Abstract: An adjustable clamping device for receiving and selectively frictionally engaging an internally disposed inserted member, such as a rope or rod, is disclosed. The clamping device comprises a flexible and readily deformable gripping member of a hollow cylindrical shape, disposed about a generally centrally located first longitudinal axis. The gripping member may comprise a substantially solid sheet of flexible material, or may comprise a mesh material, or may comprise a plurality of flexible strand members. The material for the gripping member may be leather, rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene, cloth, nylon, rayon, kevlar, or metal, as appropriate. The gripping member is twistably deformable between a straight neutral configuration and a plurality of helically twisted configurations whereat the gripping member reduces in diameter and encloses down onto the inserted member.

Abstract: A quick-connect, universal connecting system for rapidly mounting accessories on law enforcement batons for providing ready access to full capacity equipment while not increasing the amount of equipment to be carried by law enforcement personnel. The connecting system includes an accessory connector having two components adapted to be attached separately to the baton or accessory and secured together by a pin and socket connection. The pin and socket connection defines a bayonet-type locking mechanism for rapid connection and disconnection with less than one turn thereby allowing an officer to quickly assemble the accessory and baton as an approach is made. The locking mechanism includes a spiral shaped channel which continues to tighten the connection between the pin and the socket as it wears.

Abstract: A splice system having two rails to be connected end to end and splice member having a center part and a pair of end parts sized for insertion in open ends of the two rails. The rails to be connected end to end having first and second opposing walls and a hole in the first wall. The end parts of the splice members having threaded openings adapted to register with holes in the rails. The splice member is connected to the rails with bolts, the arrangement being such that, when the bolts are tightened, heads of the bolts outside the rails are drawn toward first walls of respective rails and end parts of the splice member inside the rails are pulled away from second walls of the rails and tight against the first walls of respective rails thereby to splice the rails together.

Abstract: An apparatus for gripping a smooth, fiberglass rod, the apparatus comprising a housing, a jaw cluster within the housing, and a force tube for positioning the jaw cluster within the housing. The rod-gripping apparatus includes a first aperture and a second aperture which facilitate passage of a rod through the apparatus. The force tube is mechanically interfitted with the jaw cluster. The jaw cluster comprises a plurality of elongated jaw members which are generally wedge-shaped and complementary to an inner tapered wall of the housing. The jaw cluster, which surrounds the rod, is set to or released from the rod, as desired, in response to a repositioning of the force tube relative to the housing.

Abstract: Two plate-like members are connected to each other by a connector for subsequent simultaneous feed thereof to, for example, a press. The connector includes a main body having two rectangular grooves, which have respective upper and lower walls and are open on opposite sides of the main body for receiving ends of the two respective plate-like members. A plurality of vertically movable pressure members and a plurality of locking screws are mounted on the main body to retain the ends of the two plate-like members within associated rectangular grooves.

Abstract: A garden tool includes a beam having a tool secured to one end and having a ring and one or more fins formed in the other end. A handle has a number of blades tapered radially outward and has a number of gaps formed between the blades for engaging with the fins. A barrel has an inner thread for engaging with an outer thread of the ring and has a tapered surface formed in the inner peripheral portion for forcing the blades radially inward and for engaging the fins with the gaps such that the handle may be solidly and quickly secured to the beam.

Abstract: A receiving member for a pledge lock of a shopping or luggage trolley, wherein the receiving member is attached to the trolley handle and contains the pledge lock in its cavity, while projecting from each side of the receiving member is a pin whose cross-sectional shape and diameter correspond to the cross-sectional shape and diameter of the cavity of the handle section of the cart.

Abstract: A spring-loaded wedge dead end for use in electrical transmission lines has upper and lower jaws which close upon one another in a wedging action to grasp the dead end of such a line. The wedge dead end includes a U-shaped clevis for use in attaching it to a pole or the like, and upper and lower jaw guides which form a U-shaped channel in which the upper and lower jaws are disposed. The jaws are spring-biased toward a closed position, are coupled so as to move in a corresponding manner, and may be locked in a fully open position, from which an installer may release it when an electrical transmission line is correctly placed between the open jaws to simplify the dead-ending of the line.

Abstract: A press fit joint shafting connection for hollow cylindrical steel shafts has shaft end faces provided with eccentrically arranged axial recesses wider than the main shaft bores. An annular toughened steel locking insert having an eccentrically arranged through bore is retained in the space formed by the eccentrically arranged bores when the shaft ends meet. The degree of eccentricity of the bore in the locking insert corresponds to that of the eccentrically arranged shaft recesses while the locking insert bore diameter corresponds to the diameter of the main shaft bores. The inner bores with free lumen are in alignment in a mounted state. A corresponding shafting method is also described.

Abstract: Retaining bushing for securing bearing rings comprising a strip of sheet metal bent to form a cylinder having radially projecting retaining projections engaging in a positively locking fashion in grooves in the bearing rings, the retaining projections being distributed around the periphery and being raised up from the sheet material in the radial direction by deep-drawing and stamped out to the required width along a circumferential line around the retaining bushing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns telescopic tubular assemblies comprising a plurality of successive tubular sections sliding one inside the other between a retracted position and a deployed position. One non-limiting example of such assemblies is a ski stick.

Abstract: A turnbuckle assembly (20) for a vehicle steering linkage (10) includes a sleeve (50), a nut (52) and a threaded rod (30). The sleeve (50) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced knobs (80) located on its outer surface (78). The nut (52) has a base portion (84) and a skirt portion (86). The base portion (84) of the nut (52) has an internal thread (90), and is received on the threaded rod (30). The skirt portion (86) of the nut (52) has an internal groove (98), and extends over the end portion (60) of the sleeve (50). The nut (52) is movable from a starting position to a clamping position. When the nut (52) is in its starting position, the knobs (80) on the sleeve (50) are received in the groove (98) in the nut (52). The knobs (80) and the groove (98) then establish a releasable mechanical interlock holding the nut (52) in its starting position.

Abstract: A telescopic extensible rod, suited to be used as extension in agricultural pneumatic tools for picking fruit from trees or of cutting off branches of trees, is formed by two coaxial tubular elements, i.e. a first tubular element and a second tubular element that slides inside the first tubular element. A pneumatic actuator can be connected to the free end of the second tubular element. A coupling is mounted between the tubular elements to removably lock their reciprocal sliding. Two coaxial pipes, a first pipe and a second pipe, are located inside the tubular elements, the second pipe being designed to slide inside the first one while keeping the seal because of the presence of a sleeve mounted between the pipes and inside the first pipe. The free ends of the pipes are in fluid-dynamic connection respectively with a compressed fluid delivery and with the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: An improved device for repairing failed anchor members that hold machinery to foundations is provided. An anchor bolt repair coupling engages a failed anchor member through the use of grips, a preloading jack, and epoxy injection to facilitate the repair of the failed member.

Abstract: A locking mechanism (2) for stock restraining equipment, for locking a bar (3) in position at any position along a major length of the bar (3), mechanism (2) including a housing (7) to form a tapered passage (11), a roller (6) in the passage arranged to bear against the side of the bar (3), the bar (3), passage (11) and roller (6) being arranged so that the roller (6) can move along the passage between a lock position and a release position, along with a lever for moving the roller (6) between the lock position and the release position.

Abstract: Cojoined collet has a center housing with opposing central orifices, each central orifice capable of receiving an externally positioned shaft, and further having a fastener about each opposing orifice, wherein the externally positioned shaft is releasably connectable on a common axis of rotation through the opposing central orifices and can be held fast by the fastener about the central orifice which receives the externally positioned shaft, and it is finely balanced about its intended axis of rotation. It may be coupled in series with a shaft, which may be rigid or flexible, and be embodied for employment in rotating devices, for an example, such as the high-speed simulator-viscometer of U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,365.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved eccentric crank assembly for a reciprocating piston type air compressor. The eccentric crank assembly includes an eccentric plate, a compressor shaft, and an eccentric shaft. The eccentric plate is provided with a pair of parallel overlapping openings formed therethrough. The compressor shaft includes one end provided with a flat angled surface, and the eccentric shaft includes one end provided with a corresponding flat angled surface. The angled surface ends of the shafts are disposed within the openings of the plate. When the eccentric shaft is moved away from the compressor shaft, the angled flat surfaces force the shafts radially apart and into engagement with the openings of the eccentric plate, thereby locking the shafts and the eccentric plate together.

Abstract: Apparatus to axially hold a featureless shaft has an abutment for abutting the side of the shaft and a cam to wedge the shaft against the abutment. The cam has a convexly radiused face which is generally opposed to the abutment. The generating radius for the face is offset from the pivot axis of the cam in the direction in which a shaft is inserted into the apparatus. Consequently, once the cam wedges the shaft against the abutment any withdrawal force on the shaft will tighten the wedging effect since the eccentric radiused face will attempt to move closer to the abutment.

Abstract: This invention is a rod with a hook. Multiples rods are placed into an awning rail slot. This hooks on a cover with poles to provide shade. Hooks are positioned by sliding in the awning rail slot. Hooks align with grommets in the cover. Hooks are secured inside the awning rail slot by screwing the threaded shank of the hook through the rod and against the inner back side of the rail slot. The number of grommets are determined by the width of the cover. Grommets in the cover are attached onto the individual hooks along the awning rail. Poles are placed in grommets on the opposite side of cover. Poles are pulled away from the structure. They are held in place by ropes. The ropes overlap the cover at the top of the pole and are secured to stakes in the ground, and held taut by a rope slip. The poles used to support the cover may be adjusted to a desired height for providing shade.

Abstract: An apparatus for weld build-up on a surface of revolution within a bore has a head assembly, an elongated line shaft, a step assembly and a traveling assembly. The head assembly has a housing that may be fixedly mounted in a region spaced from the surface of revolution, the housing defining a chamber with an axis in alignment with an axis of revolution. It also has a spindle mounted for rotation within the chamber, coaxial with the axis of revolution. The line shaft is coupled to the spindle and extends for coaxial rotation within the bore in a region of the surface of revolution. The step assembly is fixedly mounted upon the line shaft. The traveling assembly is mounted also upon the line shaft and disposed for rotation within the bore. The traveling assembly consists of a wire reel, a wire feeder, and an electrical welding torch assembly that terminates in a torch nozzle.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush has a brush section which is demountable from a handle section that has a protruding brush drive shaft. Radial and axial securing of the brush section to the handle section is accomplished by structure separated by function, including radial securing structure at the base of the brush section that engages cooperating structure at the end of the handle section from which the drive shaft protrudes, and axial securing structure housed within the brush section that engages the protruding drive shaft of the handle section.

Abstract: An improved cable splice of the type in which first and second ends of a casing taper conically toward the casing's longitudinal axis. First and second cable-receiving apertures are provided in the respective first and second ends of the casing. A first set of cable-gripping jaws is disposed within the first end of the casing; and, a second set of cable-gripping jaws is disposed within the second end of the casing. At least one spring is provided within the casing, between the jaws, to urge the first and second jaws toward the first and second apertures respectively. A first plug is positioned within the inner end of the first set of jaws to bias the first set of jaws against the spring by forcing the jaws radially outwardly. A second plug is positioned within the inner end of the second set of jaws to bias the second set of jaws against the spring by forcing the jaws radially outwardly. The plugs are free of connection to the jaws.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite bicycle frame adapts stepped forming. The seat stays combined with the seat support means which are connected to parts of the top tube and seat tube, and the chain stays combined with the pedal support means which are connected to parts of the down tube and seat tube, are formed respectively. The seat stays connect to the chain stays by inserting a pair of rear wheel dropouts therebetween, to form substantially a pair of rear triangles of the bicycle frame. The seat tube and the steering support means connected to the top tube and down tube are laid up respectively. The cured rear triangles connect to uncured seat tube and steering support means associated with top tube and down tube, wherein the top tube, down tube, and seat tube form a front triangle. The front triangle is cured such that manufacturing of the whole bicycle frame is completed.

Abstract: A countertop clamping apparatus and method for use thereof are described which facilitate installation of a countertop or other shelving constructions, particularly those having a mitered corner. The apparatus includes elongated plates having longitudinal flanges and is fixed to the under surfaces of the countertop sections to be joined. Modified C-clamps connect the flanges for facile tightening by either a right or left handed installer and the apparatus may comprehend a drip catching slat between the elongated plates and seam to be joined for decreasing spills during gluing or otherwise filling of the countertop seam.

Abstract: A cable grip for improving the performance of cable bolts for ground support comprises a segmented wedge defining a cone, each segment having an inside cavity adapted to conform to a circumference of a cable and serrated grooves cut into said inside cavity to grip the cable, and a sleeve consisting of a plastic cone conforming to the conical shape of the wedge.

Abstract: Tension clamp of the type including a sheath provided with an anchoring element and a tapered cavity inclined at a slight angle. In the cavity is a slidably mounted, transversely movable core including a single jaw having an abutting face against the cable. A part of the cavity of the sheath serves as a cradle for the cable and has a substantially semicylindrical cross-section with a radius matching that of the cable. A shell is provided between the part of the cavity of the sheath serving as a cradle for the cable and the cable. The shell is connected axially to the single jaw so as to follow its lengthwise movements, namely those parallel to the cable, but which is displaceable perpendicular to the lengthwise movements.

Abstract: Tension clamp having a sheath provided with a tapered cavity inclined at a slight angle, opened by a lengthwise slit in which is slidably mounted a transversely movable core having a single jaw. An abutting face of the jaw facing a cable is equipped with a bar having a serration in a free face. A bearing face of the single jaw abutting a tapered bearing part of the cavity and the tapered bearing part have matching semicylindrical cross-sections and a common lengthwise axis. The tip of each serration is sloped such that its point of contact with the cable is offset toward a bottom of the cavity opposite lengthwise slit, relative to a diametral plane which contains the axis of the bearing face of the jaw and the axis of the cable.

Abstract: A coupler for reinforcing bars includes an internally threaded sleeve with first and second internally threaded coupling portions respectively extending and tapering outward from two ends thereof. Each first and second coupling portions has a number of slits extending along a longitudinal direction thereof. The coupler further has first and second clamping collars each having a conical hole which tapers outward with an inner diameter of an inner opening thereof greater than that of an outer opening thereof and with a slope slightly greater than that of associated conical first and second coupling portions. An outer diameter of a distal end of each first and second coupling portion is slightly less than the inner diameter of the inner opening of associated first and second clamping collars. When the coupler is used to couple two reinforcing bars, a threaded coupling end of each reinforcing bar is screwed into the sleeve means via associated first and second coupling portions.

Abstract: The coupling means according to the invention consists of an insertion member and a receiving member, as the arms of the insertion member by coupling engage a sliding bolt, which is loaded by a leaf spring against a locking position. The leaf spring is angular bent, and has one short leg resting in a slit facing the inside of a tube member, making up the outer part of the receiving member. By mounting the spring in this way, the long leg of the spring is stretching between the tube member and an insert, and fixation of the spring is obtained without use of additional means.

Abstract: An improved device for repairing failed anchor members that hold machinery to foundations. An anchor bolt repair coupling that engages a failed anchor member through the use of grips and facilitates the repair of the failed member.

Abstract: A connector for wires comprises a body (20) having through passage (21) adapted to receive a pair of oppositely directed wire end portions (22A, 22B) in close lengthwise relationship with each other, channels (23A, 23B) within the body (20) one to each side of the through passage acutely inclined to and, at their inner ends, breaking into the through passage, and wedge structure (24A, 24B) within the channels adapted upon attempted withdrawal of either of the wire end portions (22A, 22B) from the through passage (21) to urge the wires therebetween forcibly towards each other, whereby friction secures them firmly in the connector.

Abstract: A punch has a punch tip with a shank and a punch pad with an orifice for receiving the shank. The punch pad includes a hole positioned closely adjacent the orifice to define a thin wall between the hole and the orifice. The thin wall has a slot which extends through its thickness to define at least one, and preferably two, tabs. An insert, which may be a pin, is provided for insertion into the hole and deforming the tab into supportive, retaining contact with the shank of the punch tip within the orifice. The shank of the punch tip may be provided with a shoulder for abutting the inwardly deformed tab or tabs to restrain withdrawal of the punch tip from the punch pad during operation.

Abstract: Joints having utility in connecting together concrete reinforcing bars are improved by adding teeth to preselected interior side walls of the joint to increase the frictional engagement between the rebars and the joint. In a first embodiment, the joint is of oblong construction and includes a pair of flat, parallel walls and a pair of transversely spaced, opposing curved walls that interconnect the flat walls. Plural, parallel rows of elongate teeth are formed in the interior surfaces of the curved walls, and the teeth are normal to the plane of the flat walls. Each flat wall is apertured and receives a wedge that drives the rebars in the joint away from one another and into the teeth. In a second embodiment, the joint has an elongate "U" shape including a pair of transversely spaced flat walls interconnected by a curved wall and plural parallel rows of elongate teeth are formed in the interior surface of the curved wall.

Abstract: A system for splicing rods to connect a shear wall (12) to a concrete foundation (6). The system includes a hold down device (2) coupling a first rod (4) extending upwardly from the foundation with a second rod (8) suspended downwardly from the top (10) of the shear wall. The hold down device includes a body member (14) having a rod support (22) disposed on one side of the rods and two pairs of arms (32, 34) through which the rods extend. A cam element (54, 56) is disposed within the body member for positioning the rods within the body member. A securing bolt (18) extends through the rod support for securely retaining the cam element in position.

Abstract: A cable clamp shim, wherein a side part thereof is bent at a right angle to the remainder thereof, with the slit being in the remainder portion for holding the sleeve of the clamp, so that the side part of the shim fits closely to the outside surface of the sleeve and thereby eliminates possibility of injury to the worker by the edge of the shim, and improves the positioning security of the shim in the clamping arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing birdcaging of a conductor having multiple strands when these conductors are installed in a connector utilizing high speed installations, such as by an explosively-operated tool. The inside surface of the connector is coated with a mixture of 30% silica sand and 70% of PENETROX.RTM. A13 to reduce contact resistance. A wedge is then inserted into the connector between the conductors utilizing the explosively driven tool.

Abstract: A position coupler for connecting reinforcing bar in concrete construction where neither bar is able to rotate either conveniently or not at all includes a sleeve at least a portion of which is internally cylindrically threaded and which receives at least one split collar insert. The insert has external cylindrical threads which match the internal cylindrical threads of the sleeve and also has internal tapered threads which match the tapered external threads on the bars to be joined. The inserts, in addition to being longitudinally split are provided with either a transverse slot or a hex head on their outer ends to receive a wrench. When a transverse slot is provided a spanner wrench may be inserted between the bar and sleeve. The tightening of the insert creates a wedge action which hoop stresses the sleeve locking the parts together and reduces slippage. The insert may be locked anywhere along the interior of the cylindrical thread portion of the sleeve to connect bars at different axial spacings.

Abstract: A connector for an office partition panel which has a rectangular panel frame at the edges thereof and a wire management channel formed at an upper portion of the panel. The connector rigidly connects the rectangular panel frames together at the side edges and includes upper and lower wedge blocks on the panel edges and draw blocks adapted to grip the wedge block and draw the wedge blocks of adjacent frames together. A draw tube connects the draw blocks. A wire management channel is formed at an upper portion of the wedge blocks and at least one upper wedge block has a U-shaped configuration with a wedge surface formed at a bight portion of the U, the legs of the wedge block extend up along the upper sides of the panel and in registry with the wire management channel. A change-of-height connector which has a removable wedge block adapter can be mounted to the side of the panel frame for changing height without use of a spacer or corner. A draw tube can form a spacer or corner between adjacent panels.

Abstract: A frame, suitable for a child's buggy, is provided for removably supporting a seat for a child in a plurality of angular positions, comprising a manually operable lateral mechanism which is adapted to support the seat whereby the seat is fixedly mountable in and releasable from the frame, the mechanism also providing adjustment of the seat to a desired fixed angular position in relation to the frame. The manually operable mechanism comprises a rotatable knob which allows a wedge or dove-tailed part thereof to be withdrawn from engagement with another part so that it can be rotated to a different angular position before being drawn back into engagement, when it is locked in position. To release the seat entirely, the knob is a rotated to a further position to withdraw a cooperating locking device so that the seat can be lifted from the dove-tailed part.

Abstract: This invention is a lock-in device for a trash compactor assembly including a stationary compacting head and support, and a movable container spaced subjacent the compacting head for containing compacted trash. The lock-in device retains the movable container in fixed relation to the vertical compacting head by the action of first and second interlocking members, wherein when the container is locked in position subjacent the compactor the first member can engage with the second member to prevent the container from moving horizontally relative to the compacting head when compacting is taking place. The lock-in device includes first and second members formed of flat plates bent along their longitudinal length to form angled sections and are jointed to the compaction assembly so that they are engageable to prevent horizontal movement of the container relative to the compactor head.

Abstract: A turnbuckle assembly for an automotive steering system tie-rod connection applies both radial and axial forces against the engaged threads to resist relaxation of tightening between the threads and to prevent spreading of the seam of a rolled stamped sleeve. Complimentary conical surfaces of a nut and the sleeve apply a compressive force as the nut is advanced axially onto the sleeve.

Abstract: In joint for connecting reinforcing bars (5 and 5) in such a manner that the connecting end portions of the reinforcing bars are respectively inserted into the respective curved portions of a hollow metallic pipe (sleeeve 1) from the opposite sides thereof, and a wedge 6 is press-fitted into the area between the reinforcing bars from one of the wedge bores 4 and 4' to the other, a joint having a concave portions 8 and 8' on the inner surface of the curved wall 3 and 3' at the inner surface of the arc center of the pair of curved walls of the sleeve.

Abstract: A connector assembly adapted to quickly connect and disconnect tools and stem sections in wireline tool strings. Connector assembly (10) comprises box end (12) and pin end (14) adapted to be slidably engaged and locked by rotating either end 90.degree. relative to the other in either direction. Connector assembly (10) is released by the direct application of manual force to ears (48, 50) of locking plate (38) accessible in flutes (26, 27) of box end (12). Once the locking plate is retracted, pin end (14) is rotated 90.degree. in either direction relative to box end (12) and then withdrawn axially from box end (12). Flats (130, 131) are provided on box end (126) and pin end (128) to indicate relative rotational alignment. Disclosed also are provisions for limiting the rotation of axially spaced lugs (138, 140) before the lugs are axially aligned with annular channels (142, 144).

Abstract: A splicing device to join the free ends of two cables. The present invention provides a non-conductive housing assembly around a possibility of three inner conductive connector means. The inner conductive connector means joins the free ends of a conductive cables such that there is an uninterrupted electrical flow path between the ends of the cables. The connector housing provides a protective outer housing around the assembly and holds the spliced ends of the cables together. The splicing device can be readily installed to provide a safe and reliable splicing of free cable ends.

Abstract: A drop wire clamp assembly sandwiches an insulated drop wire between a housing bail and an elongated pressure pad which is pressed by a slide wedge assembly against the pad. The pressure pad has a side tab which extends into a capturing aperture in the wall of the housing to guide the pressure pad for movement along the height of the side wall of the housing, and allows tilting motion thereof, without allowing the pad to drop out of an open channel formed in the housing bail.

Abstract: A jam cleat for holding a rope under tension is disclosed. The cleat comprises two converging surfaces between which a roller is located. The rope is inserted between the roller and first of the converging surfaces. When the rope comes under tension friction between the rope and the roller causes the roller to roll along the second converging surface and thereby grip the rope with a wedging action. Devices are disclosed for forcing the roller to release the rope. One such, device is a lever which is optionally pivotably mounted on the cleat. In one example the cleat comprises a base and a body embodying the converging surfaces and the roller and slidably mounted on the base. The body can be moved along the base by the rope as it comes under tension and the base is provided with an abutment which is brought to bear on the roller during this movement and forces the roller to release the rope.

Abstract: Molecular modeling constituents having plug ends are joined by a coupling having a connective sleeve and a locking sleeve. The connective sleeve receives a plug in a bore at each end thereof. Radially deflectable staves of the connective sleeve have ridges on the inside surface thereof for engaging corresponding annular grooves about the circumference of the plugs. A locking sleeve fits over the connective sleeve and allows outward radial deflection of the staves in an OPEN position for insertion/extraction of plugs into/from the coupling, and inhibits radial deflection of the staves in a lock position to prohibit insertion/extraction of plugs into/from the coupling. The OPEN and LOCK positions are relative rotational positions of the connective sleeve and locking sleeve.

Abstract: A splicing device for concrete structural members includes two mating connectors positioned in axial alignment adjacent to each other that are interlocked by a key inserted through a keyway provided in the sidewalls of the connectors. Prestressing strands in the structural members to be spliced are fastened to the connectors by inserting them into axial holes located in the ends opposite the mating ends of the connectors, and thereafter wedging the strands within frustum-shaped cavities forming part of the holes, by means of frustum-shaped segments, or feathers, forced against the elements within the cavities. Apparatus and a method for installing the splicing device is also described.

Abstract: A horizontally extending reinforcing bar having a central core in transverse cross-section exhibiting at least three radial fins projecting outwardly symmetrically from the center of the bar to its outer edge. Each pair of adjacent fins define a valley between them containing a pattern of raised surface area. Two in-line reinforcing bars are held together by a coupling device having a housing with multiple flexible inwardly projecting plates from grooves in an inner wall. The plates flex in the direction of insertion of a reinforcing bar and exert a force to prevent removal of the bar.

Abstract: A connector for pipes has two tubular parts each with three angularly spaced inclined bores intersecting the inner surface of the parts and containing balls engaging inclined wedge surfaces and biassed axially by respective springs. In use the parts are drawn together by rotating nuts on studs and the balls grip the pipes and compress a seal, the balls gouging into the pipes. The recesses could be on the outer side of the parts for engaging an external pipe. The balls can move axially and radially in the recesses for accommodating local ovality and engage surfaces over an arc of circumference of the balls. The parts need not be tubular and one part could be closed off to provide an end cap for the pipe in the other to form a clamp.