Abstract: A coupling arrangement that includes a gasket seal (40) and a housing (12, 14) having a first lateral side (100) for receiving a first pipe segment (4) and a second lateral side (102) for receiving a second pipe segment (2), the second lateral side (102) being spaced from the first lateral side (100) to define a medial axis (A-A) of the housing. An inner surface (22) of the housing defines a cavity for engaging and housing a gasket seal (40) disposed about the first and second pipe segments. The gasket seal (40) includes a peripheral surface (48) and inner surface (50) which can include features that engage both the housing and the pipe segments to form a fluid tight pipe joint assembly.

Abstract: An expansion platform is disclosed. The expansion platform includes a main body, a moving element, a first elastic element, and a positioning device. The moving element moveably combines with the main body and includes at least one fixed element and a sliding slot. The positioning device includes a second elastic element and a positioning element connected to the main body and passing through the sliding slot. The positioning element is pressed by the insertion of the portable electronic apparatus to be removed from a fixed state between the positioning element and the sliding slot, and the moving element is moved to fix the portable electronic apparatus. When the moving element moves reversely to an unlocked position, the portable electronic apparatus detaches from the main body, and the positioning element moves to an initial position and then is fixed by the sliding slot to stop the moving element.

Abstract: Glue-free hinge assemblies including press-fit pins are disclosed. A press-fit pin of one material can mechanically attach to a workpiece of another material during a press fit operation. The press-fit pin can include a pin shaft having a chamfered first end, a notched portion, a grooved portion having axial grooves, a clinching feature, and a sealing feature. The chamfered first end can guide the press-fit pin into a counter-bored receiving hole in the workpiece. The axial grooves can etch the workpiece material to rotationally lock the press fit-pin into the receiving hole. The clinching feature can plastically deform workpiece material into the notched portion to axially lock the press-fit pin into receiving hole without causing substantial axial expansion of the workpiece. The sealing feature can form a stepped fit between an outer diameter of the press-fit pin and an outer diameter of the counter-bored receiving hole.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for dovetail locking mechanisms are described herein. A system for locking the dovetail of a trailer in the travel position includes a sled for locking the dovetail of a trailer in the travel position, a railing on the underside of the trailer to accommodate the sled, wherein the sled is moveably attached to the railing such that the sled can slide into a loading position clear of the dovetail or a travel position at least partially beneath the dovetail, and means for actuating the sled to the loading position and travel position. A method for locking the dovetail of a trailer includes moving the dovetail of a trailer into the travel position and sliding a sled from a loading position underneath the trailer to a travel position at least partially underneath the dovetail of the trailer.

Abstract: Improved flexible joint arrangements employ at least one flexure member that interfaces with wrapping surfaces defined on the bases to which the ends of the flexure member are connected. The flexure members are configured to define a traveling instantaneous axis of rotation that moves along a path defined by the interface of the flexure and the wrapping surfaces as the bases move relative to each other. The flexure members and the bases can be constructed of a monolithic material. The wrapping surfaces of the bases can be asymmetric in cross-sectional shape. The radius of curvature of the traveling instantaneous axis of rotation can be configured to change only in discrete quantum steps without reversals. In other embodiments, the flexible joint arrangement can be configured as one or more three bar linkages in which the middle bar is rigid and the outer bars are flexure members in accordance with the various embodiments.

Abstract: A rotary union is disclosed for use in semiconductor processing applications. The rotary is coupled between a platen base and a platen of a rotating platen assembly. The rotary union includes a coiled flexible tube member for passing a flow of cryogenic fluid to the platen for cooling during an ion implant procedure. The coiled flexible tube member has a first configuration associated with a non-rotated position of the platen and a second configuration associated with a rotated position of the platen. In the first configuration the coiled flexible tube member has a first bend radius, and in the second configuration the coiled flexible tube member has a second bend radius that is smaller than first bend radius. The rotary union also includes a base with a peripheral wall that restricts movement of the coiled flexible tube member as it cycles between the first and second configurations.

Abstract: An example coupling stack includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member. A plurality of aligned slots is defined in the first rotating member and the second rotating member. A tab lock is provided having an annular body with an axial front side, an axial back side, and a radial inner periphery. Tabs are formed on the axial back side and inserted into the plurality of aligned slots. The annular body of the tab lock also includes a plurality of openings extending into the radial inner periphery. A plurality of flanges is provided on the axial back side of the annular body adjacent to the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A buckling mechanism includes a first member, a second member and a locking assembly. The first member has a pair of locking-arm guiding portions formed thereon and gradually approaching each other inward from an outside of the first member. The second member has a latching member. The locking assembly has a connection element, a first resilient element, a interfering member and a second resilient element. The connection element has a main body disposed on the first member, and a pair of flexible locking arms. The locking arms are slidably disposed on the first member along the pair of locking-arm guiding portions respectively. The connection element is pushed by the latching member to a locked position from an unlocked position. The pair of locking arms contracts along the two mutually approaching locking-arm guiding portions, and the interfering member blocks the sliding blocker.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a first channel with an inner wall with a first number of substantially planar surfaces. The inner sleeve has a second channel and an outer wall with a second number of substantially planar surfaces. The outer wall is configured to be received within the first channel. At least one of the second number of substantially planar surfaces on the outer wall of the inner sleeve is configured to slide against at least one of the first number of substantially planar surfaces.

Abstract: An example stick type input device is attached to a main body portion, includes a columnar operation stick, and is for sensing, using a sensor, a content of an operation performed on the operation stick. With an attachment structure of attaching a cap of the stick type input device to the main body portion, the cap is attached to the operation stick so as to enclose an upper end thereof, and the cap is retained so as to resist against removal from the main body portion.

Abstract: A locking quick connect fitting allows for the attachment and detachment of stays and rigging on sailboats and other related applications. The invention eliminates the need to handle clevis pins and cotter pins when setting up or tearing down the rigging of a sailboat, and especially for the standing rigging of a trailer able sailboat. Further, it can be tightened by wrench. In addition, the fitting helps keep the connection secure even if in the unlocked state. The presented invention is also modular and readily connectable to the rigging or fittings on existing sailboats. In order to avoid abandonment of the application, applicant must make these above agreed upon changes.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly such as a torque transfer strut for a rotating superconducting machine. The torque transfer strut includes a composite tube having a first end received in a clamping fitting, which may include an end housing or lug, a clamping wedge screwed onto a threaded end housing, and an annular clamping member applying a radial clamping force to the first end of the composite tube at ambient temperature. When cooled, shrinkage of the end housing in the axial direction causes the annular clamping member to maintain or increase radial clamping force, causing the clamping wedge to apply increasing radial force to an inner member deflecting outwardly a plurality of axial fingers. The first end of the composite tube remains clamped between the inner member and an outer member, together defining an annular channel receiving the first end of the composite tube.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a RAT actuator includes a lever block having spaced apart first and second lateral walls interconnected to one another by a bridge wall. The first and second lateral walls provide a pivot axis at one end. A latch pin is at another end opposite the one end. The latch pin extends between the first and second lateral walls. A latch bearing is arranged in each of the first and second lateral walls. Each bearing receives an end of the latch pin and is configured to permit the latch pin to rotate relative to the lever block. A lever block is arranged within a housing and has first and second lateral walls interconnected to one another by a bridge wall. A solenoid is configured to push the lever block about the pivot axis during a deploy sequence.

Abstract: An automatic lock for interconnecting cargo containers. The lock includes a pin assembly located in, and extending from, each of the bottom corner fittings of the container. The lock further includes a receiver assembly located in each of the top corner fittings of the container for engaging the pin assembly, thereby securing the upper container to said lower container.

Abstract: A coupling between a first surface and a second surface is disclosed. The first surface includes a first shape and has a surface roughness average that is less than or equal to about 500 microinches (13 microns). The second surface includes a second shape and projections, in a preselected pattern, forming at least a portion of the second surface. The first shape of the first surface and the second shape of the second surface are substantially complementary. The projections are configured to produce a friction fit between the first surface and the second surface when the first and the second surfaces are biased against each other. An average elastic compressive range, substantially equal to the surface roughness average of the first surface, is associated with the projections.

Abstract: A family of devices attach elements previously bored in a cylindrical manner, wherein each device has a in extending along an axis and a tapered shaft and a head, and a bushing intended for accommodating the shaft of the pin, the bushing extending along the same axis having an outer cylindrical surface and an inner tapered surface. The family has at least two devices with bushings presenting, before installation by interference, an identical outer diameter and a different rate of taper of the inner surface.

Abstract: A photovoltaic frame fastener is provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic frame attachment apparatus includes a strut or rail defining a generally U-shaped channel and a snap-in clip or fastener. In another aspect, a single-piece fastener includes a strut-engaging surface, at least one flexible wing matable with an opening in a strut, a flexible tongue internally projecting in a central manner from a top wall of a body, and a slot adapted to receive a portion of a photovoltaic panel frame. Yet another aspect of a photovoltaic frame fastener includes laterally projecting tabs abutting against a top of a strut.

Abstract: A plain journal bearing couples first and second components. A pin passes through the components. A clamping bush surrounds the pin. A clamping member is mounted on the pin and provides a clamping force to urge the clamping bush into clamping engagement with the first component. During normal operation, when the components rotate relative to each other, the second component and the clamping bush rotate relative to each other about a primary slip path, and the clamping bush remains in clamping engagement with the first component. During degraded operation, when the components rotate relative to each other and the coefficient of friction of the primary slip path has increased to overcome the clamping force, the pin and the clamping bush or the pin and the first component rotate relative to each other about a subsidiary slip path.

Abstract: An articulated device includes a rivet assembly for connecting first and second linkage assembly support arms together at common ends thereof. The rivet assembly includes a blind rivet having a rivet sleeve and a mandrel shaft with a mandrel head. The rivet sleeve and the mandrel shaft extend through first and second bearing holes in the common ends with the mandrel head being on the first arm adjacent to the first bearing hole. The rivet sleeve has a rivet sleeve head on the second arm adjacent to the second bearing hole. The rivet assembly includes a bearing sleeve extending between the rivet sleeve and the bearing holes. The bearing sleeve has a collar-type stop and a shoulder-type shaft stop with the collar-type stop lying against the first arm and the shoulder-type shaft stop lying against the mandrel head. The bearing sleeve has a ring-shaped stop adjacent the rivet sleeve head.

Abstract: Sleeve part of a pipe joint wherein the sleeve part includes a chamber space, into which the opposing butt ends of the pipe parts to be connected together are placed such that the sleeve part extends a distance from the point of connection of the pipe parts to be connected together on top of both pipe parts. The sleeve part includes heating member, such as resistance wires. As a consequence of the heating of the resistance wires a joint forms between the sleeve part and the pipe parts. An inspection aperture is formed in the sleeve part through the wall of the sleeve part from the exterior to the interior to a point where the positioning of the opposing butt end surfaces of the pipe parts to be connected together can be verified. The invention also relates to a pipe joint.