Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for a multiarticulate arm includes two cylindrical bodies forming phalanges each ending in a pair of jaws which contact a hollow sphere limited by two parallel planes essentially equidistant from the center of the sphere, with the hollow central part of the cylindrical bodies and of the sphere serving as a passage for the device for synchronizing the movements of the phalanges.

Abstract: A mud flap mounting device for use with a tractor trailer truck is disclosed comprising a frame member adapted for attachment to the tractor truck and having an upper surface with a trough therein, a generally L-shaped support rod having a first leg adapted for attachment to a mud flap and a second leg rotatably mounted to the frame member to rotate between a first position wherein the mud flap is adjacent a wheel to a second position 180.degree. therefrom, and biasing means for yieldably maintaining the support rod in the first position and alternatively in the second position.

Abstract: A shelving system comprising a shelf bracket of light weight material adapted to be fixed to an elongated substantially vertical slotted member. The bracket includes an insert of high tensile strength a portion of which is firmly embedded in the bracket at or near the top load carrying edge thereof. The insert has a free end extending from the bracket. Abutment means are provided adjacent the bottom edge of the bracket. The free end of the insert is shaped to engage the slot in the slotted member, while the abutment means abuts against the slotted member. A load placed on the bracket causes it to be firmly fixed in position relative to the slotted member through cantilever action.

Abstract: On an article of furniture an edge assembly is provided which has three edge pieces extending along mutually perpendicular edges of the furniture article forming a corner. Each edge piece in the vicinity of the corner has a pair of generally parallel opposite legs extending inward from an outer wall of the edge piece and defining a recess between them which is open at the inside of the corner. A corner piece presents obliquely disposed legs which extend outward onto the recesses in the edge pieces. The corner pieces present openings in these obliquely disposed legs which receive tapered screws for deforming the corner piece legs into locking engagement with the opposite legs of the respective edge pieces.

Abstract: A coupling system is described for the detachable assembly of two building elements, the first having a slot for receiving the head of a lock bolt and the second having an elongated cavity for receiving the shank of the lock bolt; and a lock assembly comprising an elongated casing adapted to fit within said cavity, the inner portion thereof being provided with an insert body movable in a direction lateral to said casing and the innermost portion thereof being provided with a leaf spring engaging said insert during assembly of the system, the insert body being provided with a central axial opening for receiving said lock bolt shank and a threaded bore connecting an outerface thereof and said central opening for receiving a locking screw for said bolt and an annular projection on said outer face surrounding said threaded bore for engaging a hole provided in a face of said second building element.

Abstract: A knockdown spacer for bookshelves and the like which is made from a single elongated rectangular blank of sheet material, creased at spaced intervals to fold into an open ended box-like block with internal diagonal bracing walls. The outer walls of the box structure wrap around the diagonal braces and one end of the blank has a retaining flap which overlaps one of the walls and is secured by releasable fasteners. The blank can be made at minimum cost from corrugated cardboard, or the like, which can support heavy loads when formed and braced in the manner described.

Abstract: An arrangement for imparting different adjustable directional movements to an object includes a number of adjusting gear assemblies each corresponding to one of different adjustable directional movements. Each adjusting gear assembly includes a gear housing, a worm and a worm gear both supported in the housing in meshed engagement with each other. The arrangement also includes a first motion transmitting mechanism for driving the worm and a second motion transmitting mechanism for connecting the worm gear to the object to adjustably move the object when the worm gear is driven by the worm. The gear housings of the adjusting gear assemblies are constructed substantially identical.

Abstract: The joint of this invention is pivotable and lockable about two perpendicularly intersecting axes. It is particularly suitable for a reading stand for patients confined to bed. Be means of the joint, the supporting surface of the reading stand can be adjusted as to slant as well as transverse tilt. The joint comprises a T-shaped component (12) supported in bearings (11) so as to be tiltable and lockable about its cross beam. The bearings (11) are mounted on a base plate (10). The base plate (10) itself is pivotable and lockably secured to a support plate (20). In order for a sick person to be able to adjust the joint with a minimum of physical exertion, locking levers (14 and 23) are provided for each of the two adjustable positions. The locking is effected by detent means (13--13' and 17-26).

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamped connection for clamping together separate parts, comprising a first part having a flange; a second part having an edge and an edge region adjacent to the edge. The edge region is deformable from a first condition in which the edge region is continuous and straight or has a constant radius of curvature along most of its length and a second condition in which the edge region has a continuously corrugated configuration including alternately deformed and undeformed partial edge region areas. The edge region includes a plurality of elongated apertures spaced from the edge and extending generally parallel thereto, and the deformed partial edge region areas are bounded on the side opposite to the edge by these apertures, whereas the undeformed partial edge region areas are located between said apertures. Also disclosed is a device for clamping together two parts to produce the disclosed connection.

Abstract: A 6-way seat adjuster for motor vehicles in which a three armature motor is mounted on a slidable seat frame and has connections to front and rear lift devices on the frame and a horizontal adjuster. The motor is mounted on a transmission housing in which is located an integral spacer and bearing unit formed of a rigid low friction polymer. Each armature shaft of the motor has an integral primary driving worm adjacent its outer end, and each primary worm is in mesh with a primary worm gear. The primary worm gears are fixed to drive shafts to each of which is fixed a secondary driving worm in mesh with a secondary worm gear fixedly connected to a pinion. Two of the pinions are in mesh with toothed sectors provided on pivoted lift levers connected respectively to the front and rear edges of a vehicle seat. The third secondary worm gear is fixed to a drive shaft having a pinion fixedly connected thereto which cooperates with a stationary rack for moving the frame horizontally.

Abstract: An adaptor for use in driving a pipe into the ground by a ground piercing tool, which adaptor is arranged to be driven by the piercing tool. The adaptor consists of a three piece cylindrical unit held together by two garter springs. A tapered conical bore, formed in the adaptor, has a slope comparable with the slope formed on the forward end of a ground piercing tool used therewith. A portion of the adaptor is arranged to enter the end region of a pipe being worked upon, and a circumferential shoulder is formed on the adaptor, for engagement with the end of the pipe. Impact action upon the piercing tool not only wedges the adaptor into tight engagement with the inner region of the pipe, but also results in driving action upon the pipe by reason of the circumferential shoulder being in engagement with the pipe end.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for telescoping tubes including an outer elongated tube with a radially inwardly projecting lock seam longitudinally extending along the length of the tube, and an inner elongated tube telescopically being received within the outer tube. The inner tube includes at least one integral radially outwardly extending projection formed as a deformation of the wall of the inner tube. The projection is such as to be able to be arranged in a clearance fit relationship so as to permit axial sliding of the tubes relative to each other, and upon relative rotation of the tubes, to adjust the projection in an interference fit whereby the inner tube becomes eccentric with the outer tube and is jammed in a locked position within the outer tube.

Abstract: A housing member for a transmission in a vehicle has an axially extending columnar portion having a non-circular cross-section. A rear mount is fitted on the columnar portion. The rear mount is kept from slipping off the columnar portion by a first lock washer fastened to the end of the columnar portion. The lock washer includes a first annular piece fitted on the columnar portion and a second annular piece having a diameter larger than that of the columnar portion. A second lock washer is arranged for preventing a bolt for fastening from loosening. The second lock washer has at least two tabs respectively engaging the bolt head and the first lock washer.

Abstract: A door closing device which is easily mounted on, and easily removed from, an offset pivot hinge. The door closing device has an outer sleeve, an inner member rotatably mounted in the outer sleeve and a coil spring having opposite ends thereof connected to the outer sleeve and the inner member, respectively. The door closing device is mounted on, and operatively connected to, the pivot hinge by non-rotatably fitting the inner member and the outer sleeve with a pivot pin of the pivot hinge and a hinge plate pivoted on the pivot pin, respectively .The door closing device is provided with a door closing speed damping mechanism, a door stopper mechanism, and/or a preset mechanism for the door closing torque, which are assembled within the outer sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are means and method for forming elastic connection between ceramic and metallic structural elements. The means comprises a ceramic structural element; a metallic structural element having thermal and elastic properties different from those of the ceramic structural element; and a connecting element connecting the ceramic and metallic structural elements and comprising an insulating resilient body of ceramic material having a thermal conductivity of between about 0.02 and 0.25 W/cmK at a temperature difference between the ceramic and metallic structural elements of from about 100 to 1500 Centigrade degrees, an elastic modulus of between about 5000 and 150,000 N/mm.sup.2 and being substantially free of plastic deformation.

Abstract: In a deflection controlled cylinder having a hollow cylinder which forms the working cylinder circumference and through which a stationary core extends lengthwise, leaving space all around from the inside circumference of the hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being supported on the core with spacing by outer support points of the core, and being supported between the bearings, against the core, by the working pressure of a pressure medium, the controlled cylinder having at least one terminating cover which is provided at one end of the hollow cylinder, surrounds the core in ring fashion and is sealed by sealing arrangements to prevent the escape of oil from the end of the cylinder at its outside and inside circumference, means are provided in the terminating cover enclosing the sealing arrangements for compensating displacements occurring when the core is bent.

Abstract: A joint assembly has a member disposed within and movable relative to a housing from a first position through an intermediate position to a third position. A bearing member located between the movable member and the housing cooperates with the movable member and housing to provide a relatively low frictional force opposing movement of the movable member from the first position to the intermediate position. The bearing member also cooperates with the movable member and housing to provide a relatively large frictional force opposing movement of the movable member from the intermediate position to the third position. The bearing member preferably is laminated and has inner and outer surfaces formed of different materials.

Abstract: A support for holding beverage containers such as glasses, bottles, cups and the like, in an upright position while being used on a boat or moving vehicle. The support is fabricated from three wire elements, one of which forms a pair of opposed uprights interconnected by a transverse wire network that defines a bottom of a container receiving receptacle, the second of which is formed with a plurality of vertically spaced annular rings secured to the uprights and defining the sides of the container receiving receptacle, and the third of which forms a cantilever wall mountable member for pivotably supporting the container receiving receptacle. A screw and grommet arrangement is provided for pivotably and removably mounting the support on the wall.

Abstract: A joint for connecting tubular beams comprising two caps receiving deformed end portions of the beams therebetween. Each cap has a tapering tubular portion in contact with the end portions, each end portion having first and second outwardly diverging opposed faces and third and fourth inwardly converging opposed faces. The outer perimeter of the end portion is greater than the perimeter of an opening defined on the top and bottom by the two caps and on the sides by adjacent beams, so each end portion is highly resistant to forces tending to pull it from between the caps and must be mechanically deformed before it will be pulled through the opening.

Abstract: Shield for cables and conduits at the point of entry into a wall structure, the shield consisting of a pair of L-shaped plate elements, each plate element having a base portion and a leg portion; the leg portion of each plate element is adapted to overlie the base portion of the other plate element, so that the inner edges of the joined plate elements form an adjustable opening for the cable and conduit.