Abstract: A flow-training structure for use in rivers and streams to minimize bank erosion, and to control bed degradation and aggradation. The structure consists of single vanes or arrays of vanes of a particular double-curved design. The vanes are installed in the river bed in designed arrays to produce changes in the local directions of the near-bed velocity, without changing the sediment-transport or flow-conveyance capacities of the channel.

Abstract: A clay or similar pipe has a coupling socket at one end formed by a shrink-fitted plastics sleeve. A sealing ring or band is interposed between the sleeve and the pipe surface. External compression is applied to the plastics sleeve over the sealing member during shrinkage of the sleeve. This compresses the sealing member and ensures reliable sealing without requiring the use of an additional bonding or sealing composition.Alternatively or additionally, a shrink-fitted plastics socket on a claywear or similar pipe end may have a region spaced from the pipe end, provided with a seal ring, and not subjected to shrink-fitting. The seal ring provides a secondary seal.

Abstract: A method and tool for a cutting locking tab 56 of a selected configuration on a joint (a pin (12a) and box (16a) threaded together). The pin has longitudinal slot(s) 24a and the box (16a) has inner and outer peripheral grooves (44,46) forming shear lines (50) to enhance the shearing to form the locking tab (56).The essential feature is the elimination of clocking, i.e., a predetermination of the relative orientation of the box and pin during manufacture.

Abstract: A utility connection bar (30) dimensioned to extend between a gas supply line (42) and a customer gas line (44) of a conventional gas connection (41) is formed of molded plastic and has a bar (36) extending between threaded ends (32) and (34). The plastic bar (36) and the ends (32) and (34) have a plurality of channels (38) which extend the length of the connection bar. A pair of 1/4 inch diameter holes (40) extend through the plastic bar (36) near the threaded ends (32) and (34). The combination of the channels (38) and the holes (40) makes it very difficult to form a gas flow path between the threaded ends (32) and (34) without altering the external appearance of the connection bar (30). In a utility connection bar (70), channels (86, 92) extend vertically between bottom (88) and top (90) of plastic bar (72).

Abstract: The invention is a suspension system for a vehicle seat with structural features allowing the suspension to be contained within the confined space available in recreational vehicles and light trucks. The invention includes a generally horizontal moveable platform pivotally attached at one end to a side of a seat frame. An air spring and shock absorber are mounted between the frame and the bottom of the seat to resiliently bias and damp the platform and therefore the occupant's vertical movement. The pivotal attachment is as far as possible from the center of the seat to permit maximum movement of the platform in an arc which closely approximates a straight, substantially vertical line. Means for automatically adjusting the suspension for occupants of different weights is included.

Abstract: A fitting for connecting a plurality of plumbing conduits includes an elongated, hollow body having first and second ends. The body is formed as a single piece, and defines a generally smooth outer surface having opposed side walls and an inner central passageway extending from the first end to the second end. The central passageway defines at the first end an inlet opening having a circular cross section, and is closed at the second end. The body further defines a plurality of branch passageways formed in a spaced relationship through the opposed side walls of the outer surface. Each of the branch passageways opens through a projection formed in the outer surface at an outlet opening having a circular cross section and opens into said central passageway. The branch passageways are arranged symmetrically along the central passageway, and each is inclined at an angle of 135.degree. with respect to the inlet end of the central passageway.

Abstract: A ball throwing device comprising a pusher (16) operatively associated with a striker (12) through a timing mechanism (21) which incorporates a crank (22) set on a drive axle (23) and linked to the pusher (16). The crank (22) is adapted to rotate together with the drive axle (23) at the same speed, and also at a speed higher than the axle speed when the pusher (16) causes the ball (6) to move to the stroke position. Respective projections (31, 32) are provided on the drive axle (23) and on the crank (22), adapted to interact with each other. Such a projection (33) is also formed on the striker (12), while a yoke (36) is fixed stationary on the casing of the drive (24) and a spring-actuated stop (34) is made on the crank (22), the stop being adapted to interact with the striker projection (33) and with the yoke (36).

Abstract: A device is disclosed for coupling a drainpipe to a recreational vehicle discharge pipe fitting of the type having a terminal end portion with circular periphery and a plurality of locking pins extending outward radially from the periphery. The device employs a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. A drainpipe end portion of the tubular member terminating at the distal end has a complementary shape and size adapted to engage threadably an end of a corrugated drainpipe, while a fitting end portion of the tubular member terminating at the proximal end has a complementary shape and size adapted to engage telescopically a terminal end portion of the discharge pipe fitting.

Abstract: The collet-type connector (10) comprising an upper body member (20) having a plurality of collet segments (52), a cam ring (64) movable relative to the upper body member (20) to move said collet segments (52) into a detachable connection of the connector to a subsea wellhead (14, 14a). The cam ring (64) and collet segments (52) have sets of camming surfaces whereby a first set (86, 92) cooperate to pivot the collet segments (52) initially toward the wellhead (14, 14a) and whereby a second set (96, 104) serves to urge the collet segments (52) further to clamp the connector (10) to the subsea wellhead (14, 14a). When the second set (96, 104) of camming surfaces function, the first set (86, 92) no longer function to rotate the collet segments, thus reducing the power requirement for urging the collet segments (52) into clamping engagement to only one set at a time, even though both sets together serve to aid in holding the collet segments in clamping engagement with the wellhead after final engagement.

Abstract: A rock cavity for storing fluids, solid products for some other purpose, such as the protected manufacture or production of goods, comprising a substantially vertical, cylindrical rock cavity comprising a conical top section (14), and a conical or horizontal bottom section (15) and a vertical section (1) extending therebetween and presenting in cross-section a polygonal shape, wherewith vertical shafts (11) are located in at least half the corners of the polygon.

Abstract: A pivotally unfoldable clamping shell for releasably embracing and clamping parts to one another, includes two one-piece strip members which define respective half-shell regions, each having first and second ends; a center line is defined between the first and second strip member ends. A hinge member pivotally connects the strip members near the first ends thereof, and each second end of a corresponding strip member is bent so as to form a flange extending substantially parallel to the center line. Each strip member includes two strip elements juxtaposed with one another in a corresponding half-shell and flange region thereof, and the hinge member includes first and second lugs; at least one lug is formed by the strip elements of a corresponding strip member being connected to one another.

Abstract: A stool comprising hub means, seat leg members attached to the hub means and support leg members attached to the hub means. Seat means interconnect the seat leg members.

Abstract: A cross piping for a header in a boiling water reactor has a main pipe coaxially connected to a center branch pipe at a cross portion. A plurality of transversely extending branch pipes also connect to this cross portion. The cross portion has a reduced diameter with respect to the main distributor pipe. In one embodiment, the cross portion is in the shape of a hemisphere having a radius equal to that of the main distributor pipe, the center of the hemispherical surface being positioned adjacent an upstream intersection of the main distributor pipe axis and an extension of the circumferential surfaces of the branch pipes. In another embodiment, the cross portion has a throttle portion which is either a flat surface or a curved surface.

Abstract: A highly-resilient shaft coupling includes a hub for rotating about a longitudinal axis, a drive ring, a resilient ring assembly including two axially-continuous circular ring parts bearing radially on the hub. Each ring part includes elastomeric ring sectors and ring sector plates adhered to opposite axial ends of each elastomeric ring sector. An elastomeric ring sector of one circular ring part spans parts of two elastomeric ring sectors of the other ring part. A drive ring drivingly interconnects the hub and the resilient ring assembly at one axial end thereof. Fastener means secure together the ring sector plates at one axial end of each of the two circular ring parts, in a confronting relation. Passageways for cooling air extend between the ring sectors which are secure together. A coupling part is secured to one of the ring sectors at the end which is opposite the drive ring.

Abstract: A tapping sleeve or service clamp has first and second semi-cylindrical sleeve members that fit around a pipe having a side opening, one sleeve member with a fixed side branch which is aligned with said opening. The sleeve member has lug members at opposite ends which are drawn together by bolts. The sleeve member with the side branch has a first inner liner gasket having end portions extending well beyond its straight end edges that are fully tapered to a feather edge and armour strips that located under the lugs when the sleeve members are around the pipe. A second inner liner gasket is provided for the second sleeve member and has tapered end portions that terminate at opposite straight end edges of the second sleeve member with a substantial thickness only somewhat less than the nominal thickness of the second gasket.

Abstract: An automatic clay target feeder attachment that can be attached to a clay target trap shooting machine that will self-load the trap shooting machine without need of manual assistance within the forward trap pit on the shooting range. Such feeder attachment can be selectively set to drop onto the flinger arm of the trap shooting machine either two targets or but one target at a time including means that will move the dropped targets outwardly along the flinger arm preparatory to the release of the flinger arm by the shooter's referee upon the shoot being made by the trap shooters. The operation of the attachment to load the flinger arm with targets is done in response to actuation of the trap machine and the release of its flinger arm.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement comprising first and second telescoping connecting components which, when telescopingly engaged, are locked by a locking device attached to one of the components and introduced into a first recess in the other component to place the coupling in a first locking position with incomplete sealing and then into a fully connected, locked and sealed position with the locking device introduced into a second recess in the other component.

Abstract: In a rack and pinion power steering apparatus including a hydraulic cylinder housing, a pinion, a rack, a piston, a bolt for mounting the piston to the rack, etc., the rack is formed at one end thereof with a boss portion having a threaded portion which is formed with large inner diameter cylindrical cavity between the boss portion and the bolt in such a way that the female thread extends from a position radially corresponding to near the middle of the boss axial length or near the end surface of the rack to the bottom of the threaded portion. Therefore, it is possible to concentrate a load applied to the piston due to difference in pressure between two chambers to the relatively thick rack, not to the relatively thin boss portion, thus improving the mechanical strength of the steering apparatus without increasing the size or volume thereof.

Abstract: A coupling for rapidly and detachably connecting a conduit pipe or hose to an opening is disclosed provided with an inner sleeve having a flange on at least one end, an outer sleeve capable of moving with little play about the inner sleeve, a groove for a flexible sealing member between the coupling and the opening to be connected as well as clamping means for the relative axial movement of inner and outer sleeve and for pressing the sealing member tightly into the opening, whereby the inner sleeve is provided near the flange with an inclined ascending face which can mate with a corresponding ascending face at the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve being furnished with a groove arranged all around it for accommodating a sealing ring, while at least the part of the outer sleeve in the zone of the nest for the sealing ring is capable of flexible radial expansion, in such a way that, upon the ascending face of the outer sleeve being pressed against the ascending face at the inner sleeve under the action of the clamp

Abstract: The invention, of toggle principle to hold and join two tubes or shafts, has 3 main parts, which do not wear, have great strength which can be increased by increasing the width of its 3 parts, which can be attached together by adhesive and two flexible rubber strips. It can be dynamically balanced to connect rotating shafts. It can be self-adjustable when its band is corrugated spring steel. It has many advantages and is suitable for many more applications than conventional clamps. It is a universal clamp, simple, easy to manufacture, economical, and can be used over and over again.