Abstract: A universally articulable supporting sheath comprises an interconnected series of links, each having a convex spherical surface at one end, and a concave spherical surface at its opposite end. The concave and convex surfaces mate with one another to form the sheath. Special links having branch openings may be provided. Various forms of waterproofing seals are provided, including O-rings, axially compressed rings, flexible belts, and ridges on the spherical surfaces. The links can be fitted together by thermal expansion. However, an axially split link is also described, which comprises two parts which snap together. The split parts may be molded as a unit with an integral thin wall hinge. The bending characteristics and bending radius of a sheath can be modified by insertion of spacers between the links at selected locations, or by the insertion of pins into radial holes provided in the links.

Abstract: Adjustable fitments for attaching any one of a variety of implements to the ends of the lifting and tilting arms of a tractor of the type normally used with front end loaders. Each fitment has a base member and a travelling member movably connected together by a rod assembly, such as a threaded rod assembly, whereby the spacing between the members can be adjusted to coincide with that of the mounting pins of the implement to be attached. Each of the members has a socket for receiving and holding one of a pair of vertically spaced horizontally disposed implement mounting pins. One of the sockets opens forwardly and the other socket opens upwardly. A manually operable latch mechanism is provided on the member which has the forwardly open socket to lock a corresponding implement pin in that socket and thus retain each pin of the pair in its respective socket.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a tightness between two parts rotatable relative to each other. The system includes at least two sealing units, with each of the sealing units having at least two possible states or conditions, namely, a first state or condition for ensuring a tightness between the two parts and a second state or condition wherein it does not ensure a tightness. Each sealing unit is deformable and includes a drive arrangement for intermittently actuating each of the sealing units.

Abstract: This catch, which may be used either with rapid connections which can be uncoupled, and those which can not, is of the type which consists of an annular part (2), of spring steel, having teeth (4), directed radially inward, and of which the free edges (4a) are inscribed in a circle (5) of diameter (D.sub.1), greater than the outer diameter (D.sub.2) of the tube (6) for which the rapid connection equipped with this catch is intended. Each tooth (4) has a free edge (4a) in a circle arc of radius (R) less than that of the circle (5) in which this free edge (4a) is inscribed.

Abstract: A connector assembly for attaching a brake hose of synthetic rubber to the disk brakes of a vehicle road wheel in which a cylindrical hose skirt of metal has a first end pocket which receives the cylindrical cup portion of a fluid transmitting metal eyelet which also has a nozzle that extends from the cup into a second end pocket of the skirt and into the fluid passage of the brake hose, a steel fluid conducting tube routed from the brakes fits into the cup portion of the eyelet and is joined in a high quantity fluid-tight manner to the eyelet cup and the skirt by a single brazing operation or by other similar joining material to provide for the improved support and optimized hydraulic connection of the hose with respect to the disk brakes.

Abstract: A process of manufacture for and the article which comprises a connecting and/or branching of flexible hoses is characterized in that an outer covering element (6) provides a compressive action of the walls of the ends of the flexible hoses (5) onto a rigid inner pipe (1). The outer covering element (6), may comprise a polymer of which the contraction during cooling of the polymer is at least equal to 1% of its original diameter. The invention is adapted for use in fluid circuits between different parts or engine units in a vehicle.

Abstract: A compound bow including a respective eccentric device pivotably mounted on each of two oppositely directed limbs, and a bowstring which includes a pair of opposite looped end portions, each looped end portion extending around a post provided on a respective one of the eccentric devices. A leader portion of the bowstring extends around a portion of the periphery of the eccentric device and thence towards the opposite eccentric device. Each of a pair of cables includes a terminal portion fastened to a respective eccentric device, a portion of the cable extending around a portion of the periphery of the respective eccentric device and thence toward the opposite end of the bow. The bowstring and the cables may all be of a non-metallic flexible cord of suitable strength, with a looped terminal portion attaching respective ends of each cable and the bowstring to the eccentric devices.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a water supply elbow with a plastic housing, suitable for connections with flexible plastic conductors of hydraulic installations of water supply networks and of central heating and air-conditioning networks with the conventional water taps, radiator valves and other commercially available accessories, where mainly built into the walls and/or laid underneath the floor the abovementioned flexible plastic conductors are covered by an external spiral coating.

Abstract: An instant connection device for fluid conduits is provided having a general cylindrical configuration, with a base portion in the form of a ring and flexible jaws whose ends define an annular bearing surface and have on the inside a circular engagement edge. The clip is obtained from a metal sheet blank having a circular central portion extended by first and second evenly spaced lugs with radial axes, the blank being subjected to stamping operations. The clip is cheap and simple to manufacture. Furthermore, it is possible to associate therewith an elastomer block by moulding thereover forming a push ring and a seal.

Abstract: A band assembly for effecting a seal particularly adapted for use in establishing a joint between a sewer pipe and a reinforced concrete manhole riser. The seal is affected by a tapered elastomeric tubular connector boot and a clamping band member that expands one end of the boot into the surface of the riser wall. The band assembly comprises a clamping band and a separate toggle expander. The clamping band includes separated end sections that capture the ends of the toggle expander. When the toggle expander is forced into an expanded position, the clamping band forces the connector boot into contact with the manhole riser. The clamping band includes stiffening lips and the toggle expander also incudes stiffening lips to provide a rigid structure. In one embodiment a tab overlies the end sections in the space of the clamping band and the space therebetween to further improve the evenness of the sealing force applied to the connector boot.

Abstract: Collapsible competition bow with improved vibrational behavior includes a longitudinally extending bow body having substantially rectangular parallelepiped sockets defined upon opposite ends thereof. Two flexible branches are respectively disconnectably mounted within the end sockets of the bow body and are secured therein by means of an immobilizing cam system. A spreader system is also provided within the blow body wherein the spreader system is adjustable both horizontally, vertically, and axially as may be desired.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, multiple engaging ratchet assembly comprising few, easily manufactured parts for simplified operation of pawls and ratchet teeth in a free-wheel drive gear ratchet assembly. An outer wheel includes a cavity to receive an inner wheel with a pawl ring or integral pawls. The pawls ride over ratchet teeth protruding from a circumferential surface on the outer wheel when the inner wheel and the outer wheel rotate in opposite directions. Turning the inner wheel in a second direction the same as the outer wheel direction of rotation brings the pawls into engagement with the ratchet teeth causing the inner wheel to drive the outer wheel.

Abstract: A target throwing apparatus mount is provided with a support post and a lateral member on which a seat may be mounted. For security of the apparatus a housing fits over the apparatus and has a bar that engages the post and an eye that engages a mooring eye on the lateral member. The arrangement pulls the housing into the support post and when the eyes are locked together, the housing may not be removed.

Abstract: A fastener for sheet material includes a fork member mounted on a fixture and having a pair of outwardly diverging arms, and a keeper member which is placeable in a locking position between the arms. A portion of sheet material disposed between the fork member and the keeper member is held therebetween even when a tensioning force is applied to the portion, since the portion thereby applies a torsional force to the keeper member to bias the keeper member into a locking position within the fork member.

Abstract: A joint for casing tubes comprises a pair of tubes each having an external threading on at least one end, and hollow sleeve having corresponding internal threading on both ends. The internal threading of the sleeve on each end terminates in an annular seat which extends radially inwardly and axially toward its corresponding end of the sleeve, and thus has a frustoconical shape. The end surface of each of the threaded ends of the pair of tubes is correspondingly shaped. The threading on the sleeve and pair of tubes is so configured that when the sleeve and tubes are interassembled the crest of the internal threading of the sleeve will contact the root of the external threading on the tubes, whereas the crest of the external threading on the tubes will be spaced from the root of the internal threading on the sleeve.

Abstract: A slope and skew hanger for connecting a rafter to a beam at a variety of slope and skew angles. The hanger includes a connection portion and an integrally attached seat portion which is connected with the connection portion along a bend line. The connection portion includes a central opening, a pair of side connecting brackets joined by connecting strips and adapted for connection to the beam, and a pair of centrally positioned connection flanges extending outwardly from the front face of the connection portion and adapted for connection with the sides of the rafter. A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a raised spherical portion and an offset nail receiving opening to facilitate the angled nailing of such a hanger or bracket to the beam or rafter.

Abstract: A fence construction includes a first transverse rail having a plurality of first mounting locations, each for mounting one of a plurality of pickets. Each mounting location of the rail has vertically and horizontally spaced opposing first and second surfaces, and each picket is provided with corresponding oppositely directed first and second surfaces, an downwardly directed first surface for engaging a respective first surface of a mounting location and a second surface for engaging a respective second surface of the mounting location. The diameter of each picket is selected to be less than the spacing of the respective first and second surfaces of the mounting location to allow an inclined picket to pass therebetween and thus be located on the rail. A second transverse rail is provided for retaining the pickets in a substantially upright orientation and for retaining the first and second surfaces of each picket in engagement with the respective first and second surfaces of the mounting location.

Abstract: A hold down device is provided using a drive knob having a clutch therein which turns a drive shaft for moving a pawl shaft in and out with respect to the drive shaft. A pawl on the end of the pawl shaft is provided with a cam-like surface which engages a cam-like aperture in a pawl receptacle. The pawl shaft has a cam follower which rides within a cam surface in a cam bracket that surrounds the shaft. Under the urging of a spring, the position of the pawl is controlled from its fully extended, unlocked position to a pre-capture position where the pawl is oriented at approximately 45.degree. to an aperture within the pawl receptacle. Insertion of the pawl into the pawl receptacle forces the pawl to rotate an additional 45.degree. against the urging of the spring. After full insertion of the pawl into the receptacle, the pawl rotates back to its 45.degree. position where it is captured therein.

Abstract: A union enabling a rigid pipe to replace a flexible hose in applications where there is no relative movement of the points connected by the pipe and union. The new union accommodates the movements required for installation and removal, and accommodates the tolerances that are encountered during all manufacturing and assembly steps.

Abstract: A clamp 10 comprises a moulded plastics hollow member 11 for receiving a first elongate member 13. The member 11 has external bosses 22 on two opposed sides defining aligned apertures which receive a second elongate member 30 which extends through the member 13. The member 13 can be solid with a bore for member 30 or hollow with apertures in opposed sides. One wall of the member has external ribs 18 and a recess in its inner surface in which is a nut in threaded engagement with a stem 23 of a clamp knob 24 so that the member 30 can be clamped between the inner end of the stem 23 and edges of opposed walls of the member 13. The member 11 can have a through bore for member 13 so as to be movable along it.