Abstract: A sheet feed device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an apparatus body, a cassette, a sheet conveying path, a pickup roller, a feeding portion, a lift plate, and a regulation member. Feeding portion conveys sheet fed from pickup roller downstream in sheet conveying direction while holding sheet at nip portion. Lift plate is changeable in position between first position and second position. When cassette is removed from apparatus body and lift plate is positioned in first position, regulation member protrudes to sheet conveying path on upstream side in sheet conveying direction relative to nip portion to thereby regulate entering of sheet stored in sheet storage portion into nip portion. When cassette is mounted into apparatus body and lift plate is positioned in second position, regulation member retreats from sheet conveying path thereby to cause sheet conveying path to become open.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a paper-sheet stacking apparatus includes a holding unit, a pushing mechanism, a backup, and a variable-force spring mechanism. The holding unit has a stacking base for holding a plurality of paper sheets in standing position and is configured to stack the paper sheets, one laid on another in a direction of a plane. The pushing mechanism is configured to push paper sheets transported, into the holding unit. The backup opposed to the pushing mechanism, is able to move in the direction the paper sheets are stacked and is configured to hold any paper sheet stacked between the backup and the pushing mechanism and to move away from the pushing mechanism as paper sheets are stacked one after another.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of ensuring reliability of meshing of gears at low cost are provided. When a sheet feeding cassette is mounted to a printer body, a lifter gear provided to a lifter shaft of a lifter plate which lifts a sheet supporting plate is engaged with a first lifter idler gear, and the lifter gear is rotated by rotations of the first lifter idler gear by a drive of a lifter motor, and thereby the sheet supporting plate is lifted. And, displacement of the lifter gear is restricted by a load applied to the lifter gear by a restriction portion provided with an auxiliary support shaft which is provided to an opening portion formed in the lifter gear and the sheet feeding cassette to enter the opening portion when lifting the sheet supporting plate.

Abstract: A conveying portion includes a pair of superimposing rollers and a controller which controls the rotation of the pair of superimposing rollers, wherein the controller controls a rotation of a pair of conveying rollers so that a tail end of a first sheet passes a nip portion between the pair of conveying rollers by conveying the first sheet to the downstream side before a leading end of a third sheet superimposed on a second sheet reaches the nip portion between the pair of conveying rollers nipping the first sheet and the second sheet superimposed on the first sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is provided that includes a housing, a feed tray having a loading surface, and a swingable opening cover including a sliding contact portion, extending in a direction perpendicular to a width direction of a sheet. The sliding contact portion is configured to slide in contact with a feed tray in a swing motion of the feed tray from a first position where the loading surface is directed downward above the housing to a second position where the loading surface is directed upward at an upstream side relative to the housing in a feeding direction. The sliding contact portion is disposed on at least one end of the opening cover in the width direction, and exposed to an outside of the sheet feeder when the feed tray is in the first position.

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes an opening/closing unit (a lock shaft, a lock arm, a hopper, a link member, and a rotating member) that performs an opening operation in a direction in which rollers of each of a separator and a conveyor coming into press contact with each other are separated from each other at the time of the occurrence of a conveyance error of a medium and performs a closing operation in a direction in which the rollers come into contact with each other after the recovery of the conveyance error. When an operator is present around the medium feeding apparatus, an error release operation control unit controls the opening/closing unit so that the opening/closing unit performs the opening operation and the closing operation at a relatively low speed as compared to when the operator is not present around the medium feeding apparatus.

Abstract: A medium feeding apparatus includes a rotating unit, a fixed unit, a separating roller and a conveying roller that are installed in the rotating unit and convey a medium present on a conveying path in a conveying direction, a braking roller and a driven roller that are installed in the fixed unit and come into press contact with the separating roller and the conveying roller on the conveying path, respectively, a lock arm that is installed in the rotating unit, a lock shaft that is installed in the fixed unit and keeps the position of the rotating unit relative to the fixed unit by locking the lock arm, and a position changing unit (a link member and a rotating member) that changes the position of the rotating unit relative to the fixed unit by the movement of the lock shaft in a up-and-down direction.

Abstract: A mounting clip in configured to hold a clay target having an inside edge, a front face, a first top edge and a second top edge. The mounting clip has an attachment clip configured to attach to the mounting clip to a hanger. A clamping clip is immediately adjacent to the attachment clip configured to hold and support the clay target. The mounting clip supports the clay target from the hanger to facilitate shooting at the clay target.

Abstract: A collapsible, portable target shooting apparatus that is easily transported and constructed in the field, backyard, or other location for shooters to use for training and recreation. When collapsed, the apparatus lies generally flat. When expanded and assembled, portions of the apparatus comprise graphics for target shooting. A shelving system supports a variety of targets, including, but not limited to, three-dimensional targets such as fruit, cans, bottles, or any similar item. The apparatus may be made of cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, Kevlar, wood, metal, Styrofoam, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a releasable clamp assembly for supporting one or more bullet deflecting plates, comprising: a first plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a first deflecting plate; a second plate holder having a channel for receiving an outer lateral edge of a second deflecting plate; and a bridge comprising a bridge connecting the first plate holder and the second plate holder and one or more releasable clamp integral with the bridge, wherein the one or more releasable clamp is adapted to apply a clamping force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plate holder channel and second plate holder channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wear-resistant layer, which is preferably used on piston rings for internal combustion engines. The wear-resistant layer comprises: 15-25% by weight iron (Fe), 10-25% by weight tungsten carbide (WC), 30-40% by weight chromium (Cr), 10-25% by weight nickel (Ni), 10-25% by weight molybdenum (Mo), 1-10% by weight carbon (C), 0.1-2% by weight silicon (Si), wherein Cr is present in elemental form and/or as a carbide in the form of Cr2C3. A method for applying the wear resistant layer and a piston ring having such a wear resistant layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a lip seal having an axis, a central opening and a radial extension extending radially inward. The radial extension may be adapted to apply a sealing force against a shaft extending through the central opening by bending. The radial extension may extend at least partially along an axial direction. A support member that is resilient may be positioned adjacent the radial extension such that the support member limits bending of the radial extension.

Abstract: A sealing construct for a space environment includes a seal-bearing object, a seal on the seal-bearing object, and a seal-engaging object. The seal includes a seal body having a sealing surface, and a textured pattern at the sealing surface, the textured pattern defining at least one shaded channel surface. The seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object through the seal. The seal-engaging object has a sealing surface, wherein, when the seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object, the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object engages the sealing surface of the seal, and the seal is compressed between the seal-bearing object and the seal-engaging object such that at least one shaded channel surface engages the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object.

Abstract: An elastic dust cover for a ball joint is structured such that a spherical head portion formed in one end of a ball stud is retained within a socket, a shaft in the other end of the ball stud is fastened and fixed to a knuckle, a one end large-diameter opening portion is fixed and retained to an outer peripheral surface of the socket, and the other end small-diameter opening portion is retained to the shaft. An annular step portion is formed in an inner peripheral side end portion coming into contact with the dust cover in the knuckle, a part of the small-diameter opening portion is inserted into a space formed by the annular step portion and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and an outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter opening portion is constrained by an inner peripheral surface of the annular step portion.

Abstract: An air filter cartridge has filter media and a gasket arrangement with a perimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face and a side gasket member adjacent to at least a partial extension of a first side panel. The side gasket member includes no portion against second, third, and fourth side panels of the air filter cartridge. The air filter cartridge can be used in a dust collector having a tubesheet and a frame arrangement extending from the tubesheet. The perimeter gasket member seals against the frame arrangement and the side gasket member seals against the tubesheet.

Abstract: A drill chuck including a spindle portion with a pusher bore, a spindle bore, an annular array of teeth, and an annular groove defined by the outer surface of the first end. A body is rotatably disposed about the spindle portion and includes a central bore, an annular groove defined by the central bore, and a pawl pivotably mounted to the body for selectively engaging the annular array of teeth. A jaw pusher includes a threaded post and a head, the threaded post being disposed in the pusher bore and configured for axial motion. A jaw guide is disposed on the first end of the body and includes a plurality of jaw slots. A plurality of jaws is slidably received in the corresponding jaw slots and slidably received by the head of the jaw pusher. A plurality of bearing balls is received between the annular groove of the spindle portion and the annular groove of the body.

Abstract: A drill chuck has a chuck body having a plurality of angularly spaced and axially extending but angled guide grooves each holding a jaw that is axially displaceable between an axially front closed position and an axially rear open position. Each jaw has an outer edge formed with external teeth, and also has an axially rearwardly directed rear face extending at an acute angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis. A ring rotatable on the body about the axis has an internal screwthread meshing with the teeth, and an adjustment sleeve rotationally coupled to the ring is rotatable to move the jaws between the open and closed positions. A cover disk on the rear end of the body is formed with respective throughgoing chip-discharge holes each having an inner end aligned with a respective one of the grooves and an outwardly open outer end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chuck (1) for a machine tool for machining a tubular workpiece (26) which rotates about a rotational axis that coincides with the centre of the chuck, comprising at least two chucking slides (7a, b, c) that are designed to be positionable radially with respect to the rotational axis in order to release and chuck the workpiece, are arranged on the end side of and in a manner distributed uniformly around the circumference of a chuck head plate, and bear chucking jaws (8a, b, c). Such a chuck is intended to be created with improved operating characteristics and extension to all chucking functions.

Abstract: A sports device with runners, in particular an ice skate, includes an exchangeable adapter with which the composite sliding blade is equipped. The running sole has a profiled slide strip made of a resilient material and side faces are provided with a negative cutting angle. The adapter is connected releasably to the holder of the sports device. The contour profile, namely the curvature of the sliding face of the profiled slide strip, is defined by the geometry of the exchangeable adapter. The sliding blade is clipped onto the adapter using tongues provided on the free end of the sliding blade and the locking lugs or locking slits provided on the adapter. The sliding blade has a perforation, such that the lower part of the sliding blade can be torn off without tools when changing the sliding blade, and a new sliding blade can be clipped on.

Abstract: The present invention provides a folding mechanism for a walker apparatus. The folding mechanism includes a pair of spaced-apart inner frame members. Each of the inner frame members has a first part and a second part hingedly connected together. The folding mechanism includes a pair of link members diagonally extending between and pivotally connecting to the inner frame members. The link members operatively connect the inner frame members together. According to another aspect, there is provided a walker apparatus having a pair of spaced-apart, foldable inner frame members and a pair of diagonally-extending link members. The link members connect the inner frame members together.

Abstract: A detachable tipping support device used to prevent strollers from tipping over because of a disproportionate rear weight is disclosed. The support device comprises a telescoping kickstand shaft and a detented, spring biased stroller connection means. The kickstand shaft comprises a movable grip housing an internal spring biased mechanism that locks the shaft into either a deployed or stored state. A high friction base at the kickstand shaft is used to stabilize the device against a surface and prevents sliding along a support surface when supporting the weight of a tipping stroller. The stroller connection means comprises a clamp having a first and second clamp member. The clamp members envelope a rear post of a stroller and are drawn together via fasteners to secure to the post. The kickstand shaft is then pivotable mounted to the clamp members and secured into a given position by the spring biased mechanism.

Abstract: A box with a wheel assembly platform has a tow strap with a folded position stowed in a recess in the platform and an unfolded position accessible outside the box. In one embodiment, the strap is incorporated in a pre-assembled handle pack positioned in the recess. The strap may be retracted by a torsion spring, and may be coiled in the pack by use of a rotating fork. In one embodiment axles projecting from rollers are supported in recesses formed in the platform, and in another embodiment the axles are supported in notches in the bottom end of cylinders mounted in cutouts in the platform. In a further embodiment a box has hand holes in opposite walls with a spacer panel providing finger access behind the holes. The platform may have hinged panels. A thermoformed skin may be applied to the platform or constitute the platform.

Abstract: A transport system for transporting at least one item of goods to be transported includes a base unit, at least one transportation unit for moving the transport system, and at least one transport goods area for accepting the at least one item of goods to be transported. The at least one transportation unit is surrounded on at least two different sides by the at least one transport goods area.

Abstract: A device for limiting swivel of a wheel includes a fixed seat, a positioning groove, a driving member, and a limiting member. The fixed seat permits a fork to be connected pivotally thereto, and permits a frame to be connected fixedly thereto. The driving member is connected rotatably to the fixed seat. The limiting member is mounted extendably and retractably on the fixed seat. The positioning groove is disposed to the fork. The limiting member is extendable from the fixed seat to engage the positioning groove so as to prevent rotation of the fork, and is retractable into the fixed seat to remove from the positioning groove to allow for rotation of the fork. The driving member has a caroming surface rotatable to drive extension and retraction of the limiting member.

Abstract: A step device for a vehicle includes a step member, a drive member provided at the step member and configured to drive a slide door to open and close, the step member including a metal-made rail portion configured to be fixed to a vehicle body and configured to guide the slide door to move at an opening and closing operation of the slide door, and a resin-made step main body integrally including a step panel, a rail fitting portion protruding from the step panel to be fitted onto an outer surface of the rail portion, and a drive member setting portion to which the drive member is set. The resin-made step main body and the metal-made rail portion form a guide rail. The guide rail is configured to guide the slide door to move over an entire range of the opening and closing operation of the slide door.

Abstract: A transmission unit includes a planetary gearing system including a ring gear connected to a bicycle frame, a planet carrier with planet gears, and at least one sun gear that is engaged with the planet gears. A rear wheel shaft is coaxial with respect to the sun gear. A driving mechanism is operatively rotationally engaged with the planet carrier. At least one bearing is configured to bear the rear wheel shaft with respect to the bicycle frame and is arranged between the planetary gearing system and a seat of the rear wheel from an axial perspective. The bearing bears the rear wheel shaft inside from a radial perspective and is connected, either directly or indirectly, to the bicycle frame, externally from a radial perspective. The transmission unit provides at least one transmission ratio between a driving mechanism and the rear wheel shaft.

Abstract: A recumbent vehicle is disclosed, which generally consists of a front, seat and rear chassis. The seat chassis is operatively connected to upper and lower pivot joints, which allow for the seat chassis, and thus the rider, to move independently from the remainder of the vehicle. Said upper and lower pivot joints are each comprised of subcomponents such as spherical axial bearings along with a coil to create said independent movement, which manifests itself during turns and when hitting obstacles on the terrain. The rider can control the direction of the recumbent vehicle by means of a steering arm.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle 1 includes a steering section 6 which steers a front wheel 4. The steering section includes a steering shaft link 13 which turns about a first steering axis 10 together with a second steering axis 11, a front-wheel support section 14 which turns the front wheel 4 about the second steering axis 11, and a first motor 15 which causes the steering shaft link 13 to turn. A caster angle ? based on the first steering axis 10 is positive or 0. A trail t1 based on the second steering axis 11 is positive. When the two-wheeled vehicle 1 is in a basic posture state on a ground surface 12, the intersection point P3 of the second steering axis 11 and the ground surface 12 lies in front of the intersection point P2 of the first steering axis 10 and the ground surface 12.

Abstract: A method of controlling a combination vehicle for road transport of heavy goods, said vehicle comprising a motor vehicle at the front and a trailer attached so as to be towed behind the motor vehicle, said trailer comprising: (a) a semi-trailer body adapted to carry goods, (b) a dolly mounted beneath the front of the semi-trailer body and connected to the semi-trailer body by a pivoting connection, said dolly comprising road wheels attached in one or more axle sets to a dolly frame, each axle set extending across the dolly frame, and (c) a drawbar assembly connecting the dolly frame to a preceding vehicle unit by means of a trailer coupling assembly, wherein: (i) the drawbar assembly defines an instant centre of rotation for the dolly which is located forwards of said trailer coupling assembly while the vehicle is moving forwards at high road speeds, and (ii) the drawbar assembly defines an instant centre of rotation for the dolly which is located at least substantially at the trailer coupling assembly while

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski binding (1) for fastening a ski boot, comprising a front retainer (2); a rear retainer (3); a tensioning mechanism (20) acting between the front and the rear retainer whereby the ski boot can be clamped between the front (2) and the rear (3) retainer in such a way as to allow the heel to be lifted freely; a front sole support device (6) arranged at or by the front retainer (2), the front sole support device being pivotal about the horizontal transverse axis (7) relative to the front retainer (2); and a locking element (8) adapted to fix the front sole support device (6); wherein the locking element (8) is adapted to lift the front sole support device (6) into contact with the front part of the ski boot such that the front sole support device (6) is fixed between the locking element (8) and the front part of the ski boot.

Abstract: A man-powered (e.g. manually pulled or pushed) multipurpose wheeled carrying device with ground clearance for transporting people, animals, equipment and goods over unsurfaced roads or tracks. The carrying device may include a chassis, a front dependent suspension and a rear dependent suspension, wherein each of the dependent suspensions comprises a legged solid axle, a connector, springs, and wheels. The legged solid axles of the dependent suspensions are adapted to keep the chassis at least 6 inches above the ground surface. The dependent suspensions are tiltable around a longitudinal axis of the chassis to keep the chassis leveled while all of the wheels are in contact with the ground, and to provide ground clearance during use.

Abstract: A wheeled cart that is meant to house all the accouterments necessary to the act of outdoor cooking to consolidate all the items used when barbecuing into one convenient unit, while also liberating the user from frequent trips inside the house to gather further necessities.

Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag door including: a panel which has tear lines, in which the tear lines include: a first tear line which is extended in a left and right direction of the panel; second tear lines which are extended from left and right end portions of the first tear line in an up and down direction of the panel, respectively; and third tear lines which are extended from upper and lower end portions of the second tear lines toward corners of the panel, respectively, thereby preventing an airbag from being torn by broken parts of the panel of the airbag door when the airbag is deployed.

Abstract: When an inner bag is inflated inside an outer bag, impact on an occupant received by an airbag is reduced. An inner bag (30) is inflated with gas supplied from an inflator (3). A gas exhaust port (31) is formed on the inner bag (30) and allows the gas to flow from the inner bag (30) in an occupant direction (E). An outer bag (20) accommodates the inner bag (30) and is inflated with the gas supplied from the gas exhaust port (31). A restriction member restricts the inflation of a portion of the inner bag (30) to change a direction of which the gas flows out from the gas exhaust port (31) to avoid the occupant direction. The restriction member breaks during the inflation of the outer bag (20) to release the restriction of the inflation of the inner bag (30).

Abstract: A side airbag device for a vehicle includes an inflator, which is provided in an outer side portion of a vehicle seat back in a vehicle width direction, and is operated and generates gas when a vehicle side impact is detected; a side airbag, which is provided on the side portion, partitioned into upper and lower bag portions, and expanded and deployed as gas from the inflator is distributed into the respective bag portions so that inner pressure of the lower bag portion becomes higher than that of the upper bag portion, the upper bag portion restraining a shoulder to an abdominal region, and the lower bag portion restraining a lumber region; and a restricting member, which is bridged between upper and lower end portions of the lower bag portion, and restricts a dimension of the lower bag portion in an upper-lower direction, in an expanded and deployed state.

Abstract: A deployment guiding cloth is wound from an outside in the vehicle width direction, on an outer peripheral portion of a folded side airbag. This deployment guiding cloth extends toward a vehicle front side and is interposed between the side airbag that is partially deployed and a vehicle cabin side portion (a center pillar garnish and a door trim) before the side airbag is fully deployed.

Abstract: An activation system for actuators of a vehicle seat device, including a first control device; a gas pressure accumulator having a gas pressure accumulator valve situated on it; a pressure distribution device functionally connected to the gas pressure accumulator; and a connecting device situated between the first control device and the pressure distribution device, the actuators being activatable as a function of an accident characteristic which is ascertainable with the aid of the first control device and which is transmittable to the pressure distribution device.

Abstract: Construction of a tilt steering apparatus is provided that is capable of preventing the occurrence of unpleasant noise during height adjustment of a steering wheel 1, and maintains sufficient durability and smooth operation. The tilt steering apparatus of the present invention is provided with stoppers 65 in at least two locations in a buffer member 21 c that are rotationally symmetric about the center axis of an adjustment rod 14, and that when a driven-side cam 15b is rotated as the axial dimension of a cam apparatus 47 is expanded or contracted, controls rotation of the driven-side cam 15b so that a convex engaging portion 39c does not collide with the front-side edge or rear-side edge of a vertically long hole 35b.

Abstract: A steering shaft bearing unit for rotatably mounting a steering shaft of a steering column for a motor vehicle includes at least one circumferentially closed region for accommodating at least one bearing for rotatably mounting the steering shaft, and at least one securing region for securing the steering shaft bearing unit to a console part of the steering column. At least one through-hole, in particular two through-holes, for guiding a clamping bolt of the steering column therethrough is/are arranged in the securing region. The steering shaft bearing unit is formed by joining, preferably welding, together at least two, preferably exactly two half-shells, each of which includes at least one section of the securing region and at least one section of the at least one circumferentially closed region.

Abstract: The cleaning apparatus is essentially an adjustable bar having an adapter on one end and a cleaner head on the opposing end. The adjustable bar includes a main cylinder head pivotably attached at a first pivot to the adapter, the main cylinder head having an opening configured to receive a main cylinder rod slideable within the main cylinder head's opening and can be locked in place using a lock to form a suitable length. The free end of the main cylinder rod is pivotably connected to a bracket at a second pivot. The cleaner head is in turn connected to the bracket at a third pivot. The cleaner head includes a cleaner housing configured to slidingly cooperate with a complementary cleaner housing such that the width of the cleaner head is adjustable to accommodate wheelchair tires of different sizes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printed matter which visualizes a latent image pattern by periodically formed raised image lines when observed in a tilted state, and provides an anti-counterfeit printed matter which allows latent images having different densities to be observed from a plurality of observation angles. In the anti-counterfeit printed matter, a region serving as a shade of a latent image is formed in addition to image lines forming a latent image portion and those forming a background portion, or at least one of the latent image portion, the background portion, and the shade portion is divided into a plurality of regions, and image lines formed in the divided regions are arranged at different angles, thereby forming a three-dimensional latent image observed from a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A vessel, such as a rocket motor tube, comprised of an insert, and a joint that allows the insert to decouple from the vessel to relieve pressure when subjected to excessive temperatures and/or a predetermined temperature or temperature range.

Abstract: A pipe shield for providing a portable onsite protection system for weld coating material applied over and extending from a pipe joint weld line on a pipe. The pipe shield is a split sleeve that is positioned and held in annular spaced relation on the pipe protecting the weld coating from extraneous debris and contact during the required cure time.

Abstract: A locking quick connect assembly is provided for removably coupling a first tube and a second tube. A quick connect housing presents a central bore for receiving the second tube. A redundant latch component positionable between an unlocked position and a locked position may be provided to slidingly engage the quick connect housing. A twist lock retainer surrounds the quick connect housing and the redundant latch component. The redundant latch component includes an axially extending redundant latch retaining arm and the twist lock retainer includes a locking channel for receiving the redundant latch retaining arm. The twist lock retainer also includes a twist lock retaining arm that locks against a bead of the second tube to resists separation. The twist lock retaining arm extends perpendicularly to and radially inwardly of the locking channel to interleavingly engage the redundant latch retaining arm thus preventing unwanted decoupling of the assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly (10) for fastening, with fluid connection, a mould bottom to a holder (12), in which the mould bottom, of principal axis (O), is able to be removably fastened to a plate (14) forming an interface between the mould bottom and the holder (12), the assembly (10) including at least one locking device and a fluid connection device, respectively placed between the plate (14) and the holder (12), characterized in that the movement of a first locking element (44) and a first connecting element (46) is coupled via a moveable part (88) so that together they form a moveable element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting device (10) adapted for transmitting pressurized fluids, comprising a pipe end (30) delimiting an inner flow channel (38) for a fluid, an end body (20) including an inner cavity isolated from the inner flow channel (38), and displacement means (40) for moving the pipe (30) in the body (20) between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. These displacement means (40) comprise a pivot (50), an off-centered member (60), a connecting rod (70) and a rear housing formed in the body (20), defining a first articulation diameter (?1) between the pivot (50) and the off-centered member (60) around a first axis (A1), a second articulation diameter (?2) between the off-centered member (60) and the connecting rod member (70) around a second axis (A2), and a third articulation diameter (?3) between the connecting rod (70) and the rear housing around a third axis (A3).

Abstract: A coupling assembly for coupling annular fittings includes first and second coupling elements. The first coupling element defines interior and exterior opposite surfaces, and first and second end opposite portions. The first coupling element includes a plurality of flexible tabs slantedly protruding from the exterior surface; and also includes threads configured along the interior surface at the first end portion. The second end portion is non-threaded. The second coupling element defines inner and outer opposite surfaces. The second coupling element includes a plurality of rigid tabs vertically protruding from the inner surface. The second coupling element coaxially engages the first coupling element such that the flexible tabs and rigid tabs interact with each other to tighten and loosen the coupling assembly against the annular fittings via torque application. While tightening, the non-threaded second end portion and the flexible tabs and rigid tabs combination preclude over-tightening.

Abstract: A tubular threaded joint is constituted by a pin and a box each having a contact surface comprising an unthreaded metal contact portion including a seal portion and a shoulder portion and a threaded portion. Of the contact surface of at least one of the pin and the box, the surfaces of the seal portion and the shoulder portion has a first lubricating coating in the form of a solid lubricating coating, and the surface of the threaded portion or the entire surface of the contact surface has a second lubricating coating selected from a viscous liquid lubricating coating and a solid lubricating coating. The first lubricating coating has a coefficient of friction which is higher than that of the second lubricating coating, and the second lubricating coating is positioned on top in a portion where both the first lubricating coating and the second lubricating coating are present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining a first length of pipe to a second length of pipe at an arbitrary angle is provided. The apparatus includes a fitting having a substantially circular opening at a first end thereof for receiving an end of a first length of pipe, and a fish-mouth shaped opening at a second end thereof for receiving an end of a second length of pipe. One or more wedges are provided for insertion into a gap between the fitting and the second length of pipe. The one or more wedges may be inserted at either an elongated end or a straight end of the fish-mouth shaped opening, or both. Adhesive, such as PVC cement may be used to bond the various fittings, wedges and length of pipe together to form a sealed joint.

Abstract: A coupling device (1) for connecting and/or closing off fluid lines (60) includes: a male coupling element (2) having a continuous recess (5) provided around the outer circumference and one radial projection (6); a female coupling element (3) having an arm (9) which includes, at one end, an operating element (10) and, at an opposite end, at least one radially extending locking element (11). The female coupling element (3) further includes a slot (108) that extends in axial direction and is a breather duct when the arm (9) is in the first position; a bayonet fastening which is formed by a labyrinth-like guide (12) in the wall (7) of the female coupling element (3) and the radial projection (6) of the male coupling element (2). Also described are a line path and a line end section in which the coupling device has been accommodated.