Abstract: An extended lift coupling for joining tubular members in an end-to-end relationship is disclosed. The coupling is of simple design having only three components: a pin, a box and a threaded lock ring. An external compressive axial preload places a torus on the pin in axial compression. Make-up of the lock ring maintains the compressive strain on the torus and the lock ring when the axial make-up force is removed. Thereafter, increased tensile loading on the pin and box is partially absorbed in benign compressive stress of the locking ring. By controlling the geometry of the coupling such that the stiffness of the torus is high compared to the stiffness of the box and the stiffness of the lock ring, the fatigue life of the coupling caused by applied cyclic tensile forces is enhanced.

Abstract: A foundation is stabilized with a pier that extends downwardly from the foundation into the underlying surface material and at its lower end preferably bears against bedrock. At its upper end the pier is attached to the foundation through a bracket having a sleeve and a rod directed generally radially from the sleeve. To drive the pier, a hole is first drilled into the foundation wall, and the rod of the bracket is inserted into the hole, so that the sleeve lies along the wall. A jacking apparatus is fitted to the bracket, and it includes a lift member that actually engages the sleeve and a hydraulic cylinder that is located above the lift member and sleeve. The pier comprises sections which are fitted individually into the sleeve and are driven downwardly with the cylinder, with all but the first section being coupled to the section immediately below it.

Abstract: The supporting device comprises a support column (1), on which a jib-wedge connecting device (2) can be attached in longitudinally displaceable manner and can be locked at any location of its longitudinal extension. The connecting device (2) with a clamping chuck (3), consisting of a supporting wall (3.1), receiving the jib arm (7), a tightening wedge cage (5) and a clamping plate (3.2) which connects these two components, grips around the support column (1) in the manner of a C-shaped engagement element. Frictional engagement is made between the connecting device (2) and the support column (1) by a tightening wedge (4) which is guided in longitudinally displaceable manner in the tightening wedge cage (5).The clamping chuck (3) is provided with a lateral passage opening (9), through which the clamping chuck, by being placed laterally onto the support column (1), can be engaged with and disengaged from the latter.

Abstract: The end portion of a hose is or can be bonded to the front section of a tubular connector whose rear section surrounds the end portion of the hose and has integral pallets with teeth engaging a circumferentially extending external rib of a nipple which receives the front section of the connector with the interposition of an annular sealing device. A deformable sleeve in the end portion of the hose biases the hose radially outwardly against the internal surface of the rear section of the connector.

Abstract: A support stand for a camera or other optical device comprises a head portion supported by support legs comprising first and second telescopically related tube portions, the inner tube portion forming the upper part of the respective leg and the outer tube portion forming the lower part. A fixing device for locking the tube portions of each leg relative to each other comprises an actuating member, a connecting rod and a clamping arrangement connected to the actuating member by the connecting rod and comprising at least one clamping cone member and at least one pressure element. The actuating member is carried on the inner tube portion in the vicinity of the support head portion of the stand. Actuation of the actuating member causes the pressure element to be expanded by displacement of the cone member until the pressure element bears against the inside surface of the outer tube portion, thereby to secure it in position relative to the inner tube portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a cylindrical or tubular submersible element to a tubular sleeve, inter alia a submersible heating element to the sleeve of a pressurizer basin, comprising a first flange associated with the sleeve, a second flange associated with the submersible element, a resilient metal joint interposed between the two flanges, two screwthreaded tubular members, one male, the other female, which cooperate with one another via their threads, the threaded male member acting on the first flange via the agency of two half-rings, the female screwthreaded member acting on the second flange, the screwing of the two screwthreaded tubular members causing the compression of the joint.

Abstract: A flexible connector for effecting fluid-tight flexible joints between fluid conduits which comprises a housing with a central bore, a pair of movable flanges extending one from each end of the central bore and means interposed between the flanges and the inner surfaces of the central bore so that a fluid tight seal is achieved therebetween and the flanges can undergo angular motion; additional means are also interposed between the flanges and the inner surfaces of the central bore which accommodates linear motion of the flanges along the axis of the housing while maintaining a fluid-tight seal therebetween; and means for holding the elements of the coupling in a functional relationship.

Abstract: A linkage for transmitting torque includes a stationary member, a movable member rotatably mounted to the stationary member, an input link having one end rotatably mounted to the stationary member and a second end connected to a linear actuator and a coupler link. The coupler link is connected to the second end of an output link, preferably integral to the movable member. The moment applied to the input link by the linear actuator is transferred through the coupler link to the output link, or movable member. The angle of rotation of the output link is greater than the angle of rotation of the input link.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing abrasion resistant members to metallic surfaces to line the metallic surfaces for protection against wear is disclosed. The abrasion resistant members include an aperture therein having a taper in the bottom of the aperture. An end weldable stud of length less than the thickness of the abrasion resistant member is welded through the aperture to the metallic surface to be lined. A cup shaped spring retainer clip having side walls of dimension greater than the aperture and a stud engaging aperture of dimension less than the diameter of the stud is driven over the stud through the aperture of the abrasion resistant member into engagement with the taper of the aperture of the abrasion resistant member to draw the abrasion resistant member into firm securement with the metallic surface. An abrasion resistant plug is secured within the aperture of the abrasion resistant member following installation.

Abstract: A single-lever control lockout for a boom and bucket control lever. The lever is selectively movable in both fore-and-aft and side-to-side directions to control the lowering and raising of the boom and the roll back and dumping of the bucket. A cover encloses the control valve and the control lever extends through an opening in the cover. A lockout is slidably attached to the lever and is movable within the cover opening between a locked position where the lockout engages the cover, and a free position where the lockout is spaced from the cover thus allowing free movement of the lever in all directions.

Abstract: A molded miniature tube fitting (200) having a barbed stem portion (204) surrounded by a protective shroud (206) and method for making same. The shroud (206) including windows (230) therein so as to enable undercutting of a portion of the stem portion (204) so as to form a barb (224).

Abstract: A wire coupling device for connecting a displacement-transmitting wire therein is formed by engagement of two wire engaging members, wherein a first engaging member is entered through pivotal holes and then a second engaging member is inserted into a hollow cylinder of the first member, thereafter the two members are circumferentially turned to coincide respective notched grooves, thus the wire coupling device is formed. To the formed device, a wire terminal nipple is connected to serve as a wire coupling in a brake system of a bicycle, wherein the first member and the second member are integrally engaged and are adapted to turn in pivotal holes. Further the invention prevents possible disengagement of the connected nipple by way of turning the two engaged members relatively for about 180 degrees to cross over the grooves and openings provided on the members so that the nipple is enclosed in the wire coupling device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fast connection with radially acting bolt-locking having a groove in the male element and a bolt in the female element that can receive an axial displacement and whose rear flank when locking engages in the groove of the male element, the bolt being urged into locking by a spring. According to the invention, at least two balls mounted with free radial play in the body of the female element are interposed between at least two points on the perimeter of the bolt symmetrical to the axis of thrust of the spring and a longitudinal ramp embodied on the inner surface of a sliding ring. The invention is applicable to fast connections for piping.

Abstract: A coupling 10 for connecting an elongate first member 12 to a second member 14. The first member 12 is provided with external radial fins 16. The second member 14 defines a recess provided with a number of internal radial fins 20. The first and second members 12,14 and their fins 16,20 are sized such that the first member 12 can be positioned within the recess of the second member 14 with each fin of each member extending between two corresponding fins of the other member. At least one wedge 24 is positioned in the space intermediate each set of opposing fins 16,20. The fins 16,20 and wedge 24 are configured such that biasing the first member 12 in a first axial direction relative to the second member 14 causes the wedge 24 to lock the fins 16,20 together, preventing movement of the first member 12 in the first axial direction. The present coupling 10 can be used to support the members 12,14 under either a tensile or compressive axial loading.

Abstract: A fastener system for securing workpieces together including a blind fastener located in aligned bores and when installed providing a preselected interference fit with the bores, the fastener including a pin and a sleeve with the pin having a shank with a sizing portion and expansion portion, the sleeve having a shank portion adapted to be pre-assembled onto the sizing portion and, while pre-assembled, having its outer surface reduced in diameter to a preselected magnitude such as to provide the desired interference with the bores when the expansion portion is moved therethrough.

Abstract: A vehicle use-lock actuator is proposed comprising a stationary housing and a reversible drive motor for locking and unlocking successively two remotely positioned locks. In this actuator, the drive motor is mounted within the housing in a hidden position. There is a single control slide for keeping normally respective wire cables at their neutral position for keeping in turn the locks in their locked position. There is provided within the housing a three stage reduction and reversely accelerating gearing between the drive motor and the control slide. The first stage includes a crown gear, while the third stage includes rack teeth which is united rigidly with the control slide.

Abstract: A draining well (2) extending downwardly from the bottom (3) of an underground cavity for storing liquefied gas under pressure has an upper portion (9) of large area and a lower portion (10) of smaller area. The volume of the upper portion is sufficient for filling a service tube (5) with water up to its hydrostatic equilibrium level. This enables the depth of the draining well to be reduced and thus makes such a storage facility cheaper to produce.

Abstract: An adjustable pedestal for mounting an added seat in a fishing boat in a manner to allow the elevation of the seat to be adjusted. A flanged base plate is secured in the boat and connected by a scissors arm arrangement with a platform to which the added seat is mounted. The scissors arm arrangement allows the platform to be raised and lowered while at all times remaining horizontal. The platform is also restricted to only vertical movement to prevent the added seat from moving side to side. A releaseable pivot bracket locks the platform rigidly in place at a plurality of discrete elevations.

Abstract: Simultaneous actuation of switches belonging to separate columns in a switch matrix is prevented by means of opposed preventing members which slide strokes of predetermined length in opposed directions. The preventing members having competing sections formed on opposite sides of a gap which is less than twice the length of the predetermined stroke and these sections compete for space in the gap when their respective preventing members slide so that only one preventing member can slide the full length of its stroke at a time.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a grouting member, for example, a grouted pile, in deep water comprises a female coupling member for connection to a male coupling member located on the sea bed, a conical guide for guiding the male coupling member into engagement with the female coupling member, a rotatable locking pin having an arcute recess portion, operable by a remotely operated underwater vehicle, for retaining the male coupling member in engagement with the female coupling member, and a connector for connecting the female coupling member to a source of grouting material.