Abstract: A hydromassage bathtub includes a bathtub including a sidewall, a deck, and an access opening in one of the sidewall and the deck. A fixture is secured to an outside surface of the bathtub proximate the access opening, and a removable plate configured to cover the access opening. A system component such as a control box is removably mounted on the fixture at a position whereby, upon removal of the plate, the system component can be removed from the fixture by accessing it through the access opening.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a drainage structure comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a barrel housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the barrel housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the barrel housing having an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the drainage structure, the distal opening of the barrel housing having a sinusoidal tearing contour. The tool further comprises a plurality of cutting implements radially coupled to and between the rod and the barrel housing, the cutting implements having a distal cutting edge and being angularly oriented to facilitate sweeping debris in a selected direction, and the barrel housing and cutting implements operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod to dislodge and loosen debris inside the drainage structure.

Abstract: An impactor for use with a directional boring machine for replacement of underground pipes includes a bursting head having a rearwardly opening recess and a front end opening that communicates with the recess. An inlet pipe is connected at its front end to a distal end of the drill string and extends into the recess of the bursting head through the front end opening. A striker is mounted for sliding movement along the inlet pipe, and a distributing mechanism responsive to pressure fluid supplied through the drill string and inlet pipe causes the striker to reciprocate in the rearwardly opening recess of the head to deliver forward impacts against the bursting head. The striker and distributing mechanism are mounted in a tubular housing, and a pulling connection is provided by which the impactor can be pulled by the drill string while the striker is delivering impacts against the head in the same direction as a pulling force exerted by the drill string.

Abstract: The invention provides a rock drilling bit with a plurality of cutting teeth raked into the cut of the drilling bit. Such teeth are oriented at an angle of at least about 30 degrees relative to an imaginary line normal to a front surface of the cutting head from which the cutting teeth project. Such an arrangement provides the desired shear cutting force against the rock face while simultaneously reducing the shock and vibration applied to sonde housing and the drill string. The bit according to the invention may further incorporate a rear, frustoconical crushing surface that defines a space or zone crescent-shaped in cross-section that narrows from front to rear, and an improved replacable tooth for use on a rock drilling bit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacement of an existing non-frangible pipeline includes creating open access to opposite ends of an pipeline and threading a cable having a wedge mounted thereon through the pipeline so that the wedge is positioned proximate one of the ends of the pipeline. The wedge is pulled through the pipeline from the other end of the pipeline so that the wedge slits the pipeline to form a slit pipe in a borehole. The slit pipe is removed from the borehole and a rear end portion of the slit pipe is attached to a front end portion of the replacement pipe . As the slit pipe is pulled out of the borehole, the replacement pipe is drawn into the borehole. The boring apparatus has a braided cable and a boring head having an expander sleeve and a lengthwise bore of sufficient diameter so that the cable can pass therethrough.