Abstract: A quick change coupling is provided which is suitable for coupling shafts or tubular members to one another and for coupling a machine tool arbor to a shaft. The apparatus includes a shaft provided with a bayonet receptacle defining one or more bayonet slots. Another elongated member is receivable by the bayonet receptacle and includes one or more detents which are received in locked relation by the bayonet slots. A protective skirt extends from one of the elongated members and encloses a portion of the opposite member. One or more elastomeric members are positioned for engagement with the protective skirt and an elongated member and functions to dampen vibrations therebetween. The elastomeric member may be in the form of a seal to prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the bayonet joint between the elongated elements.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a reducer coupling, a positioner tool for connecting the coupling to a conduit section, and a nut for securing the positioner tool to the coupling. The reducer coupling is useful in various operations, such as some oil field operations in which it is used to connect a smaller conduit (delivery line) into a larger conduit (production casing). In practice, the positioner tool is secured to the reducer coupling and the coupling is moved into its hook-up position above the production casing, by attaching a rig to the positioner tool. The coupling can then be threaded into the casing by turning the positioner tool with a wrench, or similar tool.

Abstract: A method and a hollow body for forming a hole in the ground are disclosed. After the hollow body has been brought to the desired depth in the ground high pressure fluid is jetted through spray nozzles into the hollow body near the lower end thereof. The fluid jets effect a cutting of the ground core in the hollow body whereafter the pressurized fluid displaces the overhead ground core upwardly. The spray nozzles are spaced circumferentially and lie in the same transverse plane so that a very flat horizontal cut in the ground is accomplished by the fluid jets.

Abstract: A fastener and receptacle arrangement is utilized to perpendicularly connect two pieces of flat stock material together. One piece of flat stock material includes a hole for insertion of the fastener and the other piece includes an opening for mounting a receptacle. The receptacle is secured to that board by a flexible member of the board which engages a recess in the receptacle. The piece of flat stock material with the receptacle secured to it is then perpendicularly secured to the other piece of flat stock material by a fastener which passes through that other piece of flat stock material and fixably engages the receptacle.

Abstract: System of coupling of the head of a drive unit to the body of a driven unit, characterized in that, the head bears a longitudinal key having two slopes inclined in relation to the axis of the head, and the body has a guiding or key-way groove for this key, this groove opening on an annular clearing in which a segment can be rotated against a spring and in which a pin is fastened radially, so that, while the key is engaged, this pin, by cooperation with the first of the slopes controls the rotation of the segment, then by cooperation with the second slope controls the blocking of the head in its driving position, and the segment can also be operated by hand so as to free the pin and allow the withdrawal of the head by drawing the key rearwardly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for aligning an integrated deck carried on a barge with a jacket secured to the seafloor. The apparatus comprises a plurality of cantilevered springs extending vertically downward from the deck and a plurality of sockets secured to the jacket, each socket being positioned to receive the lower end of one of the cantilevered springs. As the cantilevered springs are lowered into the sockets, wind or wave induced horizontal motion of the deck is accommodated by tilting of receiving members in the sockets. Once the cantilevered springs are fully engaged with the sockets, the receiving members no longer tilt and the great stiffness of the cantilevered springs permits only very slight horizontal motion of the deck so that the barge can be ballasted downward to transfer the deck load to the jacket without misalignment.

Abstract: A quick change tool holder of the block tool type wherein a tool nose assembly is releasably secured to a drive member or holder. The tool nose includes a bayonet portion extending axially outward from the rear end thereof which is receivable by an axial opening in a locking assembly housed in the drive member. The bayonet portion is positioned behind a locking ring in the locking assembly, and this locking ring is selectively shiftable axially of the drive member between disengaged and engaged conditions against and under the influence of spring biasing means. In the disengaged condition, the bayonet portion is insertable into and removable from association with the locking assembly. In the engaged condition, the spring biasing means acts against the locking ring to, in turn, act against the bayonet portion for moving the tool nose axially toward the drive member to place teeth on these two components in cooperative engagement to thereby effect a secure interconnection therebetween.

Abstract: A device for holding a rod comprises a base plate and one or more holding sections provided on the base plate, each holding section including a rigid member having a jaw portion and an elastic holding member, these members extending upright from the base plate and having a folded-back portion provided with a recess embracing the rod, whereby the lower end portion of the folded-back portion can engage to prevent accidental detachment of the rod from the holding section from being caused when an external upward force is applied to the rod.

Abstract: An improved anchor wall includes a series of vertical caissons cast in place along a line defining the boundary of the wall. Soil is executed from one side of the line and anchor rods are used to attach the caissons to the remaining soil. Discrete panels are then stacked one upon the other and attached by a reinforced concrete rib to the vertical caissons.

Abstract: A hinged butt joint for connecting struts to multijoint fittings used in space structures is disclosed as two end fittings pivoted together, one of which is bifurcated and the other having a cammed butt end extending between the bifurcation with a pivot pin through aligned openings so that the fittings are rotatable to a desired angular position. Nominal manufacturing tolerances are used throughout. A wedge is forcibly fitted into the base of the bifurcation when the fittings are colinear, and bonded to the base in that position during manufacture or assembly, to preclude freeplay in the joint under alternating compression and tension leads and to create a solid mechanical path though which load is transmitted and heat and electricity conducted.

Abstract: A releasable coupling for connecting a first and a second component to one another, includes a first sleeve-like hollow member affixed to an end of the first component and a second sleeve-like hollow member affixed to an end of the second component, an expander mandrel supported in the first hollow member and arranged for an axial motion with respect to the first hollow member to assume an advanced position in which it projects into the second hollow member to be surrounded simultaneously by the first and second hollow members. The expander mandrel includes an expander element and pressing elements operatively connected to the expander element for displacement generally radially outwardly by the expander element into an expanded position for a simultaneous engagement with the first and second hollow elements thereby clamping the first and second components to one another.

Abstract: In a method of producing a subterranean structure comprises the steps of excavating a ditch or hole in the ground to a desired subterranean level, placing the ceiling directly on the excavated ground at this level, filling the hole in the ground, and driving an arched tunnel into the ground below the ceiling, the ceiling is fixed in position and the ground is stabilized before the hole is filled and the arched tunnel is driven into the ground, by anchoring the ceiling with retaining elements projecting downwardly from the ceiling into the ground below, and arranging the retaining elements to form piles protecting the tunnel arch at respective sides thereof and preventing earth from crashing through the tunnel arch.

Abstract: A device for connecting the strengthening rod on seat upholstery to the seat load-bearing structure. The device is composed of a fastener into which is engaged a corresponding end of the strengthening rod, a buckle, integral with a fastener and secured to the same by means of a flexible rib enabling angular displacement of the fastener, and a flexible clamp designed to wrap round a member on the load-bearing structure for securing the fastener in projecting manner to the member, and integrally formed at its opposite ends to the buckle and a stop tab designed to engage with the buckle.

Abstract: A locking pin for connecting elements having a common bore comprising two coupling units. The coupling action is provided by teeth which engage when the two coupling units are engaged. The teeth exhibit a ratchet effect, whereby the coupling units can be engaged relatively easily by pushing the coupling units together but cannot be easily disengaged by pulling them apart.

Abstract: Means for coupling together two assemblies wherein each assembly includes a hole in which a bracket can be inserted, with the brackets being held together by a lock. Additionally, the assemblies are coupled together by a rotatable locking plate which cannot be rotated to disconnect the assemblies when the brackets and lock are in place.

Abstract: A large capacity, cable turntable assembly is provided for use in connection with laying along lengths of underwater cable. A turntable is provided which has a planar, toroidal floor bounded by an upright, interior wall surrounding the axis of rotation and an upright, exterior wall spaced apart from the interior wall. The walls and floor define an open-top chamber for receiving a long, coiled length of cable. A multiplicity of fluid-cushion bearings are secured to the turntable below the floor and permit rotation of the turntable on a supporting surface when the turntable is loaded with cable and when the cable is removed. The fluid-cushion bearings also permit lateral movement of the turntable over distances. Water is supplied under pressure to the bearings to facilitate movement of the turntable. The turntable may be positioned on a shoreside-support, permitting rotation of the turntable in order to load cable onto the turntable.

Abstract: A gridwork for a suspended ceiling is assembled by a clip having three equally angularly disposed prongs which run parallel to three equally angularly disposed elongated rigid members of the gridwork. One prong has a stepped configuration, where each level abuts against a portion of two of the three intersecting members. One level of this stepped configuration widens into a lip fitting into a flanged or a "u" shaped channel area of one of the members, and which widened area further snaps into this one member for its securement therein. The remaining two prongs of the clip are bolted to its corresponding elongated member.

Abstract: For releasably joining two structural components (1,2), particularly plate-shaped structural components which extend at a right angle relative to one another, a fitting has a preferably cylindrical locking element which can be inserted either directly in a bore (4) in the first structural component (1) or it can be inserted indirectly in a housing, and a holding piece (5) with a holding projection (7) anchored in the second structural component (2). In the assembled position, the holding projection 7 abuts against one or two gripping surfaces (8) of the locking element (3) which gripping surfaces (8) are of, for example, eccentric shape, and the holding projection (7) is pulled toward the locking element when the locking element (3) is turned. The holding piece (5) is constructed plate-shaped and is insertable in a slot (6) in the second structural component (2).

Abstract: A device for attaching a bellows to a cylindrical member, particularly a ball pin of a rack articulation for automotive vehicles. In order to permit a nonslippable attachment of the bellows even to unmachined pins which vary slightly in diameter, it is proposed to arrange between the bellows and the ball pin an annular disk having a closed outer edge and an inner edge which is interrupted by radially extending slots, the inner edge consisting of a plurality of resilient segments which are bent alternately in opposite directions and are pre-stressed against the ball pin.

Abstract: A coaxial joint for joining inner and outer cylindrical members permitting rotational and/or linear movement between them, comprises an outer bushing sleeve non-rotatably receivable within the outer cylindrical member, an inner bushing sleeve formed with a central bore for receiving the inner cylindrical member; a first group of longitudinally-extending, circumferentially-spaced ribs formed between the inner and outer sleeves; and a second group of such ribs formed in staggered relationship with respect to the first group on the outer face of the outer sleeve and effective, when forcibly received within the outer cylindrical member, to distort inwardly the portions of the outer sleeve between the first group of ribs and thereby to minimize the distortion of the inner sleeve.