Abstract: This invention is a connector that gains versatility by virtue of its specific shape and proportions. The connector will interface two rods at right angles. Versatility is displayed by forming closely packed clusters.

Abstract: A coupling or chain connector device is disclosed comprising a first coupling member cooperable with a second coupling member. The second coupling member has a tortuous path between the inner and the outer regions thereof. The tortuous path comprises a first through fourth substantially linear sections and a first through third interconnecting sections sequentially interposed between the first through fourth linear sections. The first coupling member is at least partially receivable in the second coupling member for passing the first coupling member through the tortuous path to couple the first coupling member to the second coupling member. The first coupling member may take the form of a linear wire or bar or may take the form of a substantially ring-shaped structure. The first and second coupling members may be incorporated into a unitary structure with the first coupling member established on one end thereof and the second coupling member established on the other end thereof.

Abstract: A plurality of butt hooks are secured to a tag line and receive ferrules on the tag line in positions blocking release passages in the butt hooks through which nubbins on the ends of choker lines must be moved to release the choker lines from the butt hooks. A sling construction includes butt hooks connecting a spreader bar to a pair of tag lines.

Abstract: An article of jewelry to be worn encircling a portion of the body such as a neck piece or belt is formed from a length of flexible material, two portions of which are engaged by a plurality of hoops disposed on a slide, the hoops being positioned so as to receive the portions of flexible material in frictional engagement of each other, permitting adjustment of the length of flexible material between the two portions so engaged.

Abstract: Locking means comprising a plate with a plurality of spaced openings through which the free end of a flexible member, such as a rope or cord, is strung through, to form an adjustable loop exteriorly of the locking plate, so that the flexible member can serve as an anchoring, mooring, tethering or suspension line. The locking plate has a projection which engages the flexible member as tension is applied to the flexible member to prevent movement of the flexible member relative to the locking plate. The effective length of the flexible member being adjustable.

Abstract: Solid resilient compound retaining the outer end of a bimetallic helical coil spring of a temperature responsive viscous fluid drive to a clip. The clip is secured to the cover plate of the drive. The inner end of the spring is secured to the valve shaft while the outer end of the spring is configured into a bight having a straight center portion inserted within a slot in the clip. A liquid compound is placed in the bight and surrounds a portion of the clip and fills the bight. The liquid solidifies to resiliently retain the outer end relative to the clip. A method for assembling the spring, valve shaft, cover plate, and clip is also described.

Abstract: An improved snap swivel comprising a lightweight, plate-like body of thermoplastic composition including a recess in the rearmost portion of one side, an eye rotatably mounted in the foremost end of said body, and a clasp freely pivoted in proximity to the rearmost end of said body, said clasp including an angularly inwardly extending leg adapted to lie in said recess and a hook adapted to engage and disengage said leg when said clasp is rotated at right angles to said body.

Abstract: Seismic or earthquake bracing includes brace members, in this form, a channel iron which at each end has an articulated connection respectively to a building element and to the item supported; each brace connector includes a pair of elements pivotally connected, and the hinged or pivot portions of at least one of the connector elements being provided with acoustical snubber which not only cushions the parts pivoted but also reduces noise of vibration which may be caused by earthquakes or the like.

Abstract: A choker assembly for logging winchlines. The assembly includes a choker rope with a ferrule at one end. A choker hook is slidably mounted to the rope for releasably receiving the choker rope ferrule. The remaining end of the choker rope is releasably attached to a winchline slider. The slider includes an integral enlarged winchline opening and an angular offset choker rope opening. The choker rope opening is tapered, with a reduced outer end and an enlarged inner end for receiving the free choker rope end. A conical sleeve is releasably mounted to the free end of the choker rope so as to expand the rope end to a cross-sectional diameter greater than the diameter of the choker rope opening. Thus the choker rope end is held against outward movement through the choker rope opening. The rope may be selectively removed simply by removing the conical sleeve from the choker rope end. This allows the rope to return to its original diameter and be pulled through the choker rope opening.

Abstract: A first portion or section of a flexible wrist cord is connected to a second portion or section of the cord by a sliding coupling device including a pair of mating identical housing sections which are assembled to form a housing having an internal cavity. A hook-like clip portion projects from each housing section on one side of the cavity and snap fits into a corresponding aperture within the other housing section to form a positive attachment of the housing sections. The housing sections also cooperate to define openings for receiving the cord sections, and the cavity provides space for receiving opposite knotted end portions of the cord or a crimped fastener which connects opposite end portions of the cord. The cavity also provides for extending the cord sections directly through the housing in parallel spaced relation or for crossing the cord sections when it is desired to increase the sliding friction of the coupling device along the cord sections.

Abstract: A connection between a metal wire hook and a cord of synthetic fiber material particularly suitable for connecting nets of crossing cords into frames for chairs, sofas, beds and similar furniture. The metal wire has a bent portion with a free end. The bent portion of the metal wire spans an angle in excess of 180.degree. and has a pair of shanks which define a clearance space therebetween. The cord extends through this clearance space and the portion of the cord in the clearance space is squeezed and has therefore a reduced cross-section. The hooked portion of the metal wire and the squeezed portion of the cord are preferably cast into a sheathing of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The extension of the handle-bar stem is provided with a transverse aperture forming a collar for receiving and supporting the handle-bar. A clamping lug which extends from the collar toward the vertical arm of the stem has an upper face which defines with a lower face of the extension a slot splitting the collar. The lug and the extension are provided with apertures for the passage of a clamping device.The extension also has an axial cavity which is extended by an opening formed in the collar. The clamping device has one end hidden in the cavity and an opposite end hidden within the thickness of the clamping lug.

Abstract: A bicycle handlebar stem is provided with a throat which is in open communication with the loop thereof in which the central, knurled portion of a handlebar is received. The width of the throat is sufficiently wide to accommodate the passage of the transverse strut or brace bar disposed in spanning relationship with, and between, the risers of a handlebar while the loop of the stem is advanced along the handlebar riser toward the central, knurled portion thereof.

Abstract: A braking device for the frictional braking of ropes or belts is described which includes direction changing or guiding structure made in the shape of a loop with at least 360.degree. bending to obtain braking friction, an inlet for the one rope part and an outlet for the other load-supporting rope part, and an attachment for a load-supporting device having a direction of force which is essentially opposite the direction of force in the load supporting rope part, whereby the ingoing rope part can be used to regulate the speed of the rope through the braking device. The braking device consists of two substantially identical halves which are fastened together to form a unit with complementally engaging faces. In the inner face of the one half there is made a groove which, together with an identically similar groove in the inside face of the other half, forms a guiding channel for the rope or the belt.

Abstract: A variable inductance transducer for providing, via inductance modulation, an electrical output signal which is representative of a mechanical input signal. The transducer comprises a cylindrical plastic bobbin on which an inductive coil is wound. A pair of electrical terminal receiving sockets for a pair of electrical terminals are formed at one end of the bobbin and a pair of electrical terminals are disposed therein. The ends of the wire forming the coil are soldered to the terminals. A protective enclosure is molded around the coil and the portions of the terminals received in the sockets to enclose the coil and lock the terminals in place in the sockets. A ferrite core is slidably arranged within a central axial bore in the bobbin to vary the inductance of the transducer in accordance with the axial position of the core.

Abstract: A noose for dogs and other animals has a single elongated flexible member terminating in interengaging eyes, with an intermediate portion of the flexible member being slidably received in one of the eyes for forming a pair of loops. One of the loops is arrangeable around the neck of an animal, such as a dog, and the other of the loops forms a handle. By pulling on the portion of the handle-forming loop which passes through the one of the eyes, the loop encircling the neck of the animal will be restricted, and conversely pulling on the other portion of the handle-forming loop will cause the animal-engaging loop to be expanded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double clamping ring suitable for clamping coaxial or non-coaxial couplings of members having a circular or non-circular cross-section, or a tubular cross-section. Said ring consists of a single piece of metal or non-metallic wire screw-threaded at at least both ends and comprises two end sections consisting each of at least the three-fourths of a turn, these end sections being interconnected by a rectilinear or loop-shaped section, the curved junction sections between each partial turn and the rectilinear or loop-shaped section surrounding partially the screw-threaded ends to provide bearing surfaces for the tightening nuts to be engaged on said screw-threaded ends.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a loop in the end of a flat metallic tape of the type used for transmitting linear motion in remote control master-slave manipulators and securing the clamp to another manipulator element which transmits motion to the tape or is moved by force transmitted by the tape. The clamp is characterized by independence of the tape loop from variations in tensile load. The disclosed clamp includes an elongated tubular frame having an intermediate open section in which an anchoring pin or roller is mounted. The free end of the tape being secured is introduced into the end of the frame, passed around the pin or roller in partial peripheral engagement therewith and brought back out through the end of the frame. A tape clamping mechanism adjacent the frame end forces the abutting tape surfaces together against the inside surface of the frame to rigidly secure the tape loop. The clamp may be used to join two tape ends, or to connect a tape to a cable, or to anchor a tape to another manipulator part.

Abstract: Fittings are provided for use in terminating parallel yarn ropes containing one or more electrical conductors, and methods are disclosed for securing the fittings to the ropes to afford separation of the conductors from the rope and connection to electrical apparatus. One fitting has a frusto-conical body portion providing a tapered peripheral surface with an axial bore and a bail extending beyond the base of the body. The rope yarns are inserted into the bore at the narrow end of the fitting and divided into two pairs of bundles with each pair being splayed outward diametrically of the bore and returned along the outside of the fitting for wrapping helically in opposite directions for a predetermined distance about the periphery of the rope. The ends of the bundles are secured to the rope, so that when tension is applied between the bail and the rope, the wrapped bundles grip the outside of the rope to mount the fitting securely to the rope.