Abstract: An improved drive wire for a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system comprises a length of racked wire composed of a stranded wire core and a helically wound tooth wire, and a length of transfer wire composed of a stranded wire core and a covering of durable polymeric material joined to each other at a butt splice connection that includes a pressed-on metal collar adjacent to the end of each stranded wire core, a band of polymeric material on each core adjacent the collar and a pressed-on coupling sleeve surrounding and joining the collars and embracing the polymeric bands for relief of concentrated stresses adjacent the collars.

Abstract: A steering wheel includes a stamped body portion including a hub and a pair of spoke members having terminal portions integrally riveted to a split rim member and wrapped thereabout. One of the terminal portions is secured to the split portion of the rim member and the other is secured to an unsplit portion. The steering wheel is manufactured by forming the terminal portions with an intermediate flange and a terminal flange, locating the rim member at the juncture of the flanges, with the split of the rim member within the extent of one of the terminal flanges, piercing the terminal flange to either side of the split, piercing the other terminal flange, extruding portions of the rim member into the pierced openings to integrally rivet the rim member to the terminal portion and wrapping the terminal flanges over the recesses in the rim member resulting from the extrusion to clamp the rim member and terminal portions to each other.

Abstract: A windshield wiper arm is described wherein a press fit connection is provided between the wiper rod and a link. The rod carries projections which bite into the softer material of the link.

Abstract: A shelving system comprising a shelf bracket of light weight material adapted to be fixed to an elongated substantially vertical slotted member. The bracket includes an insert of high tensile strength a portion of which is firmly embedded in the bracket at or near the top load carrying edge thereof. The insert has a free end extending from the bracket. Abutment means are provided adjacent the bottom edge of the bracket. The free end of the insert is shaped to engage the slot in the slotted member, while the abutment means abuts against the slotted member. A load placed on the bracket causes it to be firmly fixed in position relative to the slotted member through cantilever action.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamped connection for clamping together separate parts, comprising a first part having a flange; a second part having an edge and an edge region adjacent to the edge. The edge region is deformable from a first condition in which the edge region is continuous and straight or has a constant radius of curvature along most of its length and a second condition in which the edge region has a continuously corrugated configuration including alternately deformed and undeformed partial edge region areas. The edge region includes a plurality of elongated apertures spaced from the edge and extending generally parallel thereto, and the deformed partial edge region areas are bounded on the side opposite to the edge by these apertures, whereas the undeformed partial edge region areas are located between said apertures. Also disclosed is a device for clamping together two parts to produce the disclosed connection.

Abstract: An insulator having an improved fatigue life is disclosed. The insulator comprises a fiber reinforced plastic rod and a holding metal fitting composed wholly or partly of a sleeve, which has a base portion and an inlet portion having a tapered thickness, and holds the rod in the sleeve under pressure.

Abstract: A process for hermetically sealing an optical fiber to a metal housing is described. An optical fiber 12 is threaded through a thick-walled metal tube 10 which has a bore 11 of slightly larger diameter than the fiber. The tube and fiber are inserted in a pneumatically operated collet and uniform radial pressure is applied to the tube to form a unitary hermetic assembly. Metal tube 10 is characterized in that it has or, prior to forming the assembly, is annealed to have a Rockwell hardness of less that 15 T 15. At this value the metal is soft and the pressure required to cause the metal to cold flow around the fiber is less than that required to break the fiber. The tube is then soldered or otherwise secured in a hole in the housing, thus completing the hermetic seal. Such a seal is useful in hermetic packaging of optical devices. It is advantageous over the prior art for its simplicity and inexpensiveness. The technique is suited to high yield mass production of reliable seals.

Abstract: An accumulator for use in a refrigerant circuit having a tube in which are formed inlet and discharge openings and a cylindrical shell which is deformed by metal spinning against the exterior surface of the tube to form a container which serves as the accumulator. A diverter is provided between the discharge opening and the inlet opening to prevent direct flow through the tube bypassing the container. A method of manufacture of the accumulator by metal spinning is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of coupling the strands 2, 5 of adjacent sections of a stressing tendon in a multi-span post-tensioned concrete structure comprises tensioning strands 2 of a first section of the tendon, anchoring the strands 2 in an anchorage member 1 using wedges 3, and then joining the strands 2 of the first section to strands 5 of a second section of the tendon in end-to-end relation by compressing metal sleeves 6 around the strands. The sleeve 6 may have hardened metal inserts 7. The outer strands 5 may be gradually directed inwards by a first collar 9 and a second collar 11 may be provided so as to gradually direct the strands 5 into a duct 10 for the second section of the tendon.

Abstract: An outer member for a universal joint with torque transmission by balls engaged in grooves in the outer member, comprising a first component of a lightweight material for attachment to a transmission shaft, a second component fitting closely within the first component and defining the grooves, the first and second components being keyed against relative rotation and retained together by deformation of the first component.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly including an inner joint member, an outer joint member and torque transmission means interposed therebetween is formed with a tubular drive sleeve locked in engagement about the outer peripheral portion of the outer joint member. Axially extending grooves and at least one annular or circumferential groove are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the outer joint member and the tubular drive sleeve is shaped to conform with these grooves in order thereby to effect locking engagement between the outer joint member and the sleeve. A shaping roller may be used to mold the drive sleeve into conformity with the grooved configuration of the outer joint member.

Abstract: A drive shaft of a fan coupling assembly includes a shaft member fixedly connected with a fan drive rotor, and a flange member fixedly connected with a fan pulley. The two members are separately formed into their predetermined configurations. The shaft member has a securing portion and a flange coaxially formed at one end thereof, while the flange member has a central bore including a plurality of radially outwardly recessed portions. After the flange member is fitted on the shaft member through the central bore thereof, the two members are fixedly secured to each other by a securing member, whereby an integral flanged shaft may be obtained.

Abstract: For sealing metal annular elements on to a cylindrical ceramic member, e.g. a ceramic electrolyte tube in a sodium-sulphur cell without causing excessive hoop stress in the ceramic, the ceramic tube is formed with tapered inner and outer surfaces at one end, correspondingly tapered inner and outer annular elements are put over these surfaces with a soft metal, e.g. aluminium interface layer, the inner and outer annular elements having coefficients of thermal expansion respectively less than and greater than that of the ceramic, the assembly is then heated and the annular elements forced in the axial direction onto the ceramic whereby the ceramic material, on cooling, is tightly secured between the annular members.

Abstract: A mechanical splice for forming turn-back loop ends in wire strands is disclosed. This splice comprises an elongated element of extruded aluminum having two longitudinal bores parallel to the axis of the element and separated by a partition of a predetermined thickness. Each bore is of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the strand for insertion of the live end of the strand in one of the bores and of the dead end of the strand in the other bore.

Abstract: One end of a metal tube is joined tightly to a plate by locating the end portion loosely within an aperture in the plate and, in a single pressing operation, expanding the tube wall into engagement with the periphery of the wall of the aperture, buckling the tube wall to form a double-walled flange or collar against the side of the plate opposite the free end of the tube and crimping the free end of the tube radially outward to form a flange against the other side of the plate. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes a device for clamping the tube from the sides and a die which enters the free end of the tube for carrying out the expanding, buckling and crimping steps.

Abstract: Method of producing a rod anchoring structure particularly for use in high tension insulators. It comprises an assembly of a rod in an anchoring fixing. The end of the rod is fitted with a surrounding double ended wedge element having a neck and flaring in both directions along the rod away from the neck. This wedge element is then jammed in the anchoring fixing, either by deforming a sleeve tightly around the wedge element or by winding a filament tightly around it.

Abstract: There is disclosed an externally threaded shank, such as that of a bearing or clevis or eyebolt, or an externally threded nipple, such as that of a tubular insert, which is to be fixedly and nonrotatably secured to and disposed within the internally threaded bore of a tube. In connection with shanks, longitudinal slots are provided therein. In connection with nipples, an end flange or shoulder with notches therein is provided. In connection with tube and portions, to receive either a shank or nipple, nitches are provided in an end wall thereof. Then a sleeve, preferably of like but softer material than the tube and of larger diameter than the tube, is disposed on the shank or on the nipple and adjacent the notches or slots in the tube end portion. The sleeve selectively employs either a smooth bore, an internally threaded bore, lugs on either end wall thereof, or an internal spline, or combinations of less than all thereof.

Abstract: A fastening system having a continuously curved countersink section in an aperture through a plurality of workpieces, with a corresponding pin-fastener having a continuously curved head portion substantially congruent to the continuously curved countersink. Pin fasteners and bolts equipped with the continuously curved head surfaces taught herein when mated with a continuously curved countersink provide sufficient resistance to fastener pull through, cause cold working of the workpiece around the countersink, and impose an elastic load upon the workpiece and fastening strengthing the joint.

Abstract: An elongate terminal body has a longitudinal bore which receives a wire rope or strand. A deformable member surrounds the rope or strand in an enlarged part of the bore adjacent the end at which the rope or strand enters. The terminal body is compressed to grip the rope or strand so that the deformable member is gripped between the terminal body and the rope or strand. The deformable member dissipates transverse and longitudinal vibrations transmitted along the rope or strand towards the terminal body.

Abstract: This specification describes a clamp comprising a ductile elongate clamp body having a longitudinal channel which receives a hard tubular element divided longitudinally into at least two separable parts held together by retaining means. The clamp is applied to a plastics-sheathed rope by removing the sheathing over a length greater than that of the tubular element but less than that of the body, positioning and retaining the parts of the tubular member about the unsheathed length, inserting the tubular element into the channel in the body, and compacting the ductile clamp body.

Abstract: A one-piece tie rod adjuster comprises a cylindrical sleeve internally threaded as a turnbuckle to engage with corresponding threads of inner and outer tie rods and rotatable to adjust the overall length of the assembled linkage. The sleeve is provided with laterally spaced and circumferential beads which can be constricted and compressed after the linkage adjustment. As a result of bead compression the sleeve elongates and takes a permanent set to preload the threaded connection to secure the threaded assembly in adjusted position.

Abstract: This specification describes a clamp comprising a ductile elongate clamp body having a longitudinal channel which receives a hard tubular element divided longitudinally into at least two separable parts held together by retaining means. The clamp is applied to a plastics-sheathed rope by removing the sheathing over a length greater than that of the tubular element but less than that of the body, positioning and retaining the parts of the tubular member about the unsheathed length, inserting the tubular element into the channel in the body, and compacting the ductile clamp body.

Abstract: An ignition rod for an oxygen flame cutting and welding apparatus comprising a plurality of individual rod elements and a device for feeding the ignition rod from storage to a point of use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a track assembly, particularly adapted for embedding in a structural component, comprising a track member having a rear wall with at least one attachment aperture therein and a back surface adapted for abuttng against the structural component, at least one anchor lug extending from the back surface, the anchor lug having an extension which passes through the attachment aperture in the rear wall of the track member, the anchor lug being secured to the track member by a swaged deformation of the extension on at least one side of the rear wall.

Abstract: An anchoring arrangement, especially for pre-stressed concrete constructions, for anchoring reinforcing means in the form of ropes, cables, wires and rods, by means of a sleeve and an intermediate layer arranged within the sleeve and defining an axially extending hollow space substantially filled by the reinforcing means to be anchored. The intermediate layer which tightly engages the sleeve and the reinforcing means comprises granular material and a binding substance therefor, while the intermediate layer is harder than the reinforcing means.

Abstract: A clevis is formed from two pieces, a shank and a U-member. The proximal end of the shank is inserted through a hole in the U-member and said end is rolled outwardly to form a flange which prevents distal movement of the shank.

Abstract: An electric fuse has helically wound fusible element means which are supported by a mandrel made up of insulating plates. The latter engage grooves provided in terminal plugs of the fuse. The mandrel-forming plates are locked in position inside said grooves by cooperating abutment means. These abutment means are formed by recesses in the mandrel-forming plates, and by projections formed by displaced portions of the metal of which the plug terminals of the fuse are made, which portions enter into said recesses in said mandrel-forming plates and preclude relative movement of the latter and the plug terminals.

Abstract: This invention discloses a connector for fiber reinforced plastic wire comprising a metal sleeve for connecting two linear members, at least one of the linear members being fiber reinforced plastic wire, and said metal sleeve being squeezed against said linear members. This invention also discloses a connector for a fiber reinforced plastic wire comprising a metal sleeve which serves as a terminal device mounted on a fiber reinforced plastic wire, said metal sleeve squeezed against said fiber reinforced plastic wire.

Abstract: A pulling eye assembly is adapted for attachment to the end of a communication cable whereby linear pull can be applied to the cable end to draw the cable into place in the air on poles or underground through conduit. The outer portion or sleeve of the assembly may also be used for pressurizing air or gas filled cables to exclude moisture.

Abstract: The containment, splicing, or termination of the line is achieved by selective crimping along a housing. In a preferred form, the housing comprises a crimp barrel having a series of axially displaced apertures formed therein. A line, e.g. a wire, is inserted in the barrel, and a force is applied in registration with each aperture to deform the barrel and the line so that the deformed portion of the barrel maintains the deformed portion of the line against the aperture. The line scrapes against edges of the aperture to form a tight joint.

Abstract: A connector fixture for joining a first structural member to a second structural member. The second structural member includes a central bore and a pair of lug receiving apertures disposed at a predetermined distance on opposite sides of the central bore. The first structural member includes a central bore adapted to register with the central bore of the second structural member and in addition has a pair of outwardly extending lugs which register with and are received in the lug receiving apertures in the second structural member, thereby properly positioning the first and second structural members relative to each other. A connector, such as a bolt and nut, is then inserted through the central bore of the first and second structural members to clamp the members together.