Abstract: There is provided a seizure prevention bolt capable of preventing seizure caused by oblique insertion as well as seizure caused by invasion of a foreign matter such as a spatter. An incomplete screw portion having an outer diameter d that is larger than an inner diameter D1 of a female screw and smaller than (D+D1)/2 is formed at a front end of a normal screw portion formed in a bolt shaft over one or more pitches, and a vertical groove for cutting out a foreign matter such as a spatter is formed in the incomplete screw portion. D in the above expression is a nominal diameter of the bolt.

Abstract: In a fastener (10), a pin (14) is pressed into a grommet (12), so that a guide portion (56) formed in an end side of the pin (14) contacts with a guided portion (42) of the grommet (12), and a leg piece (34) of a leg portion (28) of the grommet bends and is expanded. Then, the guided portion (42) of the leg piece (34) in the leg portion (28) of the grommet (12) is engaged with an upper end edge (56A) of the guide portion (56) of the pin (14). Also, the guide portion (56) of the pin (14) is a curved surface having a tangent angle (?) changing relative to a shaft line (14B) at a contact point (P1) with the guided portion (42) from an outer circumferential portion of an end (14A) of the pin (14) toward an upper end edge (56A), and an insertion force (S) into the grommet (12) of the pin (14) at each contact point (P1) is held approximately constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stop screw (1) having a stop buffer part (2), which at a region located opposite of the stop screw (2) comprises a substantially spherical protrusion (2a). At a region located opposite of the stop buffer part (2), the stop screw (1) comprises a recess for receiving the substantially spherical protrusion (2a) of the stop buffer part (2) in order to form an articulated connection between the stop screw (1) and the stop buffer part (2). In order to limit the articulated connection between the stop screw (1) and the stop buffer part (2), the stop screw (2) comprises a screw contact surface (1a) and the stop buffer part (2) comprises a stop buffer part contact surface (2b) located opposite of the screw contact surface (1a), wherein a resetting element is provided for resetting the stop buffer part (2).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an object that has two threads of different pitches. The two threads overlap and may have a common starting point. The object may be any type of threaded insert, including those commonly referred to as a type of nut or rivet such as a clinch-nut, a weld-nut and a rivet-nut. Also disclosed is a system having a part and the disclosed insert installed onto it. Embodiments of the invention reduce the likelihood of damage when a screw is miss-matched with a similarly sized but different threaded hole.

Abstract: An external surface for a fastener insert to be embedded in a component includes a plurality of spaced rings surrounding a embeddable shank of the insert. The rings define a plurality of waves. The ring height can be increased progressively from a distal end of the insert to the rings nearest the head of the insert, thereby providing a generally tapered outer configuration for the insert.

Abstract: A fastener capable of speedily screwing provides a plurality of blocks on a bottom surface of a head and an accommodating area formed between any two adjacent blocks. Each block includes a first wall arranged at one side of the accommodating area and extended upward from the bottom surface, a second wall extending from the first wall to the other side of another adjacent accommodating area, and a cutting edge formed at a convergence of the first wall and the second wall. In screwing, the blocks assist in cutting to achieve a speedy screwing effect, and the accommodating area allows the cutting debris generated accordingly to be received therein to remain a firm engaging force between the fastener and an object. Further, there is no extra cutting debris protruding out of the object after screwing, which increases the flatness, and also enhances the screwing force of the fastener.

Abstract: A round top set screw is provided, including a first section having a shape of substantially a cylinder having a threaded side surface, a second section for wrenching drive, the second section formed contiguously and concentrically to the first section and having a shape of substantially a polygonal prism, and a third section formed contiguously and concentrically to the second section, the third section having a cylindrical portion and a round top having a convex shape, the edge of which contiguously connects to a side surface of the cylindrical portion, wherein the curvature of the convex shape is predetermined to prevent damages to a metal plate when it is pressed at an angle against the third section of the screw. A tool is provided for attaching the screw to a base board and securing it by using a corresponding nut. An apparatus including the screws for flattening a metal plate is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly comprising at least two movable panels, each having an elongated profile and at least two pivot connections is provided. The assembly also includes at least two links, each link comprised of at least two pivot connections, each of which is offset from one another both in the plane orthogonal to the axis of the pivots as well as offset from one another along the vector defined by the axis of the pivots itself. The assembly further includes a single fixed member to which the two or more links are pivotally attached. The movable panels are each pivotally attached to at least two of the two or more links. The assembly may take an extended configuration wherein the panels form a continuous surface having a polygonal profile in plan and a stepped profile in elevation. The assembly may take on a retracted configuration such that the panels are essentially stacked over one another to form a compact bundle having an elongated profile.

Abstract: A handrail assembly is provided which may be attached to a wall or stairwell using conventional mounting hardware. The handrail consists of a substantially flat panel having a series of grooves on opposite sides of an upper edge and a lower edge of the panel. Within the respective oppositely spaced grooves, a thermoplastic extruded slit tube is inserted into the grooves providing a curved gripping portion of a handrail. The substantially flat panel has exterior surfaces of a thermoplastic polymer, thereby providing a handrail assembly having outer surfaces of a damage resistant, easily repair, long wearing polymer.

Abstract: An improved watertight gate for use in a port or canal is described. The watertight gate generally comprising two gate leaves and associated with each gate leaf is a foldable support structure and a gate position controller. The gate position controller interacts with the foldable support structure so as to move the associated gate leaf between an open and a closed position. By employing the gate position controller and the foldable support structure to control the gates the efficiency of the watertight seal provided by the gate is independent of water pressure produced by the surrounding bodies of water. Adjustable mounts attach the foldable support structures. These adjustable mounts provide for adjustment of the alignment of the watertight gate so minimizing the problems of installation alignment and reduced efficiency through wear and tear.

Abstract: This invention relates to a road barrier, particularly to a road barrier for separating traffic lanes on a bridge. In the preferred embodiment, the barrier is made up of beams formed from steel three-beam guardrail sections. Steel tubes or flanges are welded to the top and bottom of the guardrail sections and a transverses stiffener is welded to one side. The barrier's sections are removable mounted by pins in anchors attached to the bridge deck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pad which supports a utility access conduit in a roadway and permits relative movement between the conduit and the roadway without damaging the seal between them and which supports vehicular traffic for a time comparable to the life of the roadway itself, without the occurrence of any dipping in the vicinity of the access conduit. This is accomplished with a rectangular block or rubber or similar compressibly resilient elastomeric material which has an opening passing through it that snugly engages the access conduit. The invention also relates to a method for installing the pad in either a new or existing roadway.

Abstract: A soil compactor having three compacting rollers supported from a frame with each of the rollers being independently powered by a hydraulic motor with the controls for the hydraulic motors being located at the rear of the compactor so that an operator walking behind the compactor will be able to control movement of the compactor. A vibration device is supported from a frame in generally a central position between the single front roller and the pair of rear rollers. The vibration device is an eccentric weight on a shaft driven at high speeds by a hydraulic motor with the central location of the vibration device producing a vibrating effect to aid in compaction and also aiding in maneuverability by providing a "floating" effect.

Abstract: A grass cutter carriage is set forth wherein a conventional lawn mower is securable within an adjustable rectangular framework. A pair of laterally positioned wheels to said framework are pivotally mounted wherein the noted wheel height locations can be readily changed through the use of a unique hinged support. The intent of this improved design carriage is to extend the use of existing commercially available rotary grass mowers to enable their use to cut tall grass, weeds and other vegetation in open rock strewn field with terrain not compatible to existing rotary grass lawn mowers.In addition, the carriage is configured to accommodate a wide range of mower and mower wheel sizes without demanding modification of the existing mowers.

Abstract: A ducted cover grass collection system for a lawn mower includes a hopper with a front end having an inlet, a rear end having an outlet and an open upper end, a deflector hood located at the front end to partially cover the open upper end, and a lid covering the remainder of the open upper end, the lid having a duct open at a front end and having a rear end in communication with the outlet so that a flow of clippings and air is introduced through the inlet and projected generally horizontally toward the rear end of the hopper, so that the clippings settle to the bottom of the hopper, after which the air is directed back toward the deflector hood, through the duct and is discharged via the outlet. An air flow indicator located in the hopper lid pivots when the air flow in the duct decreases, signaling that the hopper is filled with clippings.

Abstract: A worm mower for cutting stalk material of any kind is provided, which has a mowing worm, which turns at a high circumferential velocity, and angle of inclination smaller than the angle of friction (glide angle) of the material to be cut, and wherein the circumference of the worm is provided in the axial direction with a continuous cutting surface, which runs parallel to or inclined toward the worm axis, or is stepped with respect thereto.

Abstract: An advanced dynamic impact extension module, used to protect occupants of vehicles from the adverse effects of extremely rapid deacceleration of a vehicle when the vehicle impacts an end of a concrete barrier wall is disclosed. According to the invention, a barrier wall is provided which has a structural concrete base and a channel portion adaptable to receive low strength reinforced concrete modules. The concrete modules are composed of three layers of crushable material of varying strengths. The first or lowest layer is composed of semi-crushable, higher strength concrete and which is adaptable to secure reinforcement and S-beam connectors. The second layer is lower strength material and the top layer is intermediate strength material. The second and top layer keep an impacting vehicle down and prevent ramping. The modules are arranged linearly beginning at a front end closest to the path of an oncoming vehicle and proceeding toward a back end proximate a roadside obstacle.

Abstract: An improved grass mower and attachment which employs a sling for holding a disposable bag is disclosed. The sling is open to one side so that full bags can be unloaded without lifting. The sling is mounted to a frame which receives the margin of the bag and this frame is mounted so that it can both pivot downward (when unlatched) and slide rearward relative to a housing from which clippings are delivered to the bag during grass cutting. When the bag is desired to be unloaded, the frame is unlatched and the sling, which is otherwise held above the ground, pivots its open side down to the ground. The housing can slide from over the frame by advancing the mower. The filled bag can be then tied and rolled out of the sling onto the ground without lifting it. A new bag can be fitted to the frame, inside the sling, and the lightweight frame, sling and empty bag returned and relatched under the housing and the mower used to fill the new bag.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting a four-track slip form paver into an improved three-track slip form paver for applying a continuous slab of concrete onto a road surface and against a vertical abutment adjacent the road surface.

Abstract: A drainage system for location adjacent a pavement subbase includes a tube of a geotextile fabric supported by a self-sustaining water-porous plastic support. An end of the fabric tube and its encased support are compressively received in the flared open end of an outlet connected to a conventional drainpipe. The outlet includes a plurality of projections which trap the fabric tube between the support and the outlet, so as to securely retain it therein. The outlet also preferably includes a plurality of circular beads over which a corrugated drain tube can be frictionally slipped. Alternatively, the outlet can be configured as a flat union or T-shaped junction joining one or more upstream fabric tube-and-support filters with a downstream outlet constructed from an identical fabric tube and support. The downstream outlet can also be in the form of a union for connecting two or more upstream fabric tube-and-support filters in addition to having means for connecting to a drainpipe or the like.