Abstract: A clamp provides electrical communication between a first conductor and a second conductor. The clamp includes a first housing portion having a first surface, a second surface, a first housing bore, and a cavity, the first housing bore extending along a longitudinal axis. The clamp further includes a clamp member at least partially disposed within the cavity of the first housing portion, the clamp member including a first clamp surface adjacent the second surface of the housing in a facing relationship. The clamp further includes a shaft oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, the shaft coupling the first housing portion and the clamp member. The clamp further includes a second housing portion movably coupled to the first housing portion by the shaft, the second housing portion including a second housing bore and a second clamp surface, the second housing bore aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second clamp surface adjacent the first surface of the first housing portion in a facing relationship.

Abstract: A surgical retractor system secured to a surgical operating table. The retractor system includes a single cross bar and a one-piece frame for positioning of surgical retractor blades relative to a surgical site.

Abstract: A clamp provides electrical communication between a first conductor and a second conductor. The clamp includes a first housing portion having a first surface, a second surface, a first housing bore, and a cavity, the first housing bore extending along a longitudinal axis. The clamp further includes a clamp member at least partially disposed within the cavity of the first housing portion, the clamp member including a first clamp surface adjacent the second surface of the housing in a facing relationship. The clamp further includes a shaft oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, the shaft coupling the first housing portion and the clamp member. The clamp further includes a second housing portion movably coupled to the first housing portion by the shaft, the second housing portion including a second housing bore and a second clamp surface, the second housing bore aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second clamp surface adjacent the first surface of the first housing portion in a facing relationship.

Abstract: A surgical retractor system secured to a surgical operating table. The retractor system includes a single cross bar and a one-piece frame for positioning of surgical retractor blades relative to a surgical site.

Abstract: A dairy animal freestall cross clamp assembly including a first clamp portion defining a first recess, the first recess having a first axis; a second clamp portion releasably joined to the first clamp portion and defining a second recess, the second recess having a second axis that is not parallel to and intersects with the first axis; and an insert disposed between and joined to the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion, the insert defining a first pocket opposing the first recess, and a second pocket for opposing the second recess. The insert can be resilient to avoid crushing of rail members and resist impact loads.

Abstract: A laminated product having a thickness that can be adjusted by chipping, and including alternating sheets and layers of an adhesive material in a stack, each sheet possessing an intrinsic resistance to tearing and each layer of adhesive material connecting adjacent sheets in the stack with a linking force which is weaker than the resistance of the sheets to tearing, enabling each sheet to be detached from the stack without tearing. The product includes a housing which is disposed inside the thickness of the stack, and an electronic identification element which is disposed in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rolled product having a thickness that can be adjusted by means of separation. The inventive product comprises an alternating stack (2) of sheets (4) and layers (6) of an adhesive material (8). Each of said sheets (4) has an intrinsic resistance to tearing and each layer (6) of adhesive material (8) joins together two adjacent sheets (4) in the stack (2) using a bond strength that is lower than the tearing resistance of the sheets (4). In this way, each sheet (4) can be detached from the stack (2) without being torn. According to the invention, each sheet (4) is essentially made from woven fibers and each sheet (4) belonging to each pair of sheets (4) which are adjacent to the same layer (6) of adhesive material (8) is impregnated, throughout the thickness thereof, with a mass of adhesive material (8) which is incorporated in the shared layer (6) of adhesive material (8).

Abstract: Pump apparatus, systems and methods of making and using same are disclosed. One inventive system includes a coupling member, a first shaft and a second shaft, the coupling member connecting the first shaft with the second shaft, the coupling member defining a first axial chamber accepting the first shaft, and a second axial chamber accepting the second shaft, the chambers separated by a coupling plate, the chambers including torsional motion transmitting elements and axial motion securing elements in the first and second axial chambers for axially securing the shafts in the coupling member. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle mounting device for use in a refrigerator for mounting a refrigerator door handle onto an outer surface of a door of the refrigerator. The handle mounting device of the present invention is used to mount a handle 50 for opening and closing the door onto an outer surface 40 of the door. The handle mounting device includes a mounting ring member 70 into which one end of handle 50 is fitted and of which a surface is plated, and a handle base 60 which is made of synthetic resin material and of which one end is fitted into the mounting ring member 70 and the other end is fixed onto the outer surface 40 of the door. Further, one end of the handle base 60 is fitted into the handle 50 fitted into the mounting ring member 70.

Abstract: A gripping device comprises a support body (2) within a sleeve (8), with the sleeve being mounted around the body for relative translational movement along a common axis thereof. A plurality of gripping elements (10, 12) are pivotally mounted in the body (2), the elements having lever arms (20, 22) projecting laterally from the boundary of the body. Translational movement of the sleeve (8) relative to the body (2) causes working engagement of the sleeve with the gripping element lever arms (20, 22), and movement of the lever arms to pivot the elements (10, 12) and close the elements around an item captured therebetween. Normally, the pivotal axes for the gripping elements (10, 12) are disposed within the support body (2), with the elements themselves projecting axially from an end thereof. The pivotal axes are normally substantialy parallel, and indeed the gripping elements may all be mounted for pivotal movement about the same common axis (18).

Abstract: A rivet system for use in motion furniture linkage and the like. The rivet system incorporates an electrically conductive plastic washer which eliminates the need for oil lubrication while maintaining the ability to electrostatically paint the linkage assembly.

Abstract: An improved rivet system is disclosed. A wall proximity reclining/tilt chair includes the improved rivet system which eliminates the need for oil lubrication and additional bushings. The rivet system is such that installation is simplified and manufacturing inconsistencies are reduced. In this manner, the rivet system can be installed with less need for quality control confirmations.

Abstract: For establishing proper clearance between adjacent parts of a combine harvesting machine spacers are provided which create a clearance between housing parts of the combine. The clearance produces a gap which is to be controlled in terms of its extent. To control the extent of the gap, a flap member of flexible material is used. The flap member provides for control of airflow through the machine after proper clearances are established.

Abstract: An improved gripping arm assembly including a two-piece gripper arm body construction which includes an arm clamp having alignment pins, and an arm main body with corresponding alignment holes for receiving the clamp pins, and a means for securably attaching the main body with the clamp. This two-piece gripper arm construction is simpler to remove than one-piece standard gripper arms. To replace a broken gripper arm with a new gripper arm only requires unscrewing fasteners holding the two-piece old gripper arm together allowing detachment of the broken gripper arm from the shaft, and clamping the two pieces of the new gripper arm together around the shafts and securing the screws and re-clipping an operating rod. The two-piece construction eliminates the need to remove a shaft from the machine or other gripper arms from the shaft when repairing or replacing one gripper arm or replacing or repairing a shaft having gripper arms mounted thereto.

Abstract: Two composite parts, such as sheet and a hollow gas turbine liner tile, are fastened together using a fastening system that includes a journal bearing that fits in a bore in the sheet and springs to support a bolt fastener that is tightened to hold the parts together. Resilient spacers are placed between the sheet and the liner. The springs may comprise a stack of rings, each ring being a tightly wound helical spring, giving the ring a hollow cross section and resilient qualities.

Abstract: The screen wiper mechanism has a crank, a connecting rod, a pivot pin and an articulating device which couples the crank to the connecting rod. The structure has, in succession: a head which bears against an engagement surface that is formed, in facing relationship with the head, in a first lateral face of the connecting rod. A cylindrical first shank portion and a cylindrical second shank portion that is of smaller diameter than the first shank portion forms an extension to the first shank. The articulating device also has structure that secures the crank on the second shank portion of the pivot pin against relative axial movement and takes up axial clearance. This structure, moreover, is arranged to be compressed while fastening the structure together during assembly.

Abstract: An improved gripping arm assembly including a two-piece gripper arm body construction which includes an arm clamp having alignment pins, and an arm main body with corresponding alignment holes for receiving the clamp pins, and a means for securably attaching the main body with the clamp. This two-piece gripper arm construction is simpler to remove than one-piece standard gripper arms. To replace a broken gripper arm with a new gripper arm only requires unscrewing fasteners holding the two-piece old gripper arm together allowing detachment of the broken gripper arm from the shaft, and clamping the two pieces of the new gripper arm together around the shafts and securing the screws and re-clipping an operating rod. The two-piece construction eliminates the need to remove a shaft from the machine or other gripper arms from the shaft when repairing or replacing one gripper arm or replacing or repairing a shaft having gripper arms mounted thereto.

Abstract: The clamp for securing a canopy to a beach chair has a pair of metal plates fixedly secured to a cross-piece of the canopy. In addition, the clamp employs a plastic strap between the two metal plates for engaging with the tubular cross-piece of the chair under the biasing force of the adjacent metal plate. A nut member of trilobular shape is provided on a threaded bolt which passes through the metal plates and plastic strap to bias the metal plates towards each other. The large surface-to-surface contact provided by the strap provides a positive clamping action of the clamp on the tubular member of the chair.

Abstract: An alignment ball which is disposed within a channel of a vehicle part such as a brake caliper. The vehicle part is connected to a rigid vehicle support such as a chaincase by means of a fastening member such as a nut and bolt. The alignment ball is connected to the fastening member for properly aligning the brake caliper with the rigid vehicle support.

Abstract: A bicycle seat mount includes an arcuate saddle welded to the upper end of a tubular post for supporting a two-piece clamping assembly. A clamping bolt extends upwardly through the saddle and aligned slots in the clamping members into meshed engagement with a specially constructed nut seated in an arcuate recess in the upper surface of the upper clamping member. The nut is rockably engaged with the clamping member so as to achieve a desired pressure engagement with the clamping member surface in various adjusted positions of the clamping assembly.

Abstract: Joints having utility in connecting together concrete reinforcing bars are improved by adding teeth to preselected interior side walls of the joint to increase the frictional engagement between the rebars and the joint. In a first embodiment, the joint is of oblong construction and includes a pair of flat, parallel walls and a pair of transversely spaced, opposing curved walls that interconnect the flat walls. Plural, parallel rows of elongate teeth are formed in the interior surfaces of the curved walls, and the teeth are normal to the plane of the flat walls. Each flat wall is apertured and receives a wedge that drives the rebars in the joint away from one another and into the teeth. In a second embodiment, the joint has an elongate "U" shape including a pair of transversely spaced flat walls interconnected by a curved wall and plural parallel rows of elongate teeth are formed in the interior surface of the curved wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cubicle partition comprising at least one standing pipe and, connected thereto, a bracket-shaped rail bent from tube material, wherein a mounting plate is fixed to the bottom end of the standing pipe. The standing pipe comprises a reinforcing foot which extends diverging downward from a distance above the bottom end.

Abstract: In joint for connecting reinforcing bars (5 and 5) in such a manner that the connecting end portions of the reinforcing bars are respectively inserted into the respective curved portions of a hollow metallic pipe (sleeeve 1) from the opposite sides thereof, and a wedge 6 is press-fitted into the area between the reinforcing bars from one of the wedge bores 4 and 4' to the other, a joint having a concave portions 8 and 8' on the inner surface of the curved wall 3 and 3' at the inner surface of the arc center of the pair of curved walls of the sleeve.

Abstract: A table-mounted surgical retractor support includes a wishbone-shaped structure comprising two identical rods which are separately attachable to a clamp located at the end of a supporting rod. The supporting rod is, in turn, connected to a similar clamp located at the top of a table-mounted post. The two parts of the wishbone structure are small enough to be sterilized conveniently.The wishbone rods cannot be rotated in their clamp, nor can the supporting rod be rotated in its clamp. However, the wishbone clamp, when loosened, allows rotation of the wishbone structure about the supporting rod axis and also about an axis mutually perpendicular to the supporting rod axis and the wishbone plane. Likewise the supporting rod clamp allows rotation of the supporting rod about the axis of the post and about an axis mutually perpendicular to the supporting rod and the post. Each clamp is designed to apply a shear to the rod on which it is supported, thereby achieving a tight clamping action.

Abstract: A device for assembling spaced structural elements which includes a first collar for cooperatively engaging a first structural element and an intermediate sole plate cooperatively engageable with the first collar and having an assembly member extending therefrom and which further includes a second collar for mounting to a second structural element and which second collar is selectively secured to the assembly member of the sole plate.

Abstract: A bearing shim comprising a first end plate, a second end plate and a plurality of spacer elements disposed therebetween. The first end plate includes an axially elongated annular rib adapted to be received within apertures in the spacers and the other end plate. Preferably, the annular rib peripherally circumscribes a bore within the first end plate adapted to receive a rotatably mounted axle therethrough.

Abstract: A fitting and a method for facilitating clamping in a cluster a plurality of star posts to form a strainer post in a fence line, and comprising a yoke having radiating legs enclosing the star posts which are clamped to the yoke by an encircling U-bolt and recessed saddle, the yoke having slots in the ends of its spokes for capture upon the U-bolt and the saddle.

Abstract: The device comprises an abutment member which has seats for engaging the two rods of the saddle frame from above and is coupled to the head of the saddle pillar so as to be rotatable about a transverse axis of rotation perpendicular to the two rods but not movable vertically, and a thrust plate which engages the two rods of the saddle from below. A pair of screws is screwed substantially vertically through the head of the saddle pillar on the two sides of the transverse axis of rotation with their ends engaging the lower surface of the thrust plate, to cause clamping of the rods of the saddle against the seats of the abutment member as a result of the upward thrust exerted by the screws on the thrust plate, and to allow adjustment of the inclination of the saddle by the tightening of one of the screws and the loosening of the other.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for use in hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities for transporting patients between various locations while in a prone, reclining, or sitting position. The vehicle includes a first member on which the patient is placed, and a second member disposed beneath the first member and in supporting engagement therewith. The second member, sometimes referred to as the undercarriage, includes an elongated flexible chassis having a center section and endwise offset end segments. Disposed at opposite ends of the chassis and secured to corresponding end segments are depending end sections. Wheels or the like are attached to the depending end sections. Resilient, shock-absorbing elements are interposed the end sections and the offset end segments secured thereto whereby external forces impacted on the wheels while the vehicle is in motion are substantially absorbed by the resilient elements and by chassis flexure.

Abstract: Faced with the necessity to establish a mechanical connection between the components of a supporting structure, a great many techniques and devices have been developed. This invention adds to the existing repertory a joint where a plurality of elongated members, positioned in a circular configuration, is held together by a link which embraces them all at once, thus eliminating the need for separate fastening devices on each and every single member. The elongated members protrude from the joint at predetermined angles projecting towards adjacent joints in a predetermined distance, thereby defining in shape and size entire structures. The joints may be secured against rotation and shifting, individually by means of pins or keys, or collectively by fitting trigonal, tetragonal or pentagonal panels between a corresponding number of joints.

Abstract: Tubular members to be interconnected in a rigid configuration each include a radially extending stud affixed to the tube outer surface (e.g., welded) and terminating in an enlarged head. First and second connector parts each have a relatively flat side which abut against one another in assembly to form an elongated connector, the cross-section of which is circular and of a diameter substantially identical to that of the tubular members. The flat surface of each of the connector parts includes cavities for receipt onto the studs. Each connector part cavity encompasses approximately one-half of the studs such that when the connector halves are fitted onto a pair of studs, they will completely enclose the two studs with the end surfaces of the connector parts contacting the tubular members sidewalls immediately adjacent the studs. The connector parts ends are formed into curved areas such that when they are assembled onto the studs they will smoothly and continuously contact the tubular member surfaces.

Abstract: A bar or rod or tube clamp-type connector for assembling a frame to be covered by a woven fabric or tarpaulin or plastic film or sheet wherein the clamp-type connector comprises at least two rigid metal elements and one pierced resilient or cushioning element and wherein each rigid element includes a recessed portion having a limited inner friction surface which is grooved or knurled and a polygonally apertured flange having rounded corners extending therefrom and a carriage bolt having a polygonal locking portion and a cylindrical threaded portion capable of being tightened by a nut and lock washer which threaded portion extends through the apertured flange of each rigid element and the pierced resilient or cushioning element, such clamp-type connector being capable of clamping two bars or rods or tubes in parallel or angular relation to produce a frame to be covered by material in contact with the frame and the rounded corners of the flanges of the connector elements.

Abstract: The subject invention is a device for vertically connecting members relative to one another in order to prevent rotational movement relative to one another, and wherein the invention resides in an adapter plate structured to be sandwiched intermediate the upper surface of the lower connected member and the lower surface of the upper connected member. The adapter member is generally comprised of a rectangularly shaped plate member having on opposite sides thereof reverse flange projections, one such projection structured to ride down along the vertical wall of the lower connected member; with the opposite flange structured to ride vertically up the vertical wall of the upper connected member, or vice versa. An opening is structured in the plate to receive a portion of a bolt member, which may be used to interconnect the two members.

Abstract: A lounge chair with arm rests, of the type patented in U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,371, in which the arm rest supports partake of pivotal traversing movements and are arranged to do so against a bearing surface which effectively eliminates wobble or other undesirable degrees of movement other than that in the plane of the pivotal traverses.

Abstract: An improved cross-arm brace for supporting a cross-arm (24) on a utility support pole (23) is described. The brace has two support members (10) which lie along the support pole (23), one on each side of the support pole (23), and between the support pole (23) and the cross-arm (24). The support members (10) are connected to each other by one or more connecting members (11) which cross the pole (23) over that face of the pole (23) on which lies the cross-arm (24). Adjusting mechanisms (12, 14, 15, 16) associated with the connecting members (11) adjust to decrease the spacing between the support members (10) and thus to firmly wedge the support members (10) between the support pole (23) and the cross-arm (24). More than one cross-arm (24) on a support pole (23) can be supported by a single brace. The brace can be used in conjunction with a grid gain.

Abstract: A bar or rod or tube clamp-type connector for assembling a frame to be covered by a woven fabric or tarpaulin or plastic film or sheet wherein the clamp-type connector comprises at least two rigid metal elements and one pierced resilient or cushioning element and wherein each rigid element includes a recessed portion having an inner friction surface which is grooved or knurled and a pierced flange having rounded corners extending therefrom and a bolt capable of being tightened by a nut and extending through the pierced flange of each rigid element and the pierced resilient or cushioning element, such clamp-type connector being capable of clamping two bars or rods or tubes in parallel or angular relation to produce a frame to be covered by material in contact with the frame and the rounded corners of the flanges of the connector elements.

Abstract: A detachable handle assembly is provided for a powered garden tool, such as a hedge trimmer. The handle assembly according to the present invention includes an elongated first member having a hand grip formed at one axial end. A clamp assembly is connected to the other axial end of the elongated member and detachably, clampingly receives the garden tool so that the garden tool can be moved by means of the elongated handle member. In addition, the clamp assembly is adjustably coupled to both the garden tool and the elongated handle member such that both the angle and pitch of the garden tool relative to the elongated handle member can be infinitely variably adjusted.

Abstract: An aluminum insert, friction welded to a copper plate, is projected through a close-fitting aperture in an aluminum busbar and joined to the busbar by a circumferential weld at the exit end of the aperture, using conventional arc welding techniques, to complete a high ampacity, aluminum-copper electrical joint. The copper plate is then bolted to a copper strap in conventional high ampacity, bolted electrical joint fashion.

Abstract: A joint for structural steel is provided which connects a pair of parallel beams in end-to-end relationship with a second pair of parallel beams. The beams are of any cross-sectional form having an L-shaped component, for example an inverted "S." The beams are retained in a U-shaped channel having two upstanding side walls and a bottom wall connecting the side walls. The bottom wall is provided with one or more centrally located holes.The joint is formed by nesting two pairs of parallel beams in end-to-end relationship within the U-shaped channel. The width of the channel is such that the seating bases of the L-shaped beams do not obstruct the holes in the bottom wall of the U-shaped channel. A clamping plate having holes aligning with the holes of the bottom wall of the channel is fitted into the channel over the seating bases of the beams. Means, such as a nut and bolt, are used to bind the clamping plate onto the U-shaped channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical connectors, and in one embodiment comprises a "split bolt" type connector having a pressure pad member interposed between the bolt head and the nut, the conductor contacting surfaces of which are characterized by being V-shaped with alternating lands and grooves oriented substantially transverse to the axis of conductors residing therein; the land on one side of each receptacle surface being interlaced with lands on the other side of the receptacle surface.

Abstract: A connector for joining two grounding grid-wire at their node point includes a C-shaped body member, a nesting member shaped like a cross, and a wedge member mounted for movement within the body member. The body member has two spaced apart fingers that straddle one conductor and hook onto the other conductor. The fingers are joined together by a yoke section. The nesting member has crossing depressions on opposite sides and is inserted between the conductors so that they seat on the depressions. The wedge member is mounted beneath the yoke section and screw driven between the yoke section and the straddled conductor to securely join the conductors together within the connector in nested relation.

Abstract: A support is connectable with an agricultural machine, and a plurality of agricultural tools is provided which are mounted by mounting elements on the support so that they can be adjusted relative to the support. A single arresting element is provided which arrests all of the tools in their respective positions. The tools have mounting portions extending into a passage in the support and either the passage itself or an auxiliary element in the passage has a wedge face to engage the tool mounting portions.

Abstract: An improved clamp is provided for clamping a pair of crossing elongated members together wherein the members cross each other at a predetermined angle. The clamp comprises a base which is disposed between the elongated members at their intersection and includes a channel formed on each side of the base for receiving the elongated members therein. The free ends of a U-bolt are disposed through registering apertures in the base so that one of the elongated members is entrapped in one of the channels and between the U-bolt and the base. A bar having apertures which register with the free ends of the U-bolt is placed over the free ends so that the other elongated member is entrapped in the other channel between the bar and the base. Nut members threadably engage the free ends of the U-bolt to secure the bar to the U-bolt and to thereby clamp the elongated members together at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and securing a rod in a spatially adjusted position comprising a U-shaped element having opposed parallel branches and a bottom portion connecting the branches. At least two superposed plates are disposed between the branches and the plates have mating faces with grooves therein cooperatively defining a hole receiving a rod. A flange is detachably secured to the branches of the U-shaped element to hold the plates and rod between the branches. The top plate is connected to the flange for rotation about an axis parallel to the branches and the bottom plate is rotatable with respect to the U-shaped element about the same axis. As a consequence, the rod can be angularly rotated with the plates in a plane perpendicular to the branches.