thread engagement. Furthermore, the engagement is such as to put the pin ends in compression and the coextensive length of coupler in tension. This increases frictional restraints and locks the elements together to resist fatigue failure upon cycling and to insure together with an anaerobic adhesive sealant, against back threading.

Abstract: An improved partition screen connecting device includes at least an insert head, a coupling tube, and a connecting plate. A fightening element may be provided between the coupling tube and the insert head. In use, the connecting device is insertably disposed in support tubes provided on both sides of a partition screen such that the tightening element can fittingly engage the support tubes so that the connecting device will not easily slip but cannot be readily changed. By virtue of the partition screen connecting device, a plurality of partition screens can be flexibly connected. Both ends of the connecting device are configured to allow stacking of partition screens so that the paritition screens can be connected in a horizontal or vertical manner, and foldable to give variety to their arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in concrete construction is characterized by a body having a first portion configured to be set into concrete during the casting of that concrete, and which can be removed from the concrete after the concrete has set, and thereby may be reused in a similar manner with other concrete castings. The body of the apparatus is preferably generally cylindrical and preferably includes a serrated exterior surface. The body also preferably includes a second portion configured to facilitate removal of the apparatus from the concrete, and further includes an engagement member with which other devices may be engaged. The second portion may also be engageable with an alignment member to facilitate the accuracy of insertion and removal of the apparatus from the concrete. The serrated exterior preferably interferingly engages with at least one reinforcing element formed in the concrete, to assist in positioning of the concrete.

Abstract: A building system comprising a plurality of individual building elements and connecting mechanisms, each of said building elements having an upper and a lower surface which are substantially parallel to each other and having at least one opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, each of said building elements being adapted for alignment with respect to an opening in another building element, each of said connecting mechanisms being dimensioned to fit within and extend through an opening in a building element, each of said connecting mechanisms interconnecting a plurality of associated building elements and a plurality of deformation members, said deformation members being positioned between a lower surface of a first building element and a connecting mechanism of a second building element, said deformation member being deformable by a predetermined force to induce a stress in said connecting mechanism of said first building element such that each of said first building elements is pressed

Abstract: A screwed connection comprises at least one rod end (10, 12) with an external thread (16) and a threaded sleeve (18) with an internal thread (20). The threaded sleeve (18) is screwed with axial play on to the rod end (10, 12). A cotter (26) is driven through a lateral opening (30) in the threaded sleeve (18) in such a way that it bears on the threaded sleeve (18) and on the end face (22, 24) of the rod end (10, 12) in order to press the external and internal threads (16, 20) axially against each other. A screwed connection of this type is particularly suitable for the production of sleeve connections and end anchorages in the case of reinforcing rods with a rolled-on thread.

Abstract: A connecting structure of concrete block according to the present invention comprises connecting rods buried in divided blocks, and a connector which exerts forces to attract exposed ends of the connecting rods toward each other and maintains a condition where it exerts predetermined attracting forces. In this connecting structure, the connecting rods are attracted toward each other and the divided blocks are brought into contact with each other under pressure by tightening an external thread portion of a first tightening member into an internal thread hole of a second tightening member with a tool after the divided blocks are combined so as to match cavities thereof with each other. A connector according to the present invention comprises a first tightening member which is rotatably fitted over an exposed end of a connecting rod of one divided block and a second tightening member which is rotatably fitted over an exposed end of another concrete block.

Abstract: A connection is provided for the sections of a separable guide tube and of a drive shaft disposed therein. Shaft sections of the drive shaft are interlockingly coupled together, wherein the ends of the shaft sections interengage one another. One of the shaft sections has an insertion end having a rotationally symmetrical non-circular cross-sectional configuration. A drive sleeve is coaxially secured to the other shaft section and has a coupling cross-sectional configuration that corresponds to the insertion end. Which is introduceable into the driving sleeve. An axial introduction adapter is provided on the driving sleeve and has at least one inwardly projecting introduction ramp, which extends over an angle of curvature between two adjacent large diameters of the coupling cross-sectional configuration of the driving sleeve. The introduction ramp includes an axially decreasing ramp surface that forms a shoulder for the insertion end.

Abstract: A device for attaching an elongated handle to any one of a variety of cleaning implements, regardless of whether the cleaning implements are provided with a socket or a protuberance for purposes of attaching an elongated handle thereto. The device preferably comprises an externally threaded protuberance and an internally threaded socket, where the threads of the externally threaded protuberance and the internally threaded socket are non-complementary to one another, the externally threaded protuberance is adapted for mating with a socket having complementary internal threads, and the internally threaded socket is adapted for mating with a protuberance having complementary external threads, whereby the device can be joined with another device comprising either one of the socket having complementary internal threads and the protuberance having complementary external threads.

Abstract: Building system comprising individual building elements (1), each element having an upper and a lower surface which are substantially parallel to each other and each building element having at least one opening (10, 11) extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, the building elements being such that they can be positioned on top of each other so that openings of different elements are aligned with respect to each other, characterized in that in each opening a connecting element (30) can be placed by means of which the building element belonging to it can be connected with a predetermined pressure to the building element located immediately below the first building element.

Abstract: A detachable arm for a baby stroller comprises a left and a right sub-arms releasably attached to a left and a right sub-frames respectively by a respective engaging member, and an attaching member for releasably attaching left and right sub-arms together wherein left and right sub-arms are attached to form a complete arm in an operating position, and left and right sub-arms are separated each other and rotate downwardly a predetermined angle with respect to sub-frames when the attaching member is separated from one of the sub-arms, or alternatively left and right sub-arms are separated from sub-frames when the engaging member are separated from sub-frames in a non-operating position.

Abstract: A concrete lifting anchor having a pair of positioning elements at respective opposite ends of a steel rod, a threaded coupler extending from one end of the rod, and a tubular protector tightly fitted over the coupler, with a removable filler material inside the tubular protector.

Abstract: A splice chuck having a body with a first end and a second end and a passage extending therethrough, a first collar received within the first end of the body and having a tapered interior, a second collar received within the second end of the body and having a tapered interior, a first wedge received within the tapered interior of the first collar, a second wedge received within the tapered interior of the second collar, a cap member having a surface abutting an end of the first wedge within the passageway of the body, and a resilient member having one end exerting a compressive force onto the second wedge and an opposite end exerting a compressive force onto the cap member. The cap member includes a tubular section having an interior area and an annular section extending radially outwardly from an end of the tubular section. A cover extends over the opposite end of the tubular section. The annular surface contacts an end of the first wedge.

Abstract: An attachment member 11 for board materials 2 such as heat insulating materials and the like comprises an affixing plate part 5 which is affixed to the substrate surface 3a of a body 3, a support plate part 6 which extends approximately perpendicularly with respect to the substrate surface 3a when the affixing plate part 5 is affixed to the substrate surface 3a, and connecting plate parts 7 which extend in both directions at the upper end of support plate part 6. A support plate part elasticity providing part 12 and connecting plate part elasticity providing parts 13 are provided, respectively, in the support plate part 6 toward the point of connection with the affixing plate part 5, and in the connecting plate parts 7 toward the point of connection with the support plate part 6, along the longitudinal direction, and bent so as to achieve a wave form in cross-section.

Abstract: A coupling device joins and axially aligns segments of a driveshaft or other shaft to form one, continuous length, shaft for use in a machine press.

Abstract: A damage resistant control, including: a first shaft; a second shaft having its proximal end attached to control apparatus; and adapter apparatus connecting the distal end of the first shaft and the distal end of the second shaft such as to permit a degree of axial movement between the first shaft and the second shaft so as to isolate axial force applied to the first shaft from being transmitted to the second shaft.

Abstract: A device for joining the parted ends of a rope member is provided. The device comprises blocks that are epoxied to the ends of the rope member and a threaded sleeve to thread onto one of the blocks. The invention also provides a method of joining the parted ends of a rope member including the steps of epoxying a block to each end to be joined to form a splice and coupling a threaded sleeve to one of the blocks while securing the other block within the sleeve.

Abstract: A connector assembly for an upright shaft of a beach umbrella, includes first and second stem members and a tubular connecting member. The upright shaft portion includes a lower shaft portion and a hollow upper shaft portion. The lower shaft portion extends in an axial direction and is provided with an upwardly opened annular end portion. The upwardly opened annular end portion has a first inner annular wall with a first dimension. The upper shaft portion is provided with a downwardly opened annular end portion which can brought in the axial direction to connect with the upwardly opened annular end portion. The downwardly opened annular end portion has a second inner annular wall with a second dimension. The first and second stem members have first lower and upper stem portions press-fitted into the upwardly and downwardly opened end portions of the lower and upper shaft portions.

Abstract: A connector forces exposed ends of connecting rods buried in divided concrete blocks toward each other. After the divided blocks are combined so as to align respective cavities within the blocks, a tool tightens an external threaded portion of a first tightening member into an internal threaded hole of a second tightening member. The tool thus forces the connecting rods toward each other and brings the divided blocks into contact with each other under pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus to stretch one end of a catheter guide wire, and to secure the catheter guide wire in a dispenser tube is provided, including an introduction aid and a connection element. The introduction aid includes an elongate hollow element having an open distal end and an open proximal end, a cylindrical section having an undercut and a conical section tapering away from the cylindrical section. The cylindrical section contains a longitudinal U-shaped slit defining a flexible tongue, where the flexible tongue is adapted for pressing into the cylindrical section. The connection element includes a proximal connector, a tubular distal connector, and a central section between the proximal and distal connectors. The central section is open such that the guide wire is accessible, and includes an advancing surface. The proximal connector connects to the end of a catheter guide wire dispenser tube.

Abstract: A combined lockdog and Kelly bar adapter is provided for drivingly connecting a Kelly bar to a shaft of an earth anchor. The adapter includes a unitary one-piece body comprising a first section defining a first socket sized and shaped to receive a Kelly bar and a second section defining a second socket sized and shaped to receive the shaft of the earth anchor. A flange is formed in the first socket and has an inner wall having a smaller circumference than the wall of the first socket, so that the adapter can receive two different sized Kelly bars. A spring biased pin is provided to engage a hole in the earth anchor shaft to axially fix the adapter relative to the earth anchor shaft. The pin includes a sloped surface which is engaged by the earth anchor shaft, so that the adapter can be applied to the earth anchor shaft simply by sliding the adapter over the earth anchor shaft. The adapter includes a camming surface and a ring through an outer end of the pin.

Abstract: A sacrificial link is disclosed for the shaft of a vehicle-cleaning brush unit, which link is pre-engineered to fail prior to the remainder of the shaft in response to bending forces exerted on the brush by a vehicle, for example. The shaft itself is therefore protected from permanent deformation or breakage, while the sacrificial link is easily removed and replaced with relatively little downtime and expense. In a preferred form the sacrificial link comprises a sacrificial shaft section having socket ends for removable connection to the upper portion of a brush shaft depending from a motor drive unit and the lower portion of the brush shaft connected to the brush, and a center region pre-engineered to fail before the upper and lower brush shaft sections. Novel clamping and release structure associated with the socket ends of the sacrificial shaft section is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tube connector comprising an elongate hollow body with an opening at both ends for receiving the end of a tube of a pair of tubes to be coupled to each other, which tube connector comprises means for providing, upon completion of the connection between the connector and the tubes to be connected, a passage for air from the interior of at least one of the tubes to the surroundings.The use of such connectors in installing glass fiber cables or bundles in a tube line consisting of more than one tube by means of a blowing technique has as an advantage that the course of the pressure gradient along the tube line is more linear than in the case where the connectors couple the successive tubes completely hermetically.

Abstract: A seat pedestal assembly including a center post having a lower distal end adapted to be slidingly and rotatably received by a boat deck; a support frame including a center sleeve and a plurality of seat members disposed parallel to and in spaced relation with the center sleeve, the seat members being angularly spaced equidistantly around the center post, each of the seat members having an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a length, each of the seat members being respectively connected to the center sleeve by a connecting member; the center sleeve having an inner diameter adapted to slidingly and rotatably receive the center post therethrough; and, each of the seat members inner diameter being adapted to respectively receive for axial and rotational movement therein a seat post provided depending downwardly from an existing seat.

Abstract: An adapter for the coupling of two shaft ends in a defined angular orientation with respect to the longitudinal shaft axes. The adapter is mounted in a defined angular orientation on a first shaft, and on the side associated with a second shaft it has a receptacle for receiving the second shaft. The second shaft has an end that is partially flattened The receptacle is surrounded by a flange in one partial segment of which is at least one projection having inclined surfaces of such dimensions, that the projection fits interlockingly into the flattened part of the second shaft upon reaching the desired angular orientation of the two shafts. The adapter according to the invention is particularly suited for the connection of the shaft of a drive unit with the shaft of an rotary encoder.

Abstract: The quick-release arrangement includes a coupler adapted to slidably engage a braked upper drive shaft and to slidably engage a lower drive shaft. The lower drive shaft is coupled to an associated jack leg such that when the upper drive shaft, the coupler, and the lower drive shaft are coupled together, the jack leg is braked. A spring urges the coupler into engagement with the lower drive shaft. A cam member supports the downwardly-biased coupler and permits the coupler to be cammed upward against the spring bias force such that the coupler slides along the upper drive shaft and, thus, out of engagement with the lower drive shaft. When it is desired to release the jack leg from the braking control of the upper drive shaft to thereby permit rapid lowering of the jack leg to the ground, a cam lever is used to easily overcome the spring bias force and effect camming. Inadvertent camming is prevented because the spring bias force is not overcome by normal vibration, jolting or jarring.

Abstract: A universal joint 10 for the extension of billiard cues. The joint comprises a joint element 12 generally tubular and adapted to hold at one end the front end of an extension and to receive at the other end the butt end of a billiard cue, and a generally tubular tightening element 14 adapted to lock the cue inside the joint element 12. The joint 10' is operative irrespective of the outer diameter of the butt terminal part of the cue received therein, by the combined action of slits 42, tapered portions 28, 38, 40 and resilience of the material of which the joint element 12 is made.

Abstract: An interbowl coupler provides for field coupling an upper pump bowl assembly to a lower pump bowl assembly, each bowl assembly having impellers, a rotatable shaft, and a case, to provide a multistage vertical turbine pump for deep well applications. The coupler includes a split adaptor housing with two hollow mating semi-cylindrical halves, each half having provision for attachment to the other half to provide a liquid-tight assembly with circumferential flanges at its axial ends. A member is provided for drivably coupling the rotatable shaft of the lower pump bowl assembly to the rotatable shaft of the upper pump bowl assembly, and fasteners are provided for attaching the circumferential flanges to mating flanges on the cases of upper and lower pump bowl assemblies. This coupler permits vertical assembly of multiple bowl assemblies over a deep well.

Abstract: A removable handle for use with a wheelchair having two handles includes a handgrip crossbar which has two ends, two support posts, each of which is hollow and has a wall, and two connectors. The handgrip crossbar is coupled to one of the two ends of the handgrip crossbar in spaced parallel relation. Each connector connects one of the handles to the other end of one of the support posts. Each connector is cylindrical and has a first end, a second end and a wall. The connector is fixedly coupled to one of the two handles. The connector is slidably and detachably coupled to one of the support posts. Each support post has a hole in the wall. The connector has an inner surface with a groove adjacent to its first end. The connector also has a flat spring and a disc. The flat spring is disposed in one of the support posts. Each disc is fixedly coupled to one of the flat springs and is inserted in its hole. When each support post is inserted into one of the connectors, the groove securely engages the disc.

Abstract: An elongated tubular metal body includes a longitudinally extending wedge portion having converging inner wedging surfaces defining an included angle of less than seventy degrees for receiving the end portions of concrete reinforcing bars. A series of longitudinally spaced threaded holes are formed within the tubular body in opposing relation to the wedge portion, and a socket head set screw or a shear head screw is threaded into each hole. The screws have conical pointed tips for penetrating a bar when the screws are tightened to a predetermined torque, and the screws force the outer ribs on the bar into the tubular body. In one embodiment, a section of cylindrical seamless tubing of ductile steel is cold-forged or deformed within a die set to form the tubular body with a generally diamond-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A coupling element for releasable retention of an end of an elongate pull element has a cavity to receive said end. The pull element is formed with a constriction and the coupling element with a corresponding cavity. The pull element may be inserted unobstructedly and subsequently be locked by moving a movable portion, e.g. in the form of a hinged portion, into a locking position in which, in combination with the cavity, it establishes releasable locking of the pull element.

Abstract: A two-piece handle for use in positioning a vehicle lifting jack beneath a vehicle and for rotating a spindle of that jack, which handle comprises a jack handle rod, a jack handle rod extension, and a jack handle coupling for releasably interconnecting the jack handle rod and the jack handle rod extension in co-axial alignment. The jack handle coupling comprises a sleeve mounted over and fixedly secured to a knuckle joint of the jack handle rod and adapted to receive a knuckle joint of the jack handle rod extension. A spring wire engageable with the knuckle joint of the jack handle rod extension secures the two pieces of the rod in coupled engagement. Preferably, the knuckle joints of both sections of the jack handle are formed by bending the ends of the rods 180.degree. into a J-shaped configuration shaped to be permanently secured to the knuckle joint of one of the rods and to slidably receive the knuckle joint of the other rod.

Abstract: A box-like coupler for coupling a first car body part to another which includes a box-like device having a closed perimeter of a plurality of sides and two open ends. The box-like coupler may have a center rib between the two open ends which extends to all of the sides of the plurality of sides. Another embodiment is a winged coupler for coupling a first car body part to another which includes a device having a first wing and a second wing connected to the first wing. Each wing of the device has at least one distal width which is greater than a proximal width of the same wing.

Abstract: An improved rope fastener is disclosed having a resilient thermoplastic body with at least one longitudinal passage for receiving a rope therein. The fastener includes one or more nail receiving bores transverse to the rope passage and extending across the rope passage to enable a nail to be driven through the fastener and a rope to retain the rope in the fastener body. To prevent pushing of rope fibers into the nail bore as the nail is being driven through the rope, a closure is provided in the nail bores to prevent rope fibers from entering into the nail bore. The nails pierce through the closure as they enter the opposite side of the fastener body.