Abstract: An apparatus and method for laying conduit within a trench, using a separable boxlike structure with end walls, side walls, a fill bin compartment internal of the boxlike structure for receiving fill material and dispensing fill material onto the bottom of the trench, and a conduit laying compartment through which conduit is fed for positioning on the bottom of the trench. The boxlike structure has a rigidly mounted tow bar which facilitates application of vertical, longitudinal and lateral forces on the boxlike structure to thereby enable an operator of the apparatus to maneuver it on-grade and in alignment along the bottom of the trench. The boxlike structure is maintained on-grade and in alignment with the assistance of a laser transmitter/receiver assembly and several grade-maintenance features, including a shearing blade which automatically adjusts its vertical position in response to the laser.

Abstract: A gripper with leaf springs having fingers near their ends to engage and disengage work. The springs are respectively connected in an annular array to the end of a cylindrical support. The springs are diverged or expanded to cause the fingers to engage the work and are converged or collapsed to cause the fingers to disengage the work. During the diverging and the converging each spring is pivoted about its junction with the support. The diverging and the converging of the springs is effected by an actuator or mandrel including a rod having a nose at its outer end. The actuator is reciprocable within the springs between advanced and retracted positions. Near its outer end the rod has a conical cam surface which engages cooperative internal cam-follower surfaces on the springs to diverge the springs when the actuator is in advanced position. The nose has a skirt which engages the outer ends of the springs, i.e. the fingers, to converge the springs near the ends when the actuator is in retracted position.

Abstract: The supporting device comprises a support column (1), on which a jib-wedge connecting device (2) can be attached in longitudinally displaceable manner and can be locked at any location of its longitudinal extension. The connecting device (2) with a clamping chuck (3), consisting of a supporting wall (3.1), receiving the jib arm (7), a tightening wedge cage (5) and a clamping plate (3.2) which connects these two components, grips around the support column (1) in the manner of a C-shaped engagement element. Frictional engagement is made between the connecting device (2) and the support column (1) by a tightening wedge (4) which is guided in longitudinally displaceable manner in the tightening wedge cage (5).The clamping chuck (3) is provided with a lateral passage opening (9), through which the clamping chuck, by being placed laterally onto the support column (1), can be engaged with and disengaged from the latter.

Abstract: A linkage for transmitting torque includes a stationary member, a movable member rotatably mounted to the stationary member, an input link having one end rotatably mounted to the stationary member and a second end connected to a linear actuator and a coupler link. The coupler link is connected to the second end of an output link, preferably integral to the movable member. The moment applied to the input link by the linear actuator is transferred through the coupler link to the output link, or movable member. The angle of rotation of the output link is greater than the angle of rotation of the input link.

Abstract: A fastener system for securing workpieces together including a blind fastener located in aligned bores and when installed providing a preselected interference fit with the bores, the fastener including a pin and a sleeve with the pin having a shank with a sizing portion and expansion portion, the sleeve having a shank portion adapted to be pre-assembled onto the sizing portion and, while pre-assembled, having its outer surface reduced in diameter to a preselected magnitude such as to provide the desired interference with the bores when the expansion portion is moved therethrough.

Abstract: The clamp apparatus transmits torque forces between a shaft and a hub. The clamp apparatus comprises conical rings, each having a conical surface together with a cylindrical inner or outer circumferential surface. The conical rings are drawn together by axial straining screws, thereby radially expending the clamp apparatus. Surface channels are provided on at least one of the conical surfaces into which a flowable lubricant may be forced under high pressure.

Abstract: A shaft assembly (11) having a spline (16) with an anti-backlash device operable due to centrifugal force to engage both sides of internal spline teeth during rotation. The spline (16) includes a main force transmitting portion (18) and a moveable spline sleeve (22) which during operation engages the side of teeth opposite the side engaged by the main force transmitting spline. Spline sleeve (22) rides on helix member to move slightly circumferentially as it is moved axially by a centrifugal force actuated member. A bar which is pinned to the spline (16) has one end which moves radially outward due to centrifugal force as the spline (16) is rotated and another end which engages and moves the spline sleeve (22) axially. When the spline sleeve (22) is moved, the splined end on the shaft assembly (11) is locked or wedged into engagement with the mating internal spline (14).

Abstract: An adjustable pedestal for mounting an added seat in a fishing boat in a manner to allow the elevation of the seat to be adjusted. A flanged base plate is secured in the boat and connected by a scissors arm arrangement with a platform to which the added seat is mounted. The scissors arm arrangement allows the platform to be raised and lowered while at all times remaining horizontal. The platform is also restricted to only vertical movement to prevent the added seat from moving side to side. A releaseable pivot bracket locks the platform rigidly in place at a plurality of discrete elevations.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for converting a reciprocal linear motion into an oscillating rotary motion with increased torque at the end positions. Two pressurized air cylinders 1,2 co-operate via links 14, 15 with a common lever arm 5 fastened to an output shaft. The cylinders provide an increased torque adjacent to each one of the end positions of the rotary motion.

Abstract: A bracket (10) for releasably engaging a goggle (14) to a headgear (12). The bracket (10) includes a receptacle (52) with inside tapered sidewalls (124) matable with a goggle stud (55) having corresponding outer tapered sidewalls (125). A release lever (22) is housed in said stud (55) and includes a transverse notch (140) latchable with a lug (146) on a catch arm (144) adjustably fixed within the receptacle (52). The catch arm (144) is adjustable by an eccentric (162) while the goggle stud (55) is engaged within the receptacle (52).

Abstract: An interface mechanism for the mounting of one component to another, especially useful where the components have to be boresighted and where the boresighted components have to be removed and replaced without disturbing the accuracy of the boresighting. Locking means are provided to retain the two sections of the interface in a rigid state when mated.

Abstract: A concrete arch buried bridge made up of upper and lower arched parts of corrugated metal provided with a reinforced concrete cap with a footing at each side, having an abutment extending inward under the margin of the upper part. The margins of the respective upper and lower parts have a connection which can be left loose to enable their relative movement and tightened so that they are rigidly held together. Each margin of the lower part has a permanent connection to the adjacent abutment which allows movement in the upward and downward direction, but resists lateral movement. The bridge is constructed by first placing the lower part on a compacted fill and making the connection between the margins of the upper part and the lower part. Then, the concrete cap is formed on top of the upper part and when the concrete is set sufficiently, the connection loosened and the fill completed on top of it.

Abstract: A universal, direct drive fan coupling designed to attach a radiator cooling fan to a water pump of an internal combustion engine for an automobile or like vehicle wherein the subject coupling is specifically designed to efficiently replace the fan idling clutch present in many relatively current models of American made automobiles, or like vehicles. The inherent versatility of the subject direct drive coupling enables the elimination of any clutch mechanism normally found in the aforementioned automobile type which is positioned between the rotating shaft associated with the conventional cooling fan and a subsequently positioned and driven component of the circulation system such as the water pump.

Abstract: A water-bag dam or dike comprises elongate tubes adapted to be filled with water. The tubes have three equal sides and are supported by longitudinal and lateral support members so that, when filled with water, they assume the shape of a substantially equilateral, triangular prism. The tubes can be stacked to make a dam or dike twice as tall and wide on the individual tubes. The tubes and support members can be transported to a flood situs and there be erected into an effective dam or dike just by filling the tubes with water.

Abstract: A golf bag support formed from a tubular housing which may be attached either to the interior or exterior of a golf bag. A spike section is received within the lower end of the housing, where it may be held in a normally retracted position. A wing section abuts the spike section and extends outside the housing through an open-ended longitudinal slot formed in the end of the housing. Supported by the wing section is a pedal section, which may be depressed to drive the wing and spike sections into the ground, in order to maintain the housing and attached golf bag in an upright position. When the wing and spike sections are removed from the ground a biasing spring anchored within the housing returns the spike section to its normally retracted position within the housing. A cross member is positioned within the housing between the biasing spring and the spike section to prevent depression of the pedal section beyond the lower end of the housing.

Abstract: A joint is provided which can serve for connecting two elements, but can also be employed for making a column or pole like structure. The joint consists of two superposed plates or frame shaped bodies which are interconnected by two pairs of crossing rods. The joint serves to connect two modular parts in a chain-like construction.

Abstract: A taper connection between a chair column and a seat plate is proposed. The external taper of the chair column adjoins a cylindrical section of the chair column. The internal taper of the seat plate, fitted together with the external taper of the chair column, protrudes beyond the transition between cylindrical section and external taper.

Abstract: A swivel connector for connecting a first and second line for towing of one line by the other wherein there is provided an upper limit on loading that may be imposed between the lines as a safeguard to damage to one of the lines. The swivel connector includes first and second swivel heads connected by a load pin. The load pin is fixed to fracture at an approximate predetermined loading between the first and second swivel heads which loading is beneath that which would otherwise cause danger or damage to one of the lines. Upon fracture of the pin, it is readily replaced so that the swivel head can be used again.

Abstract: Clevis connection includes a clevis bushing having a bushing sleeve, with a shoulder at one end having a tapered inner diameter, and a longitudinally extending slot through the shoulder and a portion of the length of the bushing sleeve. The bushing is inserted through aligned holes in the clevis arms and connecting lug. Then a tapered expander collet is inserted into the tapered inner diameter of the bushing shoulder and a bolt is inserted through the collet and bushing so that the bolt head loads through the collect which expands the bushing to cause pre-stress on the surrounding lug and a pre-load clamping of the connecting lug to one of the clevis arms, and cause pre-stress on the other clevis arm.

Abstract: The invention provides a releasable connector comprising a male part presenting four mutually inclined faces forming a tetrahedral wedge, and a female part presenting three walls for mating with the faces of the male part when the male part is inserted therein. A locking device is mounted on one of the two parts and applies a locking force, urging the wedge into intimate contact with the female part to lock the male part in position. The locking means is movable to a release position in which it frees the male part for insertion and withdrawal in a direction transverse to the face. The mutual inclinations of the three faces are sufficient to avoid jamming of the connector.