Abstract: An elongated wedge shaped spline can be used for joining work pieces in a dovetail joint. It can be used in joining a work piece, such as molding in a dovetailed joint. A divider track having a base support and a pair of spaced apart flanges extending at a right angle from the front surface of the base support is first affixed to a surface. The wedge shaped spline is positioned between and in abutment with the upper portion of the spaced apart flanges. A fan shaped mortise on the back surface of a work piece is positioned over the wedge shaped spline between and abutting the upper portion of the spaced apart flanges. Pressure is applied on the front surface of the work surface of the work piece for seating the work piece on the divider track, thereby forcing the wedge shaped spline between the flanges and spreading the flanges. The spread apart flanges engage the side walls of the fan shaped mortise for joining the work piece in a dovetailed joint with the divider track.

Abstract: A joint is disclosed for connecting extruded segments to form a container, such as a pressure vessel for storing liquid propane. In cross section, joint includes a pair of symmetrical tabs, each tab configured at the end of adjacent arcuate outer wall segments. Tabs are configured for contiguous engagement to form a boss having a proximate neck portion and a distal body portion. Joint also includes a retaining member configured at the end of an internal web segment. Retaining member is configured to capture boss. A sealing weld is utilized to seal the adjacent tabs at exposed seam.

Abstract: Space divider system includes multiple interconnected panel members and post members to form free-standing walls to subdivide an area. A pair of vertically extending rails are mounted on the vertical edges of a pair of panels to be joined together. Upper and lower connectors are used to interconnect the ends of the rails. The lower connector is mounted on one of the panels and extends into the rail of the other panel, thereby aligning the panels vertically. The upper connector comprises a pair of vertically tapering legs interconnected by a connecting portion through which a screw fastener extends into a bracket mounted on one of the edges. Accordingly, by tightening the screw, the upper connector may be tightened toward the lower connector, and, because of the tapered legs, the rails of the members are drawn together while maintaining vertical and lateral alignment, thus providing a secure and stable connection with a relatively narrow gap that must be covered by trim.

Abstract: A paint spray booth includes a robot having a cover member assembly at its wrist joint. The cover members interlock at the robot's axes to seal out paint while allowing a full range of motion. The cover members are made of semi-rigid material. Protective curtains may be detachably mounted to the walls of the booth.

Abstract: A connection structure capable of coping with thermal expansion and shrinkage of a cable/pipe bed is disclosed. There are also disclosed a connector panel (30) and a connector belt or wire (40) to be utilized in the connection structure. A cable/pipe bed which utilizes the present invention comprises a plurality of cable/pipe bed sections (10a, 10b) each comprising two side rails (20a, 20b) and a floor (51, 52). Each side rail comprises an outer engagement protrusion or protrusions (21) to engage an inner engagement protrusion or protrusions (31) of the connector panel (30). The connector panel (30) holds two such side rails (20a, 20b) in longitudinal alignment, one (20a) securely and the other (20b) slidably to cope with thermal expansion and shrinkage of the side rails. Accidental separation of the side rails (20a, 20b) is adequately prevented by use of the connector belt or wire (40).

Abstract: A concealed joint construction system for installing and securing sheet material such as laminated plastic wall boards, plywood and the like for finishing off bathtub and/or shower walls, counter-tops and back-splashes, and the like. The joint construction system includes an extending channel attached to one wallboard via multiple teeth sunk into matching grooves cut out of the wallboards edge. An adjacent wallboard can be easily and quickly inserted into the extending channel and is secured by pressure flanges perforated from the wall of the channel. The joint construction system is easily installed, secure, and compact, and is completely invisible after installation.

Abstract: A modular power and cable distribution system includes an elongate member having a top flange which is configured to be mounted to a worksurface, a vertical web extending downwardly from the top flange, and a bottom flange which includes a connector configured to detachably support at least one of a trough mounted laterally adjacent to the elongate member, a closure panel which together with the elongate member defines an enclosed powerway, and a modesty panel depending from the elongate member. The disclosed power and cable distribution system includes alignment members for facilitating and maintaining proper alignment of adjacent elongate members mounted on connected worksurfaces, gap trim pieces for covering gaps between adjacent, aligned powerways and/or cableways, and an infeed trim piece for feeding conduits or cables into the distribution system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a knockdown CD/audio tape storage rack mainly including at least two supporting plates and a plurality of connecting blocks. Each of the supporting plate has a push means provided thereon near a rear end thereof and two side rails of which each is formed with cuts for the connecting blocks to slidably mount on the rails. The connecting block has two side receiving channels to engage with the side rails of the supporting plates and a top engaging piece and a bottom receiving channel having complementary profiles to allow two superposed connecting blocks to engage with each other. Thereby, unlimited number of supporting plates can be connected by the connecting blocks to define multiple layers and/or multiple lines of continuous compartments forming the knockdown CD/audio tape storage rack. The number of lines and layers of the compartments can be freely increased or decreased as necessary.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular pedestal for a bank of vending machines, comprising a plurality of pedestal modules onto which each vending machine is mounted. Each pedestal module has a plurality of connecting posts disposed adjacent to edges of the top face at selected positions, so that when pedestal modules are placed side-by-side at least one post on the pedestal module is adjacent to at least one post on an adjacent pedestal module. A connecting member, having a plurality of openings spaced apart a distance approximating the spacing between adjacent posts of the adjacent pedestal modules, is placed over the adjacent connecting posts to connect the modules together, and retained in position by the base of the vending machine.

Abstract: A device for connecting pavers (11, 12) together to form roads comprises a base plate (17) from which extend tubular projections (18). The tubular projections can extend into bores (13, 14) formed in the pavers and a fastener (20) is provided which can lock the paver to a respective projection. Typically, the device has four projections to allow four pavers to be locked together.

Abstract: A wire cover packing ring for securing the wire cover of an electric fan in place, including a plurality of elastic connectors, and a plurality of smoothly arched ring sections connected into a ring by the elastic connectors, each of the smoothly arched ring sections having a plurality of longitudinally spaced tabs at the inside adapted for securing to the wire cover of the electric fan, and two substantially L-shaped hooks at two opposite ends adapted for connecting to the corresponding elastic connectors, each of the elastic connectors having two hook holes at two opposite ends adapted for coupling to the hooks of the smoothly arched ring sections respectively.

Abstract: A bearing element for a substantially panel-like component having a support rail adjustably arranged thereon. The support rail may be connected to another bearing element of another component. The bearing element includes a recess in which the support rail is received at least in part. The bearing element includes a base member fastened by means of a pressure element to the component. The support rail may have a straight or angular shape and may include a hinge or joint in its central portion.

Abstract: End plates are forcibly fixed on the longitudinal end surfaces of pillars such as foundation piles buried in the ground. The upper and lower end plates are butted, and are vertically held by a circumferential recessed groove on the inner surface of an inside ring which is divided in a plurality of parts in the circumferential direction. The inside ring is provided with a conical taper around the outside diameter surface. The conical taper is fastened by an outside ring externally fitted around the outside diameter surface of the inside ring, to join the pillars to each other. This joint structure is simple, and makes it possible to certainly join the pillars at the job site, without any welding. Moreover, there can be provided a tough joint structure against bending.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for inserting a fiducial marker. It comprises a housing and guide assembly, an obturator assembly, a drill for forming a bore hole at an implantation site, and a marker inserter for inserting a marker into the bore hole. The housing and guide assembly comprise a cylindrical housing having a bore provided therein, and a guide tube that is disposed and shiftable within the bore of the housing. The obturator assembly, drill and marker inserter are insertable in the distal end of the guide tube and shiftable therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an attachment for securing an end-part of a toothed belt-element (12, 14) to a machine element (10). The machine element (10) has a slot (18, 16) for receiving an end-part of the belt-element. Arranged on at least one of the opposing walls of the slot is at least one gripping bar (22, 28) which projects into the slot and the cross-sectional shape of which corresponds generally to the cross-sectional shape of a tooth-space formed recess (24, 30) in the end-part (14a, 12a) of the belt element.

Abstract: A vehicle drive shaft disconnect assembly adapted to be retrofitted into the conventional tubular drive shaft of the vehicle for disconnecting the vehicle automatic transmission from its rear wheels to prevent damage to the automatic transmission while the vehicle is being towed. The tubular drive shaft is cut to provide a first shaft portion extending rearwardly of the vehicle to the rear wheels and a second shaft portion extending forwardly to the vehicle automatic transmission. A core member is inserted into the tubular shaft and extends between the first and second shaft portions. The portion of the core positioned in the second shaft portion is fixed therein while the first shaft portion is rotatably mounted on the portion of the core positioned therein.

Abstract: A modular clip is adapted to releasably secure together a pair of articles for movement as unit. Each article has an article body, a lug protruding from the article body, and a transversely-extending flange at the free end of the lug. The clip includes a generally planar clip body defining a central T-shaped opening therein including a wide aperture zone with widely spaced sides and a narrow aperture zone with relatively narrowly spaced sides, the wide and narrow apertures zones being in operative communication with one another. Each of the narrowly spaced sides defines a plane inclined relative to the clip body and extending from the adjacent wide aperture zone to adjacent a far end of the narrow aperture zone, whereby the inclined planes of the clip may be pressure fit intermediate the article body and the article flanges to preclude accidental displacement of the clip from the articles when the pressure-fit clip holds in juxtaposition the lugs of a pair of adjacent articles.

Abstract: A dot point glazing apparatus has a rod, a straight arm which engages one end of the rod at its center to be rotatable around the rod. A first V-shaped arm engages one end of the straight arm at its center to be rotatable around an axis extending parallel to the rod. A second V-shaped arm engages the other end of the straight arm at its center to be rotatable around an axis extending parallel to the rod. Bolts for supporting glass plates threadedly engage the ends of the V-shaped arms.

Abstract: An elongated support including a first rod having a first threaded end and a second threaded end, a second rod having a first distal end, a second threaded end and a washer member coupled to the second rod at the second end, the first distal end forming an S-shape for releasably supporting a lantern, a nut member having threads on an external surface thereof, a lug member threadibly engaging the second end of the second rod adjacent to the washer member, and a cup member rotatably positioned intermediate the lug member and said disk for threadily engaging the bolt member.

Abstract: An interlockable connection system is disclosed herein for releasably joining a selected number of tiles together wherein each tile includes a plurality of receptacles adapted to snap-lock with a retaining element used in common with other tiles so as to provide a composite object composed of multiple tiles of various polygonal shapes. The retaining elements may be of many shapes and tiles may be of a variety of geometric configurations. The connection system provides convenient repeatable joining and unjoining of the retaining elements with the tiles and permits rotation of the joint through a large angle about the axis of the joined tile edges.

Abstract: A combination of a side rail of a platform assembly and a bracket member therefor. The side rail has an elongated sidewardly opening recess. The recess also opens outwardly at one end thereof. The recess includes a bottom wall and a plurality of upstanding sidewalls. An end of the recess remote from the aforesaid one end includes an enlargement. The bracket member has at one end thereof an enlarged segment and at an other end thereof an attachment structure for facilitating an attachment of the bracket member to another object. The enlargement and the attachment structure are connected by a central section. Edge facing surfaces of the central section of the bracket conform to and oppose the sidewalls of the recess between the enlargement and one end of the side rail. An embossment is upstanding from the bottom wall of the recess and has a first hole therethrough. A pocket is provided in the bracket member and receives therein the aforesaid embossment. The pocket has a second hole in the bottom wall thereof.

Abstract: A drive connection for the arm (2) of a windscreen wiper comprises a metallic wiper arm (2), a spindle (5) by which it is driven and means (7) for electrically insulating the wiper arm (2) from the spindle (5), thus electrically isolating the arm (2) and blade of the wiper from the rest of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanical connection arrangement for tubes arranged alongside or after one another comprises a coupling ring or coupling piece (5,9) positioned at the end of the tube and surrounding the tube, a profiled rod (8) of constant cross-section facing inwards from the end of the tube (1,2), and at least one attachment device (6,7) arranged in the wall of the tube and at a certain distance from its end so executed as to engage with and to force the profiled rod (8) into contact with the internal surface of the tube (1,2) at contact points along two narrow contact lines or contact areas (14,15) running in the longitudinal sense of the tube (1,2).

Abstract: A releasable connection for tubular metal sliding rods with ends in a textile machine includes at least one pressureproof insert filling the rod ends. A metal clamping socket fits flush over the rod ends for transmitting force. The metal clamping socket has releasable clamping screws holding the rod ends in slide-free contact with the at least one insert and the clamping socket under changing loads.

Abstract: An improved attachment between a supporting jack on a trailer and the frame of the trailer. The device is based on a matching boss and socket. The device is spring loaded so as to be normally engaged but is releasable against a spring loading. It is entirely enclosed to avoid interference with its action, by any dirt, dust, grease or the like, and includes a special friction producing surface engageable between the boss and the interior of the socket to prevent vibration-caused disengagement.

Abstract: A breakaway system is disclosed for timber utility poles. The breakaway system limits the amount of force and energy imparted to an impacting vehicle and its occupants by incorporating an arrangement of slip plates and bolts to form a shear plane on the utility pole at or near ground level, and by providing a hinge mechanism on an upper section of the utility pole below conducting lines and the like. The material and configuration of the lower shear plates are selected to permit activation for any direction of collision loading. The material and configuration of the upper connection or hinge are selected to allow for adequate resistance to environmental loads while at the same time allowing for precise determination of the magnitude of failure load. In addition, the combination of upper connectors prevents the lower portion of the utility pole from rotating upward into the conducting wires after a vehicle impact.

Abstract: A flat flexible display panel capable of being formed into an arcuate surface display member for use as part of an exhibit booth and similar structures is disclosed. The panel is flat for convenience in carrying and storage but is capable of being formed quickly and easily into a curved display member for use in conjunction with other flat and curved surface display members. Hinged latching elements are disclosed which lie flat for shipment and storage but swing outwardly to connect together and form a flat panel into a curved surface.

Abstract: A side bar assembly for attachment to a chassis of a pick-up truck, off-road vehicle or the like capable of being mounted on such vehicles of a plurality of different sizes and configurations, wherein the side bar assembly is formed of a pair of substantially L-shaped tubular members as half-bar tube sections to collectively form a generally U-shaped side bar to extend laterally from a side of the vehicle. A substantially semi-cylindrical connector sleeve defining a concave tube-gripping recess receives the aligned end portions of the tubular members with the connector sleeve partially encircling and gripping the adjacent portions of the tubular members over more than half the circumferential extent of each, and mounting brackets are provided for bolt securement to the vehicle chassis to receive and support end portions of the side legs therein.

Abstract: A decorative panel is for a cabinet, cupboard or the like which includes a plurality of edge frames having mitered ends. A central panel element has a plurality of edges and each of the edge frames has an internal groove for respectively receiving one of the edges therein. Each of the edge frames has a laminated surface material secured to an outer surface thereof. The laminated surface material on each of the edge frames has a terminal portion which is located within the internal edge groove. The edge frames surround the center panel element as the edges are respectively located within the internal edge grooves of the edge frames. Each of the edges of the center panel element secures the terminal portions of the laminated surface material within the internal edge groove. The mitered ends of adjacent edge frames have aligned slots in aligned areas of the outer surfaces thereof which include the laminated surface material.

Abstract: Arcuate concrete segments of a tunnel wall are joined together in the circumferential direction by an internally threaded fitting embedded in the end of one segment and a bolt extending through an opening in the end of a peripherally adjacent segment and interengaged with the fitting. Longitudinally adjacent segments are interconnected by bolt openings extending longitudinally through the segments and opening into corresponding enlarged conical recesses at the interface between the segments, a conically tapered positioning ring engaging the recesses, and threaded bolts extending through the longitudinally extending openings through the segments and having threaded ends interengaged with a common coupler member located in the corresponding recesses.

Abstract: A plurality of straight-edge sections may be joined together by connector pieces. The connector pieces and straight-edge sections incorporate cooperating ribs and channels. The connector piece incorporates ribs with provision for flexing. When the connector pieces forced into the straight-edge sections a wedging jamming relationship is established that holds the straight end sections in aligned relationship. The undersurface of the straight-edge sections incorporates parallel slots which cooperate with rails on a taping flange. The entire assembly may be positioned on the workpiece by the use of the plurality of taping flanges secured to the work surface by adhesive tape.

Abstract: A mortise-and-tenon joint for assemblying three or more components. The mortise receives a pair of opposed tenons with their end surfaces in contact inside the mortise. The tenons are in substantially play-free mating engaging with the mortise and are substantially of the same volume as the mortise. In one embodiment the tenons are right trapezoidal in contact along their inclined surfaces of equal slope. In another embodiment there are two pairs of tenons for each mortise which comprises a pair of cylindrical cavities. Threaded fasteners extending through appropriate hole with internally threaded bushes and apertures in the tenons and through the mortise secure the assembled joints.

Abstract: A ferrule joint for a fishing rod blank made from joining plural flexible tapered resin shafts having hollow cores disclosed. The ferrule joint comprises a ferrule integral with one end of a first shaft. The ferrule has a tapered bore extending inwardly from the end of the first shaft. The hollow core end of a second shaft is insertable into the bore to frictionally interlock the shafts together. A transition section integral with the first shaft has a tapered bore joining the tapered bore in the ferrule to the hollow core of the first shaft. The tapered bore in the ferrule and the tapered bore in the transition sections are formed from plural overlapping patterns of fiber reinforced resins superimposed on the first shaft around the hollow core.

Abstract: A controllable distributing conveying system for transporting people or goods is provided with stations which are arranged on a passive rail network and which include container loading-on positions, container off-loading positions, and container depots. Self-propelled controllable conveying units are movable between the stations and are fitted with pairs of running wheels for normal travel and for travel when being switched in and out and also have container-carrying surfaces separate from the drive section which are coupled by a universal joint member. Containers are loadable onto and off-loaded from the conveying units by means of loading and off-loading arrangements which have active locking members and unlocking members. These containers are held secure in all directions during travel, and are conductable to their destination by the shortest path by means of passive switching-in and switching-out arrangements, and these latter arrangements comprise rails, which the conveying units hold onto.

Abstract: A method and coupling for severing and rejoining sealed tubing without the loss of the seal especially adapted to the installation of charged refrigerant lines into the refrigerator cabinetry. The method includes the crimping of the tubing wall at the point to be severed, sealing of the crimped tube walls, as by welding, and severing of the tube through the crimp. To rejoin the ends, a rejoinder coupling is utilized having end sections receiving and sealed to the crimped tube ends. The coupling also includes an axially compressible body section within which is disposed a piercing tool having a pair of penetrating ends adapted to pierce each of the crimped tube ends upon pushing the tube ends together, the compressible body section accommodating the axial tube movement toward each other in carrying out the piercing.

Abstract: A method and coupling for severing and rejoining sealed tubing without the loss of the seal especially adapted to the installation of charged refrigerant lines into the refrigerator cabinetry. The method includes the crimping of the tubing wall at the point to be severed, sealing of the crimped tube walls, as by welding, and severing of the tube through the crimp. To rejoin the ends, a rejoinder coupling is utilized having end sections receiving and sealed to the crimped tube ends. The coupling also includes an axially compressible body section within which is disposed a piercing tool having a pair of penetrating ends adapted to pierce each of the crimped tube ends upon pushing the tube ends together, the compressible body section accommodating the axial tube movement toward each other in carrying out the piercing.

Abstract: A round trampoline having a sectional, circular frame combined with a circular mat of lesser diameter than the frame resiliently supported from the frame by a plurality of radially arranged coil springs. A plurality of U-shaped legs support the frame with each U-shaped leg being of rigid, one-piece construction and rigidly connected to the frame in bridging relation to the joints in the segments of the frame to prevent relative rotation between the segments and eliminate bending of the frame at the joints. The mat includes a pair of intersecting and overlapping strips oriented in perpendicular relation to each other to form a reinforced center jumping area with the portions of the mat externally of the intersecting portions being of mesh material to enable passage of air in order to prevent ballooning of the mat and to eliminate the feeling of being air supported when contacting the mat.

Abstract: A composite structure capable of withstanding multidirectional stress loads in general and in particular high tension and compression loads transmitted to an aircraft center fuselage by wing loading. The structure is essentially a beam formed by inserting two stepped metal end caps into the ends of a graphite/epoxy B-staged tubular strut and subsequently laying-up multidirectional and unidirectional fibers to provide a structure which is in turn cocured and results in a unitized composite wing trunnion structure.

Abstract: In a structural framework which includes precast, concrete columns an improved connector is provided for transferring the load of superimposed columns to those beneath them. The connector consists of a spindle which is received in hollow cores of the columns and a sleeve within and to which the spindle is positioned and connected in any convenient manner, such as by a press fit, plug or spot welds. The sleeve transfers the vertical load from one column to another and incremental washers may be utilized intermediate an upper end of the sleeve and a lower end of a column to adjust the vertical elevation of an upper column.

Abstract: A smooth junction is provided between aluminum conductor rails at the power collection surface by the provision of a wedge shaped insert the geometry of which corresponds to that of the gap between the rails. On expansion of the rails the insert is pushed partly out of the gap and on contraction is forced into the gap by a spring or springs thus always providing continuity on the power transfer surface.

Abstract: An extension for a wooden utility pole is provided in which a novel bracket is secured to the flattened top of an existing pole. A projecting center shaft extends from the bracket to be received within matching center bores provided in the utility pole, a wooden extension pole or both. Threaded fasteners and metal straps complete the interconnection between the existing pole and the extension pole.