Abstract: Apparatus for testing hardness properties of materials may comprise: a clamping assembly including a housing in which is carried a magnet for magnetically attaching the apparatus to the material being tested and a head assembly having a penetrator member mounted for engagement with said material being tested and for limited axial movement from a first position to a second position; an actuator connected to the penetrator member for applying predetermined loads thereto; and an indicator responsive to axial movement of the penetrator member to measure the hardness of the material.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus capable of joining first and second conduits in a nonaligned articulated relationship may comprise: a male member having a radially enlarged end portion thereon; a female member into which the male member may be inserted; a seal assembly for sealing between the male and female members; a gripping assembly carried by the female member and radially movable from a normally expanded position, in which the male member may be freely inserted and removed from the female member, to a contracted position gripping the enlarged end portion of the male member, preventing its removal and locking it in a fixed, articulated relationship with the female member; and a load ring carried by the female member and axially movable from a first position, allowing the gripping assembly to assume its normal expanded position, to a second position engaging and forcing the gripping assembly into its contracted position.

Abstract: A prerecorded magnetic tape format having program breakpoint alignment is used in the present invention to provide continuous long duration, highly non-repetitive, program selectable selections of music as for use in background music systems. Cueing means are provided at the end of each set of recorded musical selections of a multi-channel playback system. The cueing signal is used to trigger a programmable channel selection means for controlling which channel of the multi-channel system is selected for reproducing the next recorded musical selection. This program breakpoint switching process is repeated for any desired playing interval.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the movement and positioning of an aircraft trim tab comprising: an elongated stabilizer member mounted in the cockpit of the aircraft for reciprocal forward and aft movement and having a threaded portion thereon; a cable member connecting the stabilizer member to the trim tab for movement and positioning thereof in response to reciprocal movement of the stabilizer member; and a control member threadedly engaging the threaded portion of the stabilizer member and manually engageable and rotatable from inside the cockpit for translating rotation of the control member to reciprocal movement of the stabilizer member.

Abstract: Valve apparatus may comprise a first tubular member; a second tubular member telescopically engaging the first tubular member for axial movement between a retracted position and an extended position, the first and second tubular members forming flow passage through which fluid communication may be established between the opposite ends of the apparatus; ports through the walls of one of the tubular members by which fluid communication may be established between the flow passage and the exterior of the valve apparatus; and a closure assembly carried by one of the tubular members for selectively opening and closing the ports to permit or prevent fluid communication with the exterior of the apparatus. Methods of using the valve apparatus in remedial oil and/or gas well operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A noise suppressor for fluid systems may comprise: a cylindrical housing, having an inlet and an outlet, through which fluid may flow and a baffle assembly disposed in the housing providing a path for the flow of fluid whereby the flow is diverted from one side of the housing to the other as fluid flows between the inlet and outlet. A perforated plate member may also be transversely disposed in the housing between the baffle assembly and either the inlet or outlet.

Abstract: A power assembly for supplying power to a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit for raising and lowering an elevator car. The power assembly may comprise: a hydraulic fluid reservoir; a hydraulic pump assembly, the intake of which is connected to the reservoir and the outlet of which is connected to the piston and cylinder unit; and a control valve disposed above the hydraulic reservoir for controlling the flow of fluid to and from the piston and cylinder unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a cylindrical first member to a second member which may comprise: a tubular body attachable to the second member and adapted to receive one end of the first member; a gripping assembly carried by the body and movable from a radially expanded position, in which one end of the first member may be axially received and displaced from the body, to a radially contracted position gripping the exterior of the first member and preventing its axial displacement from the body; an annular seal assembly carried by the body and movable from a relaxed position, in which one end of the first member may be axially received therein, to a compressed position, sealingly engaging the first member; and an actuating assembly carried by the body and operable to move the gripping and seal assemblies to their contracted and compressed positions, respectively.

Abstract: A cutting tool which may comprise: an elongated bar member having a wedge-shaped recess at one end thereof; a wedge-shaped anvil member rigidly and removably fastened in the wedge-shaped recess of said bar member, having an elongated recess in which a cutting insert may be received; and a clamp member removably fastened to the bar member for rigidly clamping the cutting insert in the elongated recess.

Abstract: Reverse osmosis desalination apparatus may comprise: a casing member placed in a well hole drilled therefor and having near the surface thereof an inlet through which salt water may be introduced from a salt water source; a conductor member centrally disposed within the casing member leaving a first annular space therebetween; a tubular reservoir member centrally disposed within the conductor member leaving a second annular space therebetween; and a permeator assembly attached to the lower end of said conductor member and having osmotic membranes therein responsive to predetermined differential pressures thereacross for separating the salt water into saltfree water and concentrated salt water.

Abstract: A cutting tool which may comprise: an elongated bar member; an anvil member removably fastened to one end of the bar member and having an elongated recess in which a cutting insert may be received; and a clamp member removably fastened to the anvil member for rigidly clamping the cutting insert in the elongated recess. The elongated bar member and anvil member may be provided with cooperating key and keyway by which the anvil member is at least partially affixed to the bar member in a predetermined rigid position.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing concrete products comprising: storage apparatus for supplying raw materials; mixer assembly positioned to receive raw materials from the storage means and for mixing the raw materials with liquids to form a wet concrete mixture; receiver assembly adjacent the mixer assembly for receiving wet concrete mixture therefrom; mold assembly positioned to receive wet concrete mixture from the receiver assembly; and cubing assembly adjacent the mold assembly for successively receiving precured products from the mold assembly and stacking them in layers.

Abstract: A cutting tool which may comprise: an elongated bar member; an anvil member removably fastened to one end of the bar member and having an elongated recess in which a cutting insert may be received for rigid mounting between the anvil and bar members and for radial projection generally perpendicular to the axis of the bar member; and a chip deflector of substantially harder material than the bar member fixed to the bar member for juxtaposed relation with the cutting insert.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically filling bags with particulate materials in which the method may comprise the steps of: vertically suspending a bag having a sealed bottom and an open top; filling the suspended bag through its open top with particulate materials to near a predetermined net weight; weighing the suspended bag and its contents as the filling continues; terminating the filling of the bag in response to reaching a predetermined net weight; and sealing the top of the bag.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprises first and second generally opposed and at partially spaced-apart panels, one of which is exposed to solar radiation, and both of which are at least partially transparent to solar radiation. The edges of the panels are interconnected so that a chamber is formed between the panels. Radiation absorbing means in the chamber absorbs one portion of the solar radiation transmitted through the exposed panel and converts this portion to sensible heat. The radiation absorbing means transmits another portion of the solar radiation transmitted through the exposed panel in the form of visible light. The radiation absorbing means includes a first fluid circulating in the chamber. A conduit extends through the chamber with a section of the conduit being disposed in the upper portion of the chamber and exposed to the first fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic wrench comprising: an elongated body; a drive assembly mounted at one end of the body for rotating a socket member connected thereto; a hydraulic power member connected to the drive assembly and the body for rotating the drive assembly; and an elongated reaction member engageable with the body and extendable therefrom for engagement with any suitable fixed object to provide a reaction force for operation of the wrench.

Abstract: A cutting tool which may comprise: an elongated bar member having a body portion and an end portion; and an anvil member removably fastened to the end portion of the bar member for rigidly clamping a cutting insert to the bar member for radial projection therefrom. The end portion of the bar member and anvil member, when fastened together, may form a cylindroid which in at least some embodiments may have a central longitudinal axis which is parallel but offset from the central longitudinal axis of the bar member body portion.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus for coupling first and second objects together and including first and second coupling means carried by respective ones of said objects. The first coupling means comprises a latch carrying member and latch control means telescopic therewith. A guide means is carried by the latch carrying member and first latch means are slidably mounted on the guide means. The first latch means are movable along one path from a first latch position to a second latch position, whereby they automatically engage second latch means on the second coupling means, upon movement of the latch control means along another path transverse to that of the first latch means. The apparatus also comprises an improved universal joint control assembly for selectively locking or freeing an associated universal joint.

Abstract: Apparatus for plugging a pipeline may comprise: a tubular body; seal assemblies carried by the body for moving the body through the pipeline in response to fluid flow therethrough and for sealing between the body and pipeline; an internal valve carried by the body for establishing fluid communication between downstream and upstream portions of the pipeline; and a stop device extendable into the pipeline for arresting movement of the body and for operating the internal valve. A method is disclosed for utilizing the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for placing and holding tension on a fastener device of the type having a shaft and a cooperable member engageable therewith. The apparatus may comprise a housing member for surrounding the fastener shaft in a fixed relationship; a piston member disposed within the housing member for seating axial movement therein between first and second positions; a passageway centrally disposed in the housing and piston member through which the fastener shaft may extend and be affixed to the piston member; an annular chamber defined by the housing and piston members; and one or more ports communicating with the chamber through which pressure may be applied to the piston member for movement thereof between the first and second positions so as to place the fastener shaft in tension. A method of utilizing the apparatus is also disclosed.