Abstract: The apparatus includes a first protection sleeve element having a substantially radially upturned annular end portion, a second protection sleeve element having also a substantially radially upturned end portion and a bellows. The bellows ends at both sides in a neck. A cylinder shaped portion of the first protection sleeve element is surrounded by an envelope part having a cylinder shaped portion and a substantially radially upturned annular end portion. Likewise, a cylinder shaped portion of the second portion sleeve element is surrounded by an envelope part having a cylinder shaped portion and a substantially radially upturned annular end portion. The necks of the bellows are sandwiched between the cylinder shaped portions of the respective envelope parts and the first protection sleeve element and the second protection sleeve element and are welded thereto.

Abstract: A coupling (10) for connecting hoses or other conduits carrying refrigerant material in an automobile air conditioning system has a male end (12) and a female end (14). The male end has an extending portion (26) which is accepted into an aperture (50) in the female end when the coupling ends are connected. A pair of o-aring seals (34), seal the ends in fluid tight engagement when they are connected. Finger portions (24) on legs (22) of a leaf spring (20) mounted on the male end, engage steps (68) on the female end to hold the coupling ends together when engaged. The legs nest in slots (64) to prevent relative rotation of the coupling ends. Tapered portions (66) of the slots provide for ease of engagement of the coupling ends. The legs of the leaf spring are biased apart as the coupling ends are pushed together until the finger portions engage the steps. Disengagement is achieved by spreading the legs of the leaf spring with a special tool (72) and separating the coupling end.

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: A unique chute construction for a grass cutting mower which directs cut grass being ejected by its rotating blades through an opening in a hood surrounding its blades out of the mower in an upward fan-shaped pattern away from the mower and thereby preventing undesired clumping of the ejected grass when it hits the ground. The top portion of the hood that is adjacent to and which form an outer edge of the opening in the hood is tapered in an upward direction to form an upper first portion of the chute. A second portion of the chute forms an inside portion that employs a plate that is positioned beneath and in spaced apart relationship with the first portion and has the same taper as the first portion of the chute. The addition of this chute eliminates the need for an operator of a mower to take a second, time-consuming cut of the same grass in order to eliminate the clumps of grass that are generated by conventional mowers that do not have such a chute.

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 joint for brazing includes a male member having an external surface and a female receptacle having an internal surface. The external surface is positionable in face-to-face relationship with the internal surface when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle. A self-fixturing surface is provided on at least one of the male member and the female receptacle for centering the male member with respect to the female receptacle when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle and to provide substantially equal clearance between and around the male member and the female receptacle for proper capillary attraction of the metallic intermediate bonding material or filler alloy during brazing. The filler alloy is drawn by capillary attraction into the space between the meeting faces defined by the external surface of the male element and the internal surface of the female receptacle.

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: 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 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: 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 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.