Abstract: A method of constructing a water ski foot support results in a foot support with a tough vinyl backing and a soft cushion layer for comfort. First the backing is injection molded. During the injection molding, a raised rim is formed on the inner side of the backing. The backing is then supported in a horizontal position with its inner side facing upward. A plastisol resin is poured onto the inner side at room temperature. The backing and plastisol resin are heated, the heat causing the plastisol resin to change into a solid cushion layer, bonded to the backing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including two or more fluid pressure piston-and-cylinder assemblies. The cylinders are linked in pairs so that retraction of both piston rods reduces the length of the pair of assemblies to the length of a single assembly. Operation of both pistons in a pair provides an effective stroke twice the length of a single assembly stroke. In a particular embodiment, a double cylinder system is used as a pickup system for elevating equipment along a mast in a well workover rig.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit for large diameter shafts has an improved cutter arrangement. The drill bit has a cutter support member with a number of cutters mounted to it for disintegrating the earth formation face. At least one inner cutter is mounted near the center for cutting the center area. A number of gage cutters are mounted at the periphery to cut the gage area of the shaft. A number of intermediate cutters are spaced between the inner and gage cutters. Each intermediate cutter overlaps one-half of its width with an adjacent intermediate cutter.

Abstract: A vortical-type separator for removing from the gas stream suspended particulates present in the gas stream has an internally generated scavenging gas flow and a pulse jet system for cleaning scavenging gas filter elements. The separator has two or more conduits that are coaxially positioned with an annular clearance at their ends. A gas swirl device creates a swirling motion, causing heavier particulates to be discharged out the annular clearance or ejection port into a scavenging gas plenum. A flow path is created between the scavenging gas plenum and the outlet of the separator, with the pressure differential between the outlet and the ejection port causing scavenging gas to flow to the outlet. A frame is mounted in the flow path over which a bag filter is secured. The dust-laden scavenging gas flows through the bag filter and out the outlet. A nozzle is positioned at the mouth of the bag filter for periodically discharging a pulse of clean gas into the bag filter reverse to the flow of the scavenging gas.

Abstract: A rock bit used for drilling with air as the circulating fluid, and a centrifugal separator to filter liquid and other contaminants from the air diverted to the bit bearings. The filter generates a fluid vortex with radial vanes, each having plural pitches, located within the shank of the bit. Bearing coolant passages, located beneath the separator, receive filtered air from a central, filtered air location. The vortex centrifugally forces the water and other contaminants outwardly into nozzle passages that direct fluid toward the bottom of the borehole.

Abstract: A tool joint hardfacing containing sintered tungsten carbide granules embedded in an alloy steel matrix, with the surface substantially free of protruding granules to decrease casing wear during well drilling. The hardfacing is applied in a single application by rotating the drill pipe, providing an arc between a consummable steel wire and the pipe to create a weld puddle, and reciprocating the wire parallel to the pipe axis to create a band. Sintered tungsten carbide granules are gravity fed from an orifice directly into the arc and precipitate toward the bottom of the matrix to provide a smooth surface. The bottom of the matrix appears to be harder than the top.

Abstract: A large diameter earth boring drill bit has a cutter mounting system that protects the cutter mounts from formation damage. The drill bit is of the type having a cutter support plate adapted to be secured to a string of drill pipe. A cutter shell is rotatably mounted on a bearing carrier and supported by a cutter mount that is secured to the cutter support plate. The cutter mount has two legs spaced apart, each leg having a slot for receiving a lug that extends from each end of the bearing carrier. The legs and lugs have apertures, with a wedge connector for insertion through for connecting the bearing carrier to the cutter mount. A protector member extends from at least one end of the bearing carrier, with the lug extending from the protector member into the slot. The protector member has a surface on each side of the lug that extends over and protects the end of the leg on each side of the slot from formation damage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an earth boring bit of otherwise conventional construction except for the bearing and cutter retention. A snap fit ring is used to retain the cutter, the grooves that receive the ring and the ring construction being such that the ring is forced into the retainer groove when the cone is thrust inward. The ring cannot therefore accidentally return to its assembly position to permit cutter loss. This enables the use of exclusively frictional bearings and retainer means of exceptional strength and reliability.

Abstract: A flexible line trimmer for cutting vegetation having a rotary drive for swinging a nylon line. A housing with an actuator button on its bottom is connected to the rotary drive. A spool for the line is located in the housing. An actuator mechanism is connected between the button and the spool for feeding the line out in increments when the button is depressed. Also, the housing is connected to a drive shaft of the rotary drive by a cap. The housing and the cap have sidewalls that overlap each other. Lugs are molded to one of the sidewalls, and mating slots in the other sidewall provide a quickly releasable connection of the housing to the cap.

Abstract: An improved method for hardfacing tool joints for earth boring drill pipe. Annular bands of hardfacing are applied by an apparatus that creates an arc between a consumable steel wire and the tool joint. The steel wire is reciprocated across the width of the band as the tool joint is rotated. Granules of tungsten carbide flow by gravity from a hopper into the weld puddle. The flow of granules into the puddle is stopped just prior to reaching the tie-in point. The arc continues a short distance, creating an overlapping protuberance at the tie-in that is free of granules at the surface. This protuberance can be easily ground smooth with the remainder of the hardfacing.

Abstract: A stabilizer for maintaining a drill string centered during large diameter earth boring. The stabilizer includes a ring with a continuous outer surface. The ring is mounted to the drill string so that it rotates with the drill pipe, its outer surface being in sliding contact with the shaft wall. The mounting system includes an inner plate carried by the drill string. The plate has protruding tabs that mate with tabs attached to the ring. The mating tabs support the ring and allow it to be easily uncoupled.

Abstract: The invention comprises a packer which seals against a surrounding well conduit. The packer comprises a mandrel which carries a radially extendable seal for engaging the well conduit. A hydraulic actuator is provided for urging the seal to its set position against the well conduit. Once set, the tool is responsive to fluid pressure differentials in the well conduit across the seal in either longitudinal direction to tighten the seal means. The cylinder of the actuator also serves as a guard to overlie and protect the seal in its unset position, while the piston is designed to define auxiliary piston area to reduce the required setting pressure. The seal is set by being extruded both longitudinally and radially over a retainer extending radially outwardly from the mandrel.

Abstract: In an earth boring tool an improved sintered tungsten carbide insert and surface conditioning method to improve retention within an interferringly sized hole and to decrease the frequency of fracture of the inserts. The insert has a randomly varied surface finish that is obtained from abrasive treatment with particles having hardness greater than 9.0 on Mohs' Scale. The particles are selected from the class consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, boron, and diamond. The resulting surface has asperities varying from a maximum value, smaller than that formed by grinding, to a minimum value, larger than the mat finish obtained by abrading with aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A shock absorbing apparatus for use in an earth boring drill string is disclosed herein. The shock absorber is of the type having a mandrel reciprocally mounted for rotation with a tubular body; a sealed chamber between the tubular body and the mandrel containing pressurized fluid for absorbing load and shock. Torque is transmitted between the mandrel and body by pins which are inserted in cavities formed by grooves on the exterior of the mandrel and the interior of the body. Means are provided to prevent pin rotation and to prevent the pins from contacting the groove edges to provide improved loading and wearing characteristics of the pins.

Abstract: A method for assembling rock bit sections in preparation for welding in a manner to assure dimensional integrity. Involved in the method is the use of a clamping fixture that has locator dowels and dowel holes on a base. These locator means are used in combination with a fixed position ring gage, determining the selected diameter of the assembled rock bit, to establish accurate alignment of the sections for clamping and welding. The fixed ring gage and locator means accurately position the sections relative to each other to minimize pre-assembly slippage between the sections.