Abstract: In a rotary drilling system for drilling deep, large-diameter bore holes in the earth, using multiple lengths of drill pipe joined together by threaded tool joints, the improvement in means to prevent relative rotation while joining and unjoining the two parts of the threaded-together tool joints, after the tool joints has been made to a desired torque, comprises a retaining cylinder or ring, of somewhat larger diameter than the diameter of the tool joints, positioned to surround a tool joint with an annular space of a selected radial dimension. There is at least one pair of longitudinally slidable cams or wedges that slide within longitudinal grooves on the inside surface of the retainer ring. Hydraulic means are provided to move the pair of wedges longitudinally toward each other, along the sloping grooves until they are wedged between the retaining ring and the outer surface of the tool joint, one wedge opposite each part of the tool joint.

Abstract: A metallic rod end is fixedly secured to a relatively softer metallic tube by providing imprinted screw threads on the rod free end. Then grooves are imprinted in the screw threads and to a depth not greater than that of the minor diameter of the screw threads and with the grooves extending axially of the rod end. The tube is provided with a threaded bore mating the screw threads on the rod end. The threads in the threaded bore are provided by imprinting and the entrance portion thereto has a diameter substantially equal to the major diameter of the screw threads. After threading the rod into the tube until the grooves are aligned with the entrance portion, then the tube is swaged causing flow of metal from the tube to the rod end and into the grooves therein. This first rod end may be provided with an internally threaded bore so as to function as an insert between the metallic tube and a second externally threaded rod end.

Abstract: A self contained nut assembly to allow self nut locking and unlocking for use with a support member. The nut assembly comprises an upper nut containing a pronged locking sleeve. The nut and locking sleeve fit onto a threaded element projecting through a support member. The prongs of the locking sleeve are fashioned with feet for engagement with the support member to restrain selective movement therebetween. Arcuate portions of the sleeve are flared to fill openings in the nut thus locking the assembly in place.

Abstract: A piston of a hydraulic actuator is threaded on one end of a piston rod and is prevented from becoming unthreaded therefrom by means of a radially extending key received in a keyway formed by cooperating recesses in the ends of the piston and piston rod. A threaded fastener extends axially into the piston rod and holds the key in place.

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

Abstract: The warp beam is made of at least two telescoping parts with a clamping means pressing the parts together radially from within the area of overlap. The clamping means includes a wedge-shaped clamping plate which is pressed against a wedge on the end of the innermost part of the warp beam by means of a partially threaded spindle which is rotatably mounted within the interior of the innermost part.

Abstract: An inertial ring lock, in the form of a semi-circular ring washer, is used as a retainer for a threaded fastener in threaded engagement with a threaded aperture in a support element, the ring lock being snapped into a relief groove in the threaded fastener to loosely encircle the threaded fastener in position to loosely engage the support element when the threaded fastener is fully threaded therein.

Abstract: A telescoping torque transmission apparatus including an inner mandrel of upper and lower sections, a sleeve surrounding the mandrel and slidable thereon, a splined drive connection between the sleeve and mandrel with drive keys interposed between all drive surfaces of the spline drive, cartridge seals sealing above and below the spline drive and also defining upper and lower balance chambers between said mandrel and said sleeve, a port through said sleeve communicating with one of said chambers, a port through said mandrel communicating with the other of said chambers, a keyed lock ring having teeth to engage teeth on the upper end of the lower mandrel section and keyed to engage in the spline key ways of the upper mandrel section, a lock ring threaded on the lower end of the upper mandrel section to retain the keyed lock ring in engagement with the lower section teeth to prevent unthreading of the lower mandrel from the upper mandrel and a pressure equalizing valve communicating with the spline drive chambe

Abstract: Retaining means for preventing loosening of a gland nut, for example, at the end of a push-pull outboard motor steering cable. The gland nut is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending ribs. The retainer comprises a ring of spring-like material with a plurality of locking fingers engaging the conduit fitting and axially extending fingers fitting between the gland nut ribs. The latter fingers have rounded end depressions allowing positive rotation of the gland nut but preventing loosening of the nut through vibration.

Abstract: A power actuated 90.degree. rotation valve in which the power actuator is coupled to the valve stem by a socket which simultaneously engages a lug fixed with the valve stem and a nut threaded to said valve stem so that the nut cannot loosen during actuation of the valve.

Abstract: Connecting apparatus providing a pivotal connection controllably securing an actuating element at a preselected attitude.

Abstract: Locking device locking the suspension nut of a driven shaft from rotation relative to the shaft, upon reversal in the direction of rotation of the shaft or such vibration as would loosen an ordinary nut. The locking device is particularly adapted for cantilevered shaft vertical pumps in which the shaft and pump impeller on the end of the shaft are susceptible to vibration. The locking device includes a pump coupling including a motor shaft coupling part and a pump shaft coupling part detachably secured to the motor shaft coupling part. A nut part having a cylindrical periphery is threaded on the pump shaft and recessed within the pump shaft coupling part, to suspend the shaft from the pump shaft coupling part. The full weight of the pump shaft, coupling and impeller, including the hydraulic thrust, is borne by the threaded connection between the pump shaft and the coupling nut. The coupling nut is tightened by a spanner wrench having projections fitting into drilled holes in the coupling nut.

Abstract: A friction plate clutch for attachment to an internal combustion engine is protected against vibration induced wear of loosely interfitted parts thereof by spring devices which keep the parts yieldingly in firm contact with each other.

Abstract: A fire hydrant either of the "wet" barrel type or the "dry" barrel type having an improved hydrant nozzle construction. The barrel of the fire hydrant is provided with an internally threaded boss for receiving a replaceable externally threaded nozzle. Means for locking the nozzle to the boss of the barrel is provided so that the nozzle may not be removed by unauthorized personnel. Sealing means are provided between the nozzle and the boss of the barrel which can not lose its effectiveness due to cold flow and thus will not reduce the gripping effect of the nozzle to the barrel when the nozzle has been threaded therein with an initial torque.

Abstract: The adjuster tube, threaded at opposite ends to an outer tie rod and an inner tie rod in a steering linkage, is provided at one end with anti-rotational means on the exterior thereof including a radial inward extending aperture means and the tie rod at this end has longitudinally extending splined grooves formed on a portion of the threaded end thereof engaged with the adjuster tube. The adjuster retainer is provided with protruding tabs at one end thereof to engage the splines in the tie rod, and is provided at its other end with means to engage the anti-rotational means of the adjuster tube.

Abstract: A releasable locking device for urging limited relative rotation about a longitudinal axis between a first and second object threadably coupled together so as to maintain a tight connection of the coupled objects. The locking device comprises a brake plate which is supported with respect to the second object so as not to move rotationally relative thereto, a locking plate supported with respect to the first object so as not to move rotationally relative thereto, and a biasing means. The brake plate and locking plate are each positioned laterally adjacent to the first object and each have longitudinally extending complimentary ratchet teeth having inclined surfaces on their mutually facing, surfaces, the inclined surfaces of ratchet teeth of the brake plate being adapted to mate with the inclined surfaces of ratchet teeth of the locking plate.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for locking a first screw, or other rotatable part, within a cavity in an impeller. The screw incorporates a cavity containing a spring. A second screw is positioned in the head of the first screw in such a way that it may be used to force the spring into resilient cooperation with the surrounding surface. The first screw is locked thereby to the surrounding surface and is prevented from threading-out under certain heavy load conditions. This development is especially useful for locking an impeller to a pump shaft.

Abstract: A rock hammer and more particularly a rock hammer having thereon improved means for securing a cutting or breaking bit assembly thereto.