Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener and method for temporarily fastening a plurality of workpieces. The fastener uses pressurized fluid to facilitate the actuating clamping motion of a temporary fastener as opposed to conventional mechanically actuation devices. The fastener of the present invention generally comprises a housing, a spreader member connected to the housing, a piston located within said housing and capable of movement therein in response to the introduction of pressurized fluid within the housing, and a pair of expandable flexible fingers connected at one end to the piston and extending outside the housing where fluid-actuated movement of the piston causes the fingers to partially retract within the housing and wedge within the aligned apertures of the workpieces to temporarily clamp the workpieces together. A check valve within the piston assembly prevents the escape of pressurized fluid from within the fluid pressure chamber when the source of pressurized fluid is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener and method for temporarily fastening a plurality of workpieces. The fastener uses pressurized fluid to facilitate the actuating clamping motion of a temporary fastener as opposed to conventional mechanically actuation devices. The fastener of the present invention generally comprises a housing, a spreader member connected to the housing, a piston located within said housing and capable of movement therein in response to the introduction of pressurized fluid within the housing, and a pair of expandable flexible fingers connected at one end to the piston and extending outside the housing where fluid-actuated movement of the piston causes the fingers to partially retract within the housing and wedge within the aligned apertures of the workpieces to temporarily clamp the workpieces together. A check valve within the piston assembly prevents the escape of pressurized fluid from within the fluid pressure chamber when the source of pressurized fluid is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire assembly for irrigation systems that prevents the formation of ruts caused by repeated travel along a path by tires of a mobile vehicle or structure. The tire assembly includes dual tires with a flexible belt member wrapped around the outer periphery of the two tires having a plurality of cleat members located on the outer surface of the flexible belt member. The cleat members direct water away from the center of the travel path. The flexible belt member further includes plural center guides to keep the belt in place. The tire assembly reduces soil compaction by providing a greater ground engaging surface area to more evenly distribute the weight of the equipment and by directing water away from the center of the travel path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tire assembly for irrigation systems that prevents the formation of ruts caused by repeated travel along a path by tires of a mobile vehicle or structure. The tire assembly includes dual tires with a flexible belt member wrapped around the outer periphery of the two tires having a plurality of cleat members located on the outer surface of the flexible belt member. The cleat members direct water away from the center of the travel path. The flexible belt member further includes plural center guides to keep the belt in place. The tire assembly reduces soil compaction by providing a greater ground engaging surface area to more evenly distribute the weight of the equipment and by directing water away from the center of the travel path.

Abstract: An alignment device with a radially expandable tube for temporary alignment of a plurality of apertured workpieces in which the precise alignment of associated apertures is required. The radially expandable tube extends from the housing, and contains a plurality of bearings, each associated with at least one radially expandable ring. Each bearing has a tapered surface that engages and radially expands its associated ring upon relative movement of the bearing into the ring. The expansion of the rings applies a radially outwardly directed force on the interior surface of the tube.