Abstract: A float valve for use with drill pipe or drill casing or the like in a well is provided wherein a valving flapper can be set in a partially open position while lowering the drill pipe or drill casing into a well thereby allowing the drill pipe or casing to fill with drilling mud or fluid thus preventing inadvertent collapse of the drill pipe or the drill casing. Once the drill string and the valve are fully in the hole, the valving flapper moves, responsive to circulation through the valve bore, from the partially open position to a fully open position allowing the valve flapper to freely pivot thereafter within the provided valve body between fully open and fully closed positions. The valve flapper is thus free to close in a back pressure situation or due to a blowout or for any such other reason. During circulation of drilling fluids or the like, the flapper is maintained in an open flow condition.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow in the drilling mud treatment units of an oil/gas well drilling rig such as, for example, the shale shaker, desander, desilter, and mud cleaner portions thereof provides floating the inlet of an intake conduit at the supernatent liquid layer of the drilling rig reserve pit and providing a common distributor head for routing the supernatent liquid to the various solid control units. A pump is connected to the intake conduit and the header at the intake and discharge respectively. The pump transmits the reserve pit supernatent from the reserve pit to the header by pumping. There is provided one or more branch lines affixed to the header each discharging respectively into the drain of a drilling mud treatment unit associated with the drilling rig with the flow of reserve pit supernatent liquid keeping the various drains open. The drains are positioned to discharge back into the reserve pit.

Abstract: A system of applying glue or like liquid to a continuous web comprising a frame with a reservoir. A reservoir which is capable of being sealed tightly between uses in order to stop the drying process of glue, for example: a user of the apparatus may at any given time activate the use of the glue applicator by simply removing the cover of the reservoir, placing the dispensing reel bracket and the dispensing reel into its proper lace above the reservoir. A supply reel of unsaturated material has a wound web of the material attached, which is mounted generally above the reservoir in a rotational fashion. A guide roller module is disposed within the reservoir. The rollers outer perimeter is submerged within one quarter inch from the bottom of the reservoir. This enables the tape to be submerged to the extreme bottom of the glue reservoir and gives full usage of all liquid stored within the reservoir.

Abstract: An articulated erosion control system provides a flexing articulated mat comprising a plurality of blocks which interlock in a three dimensional fashion allowing a mat formed of the blocks to conform to changes in terrain. In the preferred embodiment there is provided at least one "lock block" (FIG. 1) having a plurality of open ended sockets spaced about the periphery thereof and at least one "key block" (FIG. 2) being connectable during operation to the lock block; the key block providing a plurality of locking arms spaced about and integrally formed with a central portion of the key block. Connection of the lock block and the key block can be achieved by relative vertical movement of the key block towards the lock block when the key block locking arm is superimposed over the open ended socket of the lock block--the connection being completed when a portion of the locking arm occupies at least in part the space within the socket.

Abstract: A tug and v-notched barge connection apparatus provides an elastic rope which connects the tug and the v-notched barge together, the rope stretching during operation to allow relative movement between the barge and the tug. Each end portion of the rope attaches respectively to the stern of the barge and the stern of the tug. At the stern deck portion of the tug is provided a pair of hydraulically actuated pistons and (in the preferred embodiment) a pair of movably mounted levers. Each lever provides at its outboard end portion a hook which is adapted to attach to a provided eye at the tug end portion of the elastic rope.

Abstract: Animal shipping container comprising a gas impermeable canopy having an entrance opening at its bottom. The entrance opening is covered by a pair of flanged members forming a gas transfer chamber and constituting part of the floor of the container. A polymer film membrane, held between the flanged members, permits diffusion of gases into and out of the container interior.

Abstract: A pressurized air pumping apparatus for pumping for example drilling mud and like viscous or slurry materials comprises a fluid receiving sump tank having an upper inflow opening and a valve seat at the opening. A discharge conduit at the lowermost portion of the sump tank discharges fluid to be pumped therefrom. A source of compressed air is provided by pressurizing the sump tank and a vertical conduit enters the tank and introduces pressurized air into the interior of the sump tank with the vertical conduit providing a discharge port for entering the compressed air into the sump tank. A valving member is movably mounted in preferably a sliding fashion within the sump tank upon the vertical conduit with the valving member sealing the conduit discharge port in the normal inoperative state while sump tank is receiving by gravity flow for example inflowing fluids to be pumped.

Abstract: A music marking pencil is provided for use in combination with a violin bow or the like. The device attaches to the hand held end portion of a violin bow or the like and can be used by the musician to mark his music or perform similar writing tasks as needed. The device provides a pencil which can be a threaded mechanical mechanism affixed at the end portion of the violin bow which is normally hand held. The pencil aligns itself with the central axis of the bow with the pencil marking tip protruding beyond the hand held end portion of the bow. In the preferred embodiment, the pencil structure replaces the bow screw which normally adjusts tension of the bow hair. Thereafter, the bow pencil additionally provides the hair adjustment function.

Abstract: A rotary valve apparatus having particular utility to the valving of high solids content fluids such as slurries and the like provides a normally fixed, generally flat circular disk defining a valve body and providing a plurality of radially spaced flow openings and an open center. A generally flat valving member is mounted in face-to-face engagement with the disk and is movable with respect to the disk between open and closed positions. The valving member provides a hub with a shaft opening therethrough and a plurality of radially projecting valving members which align with and cover the flow openings in the closed position. A common shaft penetrates the open center and the shaft opening and affixes at one thereof to the valving member for rotation therewith. The common shaft is generally coincident with the central axis of the valve body and is entirely disposed within the fluid flow stream being valved.

Abstract: A blowout preventer assembly for sealing off a well blowout within the confines of the drill stem is disclosed. The blowout preventer assembly comprises an elongated collar member which is located around and is slidable along a section of the drill pipe. Each end of the collar member has an expandable portion made of rubber or the like, which is capable of being expanded to the width of the drill pipe casing. Fixedly attached to the section of drill pipe at a location above the slidable collar member is a rigid metal collar section having around its circumference a plurality of equally-spaced wing flanges tapering down from a right angle at the top of the fixed collar to a slope at the lower end thereof.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus is provided for use in securing cathodic protection, single anodes, double anodes, riser clamps and the like to the offshore drilling platforms and the like in a marine environment. The apparatus provides a U-shaped channel for fitting against the surface of, for example, the platform leg with a first section extending angularly out from the wall portion of the channel, and a second section extending out from the second wall of the channel. A chain bolt connector is inserted into a provided hole in the first plate section with the chain wrapped around the leg of the drilling platform and end chain links then inserted into a keyhole in the second plate extension and locked in by a movable plate. The nut bolt is then tightened to secure the apparatus against the leg of a platform. A set screw makes contact with the platform leg to complete the cathodic protection circuit.

Abstract: A personnel suspended tent and rain guard apparatus provides a personnel compartment having an upper rectangular elongated roof and a lower generally coplanar floor with a plurality of side walls connecting said upper roof and said floor. A pair of upper load lines attached respectively to the opposite and parallel sides of the roof with each load line having its end portions adapted for suspending supporting attachment to rigid members, such as trees. A pair of lower load line floor supporting members are attached respectively to the opposite end portions of the floor and extend in directions away from the floor during operation for attachment to a desired point of rigidity. Spreader brackets are provided at each end portion of the floor for laterally stressing the window personnel compartment suspended by the upper and lower load lines above the ground as occurs during operation.

Abstract: An oil or gas well Christmas tree guard apparatus provides an annular guard body which is protectively secured about a bolted flanged connection of the well Christmas tree, the guard so placed forming an envelope about the flanged connection and preventing access by a thief to the bolts and thus discouraging removal of the bolts from the bolted connection. The protective guard body thus prevents removal of the Christmas tree from its location at the well head by theft denying access to the bolted connection which flanges the Christmas tree to the remainder of the well. In the preferred embodiment the guard body provides a pair of annular shroud halves which are hingedly connected allowing them to be pivotally moved from an outer position allowing removal from the flanged connection to an inner closed operative position providing an overall annular guard body which is latched into position about the desired bolted connection.

Abstract: A machine for cutting insulation material into semi-circular blocks. Circular cutting blades are mounted reciprocally on a support shaft. A router functions to cut a groove in the insulation material to provide clearance for the cutting blade support shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for burying a pipeline in a sea bed having a spoil collection scoop surrounding the air lift intake portions of the sled. The apparatus includes a jet sled having jetting legs for disposition on the opposite sides of a pipeline to be buried and directing a stream of high pressure water through nozzles into the sea bed to form a trench for the pipeline, and air lift conduits each providing spoil intake and spoil discharge portions for removing spoil cuttings from the trench cut by the jetting legs. A spoil collection scoop surrounds the intake portions of the air lift conduits, collecting and consolidating spoil cut by the jetting legs at the air lift conduit intake portion for discharge of the cut spoil material from the trench into which the pipe will be buried.

Abstract: A blow out preventor assembly for attachment to the drill stem and being placed within the drill casing during well operations provides a bottom seal assembly having an attachment for slideably attaching the bottom seal assembly peripherally to a section of drill stem with the bottom seal assembly having at least one flow opening allowing oil, gas and drilling fluids to pass therearound. The upper portion of the bottom seal assembly forms a valve which cooperates with a provided port-ring mounted above the bottom seal assembly and having an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the casing. The port-ring forms a flow closure between the drill stem and casing, and has at least one flow opening therethrough and a valve seat at the valve opening adapted to receive the valve portion of the bottom seal assembly. Upper and lower seat rings provide gravitational supports to the port-ring and bottom seal assemblies respectively.

Abstract: An improved power tong brake apparatus provides an integral drum secured at a preferably integral mounting flange to the power tong jaw carrier. The drum has an exposed braking surface portion contacted during operation by a cooperating shoe which is adjustably attached to the tong housing.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for use in dental hygiene is disclosed. The device provides a leader, to which there is attached a thicker "mop" which can be comprised of a plurality of individual string members. The string members can be abrasive to enhance cleaning action. The several string members which form the "mop" would preferably have some absorbent quality in order to retain a desired therapeutic aid such as fluoride or the like. The strings could be alternatively fluoride impregnated. In use, the leader is first passed between gaps in the teeth until the "mop" portion contacts the gap. Sliding action of the abrasive mop between the teeth removes undesirable plaque and massages the gums. In the method of the present invention, individual thread members are added to the leader so that as many strings are placed between the teeth as possible without causing discomfort and the space between the teeth can be filled.

Abstract: A high fidelity playback system is described using a plurality of speakers in conjunction with a conventional stereo system and an auditory interface unit which provides improved high fidelity playback. The system includes for example, two front high fidelity speakers in the normal stereophonic position, and a second pair of high fidelity speakers placed on an axis defined by the ears of the listener. The amplifier feeds the front speakers directly. The interface unit attenuates the left and right channel signals according to the inter-channel signal level differential, and distributes them in proper proportion to the second pair of speakers to create full stereophonic realism with enhanced depth perception and positioning of the original sound sources.Alternatively, only two speakers are used.

Abstract: A framing bracket for use in forming wall to wall connections such as "Tee" and "Corner Post" connections in for example house building using wooden building studs and sheet wall construction is comprised of a rectangular base member having a pair of side walls each, side wall connected along a portion of the base plate length. The side walls extend to the approximate central portion of the rectangular base member and provide respectively a pair of connected stop plates which are inwardly depending. The stop plates in combination with the side walls and a portion of the rectangular base plate member form a first partial enclosure for receiving the tip of a conventional building stud thereinto for connection by means of nails or the like. Typically, the upper or lower longitudinal stud of a framed stud wall will occupy this first partial enclosure during a "Tee" or "corner post" connection. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).