Abstract: A quick connect coupling having a male part and a female part in which the female part includes a housing open at one end. The housing also forms a generally cylindrical internal chamber adjacent to and aligned with the open end of its housing. An annular and readily inwardly extending lip is also provided around the open end of the housing. A retainer constructed from an elongated band of a resilient material, such as spring steel is formed into a tubular cylindrical shape having a diameter at least as large as the diameter of the chamber. In addition, the band is dimensioned such that one end of the band overlies the other end of the band. A plurality of locking tabs is secured to and extend radially inwardly from the band. The retainer is radially inwardly compressible and insertable into the open end of the housing such that, after insertion, the retainer expands radially outwardly so that an outer end of the retainer is entrapped by the lip.

Abstract: A rust-resistant cylindrical metal sleeve for preventing rust and corrosion from developing around the wall of a branch hole when the sleeve is rigidly fitted into a branch hole that is drilled through the wall of a metal conduit such as a water pipeline. The sleeve has a projecting portion on its outer circumference and an inner flange portion inwardly projecting at its lower end. The metal sleeve on its outer circumference is coated with a water-absorbing swelling rubber into which a synthetic resin rubber and a water-absorbing polymer are blended. Preferably, 100 parts by weight of styrene-butadiene rubber or ethylene-propylene-dienemetylene linkage rubber is blended with 10 to 40 parts by weight of the water-absorbing polymer. Since the water-absorbing swelling rubber increases its volume as it absorbs water, pressure in the rubber increases, preventing water ingress through between the metal sleeve and the wall of the branch hole.

Abstract: A plastic pipe adaptor (10) includes a length of pipe (12) having a plastic pipe wall (14) with a substantially rigid pipe stiffener (32) disposed inside the pipe and a substantially rigid collar (34) disposed about the pipe exteriorly of the pipe wall (14), the collar having a recess (40) therein. The stiffener (32) and collar (34) are positioned such that a portion (50) of the plastic pipe wall is disposed between the stiffener (32) and the collar recess (40) and at least a portion (52) of the pipe stiffener is deflected outwardly against the pipe wall portion (50) by an amount sufficient to wedge the pipe wall portion (50) into engagement with the collar recess (40). The result is a firm grip to the pipe which allows the collar to serve as an attachment to another member such as a mechanical joint (30). A method of making the adaptor (10) is also described.

Abstract: A quick release for a vacuum cleaner having a nozzle and a wand for providing suction to the nozzle comprises a tubular connector to be received by the nozzle. A resilient latch on the wand is received in an opening in the tubular connector to secure releasably the wand to the tubular connector. A biased sleeve is movable axially along the tubular connector. The sleeve has a cam surface to urge the latch inwardly to an extent to clear the opening against the bias when the sleeve is moved axially to permit the withdrawal of the wand from the tubular connector.

Abstract: A quick connect-disconnect fluid coupling assembly having cylindrical outer and inner coupling members, one of which is connected to a conduit and the other to a fluid conveying system. The assembly is accomplished by inserting a U-shaped locking member having a bight and two parallel legs into the outer member, which has a peripheral groove receiving the bight so that the curved portion thereof does not extend beyond the periphery. Slots in this member receive the legs, which are then locked around grooves in the inner member and the ends of the legs do not extend beyond the periphery of the outer member. The outer portion of the bight is thinner than the inner portion to permit easy insertion into, and withdrawal from, the groove of the outer member. The system may also be utilized in an assembly of three or more components, wherein two or more locking members are used.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for fluid control components includes a first mounting plate with a first serial connection major surface with a first fluid port, a first set of through holes, and a first set of threaded holes formed therein, a first linking major surface, a first component minor surface with first component affixation apertures formed therein, and a first substrate minor surface with first substrate affixation apertures formed therein. A second mounting plate is aligned in a parallel configuration with the first mounting plate. The second mounting plate includes a second serial connection major surface with a second fluid port, a second set of through holes, and a second set of threaded holes formed therein, a second linking major surface, a second component minor surface with second component affixation apertures formed therein, and a second substrate minor surface with second substrate affixation apertures formed therein.

Abstract: A pipe connector comprising a tubular pin member (1) having an outer generally frusto-conical surface and a tubular box member (2) having an inner surface corresponding to the surface of the pin member which overlies the surface of the pin member when the members are fully engaged. The central portions (3a,4a) of the frusto-conical surfaces are provided with complementary inter-engaging formations (5,6) and end portions (3b,3c,4b,4c), which are generally spaced apart, have abutting annular rings (20,21) to transfer hoop stresses caused by a pressure difference across the walls of the connector. Following wear of the connector (1,2) the rib also serves to reduce the material removed from the or each member when it is re-cut.

Abstract: A device and a method for making a device for forming a leak-proof connection between a rigid tube end and the tip of a flexible pipe by crimping a metal sleeve portion onto the tip. The rigid tube end includes an end portion comprising a shoulder with a larger diameter than the tube. The device comprises a rigid insert having a cylindrical bore between both ends thereof and including on one side a tubular portion force-fitted into the tip of the pipe opposite the crimped part of the metal sleeve portion, and on the other side a portion provided with an outer flange having a matching shape and engaging the internal portion of the shoulder.

Abstract: A connection system for pressure resistant screwed pipe joints with a retention body, a coupling ring, a pipe and a sealing ring is characterized in that an elastomeric high-pressure seal is provided in the form of a first elastomeric sealing element placed between the face of the retention body and the sealing ring and a second sealing element placed between a face of the sealing ring facing the pipe and the outer wall of the pipe.

Abstract: A fume exhaust duct joint, a clamping collar for clamping two cylindrical dual-laminate duct sections joined by an internal slip collar, and a method for assembling the joint. A first embodiment of the clamping collar has two clamp portions each including a metal outer skin spot-welded to a metal inner skin. The inner skins have bifurcated protrusions whose bifurcations penetrate the duct section outer surfaces when the collar is tightened, and, optionally, two circumferential beads of fire retardant caulking. The inner skins and slip collar are bonded to duct section surfaces using a putty-like sealant including a settable admixture of curing agent and novolac epoxy resin. A second embodiment of the clamping collar, preferred for duct sections 3-inches in diameter or smaller, has a single circumferential clamp portion.

Abstract: An exhaust repair kit, including methods of manufacture and use thereof, in mounting a damaged pipe end to a flanged pipe end in a vehicle exhaust system comprising a length of tubing having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion being sized for engagement with the damaged pipe end. A replacement flange engages the second portion through a replacement flange aperture. The replacement flange aperture is of a sufficient diameter to allow the replacement flange to be freely movable axially and circumferentially about the second portion and enables the replacement flange to universally engage a variety of flanged pipe ends. Securing means for securing the first portion to the damaged pipe end. Locating means for locating the replacement flange about the second portion, said replacement flange being freely movable thereabout the second portion.

Abstract: A pipe connector clamp 10 for connecting two pipes having smooth ends has a metal jacket 11 comprising a tightening angle 15, 16 at a separation line of the metal jacket 11 disposed along its girth. The tightening angles 15, 16 are supported from below by reinforcement angles 17, 18. A press rivet nut 20 or a press rivet ring 19 hold the tightening angle 15, 16 and the reinforcement angle 17, 18 together by riveting the tightening angle 15, 16 and the reinforcement angle 17, 18 to the press rivet nut 20 or the press rivet ring 19. The riveted mounting of the press rivet nut 20 or the press rivet ring 19 facilitates simplified manufacture of the pipe connector clamp 10.

Abstract: A sheet-metal elbow is coupled by direct attachment to a flat sheet-metal air inlet panel of an air distribution boot or register box by roll-formed flange portions that are mated in interlocking, overlapping engagement with each other. The air inlet panel includes an outwardly flared coupling flange bordering an air inlet opening. The neck of the sheet-metal elbow includes a folded coupling flange that is dimensioned for interfitting, overlapping engagement with the outwardly flared elbow coupling flange. The coupling flanges are clasped together by a hydraulic ram that drives an expandable mandrel into a V-shaped die cavity. The tightly clasped, overlapping flange portions permit smooth, continuous rotation of the elbow through 360.degree. with respect to the register box for alignment with a branch conduit. The interlocked flanges also provide a strong mechanical union that is virtually leak-free under normal ventilation air flow conditions.

Abstract: A flexible connector apparatus for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a bellows for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an attachment construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows to at least one of the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus may include a liner tube structure having inlet and outlet liner tubes. An alternative construction incorporates a multi-ply bellows in the absence of a liner structure.

Abstract: A joint structure for a branch connector in a common rail, comprising: a main pipe rail having a conduit therein on its axis and a plurality of through holes formed in its circumferential wall at an axial spacing, each of the through holes having a pressure receiving seat formed on the circumferential face thereof and opened to the outside; a branch connector having a conduit to communicate with the conduit of the main pipe rail and including a joint head formed at the end thereof and forming a pressure seat so that the branch connector is engaged with the main pipe rail by bringing the pressure seat thereof into abutment against the pressure receiving seat of the main pipe rail; a joint fitting mounted on the main pipe rail; and a nut assembled in advance in the branch connector and fastened into the joint fitting against the pressure of the joint head thereby to joint the branch connector to the main pipe.

Abstract: A coupler apparatus for use with ducts is used on a multi-strand post-tensioning system. The coupler includes a tubular body with an interior passageway between a first open end and a second open end. A shoulder is formed within the tubular body between the open ends. A seal is connected to the shoulder so as to form a liquid-tight seal with a duct received within one of the open ends. A compression device is hingedly connected to the tubular body for urging the duct into compressive contact with the seal. The compression device has a portion extending exterior of the tubular body. The compression device includes an arm with an end hingedly connected to the tubular body and having an abutment surface adjacent the end. The arm is movable between a first position extending outwardly of an exterior of the tubular body and a second position aligned with an exterior surface of the tubular body. A latching member is connected to an opposite end of the arm to affixing the arm in the second position.

Abstract: A pipe connector includes a tubular pin member having a generally frusto-conical outer peripheral surface and a tubular box member having a generally frusto-conical inner peripheral surface corresponding to the frusto-conical outer peripheral surface of the pin member and overlies the frusto-conical surface of the pin member when the members are fully engaged together. The members include with inter-engageable annular projections and grooves on the said peripheral surfaces for axially locking the members together when they are fully engaged together, the projections and grooves being spaced apart along the surfaces. Means are provided for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure between the overlying parts of the surfaces of the members when fully engaged together to expand the box member and/or contract the pin member to bring the projections out of engagement with the corresponding grooves and permit the members to be disengaged.

Abstract: A fluid drip tape splicing coupling is provided with two sequential sections, the first of which possesses a plurality of circumferential frustoconical barbs of essentially equal diameter. In the second section, which likewise contains a plurality of frustoconical barbs, at least one of the frustoconical barbs, a step barb, possesses a dimension, transverse to the axis of the coupling, which is greater than the diameter of the frustoconical barbs in the first section of the coupling. The step barb may be circular or elliptic in cross section. The fluid drip tape may be joined over this coupling by sliding and stretching a first piece of drip tape over the first section, which has been azimuthally aligned to line up the seam of the drip tape with the radial high point of step barb, until the tape abuts the step barb. A second piece of tape is slid over the coupling from the opposite direction over the second section and over the step barb until it overlaps the first drip tape.

Abstract: An elastomeric flex joint is provided with a rotational bearing so that torsional stress is relieved by slip of the rotational bearing. In a first embodiment, the flex joint is designed to resist flexing from a mean position at which there is a substantial bend of axial direction, and the rotational bearing does not normally slip. An adjustment mechanism reduces the loading on the elastomeric flex element and the rotational bearing so that the bearing will slip during an initial orientation or during an adjustment of the joint. In a second embodiment, all small torsional deflections are absorbed by the elastomeric flex element, and large torsional deflections are absorbed by the rotational bearing. This is desirable because the elastomeric flex element has a greater fatigue capacity for small oscillations than the rotational bearing. An elastomeric clutch can be used to precisely control the break-out torque.

Abstract: A tube connector device for connecting at least one first tube which is disposed on one side of a panel and at least one second tube which is disposed on the other side of the panel, the tube connector device including (a) at least one tubular connector for connecting the first tube and the second tube, such that the first tube is attached to one open end of the connector while the second tube is attached to the other open end, (b) a connector holder for holding the connector such that the connector holder is fitted on an external circumferential surface of the above-indicated other open end of the connector, and (c) a fixture for attaching the connector holder to the panel such that the connector holder is fitted into a communication hole formed through the panel, and wherein the connector holder is made of a rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer, and includes a tubular body having an axial hole engaging the above-indicated other open end, and a flange portion extending outwardly from the tubular body in a rad