Abstract: A coupling apparatus is provided for quick coupling of surface pumping equipment to a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member is engaged by dogs which are urged into locking position about the cylindrical member.

Abstract: The fitting element is constituted by a male element, with a hollow cylindrical tang having a plurality of ribs, arranged axially and protruding in a radial direction, and by a female element, essentially constituted by a hollow cylidrical casing suitable for receiving tang of male element. On the inside wall of female element there is obtained a plurality of grooves suitable for receiving by axial sliding the corresponding ribs; each of said grooves is flanked by a lateral seat, which receives one of said ribs following the rotation, sebsequent to the axial sliding, of male element.

Abstract: In an apparatus for connecting a hose end to a connecting spigot in the form of one half of a dog clutch on which a hose socket is formed, on to which the hose end is slipped and clamped, and which is enclosed by a clamp formed by at least two part shells and has a tension lever closure whose tension lever is hinged to a part shell and whose spring connects the tension lever releasably to the other part shell, the device having formed on the connecting spigot an annular collar engaged over by retaining flanges on one side of the part shells, while the clamping flanges forcing the hose against the socket are provided on the other side of the part shells, the retaining flanges being of dimensions such that the clamp is prevented from being pulled off axially of the socket even when the tension lever closure is opened, the clamp having a pivot pin with a shank, the dog clutch having clutch halves provides with cams, a U-shaped bent wire member which non-rotatably connects the clamp to the connecting spigot, the

Abstract: A secondary lock for preventing separation of a pair of connected tubular members comprises an elongated body which carries a toothed rack. A first transversely extending retention member is carried adjacent one end of the body, with a sliding member slidably mounted on the body for longitudinal movement therealong. The sliding member carries a second transversely extending retention member. Each of the retention members are proportioned to grip and retain one of the tubular members. A pawl is provided for engaging the rack to permit the sliding member to be moved toward the first member but not away from the first member. However, the pawl is disengageable to permit the sliding member to be moved away from the first member when desired.

Abstract: An improved coupler or tapping mechanism and valve system for obtaining access to a container of fluid. In a container of fluid, and particularly a keg for beer, a valve assembly receiving member or keg neck extends from the top of the container. This keg neck receives a flat top, dual valve system which is operated by the coupler. The improved coupler is placed over the keg neck and is positively secured thereto and sealed relative to the valve assembly by a two point locking mechanism which engages the external surfaces of the keg neck. A safety locking mechanism is provided which prevents removal of the coupler from the keg neck as long as the dual valves are in an open fluid tapping position.

Abstract: A remotely operable and maintainable vacuum joint closure mechanism for a noncircular aperture is disclosed. The closure mechanism includes an extendible bellows coupled at one end to a noncircular duct and at its other end to a flange assembly having sealed grooves for establishing a high vacuum seal with the abutting surface of a facing flange which includes an aperture forming part of the system to be evacuated. A plurality of generally linear arrangements of pivotally coupled linkages and piston combinations are mounted around the outer surface of the duct and aligned along the length thereof.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly in which the electrical connectors may be quickly and easily coupled and decoupled, with a mechanism for preventing accidental decoupling of the connectors as a result of vibration. The connector assembly includes first and second connectors, which are coupled by the provision of a coupling nut mounted on one connector and having an internal screw thread which is adapted to receive a screw thread on a second connector. The mechanism for preventing accidental decoupling includes a spring mounted to the coupling nut and having a plastic forward face for engaging ratchet teeth carried on the edge of the housing. The ratchet teeth are more steeply on the leading edge engaged during decoupling and more gradually angled on the leading edge during coupling, allowing for easy coupling and a greater resistance to decoupling.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hose coupling on the body of which is rockably mounted intermediate its ends a locking member, one end of which constitutes an operating handle. The other end of this locking member is of such a configuration as to constitute a stop which is manually rockable by the operating handle out of the pathway of the guard arm of the other one of a pair of hose couplings to be manually coupled prior to rotating the two hose couplings to the fully coupled position. The configuration of the stop is such that, upon the pair of hose couplings reaching their fully coupled position, this stop will be disposed in such a position in the pathway of the guard arm of the other one of the pair of fully coupled hose couplings as to prevent unwanted uncoupling of the two coupled hose couplings. Upon manual rocking of the locking member in one direction by the operating handle, the stop will be lifted out of the pathway of the guard arm of the other one of the pair of coupled hose couplings.

Abstract: A hose coupling for detachably connecting one end of a cleaning tool hose to the suction inlet of a suction cleaner. The coupling includes a female coupling portion comprising a pair of circumferentially spaced, diametrically arranged flange portions on the margin of the suction inlet, and a male coupling portion comprising diametrically-spaced lug means on the end of the hose. The lug means are axially shiftable through recesses in the flange portions when the end of the hose is positioned for initial insertion into the inlet. After initial insertion, the end of the hose is rotated through a predetermined number of degrees to a locked, operative position in the inlet. A spring biased detent holds the end of the hose in its locked operative position, and a manually actuated push-button permits a user to disengage the detent from a receiving notch in one of the flange portions so that the end of the hose can be rotated to its initial insertion position and then withdrawn axially from the suction inlet.