Abstract: A fitting assembly for joining hollow pipes has a fitting having a two-piece elongated body with ends to fit within the pipes. The elongated body defines longitudinally extending inserting channels extending from one end to an intermediate portion. Once inserted into pipes, the two pieces are urged apart by a screw to lock the fitting in the pipes. A second two-piece fitting may be attached via its engagement with an inserting channel. The second fitting has a portion insertable into a pipe and may be clamped within the pipes and to the first fitting by a screw urging apart the two pieces of the second fitting.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining lengths of tubing to form tooling structures for high temperature and high pressure molding processes. The apparatus is shaped to join lengths of tubing in the configuration of the tooling structure, contact the joined lengths of tubing on at least one side, and enclose on three sides the joined lengths of tubing.

Abstract: A guard fence system is useful for preventing persons from falling off bleachers. The guard fence system comprises at least two upright posts mounted to the bleachers. Each post has a lower U-channel and an upper U-channel spaced a predetermined distance apart. The lower and upper U-channels have respective slots that open into the top ends of the U-channels. A guard fence member comprises a rectangular frame covered with a grill material. Upper and lower pins extend oppositely from the frame vertical members. The lower pins of the guard fence member are inserted into the slots of the lower U-channel. The guard fence member is pivoted to a generally vertical attitude such that the guard fence member upper pins are proximate the upper U-channels on the posts. The guard fence member is lifted and further pivoted until the upper pins thereof are vertically over the slots of the corresponding upper U-channels on the posts.

Abstract: Flexible fence board material is provided which comprises a length of hollow plastic material having a pair of face surface portions separated by upper and lower edge wall portions, wherein thinned hinge regions are provided at each of four corners along respective intersections of the face surface portions and upper and lower edge wall portions to thereby permit the fence board to be collapsed to a substantially flattened configuration which permits rolling of the material. Expansion and contraction joints are provided to facilitate end-to-end connection of adjacent boards, and shape retaining sleeves are provided which maintain the hollow, rectangular configuration, especially in long fence sections. A related process of constructing a fence system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A protector for a ball joint comprising a body for protecting a dust cover mounted on the ball joint and means for securely mounting the body on the dust cover.

Abstract: Recycled lumber is used to create modular units of fencing that is superior both economically and in strength to new lumber. Composite redwood boards are comprised of three 5/8".times.7" panel sections and two elongated 1".times.1" rails having a dado running the length of the rail. The panels are lap jointed together, and the dadoed rails brace the panels and provide stability. The rails are stapled to the panels and create a nominal 1".times.8" composite board.

Abstract: A modular retaining device provides ease of assembly and disassembly as well as versatility. Conversion from spring loaded plunger type retention to through hole pin type retention by pressing the retaining module in or out of a through hole cavity provides this versatility without the weakening effect of the intersecting bore hole required for known spring loaded plunger retention systems. A variety of configurations for the retaining element is provided.

Abstract: A rod coupling combination is light in weight, compact in design, and having very little mechanical play, employs universal end sections which are compatibly mated with one another. The combination includes interlocking rods and a coupler. The rods each include a shaft having enlarged terminal ends which interlock with other such enlarged terminal ends, each of which includes a pair of square teeth and corresponding recesses. The coupler includes a central body and a pair of end caps, the end caps having externally threaded shanks which are secured to the body. The interlocked terminal ends are secured within the body by the coupler and caps.

Abstract: A ball joint comprises companion inner and outer hollow ball sections each comprising a major segment of a sphere. Spring means within the ball sections urges a friction pad into engagement with the interior surface of one of the sections. Screws within the ball sections adjusts the spring force, the screws being accessible for movement through a series of openings in one of the ball sections.

Abstract: An adjustable splicing device for mechanically connecting two portions of a rotating cable formed as an adjustable splicing connector associated with a partition-like support. The device comprises a guide and protection body attachable to the support and a movable adjustment core slidable in the guide and protection body and carrying one of the two portions of the rotating cable. A lock nut retains the adjustment core in the guide and protection body and a cylindrical splicing body retains free ends of both portions of the cable in the adjustment core, and a splicing terminal coupled to the adjustment core, carrying a free end of one of the two portions of the rotating cable.

Abstract: A device for securing furniture panels at right angles to each other includes a holding member including a plug portion which is positioned in a recess in a major surface of the first panel. The plug has a front wall which is exposed at one edge of the panel and positioned substantially flush with the panel edge. A chamber extends perpendicular to the edge of the panel through the full length of the plug from a first opening in the front wall to a second opening opposite the front wall. The chamber retains a screw within the body of the plug. A top wall of the plug is exposed at the major surface of the panel and has an opening extending into the body portion of the plug to enable tighening of a screw to engage a second, substantially perpendicular, second panel and draw the second panel toward the edge of the first panel. The screw can be inserted either through the top opening or through an opening opposite the front wall of the plug prior to insertion of the plug into the panel recess.

Abstract: A positioning pin of the invention is attached to an engine part for installing a gasket thereon. The positioning pin includes a body, and at least one groove around an upper portion of the body. When the gasket is accidentally moved on the engine part or slips out of the positioning pin, the gasket engages the groove to prevent accidental disengagement of the gasket from the engine part.

Abstract: A hydraulically expandable hub having a collection groove and a vent port to prevent the leakage of oil upon the shaft to which the hub is mounted and a method for using such a hub is disclosed. The oil collection groove is located along the inside diameter of the hub between each end of the hub and the oil groove also located on the inside diameter of the hub. A vent port is connected to the collection groove so a vacuum source can be coupled to the hub. The negative pressure produced by the vacuum source at the collection groove sweeps or pulls oil seepage from the oil groove into the collection groove which is transported to the hub exterior through the vent port. Such a hub can be altered in position about the shaft without leaving oil residue along the shaft.

Abstract: An improved fence construction includes an elongated plastic strip with the edges of the strip folded over parallel wires. The wires may be electrified. The plastic strip may be coded, decorated or laminated with other materials to provide an improved fence material for use in combination with fence posts to provide the appearance of a multirail fence, for example.

Abstract: The invention provides a tensioning assembly for a supporting device securable by axial expansion between substantially parallel surfaces, comprising an elastomeric body provided with a major face for contact with one of the surfaces and an opposite face provided with an aperture extending partially towards the major face, a tensioning screw member of diameter complementary to the aperture and having a first end configured for insertion therein, the member being provided with an intermediate enlarged platform rigidly attached thereto at an axial location removed from both extremities thereof, the tensioning screw member being provided with a male screw thread at its opposite end, the depth of the aperture being substantially equal to the length of the first end of the tensioning screw member whereby, upon assembly, an upper surface of the flange transmits an axial force to the opposite face of the elastomeric body, and a cap member configured for attachment to a strut beam and provided with a female screw thr

Abstract: A peripheral protection device for two metal pieces (10, 12) fitted into one another and having a general flange shape, the first (12) of which has an edge (18) extending outwards and the second (10) of which has a marginal zone, a first part (14) of which has substantially the form of a capital S whose vertical axis is substantially parallel to the edge (18) and a second part (16) of which is substantially perpendicular to the edge (18) consists of an arc having, in section, the general form of the capital letter C enclosing the edge (18) and the marginal zone.

Abstract: Brackets for suspending a wooden joist at its ends from vertical bolts depending from hangers extending across bridge support columns are formed from rigidly joined side plates, a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has a tongue with a vertical hole through it for mounting the brackets on the bolts supported by opposite columns. The ends of the joist are inserted into the suspended brackets to support the joist between the columns. The brackets are relatively lightweight, inexpensive, easy to handle, not readily damaged and eliminate the need for clumsy, breakable and expensive telescoping steeljoists.

Abstract: To improve the corrosion protection at the connection site of the sealing cuff and the ball pivot, it is proposed, in a design in which the sealing cuff engages with an edge profile in a complementary profile of a retaining ring rigidly attached to the ball pivot, that at least the part (12) of the retaining ring (10) which is supported by the edge of the bearing lug (6) consists of a material whose value in the electrochemical series is lower than that of the material of the bearing lug (6) and of the ball pivot (2). By this construction the material of the retaining ring acts as an electrolytic sacrificial anode.

Abstract: A locking wedge apparatus for fastening a printed circuit board within an elongated slot in a rack. The apparatus comprises a first member having an elongated, flexible portion terminating in first and second apertured end portions, the elongated and apertured end portions forming a rectangularly shaped channel. A rectangularly shaped member having a plurality of ramps formed along the edges of one surface is positioned in a U-shaped member having a plurality of ramps extending from the bottom wall thereof such that the ramps on each member are in engagement. The assembled U-shaped and rectangularly shaped members are positioned in the channel formed in the first member. A screw member extends lengthwise through said first apertured end portion, through a threaded aperture in said rectangularly shaped member and into said second apertured end portion.

Abstract: A device for connecting a motor vehicle steering column to a shaft journal of a steering gear train includes a U-shaped coupling piece, the coupling piece is articulated to the steering column for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of a first direction of the coupling. The U-shaped coupling piece has a pair of laterally spaced sides connected together by an arch shaped bight section. The sides are spaced apart laterally transversely of the first direction. A lock bolt for retaining the shaft journal in the coupling is secured against turning in one of the sides and has a wedge-shaped surface facing into the space between the sides. The wedge-shaped surface has two bevel sections inclined inwardly into the space between the sides from diagonally opposite points on the outer circumferential periphery of the lock bolt.