Abstract: A system for restricting fluid flow through a conduit comprises a tapping saddle configured to couple to the conduit adjacent to an opening in the conduit, a valve coupled to the tapping saddle to allow selective access through the tapping saddle and the opening to an interior of the conduit, a tube insertable into the conduit through the opening, and an inflatable plug coupled to the tube and insertable into the conduit with the tube. The inflatable plug is inflatable within the conduit to restrict fluid flow. The inflatable plug includes a first plate positioned on an exterior surface of the inflatable plug, a second plate positioned on an interior surface of the inflatable plug, and at least one fluid port extending through the first plate and the second plate to facilitate inflation and deflation of the inflatable plug.

Abstract: An inflatable plug insertable into a conduit and inflatable therein to restrict fluid flow comprises a bladder having an interior surface and an exterior surface and at least one fabric layer covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the bladder. The inflatable plug also comprises a first plate, a second plate, and at least one fluid port. The first plate is positioned inside the bladder and adjacent to the interior surface of the bladder. The second plate is positioned outside the bladder and adjacent to the at least one fabric layer. The second plate is coupled to the first plate such that the first plate and the second plate clamp a portion of the at least one fabric layer and a portion of the bladder therebetween. The at least one fluid port extends through the first plate and the second plate and facilitates inflation and deflation of the bladder.

Abstract: An inflatable plug insertable into a conduit and inflatable therein to restrict fluid flow comprises a bladder having an interior surface and an exterior surface and at least one fabric layer covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the bladder. The inflatable plug also comprises a first plate, a second plate, and at least one fluid port. The first plate is positioned inside the bladder and adjacent to the interior surface of the bladder. The second plate is positioned outside the bladder and adjacent to the at least one fabric layer. The second plate is coupled to the first plate such that the first plate and the second plate clamp a portion of the at least one fabric layer and a portion of the bladder therebetween. The at least one fluid port extends through the first plate and the second plate and facilitates inflation and deflation of the bladder.

Abstract: An in-line swivel having a through bore for fluid flow therethrough. In one embodiment, the swivel comprises an inlet member having a first longitudinal axis and an outlet member having a second longitudinal axis. The outlet member is configured to rotate relative to the inlet member. The swivel also comprises a bearing having a third longitudinal axis. The bearing extends through at least a portion of at least one of the inlet member and the outlet member and includes a fluid passage such that the inlet member and the outlet member are in fluid communication through the bearing, and the first axis and the second axis are substantially perpendicular to the third axis.

Abstract: A flow-through inflatable plug assembly inflatable in a pipeline. The flow-through inflatable plug assembly includes a flow-through fluid conduit and a separate “donut-shaped” inflatable member having an aperture defined therein. For operation, the flow-through fluid conduit is inserted into the aperture of the inflatable member. When the flow-through inflatable plug assembly is inflated in a pipeline, the inflatable member fills the void between the inner diameter of the pipeline and the outer diameter of the flow-through fluid conduit. Thus, the flow-through fluid conduit is sealingly captured in the aperture such that fluid flow in the pipeline is limited to passage through the flow-through fluid conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for stopping a high pressurized fluid from escaping a rupture in a pipeline including a support member having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, an inner inflatable bladder, an outer material layer, and an inflation hose. The inner inflatable bladder sealingly engages the first end and the second end of the support member and substantially covers the outer surface of the support member. The inner inflatable bladder includes a material layer substantially impermeable to fluid. The outer material layer substantially encases the inner inflatable bladder and sealingly engages the first end and the second end of the support member. The outer layer is formed of a woven fabric material capable of withstanding high inflation pressures of approximately 100 psi. The inflation hose supplies pressurized fluid between the outer surface of the support member and the inner inflatable bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for stopping a high pressurized fluid from escaping a rupture in a pipeline including a support member having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, an inner inflatable bladder, an outer material layer, and an inflation hose. The inner inflatable bladder sealingly engages the first end and the second end of the support member and substantially covers the outer surface of the support member. The inner inflatable bladder includes a material layer substantially impermeable to fluid. The outer material layer substantially encases the inner inflatable bladder and sealingly engages the first end and the second end of the support member. The outer layer is formed of a woven fabric material capable of withstanding high inflation pressures of approximately 100 psi. The inflation hose supplies pressurized fluid between the outer surface of the support member and the inner inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A flow-through inflatable plug assembly inflatable in a pipeline. The flow-through inflatable plug assembly includes a flow-through fluid conduit and a separate “donut-shaped” inflatable member having an aperture defined therein. For operation, the flow-through fluid conduit is inserted into the aperture of the inflatable member. When the flow-through inflatable plug assembly is inflated in a pipeline, the inflatable member fills the void between the inner diameter of the pipeline and the outer diameter of the flow-through fluid conduit. Thus, the flow-through fluid conduit is sealingly captured in the aperture such that fluid flow in the pipeline is limited to passage through the flow-through fluid conduit.

Abstract: An inflatable resilient ball for use in a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball to cause movement of the ball. The ball includes an inner inflatable bladder and an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder. The inner inflatable bladder is formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid. The outer layer is formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact. The inflatable resilient ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet.

Abstract: A pipe sealing apparatus insertable inside a pipe and inflatable therein to prevent fluid flow and backflow through a defined section of pipe. The pipe sealing apparatus has a first inflatable plug at a first end and a second inflatable plug at a second end connected by an elongated flexible tensile member and a fluid pressure hose. Each inflatable plug has a plurality of ports that may be connected to a source of fluid pressure, plugged, or left unplugged depending on the application. The second inflatable plug may be inflated either simultaneous with the first plug, or independent of the first plug. Each inflatable plug also has a flow-through conduit.

Abstract: A pipe sealing apparatus insertable inside a pipe and inflatable therein to prevent fluid flow and backflow through a defined section of pipe. The pipe sealing apparatus has a first inflatable plug at a first end and a second inflatable plug at a second end connected by an elongated flexible tensile member and a fluid pressure hose. Each inflatable plug has a plurality of ports that may be connected to a source of fluid pressure, plugged, or left unplugged depending on the application. The second inflatable plug may be inflated either simultaneous with the first plug, or independent of the first plug. Each inflatable plug also has a flow-through conduit.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for repairing a pipe and including the acts of providing an inflatable packer which when deflated has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the pipe such that the uninflated packer can be pulled through the pipe, applying a repair material around the uninflated packer, moving the uninflated packer through the pipe to a position where the uninflated packer is housed in a section of the pipe to be lined and inflating the packer with fluid pressure to force the repair material against the inner surface of the section of the pipe to be lined.

Abstract: A pipe sealing apparatus insertable inside a pipe and inflatable therein to prevent fluid flow and backflow through a defined section of pipe. The pipe sealing apparatus has a first inflatable plug at a first end and a second inflatable plug at a second end connected by an elongated flexible tensile member and a fluid pressure hose. Each inflatable plug has a plurality of ports that may be connected to a source of fluid pressure, plugged, or left unplugged depending on the application. The second inflatable plug may be inflated either simultaneous with the first plug, or independent of the first plug. Each inflatable plug also has a flow-through conduit.

Abstract: A pipe sealing apparatus insertable inside a pipe and inflatable therein to prevent fluid flow and backflow through a defined section of pipe. The pipe sealing apparatus has a first inflatable plug at a first end and a second inflatable plug at a second end connected by an elongated flexible tensile member and a fluid pressure hose. Each inflatable plug has a plurality of ports that may be connected to a source of fluid pressure, plugged, or left unplugged depending on the application. The second inflatable plug may be inflated either simultaneous with the first plug, or independent of the first plug. Each inflatable plug also has a flow-through conduit.

Abstract: A pipe sealing apparatus insertable inside a pipe and inflatable therein to prevent fluid flow through the pipe includes an elongated inflatable sleeve of elastomeric material and an elongated outer sleeve substantially surrounding the inflatable sleeve. The inflatable sleeve is shiftable with respect to the outer sleeve during inflation of the inflatable sleeves. An intermediate sleeve, shiftable with respect to each of the inflatable sleeve and outer sleeve, may be provided between the inflatable sleeve and the outer sleeve. The ends of the inflatable, intermediate, and outer sleeves may be folded and clampingly sealed to each other to provide a fluid-tight seal at opposite ends of the sealing apparatus. A flexible cylindrical member may extend through the inflatable sleeve between the opposite ends thereof, an inflatable space being defined between the cylindrical member and the inflatable sleeve.

Abstract: An inflatable plug adapted to be inserted into a pipe and inflated to plug the pipe and create therein a watertight seal. The inflatable plug includes a cylinder surrounded by a sleeve formed by layers of elastomeric material wrapped around the cylinder. The opposite ends of the sleeve are clamped to the cylinder ends. The inflatable plug also includes a fluid passage for supplying pressurized fluid between the cylinder and the elastomeric sleeve for inflating the elastomeric sleeve.

Abstract: A hydraulic jack includes a linkage movable from a first position to a second position for engaging and elevating a load, a hydraulic ram coupled to the linkage for moving the same toward its second position upon the application of fluid pressure, and a pump coupled to the hydraulic ram for applying fluid pressure thereto. The pump includes a piston operable for delivering a first quantity of hydraulic fluid to the ram through a first path at a first pressure and a second quantity of hydraulic fluid to the ram through a second path at a second pressure, the first quantity being substantially larger than the second quantity and the first pressure being substantially lower than the second pressure.

Abstract: A loading ramp bracket for use in attaching an upper end of a support member to an elevated support surface to facilitate use of the support member as a loading ramp for moving objects to and from the support surface, the loading ramp bracket including a first one-piece bracket member including a generally horizontal plate portion having a lower surface adapted to be positioned on the support surface and to be releaseably secured to the support surface, a downwardly inclined plate portion having a lower surface adapted to be positioned in face-to-face engagement with the upper surface of an end of the support member, the inclined portion being integrally joined to one end of the horizontal portion along a junction line, and the one piece bracket member having at least one aperture located adjacent the junction line, a second bracket member adapted to be releasably, hingedly joined to the first one-piece bracket member, the second bracket member including a lower plate portion having an upper surface adapted t

Abstract: A container for a portable automobile ramp, the ramp including a platform having opposite ends and an upper surface for supporting an automobile tire, a leg extending downwardly from one end of the platform, and a ramp extending at an incline downwardly from the other end of the platform, and the container comprising a body portion for enclosing the platform of the automobile ramp, the body portion including opposite ends, a leg portion for enclosing the leg of the automobile ramp, the leg portion being integrally connected to the body portion and extending generally perpendicularly from one end of the body portion, and a ramp portion for enclosing the ramp of the automobile ramp, the ramp portion being integrally connected to the body portion and extending obliquely from the opposite end of the body portion.

Abstract: A jack stand and a method for manufacturing a jack stand of the type used in supporting a vehicle. A rectangular sheet metal plate is stamped so as to form at least two elongated parallel slots in the sheet metal plate, said elongated parallel slots being spaced apart from one another and each being spaced from the lateral sides of the sheet metal plate. The slots define three parallel planar legs integrally joined to a transverse body portion of the rectangular sheet metal plate. The rectangular sheet metal plate is bent such that the transverse body portion of the rectangular sheet metal plate forms a cylindrical body. The legs are each bent about a longitudinal axis and the free ends of the legs are bent radially outwardly away from one another so as to define a tetrahedral structure supporting the cylindrical body.