Abstract: A fitting splice plate connects a cable tray fitting to a cable tray section. The fitting splice plate includes a guard extending in an outboard direction from a second longitudinal portion of a plate body adjacent a first longitudinal portion of the plate body. The guard is adjacent one of an upper side and a lower side of the second longitudinal portion. The fitting splice plate may include both upper and lower guards.

Abstract: A portable support for supporting equipment above a surface having an opening to a subsurface space. The support includes a head, an elevator on the head, and legs connected to the head for supporting the head above the surface. Each of the legs has a foot for engaging the surface when supporting the head above the surface. The support also includes an elongate rod vertically mounted on the elevator for movement between a raised position, in which an upper end of the rod extends above the head, and a lowered position, in which a lower end of the rod extends below the feet of the legs to extend into the subsurface space. The support includes an instrument platform positionable on the lower end of the rod when in the lowered position to support the equipment in the subsurface space when the rod is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system, electrical submersible pump, and method of providing enhanced alignment of motor and driven shafts of submersible pumping systems and electrical submersible pumps, are provided. An example of an electrical submersible pump system includes a pump, a pump motor, and a seal section. The motor drives the pump via motor and driven shafts rotatingly coupled with a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly maintains the shaft ends in coaxial alignment with an alignment device. The alignment device is profiled on opposite ends for mating engagement with the centering guides extending from the shaft ends.

Abstract: A frame the joint connector comprises a first head, a second head and a neck interconnecting the first head and the second head. The first head forms a first shoulder adjacent the neck facing the second head. The second head forms a second shoulder adjacent the neck facing the first head.

Abstract: A three-dimensional jacket-plate connector connects at least two members. Each member comprises wide-flanged steel I-beam section. The jacket-plate connector comprises first and second three-dimensional jacket plates.

Abstract: A splice plate for joining and aligning extruded trim strips used in suspended ceiling islands and fascias of the type having a pair of opposed flanged channels on its rear face, the splice plate having upper and lower flanges proportioned to slide into the pair of channels and a pair of clamping elements, each of the clamping elements being disposed in a rearwardly horizontally spaced relation to a respective one of said splice plate flanges, a machine screw associated with each clamping element and arranged when turned to draw the respective clamping element forcibly towards an associated plate flange to thereby clamp an intervening portion of a trim channel flange, said plate being sufficiently long to span between a pair of end abutted trim strips.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling two posts end-to-end has ninety degree flanges and two reverse wrap ends. The coupler is slid one-half way over the ends of one formed post, comprising two flanges, with the reverse wrap holding the post flanges. Another flanged post is inserted into the coupler to engage the end of the first post, the coupler holding the posts end-to-end. An alternate embodiment coupler is disclosed.

Abstract: A post coupler includes coupler flanges, reverse bend flanges extending therealong and tapered end projections extending longitudinally from said coupler flanges defining ends of the coupler, the length of the reverse bend flanges being less than the overall coupler length between ends of the rounded end projections, and the reverse bend flanges preferably oriented along outer surfaces of said coupler flanges.

Abstract: A connection for connecting shafts in a wind turbine includes a first shaft and a second shaft which are inter-connectable by connecting an interconnection part of the first shaft and an interconnection part of the second shaft, and a shrinkable disk positioned and adapted so as to lock the first shaft to the second shaft by providing pressure to the interconnection parts of the first and second shaft when the interconnection parts are interconnected, and where the interconnection part of each of the first and second shafts comprises a plurality of friction surfaces transferring moment between the first and second shafts by friction.

Abstract: A three-sided channel coupler for connecting the upper and lower portions of a U-shaped sign post, the coupler comprising two U-shaped elements, an outer three-sided, U-shaped element and an inner, three-sided U-shaped element, the three sides of each element comprising a transverse face and two lateral legs, the inner element being smaller than the outer element, a plurality of cross-braces attached to the two lateral legs of each element to hold the two elements together and a plurality of vertical ribs on the inner surface of the outer element and on the outer surface of the inner element.

Abstract: This invention concerns a partially discontinuous inner sleeve for use in a rigid flange coupling. The partially discontinuous sleeve has an internal cylindrical passage for, in use, receiving an end of a shaft. The partially discontinuous sleeve further has at least two partial discontinuities along the length of the sleeve in the form of two discrete axial slits in the sleeve. These slits are displaced from each other to form a connecting formation between them. The invention further concerns an internal connection assembly including the partially discontinuous in the sleeve, and a rigid flange coupling including such internal connection assembly.

Abstract: Joint assemblies for collapsible structures include a mating member and a receiving member connected together by a flexible member. The receiving member includes a socket section having a lumen with an internal surface and a longitudinal slot. The mating member includes a tip section that, at a first end thereof, has a non-circular cross-section that provides at least two points of contact with the internal surface of the socket section when the tip section is positioned within the lumen of the socket section. The joint assemblies include a slider that has an internal diameter that varies along the length of the slider to retain the tip section of the mating member within the lumen of the receiving member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to side-by-side all terrain vehicles having plural rows of seats.

Abstract: A ratcheting take-up device that compensates for imperfect alignment in a tie rod continuity system in the frame of a building wall. The upper ends of the tie rods are tightly clamped within the take-up device by domed segments inserted in a bowl-shaped housing. The segments are also forced together by a compression member in the housing. The domed shape of the segments and the bowl shape of the housing cooperate so that the segments can rotate in any direction to accommodate tie rods that are not perfectly vertical, without a corresponding loss of strength in the connection.

Abstract: Components such as turbine shafts are maintained coaxial with each other by a coupling ring. The coupling ring includes a body which is cylindrical when unstressed, and which has two arrays of projections each array engaging a respective cylindrical surface of recesses in the components. The body is flexible, and so is resiliently deformed by contact between the projections and the respective cylindrical surface. The projections of the two arrays are angularly out of phase with each other.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system, electrical submersible pump, and method of providing enhanced alignment of motor and driven shafts of submersible pumping systems and electrical submersible pumps, are provided. An example of an electrical submersible pump system includes a pump, a pump motor, and a seal section. The motor drives the pump via motor and driven shafts rotatingly coupled with a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly maintains the shaft ends in coaxial alignment with an alignment device. The alignment device is profiled on opposite ends for mating engagement with the centering profiles extending into the shaft ends.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling two posts end-to-end has ninety degree flanges and two reverse wrap ends. The coupler is slid one-half way over the ends of one formed post, comprising two flanges, with the reverse wrap holding the post flanges. Another flanged post is inserted into the coupler to engage the end of the first post, the coupler holding the posts end-to-end. An alternate embodiment coupler is disclosed.

Abstract: A metal flange connection for concrete flanges comprising end members exposed at facing ends of a pair of adjacent, generally horizontal concrete flanges and a connecting member between the end members. Each of the end members has a surface along the end of the concrete flange and the connecting member has a first portion extending between the end members in a first generally horizontal plane and a second portion extending between the members in a second generally horizontal plane above or below the first generally horizontal plane. The first and second portions are connected by a third portion extending between the members and the first and second planes. The connecting member portions provide resistance to a force tending to translate the concrete flanges in a vertical direction with respect to each other.

Abstract: Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.

Abstract: A composite structural member is provided. The structural member includes a tubular shaft having a mating region of stiffness, and possibly thickness, greater than another region of said shaft. The shaft defines a lumen, and a fitting is disposed in the lumen. The fitting has a coupling region that defines at least one recessed portion bounded by one or more non-recessed portions, and the mating region mates with the coupling region of said fitting. As such, the shaft and fitting are mechanically restrained from at least some relative movement due to interference of the shaft and the fitting. A sleeve may be coupled to said shaft, for example, by including a tubular inner surface that proximately surrounds at least part of said shaft and mating region, for discouraging expansion of the mating region of said shaft.

Abstract: A metal member (3) is bonded with an adhesive (6) to have a bond strength higher than the basic material strength of the metal member (3). A metal insertion coupling has a socket portion (4) in which an insertion hole (2a) for inserting the end portion of the metal member (3) is formed. The socket portion (4) has a tapered outer surface extending from the opening end to the back side. The tensile strength of the socket portion (4) at the deepest position along the center line of the insertion hole is equal to or higher than the tensile strength of the metal member (3) in the direction of the center line. The insertion hole (2a) has a width 0.2 mm-0.6 mm larger than that of the end portion of the metal member (3). The end portion of the metal member (3) is pressed into the insertion hole (2a), and an adhesive exists densely between the end portion of the metal member (3) and the surface of the insertion hole (2a), by quenching or cold working the end portion of the metal member (3).

Abstract: Couplers for a cable trough system including a terminal end sized to receive a terminal end of a trough member along a longitudinal direction of the body. A spring may be coupled to the body for securing the terminal end of the trough member to the coupler, the spring including first and second spring arms extending generally in opposition to one another in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. The spring may be received in a slot formed by the trough member. Also included may be a spring release mechanism coupled to the body, the spring release mechanism sliding in the longitudinal direction between a locked position, such that the first and second spring arms engage the terminal end of the trough, and an unlocked position, such that the first and second fingers release the first and second arms of the spring.

Abstract: A locking artificial tree trunk including a first generally cylindrical, hollow trunk portion including an upper end, the upper end defining a notch, and a second generally cylindrical trunk portion including a body portion, a lower end having an insertable portion, and an upper end. The locking artificial tree trunk also includes a coupling mechanism having a body portion and an upper portion having a tab, and defining a channel for receiving the insertable portion of the lower end of the second trunk portion. The body portion is inserted substantially into the upper end of the first trunk portion with the tab of the upper portion aligned with the notch, thereby preventing rotation of the coupling mechanism within the upper end of the first trunk portion.

Abstract: The system relates to a system for joining flat, relatively thin members that adjoin one another along their narrow face, the members having grooves incorporated into the narrow faces that are parallel to the surface and have groove walls that are parallel to each other, and the joining element being inserted into the grooves of two adjacent members and bridging the partition gap between the members in the manner of an external tongue.

Abstract: A three-sided channel coupler for connecting the upper and lower portions of a U-shaped sign post, the coupler comprising two U-shaped elements, an outer three-sided, U-shaped element and an inner, three-sided U-shaped element, the three sides of each element comprising a transverse face and two lateral legs, the inner element being smaller than the outer element, a plurality of cross-braces attached to the two lateral legs of each element to hold the two elements together and a plurality of vertical ribs on the inner surface of the outer element and on the outer surface of the inner element.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily repairing a separated sheet of a sailing vessel, including a first inner sleeve being formed by a first pair of thin bands and having a plurality of teeth facing a first direction, a second inner sleeve being formed by a second pair of thin bands and having a plurality of teeth facing a second direction, and an outer sleeve bonded to the first and second inner sleeves, wherein the sleeves have the ability to expand when placed under a compression force in the lateral direction and contract when placed under a tension force in the lateral direction, thereby causing the teeth to bite into ends of the separated sheet when under tension.

Abstract: There is provided a coupler for coupling two adjacent roller shade bands, each band having a roller tube. The coupler includes an outer sleeve configured to couple to the roller tube of one of the roller shade bands and an inner sleeve contained within the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve having a coupler element projecting from an axis of the inner sleeve. The coupler can be partially disassembled such that the inner sleeve is movable between a retracted position wherein the inner sleeve is contained within the outer sleeve and a projected position wherein a portion of the inner sleeve projects out of the outer sleeve and away from the roller tube. The inner and outer sleeves are configured such that the inner sleeve can coaxially rotate relative to the outer sleeve when the coupler is disassembled and the inner sleeve is in its projected position.

Abstract: A furniture coupling assembly that includes a coupling having a center portion, a first portion having a first locking member, a second portion having a second locking member, a first end and a second end. The assembly further includes a first furniture member having a first member groove having a shape corresponding to the center, first and second portions of the coupling. The first furniture member has a first locking member opening positioned adjacent to the first member groove. A second furniture member of the assembly has a second member groove having a shape corresponding to the center, first and second portions of the coupling. The second furniture member has a second locking member opening positioned adjacent to the second member groove. The coupling is insertable in the first and second furniture member grooves and the first and second locking members are insertable in the first and second locking member openings, respectively, to join together the first and second furniture members.

Abstract: A composite tube assembly and a method of making the same are provided. The composite tube assembly includes a composite tube and a fitting penetrating the composite tube. The fitting includes a reduced diameter section surrounded by a reduced diameter tube portion of the tube. A bolstering structure surrounds this reduced diameter tube portion. The method includes inserting the fitting into the composite tube, heating the tube portion surrounding the fitting to soften the same, radially compressing the tube portion onto the fitting reduced diameter section, and providing a bolstering structure surrounding the compressed tube portion.

Abstract: Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.

Abstract: A composite structural member is provided. The structural member includes a tubular shaft having a mating region of stiffness, and possibly thickness, greater than another region of said shaft. The shaft defines a lumen, and a fitting is disposed in the lumen. The fitting has a coupling region that defines at least one recessed portion bounded by one or more non-recessed portions, and the mating region mates with the coupling region of said fitting. As such, the shaft and fitting are mechanically restrained from at least some relative movement due to interference of the shaft and the fitting. A sleeve may be coupled to said shaft, for example, by including a tubular inner surface that proximately surrounds at least part of said shaft and mating region, for discouraging expansion of the mating region of said shaft.

Abstract: A coupling for joining together furniture members that has a center portion including a center portion geometric configuration, a first portion including a first portion geometric configuration, a second portion including a second portion geometric configuration, a first end and a second end.

Abstract: A coupling spigot for connecting two scaffold legs one atop the other is designed to use a twist lock for securing the upper scaffold leg to the coupling spigot. A locking collar is fixed to a stop collar of the spigot. The locking collar includes receiving slots for receiving locking projections provided adjacent a bottom edge of the scaffold leg. Locking slots are connected to the receiving slots whereby an upper scaffold leg may be inserted on a coupling spigot of a lower scaffold leg and retained thereon by a twist lock.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates to a pressure sealing means (20) for a cable transit (10). The pressure sealing means (20) comprises two wedge shaped pressure applying elements (21) placed vertically opposite each other with their acute sides facing towards each other and two wedge-shaped tensioning elements (22) placed horizontally with their acute sides facing each other. The pressure sealing means (20) further comprises at least one tensioning member (23) arranged between the two tensioning elements (22). The tensioning member (23) is at least one screw (24) secured in axial direction by a securing means (25) in the pressure applying elements (21) and provided with a right hand thread on one side of the securing means (25) and a left hand thread on the opposite side of the securing means (25).

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft and hub connection (20) for transmitting torque, a common longitudinal axis (X-X) comprising the following components: a shaft (22) which rotates about the longitudinal axis (X-X) and comprises an entraining longitudinal section having an untrue outer contour (26), and a hub (24) that is coaxial to the shaft (22) and encloses the shaft (22) with its internal contour (28) at least in the area of the entraining longitudinal section. The invention is characterized in that the outer contour (26) of the entraining longitudinal section of the shaft (22) and the inner contour (28) of the hub (24) have the shape of a perfect cone to such a degree that, when the shaft (22) and the hub (24) are assembled, they automatically self-lock, thereby holding the shaft and hub connection (20) together. The connection also comprises connecting means which prestress the shaft (22) and the hub (24), when assembled, in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X-X).

Abstract: A shaft such as a worm drive shaft for a movable barrier operator is disclosed. The shaft includes at least two shaft segments having connection ends. The shaft segments include respective connection ends permitting a first connection end to be joined with a second connection end by inserting a portion of at least one of the connection ends within the other connection end along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The shaft segments may be retained by a resiliently expandable connector such as a snap ring. The connector may expand to permit the joining and then contract to be received within a surface recess on a connection end. The connector may be part of or pre-assembled on a connection end, such as by being positioned within a surface recess thereof. The connector may provide a pre-determined position for joining the first and second connection ends.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one wind turbine blade. The blade includes a blade root portion. The assembly also includes at least one blade root hub fitting coupled to the blade root portion. The blade root hub fitting is configured to couple to a rotatable hub.

Abstract: A tension connection for a building includes a first tension member, the first tension member being anchored at its distal end, a second tension member being anchored at its distal end; the first and second tension members being disposed in close proximity and connected by a coupler having a surrounding sleeve and a central bore with a thread, the coupler also being formed with a first rotational member being received in the central bore of the surrounding sleeve and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve; the first rotational member is connected to the surrounding sleeve, such that the rotational member can rotate in relation to the surrounding sleeve. A torsion spring connects the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve; the torsion spring biasing the first rotational member and the surrounding sleeve in opposite rotational directions such that the first rotational member can be drawn into the surrounding sleeve.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the inventive technology relate to a device for connecting the ends of two concrete reinforcing bars in which a metal sleeve has chambers at each end to accommodate the end of one reinforcing bar. Forces may be transferred from one bar to the other through, the use of, inter alia, an adhesive established within the space between the outside of the reinforcing bars and the deformed inner surface of the sleeve. The chambers are, preferably, separated by a fluid impervious barrier. One port associated with each chamber may be established to allow fluid such as air to escape, preventing air voids in the adhesive. Another configuration of the inventive device would be intended for the retention (under load, of course) of only one reinforcing bar, with an enlarged flange for anchoring the end of one reinforcing bar, perhaps at and outer surface of, e.g., a concrete slab.

Abstract: A connecting system for connecting first and second mesh sheets each defining a plurality of longitudinal members at least one pin housing, a first pin member, and a second pin member. A first loop portion is formed on at least one of the plurality of longitudinal members of the first mesh sheet. A second loop portion is formed on at least one of the plurality of longitudinal members of the second mesh sheet. At least one pin housing defines a loop passageway, and the first and second loop portions extend in opposite directions through the loop passageway. The first pin member is arranged between the first loop portion and the at least one pin housing. The second pin member is arranged between the second loop portion and the at least one pin housing. Loads that displace the first and second mesh sheets away from each other are transferred between the mesh sheets by the pin housing and the first and second pin members.

Abstract: A separation type chassis for a flat panel display includes at least two chassis members, and a plurality of fastening members for coupling the chassis members, and coupling holes having a predetermined shape are formed at both ends of each of the chassis members. Each of the fastening members is coupled with the coupling holes.

Abstract: A device 60 for fixing together first and second side-by-side beams of a kind having first and second spaced apart flanges connected by a web. The device 60 comprises a member 62 having first and second opposing ends 64, 66 and is configured to extend from a first flange to a second flange of the beams. The device further comprises at least one portion 68, 70 extending laterally of each of said first and second opposing ends with the at least one portion at the first opposing end being configured to be fixed to an outer surface of the first flange of the first beam and the at least one portion at the second opposing end being configured to be fixed to an outer surface of the second flange of the second beam.

Abstract: Provided are a paper pickup device and an image forming apparatus having the same. The paper pickup device and the image forming apparatus having the same include a driving shaft whose end has a first combining portion and a driving shaft having a second combining portion configured to be integrally connected with the first combining portion. When the first combining portion and the second combining portion are combined with each other, the driven shaft bends and separates from the driving shaft. The first combining portion and the second combining portion may be screw-coupled to each other.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a cylindrically shaped structure within a hollow cylindrical structure includes means to maintain the angular and axial position of the structures fixed while the clamp is tightened.

Abstract: A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.

Abstract: Couplers for a cable trough system including a terminal end sized to receive a terminal end of a trough member along a longitudinal direction of the body. A spring may be coupled to the body for securing the terminal end of the trough member to the coupler, the spring including first and second spring arms extending generally in opposition to one another in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. The spring may be received in a slot formed by the trough member. Also included may be a spring release mechanism coupled to the body, the spring release mechanism sliding in the longitudinal direction between a locked position, such that the first and second spring arms engage the terminal end of the trough, and an unlocked position, such that the first and second fingers release the first and second arms of the spring.

Abstract: A drive coupling assembly (10) for attaching two shafts includes a coupler body (11) and a locking clip (12). The body (11) has a splined opening (23) which is adapted to receive one shaft, and an aperture (24) which is adapted to receive a drive shaft (13) of a motor (14). A slot (25) is formed in coupler body (11) and the slot (25) communicates with the aperture (24). The clip (12) is positioned in the slot (25) and includes a spring tab (33) which can engage an undercut (40) in the shaft (13) to maintain the drive coupling assembly (10) on the shaft (13).

Abstract: A telecommunications infrastructure includes first and second trough members for routing signal-carrying fibers. A coupler is used to releasably couple the first and second trough members together. The coupler includes a first pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the first trough member to the coupler, and a second pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the second trough member to the coupler.

Abstract: Assembling a plurality of parts together in a manner that enables a device of complex shape to be reconstituted. At least one of the parts includes two ribs in a chevron configuration and at least one other part includes two grooves in a chevron configuration, the ribs and the grooves being complementary in shape and of corresponding dimensions.

Abstract: A process for forming an improved tensile strength deformed reinforcing bar splice for use in concrete construction by radially compressing or cold forming the bar end with dies literally to flatten any ribs or deformations on the bar end to cold work a section of the bar end which will extend beyond any threaded section and the mouth of a coupler thereon. The splice formed has superior tensile qualities. The process is inexpensive and may be accomplished at or near a construction site.