Abstract: A reduced resistance bead seal is integrally formed on a mounting surface of one of two matingly engageable members to form a leak-free seal between the two members despite any eccentricity or angular variances between the two members. In one embodiment, the reduced resistance bead is formed on an inner conical flange of an inverted flared end of a hollow fluid conduit. The bead may also be formed on the outer end flange of an ISO end flare. The bead presents a deformable surface as a fitting urges the flared end of the conduit into engagement with a conical seat in a receiver where eccentricity or angular variances exist between the flared end of the conduit and the conical seat. A unique method and a unique forming tool are used to form the reduced resistance bead in the flared end of the conduit simultaneously with the flaring of the end of the conduit.

Abstract: A hitching arrangement for attaching a mower deck to a propelling vehicle has a lift shaft rotatably supported by the mower deck and extending transversely across the deck. At least one hitch arm is fixedly secured on one end to the lift shaft. The hitch arm has a hook located on its other end with a downwardly facing opening adopted for engagement with a generally horizontally disposed attaching member on the propelling vehicle. A cutting height adjustment mechanism is operably coupled to the lift shaft and adjusts the cutting height of the mower. The adjustment mechanism has a first position corresponding to an elevated cutting height of the mower deck and a second position corresponding to a lowered cutting height of the deck. A deck stand is provided which is releasably attached to the deck.

Abstract: A coupler for securing at least one pipe having a planar end. A hollow rigid coupler shell and a rigid tube stiffener are secured in the shell by a hub member, the stiffener having an external diameter less than an internal diameter of the pipe. The hub member has an internal diameter less than an external diameter of the pipe, the hub member having at least one tubular extension which will engage the pipe planar end. The coupler shell has a narrowing internal portion with a separate straight internal portion. At least one hollow follower is provided in the coupler shell straight portion adjacent the hub member tubular extension and at least one flexible hollow boot is movably retained within the coupler shell internal straight and narrowing portions, with a plurality of serrations being provided on an interior surface of the boot.

Abstract: A farm machine, and a connecting and transmission device for a farm machine are provided in which the farm machine possesses various degrees of freedom with respect to a tractor vehicle. The connecting assembly includes a tow-bar having a primary tow-bar connected to two lower bars of a tractor hitching device, and a secondary tow-bar connected to a body which is equipped with work elements. A connecting and transmission device links the primary tow-bar to the secondary tow-bar. The assembly and connecting arrangements of the assembly provide a great range of mobility with respect to an axis extending approximately in the direction of advance, with the connecting and transmission device improved from a standpoint of the transmission of forces, with the primary tow-bar connected to the front and to the back of the connecting and transmission device.

Abstract: A universal non-threaded pipe connector system for connecting multiple types of conduit, tubing, hose, and pipe comprising a first tubular member for a fluid, at least one raised surface on the tubular member substantially perpendicular to the axis of connection of the first tubular member; a second tubular member having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the at least one raised surface on the first tubular member substantially perpendicular to the axis of connection for receiving the first tubular member and the at least one raised surface on the tubular member, at least one seal between the one raised surface on the first tubular member and the second tubular member forming a seal there between and a member for controlled compression of the seal between the second tubular member and the at least one raised surface on the first tubular member and for connecting the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: A quick connect tube coupling is configured for use with unstepped bores in conventional fittings, valves, manifolds and similar devices. The coupling includes a tubular tube support which has structure thereon for positively coupling with a brass sleeve which is utilized to retain the coupling in the bore. The tubular tube support further includes a stepped portion which locates a primary O-ring seal for sealing directly with a tube connected by the coupling and a secondary O-ring seal which seals with the wall of the bore. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the tube support is molded of plastic and is polygonal in cross-section.

Abstract: A rough terrain hydraulic mower, with dual blades, attached in a non-rigid manner to a backhoe boom mounted on the towing tractor by way of a three point hitch arrangement.

Abstract: A flexible joint for an automobile exhaust system includes a flexible bellows for sealing the communication between the engine and the tail pipe with first and second flanges fixed to the respective members and interconnected by coupling shafts that are fixed at one end to one of the flanges and passed loosely through the other flange whereby compression springs that surround the coupling shafts serve together with the bellows to provide support capable of accommodating relative axial and angular deflections between the members. One of the flanges is so configured and disposed with respect to the bellows as to limit the amount of angular deflection imposed on the bellows. Damping sleeves composed of compressed wire mesh material operate to dampen vibrations imposed on the joint.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting one size of nozzle with a blower tip of varying sizes has a plurality of springs spaced there around. Each spring has straight portions resiliently urged towards the blower tip. At the entrance end of the adapter, the springs are sloped or tapered so the blower tip will gradually flex the springs towards the wall of the adapter. The springs may be solid, like leaf springs, or may be formed of wire; and, the springs may be made of polymeric material, metal or other elastic materials. In other embodiments, the springs may be fixed to the male member for receiving a female member thereon; and, the male or female member may have a slope rather than the springs. The spring members may have two straight portions parallel to each other, or only one straight portion.

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 mechanical coupling device for connecting together two aligned fiberglass reinforced plastic duct sections, each having a terminal end portion of equal diameter, so as to form a leak proof joint that is resistant to fire and also chemical corrosion from gases and/or condensate within the duct sections is disclosed. The device comprises elements that cover and seal the terminal end portion of each said duct section; a central gasket member that covers the end elements and extends around the terminal end portions of the duct sections; a flexible metal sleeve member that surrounds the central gasket member; and tightening devices on the sleeve which compress the central gasket member and hold the aligned adjoining duct sections together to provide a leak-proof joint. The tightening devices are spring driven so that if the bulk of the gasket member is reduced due to fire, the sleeve will maintain a firm non-slip hold on the duct joint.

Abstract: A connection is formed by a cylindrical body and a cylindrical orifice. The cylindrical body includes axial ring rims for the locking therein of a conical rim of an insert tube. The cylindrical body has triangular and trapezoidal annular reliefs for fitting the cylindrical body into the cylindrical orifice, under pressure, for the flow of brake fluid therethrough. The cylindrical body accepts the insertion of an O-ring and a sleeve with a grip which snap around a brake fluid tube inserted over the insert tube. The body is equipped with annular reliefs forming a groove where the conical rim of the insert tube is inserted after receiving a downward upper axial thrust from a press to allow the use of the insert tube in connections for brake systems with cartridge, compression type and threaded type fastening. The insert tube maintains a fixed, but non-rigid connection, so as not to suffer damages during the side to side insertion and withdrawal process for brake fluid tubes.

Abstract: A hose-coupler made up of a just one component having a main housing section with a female end and a male end. The second female end of the coupler is formed with interior threads, for receiving therein a portion of the male end of the second hose. The main housing section has a compressible portion adjacent to the first male end thereof all the way to the end of the female end. The compressible portion is provided by a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart linear slots for forming a plurality of clamping jaws or elements, so that, when these clamping jaws are compressed toward each other, the interior threads of the female end of the coupler is forced into locking, threaded engagement with the exterior threads of the male end of the second hose telescopingly received therein. In order to compress the clamping jaws, there is provided a collet rotatably-mounted about the main housing's compressible section.

Abstract: A screw-threaded connection incorporates multiple synchronized threads, that is, one connection element has one or more sets of male threads that mates with one or more corresponding sets of female threads on the mating connection element, in customary fashion. Of course, the multiple sets of threads on the mating connection element are synchronized such that their leads are the same, and, of course, the same as the sets of mating multiple synchronized threads. This multiple synchronized thread connection has application to any fluid connector and particularly to fluid connectors in wide-variant temperature deviation, high-pressure, and/or mechanical vibration environments.

Abstract: In a tube coupling a resilient sealing boot is disposed between facing frusto-conical sealing surfaces to prevent fluid flow therebetween. A first tube is provided an external frusto-conical sealing surface and an outer cylindrical surface adjoining the external sealing surface, and a second tube is provided an internal frusto-conical sealing surface within an end thereof. The sealing boot is preferably formed entirely of a flexible graphite material to include a cylindrical collar that fits over the outer cylindrical surface of the first tube, and a skirt having one or more integral O-rings which engage one or both of the facing frusto-conical sealing surfaces as the ends of the first and second tubes are drawn together.

Abstract: A mounting clamp for mounting a power supply to a thermal freight container wherein a stop is employed for insertion into the ISO castings of the thermal freight container and for clamping the power supply to the thermal freight container. A shaft with the stop attached on one end is supported by a base such that the shaft may rotate around and move along its longitudinal axis. A handle is attached to the shaft such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate which in turn causes the stop to rotate. A locking device is provided to engage the handle for locking the rotational movement of the handle in either a clamp or unclamp position. A fastening device cooperates with the shaft such that it controls the shaft's movement along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A dual containment fitting comprises an intermediate annular body having a bore therethrough and an outside surface including a nose portion at one end and a threaded portion adjacent the nose portion. The bore includes a threaded portion opposite the nose portion, a collar adjacent the threaded portion, a sleeve adjacent the collar, and an annular shoulder between the sleeve and collar. An annular fitting body has a bore therethrough and an outside surface including a nose portion at one end that is inserted into a flared end portion of an inner tube, and a threaded portion adjacent the nose portion. The nose portion of the fitting body is inserted within the intermediate body bore and is threadably engaged with the intermediate body bore about respective threaded portions, compressively engaging the flared end between the nose portion and the annular shoulder to form a first attachment fitting.

Abstract: A gang mower for garden tractors includes a frame, a hitch and either three, five or seven reel-type mower units attached to the frame. The frame is attached to each of the mower units higher than the rear roller axis of the mower unit, lower than the forward wheel axis of the mower unit and a sufficient distance away from the forward axis that a majority of the frame's weight is supported by the rollers rather than the forward wheels of the reel-type mowers. In action, the frame pushes the reel-type mowers forward when the frame is pulled forward by a garden tractor. The attachment and distribution of weight assures that the rear rollers of each of the individual mower units is always in contact with the ground. At the same time, the forward drive wheels are leveraged downward in order to insure sufficient friction to turn the mower blades without the inclusion of unnecessary and undesirable weight.

Abstract: A tubular drill pipe having a pin connector at one end and a box connector at the other end has each connector adapted to mate with a connector similar to that at the opposite end of the pipe--but on another pipe, to form a tool joint. The connectors are of the type having two pair of axially abutting make-up faces: a primary annular shoulder formed at the inner end of the base of the pin connector, which mates with the end face of the box connector to form a first such pair; and an internal secondary shoulder at the inner extremity of the base of the box connector which abuts the end of an outermost nose section of the pin connector.

Abstract: A pipe coupler for use in fire sprinkler systems is of generally cylindrical shape. The coupler carries locking springs to engage grooves carried on the ends of the sprinkler pipes. The coupler also carries seal rings to provide for leak proof coupling. The locking springs are carried in grooves which have sidewalls which are perpendicular to the inner surface of the coupler. The corresponding grooves on the pipes also have sidewalls which are perpendicular to the exterior surface of the pipe.