Abstract: A method for reverse maneuvering a flat-towed dinghy attached to a towing vehicle. A carrier includes a platform, two caster wheels, and a drag mechanism. The drag mechanism is configured to present greater resistance to lateral movement than the two caster wheels. When the front tires of a flat-towed dinghy are loaded onto a pair of carriers, the dinghy is maneuvered in reverse without the dinghy front wheels reverting to the maximum turn that is normally caused by the dinghy front wheel steering caster angle. The dinghy rolls onto the carrier when the flat-towed dinghy is moved in the backward direction. A chock or stop device prevents the front tire from rolling off the platform when the flat-towed dinghy is moving in the backward direction. The dinghy rolls off the carrier when the dinghy is moved in the forward direction.

Abstract: A method for reverse maneuvering a flat-towed dinghy attached to a towing vehicle. A carrier includes a platform, two caster wheels, and a drag mechanism. The drag mechanism is configured to present greater resistance to lateral movement than the two caster wheels. When the front tires of a flat-towed dinghy are loaded onto a pair of carriers, the dinghy is maneuvered in reverse without the dinghy front wheels reverting to the maximum turn that is normally caused by the dinghy front wheel steering caster angle. The dinghy rolls onto the carrier when the flat-towed dinghy is moved in the backward direction. A chock or stop device prevents the front tire from rolling off the platform when the flat-towed dinghy is moving in the backward direction. The dinghy rolls off the carrier when the dinghy is moved in the forward direction.

Abstract: A carrier for reverse maneuvering a flat-towed dinghy attached to a towing vehicle. The carrier includes a platform, two caster wheels, and a friction slide plate. The friction slide plate is configured to present greater resistance to horizontal movement than the two caster wheels. When the front tires of a flat-towed dinghy are loaded onto a pair of carriers, the dinghy is maneuvered in reverse without the dinghy front wheels reverting to the maximum turn that is normally caused by the dinghy front wheel steering caster angle. The dinghy rolls onto the carrier when the flat-towed dinghy is moved in the backward direction. A chock or stop device prevents the front tire from rolling off the platform when the flat-towed dinghy is moving in the backward direction. The dinghy rolls off the carrier when the dinghy is moved in the forward direction.

Abstract: A carrier for reverse maneuvering a flat-towed dinghy attached to a towing vehicle. The carrier includes a platform, two caster wheels, and a friction slide plate. The friction slide plate is configured to present greater resistance to horizontal movement than the two caster wheels. When the front tires of a flat-towed dinghy are loaded onto a pair of carriers, the dinghy is maneuvered in reverse without the dinghy front wheels reverting to the maximum turn that is normally caused by the dinghy front wheel steering caster angle. The dinghy rolls onto the carrier when the flat-towed dinghy is moved in the backward direction. A chock or stop device prevents the front tire from rolling off the platform when the flat-towed dinghy is moving in the backward direction. The dinghy rolls off the carrier when the dinghy is moved in the forward direction.

Abstract: A coupling system, comprising: a first bellows element; a fluid handling component; and a coupling assembly releasably connecting the first bellows element to the fluid handling component for maintaining a secure connection between the first bellows element and the fluid handling component. The coupling assembly comprises a first flange attached to the first bellows element and a second flange attached to the fluid handling component, the first and second flanges alignable with each other to form a locking space; a locking member sized to fill the locking space; and a sealing structure positioned between the first bellows element and the fluid handling component to form a seal proximate the effective diameter of the first bellows element. A kit and a method for connecting a bellows element to a fluid handling component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bellows structure for use in high velocity, linear motion applications and which incorporates self-damping is disclosed. The bellows structure utilizes a plurality of thicker convolutions at each end of a regular bellows section to join the bellows section to its terminations. The thicker convolutions are distributed asymmetrically with the greater number of thicker convolutions being placed adjacent the stationary end of the bellows. The bellows structure increases the energy absorption capabilities of the stationary end of the bellows, and causes the intersecting, energy-absorbing waves traveling through the bellows section to intersect more frequently resulting in their internal cancellation.

Abstract: A pressure balanced bellows seal for a valve or pump is disclosed. The bellows seal includes a seal bellows assembly which is operatively and sealingly attached to the valve stem, a counterbellows assembly which is substantially concentric with the seal bellows assembly, a midplate which operatively joins the seal bellows assembly and the counterbellows assembly in an end-to-end arrangement, and an inert fluid within the cavity formed by the seal bellows assembly and the counterbellows assembly and which is moveable therebetween to compensate for volumetric changes resulting from the axial movement of the valve stem. The inert fluid balances the pressure of the process fluid and distributes it substantially uniformly against the seal bellows assembly and the counterbellows assembly thus substantially eliminating any pressure stresses within the bellows assemblies.

Abstract: A modular approach to the fabrication and assembly of metallic bellows assemblies is disclosed. A metallic bellows module is provided with a female coupling arrangement in the form of a circumferential pocket at one end and a conically shaped male coupling arrangement at the other end thereof. The conically shaped male coupling on one metallic bellows module is receivable within the circumferential pocket in a female coupling on another metallic bellows module. A plurality of set screws positioned around the periphery of the female coupling contact the conical surface of the male coupling causing the male coupling to move axially into the female coupling compressing an O-ring positioned within the circumferential pocket in the female coupling.

Abstract: A device for welding thin metallic diaphragms which can be combined to form a bellows arrangement and method for using same is disclosed. The device uses a pair of weld spools (22), in a spaced apart relationship, each having a circumferential groove (26) formed therein to receive the surfaces defining the inside diameters of the diaphragms. A pressure roller (20) is provided and has a plurality of circumferential grooves (38) formed therein, the axial spacing between the circumferential grooves (38) approximating the desired pitch of the resulting diaphragm convolution. Each of the circumferential grooves (38) receives a surface defining the outside diameter of a diaphragm and pressure is applied thereto by the pressure roller (20). Rotation of the pressure roller (20) and the pair of weld spools (22) by their respective drive shafts (44,32) causes the diaphragms to rotate about their axes permitting a welding torch (50) to weld the surfaces defining the inside diameters of the diaphragms.

Abstract: A device for welding thin metallic diaphragms which can be combined to form a bellows arrangement and method for using same is disclosed. The device uses a pair of weld spools (22), in a spaced apart relationship, each having a circumferential groove (26) formed therein to receive the surfaces defining the inside diameters of the diaphragms. A pressure roller (20) is provided and has a plurality of circumferential grooves (28) formed therein, the axial spacing between the circumferential grooves (28) approximating the desired pitch of the resulting diaphragm convolution. Each of the circumferential grooves (28) receives a surface defining the outside diameter of a diaphragm and pressure is applied thereto by the pressure roller (20). Rotation of the pressure roller (20) and the pair of weld spools (22) by their respective drive shafts (42,32) causes the diaphragms to rotate about their axes permitting a welding torch (50) to weld the surfaces defining the inside diameters of the diaphragms.

Abstract: A device that can individually separate thin nested metallic diaphragms prior to welding same to form bellows is disclosed. The device uses a threaded rod (16) which is tilted upwardly with respect to the horizontal. One end of threaded rod (16) is received through the inside diameter of a stack (32) of nested diaphragms while the other end thereof is received in a collet (18) attached to a gear motor (20). As threaded rod (16) is rotated by gear motor (20), each diaphragm (10) is carried in its own groove provided by the threads on the threaded rod (16) to the free end thereof where one diaphragm is discharged for each revolution of the threaded rod (16).

Abstract: A splint for use with the distal joint of a finger or thumb to control marked hyperextension of the joint. The splint is particularly useful in improving handwriting of persons experiencing such hyperextension by providing a preselected force urging the finger into flexion. A generally E-shaped frame is formed from spring steel wire with mutually parallel outer arm, central arm and inner arm connected by an outer side element and an inner side element. The side elements form an obtuse angle in the range of 120.degree. to 130.degree.. The arms are padded with the central arm pad disposed in the volar interphalangeal crease of the distal joint of the finger, the inner arm pad on the dorsal surface over the middle phalanx, and the outer arm pad on the dorsal surface over the distal phalanx. The angle of the side elements results in spring tension between the pads to resist hyperextension of the distal joint.