Abstract: A lawn and gardening device for extracting weeds, digging holes, planting seeds, and other small excavations. The lawn and gardening device has a pair of jaws at one end to clamp onto a weed whereby the user first pulls outwards, and then upwards on a pair of handles provide to extract the weed. Holes are dug in the same fashion by simply repeating the above steps in the same location. Seeds are planted by placing a seed into an opening provided at the top end of the pole whereby the seed is guided down the hollow cavity of the pole into the mouth portion and into the hole. The lawn and gardening device comprises a pair of jaws, a pair of hollow poles, two handles, an opening at the top end of the poles, a flexible coupler and spacing means, and jagged teeth around the perimeter of each jaw.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle for assembly to a main shaft of a snow shovel is provided. The auxiliary handle includes an elongated auxiliary shaft and a fixture that connects the auxiliary shaft to the main shaft of the shovel. The fixture includes a housing that is pivotally mounted to the auxiliary shaft. A pin connects the housing to the main shaft allowing pivotal movement of the auxiliary shaft relative to the main shaft. A two-stage spring interposed between the shafts regulates the pivotal movement of the auxiliary shaft. The auxiliary shaft is slidably mounted and guided in the fixture, which permits longitudinal displacement of the auxiliary shaft relative to the main shaft, but prevents rotation of the auxiliary shaft about its axis. A lock regulates the longitudinal movement of the auxiliary shaft and simultaneously locks the auxiliary shaft to the bracket thereby preventing further pivotal movement of the auxiliary shaft.

Abstract: A vacuum lift device comprising a lift tube which is able to contract and expand in an upward and downward direction, and a lift tube expansion control valve controlling the opening areas of the atmospheric openings of the lift tube. A hovering control valve controlling the flow area between the second atmospheric opening and the interior of the lift tube is provided. The lift tube expansion control valve is normally positioned at a position such that is completely covers the first atmospheric opening, and the second atmospheric opening is open to the outside space. At this time, the level of vacuum in the lift tube is adjusted by the hovering control valve so that an object to be lifted is maintained at a desired height.

Abstract: A machinery lift assembly includes an L-shaped tubular support member having a first leg thereof connected to a beam of a pivot joint. The pivot joint defines first and second cantilevered portions of the beam. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotably connected between the first cantilevered beam portion and the first leg of the support member to cause the beam to pivot relative to the support member upon activation of the cylinder. The second cantilevered beam portion is fitted at its end with a device for attachment to a machinery component. The beam and attachment device may thereby be inserted into confined spaces to remove or replace machinery components installed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting truck trailers and cargo containers is provided and includes a plurality of latch arm assemblies. A side fitting connection device is secured at four predetermined locations on external upper side locations of a trailer or a container. Each interlocking latch arm assembly includes a complementary shaped projection member adaptable to engage with and be secured to each side fitting device. The side fitting connection device and latch arm assembly, when connected and engaged together, permit top side lifting of trailers and containers for intermodal movement thereof. The external upper side locations of the side fitting device permit full, complete and more profitable usage of the internal space or volume of truck trailers or cargo containers.

Abstract: A pickup truck side rail apparatus includes paired front and rear rail members which are pivotally mountable to opposed sidewalls along a truck bed. The rail members are stored in lowered positions in which they extend longitudinally above and parallel to the sidewalls. They are vertically spaced from the sidewalls to form longitudinal side rails above and along the sidewalls. The rail members are pivotal to upright positions. In their upright positions, the rail members extend vertically from the front and rear ends of the opposed sidewalls. A pair of overhead cross-bars can be mounted between the transversely aligned rail members when in their upright positions. The overhead cross-bars extend transversely above the pickup truck bed to form an overhead rack for carrying lengthy objects above the truck bed and cab.

Abstract: A vehicle visor includes a vanity mirror mounted on the side facing the interior of the vehicle when the visor is in the lowered front windshield use position. A sliding panel selectively defines a cover for the mirror and visor extender. A guide member is mounted to the visor to one side of the mirror to be concealed by the cover which includes guide tracks which slidably couple the cover to the guide member.

Abstract: A flexible cover that is applied over the bed of a pickup truck is described as including a plurality of flexible arches that are disposed along at least two sides of a substantially rectangular center section. The arches are disposed in a concave orientation with an apex of each arch disposed generally furthest away from the center of the cover. A seam, according to one embodiment, traverses along the perimeter of each arch and at least one cable, cord, or strap is disposed therein. At each apex the seam is omitted to permit access to the cable, cord, or strap. The cable, cord, or strap is capable of longitudinal motion within the longitudinal length of each seam. The ends of the cable, cord, or strap preferably contain a ring that is used to attach a first end of a fastener thereto. A fastener fist end is also attached to the cable, cord, or strap at each apex. A second end of each of the fasteners is attached where desired to the underside of the bed.

Abstract: A semi-end dump trailer body employs hollow rectangular rubrail along each side of the trailer body with crossmembers of U-shaped configuration with outwardly flared sidewalls welded to the inner vertical wall of the rubrails and to inward, relatively short horizontal extensions of the rubrails and to a floor sheet extending across the body between the inward horizontal extensions of the rubrails whereby to strengthen the body increase its acceptable length, height and load carrying capacity without a significant increase in weight and at little increase in cost.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has first and second flexible members disposed within front and rear doors in the longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle. First ends of each of the flexible members are coupled together through a coupling member which ensures coupling when the doors are closed. Respective other ends of the two flexible members are each coupled with respective lower portions of the vehicle body frame.

Abstract: A wind deflector for the sunroof of a vehicle has an elongate body located transversely of the vehicle along the leading edge of the sunroof aperture and extending above the level of the vehicle roof, the elongate body having alternating sections of different height, vane formations being provided between the upper edges of the taller sections to bridge the lower sections and to deflect air passing between the taller sections down through the sunroof aperture.

Abstract: A convertible baby carrier having a clamshell figuration in which a first body portion and a second body portion are pivotally attached to each other, and includes apparatus for adjusting and fixing the angular relationship of the two body portions. The carrier includes detachable legs that are pivotally mounted to the body portions, and the apparatus is provided for fixing the angular positions of the legs relative to the body portions. The carrier can be converted to a seat, a stroller, a bed, a backpack, or the like by altering the angular relationships of the body portions and of the legs relative to the body portions.

Abstract: A tandem chair assembly comprises a frame, a plurality of seating units, and an optional integral table. The frame comprises a pair of opposed legs and a horizontal beam extending between and attached to the end legs. Rigid seating units comprising a seat support section and a back support section are positioned side-by-side between the legs with their fronts supported on the beam. Seat connection plates secure the front of the seat support section of each seating unit to the horizontal beam. In addition brackets are used for rigidly connection each leg to the back support section of the seating unit next to the leg. Further, the back support sections of each adjacent pair of seating units are rigidly connected together, and the seat support section and back support section are maintained at right angles by means of right angle struts that double as arm rests.

Abstract: A truck trailer useful for carrying road surfacing material such as gravel, crushed rock, limestone or the like. A feature of the trailer is that it empties to the side of the trailer and directly from the bottom. Doors on the side separately operable facilitate the side dumping.

Abstract: The invention provides caverns and methods for producing caverns in bedded salt deposits for the storage of materials that are not solvents for salt. The contemplated salt deposits are of the bedded, non-domed variety, more particularly salt found in layered formations that are sufficiently thick to enable the production of commercially usefully sized caverns completely encompassed by walls of salt of the formation. In a preferred method, a first bore hole is drilled into the salt formation and a cavity for receiving insolubles is leached from the salt formation. Thereafter, at a predetermined distance away from the first bore hole, a second bore hole is drilled towards the salt formation. As this drill approaches the salt, the drill assumes a slant approach and enters the salt and drills through it in a horizontal direction until it intersects the cavity for receiving insolubles.

Abstract: Oceanographic mining uses a flexible cover draped over a submarine ore-bearing stratum. The cover serves as a blanket-like structure for application of a leaching substance and isolation of the leachate and stratum from the surrounding water. The leachate infiltrates the stratum and becomes pregnant with intended materials. The leaching solution is subsequently pumped to the surface. The ores are separated from the pregnant leaching solution, enabling the solution to be used again. The cover supports and arranges anchor and sealing tubes and leachate and pregnant liquor tubes. Pumps are mounted on a platform connected to the cover. The cover is deployed by sinking parallel coils and filling peripheral tubes to uncoil and anchor the cover on a sea bed. One cover is spread by tube and is sunk in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) is used in the production of brushes for the preparation of completely processed bristle bundles. Bristle strand material (4) is thereby conveyed with the aid of a feed mechanism (5) to a grinding device (6) where its free ends are processed into what will become the ultimate useful ends. By this processing, the free length of the bristle strand ends, and thus their ability to deflect laterally during grinding as well, can be exactly adjusted to this work procedure. This processing can be adapted to differing bristle material, or even adapted to differences in the desired rounding off results. The actual length of the final bristle bundles does not play a role in this, since the cutting of the bristle bundles to length does not take place until a following work step.

Abstract: The invention is intended to improve the durability and stability of the attaching state in automobile wheels. For fixing a wheel disk to the hub of an axle through a top hat type or cylinder hat type adapter, the relatively thin center shaft portion projecting forwardly from the conical barrel of the adapter is cut to form a male thread for engagement with a center nut and a female thread for engagement with a keep bolt for its nut, while an insert leg annular portion projecting rearwardly from a keep collar adapted to be inserted on the center shaft portion and a support annular portion correspondingly projecting forwardly from the shoulder region of the conical barrel are fitted together, thereby preventing a neck break accident to the center shaft portion.

Abstract: A disc road wheel on which a tire is fitted. The disc road wheel has a disc formed with an outer peripheral annular flange section which is press-fitted to the inner peripheral section of a rim. The flange section is formed at its outer peripheral surface with a plurality of gas leak grooves which are aligned along a peripheral direction of the disc. Each gas leak groove is in communication with ambient air even upon press-fitting of the disc and the rim, so that gas between the disc and the rim can be discharged through the gas leak grooves during welding.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle equipped with hydraulic brakes. A key switch is electrically connected to the vehicle's battery and to a small motor. When the key switch is turned, power from the battery causes the motor to reciprocate a piston which is connected to a valve. The positiion of the piston either blocks or unblocks the flow of hydraulic fluid between the brakes and the hydraulic fluid reservoir while one-way flow is allowed between master reservoir and brakes whether the device is armed or unarmed. The key switch and connecting wiring are isolated from the ignition system, preferably passing through the structural frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control method and system for a vehicle anti-lock brake system to provide for recovery from premature activation of the vehicle anti-lock brake system. The control method includes the steps of determining whether the anti-lock brake system has prematurely activated, and engaging a premature activation recovery control of the anti-lock brake system when the anti-lock brake system has prematurely activated. The control system includes a wheel speed sensor for measuring the speed of at least one vehicle wheel, and a control unit for determining whether the anti-lock brake system has prematurely activated. The control system also includes a signal generator for generating a signal operative to increase brake fluid pressure to a vehicle wheel brake when the anti-lock brake system has prematurely activated, and for generating a signal operative to terminate brake fluid pressure increase when the anti-lock brake system has recovered from premature activation.

Abstract: An hydraulic anti-skid braking system for automobiles, comprising a master cylinder, a brake, a flow control valve, a solenoid valve, a piston pump, and an expander cylinder. During a skid condition, the solenoid valve is opened, and a the pump draws fluid from the brake through the solenoid valve and delivers fluid to the flow control valve to shut off a hydraulic connection between the master cylinder and the brake, while reducing fluid pressure to the brake. When pressure is equalized between the brake and the hydraulic line that is connected to the master cylinder, the control valve returns to its initial operation position.

Abstract: A vertical curtain is provided with vertical slits therein spaced thereacross, opening downwardly through the lower margin of the curtain and terminating upwardly a spaced distance below the upper margin of the curtain. The upper margin of the curtain is mounted on the margin of a refrigerated cabinet wall having an access opening formed therein extending across the upper portion of the opening such that the curtain will fall by gravity downwardly across the opening as a thermal and convection current barrier when the door for the access opening is opened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically inserting and ejecting electrical connectors of electronic component test trays from electrical connectors in a panel of an environmental test chamber, e.g. an oven, at the beginning and end of a test period to facilitate loading and unloading the test trays. The electronic components are inserted into test trays so that electrical connections are made with test tray conductors which terminate at a test tray connector. The trays are loaded into the oven in an insertion cycle by manually sliding them onto lateral tray supports with the tray connector ends aligned with mating electrical connectors in the panel of the test oven. The insertion cycle of a track guided, carriage mounted, inserter/ejector mechanism is commenced wherein the mechanism is advanced from tray to tray to sequentially insert the tray connectors into the panel mounted connectors until all trays are inserted. The oven door is closed and the test is conducted.

Abstract: The invention consists of a slant top cabinet for a video game where the video monitor is located beneath a door. The side edges of the door mate with gutters such that liquid spilled into the seam of the door will drain into the gutters away from the monitor. A rubber seal is attached to and surrounds the monitor such that liquid spilled on the screen or game top will drain into the rubber seal. The rubber seal includes a port that connects to a conduit for draining liquid from the rubber seal away from the monitor.

Abstract: A storage system for vertical and horizontal storage of hangered apparel includes first and second chains having inwardly directed pins. Rods for mounting on the pins include a first fixed end have a bore to mount on one pin and a second retractable end having a bore to mount on the second pin. An actuator tube is mounted over the second end of the rod and is affixed to the sliding retractable end by pins extending through slots in the rod. When the actuator tube is slid inwardly, the end is retracted so that the rod can be mounted first on the one pin on the fixed end and then positioned over the second pin. The actuator is then slid outwardly to mount the rod. A spring biases the retractable end outward.

Abstract: A device for sucking and diluting a highly viscous fluid contains an outer tubular member having a suction port for sucking the highly viscous fluid therein, the outer tubular member being connected to a suction source, an inner tubular member arranged within the outer tubular member and adapted for passing a diluting luquid for diluting the highly viscous fluid therethrough, the inner tubular member having an ejection port for ejecting the diluting luquid into a space delimited between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, and a mixing device for uniformly mixing the highly viscous fluid and the diluting liquid in the space delimited between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member.

Abstract: A temperature probe is disclosed for determining the temperature at which residual oils can be vaporized from cold rolled strip without producing free carbon. The probe includes an open ended first tubular member with a burner mounted at one end of the first tubular member for closing the end thereof so that the burner fires its products of combustion through the first tubular member and out the other end thereof. A closed end second tubular member concentrically receives the first tubular member to define an annular heat space therebetween and has an exhaust port in fluid communication with said annular heat space adjacent the burner.

Abstract: A multiple chamber container for mixing and administering a plurality of products. The container has at least two chambers separated by a seal line. A frangible connector is situated between the two chambers for mixing the products contained within the chambers as desired. Each chamber has at least one port for filling of product into the chamber. The ports are located on the same exterior side of the container such that the chambers can be filled without folding the bag and by using existing filling equipment.

Abstract: A track rail fixing structure and a linear motion guide unit on which it is equipped are disclosed that are able to improve the straightness of a track rail in any direction. This effect is obtained by juxtaposing an intervening member between a reference surface formed on one clamping member and the corresponding flange of the track rail by press fitting.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided having a rail assembly with a flexible base portion and a bearing carriage assembly with flexibly depending legs configured for longitudinal movement along the rail assembly on rolling elements. A plurality of load bearing inserts are positioned on the rail assembly and/or carriage assembly and define load bearing tracks with rolling elements therebetween. The flexible rail and carriage assemblies permit optimization of the contact angle between the load bearing inserts and the rolling elements when the linear motion bearing assembly is under load.

Abstract: A bearing comprising a substratum having a configured external surface to which a self-lubricating material is integrally bonded to provide a self-lubricating bearing surface produced by the method of: applying a layer of self-lubricating resin penetrable bearing material onto the configured external surface; providing a hardenable liquid resin to coat and penetrate the bearing material; applying an overlayment of filaments onto the layer of bearing material to exert a bonding pressure on the layer of bearing material sufficient to cause the layer of bearing material to conform and bond to the configured external surface; hardening the resin; and removing at least part of the overlayment of filaments after the resin has hardened to expose at least selected portions of the layer of self-lubricating bearing material.

Abstract: An image is permanently transferred to a substrate having a cotton component, or other component which is absorbent or porous, from a medium printed with the image by a thermal printer using heat activated ink. A polymer surface preparation material and the ink are transferred by the thermal printer to the medium from a ribbon containing the ink and the surface preparation material, without activating the ink or the surface preparation material. The image is transferred from the medium to the substrate by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to activate and transfer the ink and the surface preparation material, with the surface preparation material bonding the ink to the substrate.

Abstract: A carriage motor controller for a printer. The controller includes a drive mechanism for driving a carriage motor to thereby cause a carriage to travel; a detector for detecting a position and a speed of the carriage while the carriage is travelling; a measuring device for measuring characteristics of the carriage motor on the basis of the detected position and speed; storage for storing the measured characteristics; a first controller for controlling the drive mechanism and causing the carriage to travel for the purposed of taking the necessary measurements, the measurements being taken after a power switch has been turned on, after a sheet has been fed, or after a predetermined time has elapsed; and a second controller for controlling the drive mechanism upon reception of a print command on the basis of the print command and the stored characteristics to thereby cause the carriage to travel for printing.

Abstract: A printer for printing characters and images on recording paper comprising: a paper cassette for storing the recording paper; a platen roller around which the recording paper is wound at the time of the transfer of images for printing; a clamping mechanism for clamping the recording paper between the clamping mechanism and the platen roller; a motor for driving the platen roller through a gear unit; a thermal printing head for transferring images onto the recording paper; a paper feeding roller for feeding the recording paper from the paper cassette to the clamper; paper discharging rollers for discharging the recording paper upon the completion of the transfer of images thereto; and an ink cassette storing an ink sheet inside thereof; in which the clamping mechanism comprises a clamper which is mounted on the platen roller in such a manner as to permit the free movement of the clamper, holds the recording paper by pushing the recording paper onto the platen roller in a first position and also releases the re

Abstract: A printing apparatus is described which enables a cassette to be removed more easily. This is done by tightening the tape within the cassette automatically in response to movement of a printing mechanism from its operative to its inoperative position.

Abstract: An operating environment setting system for a printer which includes a plurality of switches for selecting basic functions of the printer, environment data storage means for storing a setting of a printer operating environment, menu storage means for storing a menu in which the environment setting items are correlated with display conditions of display means, selecting means for selecting an environment item by pressing the switches, and the display means for displaying a judgment result of the selecting means in the form of a display condition of the display means. The invention also encompasses an accompanying method for setting the operating environment of the printer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the property of a bonded metal including a forming material of a nickel-titanium alloy and its method of manufacture. This bonded metal property is produced by forming a forged structure to achieve an incorporated integral body through the bonding of the nickel-titanium alloy material onto another material of nickel base alloy. The manufacturing method used to achieve this property involves heating both materials at the point to be bonded in an inert gas atomosphere. The materials are first heated to their melting point and in this state are fused together under high pressure. This forms the forged structure on the portion of the materials so treated.

Abstract: A torque transmitting, bicycle frame coupling which connects to the frame tubes, replacing a portion of those tubes and having teeth on their engaging faces. Proper installation of two such couplings allows up to a 25 inch men's style bicycle with up to 700C (26 inch rim diameter) wheels to be cut in two pieces so that it fits in a suitcase with a combined height, width and girth measurement no larger than 62 linear inches and then be put back together with no loss of original frame geometry or stiffness. Each coupling is actuated, pulling the bicycle pieces together and joining them through use of specialized teeth under compression by a threaded lug, a removable-shoulder lug with a removable shoulder and a threaded coupling nut. The removable shoulder makes the nut and shoulder replaceable, and makes possible an additional shoulder on the tube connecting end of the removable-shoulder lug to keep the nut from slipping onto the frame and scratching the paint.

Abstract: A connecting mechanism has a reversely tapered fit portion, an elastically expandable collet chuck fitted on the fit portion, a locking sleeve surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the fit portion and axially slidably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the collet chuck, and a spring for biasing the locking sleeve in its advancing direction. The locking sleeve advances with the collet chuck being fitted on the fit portion and locks the collet chuck such that the collet chuck cannot be expanded in the fit portion.

Abstract: A system for interlocking a plurality of modules, such as medical instrument modules (e.g., infusion pumps), in side-by-side relationship such that not more than one module can be mounted on each side of a center module. The modules are interchangeable in that any module of the system can be a center module or a side module. In the preferred embodiment, latching arms on a module are automatically moved as the module is mounted on a pole stand to allow other "side" modules to be mounted on that "center" module. The latching arms of the "side" modules prevent additional modules from being mounted on the side modules. Other embodiments are described as well.

Abstract: Overlay protection plate apparatus and method are provided to protect partially embedded light fixture supports for airport inset lights for runways, taxiways, or other aircraft ground traffic areas. The overlay protection plate apparatus and method provide protection against paving material entering the light fixture support during airport paving operations. Novel plate locating means and method locate the position of the overlay protection plate after the airport paving operations have covered over the overlay protection plate. Novel plate withdrawal means remove the covered overlay protection plate together with the pavement cover in substantially one piece over the overlay protection plate.

Abstract: A tension leg platform for supporting an oil rig above a seabed includes a deck, a buoyant hull and a single tubular tether. The tether has a lower end penetrating into the seabed and an upper end that is secured to the hull to hold the hull down against its own buoyancy. The deck is secured to the hull and adapted to support an oil rig. Multiple casing strings extend through the tether from the deck to the seabed. Supplemental buoyancy, tanks can be provided between the hull and the tether or within the tether itself.

Abstract: A compliant offshore structure with flex tubes that are not driven into the sea bottom. A foundation template has bottles with skirt pile sleeves and a closed bottom socket. A tower and tower extension support the deck above the water line. The tower legs each enclose a flex tube such that there is an annulus between the leg and flex tube. The flex tube extends below the lower end of the leg so as to be received in the socket. The flex tubes are grouted in place in the sockets to connect the tower to the foundation template. Thickened wall portions may be provided on corresponding sections of the leg and flex tube to provide wear surfaces.

Abstract: An adjustable boring bar assembly is provided in which the cutting radius can be altered by predetermined increments simply by releasing and turning the bar within a sleeve of a hydraulic holder. The holder sleeve is slightly eccentrically located relative to the spindle axis, so that turning of the bar effectively changes the working radius of the cutting point. Slots on the holder, arrayed about the sleeve, are located at discrete angular positions to produce the desired radial increments. A pin on the boring bar disengages from one slot and re seats in another when the bar is released, withdrawn, turned, reinserted and re-gripped.

Abstract: A method of processing a leading portion of a rotating workpiece is performed by rotating a tip mounted on a cutter shaft and facing an outer circumferential surface of the workpiece. The tip has a small radius of rotation for high precision processing with small cutting resistance. The leading portion is cut by the tip with the cutter shaft inclined to a side opposite to the leading portion of the workpiece with respect to a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A cargo airbag structure system for use within a cargo bay of a transport vehicle in order to buffer and stabilize loads, such as, for example, large paper rolls or drums, comprises two inflatable bladders disposed in an overlapping disposition with respect to each other within a sealed, expandible, multi-ply paper container. When interposed between the cargo load rolls, the airbag structure conforms to the external contours of the cargo load rolls which serves to not only enable the airbag system to buffer and stabilize the cargo loads, but in addition, the airbag system is stably retained between the cargo load rolls. In order to prevent friction, abrasion, or pinching of the bladders during the inflation process as well as during use of the airbag system when the bladders are disposed in their inflated state, the inflatable bladders are disposed within encasing sleeves which fully envelop the bladders along the longitudinal extents thereof, the opposite ends of the sleeves being open.

Abstract: An expansible plug comprises a closed shank section formed as a shank sleeve provided with a screw channel and a longitudinal divided expansible shank, the shank being formed by two shank halves provided with staggered expansible elements which interlock to form a closed expansion region, the expansible elements being offset relative to one another and having bores arranged eccentrically relative to a center line of the expansible shank and overlapping so that an overlapping region forms a constricted screw channel, the expansion region tapering conically toward a plug tip, and one of the shank halves being connected to the shank sleeve in a joining region by a secure joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a bracket to a fixed member, the fixed member and the bracket each having at least one opening therethrough, where the apparatus includes a bolt having a threaded body and a head at a first end of the threaded body, where the bolt head abuts against a first surface of the fixed member, a nut threadably engaged to a second end of the threaded body, and a spacer positioned between the fixed member and the nut having an opening therethrough, the spacer having a flared portion at a first end which engages the bracket opening, wherein the threaded body of the bolt is positioned through the bracket opening, the spacer opening and the fixed member opening and secured together by the nut.

Abstract: An integral nut and washer formed from a fiber reinforced polymeric material that is particularly useful for use in water tanks and the like that are bolted together from overlapping metal plates. The combination includes a generally cylindrical nut body having an internally threaded cavity, with a transversely extending washer portion around the opening. At least one pair of opposed flats are provided on the nut body for tightening the nut with a conventional wrench. An axial vent is provided at the closed end of the cavity to allow air or excess sealant, where sealant is used, to escape as the nut is tightened. The entrance into the threaded cavity is chamfered, and the washer portion is tapered back along the nut portion for maximum washer strength. Preferably, the integral nut and washer is formed from a glass fiber reinforced polyurethane material by injection molding. This nut is durable and does not corrode in use.