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: An assembly to be mounted in an axle spindle for communicating pressurized air to a rotary union in a tire inflation system. The assembly includes an arbor having an air flow channel extending therethrough, a flange intermediary of the arbor ends and an axially inclined portion proximate the flange. A sealing member is carried by the flange for forming a seal with the axle spindle. A split ring locking assembly is disposed about the inclined portion of the arbor that is comprised of a plurality of segments held by an expansible retention spring. The segments move radially outwardly upon the locking assembly being moved along the inclined arbor portion and engage the axle spindle, securing the plug assembly within the spindle. A fastening member threadably engages the arbor for urging the locking assembly along the inclined arbor portion to effect securement of the plug assembly within the axle spindle.

Abstract: The knob fitting structure is provided with a knob; an operation shaft to which the knob is to be fitted; engaging stubs provided on one of the knob and the operation shaft and supporting side walls having snap-in holes 10f provided on the other, wherein the engaging stubs, when they are inserted into the snap-in holes, after elastically deforming the supporting side walls in a direction of thickness of the engaging stubs, are engaged within the snap-in holes, and the supporting side walls are provided with a slit communicating with outside through the snap-in holes.

Abstract: An assembly to be mounted in an axle spindle for communicating pressurized air from the axle to a rotary union in a tire inflation system. The assembly includes an arbor having an air flow channel extending therethrough, a flange intermediary of the arbor ends and an axially inclined portion proximate the flange. A sealing member is carried by the flange for forming an airtight seal with the axle spindle. A split ring locking assembly is disposed about the inclined portion of the arbor that is comprised of a plurality of segments held by an expansible retention spring. The segments move radially outwardly upon the locking assembly being moved along the inclined arbor portion and engage the axle spindle, securing the plug assembly within the spindle, A fastening member threadably engages the arbor for urging the locking assembly along the inclined arbor portion to effect securement of the plug assembly within the axle spindle.

Abstract: For the purpose of stably securing an apparatus to be installed by a simple process, a positioner for securing to a floor an apparatus having positioning holes for receiving therethrough anchor bolts implanted upright in the floor, the positioning holes having a diameter substantially larger than that of the anchor bolts, comprises: a first cylindrical bushing member 21 having at an eccentric position a through hole 21c of a diameter for rotatably fitting one of the anchor bolts; and a second cylindrical bushing member 20 having at an eccentric position a hole 20c of a diameter for rotatably fitting the first bushing member 21, the second cylindrical bushing member rotatably fitting in one of the positioning holes provided in the apparatus to be positioned.

Abstract: A surface connection between mechanical components having intermediate deformable elements between the connected contact surfaces, shaped as segments of solid or hollow cylinders with straight or curvilinear axes and their cross sections are compressed in the radial direction during assembly of the connection, thus allowing for adjustments of relative positioning of the connected components, for compensating dimensional imperfections, and for enhancement of stiffness and/or damping of the connection.

Abstract: The coupling device is an assembly comprising of three congruently shaped axially extending parts with mating wedge-like angular cuts intended to cause said parts to expand in a direction of the minor width when a screw type fastener pulls the two outer members together. those angular surfaces are made so the parts do not permanently lock up, thereby allowing the device to be removed and re-used. The angles should be equal so the parts stay put axially when the screw is tightened. The cross-section of each of the three members is in the form of identical cat-eyes, (e.g. two intersecting circles whose centers do not coincide, and whose minor width is less than the radii. The circles comprising the cat-eye are preferably equal. This is the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: There is now provided a building glass facade of a building comprising a plurality of glass plates each of which is secured by clamp fittings for a glass plate, with each clamp fitting comprising two clamp elements that clamp the glass plate between them and also comprising an articulated support of the clamp fitting on a fastening device, whereby a first articulated arrangement comprises a substantially permanently elastic element that is disposed on one clamp element. There is also provided a second articulated arrangement that has two plano-concave lenses that face each other with their spherical surfaces, between which the bolt head of a pendulum bolt with corresponding concave complementary surfaces is guided.

Abstract: A mounting system for a speed reducer having a housing with a rotatable input drive coupled with the housing and a gear train coupled with the input to drive an output. The mounting system has a cylinder having an inner and outer surface and two ends. The outer surface includes a portion adapted to couple with the drive train. The outer surface at both ends may have a threaded portion or another securement portion. The inner surface may be tapered from both the ends such that the tapers are substantially symmetrical about the cylinder. A bushing ring, with an internal diameter, may include threads to threadily connect with either threaded end of the output cylinder, or another type of securement may be used. A bushing, which includes a flange and a cylindrical portion, is adapted to couple with the bushing ring. The flange portion couples with the bushing ring on either side of the output cylinder.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the present invention provide a pole connector assembly for connecting adjacent pole sections in order to construct a pole. Preferably, these pole connector assemblies have two inserts connected together by a fastener. Each of the two inserts is received within an open end of a respective pole section. The fastener is preferably received within an aperture in each of the inserts in order to connect the pole sections together. In some preferred embodiments, each insert has at least one projection that extends into the pole section within which the insert is received. Preferably, the projection can be deflected in order to engage (or more fully engage) the insert within its corresponding pole section. Preferably, the projection can be deflected by the fastener and/or by one or more internal surfaces of the pole section as the insert is inserted within the pole section.

Abstract: For a crankshaft of a motor with two outputs, which are braced against each other on a common shaft section by means of an essentially axial directed bracing force, measures are suggested, which deflect the axially directed bracing force into a bracing force with a radial component, that acts on at least one output.

Abstract: For a crankshaft of a motor with two outputs, which are braced against each other on a common shaft section by means of an essentially axial directed bracing force, measures are suggested, which deflect the axially directed bracing force into a bracing force with a radial component, that acts on at least one output.

Abstract: A system is provided for sealingly coupling a gear reducer to a driven machine, such as a screw conveyor. The gear reducer includes a sealing assembly disposed in a bore of the gear reducer housing about an output member, such as an output hub. An adapter element couples the gear reducer to the load, such as directly to a screw conveyor trough. A first seal assembly is disposed in the adapter about an output shaft received in the output hub of the gear reducer. For a screw conveyor application, the first seal assembly may be adjacent to the screw conveyor trough plate. The adapter includes a second seal assembly within an interface flange which is secured to the gear reducer housing. The first and second seal assemblies are spaced from one another by a dropout area defined by integral standoffs of the adapter.

Abstract: A mounting device for coaxially anchoring a machine element upon a rotary shaft. The device fits between the interior bore of the machine element and the cylindrical surface of the shaft and is effective to position the element at any desired position longitudinally of the shaft and at any angular position circumferentially of the shaft. The device has inner and out sleeves, the mating surfaces of which are similarly tapered so that relative axial displacement of the sleeves effects expansion and contraction of the interior bore and external surface of the combined elements. Rotation of a threaded nut at one end of the device effects the relative axial displacement of the inner and outer sleeves to afford expansion and contraction of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in drill slip assemblies for use in holding a drill pipe or other tubular member in a vertical position above or within a wellbore. The invention comprises a plurality of slip segments assembled in a slip bowl, each segment containing a plurality of dies which grip the tubular member to prevent any axial displacement. The invention provides at least three improvements over prior art drill slips. First, the outer surface of the slip segment assembly, particularly the lower nose region, is fully supported by the inner surface of the slip bowl such that no portion of the slip segment assembly extends below the bowl. Second, the slip segments are fabricated from forged steel, making them more durable and able to carry higher loads. Third, each die in the lowermost set of hardened dies is fabricated having a rounded bottom end with a tapered profile to complement the rounded bottom of the axial grooves cut into each slip segment.

Abstract: A keyless mounting device has inner and outer tubular sleeves telescopically engaged. The confronting surfaces of the inner and outer sleeves are tapered so that relative axial displacement of the sleeve in one direction expands the outer surface of the outer sleeve and contracts the inner surface of the inner sleeve. Relative axial displacement in the other direction allows the outer surface to contract and the inner surface to expand. The inner and outer sleeves are threaded at one end and the free end of each sleeve adjacent the threads provides an annular abutment surface. An adjustor is provided to effect the relative axial displacement of the sleeves. The adjustor has one set of threads to engage the threads of the inner and an abutment surface to engage the abutment surface of the outer when the threads are tightened and second threads adapted to engage the threads of the outer and second abutment surface adapted to engage the abutment surface of the inner when loosening the sleeves.

Abstract: A device for an anchorage of an axle at each of its ends, preferably in a pair of fixing lugs formed with through holes for the axle. The device is characterised in that at each end of the axle there is at least one plane chamfer. The chamfer forms an angle a with the longitudinal axis of the axle and is connected to the outer surface of the axle, leaving a cylindrical axle section between the plane chamfers. The device at each plane chamfer includes a body, with a first section having an angle substantially similar to the plane chamfered part of each axle end, together with a second section, extending axially, and a segmental-shaped end, which along its curve has a flange that is directed radially outwards past the periphery of the axle. The is designed to act as a wedge with points directed towards the cylindrical centre section. An anchor element having a movement can be imparted to the body in an axial direction towards the cylindrical section, thereby producing an anchorage of the axle in each hole.

Abstract: A collet-stop assembly for fixing the position of a work-piece or tool ("item") intended to be held immobile by and within a collet during machining operations. The assembly includes a stop-collar for gripping a stop-unit to be placed in direct contact with the item, and a collar-retainer used ensure that the stop-unit is held immobile with respect to the collet. The collar-retainer is screwed into the collet and includes a tapered section into which a tapered section of the stop-collar is drawn. In the Preferred Embodiment of the invention the stop-collar is formed of three separate jaws that when drawn into the collar-retainer by means of cap screws passing through the collar-retainer squeeze against the stop-unit. The basic collar-retainer design permits it to be manufactured so that the distances it extends, respectively, to the outside of the collet and down into the collet are very short; that is, it has small external and internal profiles.

Abstract: There is described a method of securing against lateral motion two bodies held in face to face asperity contact to make a joint between the two bodies. Inserted into the interface between the two bodes is a material known as a galling agent, gall promoter, gall enhancer or anti-lubricant. This material is a composition of a crosslinked siloxane having dispersed therein a gall promoting silicone. The crosslinked siloxane is formed, for instance, from the reaction between an amino siloxane and a dicarboxylic anhydride siloxane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism for the detachable attachment of a bladed wheel to a shaft of a turbomachine. The bladed wheel has a sleeve-like extension that faces the shaft. A fastening unit is arranged in the sleeve-like extension, the latter being circumscribed by a thicker wall bushing of a cylindrical recess of the shaft. A screw element is used as a locking element.

Abstract: A coupling/mounting system for securing a shaft to a sleeve or hub includes an inner insert or bushing and an outer insert or bushing. The inner bushing has a slot permitting its radial compression during insertion into the hub. One or more radially extending projections are provided about the cylindrical outer periphery of the inner bushing. The projections enter into engagement in a corresponding recess within the bore. The inner bushing has a tapered inner surface that contacts a corresponding tapered outer surface of the outer bushing. The outer bushing has a elongated slot that permits its radial compression about the shaft when the system is assembled. The outer bushing includes mechanical features which permit it to be drawn into engagement between the inner bushing and the shaft, and thereby to exert radial forces for securing the shaft to the bore.

Abstract: A segmented ring forms a set of latches for a tendon top connector on a floating platform. The latches reside in a housing and have either a groove or thread profile on an upper internal surface. The grooves interface with a mating groove profile on the tendon. The latches rotationally pivot backward and forward from the outer portion of the bottom surface. When the latches are forward, the profile in the internal surface engages the mating profile of the tendon top joint. When the latches are swung out, these profiles clear and permit the top joint to pass through the connector. Retraction of the latches is provided by application of force on the inside surface of an annular extension on the outer portion of the latches. This force can be provided by a variety of actuators. This top connector allows for passive dynamic engagement of the connector to the tendon top joint. When the latches are permitted to move inward, contact is made with the mating profile on the tendon top joint.

Abstract: A tap handle contains an attachment assembly to adjustably attach the handle to a tap spindle over a range of different axial positions relative to a closure member sealing an opening in a wall. The attachment assembly includes a locating member axially slidable within a bore of the handle to rotatably engage the spindle and a locking member which cooperates with the locating member to lock the locating member at a preselected axial position.

Abstract: A mounting device for coaxially anchoring a machine element upon a rotary shaft. The device fits between the interior bore of the machine element and the cylindrical surface of the shaft and is effective to position the element at any desired position longitudinally of the shaft and at any angular position circumferentially of the shaft. The device has inner and outer sleeves, the mating surfaces of which are similarly tapered so that relative axial displacement of the sleeves effects expansion and contraction of the interior bore and external surface of the combined elements. Rotation of a threaded nut at one end of the device effects the relative axial displacement of the inner and outer sleeves to afford expansion and contraction of the outer sleeve without straining the material of the sleeve or the nut.

Abstract: Hydraulically actuatable friction clamp coupling of the type which can be used for clamp connecting a sleeve (2) to a drive shaft (3). The clamp coupling includes a shape deformable inner ring (4) which is adapted to engage the sleeve (2), and which, at the outer surface thereof, is formed as a double, counter directed screw having two screw portions (8, 9) which meet substantially at the longitudinal center of the inner ring (4). The screw flange sides of the screw portions have the shape of saw tooth formed cone surfaces (10) as seen in an axial cross section. The outer rings (5, 6) which, at the inner race thereof, are formed with screw like cone surfaces (11) which are saw tooth shaped in a cross section view, match the cone surfaces (10) of the inner ring (4).

Abstract: A shaft-carried speed reducer is provided having an adaptable mounting arrangement. The hub of the speed reducer is configured having a substantially cylindrical axial bore. At least one annular groove may be defined in the axial bore to receive a snap ring when desired. A removable adapter having a tapered interior surface may then be situated in the hub bore to abut the snap ring. As an alternative to such a snap ring, an annular flange may be provided on the removable adapter to engage an end face of the hub. A tapered sleeve member engages the tapered interior surface defined on the removable adapter to effect securement of the hub to the shaft. If a single adapter is used, it may be inserted from either side of the hub in some configurations. Further, some configurations permit a pair of adapters and corresponding sleeve members to be used. The adapter and snap ring, if any, may be removed when the hub is to be secured to a screw conveyor drive shaft or the like.

Abstract: In a handle stem fixing device in a bicycle wherein a fork stem 10 is rotatably inserted into a head pipe 20 of a frame 2, the upper portion of the fork stem 10 projects out from the upper end of the head pipe 20 and a stem-binding cylinder 30 is fixed on the upper portion of the fork stem 10 so as not to rotate. Many small protrusions are formed on the outer surface of the fork stem 10 where is pressed by the stem-binding cylinder 30. The coefficient of friction between contact surfaces of the fork stem 10 and the stem-binding cylinder 30 increases because of the protrusions. The coupling power acting between the fork stem 10 and the stem-binding cylinder 30 can thus be improved.

Abstract: A clamp device is provided which is operable with extreme ease for clamping and unclamping a rotary shaft portion under remote control and which is capable of exerting a great clamping force and unlikely to displace the shaft axis. The clamp device includes a fixed sleeve (10) radially elastically deformable, rotatably supporting the shaft portion (7) and having a tapered surface (12) over a periphery thereof on the opposite side of a shaft supporting portion (11) thereof, a rotatable clamp member (17) having a tapered surface fitting to the sleeve tapered surface (12) with rollers (15) provided therebetween, the rollers being arranged as inclined with respect to the axis of the sleeve, and a drive unit (23) for rotating the clamp member.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a pipe, which apparatus comprises an outer member having a first inclined inner surface, and an inner member having a first inclined outer surface, the arrangement being such that, in use, on rotation of said outer member relative to said inner member in one sense said first inclined inner surface co-operates with said first inclined outer surface so that said inner member moves towards a pipe to be gripped.

Abstract: A mounting device for anchoring a machine element having a tapered bore coaxially upon a rotary shaft. The device fits between the interior tapered bore of the machine element and the cylindrical surface of the shaft and is effective to position the element at any desired position longitudinally of the shaft and at any angular position circumferentially of the shaft. The device has inner and outer segmented sleeves, the mating surfaces of which are similarly tapered so that relative axial displacement of the sleeves effects expansion and contraction of the interior bore and external surface of the combined elements. Rotation of an internally threaded nut at one end of the device effects the relative axial displacement of the inner and outer sleeves to afford expansion and contraction of the outer sleeve without straining the material of the sleeve or the nut.

Abstract: A stamped hardened sheet steel tapered ferrule with cantilevered radially resilient fingers is wedged by a spring against a tapered bore of a hardened steel housing. The fingers bend radially inwardly to grip a stranded steel cable in the ferrule bore in response to the spring action. When the cable is slid in the ferrule in one direction, the ferrule gripping the cable is further wedged against the tapered bore and further grips the cable. The cable is released when it is slid in the opposite direction pulling the engaged ferrule away from the tapered bore of the housing. The cable has a flag at one end which with the seal lock a hasp therebetween limiting the relative motion of the cable in the opposite ferrule release direction. In a second embodiment, the ferrule is in interference fit with a rod or cable and the spring is not used forcing the ferrule to always grip the rod or cable.

Abstract: An improved keyed adapter assembly for securing a component to a rotatable shaft, the adapter assembly including an adapter member with an interior end face and an opposite exterior end face, the adapter member including an outer surface for receipt of a component therein, and an internal bore for receipt of a rotatable shaft therethrough. The internal bore includes a keyway therein. The adapter assembly also includes a key for securing the adapter for rotation with the rotatable shaft, the key including a longitudinal portion extending in the direction of the shaft, and tab portion extending outwardly with respect to the longitudinal portion. The tab portion is adapted to engage the interior end face of the adapter member when the adapter assembly is mounted on a shaft, such as the shaft of a gear reducer.

Abstract: An improved device for repairing failed anchor members that hold machinery to foundations is provided. An anchor bolt repair coupling engages a failed anchor member through the use of grips, a preloading jack, and epoxy injection to facilitate the repair of the failed member.

Abstract: A clamp device is provided which is operable with extreme ease for clamping and unclamping a rotary shaft portion under remote control and which is capable of exerting a great clamping force and is unlikely to displace the shaft axis. The clamp device includes a fixed sleeve radially elastically deformable, rotatably supporting the shaft portion and having a tapered surface over a radially outer periphery, a rotatable clamp member having a tapered surface fitting to the sleeve tapered surface with rollers provided between the clamp member and the tapered surface the rollers being arranged as inclined with respect to the axis of the sleeve, and a drive unit for rotating the clamp member.

Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a machine element to a shaft, particularly in critical timing and high torque applications, is specifically adapted to be frequently assembled and disassembled without coming apart or in any way adversely affecting the operation of the mounting device. The mounting device includes an inner tubular element, an outer segmented tubular element, and a tubular nut. A through extending radial opening is provided in each segment of the outer element, and a circumferential groove in the outer surface of the inner element with first and second axially spaced radially extending walls.

Abstract: A self locking rod seal includes a plurality of stamped sheet metal tapered frustro-conical segments which mate in a tapered frustro-conical bore of a steel housing. The segments are identical and include a projection upstanding from a recess in each of two opposing shoulders. The projections are received in the recess formed in an opposing shoulder of the other segment. The recesses receive the projections of the different segments in interengaging relation so that axial displacement of one segment requires axial displacement of the other segment. A spring urges the segments against the tapered bore of the housing. The segments in one embodiment have cantilevered radially resilient fingers which grip a rod in the bore thereof when the rod is slid in one direction and which release the rod when the rod is slid in the opposite direction. The rod has a flag at one end which with the seal lock a hasp therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making what may for convenience be regarded as friction joints--that is to say, joints between the touching surfaces of two parts that are held in contact (by a force as experienced in a light interference, not one sufficient to cause forging) and that would otherwise move laterally past one another parallel to the touching plane, the method involving some minimal initial lateral movement of the two surfaces sufficient to cause some asperity deformation, leading to welding and shearing under special conditions--the phenomenon of "galling"--but not sufficient to raise the bulk temperature of either to a level where bulk welding will occur.

Abstract: An improved cable splice of the type in which first and second ends of a casing taper conically toward the casing's longitudinal axis. First and second cable-receiving apertures are provided in the respective first and second ends of the casing. A first set of cable-gripping jaws is disposed within the first end of the casing; and, a second set of cable-gripping jaws is disposed within the second end of the casing. At least one spring is provided within the casing, between the jaws, to urge the first and second jaws toward the first and second apertures respectively. A first plug is positioned within the inner end of the first set of jaws to bias the first set of jaws against the spring by forcing the jaws radially outwardly. A second plug is positioned within the inner end of the second set of jaws to bias the second set of jaws against the spring by forcing the jaws radially outwardly. The plugs are free of connection to the jaws.

Abstract: A shock absorbing bicycle seat mounting post assembly is mounted in a hollow tubular socket member, by means of a binder clamp, in the frame of a bicycle. The shock absorber includes a compression spring which will effectively absorb shocks which are carried through the frame when the wheels encounter obstacles and holes when traveling along the ground. The bicycle seat mounting post assembly includes a number of shims which will adapt the post assembly to varying sizes of bicycle frames. A bellows is provided to keep dirt and dust out of the spring area and protect skin and fingers from being pinched. Stabilization is enhanced by the provision of a piston at the lower end of the movable shaft upon which the seat is attached. A variable volume reducing device may be positioned below the seat mounting post to adjust the volume of air trapped below the piston.

Abstract: A coupling fixture provided with an outer ring and an inner ring each ring having a radially extending cut in one circumferential direction, the inner periphery of the outer ring and the outer ring of the inner periphery being tapered, a wedge-like-shaped ring nut interposed between the inner periphery and the outer periphery, and screw bolts screwably engageable with the ring nut to expand the outer ring in diameter and contract the inner ring in diameter, the ring nut being provided with a cut for making the ring nut radially displaceable.

Abstract: An improved device for repairing failed anchor members that hold machinery to foundations. An anchor bolt repair coupling that engages a failed anchor member through the use of grips and facilitates the repair of the failed member.

Abstract: A joint for connecting a tip member to the end of a rod or shaft. The joint is particularly useful for joining a rod end to a tip member of a material which is not easily brazed, cemented or otherwise adhesively joined together. In the specific example described, a ceramic tip is jointed to the end of a metal rod, such as in a plug, a globe, or sliding stem valve. A cavity in the interior of the tip member has a narrowed opening at its top which terminates at a flat surface of the tip member. A pair of wedge members, each of about 180 degrees annular extent, and the headed bolt end are all located in the cavity, with the wedge members oppositely positioned around bolt head. The bolt head and wedge members have complementary tapers so that motion of the bolt away from the tip member cavity causes the wedge members to move radially away from each other and preferably contact the side wall of the cavity, with the cavity being partially closed by an annular overhang through which the bolt shank passes.

Abstract: A coupling fixture provided with an outer ring having first and second tapered surfaces, an inner ring having third and fourth tapered surfaces, a wedge-like ring nut interposed between the outer and inner rings and axially inwardly thereof and having tapered surfaces engageable with the first and third tapered surfaces. A wedge-like ring washer is interposed between the second and fourth tapered surfaces and axially outwardly thereof and having tapered surfaces engageable with the second and fourth tapered surfaces. Screw bolts are screwable into the ring nut to expand the outer ring in diameter and contract the inner ring in diameter, each cone angle of the tapered surfaces of the washer and of the tapered surfaces engageable therewith is made larger than that of the cone angle of the tapered surfaces of the ring nut and the first and third tapered surfaces engageable therewith and makes the washer more readily removable from the outer and inner rings when the screw bolts are loosened after being tightened.

Abstract: A machine for mounting electronic components on a printed circuit board has a turret assembly which carries a plurality of tool assemblies. An encoder is directly connected to the turret shaft of the assembly by screwing the end of the encoder drive shaft into an expandable hub shaft locking device.

Abstract: An adjustable base for use with a rail post or section provides an upwardly facing socket portion and an adjustable wedge element associated with the socket portion. A screw associated with the wedge element and the base serves to adjust the position of the wedge relative to the base and to project the wedge into engagement with a post received in the socket portion.

Abstract: A tension leg platform top connector will connect a tendon to the platform. The top connector has a housing with a bore containing a conical shoulder. Several segments locate on the conical shoulder and will slide between an upper retracted position to an engaged position. In the engaged position, threads on the interior of the segments will engage threads formed on the exterior of the tendon. A cam plate will slide the segments down when the cam plate is rotated. A guide ring mounts outward of the segments. The guide ring has fingers that engage slots in the backs of each of the segments. The fingers and vertical slots allow the segments to move axially, but prevent them from rotating relative to the guide ring. A clutch ring applies a frictional force to the guide ring to resist rotation until the segments engage the tendon threads.

Abstract: A splicing device for concrete structural members includes two mating connectors positioned in axial alignment adjacent to each other that are interlocked by a key inserted through a keyway provided in the sidewalls of the connectors. Prestressing strands in the structural members to be spliced are fastened to the connectors by inserting them into axial holes located in the ends opposite the mating ends of the connectors, and thereafter wedging the strands within frustum-shaped cavities forming part of the holes, by means of frustum-shaped segments, or feathers, forced against the elements within the cavities. Apparatus and a method for installing the splicing device is also described.

Abstract: A tension leg floating platform for offshore drilling has a plurality of tendons extending from the sea floor to the platform in tension. The upper connector for each tendon includes a housing with a conical shoulder located therein. A terminal segment on the upper end of each tendon extends through the housing. Dogs are carried on the shoulder of the housing, each having threads on the interior for mating threads formed on the terminal segment. A cam ring moves the dogs from an outer retracted position to an inner engaged position. The cam ring also will rotate the dogs relative to the terminal to mesh the threads of the dogs with the threads of the terminal segment.

Abstract: Wedge sockets are among the simplest devices for anchoring a wire rope for any purposes. They are intended for "on the job" attachment and for quick rope replacement. Principal advantages are simplicity, ease and speed of applying and detaching. Wedge sockets are commercially available and an information article on wedge sockets appears in attachment "A", "Wire Rope Rigging Manual", pages 45 and 46. The most commonly used wedge socket is believed represented by that information appearing on pages 34 and 39 of The Crosby Group catalog, a copy attached hereto as Exhibit "B". Also of interest is the Bulletin TGS-2 of Sauerman Brothers Inc., which is attached hereto as Exhibit "C". The following U.S. Pat. Nos. are noted:3,905,711; 3,351,986; and 4,602,891.

Abstract: In a resilient bush comprising elastomeric material sandwiched between inner and outer rigid members the elastomeric material is subject to radial compression without any need to deform either of the rigid members. The elastomeric material is part of a bearing assembly for insertion between the rigid members. The bearing assembly also comprises a pair of support members arranged respectively to bear against the inner and outer rigid members. The support members are movable one relative to the other in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the length of the bush thereby to result in radial compression of the elastomeric material.