Abstract: In the manufacture of a bit body by a powder metallurgy process, a hollow mold is formed in the configuration of at least a portion of the outer surface of the bit body, and elongate pockets of generally V-section are then formed in the interior surface of the mold, to receive portions of thermally stable cutting elements, each of which is of generally triangular cross-section with a flat front face. Each pocket is machined from the mold material by means of a conical tool rotating about its axis, the axis being inclined to the perpendicular in a plane containing the required longitudinal axis of the pocket. The main elongate part of the pocket is formed by translatory movement of the tool along the axis of the pocket, and a flat, generally triangular, end face is then formed by translatory movement of the tool transversely of the axis of the pocket.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a rotary drill bit of the kind including a plurality of cutting structures mounted in sockets in the bit body and projecting from the face of the bit. The method comprises providing a clearance between each cutting structure and its socket and filling the clearance with a settable liquid, the settable liquid being such as to solidify at a temperature less than 400.degree. C. and to retain its integrity, after solidification, at least up to a temperature of 180.degree. C. The solidified liquid acts as a gap filler and provides an interference fit between the cutting structure and the socket. Suitable gap filing settable liquids are: anaerobic adhesive, epoxy resin, dental amalgam, tin/lead solder and bismuth/antimony alloy.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for rotatably mounting and retaining a rock bit roller cone on a journal of a drill bit is disclosed. The bit body has at least one depending leg with an outer free end and an inner end continuous with the remainder of the bit body, and the cone surrounds the leg adjacent the outer end, forming an annular space between the leg and the cone. At least two retention bearing sleeves are disposed in the space: a first fixed to the leg and rotatable relative to the cone; and a second, disposed longitudinally inwardly of the first, fixed to the cone and rotatable relative to the leg. The retention bearing sleeves cooperate to prevent relative movement of the second sleeve longitudinally past the first.

Abstract: A golf club having a head, a shaft and a grip, the grip being provided with a shoulder which forms an abutment surface against the outer surface of the little finger of the upper hand of the user using a conventional golf grip, the abutment surface being substantially planar and being angled relative to an axis passing longitudinally through the grip and the shaft to accommodate the normal positioning of the little finger of the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the load handling capacity of a system, having at least one fluid driven compensating means, incorporates a booster fluid actuated piston cylinder assembly interconnecting portions of the compensating system so as to substantially affect the force reacting characteristics thereof, whereby greater loads will produce lesser movement of the compensating means.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting corrosion in cooling tower systems comprising adding to a cooling tower water containing sulfides, hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof as contaminants a corrosion inhibiting composition containing a water-soluble zinc compound, a water-soluble molybdate, a water-soluble orthophosphate and a water-soluble polyphosphate.

Abstract: A one-way pressure relief valve assembly is provided for venting the lubricant reservoir of a roller-type well drilling bit. The valve assembly is mounted in the cap of the lubricant reservoir, to open outwardly, and is adapted to provide hydrostatic loading of the valve element to its closed position.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a radiation detector, positioned in apparatus including a source of gamma radiation such that the detector may sense radiation from the environment of the apparatus due to radiation emitted by the source and scattered by the environment, includes utilizing test environments including formations of known bulk densities. The apparatus may be positioned within the test environments at different distances from the surfaces of the formations. Count rates of the detector are compared to the formation bulk densities for the distances of the apparatus from the formation surfaces to calibrate the detector relative to the radiation source.

Abstract: A piston-type portable sample cylinder is provided suitable for obtaining and transporting a liquified petroleum gas sample taken from a flow line. A piston slidable in a cylinder creates an increasing volume for the sample, and displaces an opposing inert gas maintained in the sample cylinder at a presesnt pressure. A toroidal mixing element has an outer diameter approximating the inner diameter of the cylinder, and slides over a cylinder projection on the piston to minimize voids when the sample cylinder is empty. The piston may be provided with a selectively adjustable seal for maintaining sealing integrity over a long life, with or without the use of lubricants. Magnets on the piston for activating external magnetic trip flags may be contained in a nylon protector ring. Precision fill measurements may be obtained from a sight gauge including a biased coiled tape mounted within the pressurized inert gas cavity of the sample cylinder and secured to one end of the piston.

Abstract: The check valve includes a disc-shaped closure member mounted to the valve body for sealing engagement with an annular seat in the valve body. A stem is rotatably mounted to the valve body so that the closure member can swing into and out of engagement with the annular seat. The stem extends outwardly of the valve body and may be positioned on either side of the valve body so that a biasing or cushioning mechanism attached thereto may be positioned on either side of the valve body. An adjustment mechanism is provided for axially moving the stem with respect to the valve body, thereby laterally adjusting the position of the closure member with respect to the seat on the valve body to ensure reliable sealing engagement with the seat.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a goal assembly and game apparatus and to a method of playing a game therewith. The goal assembly includes a scoring port disposed substantially horizontally and above a hard playing surface. The scoring port is disposed in a substantially horizontal portion of a backboard assembly including an inclined portion, the angles and horizontal portions being joined along a common edge at an abtuse angle, preferably less than about 135.degree.. The object of the game is to score points by tossing a ball through the scoring port, not directly, but only after it has bounced on the playing surface. The additional skill for scoring after multiple bounces is rewarded by multiplying the point value assigned to a scoring ball by the number of bounces. Additional skill is required when a plurality of balls of differing diameters and bounce characteristics are employed. Different balls are assigned different scoring values.

Abstract: An elongate cutter for a drag-type drill bit includes a stud defining one end thereof and a cutting formation comprising a cutting face generally adjacent the other end. Length extends from one end to the other, depth extends generally transverse to the cutting face as well as transverse to the length, and width extends transverse to both length and depth. The stud has a cross section transverse to its length such that the cross section cannot be circumscribed by a reference circle whose diameter is equal to the maximum width of the cross section. The cross section also has an assumed section modulus, in the direction of depth, greater than that of the reference circle. The leading side of the cutter comprises a first planar zone adjacent the one end and a second planar zone adjacent the other end, and on which the cutting formation is carried. The maximum lateral dimension of the leading side is generally greater than or equal to the maximum width of the cutter.

Abstract: In order to form a hard book binding having a middle covering and two side coverings, a unitary covering is first formed by securing the side coverings onto the middle covering; thereafter, a spine member and two coverboard members are attached, in mutually spaced apart relationship, to said unitary covering at the middle covering and the side coverings, respectively.

Abstract: A valve element for use in a high pressure pump, the valve element having a body portion with a top side and a bottom side, a guide means attached to and projecting away from the bottom side of the body portion and an insert secured to the top side of the body portion, the insert having a second guide which projects away from the top side of the body portion and an annularly extending flange which defines an annularly extending sealing surface, the insert being formed of a generally non-metallic material having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of the material forming the body portion and the guide means projecting from the bottom side of the body portion.

Abstract: An improved pipe shoe is provided for permanently supporting a length of insulated pipe above a pipe rack of the type used in industrial facilities. The pipe shoe includes a base member for sliding engagement with the pipe rack, a first clamp member including a spacer portion, a first clamp portion, and a through slot. A second clamp member includes a second clamp portion and a projecting plate, such that the plate can be fitted within the through slot and the second clamp member rotated to its closed position. A securing member retains the plate adjacent the spacer portion, so that adjacent edges of elongate insulation members may be positioned on opposing sides of the spacer portion and the adjacent plate. The insulation thus retains its generally sleeve-like configuration about the pipe and the pipe shoe, thereby decreasing the time required to install the insulation.

Abstract: An electrical coupling is provided suitable for interconnecting multiple conductors between first and second downhole tools, such as logging tools. The male and female coupling bodies are sealed from the environment such that the mated connector and the conductors within the interior of the mated coupling are sealed from the hostile downhole environment. A threaded ring removably connected to each connector subassembly engages a stop surface on the respective coupling body to limit axial movement of each connector subassembly toward the conductor receiving end of that body. Backup seals provide sealing engagement between each connector subassembly and the respective coupling body, so that fluid cannot be passed along either conductor to the electronics in the adjacent downhole tool housings interconnected with each coupling body if the primary seal between the coupling bodies should fail.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for supporting an electrical circuit board within a tube. The assembly comprises a circuit board, an elongated support spine extending longitudinally along the tube and supporting the circuit board and a shock absorbing device for holding the assembly within the tube. The circuit board is disposed parallel to a support surface of the spine with a gap therebetween and a layer of a vibration absorbing material is disposed in the gap between the circuit board and the spine. The vibration absorbing material preferably is an elastomer. Most preferably, the vibration absorbing material comprises a layer of a thixotropic elastomer together with a layer of a silicon elastomer.

Abstract: A dental articulator has an anterior post having a C-shape to provide visual access to the front teeth. The upper and lower members of the articulator have dove-tail members for slidably receiving cup-like model carriers. The cup-like model carriers have sides of less than 360.degree., with a T-shaped beam on the bottom of the interior of the cup, and a pair of wedge-shaped beams on the bottom of the cup to slidably engage the dove-tail members. In alternative embodiments, the cup-like model carriers are bolted to the articulator, and can be rotatably indexed thereto.

Abstract: An improved clamp for mounting a device, such as a theater lighting fixture, to a structural tubular is provided. The clamp includes a main body securable to the device to be mounted. A jaw is pivotally connected to the main body and moves from an open position to receive the tubular to a closed position such that the main body and the jaw encircle the tubular to provide high structural integrity. The jaw also moves along the pivot axis from an unlocked position wherein the jaw is spaced from the main body to a locked position wherein the jaw is substantially aligned with the main body. A lip may be provided in the jaw for fitting within a slot in the main body when the jaw is in the locked position, thus preventing the clamp from opening. A bolt carried on the jaw may be threaded for engaging the tubular and bringing a gripping surface on the main body into fixed engagement with the tubular.

Abstract: An improved skimmer is provided for recovering hydrocarbons floating on the surface of a body of water. A floating hull defines first and second tunnels, and a holding tank for housing the collected hydrocarbons. A power driven propeller in the first tunnel draws subsurface water from an inlet port through the first tunnel and out a discharge port. The inlet port of the second tunnel is positioned above the first tunnel to receive floating hydrocarbons and water. The second tunnel has a water outlet in fluid communication with the first tunnel. A skimming gate passes hydrocarbons floating on the surface of water in the second tunnel to the holding tank, and thereby separates hydrocarbons from the water.