Abstract: The present invention involves a flexible annular member passing through a wall opening. The flexible annular member is positioned about a conduit passing through the wall opening to enable the conduit to pass through the wall at an angle up to and even greater than 30.degree.. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a flange type riser and base connection involving the location of the entire sealing assembly within a chamber base/riser section.

Abstract: A coupling device especially adapted for the joining of polyethylene underground irrigation hoses, having a female portion, a male portion and a lock cap, the female portion having a threaded nipple for insertion into a hose end, the male portion likewise having a threaded nipple for insertion into a second hose end and several lugs that fit into grooves in the lock cap, enabling the male portion to be pulled out of the assembly for a limited distance, for ease of fitting into difficult hose coupling situations. The presence of the lugs prevents rotation of the male portion with respect to the cap until the male portion is pulled out of the assembly far enough that the lugs are pulled past the end of the locking cap.

Abstract: A zero-turning-radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing-occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing-occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero-radius-turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned at this turning point so that the standing-occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero-radius-turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds.

Abstract: A reel for a harvesting machine includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending support arms, a plurality of axially extending bat tubes rotatably supported on the outer end portions of the support arms, a plurality of axially spaced tines, preferably made from a synthetic thermoplastic or thermosetting material, mounted on each bat tube and a spring having one end connected to each bat tube and a support carried by the reel. The spring holds the bat tube in an operating position where the tines are at a predetermined angular orientation relative to the rotational axis of the reel during normal operation. If one or more tines on one bat tube engages a plug of wet hay or other obstruction, the spring permits the bat tube to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the reel to a deflected position where the tine(s) can ride over the obstruction.

Abstract: A new capture device comprising a plurality of axially extending tangs (42) on one (10) of a pair of complementary fittings (10, 14) in a fluid coupling and a polygonal circumferential groove (20) on the other fitting (14) adapted to engage the tangs. Upon rotational engagement of the fittings the tangs (42) engage the polygonal groove (20) and "ratchet" about the junctures between the flats (22) until the coupling is tight. Although not limited to particular materials, the new capture device is particularly suited to very tough, strong and hard materials such as titanium, stainless steel and Inconel alloy because the effectiveness of the capture device is dependent upon the stiffness of the tangs (42). The new device prevents vibrational disassembly of the complementary fittings without preventing disassembly solely with wrenches. Moreover, the complementary fittings and capture device can be repeatedly assembled and disassembled without any damage to the threads (12) or capture device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a support system for thermoplastic pipe which includes two sleeves each securable to one of two pipe ends, each encompassing a portion of the pipe and having a connection member spaced apart from the pipe and interconnected between the sleeves. The system minimizes stress on the pipe and fittings associated with thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe.

Abstract: A fluid coupling bracket adaptable for snap-on engagement with a coupling base. The fluid coupling bracket has tabs that engage with an annular groove of the fluid coupling base, and a plurality of teeth that set against radially extending ledges protruding from the external surfaces of the base and adjacent to the annular groove. The bracket has an extending flange portion having various size U-shaped recesses for fixing the bracket in supporting relationship with the fluid line.

Abstract: A shear capable of cutting weeds close to the ground, without cutting grass in the presence of the weeds, is described. The shear can be implemented as a battery operated hand held device or as a shear mounted on a lawn mower. The shear operates by maintaining a spacing between the blades such that the flexible grass will only be bent between the blades. Weeds which have a thicker and stiffer shaft than the grass will be cut, thus functioning as a selective mechanical herbicide.

Abstract: A wall connector for connecting a clothes dryer air outflow duct to outside ambiant air through a building external wall. The connector includes: a rigid tubular main body, extending through and mounted into an aperture in the building wall; an inner end portion, sized to fit about the dryer air duct outer end mouthpiece in substantially air-tight fashion; and an outer end portion, of double wall construction, wherein a peripheral cavity is formed thicknesswisely of said main body, the peripheral cavity defining an end mouth opening to outside ambiant air. A hood fits against the exterior face of the building wall, and includes: an inner tubular section, releasably engaging through the peripheral cavity of the connector main body, and louvers, for preventing air inflow from ambiant air into the connector main body.

Abstract: A quick connector formed of a housing has an internal stepped bore receiving one end of a male connector with a radially enlarged angular flange. A retainer has deflectable fingers which snap into receivers formed on the housing. A cylindrical sleeve is formed on the retainer for insertion into the stepped bore in the housing and forming a bearing seal surface for the end of the male connector. Thin tabs extend from the sleeve to pressure receiving pads which are spaced apart at one end of the retainer and interconnected by arcuate shaped ring members. A finger extends angularly inward from each pad to prevent axial disengagement of the male connector from the housing until the fingers are displaced radially outward by inward pressure on the pads to clear the flange on the male connector.

Abstract: A resin hose connecting structure includes a resin hose including a hose body and a connecting portion formed coaxially and integrally with an end portion of the hose body and having an inserting inner peripheral surface, and a mating member made of structural material having a tubular inserting end portion for inserting into the connecting portion of the resin hose. The tubular inserting end portion includes a ring-shaped contacting surface and an inserting outer peripheral surface. In the hose body, at least the end portion is made of hard thermoplastic resin and is molded by a blow molding method. The connecting portion is made of soft thermoplastic resin and is molded by an injection molding method.

Abstract: A hay bale turntable for angularly rotating a rectangular jumbo size hay bale 90.degree. about its longitudnal axis while lowering the bale as it is received from a baler chamber to the surface of the earth is formed by a rigid bale support frame connected with the rearward end of a hay baler frame below the exit end of the hay baler bale chamber. A bale lowering arm frame is pivotally connected with the support frame for vertical pivoting movement toward and away from the surface of the earth. The arm frame supports a bale receiving platform having a bearing centrally interposed between the platform and the arm frame for angular rotation of the platform as the arm frame lowers it toward the surface of the earth by a fluid pressure cylinder connected with the support frame and arm frame. The cylinder is actuated for pivoting the arm frame by a fluid pressure pilot valve on the platform triggered by an overlying bale.

Abstract: A connector for delivering combustion gas to a gas fired appliance from a stationary supply line where the appliance moves toward and away from the supply line with the connector straightening and flexing between them as the appliance moves. The connector comprises a flexible hose assembly and first and second swivel fittings at respective hose assembly ends. Each swivel fitting defines a gas flow path and comprises a swivel member for communicating the connector with the appliance or the supply line. The hose assembly comprises a flexible metal hose member antitorsion fittings forming ends of the hose assembly connected to respective swivel fittings. The antitorsion fittings comprise pintle and nipple members rotatable relative to each other to prevent torsional stress in the hose member when the appliance moves relative to the supply line.

Abstract: The device for connecting a length of duct to a coupling endpiece of an apparatus or a member includes at least one tubular sleeve having two portions in axial succession, the first portion being internally fitted with components of an instant connection coupling for the end of a length of duct, the second portion including means for sealably and releasably covering the coupling endpiece, the end face of the endpiece forming an axial abutment at the end of the length engaged in the first portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: An electrically insulated fluid coupling assembly is provided having a female portion of the fluid coupling constructed of an electrically conductive material and having an elongated tubular stem. The assembly includes a fluid conduit having an inner liner constructed of an electrically insulating material or in some cases a low level conductive material surrounded by a layer constructed of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal braiding. An elastomeric covering is also provided around the metal braiding. The coupling stem is insertable into the inner layer of the conduit while a tubular ferrule constructed of an electrically conductive material is disposed around the stem as well as one end of the conduit. Furthermore, the ferrule compresses the conduit between the stem and the ferrule thus connecting the fluid coupling and conduit together.

Abstract: A tube fitting includes a tubular body, an annular clamping member, a tubular inner pipe, a releasing member, and a sealing ring. The clamping member is disposed axially movably in an axial bore of the body, and includes a claw and an outer peripheral portion. The claw has an inclined surface projecting in a centripetal direction as the inclined surface extends away from an opening of the body, and engages with an outer peripheral surface of a tube fitted into the axial bore via the opening. The outer peripheral portion contacts with a regulatory surface of the body, and is pressed in a centripetal direction thereby, and accordingly presses the claw onto the outer peripheral surface of the tube. The inner pipe is disposed in the tube coaxially with an inner peripheral surface of the tube at an end of the tube. The releasing member includes a tubular base and a leading end. The base is disposed axially movably in the axial bore on an outer side with respect to the regulatory surface.

Abstract: A branched pipe fitting, such as a pipe tee, of plastics material has structure for preferential stiffening the side regions of the fitting. In one embodiment, the stiffening structure may include ribs crossing at the side apex point of the tee but not extending across the crutch points.

Abstract: A device and a method for making a device for rotatably connecting fluid flow lines such that fluid is flowable between the fluid flow lines. The device has a male component which has a male portion and a female component which has a female portion. The male and female components each have flow line connecting mechanisms. The male portion fits within the female portion such that the male and female components are rotatable with respect to one another. The male portion has both hardened and unhardened regions and the female portion has a hardened region.

Abstract: A reusable sealed coupling for joining a first pipe having a first internal diameter adjacent a first end thereof which is substantially equal to an outer diameter of a second pipe, the coupling comprising: a coupler capable of receiving the first end of the first pipe within a first portion thereof and an end of the second pipe within a second portion thereof so that the coupler, second pipe, and first pipe achieve mutual overlap in at least one region. The first and second pipes are both set into predetermined positions with respect to the coupler and with respect to one another; and a seal between the coupler, second pipe, said first pipe is created in at least a portion of the region of mutual overlap.

Abstract: A combination self-propelled lawn mower and wheeled cart for receiving and storing mower clippings. The mower is connected to the cart by an arm which turns a vertical drive shaft centrally located within the cart. This drive shaft is, in turn, geared to an axle attached to two wheels. As the mower moves, it circles the cart, and simultaneously rotates the drive shaft, and hence the axle. The cart is thus propelled forwardly, the mower simultaneously circling or orbiting about the cart. A chute attached to the mower receives clippings, and discharges the same into a receptacle located on the cart. One manual control located on the cart disengages the motive power to the cart wheels. A second manual control disengages motive power to the mower wheels. The mower and cart each have a combination of fixed and caster wheels, to stably and smoothly negotiate terrain.