Abstract: A repair coupling for joining a first pipe with a second pipe includes (a) a hollow body having a first open end, a second open end, and a passageway the interior surface of the body defining a peripheral, helical body edge terminating in a body edge locking lug, and (b) a hollow tubular insert slidably disposed within the body, the tubular insert having a first open end and a second open end, the tubular insert defining a passageway he exterior surface of the tubular insert defining a peripheral, helical insert edge terminating in an insert edge locking lug. The tubular insert is slidable between (i) a first insert position wherein the helical insert edge is in contract with the helical body edge and (ii) a second insert position wherein the helical insert edge is spaced apart from the helical body edge.

Abstract: A cartridge casing for rifles is made from a high strength aluminum alloy. A method for making such cartridge casing includes the steps of (a) forming a cylindrical blank from an aluminum alloy having a tensile strength greater than 80,000 psi, and (b) rotating the blank at a rate greater than 500 rpm and forcing the blank into a die, the die having a bore with progressively reduced interior diameters which are less than the external diameter of the blank. In the method, the forcing of the blank into the die results in the finished cartridge casing having a distal end with an external diameter which is less than the external diameter of its proximal end.

Abstract: The invention is a repair coupling for joining a first pipe with a second pipe includes (a) a hollow body having a first open end, a second open end, and a linear passageway therebetween, the interior surface of the body defining a peripheral, helical body edge terminating in a body edge locking lug, (b) a hollow tubular insert slidably disposed within the body, the tubular insert having a first open end and a second open end, the tubular insert defining a linear passageway between the first open end of the tubular insert and the second open end of the tubular insert, the exterior surface of the tubular insert defining a peripheral, helical insert edge terminating in an insert edge locking lug, and (c) means for sealing the exterior surface of the tubular insert with the interior surface of the body.

Abstract: A cartridge casing for rifles is made from a high strength aluminum alloy. A method for making such cartridge casing includes the steps of (a) forming a cylindrical blank from an aluminum alloy having a tensile strength greater than 80,000 psi, and (b) rotating the blank at a rate greater than 500 rpm and forcing the blank into a die, the die having a bore with progressively reduced interior diameters which are less than the external diameter of the blank. In the method, the forcing of the blank into the die results in the finished cartridge casing having a distal end with an external diameter which is less than the external diameter of its proximal end.

Abstract: A pipe fitting, useable in the installation of a sprinkler head, includes (a) a body having an open upstream end and an open downstream end, the downstream end having internal threads capable of accepting a threaded male fitting, the body defining an gasket retention area located upstream of the internal threads; and (b) an gasket disposed within the gasket retention area. The gasket retention area and the gasket are chosen so that a threaded male fitting threadedly disposed within the downstream end of the body can be rotated within the downstream end of the body 360° while remaining liquid tight for pressures in excess of 300 psig.

Abstract: A pipe fitting, useable in the installation of a sprinkler head, includes (a) a body having an open upstream end and an open downstream end, the downstream end having internal threads capable of accepting a threaded male fitting, the body defining a gasket retention area located upstream of the internal threads; and (b) an gasket disposed within the gasket retention area. The gasket retention area and the gasket are chosen so that a threaded male fitting threadedly disposed within the downstream end of the body can be rotated within the downstream end of the body 360° while remaining liquid tight for pressures in excess of 300 psig.

Abstract: An ordnance firing system is disclosed that includes a reusable electronics module and an ordnance module, each enclosed in a separate, sealed housing. The electronics module housing encloses firing electronics for electrically triggering initiation of a detonator in the ordnance module. The electronics module detachably connects to the ordnance modules via a connector which extends away from the electronics module housing. The housing of the ordnance module is constructed to be blast-resistant to prevent detonation of the detonator from rendering the electronics module inoperable.

Abstract: A system and method are described for increasing advance orders for goods or services. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving advance orders for a product with a specified release date from a plurality of buyers and moving up the release date if a goal is met, wherein the goal based at least in part on the number of advance orders received.

Abstract: A pipe fitting, useable in the installation of a sprinkler head, includes (a) a body having an open upstream end and an open downstream end, the downstream end having internal threads capable of accepting a threaded male fitting, the body defining an gasket retention area located upstream of the internal threads; and (b) an gasket disposed within the gasket retention area. The gasket retention area and the gasket are chosen so that a threaded male fitting threadedly disposed within the downstream end of the body can be rotated within the downstream end of the body 360° while remaining liquid tight for pressures in excess of 300 psig.

Abstract: A reinforced pipe fitting has a body with a cylindrical first section and a cylindrical second section. The first section has a first longitudinal axis and the second section has a second longitudinal axis. The side walls of the first section intersect the side walls of the second section at a crotch point disposed within the plane defined by the first and second longitudinal axes. The first section defines a first section crotch area pipe stop having a proximal portion disposed proximate to the crotch point and a distal portion disposed opposite the proximal portion. The average thickness of the proximal portion disposed 15° to either side of the plane defined by the first and second longitudinal axes is greater by about 15% than the average thickness of the distal portion disposed 15° to either side of the plane defined by the first and second longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A system and method are described for increasing advance orders for goods or services. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving advance orders for a product with a specified release date from a plurality of buyers and moving up the release date if a goal is met, wherein the goal is based at least in part on the number of advance orders received.

Abstract: A pipe fitting, useable in the installation of a sprinkler head, includes (a) a body having an open upstream end and an open downstream end, the downstream end having internal threads capable of accepting a threaded male fitting, the body defining an gasket retention area located upstream of the internal threads; and (b) an gasket disposed within the gasket retention area. The gasket retention area and the gasket are chosen so that a threaded male fitting threadedly disposed within the downstream end of the body can be rotated within the downstream end of the body 360° while remaining liquid tight for pressures in excess of 300 psig.

Abstract: A reinforced pipe fitting has a body with a cylindrical first section and a cylindrical second section. The first section has a first longitudinal axis and the second section has a second longitudinal axis. The side walls of the first section intersect the side walls of the second section at a crotch point disposed within the plane defined by the first and second longitudinal axes. The first section defines a first section crotch area pipe stop having a proximal portion disposed proximate to the crotch point and a distal portion disposed opposite the proximal portion. The average thickness of the proximal portion disposed 15° to either side of the plane defined by the first and second longitudinal axes is greater by about 15% than the average thickness of the distal portion disposed 15° to either side of the plane defined by the first and second longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler fitting has a cylindrical body and an insert. The insert has an inner end which is disposed within a proximal portion of the bore, such that the outer end protrudes beyond the open bore end by a distance D. The outer end has internal threads which are sized and dimensioned to accept and retain a fire sprinkler therein. The insert is rotatable within the body without effecting the distance D.

Abstract: The invention satisfies this need. The invention is an internally threaded insert for use with a polymetric pipe fitting in a fire sprinkler system. The insert comprises an outer side surface, an outer rearward surface and an outer forward surface. The outer forward surface is adapted to retain a fire sprinkler at a forward end of the insert. The outer side surface of the insert is sized and dimensioned so as to closely match the bores of standard polymeric pipe fittings, so as to be capable of being slidably and snugly received into the bores of a standard polymeric pipe fitting. The insert can be conveniently affixed within the bores by non-mechanical means, such as by gluing.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler fitting has a cylindrical body and an insert. The insert has an inner end which is disposed within a proximal portion of the bore, such that the outer end protrudes beyond the open bore end by a distance D. The outer end has internal threads which are sized and dimensioned to accept and retain a fire sprinkler therein. The insert is rotatable within the body without effecting the distance D.

Abstract: (a) a body; (b) a valve seat; (c) a flapper; (d) a hinge pin attached to the body proximate to the valve seat and disposed substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow path; and (e) at least one flapper dog attached to the flapper, the flapper dog defining an aperture, the hinge pin being disposed through the aperture such that the flapper dog is rotatable around the hinge pin, the aperture in the flapper dog being oblong in shape.

Abstract: The invention satisfies this need. The invention is an internally threaded insert for use with a polymetric pipe fitting in a fire sprinkler system. The insert comprises an outer side surface, an outer rearward surface and an outer forward surface. The outer forward surface is adapted to retain a fire sprinkler at a forward end of the insert. The outer side surface of the insert is sized and dimensioned so as to closely match the bores of standard polymeric pipe fittings, so as to be capable of being slidably and snugly received into the bores of a standard polymeric pipe fitting. The insert can be conveniently affixed within the bores by non-mechanical means, such as by gluing.

Abstract: A strengthened pipe fitting has an internally threaded surface and a compression band. The compression band is sized to compress the internally threaded surface sufficiently so that the pipe fitting is subjected to a compressive preload. The compression band is covered with a non-corrosive material.

Abstract: A pipe fitting has a body with an internally threaded bore and at least one female starter thread. The at least one female starter thread is disposed either within the bore or immediately outside of the bore. The starter thread is axially aligned with the bore threads. The starter thread is made from a material which is stronger than the material from which the bore threads are made. The starter thread most proximate to the threads of the internally threaded bore has a pitch diameter which is at least two percent greater than the pitch diameter of the most proximate thread within the internally threaded bore.