Abstract: A boot assembly used with a Joint assembly has an elastomeric boot and an annularly shaped retainer ring. The elastomeric boot is approximately cup shaped and has an axis with a cavity therealong. A substantially coaxial first aperture at a base portion of the boot opens to the cavity. The retainer ring is substantially concentric with the first aperture of the boot and is secured to the boot at the base portion. The retainer ring has a plurality of radially inwardly extending fingers. Each finger has a finger aperture therethrough reducing a bending strength of the finger in response to an axial force thereagainst.

Abstract: A solderless fuel tank filler neck joint including a resilient seal interposed between a flanged opening in the fuel tank and a filler pipe. The seal is compressed between the filler neck and the flange by mechanical deformation of the pipe after it is inserted through the flanged opening. Mechanical deformation pulls the seal into a mating pocket surrounding the opening compressing an annular bead formed on the seal thereby providing a resilient secure leak tight joint.

Abstract: A linear in-line safety shackle device includes a first connecting member engaging a first cable, a second connecting member engaging a second cable, and a device for releasibly securing the first connecting member with the second connecting member. Further provided is at least one safety cable which prevents premature complete separation of the first connecting member from the second connecting member.

Abstract: A hinge for articulatable elements, particularly for a frame element of modular furniture, includes two articulation elements of identical semi-S-shaped profile placed in converse relative position to one another. The respective external lateral surfaces of the elements are placed in an abutting relation so as to allow movement of the elements during installation. The semi-S-shaped profile of the elements includes a convex portion traversed by a bore, and a concave portion. At least one structure is provided for fixing the elements to an upright. The hinge also includes two locking rods, each rod having two bosses. The locking rods are placed on opposing front and back surfaces of the elements so that each of their respective bosses are placed in the respective bores of the two elements. The bosses are additionally traversed by assemblies for receiving a clamping device.

Abstract: A degree of adjustability is achieved by securing an end of a bow limb within a bow limb pocket. The bow limb pockets are secured to opposite ends of a handle member. The bow limb pockets are adjustable in a direction transverse and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle member for fine lateral adjustment of the bow pulleys with respect to the handle member. A series of grooves parallel to each other are cut in opposite ends of the handle member with complementary shaped grooves located on a rear surface of each of the two pocket members. The grooves of the handle member and the bow limb pockets extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle member when the handle member and bow limb pockets are assembled together. The grooves mate with one another at which point a bolt is driven through the bow limb pocket into one end of the handle member. A bow limb is then secured to the bow limb pocket and the compound bow may then be strung.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compression joint for reinforcement and support over bent tubular components. According to the invention, a first sleeve (5) is applied around the bent tubular component, the inner surface (10) of the first sleeve being formed to fit closely around the tube at the point of reinforcement. This sleeve (5) is divided into at least two parts along axial sections and has an outer, substantially rotationally symmetrical surface (11). Around this sleeve (5), a second sleeve (9) with an inner rotationally symmetrical surface is arranged. The outer surface of this second sleeve (9) is adapted to receive a winding (14, 15) comprising several layers of strip or wire of memory metal.

Abstract: A fitting, particularly a fitting for connecting plates, includes a connecting member insertable into a cup-shaped recess. A tightening screw is rotatably mounted in the cup-shaped insert and extends obliquely relative to the direction of insertion of the connecting member into the cup-shaped insert. The tightening screw has a front end which acts on a front inner edge of a recess provided in the connecting member. The tightening screw is mounted with a slight play in the cup-shaped insert. The front edge of the connecting member has an inclined abutting surface for the tightening screw.

Abstract: The working depth of obliquely angled disc gangs on the implement can be readily adjusted from the tractor seat with a single hydraulic cylinder through the use of mechanical linkage that couples the hydraulic cylinder with all of the disc gangs for simultaneous movement. Special pivots that join the gangs to the main frame permit the gangs to be manually angled adjusted without affecting depth, and vice-versa, while quick-release locks securely hold the gangs in their selected angular positions yet permit rapid adjustment.

Abstract: A pair of coulter units arranged in a staggered relationship, each coulter unit having an upstanding shank of a height to place the shanks below a tool bar, a single, relatively flat plate disposed on a diagonal to support both shanks, and a single upstanding support member secured to the plate for mounting on the tool bar.

Abstract: A deep root tree and shrub fertilizer stake driver comprising an elongated tube having a hollow circular configuration and having an upper end and a lower end, a plurality of axial slots formed in the tube extending upwardly from the lower end thereof and a rigid rod having an upper end and a lower end slidably positionable within the tube of a slightly longer length as the tube.

Abstract: An off-highway vehicle having an earth moving implement has a tilt function associated with the implement. For example, a bulldozer has a tilt function associated with the bulldozer blade. The vehicle has a processor adapted to receive a position signal from a position sensor associated with the tilt function of the implement. The operator engages a switch to activate an automatic tilt function. A selector switch is provided so that the operator can select between a plurality of pre-set blade angles. The selector switch outputs a target position signal associated with a pre-set angle to the processor. The processor automatically calculates a command signal for the tilt function based on the difference between the position signal and the target position signal. The processor issues the command signal to the tilt function causing the tilt function to move the implement to the pre-set angle associated with the switch position.

Abstract: A road crash barrier including a wooden rail (1), which may be formed of horizontal rail elements (3) assembled end to end, supported by posts (2). The rail (1) is covered over a portion of its surface by elongate plane rectangular plates (5) of small section which are fixed against a surface of the rail (1) facing away from the road traffic axis (13). The rectangular plates lie in the horizontal plane that includes the axis of the rail, and may include one or more deformation zones formed by a fold in the plate. At ends of the rectangular plates (5) are holes through which bolts (9) pass to fix a plate to an adjacent coupling plate, and the associated wooden element (3). At least one end of some of the plates have elongate shape holes (12).

Abstract: A novel bushing for use with industrial equipment such as a gear box is disclosed as being particularly adapted for long time usage in an adverse corrosive environment, such as salt water. The bushing is coated on all exposed surfaces with a fluorocarbon poller which is tough, resilient and is unaffected by the harsh environment. Preferably, the fluorocarbon is a polytetrafluoroethylene, and if applied as a first layer directly to the metal bushing, also includes a thermoset binder material such as a phenolic. Top or outer coatings may also be applied and such coatings do not contain a binder. A mechanical advantage is provided for assembly and disassembly as well as protection for the element.

Abstract: A tractor-drawn seed sowing apparatus including a seed sower which travels on a ground surface while furrowing with furrow-cutting claw wheels, a power transmitter connected to a tractor so as to transmit a driving force of the tractor to the seed sower, and a coupler which connects the seed sower to the power transmitter, and the coupler is made of vertically and horizontally arranged linkages so that the seed sower can make up-and-down, pitching, rolling and yawing motions on irregular ground surfaces.

Abstract: A general purpose sand anchor, including: a paddle shaped anchor base, curved like the face of a spade shovel, for use as a hand-held shovel for digging the hole into which it will be placed; a line, with one end joined to the anchor base at the center of its wider part and the other end joined to the anchor base at the end of its narrower part; a hook, which attaches to an object to be secured, joined to the line at a point above its connection to the center of the wider part of the anchor base; and a handle, which is used to remove the anchor base from the sand, joined to the line at a point above its connection to the end of the narrower part of the anchor base.

Abstract: An automatic drive control system for a bulldozer comprising a digging start detector for detecting that the bulldozer is in a digging start position, a digging end detector for detecting that the bulldozer is in a digging end position, a driving direction detector for detecting the momentarily varying driving direction of the bulldozer, and a drive controller for shifting a transmission into a forward gear when the digging start detector detects that the bulldozer is presently in the digging start position; shifting the transmission into a reverse gear when the digging end detector detects that the bulldozer is presently in the digging end position; and controlling the bulldozer such that the driving direction detected by the driving direction detector is made coincident with a target driving direction when the bulldozer is moving from the digging start position towards the digging end position.

Abstract: A control system for automatically controlling a work implement of an excavating machine through a machine work cycle is disclosed. The work implement includes a boom, stick and bucket, each being controllably actuated by at least one respective hydraulic cylinder. A position sensor produces respective position signals in response to the respective position of the boom, stick and bucket. A pressure sensor produces respective pressure signals in response to the associated hydraulic pressures associated with the boom, stick, and bucket hydraulic cylinders. A microprocessor receives the position and pressure signals, and produces a command signal. An electrohydraulic system receives the command signal and controllably actuates predetermined ones of the hydraulic cylinders to perform the work cycle.

Abstract: A planter includes a pair of toothed wheels which sweep mulch away from the path followed by furrow opening discs. The sweeper wheels are carried on the trailing end of a parallel bar linkage attached to a tool bar by which the planter is pulled. As a result of the parallel bar linkage, the sweeper wheels may float upwardly and downwardly independently of the planter frame in order to conform to uneven ground. A spring acts on the parallel bar linkage and may be adjusted either to press the wheels downwardly into the ground if the mulch is hard and dense or to urge the wheels upwardly and relieve some of the weight of the wheels from the ground if the mulch is loose and the underlying soil is relatively fine.

Abstract: A telescoping assembly especially suited for vacuum cleaner wands includes a first tube having an outer diameter and a second tube having an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the first tube. In this way, the first tube fits within the second tube in an axially sliding manner. A collet is positioned within the second tube and encircles the first tube. The collet includes a locking element for selectively securing the first tube in relation to the second tube, the locking element cooperating with a portion of the second tube upon a rotation of the collet to prevent a telescoping movement of the first tube in relation to the second tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for deterring an undesired behavior of at least one person. The apparatus comprises a projectile having an exterior that will not cause serious injury to a person. An actuatable launcher supports the projectile and propels the projectile in response to being actuated. A spool is mounted on the projectile or launcher. Line is wound on the spool. The line has an end portion operably connected with the launcher and another end portion operably connected with the projectile. The spool is positioned so the line is pulled from the spool after the projectile is propelled.A method of crowd management comprises the steps of providing a plurality of projectiles. Each of the projectiles has an exterior that will not cause serious injury to a member of the crowd. A plurality of actuatable launchers is provided. Each of the launchers is capable of supporting at least one projectile and upon actuation propels the projectile along a desired path. A spool is attached with each of the projectiles or a launcher.