Abstract: A tubular assembly embodying a pin and slot connection between two thin wall tubular members having end portions disposed in telescopic relation with respect to one another. The outer tubular member having the slot also has an opening extending therethrough in closely spaced relation to its edge in a position generally alongside the slot providing an axially elongated wall portion between the opening and slot. The wall portion has a fixed integral outer end spaced axially outwardly of an intermediate locking section of the slot and a fixed integral inner end spaced axially inwardly of the intermediate locking section of the slot and is operable to resiliently deflect laterally when the pin is moved axially inwardly through the slot to thereby permit the locking section of the slot to expand in its width dimension and permit yielding passage of the pin axially thereby into received relation within the inner section of the slot.

Abstract: A telescoping slip-together tubing joinder wherein a first and a second tube slide together, the second sliding over the first. A guide sleeve is mounted to the first tube and projects beyond it to receive and guide the second tube into the telescoping engagement. The guide sleeve is held to the first tube by a retainer which can be attached and removed by external manipulations.

Abstract: A retainer for plastic carburetors which eliminates the necessity for mating flanges bolted together and thus avoids distortion of the body due to clamping pressures. The carburetor body has male parts which insert into recesses in an engine block or heat dam to seal in relation thereto and a forked clamp embraces a necked portion of the carburetor body and is clamped in cantilever fashion so that the plastic body is retained securely without distortive forces.

Abstract: A two-stage locking or latching mechanism for releasably connecting an endoscope and a urological instrument. In the first latching stage a body portion of the endoscope is fully received within a socket of the urological instrument and is restrained by a cooperating lug and socket against all movement except limited outward axial movement into the second latching stage. In the second latching stage the parts are secured against further axial separation unless they are first rotated with respect to each other to cam a spring out of latching engagement with the body portion of the endoscope.

Abstract: A rotatable coupling member for attachment to an end or between the ends of hose or tubing to be used in the conveyance of a fluid under pressure. The coupling member comprises a first body member having means disposed at one end thereof for attaching the first body member to a source of fluid and a substantially tubular shaped insert extending away from a second end thereof into an axially aligned receiving bore disposed at a first end of a second body member that provides a fluid interconnecting relationship to a second end of the second body member having means disposed thereat for attachment to a source of fluid. An annular retainment groove having a cross-sectional shape capable of being altered as a result of an axial compressive force being applied to the insert is disposed in the first body member insert outer wall.

Abstract: A releasable coupling for plastic or metal tubes wherein the means for retaining one end of a tube within the coupling body comprises a metal retainer ring having circumferentially spaced spring fingers thereon which incline radially and axially inwardly from the outer periphery of the ring. The inner ends of the fingers are adapted to frictionally engage and bite into the surface of a tube inserted therethrough to prevent its withdrawal. Axial movement of the ring within the coupling body is prevented in one direction by axially extending fingers on the ring engaging an inwardly projecting annular shoulder in the bore of the body. Axial movement of the ring in the opposite direction is prevented by retaining means located at least partially within the bore of the body positioned adjacent an annular seal engaging one face of the ring.

Abstract: A coupling sleeve surrounds two adjacent pipe ends to be coupled together. A continuously-converging, spiral-shaped channel is provided at opposite end regions of the sleeve. A continuously-converging spiral-shaped split constrictable member is located in and angularly movable through each channel. Actuating members in force-transmitting relationship with each trailing end region of a respective constrictable member are operative for angularly moving the latter through each channel, and for radially constricting each constrictable member about and in sealing engagement with the entire periphery of each respective pipe end. In the fully clamped position, each leading end region is overlapped by each respective trailing end region. The spiral-shaped channel is formed in one embodiment by spiral-shaped walls of the sleeve itself, or in another embodiment by a spiral-shaped insert which is received in a circular groove formed by circular-shaped walls of the sleeve.

Abstract: A connecting member is provided for connecting an automatic lubricating system to the conventional lubrication fittings provided for lubricating the bearings of a motor vehicle. The connecting member has a bore shaped to fit snugly about the head of the fitting and a bore between the check valve of the fitting and a feed line or other source of lubricant. The head of the fitting is pressed against an O-ring in the connecting member to seal the interface therebetween and is held in position by a removable wire clip which extends through the connecting member and against the shoulder of the fitting.

Abstract: A hollow tubular member is provided with a plurality of obliquely oriented slots creating therebetween a series of ring elements which are offset from the transverse plan of the tubular member to provide an effective reduction of the internal diameter thereof for lockingly engaging an elongate element inserted within the tubular member. Both ends of the tubular member may be similarly slotted to provide an in-line coupling between two elongate members. Also disclosed is a method for forming the sleeve from a flat blank of material. Suitable modifications may be made to permit the sleeve to be attached to a support plate such as the wall of an electrical enclosure or the like.

Abstract: A fire hydrant having an improved means of attaching the lower stand pipe portion to the hydrant valve body. The lower stand pipe is sealed to the valve body by means of a well-known push-on joining method and is prevented from separating therefrom by use of novel keying means. The keys can be removed should it become necessary to separate the lower stand pipe from the hydrant valve body.

Abstract: A pipe connector has a pin initially stabbed into a box, the pin and box then being axially loaded together at confronting transverse surfaces while the pin and box are pressurized to expand the box and compress the pin, so that when the pressure is relieved a pressure energized shrink fit is provided and the connector is rendered rigid to enhance tensile, compressive and bending strength and provide a fluid tight joint useful in making up lengths of pipe such as piles and pipelines. Locking means are installed while the connector is pressurized, is axially loaded by a loading tool and before pressure is relieved, the locking means engaging between opposed pin and box shoulders to retain the pin in compression and the box in tension when the pressure is relieved and the loading tool removed. The locking means is a wire, discs, balls or a split ring.

Abstract: End fitting or armature for multi-channel hoses having a positioning plate and a guiding plate extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the hose and apertured to receive hose coupling elements. Means are provided for varying the axial spacing of the plates. A resilient element is disposed between the plates, a part of which seats in a groove formed in the internal surface of the end fitting when the plates are pulled towards each other under load.

Abstract: A multiple-passage plug-in coupling for releasably connecting hose or pipe ends, the coupling comprising: a first coupling part, nipples on that part, a second coupling part, sleeves in the second coupling part to receive the said nipples, guide projections on one of said coupling parts, corresponding guide recesses to receive the said projections in the other one of said coupling parts, channels in the said projections and the said other coupling part, and a releasable locking member received by the said channels and serving to lock the two coupling parts together.

Abstract: A tubular connector sleeve has a radially outwardly projecting inwardly open groove formed at one end which is defined by a radially outwardly projecting wall and a radially inwardly projecting flange at the end of the sleeve. A portion of the flange is cut away to provide access to the groove. A connector tube has a radially outwardly projecting flange at one end and the outside diameter of this flange is generally equal to the inside diameter of the connector sleeve so that the flange on the connector tube can extend inside the connector sleeve. A spiral lock ring is wound through the opening in the sleeve flange until the entire spiral lock ring is in the groove.

Abstract: A releasable tube coupling wherein the tube is releasably retained in the coupling body by means of a sleeve in said body surrounding said tube and held in clamping engagement therewith by means of a U-shaped clip. The clip extends transversely through the body and engages a pair of cams or ramps on the sleeve which retain the sleeve and are effective to more firmly clamp the tube when a force is exerted on the tube in the direction outwardly from the fitting.

Abstract: A fluid-tight sealing apparatus for sealing a tube to a cylindrical surface while subjected to axial, rotational and angular misalignments comprising a metallic, resilient sealing member on the tube having a ring portion with a curved surface for contacting the cylindrical surface and for forming a fluid-tight seal by means of an interference fit therebetween. The cylindrical surface can be the interior surface of a bore with the sealing member including a frustoconical portion having the ring portion at the larger end thereof and fitting into the cylindrical bore. The cylindrical surface can be the exterior surface of a conduit with the sealing member including a frustoconical portion having the ring portion at the smaller end thereof and fitting around the cylindrical conduit.

Abstract: A locking means for securing pipe segments in end-to-end relationship wherein at least one pipe segment is slidably disposed within a sleeve member, and having cooperative grooves provided in the pipe segment and the sleeve member to provide an annular chamber when the pipe segments are coupled. A plurality of circular disc members having a diameter substantially equal to the sum of the depth of the grooves are inserted in the annular chamber for locking said coupling in place and providing high load capabilities with ease of coupling and uncoupling.

Abstract: An arrangement for joining of ventilation ducts and the like comprises a first and a second member intended for connection with a first duct end and a second duct end resp., the second member being provided with an upright stiffening leg and a horizontal leg terminated by a hook-shaped member, which can be snapped over a raised edge of the first member. The first member comprises a horizontal lip intended to be received by the second member.

Abstract: Lengths of "plain-end" pipe are joined together in underground sewer or drainage systems by flexible sleeves having a specified column expansibility and shear-resistance and containing high modulus helically oriented reinforcement, bonded or encapsulated in elastomeric material. The resultant pipe assemblies represent a significant improvement over previously known "plain-end" pipe-coupling arrangements and bell and spigot pipe assemblies. Pipe sections may be quickly and economically joined without inserting packing, to provide a water-tight, shear-resistant joint which will accomodate significant angular misalignment and circumferential variation. Even if lubricant is placed on the inner surfaces of the flexible sleeves to reduce assembly forces, the resultant pipe assemblies still exhibit more than adequate resistance against shear loads and water infiltration.

Abstract: Lengths of pipe are joined together in above- or below-ground telephone conduit systems by flexible sleeves having specified coefficient of friction, column expansibility and pull-out resistance and containing helically oriented high modulus reinforcement, bonded or encapsulated in elastomeric material. The resultant pipe assemblies represent a significant improvement over previously known cemented conduit-coupling arrangements. Pipe sections may be quickly and economically joined without field application of adhesive, to provide water-tight, pull-out-resistant joints which will accomodate significant bending moments and shearing forces.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling includes a connector with a countersunk bored opening therethrough, the countersunk opening providing a recessed enlarged cavity at one end of the connector and forming an annular male plug that extends into the cavity, a plastic tube extends through the bore of the connector and is provided with an annular upset bead on its inboard end that is positioned axially outboard of the annular male plug within the cavity, the connector being adapted to be pushed into assembled relation with an adapter having a stepped bore therethrough providing a socket opening at one end thereof of a size to receive the annular upset bead end of the tube and to slidably receive the annular plug of the connector, the socket at its inboard end terminating at a frusto-conical seal seat for engagement with the outboard tapered end surface of the annular upset bead of the tube, an O-ring seal being positioned to encircle the tube between its annular upset bead and the free end of the plug whereby to engage the

Abstract: An assembly for passing an elongated member or members through an aperture in a wall or panel including a collar and a split ring retainer for locking the collar into the panel aperture. In a preferred embodiment the split ring retainer is assembled into an annular groove adjacent the panel for preventing axial movement of the conduit relative to the panel.

Abstract: A coupling device adapted for connecting conduits or the like which carry pressurized fluid and essentially embodies first and second coupling members, a pair of sealing members and retaining means. The first coupling member is arranged to be connected to the conduit and includes first and second spaced generally peripheral grooves, each of which is defined by respective first and second pairs of shoulders, and a peripheral depression formed adjacent one of the second pair of shoulders remote from the first groove. The pair of sealing elements are arranged such that respective ones thereof are suitably received within the first and second grooves for providing a fluid-tight seal. The second coupling member detachably receives the first coupling member and includes at least first and second bores which respectively slidably receive the first and second sealing members, and first and second openings which extend generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the first and second bores.

Abstract: A union device comprises a body having an inner bore communicating with an enlarged annular opening in a face of the body. A separate annular piece is secured in the opening with a press-fit by means of an external barb on the piece which opposes removal of the piece. The piece has an oppositely directed internal annular barb which engages in the outer surface of the end of a press-fitted flexible tube to tightly secure the tube without constricting its inner passageway which communicates with said bore.

Abstract: A ram-borer apparatus is described which comprises a tubular housing, a percussion piston which is movable axially to and fro in the housing, and a striker-tip which is arranged to slide in an axial direction relative to the housing and which bears against the housing in the working direction via a resilient member. In accordance with the invention, there is attached to the rear end of the housing a drag-sock for coupling a tube or cable, etc. to the housing, and/or an expander-cone for enlarging the bore formed by the apparatus, and/or a steering tube for steering the apparatus along a straight or preselected arcuate path.

Abstract: A flange joint for joining e.g. pipes, having at least one of the clamping flanges turnably mounted on one of the pieces to be joined, by means of a locking ring and locking grooves. When the flange is in tightening position the forward part of it forms a guide and a support for the other piece and for a packing fitted in between.

Abstract: A jumping hoop has a rigid U-shaped member which is held in the hand. A light flexible member is adjustably connected to opposite ends of the rigid member, forming a hoop. Ends of the rigid members are reentrantly bent to hold ends of the flexible member telescoped therewith. Ends are held together by an elastic band which jams between the sliding telescoping members in one construction.

Abstract: The specification discloses a coupling device comprising a sleeve, forming an adapter for connecting tubing of different sizes, particularly tubing used in respiratory systems in hospitals. The sleeve has fixed thereto a pair of external diametrically disposed mushroom-like buttons by which an elastic tape with a series of holes secures a tubing to the sleeve and prevents accidental separation therefrom.