Abstract: A device is used to connect one rod to at least one other object, such as another rod. This device can be used in accordance with a claimed method to form a lattice, such as an equipment lattice, made of a plurality of rods and at least one connecting device. The device employs a channel to permit press-fitting a rod into the channel. In a preferred embodiment, the device has a tetrahedral body with two orthogonal channels.

Abstract: A welded joint between pipes and pressure bearing elements, such as tube plates, pressure tanks, accumulators, or the like. The pipes and elements have a lip-shaped extension in the joint region. The joint connection is effected in this joint region by a full through-weld which is substantially free of crevices. The joint connection of pipe-to-element lies within the region where the pipe penetrates the element. A free space remains below the element lip between the pipe and the element. The space which is located above the element lip, and which is defined or bordered by the element lip, the pipe, and a centering bushing or sleeve known per se, is filled up with welding material. The centering bushing serves only as a temporary aid during the welding operation and is removed, e.g. is bored out, after the welding operation has been completed.

Abstract: A decorative building panel is disclosed for mounting on a wall surface. Particularly, a panel in the form of an imitation shutter. The panel is more rigid than present types of simulated shutters, also the panel may be shipped to the site in kit form and easily assembled in the field. The panel has a plurality of slats arranged side by side and at least two spaced apart straps extending across the slats. Connecting means are provided at each of the intersecting positions between the straps and the slats, the connecting means being integral with each of the straps for rigidly connecting the straps to the slats, and spacer means at each of the intersecting positions for spacing the panel from the wall surface.

Abstract: A self-alignment clip for use in assembling a shaft switch flat surface into the cylindrical axial bore of a hub. The U-shaped clip is readily fastened on the hub so as to straddle a portion of the hub end such that the clip inner arm is located in the hub axial bore and its outer arm has means for snap-on engagement with a set screw bore. The inner arm permits the flat of the shaft to be readily aligned in telescoping relation with the inner arm such that the shaft set screw or the like is aligned in normal fashion with the flat of the shaft.

Abstract: A high voltage dropout type expulsion fuse has a lower trunnion assembly mounted on one end and a fuse release assembly mounted on the other end thereof. To assure the proper positional relationship between the trunnion assembly and the fuse release assembly, the fuse housing has a locating boss at one end adapted to engage and position the trunnion assembly and a positioning slot formed in the other end adapted to engage and position the fuse release assembly. The locating slot and boss must be properly positioned with respect to one another to assure the proper positional relationship of the trunnion assembly and the fuse release assembly. The lower locating boss is integrally formed on the wall of a metallic ferrule by extruding a portion of the wall into the cavity of a die to form an integral locating boss. This integral boss cannot cause the leakage of moisture into the interior of the fuse.

Abstract: A splined joint between a shaft and a muff, for the purpose of preventing dog-legging has a chamber provided at the end of the muff from which the shaft projects and a guide ring received in such chamber, the guide ring being introduced axially into the chamber past an edge afforded by the muff which removes material from the guide ring to give the required clearance between the shaft and guide ring to constrain relative radial movement between the shaft and muff.

Abstract: A coupling for shafts and the like, comprising a sleeve having a passage adapted to receive the end portions of two aligned shafts, an outer circumferential surface having two axially spaced sections which conically diverge towards each other, and a radial flange intermediate the sections; a pair of pressure rings each surrounding one of the sections and having a conically tapering inner circumferential surface complementary to the respectively surrounded section; and bolts connecting the pressure rings with the flange and operative for pulling the pressure rings axially towards each other and towards the flange to thereby compress the sleeve radially inwardly into frictional engagement with shaft end portions located in the passage.

Abstract: A splined joint between a shaft and a muff, for the purpose of preventing "dog legging", has a chamber provided at the end of the muff from which the shaft projects and a guide ring received in such chamber, the guide ring exerting constraint upon relative radial movement between the shaft and muff. The required clearance between shaft and guide ring may be obtained by providing projections within the chamber and shearing material from projections on the guide ring by rotating the guide ring relative to the muff.

Abstract: A connector for coupling a pair of single optical fibers is disclosed. Each contact of the connector utilizes three spheres of equal diameter defining a tricuspid interstitial space therebetween into which the end of a fiber is mounted. The spheres are embraced by a circular race. In the preferred embodiment, the spheres engage each other and the race. When a pair of contacts are mated in axial abutting relationship, the spheres in the mating contacts nest with respect to each other, thereby precisely laterally aligning the optical fibers which are mounted in the interstitial spaces of the sets of spheres in the two contacts. In another embodiment, the spheres are dimensioned so they do not engage each other, but engage the optical fiber at three points. Also, more than three spheres may be mounted in a contact for positioning a fiber therein.

Abstract: A device to position two components in each of three mutually perpendicular directions. One component having a projecting pin and the other such a conical bore that, on the components being pressed together, a spherical surface on the pin bears against the conical wall of the bore thereby causing the bearing surfaces to be deformed when the components abut.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an inter-fitting, two-part securing means which holds a flanged end of an elongated cylindrical actuating cable guidance tube in its operative position on a support in a vehicle. The securing means comprises a pair of generally semi-cylindrical body parts which, when assembled, form a through bore for the cable, and guidance tube with opposed recesses in the bore which receive and hold the guidance tube flange. One of the pair of body parts has a flanged end and is inserted through a noncircular hole in the support with the flange clamped against the support. Substantially diametrically outwardly extending ribs on the other end of the one body part are slidingly received in complementary grooves on the other of the pair of body parts. Integral spring finger means locks the pair of body parts in assembled relation.

Abstract: In the embodiment shown, the coupling means comprises an annular wedge which is insertable between the stem and the cutterhead of a raise borer, the wedge being bolted to the cutterhead to effect contact pressure in order that rotary torque will be transmitted from the stem to the cutterhead. A thrust plate is secured to the lower end of the stem in engagement with a lowermost surface of the cutterhead. In addition, a friction locking assembly is used on an underlying or protected portion of the cutterhead to center and locate the stem relative thereto.

Abstract: A clamp for positive coupling of two reciprocative rods in parallel axial alignment. The clamp includes a tapered wall portion and a flat radial wall portion. The tapered wall portion cooperates with a tapered shoulder on one of the rods to provide positive clamping while the flat wall portion cooperates with a flat radial shoulder on the other of the rods to provide limited transverse movement of the rods relative to one another.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a telescoping mast assembly adapted for use with drill rigs and the like. The mast assembly comprises multiple sections, said sections being adapted for nesting one within the other in the telescoped-to-the-closed condition and each section comprising mutually convergent corner leg members which, when said mast assembly is extended, form concentric and in-line arrangements of the corner leg members from the base to the crown of the mast. Means are provided for connecting each mast section to its neighboring mast section upon extension thereof. In addition, means are also provided for indexing of the connector means upon extension of the mast assembly from its telescoped-to-the-closed condition.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic fastener for connecting a right angled actuating rod to a lever member. The fastener includes a base member having a rod receiving aperture at one end; a retaining means for associating the fastener with the lever member, the retaining means having a bore co-axial with and communicating with the base aperture and an upstanding wall forming a receptacle on the other side of the base member to receive a right angle end of the actuating rod, the inner wall surfaces having a funnel-like configuration to permit blind insertion of the end of the actuating rod into said aperture and communicating bore. A rigid retaining arm overlying said base in space relation to said aperture and resilient finger means forming a throat with said arm to permit insertion of the actuating rod into retained position under said arm when its right angled end is inserted through the aperture and into the bore of the retaining means.

Abstract: A weldment wherein two members are joined by a weld bounded at a back portion by a back-up member providing improved weld penetration and prevention of undesirable conditions in the weld such as root gaps or blow-throughs. The back-up member may comprise an elongated element secured to the surface of one member and, more specifically, may be welded thereto by a continuous weld.

Abstract: To simplify manufacture of double conical hub-to-shaft connections and to improve centricity, a double conical centering ring is located intermediate the connection, formed with a cylindrical groove, so dimensioned that it will entirely receive a radially resilient ring, which ring can snap into a matching ring groove formed on a double conical surface, to entirely fill the groove and accept compressive forces without deformation of the conical surfaces adjacent the groove.

Abstract: A combined insert and end plug for aligning fiberglass tool handles for attachment to tool heads and for concealing the ends of the handles. The resilient molded plastic insert has a center portion and a plurality of integral outwardly directed legs. The insert is mounted within a tool head opening so that the legs are disposed between the handle and the walls of the opening. The insert holds the handle in proper position for attachment to the tool head. The insert has a plurality of outwardly directed resilient membranes which flex inwardly during insertion and then flex outwardly by their own resilience to combine with the center portion to form a cover for the outer end of the opening.

Abstract: A clamping assembly mounting a cylindrically bored hub onto a shaft in which a double-taper ring and two self-locking tapered clamping sleeves are clamped together by means of axially oriented clamping bolts, the double-taper ring having a peripheral collar between the clamping sleeves for engagement by the clamping bolt, when the sleeves are to be unclamped from the double-taper ring.

Abstract: An improved clamp shell for cigar lighters is disclosed. The improvement comprises means associated with the clamp shell for automatically aligning the position of the clamp shell with respect to the cigar lighter socket to aid in assembly of the structure in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A fifth wheel plate assembly for a trailer hitch for securing trailers to railway flat cars includes a top plate having an opening in which a movable clamp or lock jaw is supported for grasping and locking the kingpin of a trailer to the fifth wheel. The lock jaw is provided with slidable extensions including transversely extending brackets between which a threaded follower is positioned, the same in turn being actuated by means of a lock screw mounted for rotation on the fifth wheel assembly. The follower in response to rotation of the screw actuates the jaw and slide assembly for moving the same between kingpin engaging and disengaging positions. A plurality of concavo-convex washers are supported between the follower and one of the brackets thus permitting a limited longitudinal movement in one direction of slide assembly and jaw to cushion certain impact stresses exerted on the kingpin contained between the clamping members and thereby preventing damage to the drive screw and associated structure.