Abstract: A socket for use with a plug, having a cylindrical connector, to form a pipe coupling comprises a main cylinder provided with a cylindrical side wall for defining an axial hole, an axial extending slit formed at the side wall of the main cylinder, and a lock system for selectively locking the connecting portion of the plug. The socket further comprises an inner sleeve including a rear portion axially guided through the inner hole of the main cylinder, an inner flow passage, end an engaging member having a front and projected outward from the rear sleeve in the radial direction and then outside through the slit. The inner sleeve can move between its advanced position where the inner flow passages are communicated with a flow passage in the connecting portion of the plug and its retreated position where they are separated from each other.

Abstract: This pipe joint retaining device has a cylindrical ring concentrically and coaxially engaging a first pipe inserted into an open bell at the end of a second pipe axially aligned with the first pipe. The ring has spaced pairs of flanges extending outwardly and each carrying a pivotable locking lever turnable between open and closed positions. At one end of each lever is a locking screw terminating in a sharp edge to dig into the first pipe when the 10 screw is tightened to turn the lever to closed position. Tapered domed plugs are carried by the ring with one plug disposed between the flanges of each pair thereof in a tapered bore thereat. The plug has a sharp edge which pierces the first pipe when the locking screw is tightened to force the lever into closed position. Each lever has an undercut forward section which cantilevers over the open bell; and a holding screw carried by the forward section of the lever contacts the bell to hold it in place on the first pipe.

Abstract: A fluid connector system including a modified plumbing union having a rotatable member for drawing said union into a fluid tight condition. A drive tool is electric motor actuated and includes a reduction gear train providing an output gear engaging an integral peripheral spur gear on the rotatable member. A housing member attached to the connector assembly provides coaxial alignment for an interface socket on the drive tool. A hand lever actuated latching system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced latching balls selectively wedged against the housing member attached to the connector assembly or to secure the drive tool to the connector assembly with its output gear in mesh with the integral peripheral spur gear. The drive motor is torque, spped and direction controllable.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing rooted plants from the soil is disclosed which has an elongated tube adapted for attachment to a source of pressurized water. A valve controls the flow of water through the apparatus. A nozzle is formed in one end of the tube which has a flattened section of tubing with two opposed segments for dispersing water in a narrow planar flow pattern. The top segment has a notch which is spaced from the bottom segment such that the pressurized water flowing through the tube is deflected upwardly by the bottom surface through the notch, creating a flow pattern with a generally perpendicular portion extending perpendicularly and outwardly from the planar flow pattern and the bottom segment. The weeding apparatus preferably has side slots located between the two opposed surfaces, forming a nozzle exit with a horizontal opening between the two surfaces with the slots defining openings angular to the horizontal opening.

Abstract: A desirable seal structure for use in forming a seal around the exterior of a pipe or the like can be constructed so as to use a retainer member, a compression member, a sealing member located generally within the retainer member and generally between the compression and retainer members and bolts for compressing the retainer and compression members against the sealing member. The compression and retainer members are provided with beveled surfaces which are complementary to corresponding tapered surfaces on the sealing member. The sealing member is shaped so that it will move inwardly when compressed between the compression and retainer members.

Abstract: A tapping sleeve for attaching a branch line to a main fluid conduit. The tapping sleeve has upper and lower sleeve members, bolted together around the main fluid conduit. Shell gaskets seal between the sleeve members and the main fluid conduit and a branch gasket seals around a side opening in the upper sleeve member. Metal shell gasket retaining rings secure the shell gaskets in place and a metal branch gasket retainer secures the branch gasket. In the preferred embodiment, the retainer is a retaining ring. In an alternate embodiment, the branch gasket is secured by a shoulder formed by extruding the upper sleeve member.

Abstract: A branched hose construction, a T-connector therefor and methods of making the same are provided. The branched hose construction comprising a T-connector having a body portion provided with a pair of substantially oppositely directed legs extending therefrom and an outwardly directed branch leg extending therefrom intermediate the pair of legs, and three tubular hoses respectively telescoped onto the legs to be disposed in fluid communication with each other through the T-connector, the body portion of the T-connector having an annular shoulder adjacent each leg thereof against which an annular end surface of its respective hose abuts and which is of a size that causes the external peripheral surface of that respective hose to substantially mate with and thereby be substantially flush with the external peripheral surface of the body portion that is adjacent that respective hose.

Abstract: A quick disconnect coupler comprising a coupler body, a latching mechanism for holding the coupler body to another component, a telescoping sleeve moveable axially on the coupler body to engage and disengage the latching mechanism, and a sleeve operator assembly for moving the telescoping sleeve axially between engaged and disengaged positions. The sleeve operator assembly includes a yoke in the form of a ring collar having opposite ends and opposite side portions straddling the telescoping sleeve. Opposite side portions of the yoke are pivotally connected to respective sides of the telescoping sleeve at diametrically opposite connection points. A handle is provided at one end of the yoke, and a linkage connects the other end of the yoke to the coupler body.

Abstract: A flexible pipe saddle molded from a flexible resilient polymer includes a hollow, semi-cylindrical saddle portion adapted to overlie the external surface of a main pipe having a hole therein. The saddle is provided with a radially directed aperture with a radially, inwardly directed, circumferential flange extending about the aperture and extending into the hole in the pipe to locate the saddle relative to the hole in the pipe. The saddle is also provided with a hollow tubular sleeve having a stepped, internal cylindrical surface defining a stepped shoulder for limiting the insertion of a lateral pipe. A hollow tubular bushing of the same material as the saddle is removably disposed in the hollow tubular sleeve and has a radial thickness less than the radial dimension of the stepped shoulder so that a smaller diameter lateral pipe may be used and still abut against the stepped shoulder.

Abstract: A coupling having one end attached to a drop pipe of a fire sprinkler system and another end for attachment to a tool subsequent to initially testing the sprinkler system and to a sprinkler head thereafter. The coupling includes an internal frangible closure member to prevent flow of fluid from the drop pipe during the test phase so that the sprinkler may be pre-tested prior to attachment of the sprinkler head. The tool includes an external housing which after completion of the test phase is connected to the coupling, a ram being mounted within the housing and adjustable to position and impact member at the end of the ram at or in abutment with the frangible closure member. The ram is connected to a propelling assembly which permits the ram to be pulled manually against the biasing force of a spring away from the closure member, and upon release of the ram, the ram is propelled toward the closure member so that the impact member shatters the closure member to open communication through the coupling.

Abstract: A durable blast joint using a protective sheath of erosion resistant rings arranged in overlapping stacks so as to provide a vertically continuous protective sheath for the full length of the blast joint. The blast joint provides durable structural surfaces suitable for gripping with power tools and has a pressure operated hydrostatic driver for maintaining a tight fit between a continuous series of erosion resistant rings. The blast joint is also adaptable to be installed in a pressurized well, using a snubber unit.

Abstract: Each end fitting of the union has an end for fixing the fluid line, and a coaxial metallic body terminating in an annular radial polished section where the internal bore of the union issues. A washer made of a deformable synthetic material is pressed on this metallic body and has a flat annular radial face which, together with the polished section, forms the free face for connecting the end fitting. A cylindrical metallic ring accommodates internally with a contact fit the two washers and a portion of the two metallic bodies, so that the two free connecting faces come to be opposite each other. Two clamping half-shells grip the two end fittings to ensure the connection of the fluid lines.

Abstract: A pipe fitting for encompassing a conduit comprising a pair of interlocking segments with each segment comprising an arcuate configuration having at least two longitudinal edges with one edge of each segment comprising a tongue split longitudinally thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to its length. The other of the edges comprising a groove conforming to and receiving the tongue formed on the juxtapositioned edge of the other of the segments. The tongue when forced into the opening in the groove in the other of the segments causing its two parts to engage each other along the length of the slot and when in the groove to again separate causing the tongue to interlock with the periphery of the groove thereby interlocking the segments of the pipe fitting together.

Abstract: An anti-corrosion sealing assembly for use between a protective casement sleeve and a pipe to be protected is disclosed. The pipe extends through the protective casement sleeve such that an annular casement cavity is formed therebetween. The sealing assembly includes a muff arrangement secured between outer surface portions of the casement sleeve and the pipe at each end of the casement sleeve. More particularly, inner and outer muffs are secured about outer perimeter portions of the pipe and the casement sleeve at each end of the casement sleeve such that the outer muff totally encompasses the inner muff thereby forming a mold cavity therebetween. Each outer muff further includes a pouring spout into which a sealing compound may be poured. Furthermore, an injection tube extends through the inner and outer muffs and opens into the annular casement cavity to permit a corrosion inhibitor to be injected therein.