Abstract: Apparatus for deflecting a shower curtain outwardly of a shower stall through the access opening of the stall comprises relatively slideable rods accommodated in a tube which, when bowed, resists relative sliding movement of the rods. The opposite ends of the bowed deflector bear against spaced walls of the shower stall and cause the shower curtain also to be bowed outwardly of the access opening so as to increase the usable space within the stall.

Abstract: A grass shearing tool has an elongate extension arm connected to a base which in turn supports a grass shearing mechanism. A first lever is pivotally mounted on the base and connected to an upper pivotal blade of a shearing mechanism. A remote actuating lever is mounted pivotally on the extension arm and coupled to the first lever by a connecting rod to enable a user to operate the shearing mechanism while standing upright.

Abstract: A spading tool for use by persons who are unable or prefer not to bend over when uprooting weeds and other material has an elongate handle at the lower end of which is hinged a multiple-tine fork adapted to be embedded in the ground adjacent a weed to be uprooted. A ratcheting latch device enables the fork to be moved from an initial position in prolongation of the handle to an adjusted, angular position by rocking the handle back and forth. Such movement of the fork effects lifting of the weed out of the ground for disposal. The latch device may be disabled by movement of a remote release lever whereupon a return spring forcibly returns the fork to the initial position ready for further use.

Abstract: A flange alignment tool for temporarily aligning and holding a flange of a workpiece in concentric alignment with a tubular workpiece such as a pipe. The tool includes a C-shaped frame member having integrally formed first and second opposing end portions, a transverse frame section extending between the first and second opposing end portions, and an elongated base portion extending outwardly from the second end portion. The first opposing end portion, transverse frame section, and base portion each contain threaded apertures and associated, manually adjustable alignment screws. The tool is secured to a flange by placing it over an outer edge portion of the flange with an outer surface of the flange abuttingly engaging the second opposing end portion of the C-shaped frame member. The alignment screw of the first opposing end portion is then manually screwed into contact with an inner surface of the flange to secure the C-shaped frame member securely thereto.

Abstract: A refuse collector comprises a wheeled frame at one end of which is a hoop which supports a pliable cylindrical sleeve that is open at both of its ends. The hoop also is adapted to support a trash bag open at one end, the trash bag being accommodated within the sleeve. The handle is coupled to the hoop and is pivotable between a first position in which it extends in prolongation of the hoop and a second position in which it generally parallels the frame. In the first position the handle enables the user to move the frame along the ground with the open end of the trash bag in condition to receive litter and in the second position of the handle it provides a support for the frame in such manner as to maintain the trash bag and its contents in an upright position.

Abstract: Plant uprooting apparatus having a pair of jaws movable relatively to one another between open and closed positions in response to movements by a person of an actuating grip and linkage. The movement in one direction of the grip is limited so that the force that must be exerted by the person to maintain the jaws in their closed position is minimal.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning the confronting ends of two pipe sections having a joint therebetween comprising an anchor to which is secured one end of a clamp chain. A retainer carried by the anchor is attached to the chain at a zone which enables the chain to form a loop encircling one pipe section adjacent the joint. The loop carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced supports for supporting the other pipe section in a position to be welded to the first pipe section. The anchor and the retainer are relatively adjustable to enable the loop to be contracted and expanded.

Abstract: A welding fixture for use in aligning and holding plate-like members for welding comprises a first clamp unit having a cavity for the accommodation of one plate and provided with anchor screws operable to secure the clamp unit to the plate. The apparatus also includes a support unit that is carried by the first clamp unit and has a chamber therein for the accommodation of a second clamp member capable of receiving a second plate that is to be welded to the first plate. The second clamp unit has anchor screws for clamping the second clamp unit to the second plate. The support member is adjustable horizontally relative to the first clamp unit and the second clamp unit is adjustable vertically relative to the first clamp unit while such units are clamped to their respective plates so as to enable the two plates to be adjusted to and maintained in proper relative positions during welding.

Abstract: An internal alignment clamp for use in welding together the confronting ends of a pair of end-to-end pipe lengths comprises a body having an arcuate segment at the opposite ends of which are pivoted a pair of force applying arms movable into and out of engagement with the inner surfaces of such pipes. Mounted on the clamp body is a radially adjustable carriage equipped with a pair of driveable wheels that support the clamp for movement longitudinally of the pipes. An extensible and retractable ram is connected to the force applying arms and to the carriage and is operable to extend the arms and retract the driveable wheels, thereby enabling the arcuate segment of the clamp and the arms to bear against the inner surfaces of the pipes and conform their configurations. An insert is provided to span any gap which exists between the confronting ends of the arms in their expanded positions.

Abstract: A pipe clamp for use in welding together a pair of pipe sections having confronting ends adjacent one another comprises arcuate jaws together forming a generally circular body of such diameter as to encircle the pipes with adjacent ends of the jaws spaced by a gap. A force generating jack is carried by one of the jaws adjacent the gap and has a radially reciprocable member to which is secured one end of a flexible force transmitting member which spans the gap and has its other end secured to the other jaw. The force transmitting member is trained around a force conversion member carried by the one jaw which converts radial force to circumferential force enabling the gap to be closed. The jaws are provided with cooperable guides to maintain those ends of the jaws adjacent the gap in circumferential alignment.

Abstract: A pipe clamp for use in positioning a pair of pipe sections preparatory to welding them together comprises an adjustable size loop encircling one of such pipe sections and formed by a frame member and a flexible chain. The chain has a plurality of jackbar holders spaced circumferentially of the loop and each holder supports a jackbar that is adjustable axially of the loop. The frame member also supports one or more axially adjustable jackbars. Each jackbar carries at one end a jack screw that is adjustable radially of the loop so as to shift a second pipe section radially of the first pipe section for coaxial alignment of such pipe sections. The jackscrews also are capable of exerting radial forces on the pipe sections so as to conform their confronting ends. At the opposite end of each jackbar is a stablizing foot engageable with one of the pipe sections to prevent rocking of the jackbar when its jack screw bears against a pipe section.

Abstract: A clamp for facilitating the welding of two pipe sections end-to-end comprises a clamp encircling one of the pipe sections adjacent one end thereof and a plurality of jacks removably secured to the clamp circumferentially of the latter. Each jack includes a pair of legs which straddle the clamp and terminate at corresponding ends in grippers which forcibly engage the clamp. The grippers are movable toward and away from each other so as to engage and disengage the clamp and thereby enable a jack to be located at any selected position on the clamp without necessitating any adjustment of the latter.

Abstract: A tool adapted for use by a pipefitter in welding a length of pipe to a fitting in which one end of the pipe is accommodated with a predetermined spacing between the end of the pipe and an internal shoulder within the fitting. The tool has jaws which may be clamped on the pipe when the end of the latter is in abutting engagement with the shoulder of the fitting and includes spacers that are movable to a position between the jaws and the end of the fitting to provide a predetermined spacing between the free end of the pipe and the shoulder of the fitting. The tool also includes scribers for marking the pipe and the fitting in such manner as to facilitate verifying that such gap has been provided between the end of the pipe and the shoulder of the fitting.

Abstract: A welder's gauge for detecting mismatches between two members having a gap therebetween and which are to be welded together comprises a pair of side-by-side elongate body members guided for relative axial movements. Feelers project from the body members and terminate in feet that can be passed through the gap following which they can be turned to span the gap and engage the surfaces of the two members to be welded together. Differences in the levels of the two surfaces are indicated by indicia on the body members. The feelers are removable from the respective body members for repair or replacement.

Abstract: A pipefitter's protractor has a pair of body members each of which is capable of supporting a welder's square. The body members are relatively rotatable about an axis so as to enable the squares to occupy any selected position of angular adjustment. The squares are supported on opposite sides of their respective body members to prevent interference between the squares during rotation of the body members.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in welding end-to-end a pair of annular members such as pipes has first and second annular clamps for encircling and clamping the respective pipes. One of the clamps is supported by the other for axial, transverse, and rocking movements relative to the other clamp while the two pipes are clamped so as to enable the confronting ends of the two pipes to be located in a predetermined relationship prior to being welded together and then maintained in such relationship during welding. Clamping forces are applied on the pipes by radially adjustable pressure members spaced circumferentially about the clamps. The clamps are swingable conjointly from a vertical, operative position to a horizontal position in which the assembly and adjustment of the pressure members is facilitated.

Abstract: A tool for use in welding a pipe to a fitting and wherein a gap is to be provided between the end of the pipe and an internal shoulder in the fitting. The tool has support arms provided with jaws that may be clamped onto the pipe and shims that may be manipulated to provide the gap. The tool has scribes for inscribing marks on the fitting and on the pipe to facilitate inspections following welding operations. The jaws are pivotal relative to the support arms to facilitate welding operations.

Abstract: An internal clamp mechanism for use in welding two pipes together in end to end prolongation has a pair of axially spaced, parallel, radially expansible and contractile clamp members coupled to one another in such manner as to enable one of the clamp members to be shifted bodily transversely of the other. Shifting of the one clamp member is effected by a plurality of fluid pressure rams operable independently of one another. The ability of the one clamp member to be shifted transversely of the other enables the pipe accommodating the shiftable clamp member to be axially aligned with the other pipe and to distribute any difference in wall thickness between the two pipes over the entire circumference thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a pipe tube turn has a frame that may be fixed on the pipe and mounts a cutting torch for movement orbitally of the tube turn's longitudinal axis and in a plane that is at right angles to such axis. The cutting torch is stabilized and guided during its movements by two sets of followers which straddle the torch and engage the tube turn's surface. Each set of followers has a pair of rollers journaled in a common axis and straddling the cut made by the torch.

Abstract: A welder's tool for use in adjusting the confronting edges of two plates to be welded together comprises a force applying body having legs adapted to straddle a gap between the edges and a bridge joining the legs, the bridge having an opening therein through which extends an axially adjustable drawbar terminating at one end in a carrier of such thickness as to pass through the gap. The carrier has an opening therein through which extends a force transmitting member that is of such length as to span the gap and engage both of the plates on opposite sides of the gap. Adjustment of the drawbar in one direction effects movement of the force transmitting member in a direction to bear on the corresponding surfaces of both plates and locate such surfaces in a common plane.