Abstract: A twist-lock connector for adjustably connecting interlocking telescopic tubular members includes a camming surface on the interior surface of a rotatable member which cooperates with the camming member of a seating member attached to a first tubular member. The twist-lock connector is employed by inserting the male end of a second tubular member inside the female end of a first tubular member to which the seating member is attached, and rotating the rotatable member in a first direction until the camming action causes the engaging surface of the seating member to lock by frictionally engaging the outer surface of the second tubular member. Disconnection of the tubular members is effected by reversing the order of the steps for connection. The twist-lock connector also includes an overtightening protection feature. When the rotatable member is rotated in the first direction relative to the seating member by approximately 180°, the lock is released, but without breakage of the twist-lock connector.

Abstract: A golf putter is described mounting an elongated aiming arm which can be moved between an extended operative position and a folded storage position against the rear face of the putter head. Means are provided in the rear face of the putter head for adjustably engaging the arm when moved into its operative position to limit its travel between the folded position and the operative position and to maintain the arm in a precise perpendicular relationship to the striking face of the putter head. The aiming arm is pivotally mounted on the rear face of the club head by means of a socket which is located in the rear face of the club head and the arm is provided with a ball on one end which is received in the socket for pivotally mounting the arm. A spring loaded plunger and a circumfeential groove on the ball define a detent for securing the aiming arm in its operative position. A dimple on the innermost pole of the ball cooperates wuth the plunger to define a detent for securing the arm in its folded postion.

Abstract: A hose for low pressure and vacuum applications is provided by a helically wound strip of resilient material. The leading and trailing posts of the helically wound strip interlock with one another and are provided with projections which define a space for confining a bead of bonding material. The profile of the hose configuration prevents the bonding material from encroaching areas of flexation in the hose. The helically wound hose has a close pitch and exhibits good hoop strength, flexibility and bonding characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatus (42, 72) is used to fill a hose (36) with water (12), from which a secondary source of power is derived, and simultaneously to expel air from the hose while connected to the vacuum side of a pump (20) without loss of the prime in the pump. The apparatus comprises a housing (44, 74) submergeable in the water and having a pair of chambers (46, 48 & 76, 78) respectively having inlets (58, 80) and outlets (64, 86), with the inlets being open to the water and the outlets being coupled respectively to the pump and to the hose. Impellers (54, 100 & 56, 102) respectively in their chambers are coupled together by a shaft (52, 98) in which a first of the impellers (54, 100) is driven by a second of the impellers (56, 102) when water is drawn by the pump past the second of the impellers.

Abstract: Apparatus (42, 72) for filling a hose (36) with water (12) and simultaneously for expelling air from the hose while connected to the vacuum side of a pump (20) in preparation for cleaning debris from a swimming pool (10) without loss of the prime in the pump comprises a housing (44, 74) submergeable in the water and having a pair of chambers (46, 48 & 76, 78) respectively having inlets (58, 80) and outlets (64, 86), with the inlets being open to the water and the outlets being coupled respectively to the pump and to the hose. Impellers (54, 100 & 56, 102) respectively in their chambers are coupled together by a shaft (52, 98) in which a first of the impellers (54, 100) is driven by a second of the impellers (56, 102) when water is drawn by the pump past the second of the impellers. In one embodiment, elbow conduit (110) can be slid from a first position where water purges air from the hose to a second position where the hose is used to clean debris from the swimming pool.

Abstract: One or more electric conductors (36, 236) in a flexible hose (10, 210) are protected from tensile and compressive forces exerted on or by the hose by providing an enclosure (32, 232) for the conductor(s) whose radial dimension (46, 246) provides a path for movement of the conductor(s) that is greater than any movement thereon exerted on or by the hose which might otherwise harm or break the conductor(s).

Abstract: A flexible hose having resistance to radial crush is formed from a bonded and interlocked helically wound rod or strip of plastic co-extrusion. The co-extruded profile of the strip is defined by a pair of matable rib components which are joined by a web. The rib components are bonded, sealed and interlocked together at adjoining convolutions of the profile not only to form the hose but also to form a composite rib integrated into the hose for resisting radial crushing and axially directed deformation forces exerted on the hose. The composite rib is formed from a material having a hardness which is greater than that of at least a part of the web for rendering the rib with a relatively stiff bend resistance characteristic and the web with a relatively soft and flexible characteristic. The web itself may be a co-extrusion of two materials placed in series, or in parallel as a laminate, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A fitting (10) secures a vacuum hose (20) to a wand or tank of a vacuum cleaner. The hose is swivelably and pneumatically sealed within the fitting through use of a sealing surface (18) on the fitting in engagement with a flexible lip (28) at the end portion (24) of the vacuum hose. A ring (30) engageable with the fitting compresses the end portion in order to bias the flexible lip into engagement with the sealing surface. The electrical terminations including slip rings (144) are used to terminate a hose (120) with electrical conductors therein to cooperating electrical connections.

Abstract: The hose, which is particularly adapted for use with an electrically-driven vacuum cleaning apparatus, comprises a substantially air-tight, flexible tube which is pneumatically coupled between the vacuum pump and the suction head. The suction hose comprises one or more elongated strips which is or are helically wound into tubular form. In a pair of parallelly placed strips, the strip margin of the first strip is secured to an adjacent margin of the second strip at adjoining convolutions of the strips. Electrical conductors are carried by the strips within helically extending cavities formed at the edges or margins of each of the strips and are a portion of that means which electrically couples the cleaning brush to the electrical power supply.