Abstract: Connectors, particularly remotely operated connectors used to connect underwater well members under large clamping forces, are provided with rigid rolling antifriction elements engaged between a camming surface and a cam follower surface for converting axially directed operating motion into radial movement of a contractible and expansible annular locking means.

Abstract: In connectors, particularly for underwater well installations, for securing two members together under large clamping forces, an annular locking means is actuated by means including cam surfaces which coact through rolling antifriction members, the actuating means being so constructed and arranged as to reduce the lengths of the cam surfaces and better retain the antifriction elements.

Abstract: A two member control connector for joining multiple hydraulic control conduits (20) has one member (14) attached to the underwater equipment. The other member (10) is raisable to the water surface and also carries annular seal assemblies (24) around the mating ends of the conduits (20). The seal assemblies are each retained in a dove-tail groove (26). A vent passageway (42) is also provided in either the seal or the member (10) to prevent the occurance of differential pressure under the assembly, possibly resulting in seal loss.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for coupling together two elements, each of predetermined shape, so that the two elements are prevented from rotating relative to the device. The device is constituted by a band, which is substantially rigid and is in the form of a closed loop. The band has two rims which are three-dimensionally out of true, and each rim delimiting an opening, which forms the limit of a recess, in which one of the elements to be coupled together can be positioned. The regions of each of the two recesses which lie opposite the openings form part of a single space which is laterally delimited by the band. Each rim substantially constitutes a curve traced on a convex surface of the element of predetermined shape to be coupled.The invention also provides a method of making a coupling device.

Abstract: An anchor connector incorporating a flexible joint (16) for securing the tension legs (14) of a tensioned leg platform. A latch dog head (34) engages a first recess (26) on the fixed member (22) of the flexible joint and a template recess (30) to prevent disconnection when the dog heads (34) and latch carrier (40) are in a lower position. With the latch carrier (40) in an upper position the latch dog heads (34) fit within a second recess (44) in the fixed member with the dog heads claring shoulder (32) of template recess (30), whereby the connector may be released.

Abstract: An adjustable, quick-release clamp for fastening a barrier member to a base member includes a clamp support affixed to the base member and protruding therefrom, a main lever carried by the support member, with the support member extending through an aperture in the main lever, and a retainer member that holds the main lever on the support member. A first end of the main lever carries a gripper means adapted to engage the barrier member; an overcenter toggle cam is pivotally mounted on a second end of the main lever, a handle lever being attached to the cam. The cam is movable to raise and lower the first end of the main lever, with the retainer member acting as a fulcrum such that the gripper means engages or releases the barrier member in accordance with the positioning of the toggle cam. The position of the retainer member on the clamp support is adjustable to permit accommodation of variable barrier member thicknesses and to provide for adjustment of the clamping pressure.

Abstract: A removable blind rivet comprising a tube (1) with a head (3 or 6) on one end to contact one workpiece (11) of two workpieces (10 and 11) to be rivetted together, the other end (14) being upsetable against the other workpiece (10) by a pull pin (5) with a head (4) pulled into the tube, or by blasting an explosive charge (8) inserted in the other end (14) of the tube. The head is a removable nut (3) threaded upon the accessible end of the tube (1), or a spring washer (6) inserted in a slot (7) in the accessible end of the tube.

Abstract: A stud anchor is provided for securing to an associated mounting bracket a non-round hollow extension having planar inner wall surfaces which are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the extension. The stud anchor comprises an expandable anchor member having a shank portion and a head with the head comprising a plurality of resiliently deformable segments. The segments each include an outer surface which is biased into frictional contact with an associated inner wall surface of the extension securing the extension to the stud anchor.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed herein for releasably securing a hooked end of a bungee cord to a supporting element which includes a linear body section terminating at one end in a double socket holder for engaging the supporting element and terminating at its opposite end in a conical receptacle for insertably receiving and holding a selected one of the bungee cord ends. This double socket is formed with openings facing from opposite directions and are joined at one side by a solid portion while its opposite or corresponding side is open or deformable so as to permit insertion and manipulation of the supporting element there through.

Abstract: A furniture frame includes a first frame part with a dowel extending beyond the end thereof into an opening in a second frame part. A securing screw is provided in the second frame part at right-angles to the dowel axis. When the screw is tightened, two abutting surfaces inclined at an angle to the central plane of the dowel are pressed against corresponding, inclined surfaces in the opening. A releasable, but nevertheless very rigid connection of the various elements is thus achieved.

Abstract: A plastic nut comprises a cylindrical body incorporating in the tubular wall thereof resilient pieces provided on the inner surfaces thereof with check screw threads. When an ordinary bolt is simply pushed in the nut, the check screw threads of the nut engage themselves inseparably with the screw threads on the bolt. The union thus formed is retained strongly and lastingly. Dissolution of this union is obtained by rotating the nut around the bolt.

Abstract: An adjustable lock arrangement for rods, tubes, and the like, comprising a rigid collar having a central opening in which a rod segment is closely received. The interior surface of the collar includes a keyway in which an eccentric key is rotatably mounted. The key includes a first surface, which when rotated toward the rod, permits the collar and rod to slide telescopingly with respect to each other, and a second, outwardly protruding surface, which is rotated into abutting engagement with the rod to frictionally lock the collar and rod in place. The collar may be formed as a separate unit for use as a couple, an adjustor, et cetera, or integrally constructed with the end of a tube for interlocking telescoping segments of a support, or the like.

Abstract: A fail-safe zero-load hinge or pivot-joint having a first load primary support path comprising a sleeve and nut combination and a secondary or redundant load support path comprising a shaft, sized to be inserted axially through the sleeve with diametrical clearance, for threaded engagement with a nut providing axial clearance from said primary members. The secondary shaft and nut combination holds the joint intact after the primary load members have failed permitting the joint assembly to perform its normal designed function of load carrying with the continued full range of movement without the risk of restricted operation seizure or jamming.A locking cap is provided for simple, safe holding of the nuts of primary and secondary member from disengagement, or even partial back off.A dye indicator may be used to indicate failure of the primary load carrying members.

Abstract: A fastener having an integral head and shank which are formed from a strip of sheet metal of indeterminate length in which the head is formed by slitting and compressing a section from one edge of the sheet material to provide a split head having two substantially similar halves with at least a portion of each half being generally perpendicular to the shank and with at least a portion of the head being thicker than one-half of the thickness of the sheet material and in which the forming of the head causes a slot in the upper surface of the head which is less than one-third the thickness of the sheet material.

Abstract: A coupler device made from a polymeric material for detachably connecting a broom, brush, mop or the like to a handle member, the device including a generally hollow, elongated body having an exterior male threaded portion adapted for threading attachment within a corresponding female threaded socket portion in the broom, brush, mop or the like. The body includes a multiple diameter bore defining an interior shoulder portion adapted to abuttingly receive the end of a hollow handle having a passageway therein, and an integral, elongated post portion extending axially through the bore adapted to be engageably received in the passageway in the handle for securement of the device thereto. In another form, a reinforcement element is fixed within the bore in the post portion for strengthening the coupling with the handle member.

Abstract: A fastening means for securing an annular first machine element against axial displacement on an annular second machine element, said second machine element having a shoulder against which the first machine element abuts and an annular groove spaced from said shoulder comprising a first ring member circumscribing the second machine element and having one axial end face confronting and abutting an axial end face of said first machine element and being formed to define an annular pocket, a second one-piece ring made of a deformable material which is initially sleeve-shape and is adapted to engage in the annular pocket and be deformed in a radial direction as a result of axially applied pressure during assembly into the annular pocket in such a way that a portion thereof engages in the annular groove in the second machine element to secure the two in place.

Abstract: A threaded member has an external helical thread 18a presenting a crest 24 of spiral outline whose trailing end is in the form of an abutment 26 for resisting withdrawal from a resiliently deformable workpiece. In a preferred application, the threaded member is a die-cast grub screw S and locates within a hinged plastics furniture fastener F. Advancing the grub screw S by 1/2-turn from its initial position in the fastener F breaks a frangible locating web 28 and allows the abutment 26 to pass an abrupt shoulder 64. This gives a tangible warning to the user that a ridge 12b on the grub screw S is correctly located beneath a head H of an anchor A.

Abstract: A cable pulling eye assembly comprises a spike (16) having an auger thread (18), a coaxially mounted shell (36) and an eye (31) with a threaded opening (34), which is mounted on a threaded rear section of the spike. The eye is rotated by a power tool to advance the auger into a bundle of wires (11) of a sheathed cable (10). The shell is subsequently crimped to further force the wires into the flute defined by the auger thread. A pulling steel cable is attached to the eye to draw the cable between telephone poles or through an underground conduit.

Abstract: This invention provides a shear resistant panel fastener that includes a bolt having a head and a shank with a first relatively large diameter portion adjacent the head and a second smaller diameter threaded portion, a sleeve on the second portion of the shank, a collar around the sleeve and movable to a position around the first portion of the shank, the collar including a means for attachment to a workpiece, and a retainer means for prohibiting movement of the collar off of the sleeve in one direction. The smaller outer end of the shank is adapted to enter a clearance opening in a part for engagement with a floating nut at the opposite end of the opening, while the larger portion of the shank is drawn into the opening and the fastener is tightened. The smaller portion of the shank permits the fastener to be mated when the openings are misaligned while the larger portion of the shank provides shear resistance when the fastener is mated.

Abstract: A seal between a metal surface and a surface of glass or glass-like ceramic having, in juxtaposition, the metal, gold, an indium-gold alloy, indium, and either glass or a glass-like ceramic.