Abstract: A recovery system (10) is disclosed for recovering a treating material (12) for treating a surface (20) with a vacuum source (25). The treating material (12) may be a cleaning material such as sand, water or may be a coating material such as a paint or a plasma coating. The apparatus (10) ,comprises a housing (16) having a housing opening (18) for projecting the treating material (12) from a nozzle (14) through the housing opening (18) onto the surface (20). A fluid seal means (30) provides a seal between the housing (16) and the surface (20). The vacuum source (25) is connected to the housing (16) for withdrawing the treating non-adhering material (12A) from the housing (16).

Abstract: A coupling apparatus and method is disclosed for coupling a first hose having groove means formed in the outer hose surface of the first hose to a first coupling member. The apparatus and method comprises an internal bore extending through the first coupling member with first coupling linking threads defined in the internal bore. A first attachment member includes a first attachment internal bore for receiving the first hose with a first input aperture communicating with the first attachment internal bore. The first hose is inserted into the first attachment internal bore and a flowable adhesive is injected into the first input aperture for enabling the adhesive to flow through the first attachment internal bore into a void defined by the first attachment member and the first hose and to flow into the groove means in the outer hose surface of the first hose.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for recovering a cleaning material and a surface material with a vacuum source. The surface material is removed from a surface by projecting the cleaning material such as sand, water or the like from a plurality of rotatable nozzle to impact upon the surface. The apparatus comprises a housing having a housing opening for projecting the cleaning material through the housing opening onto the surface. A fluid seal provides a seal between the housing and the surface. The vacuum source is connected to the housing for withdrawing the impacted cleaning material and the surface material removed from the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method is disclosed for recovering a cleaning material (12) and a surface material (20A) with a vacuum source (25). The surface material (20A) is removed from a surface (20) by projecting the cleaning material (12) such as sand, water or the like from a nozzle (14) to impact upon the surface (20). The apparatus (10) comprises a housing (16) having a housing opening (18) for projecting the cleaning material (12) through the housing opening (18) onto the surface (20). A fluid seal means (30) provides a seal between the housing (16) and the surface (20). The vacuum source (25) is connected to the housing (16) for withdrawing the impacted cleaning material (12A) and the surface material (20A) removed from the surface (20).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved hose trimming apparatus for trimming a hose, the hose having an internal bore encompassed by a sidewall. The apparatus comprises a support member and securing means disposed on the support member for securing the support member to the hose. A motor assembly comprising a revolving cutting head is mounted on an axis of a motor for rotating the revolving cutting head about the axis. The motor assembly is rotatably mounted relative to the support member. A handle rotates the motor assembly about the support member enabling the revolving cutting head to sever the sidewall of the hose as the revolving cutting head is rotated about the support member.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus and method is disclosed for coupling a first hose for enabling the flow of a fluid therethrough, comprising a first coupling member having a first coupling internal bore extending between an inner end and an outer end. First coupling threads are defined in the first coupling member proximate the inner end whereas first coupling linking threads are defined by the first coupling internal bore of the first coupling member proximate the outer end. A second coupling member has second coupling threads defined therein. A first attachment member has first attachment linking threads with means for affixing the first hose attachment member to the first hose. The first attachment linking threads are engagable with the first coupling linking threads for securing the first hose to the first coupling means. The first coupling threads are engagable with the second coupling threads for interconnecting the first coupling member and the second coupling member for coupling the first hose thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved hose trimming apparatus for trimming a hose, the hose having an internal bore encompassed by a sidewall. The apparatus comprises a support member and securing means disposed on the support member for securing the support member to the hose. A cutting element is rotatably mounted relative to the support member. A handle rotates the cutting element relative to the support member enabling the cutting element to sever the sidewall of the hose as the cutting element is rotated relative to the support member.

Abstract: An improved mixing device is disclosed for mixing an abrasive such as sand with a flowing fluid such as compressed air. The improved mixing device comprises a body member having a major internal channel being defined along a major axis. The major internal channel extends between a major input and a major output of the major internal channel. The body member includes a minor internal channel defined along a minor axis and extending from a minor input to an intersection with a portion of the major internal channel located between the major input and the major output of the major internal channel. The flowing fluid is directed into the major input whereas the abrasive is directed into the minor input for enabling the abrasive to mix with the flowing fluid within the major internal channel and to discharge from the major output.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus and method is disclosed for coupling a first and a second hose to enable the flow of fluid therethrough upon the application of fluid pressure comprising a first coupling member having a first internal bore connected to the first hose. A second coupling member having a second internal bore is connected to the second hose. A first and second major thread is disposed on the first and second coupling member, respectively. The first coupling member is insertable into the second coupling member with the first major thread threadably engaging the second major thread. The first and second coupling member being constructed of a resilient and deformable material for enabling radial expansion of the first and second coupling member upon the application of the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A pipe coupling is disclosed for coupling together complimentary flexible hoses. The pipe coupling includes a first tubular member having a first and a second end, the first end of the first member defining a first bore and a first counterbore. A second tubular member has a first and a second end and the first end of the second member defines a second bore and a second counterbore. The second counterbore is of the same diameter as the first counterbore and is aligned with the first counterbore when the first and the second members are coupled together. A tubular insert includes a first and a second end and the insert extends between the first and the second bores such that the external surface of the insert engages the first and the second bores with the first end of the insert being disposed adjacent the first bore and the second end of the insert being disposed adjacent the second bore. An annular seal is disposed in an annular space defined by the first and the second counterbores and the insert.

Abstract: A universal abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of arms which are rotatably connected in series with one another is disclosed. A plurality of nozzles are connected to the distal end of the series of arms by means of a nozzle support. Conduit means interconnecting the nozzles to the source of abrasive and fluid are disposed within the interior of each arm thereby protecting the conduits from damage during manipulation of the arms. The proximal end of the series of arms is connected to a drum rotatably disposed within a housing. The drum is powered by a motor. A brake mechanism is connected to the housing for braking the drum during operation of the motor. An actuator means is connected to each of the arms for rotating the arms about their respective axis of rotation. The actuator means is controlled manually or by a microcomputer.

Abstract: A universal abrasive cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of arms which are rotatably connected in series with one another is provided. A plurality of nozzles are connected to the distal end of the series of arms by means of a nozzle support. Conduit apparatus interconnecting the nozzles to the source of abrasive and fluid are disposed within the interior of each arm thereby protecting the conduits from damage during manipulation of the arms. The proximal end of the series of arms is connected to a drum rotatably disposed within a housing. The drum is powered by a motor. A brake mechanism is connected to the housing for braking the drum during operation of the motor. An actuator is connected to each of the arms for rotating the arms about their respective axis of rotation. The actuator is controlled manually or by a microcomputer.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus is disclosed for cleaning a work surface by blasting the surface with an abrasive under fluid pressure from a remote source of abrasive and fluid. The apparatus comprises a base which is preferably mounted on a mobile chassis for supporting at least one nozzle by a nozzle support. A conduit connects the nozzle to the remote source of abrasive and fluid. The nozzle support is mounted to the base about a first axis of rotation. A second axis of rotation rotatably mounts the nozzle support for controlling the reaction force produced by the nozzle during operation. The first and second axis are established at an angle relative to one another such that a rotation of the nozzle about the second axis directs the reaction force of the nozzle during operation to cause rotation of the nozzle support about the first axis.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus configured for use in combination with a mobile chassis comprising a base to fasten the abrasive cleaning apparatus to the mobile chassis, an adjustable nozzle support to operatively support a plurality of nozzles thereon, and an interconnecting support to connect the base with the nozzle support. The interconnecting support is rotatably attached to the base to permit the nozzle support to be rotated in the horizontal plane to position the nozzles horizontally relative to a work surface. The nozzle support is pivotally connected to the upper portion on the interconnecting support to permit the nozzle support to pivot in the vertical plane and thus position the nozzles vertically relative to the work surface. The nozzle support comprises a nozzle holder pivotally attached at the end thereof. The pivotal attachment of the nozzle holder permits angular adjustment of the nozzles relative to the work surface.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus configured for use in combination with a mobile chassis comprising a base to fasten the abrasive cleaning apparatus to the mobile chassis, an adjustable nozzle support to operatively support a plurality of nozzles thereon and interconnecting support coupled between the base and adjustable nozzle support. The interconnecting support includes a base plate and a support member fixedly attached to the nozzle support and rotatably attached to the base plate so that the nozzle support is rotatable about the vertical axis of the support member. The adjustable nozzle support includes a rotatable support shaft fixedly attached to a nozzle holder at one end thereof and a yoke at the opposite end thereof so that the nozzles of the abrasive cleaning apparatus can be positioned horizontally relative to the work surface.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus configured for use in combination with a mobile chassis comprising a base means including attachment means to fasten the abrasive cleaning apparatus to the mobile chassis, an adjustable nozzle support means to operatively support a plurality of nozzle means thereon and interconnecting boom means coupled between the base means and adjustable nozzle support means. The interconnecting boom means includes a first and second boom element arranged in telescoping relation relative to each other to permit linear adjustment of the adjustable nozzle support means relative to the base means and mobile chassis. The adjustable nozzle support means includes a first and second positioning means to permit movement of the plurality of nozzle means in a first and second plane respectively.