Abstract: An object clamp includes first and second clamp portions having recesses therein defining a generally circular cylindrical opening for receiving an object to be clamped. The first and second opposing clamp portions have at least one pair of opposing ends when in a preclamped state and at least one fastener for urging the ends towards each other when in a clamped state. At least one relief area is formed in the recesses and is deflected into engagement with the object when the object clamp is in the clamped state. The object to be clamped may be a bicycle steering tube, a bicycle handle bar, or a bicycle seat tube, for example.

Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a handlebar clamping portion and handlebar clamping member having respective first and second clamp surfaces defining interlocking joints. Each interlocking joint may include a recess and a projection therein to resist relative sliding motion in a direction generally parallel to an axis of a handlebar-receiving passageway to thereby resist torsional loading. A plurality of fasteners may secure the handlebar clamp member to the handlebar clamping portion.

Abstract: A tooling fixture for rotatably positioning a plurality of workpieces includes a base and a housing carried by the base. A plurality of workpiece spindles are carried by the housing. The tooling fixture also includes a spindle drive assembly for rotatably positioning the workpiece spindles. The spindle drive assembly includes a body movable along a predetermined path of travel between first and second spaced-apart positions within the housing, and converter members for converting movement of the body along the predetermined path of travel into rotation of the workpiece spindles.

Abstract: A bicycle stem may include a body portion and a handlebar clamping portion connected thereto, and a handlebar clamping member cooperating with the handlebar clamping portion to clamp the bicycle handlebar. The handlebar clamping member and the handlebar clamping portion may each have a cavity in a respective medial portion thereof to accommodate an enlarged diameter portion of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may have a generally rectangular shape with a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may also be completely removable from the handlebar clamping portion in some embodiments, to facilitate installation of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping portion may also have a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar.

Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a steering tube clamp with a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the steering tube. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The stem may include a body portion having opposing first and second ends, a handlebar clamping portion connected to the first end of the body portion, and a steering tube clamping portion connected to the second end of the body portion. The steering tube clamping portion may have a tubular shape defining a steering tube receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the steering tube receiving passageway and in communication therewith.

Abstract: A bicycle gear shifting system includes a gear shifting derailleur, a rotatable shift member to be rotatably carried by handlebars of the bicycle and connected to the gear shifting derailleur, and a hand attachment to be carried by a hand of a rider. The rotatable shift member and the hand attachment may each have respective mating surfaces for positively engaging one another to facilitate gear shifting by the rider and are readily releasable to permit the rider to change hand positions. More particularly, the mating surfaces may include pairs of corresponding recesses and projections. The pairs of corresponding recesses and projections may also be tapered. Furthermore, the mating surfaces may engage in superposed relation upon radial squeezing of the hand of the rider. According to another embodiment, the mating surfaces may engage in side-by-side relation upon lateral positioning of the hand of the rider.

Abstract: A tooling fixture for rotatably positioning a plurality of workpieces includes a base and a housing carried by the base. A plurality of workpiece spindles are carried by the housing. The tooling fixture also includes a spindle drive assembly for rotatably positioning the workpiece spindles. The spindle drive assembly includes a body movable along a predetermined path of travel between first and second spaced-apart positions within the housing, and converter members for converting movement of the body along the predetermined path of travel into rotation of the workpiece spindles.

Abstract: An object clamp includes first and second clamp portions having recesses therein defining a generally circular cylindrical opening for receiving an object to be clamped. The first and second opposing clamp portions have at least one pair of opposing ends when in a preclamped state and at least one fastener for urging the ends towards each other when in a clamped state. At least one relief area is formed in the recesses and is deflected into engagement with the object when the object clamp is in the clamped state. The object to be clamped may be a bicycle steering tube, a bicycle handle bar, or a bicycle seat tube, for example.

Abstract: A clamp includes an object clamping portion having a tubular shape defining an object receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the object receiving passageway and in communication therewith. An object clamp is received in the clamp receiving passageway, and may include a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the object. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The object clamp may also include at least one fastener extending between corresponding fastener receiving passageways of the pair of clamp members for urging the clamp members together to engage the object. The at least one fastener may be a plurality of fasteners. The fastener receiving passageways may also be canted at a predetermined angle from parallel to the axis of the imaginary cylinder.

Abstract: A protective tire liner is positioned between the bicycle inner tube and the bicycle outer tire of a bicycle wheel. The tire liner includes a puncture-resistant flexible strip to protect the inner tube from puncture damage, and at least one covering layer on the puncture-resistant flexible strip to cover at least the side edges thereof. The puncture-resistant strip has a relatively abrasive surface especially at side edges thereof so as to be capable of abrading the inner tube upon relative motion. Accordingly, the covering layer prevents abrading of the inner tube which would otherwise occur. The protective liner protects the inner tube from puncture damage, such as from thorns, as are commonly encountered when mountain biking. In one embodiment, the at least one covering layer comprises a flexible plastic strip spirally wound about the puncture-resistant flexible strip.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for pivotally connecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support. The locking device is locked in an open position by a first ratchet member attached to the closure and a second ratchet member attached to the support, the ratchet members being biased into engagement by at least one spring. A mechanism is provided to disengage the ratchet members and to hold the first and second ratchet members in a disengaged position so that the closure may be pivoted to a closed position.

Abstract: A specimen container having a laterally projecting pouring spout and a removable cover retained by screw threads in such fashion that the cover closes both the main container body and the pouring spout, the tip of the pouring spout serving as part of the screw threads.

Abstract: Specimen containers, such as containers for urine specimens, are produced in a manner which assures not only against spillage of the specimen but also against possible confusion as to the source of the specimen.

Abstract: For a dentist's installation comprising a handpiece equipped with a turbine for driving a dental tool and flexible conduits leading to the handpiece to supply pressure fluid for driving the turbine, leading turbine exhaust fluid away from the handpiece, and supplying at least cooling water to be applied to the tooth, the invention provides an improved swivel arrangement effective to prevent forces from being applied by the flexible hoses to the handpiece. A face seal swivel is employed in a manner eliminating compression seals, such as gaskets or O-rings. In addition to passing fluids, the device can transmit light via the swivel so that the dental tool and tooth can be illuminated.