Abstract: Apparatus for joining two conduits in an articulated relationship comprising: a male member attached to one of the conduits and having a radially enlarged portion thereon; a female member attached to the other of said conduits and into which the male member may be inserted; a gripping assembly carried by the female member and movable from a radially expanded position, in which the male member may be freely inserted and removed from the female member, to a radially contracted position gripping the enlarged portion of the male member, preventing its removal and locking it in a fixed articulated relationship with the female member; and an actuating assembly, carried by the female member, engageable with the gripping assembly and being operable by a force applied externally of the apparatus for moving the gripping assembly between its expanded and contracted positions.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing concrete products including: mixing apparatus for continuously mixing liquid and raw materials to form a wet concrete mixture; receiver apparatus adjacent the mixing apparatus for receiving the wet concrete mixture and maintaining therein at least a predetermined static head; and mold apparatus positioned to repeatedly receive precompacted wet concrete mixture charges from the receiver apparatus.

Abstract: A valve comprising: a housing having an opening therethrough around which is provided a seat; a closure assembly for blocking flow through the opening and for sealing engagement with the seat; and an actuator assembly connected to the closure assembly for moving the closure assembly between a first position, out of the flow path of the opening, to a second position, in the flow path, and for expanding the closure assembly for sealing engagement with the seat.

Abstract: A tennis serve training aid comprising: a band adapted to encircle the palm and back of a user's hand; a cup member, the exterior of which may be gripped by the fingers of the user's hand and being adapted to freely receive and release a conventional lawn tennis ball; the cup member being attached to the palm side of the band by a tether.

Abstract: A portable toilet comprising: a housing at least a portion of which defines a reservoir for holding clean flushing fluid; a toilet bowl connected to said housing for upward pivoting movement from a normal horizontal position, in which flushing fluid and body wastes may be retained therein, to a dumping position, in which the flushing fluid and body wastes may be dumped; a container disposed in the housing and connected to the toilet bowl for receiving the flushing fluid and body wastes dumped therefrom; and transfer apparatus associated with the toilet bowl and operable upon its movement to the dumping position and return to the normal position, to transfer flushing fluid from the reservoir to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for electronically timing the period of mechanical or electromechanical clocks. A continuously variable preselected ideal clock period is digitally entered into the apparatus. The regulator is acoustically coupled to the clock being regulated. The time between electronically processed clock ticks is accurately measured by a precision counter and frequency standard and compared against the ideal period. Any deviation from the ideal period is displayed as an error so that appropriate corrective action may be taken by the operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a cylindrical first member to a second cooperating member comprising: a tubular housing adapted for connection to the second member and to coaxially receive a portion of the cylindrical first member; a gripping assembly carried by the housing and movable from a radially expanded position, in which the first member portion may be axially received in and displaced from the housing, to a radially contracted position gripping the exterior of the first member and preventing its axial displacement from the housing; and an actuating assembly carried by the housing, engageable with the gripping assembly and being operable by a force applied externally of the housing for moving the gripping assembly between its expanded and contracted positions, the actuating assembly being self-locking so that upon removal of the externally applied force the gripping assembly remains in its gripping contracted position.

Abstract: A mobile marine drilling unit comprising: a floatable base; a floatable platform; and a vertical support leg attached to said base and extending upwardly through a well provided therefor in said platform. Said base and a major portion of said leg being submergible in a body of water for support on the floor thereof. The support leg and platform are provided with elevating mechanisms for elevating the platform above said body of water on said leg. In deploying the drilling unit, the unit is floated to a selected site with the base drawn up underneath the platform and the leg extending upwardly through the well. When the site is reached the base is submerged with ballast until it is supported on the water body floor. Then the platform is elevated above the water body by the elevating mechanisms. A derrick may be moved over the leg well and drilling in the water body floor conducted through the well and leg.

Abstract: A medical instrument for measuring tubular vessels and prosthetic grafts therefor comprising: a measuring ring of a diameter corresponding with the diameter of a selected prosthetic graft; an elongated rod attached to the ring; and a handle attached to the rod. The free end of the handle may be of a reduced lateral dimension corresponding with the limb diameter of a bifurcated prosthetic graft.

Abstract: A method of recovering vapors from exhausts or vents of containers of volatile substances comprising the steps of: providing a scrubber for connection to the vapor space of the container to receive a flow of vapors therefrom; providing a reservoir of absorber fluid; cooling the absorber fluid; introducing the cooled absorber fluid into the scrubber for intimate contact with the flow of vapors therethrough; and returning the vapors absorbed by the cooled absorber fluid to the container. The scrubber may include a spray nozzle adapted to spray cooled absorber fluid in a direction generally concurrent with the flow of vapors. Alternate methods of returning absorbed vapors to the container are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure is to a coupling mechanism which may be set operative to project means to effect latch engagement between objects, the means also being projected to set operative means to permit universal relative movement between the objects. An exemplary application may be a prime mover with a control valve accessible to driver who can turn the valve to operate a hitch housing assembly to latch with a vehicle, the hitch housing assembly movement also continuing to uncover universal joint members in chain or connection whereby universal connection may be effected between the vehicle and the prime mover that pulls it. Many other applications of the invention are within contemplation, as in the field of connected floated vessels, railroad cars, trailer homes, and the like.