Abstract: A protective sleeve for a garden hose includes a protective shell section having a generally tubular body with an inner bore shaped for receiving a coupling of the garden hose snugly therein. A flexible strain relief section is releasably attached to the shell section wherein the flexible strain relief section has a generally tubular body. A locking member of the strain relief section releasably attaches the strain relief section to the shell section. The locking member is receivable within an opening formed in the body of the shell section. The locking member is resiliently movable from a relaxed position in which it extends through the opening and engages the body of the shell section for preventing axial movement of the strain relief section away from the shell section, to an inwardly flexed position in which the locking member flexes inwardly out of the opening and disengages the body of the shell section for allowing relative axial movement between the shell and strain relief sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a tread pattern on a retread tire casing includes a plurality of rigid matrix segments each having a contoured tread pattern thereon. Each matrix segment is removably secured to a respective matrix segment holder. Each matrix segment holder includes guide blocks at the ends thereof, and the matrix segments are arranged in circumferential side-by-side relation. Guide shafts extend through aligned guide bores in adjacent guide blocks of adjacent matrix segment holders for guiding movement of matrix segment between a closed position wherein the matrix segments are in side-by-side abutting relation, and an open position wherein adjacent matrix segments are separated. A spring is received over each end of each guide shaft and captured between a recessed shoulder in the guide block and a threaded nut received over the end of the guide shaft. The springs normally bias the matrix segment into the closed position.

Abstract: A floor mat construction of rubberized material including a base and feet of barbell-like configuration which extend integrally downwardly from the underside of the base for the support thereof in upwardly spaced relation on a supporting surface. A plurality of apertures the upper ends of which are of substantially hexagonal configuration, extend through the base to define a hexagonal honeycomb-like configuration in the upper portion thereof. The mat is lightweight but structurally efficient, the upper surfaces of the common walls between the hexagonal upper ends of the apertures providing durable scraping surfaces for a nonskid effect, and the feet firmly gripping the supporting surface therebeneath to resist creeping of the mat.

Abstract: A connector device for interconnecting a pair of adjacent floor mats wherein the mats are of the type having a rubberized base portion with a plurality of apertures therethrough and a plurality of supporting feet which extend integrally downwardly from the base portion to maintain it in upwardly spaced relation to a supporting surface. The connector device includes a connector body and a plurality of upwardly extending connector elements which are attached to the body. The connector elements are receivable in apertures adjacent the peripheries of a pair of abutting floor mats with the connector body extending between the mats. Plugs or the like are permanently securable in the connector elements in one of the mats to permanently secure the connector device thereto.