Abstract: A connection element for a three-dimensional framework includes a bolt (6, 7, 8, 9) which by means of a sleeve insert (3) can be fastened rotatably to one end of a rod (11), as well as a sleeve (12) into the axial through-bore of which the bolt is partly inserted, to transmit, sliding axially, a rotary movement of the sleeve (12) to the bolt. The through-bore is only in the front part of the sleeve (12) so that it can transmit a rotary movement of the sleeve (12) to the bolt. At the rear part of the sleeve (12) the through-bore has a circumference which is larger than the circumference of the form-locking front part of the through-bore. The bolt is urged out of the sleeve (12) by a spring (13). The front end part (9) of the connection element can be fastened to a junction part (10) of the three-dimensional framework.

Abstract: Slat apparatus for use with a chain link fence for providing privacy, wind protection and/or decoration, including a plurality of slat members for positioning in slat receiving channels formed by the linking wires of the fence such that substantially no space remains between adjacent slats. Each slat member includes a substantially rigid elongated body member and a pair of flexible and resilient wing portions positioned on opposite sides thereof. The combined width of the wing portions is approximately equal to or greater than the width of the body member to enable easy installation of the slats and to provide complete privacy in a neat and uniform manner. The slat apparatus preferably is formed by co-extrusion of a substantially rigid plastic material for the body member and a flexible and resilient plastic material for the wing portions.

Abstract: Fence wall construction materials, method, and resulting wall. Flanged fence posts spaced apart at intervals corresponding to the end-to-end length of wall panels have their vertical edges slotted to accommodate the post flanges. Preferably the posts are I-beams or back-to-back C-members, and the panels are preformed lightweight material, such as foamed polystyrene, doubly slotted on their vertical edges to sandwich the post flanges within the slots.

Abstract: A pivot joint is disclosed for pivoting together first and second members. The first at least is of channel section at the joint and the second seats within the first. The pivot joint has a joint body intermediate the first and second members. The joint body has a pair of inwardly extending trunnions each provided with a coaxial bore. Each trunnion cooperates with apertures in the second member and the coaxial bores in the trunnions are aligned with apertures in the first member. A pivot pin extends through the apertures of the first and second members and through the bores of the trunnions of the joint body. The pin is retained in the bores by positive engagement of portions of the pin with inwardly directed resilient collars in the trunnions of the joint body. A joint body for use in the pivot joint is also disclosed.

Abstract: A retainer embodying the concepts of the present invention is adapted for releasably securing a splined radially innermost rotatable member to a splined radially outermost rotatable member. The retainer so secures the rotatable members in order to preclude relative axial displacement therebetween. The retainer has a body portion. A first stop surface is presented from the body portion to engage one of the rotatable members and thereby preclude relative axial movement between the body portion and that rotatable member in one axial and directional frame of reference. A first dog extends outwardly from the body portion to engage the same rotatable member engaged by the first stop surface and thereby preclude relative axial movement between the body portion and that rotatable member in the opposite axial and directional frame of reference.

Abstract: A thermally stressed rotary connection of two coaxially aligned shafts includes two metallic coupling sleeves which are connected with the shafts by way of elastic intermediate layers. The two metallic sleeves engage one another. A ceramic centering sleeve is provided radially around the outside of the coupling sleeves and is shrunk onto the two shafts. The arrangement has the advantage of an effective connectability of different shafts such as ceramic or metal, in which case the two shafts may be connected with one another during the mounting. This allows undivided housings to be used.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for correcting misalignments in a robotic assembling devices has a first shaft (102) having a ferrous material (120) and a second shaft (104) having a magnetic material (122). The first and second shafts (102, 104) are magnetically coupled, and a motion on the first shaft (102) is provided to the second shaft (104) which corrects misalignments between the magnetic coupling (112) of the first and second shafts (102, 104).

Abstract: A ball joint 10 comprises a ball stud 14 having a ball portion 40 and a shank 42 extending from the ball portion 40. A thermoplastic plastic layer 16 encapsulates the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14 and is adhered to the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. A synthetic elastomeric bushing 18 encapsulates the plastic layer 16 and the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. The bushing 18 is adhered to the plastic layer 16.

Abstract: A device for coupling the detachable connection between a driving shaft of an engine and a driven cylindrical hub of a generator wherein the engine and generator are provided with collar members having corresponding annular flanges which are detachably clamped together by a ring formed from two pivotal clamping halves.

Abstract: A fence vegatation barrier is essentially a plastic track designed to be positioned along a bottom portion of a fence so as to prevent vegatation growth and facilitate grass cutting with a lawnmower or weed cutter. Various shapes of the barrier are illustrated along with its method of attachment, and in one embodiment, a weed killer system is combined with the barrier. The weed killer comprises a perforated tube with a weed killing powder, and means are provided to collect rain water in the barrier to effect a slow dispensing of the weed killer over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Device (10) for holding together adjoining component housings arranged in a vertical stack, said device (10) comprising a first female section (12) and a second male section (14) wherein the female member is provided with a cavity (22) to receive a male plug member (32). Each of the male and female members has a base (16,30) from which the coacting parts extend. The members (12, 14) are provided with aligned holes (29,34) through which a locking means (38) may be inserted for holding the members together. The base of each of the members is provided with an adhesive means (26,36) for adhering the member to a component housing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanical coupling such as an actuator to a valve includes an elongated drive member having an axial extremity having a drive surface and an elongated driven member having an axial extremity having a drive surface. One of the drive surfaces is an internal surface which has a polygon shaped cross section and one of the drive surfaces is an external drive surface which has a polygon shaped cross section. In some embodiments first and second sleeves including a plurality of wedge surfaces having generally planar faces are inserted between the drive and driven surfaces. In other forms of the invention the internal drive surface has four wedge shaped faces and a single sleeve having wedge shaped faces is inserted between the drive and driven member. The drive and driven members are disposed with the drive surfaces disposed in nested axially overlapping relationship with the wedge shaped surfaces disposed radially intermediate the respective drive surfaces.

Abstract: Main rotor pitch control rod assemblies on helicopters constitute means for ranslating an aviator's control impulses in the cockpit to the main rotor blades. Pitch control rod assemblies typically include means for locking the assembly into a predetermined attitude setting. The setting may be held by locking nuts. This invention provides a passive locking means using spring tension to maintain the desired setting if the locking nuts loosen due to stress loads or improper torquing during maintenance. The invention also provides passive means for maintaining expansive stress within the control rod to prevent distortion of the assembly under compressive loads.

Abstract: A protector for bore rods and pump rods that is frictionally connected to the rods comprises an elastomeric body with a metal reinforcement. The elastomeric body comprises a middle section and end pieces whereby the end pieces have a diameter that is reduced relative to a diameter of the middle section. Metal sleeves enclose the end pieces for receiving radially acting forces resulting from heat expansion of the elastomeric body during operation. The length of the metal sleeves is preferably greater than the inner diameter of the metal sleeves. The end pieces that are enclosed by the metal sleeves are radially pre-loaded with respect to the metal sleeves at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A connector sleeve device for connecting together first and second posts, comprises a sleeve having an outer surface dimensioned to be received within the interior surfaces of the first and second posts. A first flexible protrusion is formed in a mid-region of the sleeve and has an abutment surface adapted to abut an end surface of the first post when the sleeve is received therein. The contact between the abutment surface and the end surface prevents the sleeve from being moved further into the second post. A second flexible protrusion is formed in the mid-region of the sleeve and has a second abutment surface adapted to abut an end surface of the second post when the sleeve is inserted into the second post. The contact between the second abutment surface and end surface of the second post prevents the sleeve from being moved further into the second post.

Abstract: A motion transmitting coupling link comprises a metal base element having a flattened end portion having a through hole in which a ball socket is anchored. The ball socket is moulded in position and is made of a plastics material.Radial slits extend outwardly from the edge of the hole, so as to define tongues which are bent out from the plane of the end portion. The invention is especially applicable to use in windshield wiper linkages.

Abstract: A coupling 1, 50, 100 for joining adjacent frame members 2, 3 of a fish breeding enclosure 5 comprises a first mounting means 10, 52, 105, 106 for mounting to one frame member 2, a second mounting means 11, 53, 105, 106 for mounting to another frame member 3 and a flexible body 12, 51, 101 of elastomeric material between the first and second mounting means 10, 11, 52, 53, 105, 106. The coupling 1, 50, 100 constrains relative rotational and translational movement between the frame members 2, 3 in use to a predetermined level which is determined by the material of the flexible body 12, 51, 101 and/or by mechanical limit stops 62, 63. A non flexible connection such as a rod 35 having flanges 36, 37 or a chain 90, 110 provides a mechanical connection between the mounting means 10, 11, 52, 53, 105, 106 in the event of failure of the flexible body 12, 51, 101.

Abstract: A workpiece holder apparatus for either panels or cabinets is disclosed. The holder can be used for either panels or the like or cabinets and assists workers in holding the workpiece, raising the workpiece, and precisely positioning the workpiece into place, thereby facilitating the permanent affixing of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs and in the case of cabinets installation, against the wall itself. Thereafter, the workpiece holder apparatus can be quickly disassembled after the attachment of the workpiece to the ceiling joist or wall studs.

Abstract: A bracket for fixing to a prescribed member a flexible tube, such as the protective boot installed in an automobile suspension device, includes a stationary ring fixed on the prescribed member. A spacer ring is fitted to the stationary ring and provided with resilient supporting arms, and a fastening ring is fitted to the spacer ring for fastening a terminal part of the flexible tube. Alternatively, the stationary ring fixed on the prescribed member is provided with the resilient supporting arms, and the fastening ring is fitted to the stationary ring for fastening the terminal part of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A connector having a pair of opposed housings capable of being fitted to and detached from each other, guide slits formed in one of the housings, driven pins provided on the other housing, and a lever rotatably attached to the one of the housings and capable of engaging with the driven pins. The housings are fitted to or detached from each other by an operation of rotating the lever. Mating engagement holes and projections capable of engaging with each other when the housings are normally fitted are provided on one of the housings and the lever, and other engagement holes and projections for fitting confirmation are provided on the other housing and the lever. Therefore the operator can easily confirm the locked state of the lever with eye. Also, the facility with which the connector is designed and manufactured is improved.