Abstract: A clampless fitting for one or more plastic pipes. The fitting has at least one section extending along an axis with a sealing portion and pipe gripping portion adjacent one another on the outer surface of the section. The pipe gripping portion includes a recess extending about the axis of the fitting section with a pipe gripping ring removably received in it and extending substantially about the axis. The ring is substantially C-shaped about the axis and has a plurality of pairs of first and second end segments spaced from each other along the axis and respectively joined by a central pivot segment. In operation, the fitting section is inserted in a first direction into the open end of the plastic pipe to a first location relative to the pipe in which both the sealing and pipe gripping portions are received in the pipe.

Abstract: A ratcheting cutting tool for plastic pipes having first and second, elongated rigid members pivotally mounted to each other. Each rigid member has a handle and the first rigid member additionally has an anvil at an end opposite from its handle. A spring-biased, knife blade member with a cutting edge and with a plurality of ratchet teeth is pivotally mounted to the first member. The tool further includes drive and catch pawls pivotally mounted to the respective rigid members. In operation, the handles of the rigid members can be repeatedly squeezed together to progressively move the cutting edge of the knife blade member in a step-by-step manner toward the anvil to cut through a plastic pipe positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A ratcheting cutting tool for plastic pipes having first and second, elongated rigid members pivotally mounted to each other, Each rigid member has a handle and the first rigid member additionally has an anvil at an end opposite from its handle. A spring-biased, knife blade member with a cutting edge and with a plurality of ratchet teeth is pivotally mounted to the first member The tool further includes drive and catch pawls pivotally mounted to the respective rigid members. In operation, the handles of the rigid members can be repeatedly squeezed together to progressively move the cutting edge of the knife blade member in a step-by-step manner toward the anvil to cut through a plastic pipe positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a cutting tool for plastic pipes. The tool includes two elongated members pivotally connected to each other in a scissors-like manner. Each elongated member has a handle portion and a jaw portion with one jaw portion including a knife blade and the other an anvil. In the preferred embodiments, the jaws of the cutting tool are spring-biased apart toward an open position. The locking mechanism for the tool includes a bail member on one handle and a C-shaped catch member on the other. In operation, the bail member can be pivoted to an extended position to contact and automatically slide along the opposite handle into a locking position with the catch member as the handles are squeezed together.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a cutting tool for plastic pipes. The tool includes two elongated members pivotally connected to each other in a scissors-like manner. Each elongated member has a handle portion and a jaw portion with one jaw portion including a knife blade and the other an anvil. In the preferred embodiments, the jaws of the cutting tool are spring-biased apart toward an open position. The locking mechanism for the tool includes a bail member on one handle and a C-shaped catch member on the other. In operation, the bail member can be pivoted to an extended position to contact and automatically slide along the opposite handle into a locking position with the catch member as the handles are squeezed together.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a cutting tool for plastic pipes. The tool includes two elongated members pivotally connected to each other in a scissors-like manner. Each elongated member has a handle portion and a jaw portion with one jaw portion including a knife blade and the other an anvil. In the preferred embodiments, the jaws of the cutting tool are spring-biased apart toward an open position. The locking mechanism for the tool includes a bail member on one handle and a C-shaped catch member on the other. In operation, the bail member can be pivoted to an extended position to contact and automatically slide along the opposite handle into a locking position with the catch member as the handles are squeezed together.

Abstract: A saddle and tap for lawn and similar irrigation systems. The saddle includes a base portion that snaps on the delivery pipe of the system and a pair of threaded, upright portions that extend upwardly from it. The tap includes a piercing member, barrel section, and threaded annular nut. In operation, the barrel section helps to guide the threaded upright portions of the saddle into the threaded annular nut of the tap. Rotation of the nut then advances the piercing member into the pipe. The tap is releasably lockable on the saddle and the piercing member of the tap is provided with holes with radiused or rounded edges to prevent creating undesirable shavings as the tap is advanced through the pipe wall.

Abstract: A saddle and tap for lawn and similar irrigation systems. The saddle includes a base portion that snaps on the delivery pipe of the system and a pair of threaded, upright portions that extend upwardly from it. The tap includes a piercing member, barrel section, and threaded annular nut. In operation, the barrel section helps to guide the threaded upright portions of the saddle into the threaded annular nut of the tap. Rotation of the nut then advances the piercing member into the pipe. The tap is releasably lockable on the saddle and the piercing member of the tap is provided with holes with radiused or rounded edges to prevent creating undesirable shavings as the tap is advanced through the pipe wall.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to store information on magnetic or optical storage media by using one or more novel approaches alone or in combination. These novel approaches are capable of using at least one code which may comprise more than two values (FIG. 4d, 43). A first series of approaches for the storage of information applies generally to optical recording and reproducing system (FIGS. 7-10, optical media 66), while a second series of approaches applies generally to electric or magnetic recording and reproducing systems (FIG. 1-2, magnetic medium 1), Each series of approaches is capable of storing information data in one or more codes (FIG. 4d, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) and the use of at least one higher order code which is different from the traditional binary code of “0” and “1”.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic completion of a computer generated screen including a plurality of fields. As the user completes each field in the screen with an alphanumeric string, the alphanumeric string is associated with an identification number. The alphanumeric string entries in the fields of the screen can be represented as a sequence of identification strings. As each screen is completed by the user, the present invention generates a sequence of identification strings representative of the screen. The rows are stored in memory and are used to automatically complete later screens at the user's command. When a user wishes to automatically complete the screen, the fields of the current screen that contain alphanumeric strings are analyzed. Once all of the fields have been analyzed and a sequence of identification numbers formed, the sequence of identification numbers for the current screen is compared to the plurality of sequences of identification numbers for prior screens.

Abstract: A graphical user interface designed as a notebook with tabs used to control operation of multiple applications and multiple operations within the applications. Each page of a notebook represents a different application all within an Object Linking and Embedding (OLE 2.0.TM.) environment. Each page has an associated tab that is used to access the application by clicking on it. A dragging feature allows a user to drag an entire application from one notebook to a second notebook without closing that application. Also this application can be dragged to the desktop and placed in new folder or thrown away. There also are design features which allow the user to change the look of the notebook.