Abstract: An improved pump control having a device for measuring relative movement between structural components of a pumpjack unit, and converting the movement into a signal which varies according to the magnitude of the movement. The signal is divided into an upstroke and downstroke component so that during one cycle of the pumping operation, the downstroke part of the signal can be analyzed. A selected part of the downstroke signal can be used to indicate a pump-off condition. The entire signal can also be treated to provide a plot having characteristics similar to a dynamometer card. The disclosure further sets forth a motion sensor which measures the characteristics of the motion induced into the pumpjack structure and provides a signal which can be used to shut-in the well each time a pump-off condition is reached by the bottom hole pump.

Abstract: A non-rotatable excavating tooth has a forward ground engaging portion, a rearward shank portion which is cylindrical in cross-section, and a shield assembly. The shank has a keeper removably positioned thereon for releasably capturing the shank of the digging tooth within a tooth receiving pocket. The tooth receiving pocket preferably is welded to a bucket lip of a digging or trencher machine. The shield includes two opposed sidewalls which abuttingly engage the opposed sidewalls of the pocket, thereby rendering the tooth non-rotatable respective to the pocket. The non-rotatable digging tooth is interchangeable with and can be substituted for a rotatable type rock bit without any modification of the pocket.

Abstract: A drill bit has a formation engaging face from which there extends a plurality of stud assemblies having a diamond cutting face thereon. Each of the stud assemblies are mounted within a socket by a close tolerance press fit. A reduced diameter rearwardly extending passageway leads from the rear of the socket back up to the face of the bit so that when the diamond face of the stud assembly becomes worn, a tool can be extended through the passageway to the rear of the socket and into contact with the stud assembly to force the stud assembly from the socket. The stud assembly is then rotated a few degrees to present a new cutting edge to the formation, and pressed back into the socket, thereby returning the drill bit to like new condition.

Abstract: A non-rotatable digging tooth has a forward working portion designed to excavate dirt, with a rearward cylindrical shank portion of a configuration to be removably received within the circular bore of a support block. The block includes a forward projection which forms a shoulder having a face positioned substantially parallel to the axial centerline of the bore. The juncture between the shank and digging part of the tooth is provided with a shoulder made complementary respective to the shoulder on the support block so that the two shoulders confront one another. The confronting shoulders abuttingly engage one another and provide a resisting force which prevents rotation of the tooth respective to the block. The block can be attached to various different trenching and digging apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning each threaded marginal end portion of large pipe. The apparatus has a cleaning head assembly which includes a rotatable member having circumferentially spaced cleaning brushes adjustably mounted thereon so that the cleaning brushes can engage and clean the opposed pipe surface at the opposed marginal terminal ends of a joint of pipe. Spaced plate-like members are axially arranged along a common shaft, and the opposed faces of the plate members have the cleaning brushes adjustably mounted thereto and arranged so that the common shaft can be rotated in a horizontal plane, thereby bringing the brushes of one of the plate members into cleaning engagement respective to the pipe threads, and thereafter the assembly is rotated 180.degree.0 in a horizontal plane, thereby bringing the other set of brushes into cleaning relationship respective to the opposed pipe end.

Abstract: A connector plate for erecting structures of varied configurations. The plate comprises a main body having connections formed thereon by which the ends of six different struts can be connected together in a particular manner to form a cluster, with the number of strut ends of a cluster depending upon the selected function of the cluster respective to the building desired. The connector plate has a plane of symmetry which passes longitudinally through two of the six connections, with the two connections lying in different planes arranged at an obtuse angle respective to one another, and thereby provides attachment means by which a roof strut is connected to a vertical wall strut end. This positions the roof strut at about a fifteen degree roof pitch. There are also two right and two left strut connections lying to either side of the plane of symmetry, with the two right connections lying in the same plane and intersecting one another at a 60.degree. angle to thereby form the apex of a wall triangle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling a straight borehole in all types of geological formations by the provision of a drilling tool that maintains a constant hole angle respective to the vertical as the borehole is formed. The apparatus includes a bit to which there is rotatably secured a plurality of cones. The cones are mounted to a cutterhead, with the cutterhead being attached to the lower marginal end of a shank. The cutterhead is placed at an incline respective to the shank whereby a plane passing through the cones of the bit lies obliquely respective to the axial centerline of the shank. When the bit weight is applied, the oblique angle between the cones and the shank causes the drill string weight to be transferred unevenly to the cones, whereupon a significant radial force is effected on each of the individual cones.

Abstract: An oral inhalation apparatus having a flow responsive valve associated therewith for controlling the flow of medication from an aerosol canister into one's lungs. An aerosol canister is received within a housing and the outlet thereof is received within a tubular passageway so that when the canister is pressed down respective to the housing, the valve means associated with the canister is moved to the open position. A second valve means is positioned downstream of the canister valve means and is spring loaded into the normally closed position. When the patient places a mouthpiece of the apparatus within his mouth and inhales, a sail device is moved downstream in reaction to the flow of inhaled air, thereby moving the second valve to the open position which releases medication into the mouthpiece. Consequently, when the patient initially depresses the canister, thereby opening the canister valve, there is no flow from the canister.

Abstract: A stop system for a pivotal irrigation apparatus or system. The stop system includes a ladder-like platform which is laid down flat on the ground in the projected path of travel of one set of driven tower wheels, so that the wheels are driven upon the platform. Each wheel of one tower becomes aligned in supported relationship within a set of spaced rollers. The rollers support the rotating wheels of the tower and prevent relative movement of the tower respective to the ground. Consequently, the tower is rendered immobile respective to the other towers of the traveling irrigation system. This action causes the traveling irrigation system to be shut down, whereupon all of the tower wheels are rendered inoperative. When it is desired to move the traveling irrigation system, the spaced rollers are locked against rotation and the tower wheels energized. This causes the wheels to rotate and drive the tower off of the platform in either desired direction of travel.

Abstract: A meter run has a meter tube fitting of a configuration which includes an annular cavity. The cavity has confronting faces spaced from one another. An orifice plate holder is received in axially aligned relationship therebetween so that flow must occur through the central orifice formed in the orifice plate. A meter tube insert is positioned within the meter tube fitting and includes reduced diameter confronting annular flanges having faces spaced from one another substantially the same amount as the spacing of the confronting faces of the cavity. An adaptor assembly includes an outer annular gasket, an annular main support body, an inner annular gasket, and an orifice plate. The orifice plate is mounted within the inner annular gasket, the inner annular gasket is mounted within a passageway formed through the main support body, and the main support body is sealingly mounted within the outer annular gasket.

Abstract: In a borehole forming operation, the flow of gas through a downhole pneumatic motor is regulated to eliminate horsepower variations due to variations in bottom hole pressure. The pneumatic motor is connected to the lower end of a tubing string and an orifice is placed within the entrance and exit gas passageways leading to and from the pneumatic motor. The uphole source (i.e., compressors) of gas pressure and gas flow rate is maintained as a constant value which assures that sonic flow conditions exist at the lower orifice. The employment of gauged orifices placed within the inlet and exit passageways of the gas motor assures that sonic flow conditions exist at the lower orifice and as the bottom hole pressure varies, there is no resultant change in the motor output horsepower since constant flow rate and pressure drop ratio through the motor is maintained. This is the case so long as the bottom hole pressure does not increase to the critical ratio.

Abstract: A belt for supporting the back and especially for bracing and supporting the lower spinal column, is often referred to as the "small" of the back. The lower marginal end of the spinal column, located at the small of the back, appears to be the first part of a person's back which tires or becomes uncomfortable when a person is driving a vehicle for an extended length of time. This back fatigue also occurs when a person is improperly standing or improperly lifting and carrying heavy objects from one to another location. The present invention is for a belt which adjustably reinforces the small of the back in a manner to reduce fatigue and discomfort, such as referred to above. The belt has a relatively small front belt which girdles the stomach and a relatively large rear belt which is superimposed over the small of the back. The rear belt has a centrally located pad which includes a chamber. The chamber is filled with open cell sponge-like material.

Abstract: A ball check valve assembly for assuring unidirectional flow through a meter run. The valve assembly includes a plate member adapted to be placed between the confronting flanges of a pipeline or meter run and positioned so that back flow cannot occur back through the meter run. A passageway formed through the plate member extends into an enclosure which has a valve seat formed on the top wall surface thereof through which unidirectional flow can occur. One wall surface of the enclosure extends up and then bends towards the plate member. The marginal free end of the bent part of the back plate member is apertured to admit the ball to be received therein, thereby capturing the ball between the seat and aperture in a manner that enables the ball always to gravitate back into sealed relationship respective to the seat, and yet the ball can be displaced sufficiently far enough from the seat to achieve relatively unobstructed flow.

Abstract: A downhole hydraulically actuated pump assembly of either the free or fixed type lifts formation fluid from the bottom of a borehole to the surface of the ground. The downhole pump has a power piston which actuates a production plunger. A valve means is concentrically arranged within the power piston. A stationary, hollow valve control rod extends through the power piston and through the valve means, with a lower marginal end of the control rod terminating within the production plunger. Power fluid flows through the control rod and to the valve means. As the power piston reciprocates within the engine cylinder, means on the control rod actuates the valve means between two alternant positions so that power fluid is applied to the bottom face of the power piston to thereby cause the power piston to reciprocate upward; and thereafter, the control rod causes the valve means to shift to the other position, whereupon spent power fluid is exhausted from the engine cylinder.

Abstract: A plurality of sucker rod scrapers are securely attached in spaced apart relationship to a length of sucker rod for scraping paraffin deposits from the interior of a tubing string, thereby obviating obstruction to the flow of oil therethrough by maintaining a satisfactory effective flow area within the tubing string. The scrapers each have a spiraled scraping surface wound helically about the sucker rod and attached at each opposed end thereof by the provision of a clamping member which includes a U-band and a heat shield. The U-band has confronting marginal edge portions which overlap the edge portions of the heat shield. The heat shield has a slot formed centrally therein for receiving a tab located at either of the opposed ends of the spiraled scraper. The confronting edges of the U-band are welded to one of the marginal opposed ends of the scraper, while the heat shield prevents the metal of the sucker rod being elevated to a temperature which changes the characteristics thereof.

Abstract: A tool having opposed cleaning heads for sequentially engaging and cleaning the opposed threaded ends of pipe joints. A pipe end is engaged and cleaned by a brush located on one of the cleaning heads. The pipe is moved longitudinally to position the remaining threaded end near the other cleaning head. The tool is manipulated to position the other cleaning head in contact with the remaining threaded end so that both the box and pin end of a pipe joint can be rapidly and efficiently cleaned.

Abstract: Improvements in the operation of a rotating blowout preventor. The rotating head assembly of a rotating blowout preventor includes a stripper rubber which has an upper annular member attached to the lower annular end of a metal support member. The support member extends upwardly into fixed relationship respective to part of the rotating head. The stripper rubber is in the form of an annular body which has an axial passageway formed therethrough for telescopingly receiving a rotating member in sealed relationship therewith. The outer circumferentially extending lower wall surface of the rubber rotatably engages the lower marginal inside wall surface of a fixed washpipe. The present invention provides a positive pressure of drilling media, or drilling media admixed with lubricant, at the interface formed between the outer rubber surface and the inner surface of the washpipe.

Abstract: A pipeline is fabricated by forcing the end portions of joints of pipe telescopingly into a coupling member and into fluid tight relationship respective to one another. The coupling member is in the form of a sleeve having opposed cavities which receive adjacent marginal ends of the pipe joints therewith. Each marginal end of the pipe joint is forced into the cavity of the sleeve with great force such that the sleeve cavity holds the pipe ends together with a strong friction fit. Each cavity of a sleeve has a first maginal length with blades formed about the circumference thereof, and another marginal length with a resilient sealing member formed about the circumference thereof, so that both the blades and the seal member are deformed as one of the marginal pipe ends is forced thereinto, whereby the metal bladed part of the sleeve engages and rigidly holds the pipe respective to the sleeve, while the seal part of the sleeve prevents leakage of fluids therethrough.

Abstract: A thread cover is attached to the terminal end of a threaded shaft in a releasable manner. The thread cover includes a main body having a magnet at one end thereof and a plurality of flexible arms affixed to the opposed end thereof. The main body is magnetically attached to the threaded shaft end, and the flexible arms are arranged to be adjacent to and cover the main body as well as the threads of the shaft end. When the threaded end of the shaft is extended through a seal means, the arms prevent the threads of the shaft from engaging and damaging the interior of the seal means. After the threaded end of the shaft has been telescopingly extended through the seal means, the thread cover is easily removed from the shaft end.

Abstract: A time piece such as a pocket or wrist watch having a large central opening formed therethrough which causes the watch to assume a toroidal configuration. Various inserts, made complimentary respective to the central opening, are supported within the central opening. The artistic design placed on either face of the insert admits a large selection of unique and personalized material to be readily available to the individual that wears the watch.