Abstract: A flexible joint for conduit includes inner and outer conduit parts having a common longitudinal axis. The inner conduit part includes a spherically curved end portion received in the outer conduit part and having inner and outer surfaces. Inner and outer ring assemblies carried by the outer conduit part include inner and outer rings of low friction material engaging the inner and outer surfaces on the curved end portion of the inner conduit. The curved end portion is squeezed between the inner and outer ring assemblies with predetermined preloading force to provide the sole connection between the conduit parts. The conduit parts are pivotally movable relative to one another during which the ring assemblies and the inner and outer surfaces of the curved end portions slide past one another.

Abstract: A flexible joint for conduit includes inner and outer conduit members having telescoped end portions. The end portion on one member has a generally spherical surface portion facing toward the end portion of the other member and lying generally on the surface of a sphere having a sphere center intersecting the longitudinal axis of the one member. Sealing means extends from the other conduit member in sealing engagement with the spherical surface portion. Diagonally opposite pivot connections pivotally connect to the two members on a pivot axis which intersects the sphere center. The sealing means remains sealingly engaged with the spherical surface portion during limited pivotal movement of the two conduit members relative to one another about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A fuel filter bypass valve assembly includes a valve body having inlet and opposite sides. A movable member is peripherally sealed to the opposite side, and moves toward and away therefrom to define a variable volume chamber. Port means extends past the valve body for establishing communication between such chamber and the valve body inlet side. Yieldable biasing means is connected with the movable member for normally biasing same toward the valve body opposite side and biasing the entire assembly in a direction for positioning the inlet side against a valve seat. Cooperating stop means between the movable member and valve body limits movement of such movable member away from the valve body opposite side. The movable member and valve body are proportioned so that the pressure required to move the movable member away from the valve body against the force of the biasing means is substantially less than the pressure required to move the valve body away from the valve seat against the force of the biasing means.