Abstract: A wind or tidal turbine blade having an attachment, the attachment including: a support portion of the turbine blade, the support portion having opposite surfaces; an insert adapted to mount a bolt for attaching the support portion to another structure; and a mounting for fitting the insert to the support portion, the mounting including a layer extending over a front face of the insert and bonded to the opposite surfaces of the support portion on opposite sides of the insert, the layer permitting passage of a bolt therethrough to or from the insert.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine, with an annular sleeve having an inner member connected around the shaft to rotate together therewith and having an outer member with a first end connected to the inner member, the outer member defining an annular continuous frustoconical inner surface angled such as to extend closer to the central axis near the first end. A rotor disc includes an annular protuberance extending radially inwardly of the outer member and forced toward the first end, and having an annular continuous frustoconical outer surface complementary to the inner surface of the outer member and in torque-transmitting engagement therewith. The assembly includes means for axially pressing the sleeve and the disc against one another to maintain the complementary frustoconical surfaces in torque-transmitting engagement. A method of engaging a rotor disc to a driving shaft in a gas turbine engine is also provided.

Abstract: A disclosed connector assembly for connecting abutting ends of a pair of rods includes a pair of outer clamp members, each adapted to receive one of two inner clamp members. Each inner clamp member has two opposed inner surfaces, each adapted to contact a corresponding shoulder of one of the rod ends. The assembly includes means for urging the outer clamp members toward one another. A described method for connecting the rod ends includes installing one of the inner clamp members in each of the outer clamp members and positioning the outer clamp members about the abutting ends of the rods such that the inner surfaces of the inner clamp members contact the corresponding shoulders. When the outer clamp members are urged toward one another, the inner surfaces of the inner clamp members impart forces on the corresponding shoulders that urge the ends of the rods toward one another.

Abstract: A glide movement controller for use with a hinge connection that includes a shaft, as well as a hinge connection and a power saw including such a controller. The glide movement controller includes a generally U-shaped controller body configured to move towards the shaft in a first direction such that resistance upon the shaft is increased and away from the shaft in a second direction such that resistance upon the shaft is decreased; a pair of apertures extending through the controller body; and an interior bearing surface defined on the controller body. The interior bearing surface is configured and arranged to face the shaft. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the interior bearing surface is located between the apertures.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for transmitting torque comprising a shaft journal with an outer annular groove and a hollow shaft with an inner annular groove, wherein, for torque transmitting purposes, the hollow shaft is rotationally fixed to the shaft journal and comprises at least one recess towards the outer circumferential face of the hollow shaft in a partial circumferential region of the inner annular groove. The connecting assembly also includes a radially elastically widenable axial securing ring which is positioned in the outer annular groove of the shaft journal and in the inner annular groove of the hollow shaft, wherein the axial securing ring comprises at least one outwardly projecting projection which is arranged in the at least one recess of the hollow shaft, and securing means which cover the at least one recess and prevent the axial securing ring from being radially widened.

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: In the prior art, a multitude of families of different drills and lengths exist, varying per diameter of the attachment, contrary to attachments with cylindrical bodies, for which a single tool is sufficient. One of ordinary skill in the art must provide for the appropriate tool and device for each thickness of the element being fastened, which represents a significant cost in tooling, in addition to a loss of the time required to change the tooling. The invention relates to the idea of adapting the rate of taper (C1; C2) of the device (1; 20) according to the thickness being fastened (12; 31). Preferably, the rate of taper of the bushings falls between 1% and 4%. Thus, with three or four reference clearances for devices with the same outer diameter (16A; 16C), however a different rate of taper, all conceivable element thicknesses can be fastened, without modifying the diameter of the bore made within the elements being assembled.

Abstract: A mounting rack structure includes a rack body having a plurality of downward extended supporting legs, each of which is provided near a distal end with an mounting hole; a plurality of mounting hole adapters; and a plurality of fastening elements. The mounting hole adapter includes at least one vertical extension portion with a first retaining flange and a central passage having at least one second retaining flange formed therearound; and is assembled to the mounting hole with the first retaining flange firmly pressed against one side of the supporting leg. The fastening element can be extended through the central passage of the mounting hole adapter to firmly lock the supporting leg and accordingly the rack body to a heat-generating unit. With the mounting hole adapter, the mounting rack structure can be used with different types of fastening elements to save the cost for making different molds.

Abstract: An easily assembled swivel mount device includes a housing having a peripheral shoulder abutment and a peripheral ramp which extends toward the shoulder abutment and which terminates at a peripheral blocking protrusion, a swivel member swivelably mounted on the housing by means of a shaft, and a sleeve member having a leading abutment edge which is brought to abut against the shoulder abutment, and an inner peripheral guideway which extends away from the leading abutment edge and which terminates at a peripheral blocked ledge such that the blocked ledge can be retained behind the blocking protrusion after slipping over the peripheral ramp.

Abstract: An exemplary structure includes a first body, a second body and a screw. The screw includes a head and an elongated pole extending from the head. Plural external threads are formed on the pole. The first body defines a through hole with a diameter not smaller than the major diameter of the external threads. The second body defining a latching hole comprising a first portion adjacent to the first body and a second portion farthest away the first body. Plural internal threads matching the external threads are formed on the second body around the first portion. A diameter of the second portion is larger than the major diameter of the external threads. The pole extends through the through hole and threadedly engaged with the internal threads. A free end of the pole farthest away the head is received in the second portion and apart from the second body.

Abstract: A metallic structural part is described which is joined from at least two components (1, 2), of which one component (1) comprises a hub-like nose (3) for receiving the other annular component (2) without play, which is placed on the nose (3) so as to be stopped there and is secured against axial withdrawal by a latching ring which engages in a circular latching recess (8) of one of the two components (1, 2). In order to provide simple constructional conditions it is proposed that the latching ring engaging in the latching recess (8) of the one component (1) consists of a radially projecting ring segment (7) of the other component (2) and that the radial projecting portion (r) of the ring segment (7) corresponds at most to the magnitude of the maximum elastic deformation of the ring segment (7) in the radial direction.

Abstract: A mounting rack structure includes a rack body having a plurality of downward extended supporting legs, each of which is provided near a distal end with an mounting hole; a plurality of mounting hole adapters; and a plurality of fastening elements. The mounting hole adapter includes at least one vertical extension portion with a first retaining flange and a central passage having at least one second retaining flange formed therearound; and is assembled to the mounting hole with the first retaining flange firmly pressed against one side of the supporting leg. The fastening element can be extended through the central passage of the mounting hole adapter to firmly lock the supporting leg and accordingly the rack body to a heat-generating unit. With the mounting hole adapter, the mounting rack structure can be used with different types of fastening elements to save the cost for making different molds.

Abstract: A butt joining method is provided that is capable of joining together two members with high strength and high accuracy by utilizing plastic deformation. A bolt-shaped member having a female part at one end thereof and a piston rod having three annular grooves on a forward end part (male part) fittable to the female part are butted against each other with the female and male parts being fitted to each other. In this state, the side wall of the female part is radially pushed into the annular grooves on the piston rod by mechanical clinching technique. At this time, the pushing process is performed so that clinch portions formed by the pushing process are staggered between mutually adjacent ones of the annular grooves, thereby ensuring the desired joining strength and suppressing the elongation of the material, and thus preventing opening of the butt joint between the bolt-shaped member and the piston rod.

Abstract: A modular column mount comprising a base fixture, a clamp float in engagement with the base fixture, and a first ring in engagement with the clamp float, the ring defining an aperture adapted to accept a steering column therethrough. The modular column mount further comprising at least one of a plurality of second rings of different predetermined inner and outer diameters used singularly or mixed and matched between the aperture of the first ring so as to provide various combinations providing a column mount of predetermined aperture size. The cost of manufacturing and inventory control of various first and second rings is substantially less than the cost of manufacturing and inventory control of column mounts of fixed aperture size in all the various aperture sizes that are possible and provided by the modular column mount.

Abstract: An assembly having a shaft (11) with external splining (23) of a limited length at a shaft end (27), and a hub (41) with a corresponding internal splining (43) that extends essentially the length of the hub. A first axial securing mechanism functions between the shaft and hub, prevents the hub from sliding further onto the shaft, and includes a stop surface (44, 46) on the hub and a counterpart surface (28, 59) on the shaft. A second axial securing mechanism functions between the shaft and hub, prevents the hub from being pulled off from the shaft, and includes a securing ring (51) that is situated at the end of the shaft and the end of the hub oriented toward the shaft end and that engages in radial recesses (48, 54) in the shaft and hub. The recesses form contact surfaces for the securing ring on the shaft and hub.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for detachably interconnecting sections of an operating table. The arrangement includes a first component (1) for associating with a first section of the operating table and a second component (3) for associating with a second section of the operating table. The first component (1) includes a housing (5) having an aperture (17) therein, and a latch assembly (7) having a latch member (18) biased to extend into the aperture (17). The second component (3) includes a projecting leg (9) adapted to be received within the aperture (17). The leg (9) includes a restraining surface (33) engageable with the latch member (19).

Abstract: Retaining rings can be used either externally on a shaft or internally within a bore are provided to form assemblies that can retain a component adjacent to the shaft or bore. The retaining rings can have a rectangular cross-section, and an axial thickness greater than the radial width. Components retained by such retaining rings can have a chamfered or radiused edge, and can overhang the retaining ring. The thrust load applied to the retaining rings can have an axial portion and a radial portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved luer fitting connector is disclosed. The luer fitting connector includes a male or female luer fitting member and a locking member. The locking member may have at least one of a skeletal handle, a finlike handle, a cavity grip, and an undulating grip. The luer fitting connector also may include a male or female luer fitting member having a conical restraining surface and a locking member having a plateau shaped protrusion. A method of assembly of luer fitting connector members is also disclosed. The method may include providing a male or female luer fitting member having a conical restraining surface and providing a locking member having a plateau shaped protrusion. The method also may include mounting the locking member upon the male or female luer fitting member from the rear.

Abstract: A modular column mount comprising a base fixture, a clamp float in engagement with the base fixture, and a first ring in engagement with the clamp float, the ring defining an aperture adapted to accept a steering column therethrough. The modular column mount further comprising at least one of a plurality of second rings of different predetermined inner and outer diameters used singularly or mixed and matched between the aperture of the first ring so as to provide various combinations providing a column mount of predetermined aperture size. The cost of manufacturing and inventory control of various first and second rings is substantially less than the cost of manufacturing and inventory control of column mounts of fixed aperture size in all the various aperture sizes that are possible and provided by the modular column mount.

Abstract: An arrangement for axially supporting two jointly rotating components (2, 3) by way of a snap ring (6) having two displaceable impacting ends (6a, 6b), which are separated from each other by a peripheral gap (7), and which can move in the region of a radial spring path. The snap ring (6) is inserted into an annular groove of the supporting component (2). The supporting component (3) comprises one ramp (8, 9) in the region of the radial spring path of the impacting ends (6a, 6b) of the snap ring (6).

Abstract: In an apparatus for locking and unlocking a vehicle door, an inner cable, with one end connected to a rotor to make a twisting operation in response to the rotation of the rotor of a cylinder lock and the other end connected to a key operation input shaft of a door lock mechanism, is inserted through an outer casing with opposite ends connected to the cylinder lock and the door lock mechanism. A locking part capable of elastically engaging with an engaging part provided at a casing included by the door lock mechanism is provided at an end portion of the outer casing at a side of the door lock mechanism.

Abstract: A liner hanger having a mechanical coupling between a liner hanger body and one or more cones is disclosed. The cones are coupled to the liner hanger body to resist axial and relative rotational movement without welding the cones to the hanger body, and without the need to use integral cones. In general, the mechanical coupling includes a hanger body or casing mandrel, a cone assembly journaled on the casing mandrel, at least one slot or groove in an outer wall of the casing mandrel, and at least one partially or fully annular slot on the inside surface of the cone assembly oriented to correspond with the groove(s) in the outer wall of the hanger body. At least one wire, or one or more bearings, is situated in the corresponding slot and the groove. The wire engages the flanks of the slot and groove sufficiently to resist axial or rotational movement of the cones relative to the hanger body.

Abstract: A coupling structure for a tandem motor includes two bearing sleeves formed with grooves thereon, a connector and elastic fasteners. The connector has a first end and an opposed second end, and each of the first end and second end is formed with at least one groove. A first elastic fastener is fit into the groove of the connector at the first end and received in the groove formed on one of the two bearing sleeve, and a second elastic fastener is fit into the groove of the connector at the second end and received in the grooves formed on the other bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A finger joint for connecting first and second wooden segments includes intermeshing fingers that are concentrically disposed about the center of the end face of the two wooden segments. The fingers may either be independent round protrusions forming recesses therebetween operable to receive the fingers of a corresponding wooden segment to be joined, or may alternatively comprise a spiral shaped protrusion defining a corresponding recess sized to receive the spiral shaped protrusion of the corresponding wooden segment to be joined.

Abstract: A punch rivet (1) has a cutting edge (6) which is arranged on the end face of its rivet shank (2) and is formed in the cutting region by an outer face (5) extending parallel to the axis and a conical inner face (4) of the rivet shank (2). The outer face (5) extends continuously parallel to the axis over the entire rivet shank (2) and the punch rivet (1) is provided with the same cutting edges (6, 7) on either side in an axially symmetrical design in the form of a tube.

Abstract: A punch rivet (1) has a cutting edge (6) which is arranged on the end face of its rivet shank (2) and is formed in the cutting region by an outer face (5) extending parallel to the axis and a conical inner face (4) of the rivet shank (2). The outer face (5) extends continuously parallel to the axis over the entire rivet shank (2) and the punch rivet (1) is provided with the same cutting edges (6, 7) on either side in an axially symmetrical design in the form of a tube.

Abstract: A circlip (8) comprises a band of material forming an incomplete ring, and has curved bearing surfaces (10, 11) at opposite ends of the major transverse dimension of the band. The major transverse dimension is generally oriented at less than 90°, and preferably a small acute angle &agr;, to the central axis A of the ring in the unstressed state of the circlip (8).

Abstract: A latching assembly includes a first mating portion and a second mating portion disposed adjacent and rotationally restrained relative to the first mating portion. A first cam member having a first cam profile is mounted on the first mating portion. A second cam member having a second cam profile is mounted on the second mating portion. The second cam profile is adapted to inter-fit with the first cam profile. Torque induced by the cam members when the cam profiles are engaging rotates the first cam member until the first cam profile is inter-fitted with the second cam profile.

Abstract: A tube and connector arrangement for a lighting fixture, including a tube having two symmetrical rails raised from the inside wall of the tube along the length, and a connector having a longitudinal center through hole for passing the electric wire of the lighting fixture and a stub rod within a circular recess on the periphery of the connector perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector, the stub rod being fitted into one end of the tube and having a round hole communicated with the longitudinal center through hole for passing the electric wire and two longitudinal grooves on the outside wall at two opposite sides respectively made deeper toward the outer end and engaged with the symmetrical rails of the tube.

Abstract: The swivel joint for a support arm adjustably receiving an appliance, lighting fixture or the like, in which hoses, cables, lines or the like can be passed through the support arm and the swivel joint and can be fixed to the swivel joint and to the support arm; the swivel joint has two joint shells (3, 4), which are limitedly rotatable about a common axis (2) and are held together axially, each having one tubular outrigger arm (5, 6) for connection to one support tube segment (7) each, and both joint shells (3, 4) can be released by an actuation element (8) to move them into various rotary positions and can be locked in the particular rotated position.

Abstract: A system for positioning and retaining in place an article of modular furniture in the form of a slab upon the upper face of a rest block comprises an intermediate piece and a fastener. The intermediate piece has a horizontal plate an arcuate heel extending upwardly from the upper face perpendicular to the plate at one end thereof, the shape and dimensions of the heel being the same as a concave recess provided in the external edge of the slab. The lower face of the plate includes a locking mechanism for locking the plate into a recess in the upper face of the rest block. The heel has a hole therethrough positioned to align with a hole in the concave recess in the external edge of the slab. The fastener includes a locking stud and a head, the head having a vertical planar part and a horizontal part which fully close the concave recess in the external edge of the slab when the stud is forced into the holes.

Abstract: A dowel system for securing in a generally abutting relationship two parts or pieces of material having facing surfaces and preformed, aligned annular recesses. The dowel system includes a tubular body having sidewalls which are thinner near the middle of the body than at the ends thereof. The tubular body is dimensioned so that opposite ends thereof may be inserted into respective annular recesses of the two pieces of material, with enough room being left around the sides of the tubular body to allow adhesive to be put in place in the annular recesses to join the tubular body to the sidewalls of the annular recesses.

Abstract: An ornamental ceramic fitting is mounted between two spaced, confronting, axially aligned, tubular members. The distance between the confronting ends of the tubular members is less than the corresponding axial length of the ceramic fitting. The ceramic fitting includes a threaded rod extending therethrough along the axis thereof and a well in each end of the fitting surrounding the threaded rod. The depth of the well in one end exceeds the difference between the axial length of the fitting and the corresponding axial distance between the confronting ends of the tubular members. The fitting is first placed on the end of one of the spaced tubular members and twisted to a position past the normal seated position. This allows proper alignment of the end of the other tubular member, whereupon the fitting is twisted in the opposite direction to properly complete the mounting operation.

Abstract: A bed frame ideally suited for supporting a water mattress or the like comprises first and second frame members including vertically disposed and horizontally spaced pedestals having a pan portion at the upper end thereof. The first and second frame members are secured together to form the frame and are preferably comprised of a molded plastic material. Upstanding side walls are provided at the periphery of the pan portion to form an enclosure for the foam cushions, bolsters or mattress. The mating surfaces of the first and second frame members are provided with a seal so that the frame defines a water-tight enclosure for the water mattress or the like.

Abstract: A system for interlocking the edges and corners of adjacent panels of a pedestal supported, elevated floor construction. Edge and corner clamp units are put in place after set-up of the panels. The edge clamp units include a lower elongated element which drops through a similarly shaped gap between adjacent panels and is then rotated 90.degree. out of alignment. A screw turned from the space above the floor draws the lower clamp element towards an upper clamp element to grip and interlock intervening edges of the adjacent panels. Adjacent corners of four panels are interlocked to a supporting pedestal by an overlying clamp plate. This corner clamp plate is releasably secured to the pedestal by an individual screw which is also tightened from the space above the floor.

Abstract: A digging tooth is removably received within a tooth receiving holder. The holder is attached to a digging apparatus, such as a trencher machine, for example. The holder includes a socket within which a shank of the tooth is removably received. The socket of the holder is in the form of an outwardly opening, elongated cavity which rearwardly tapers so that the cavity is progressively reduced in size. The tooth shank is rearwardly tapered and made complementary respective to the socket cavity, so that when the shank is telescopingly forced into the cavity, it is wedgedly held in assembled relationship and is easily removed therefrom, and the teeth therefore can subsequently be rapidly and easily replaced.

Abstract: A ring wedge joint for interconnecting solid or laminated wood sections, such as bar-shaped or rod-shaped sections used as chair parts, tool handles, window frame sections and the like is formed by alternating ring wedges and ring wedge grooves on the end surfaces of the sections to be connected. The ring wedges and the ring wedge grooves on the end surfaces are offset relative to one another so that the ring wedges on one section fit into the ring wedge grooves on the other. Preferably, the opposite sides of the ring wedges converge toward the end surface of the wood sections while the opposite surfaces of the ring wedge grooves diverge toward the end surfaces.

Abstract: A throw-away loading pallet made from fibre board and having cardboard tubular supports serving as feet, the supports being interconnected by fibre board strips to strengthen them. The tubular supports at one end are secured to the pallet and at their opposite end to the connecting strips by sinking their ends in blind annular openings, with all contact surfaces being glued. The result is a light-weight cheap pallet of unusual strength, which can be recycled as waste pulp.

Abstract: A method for bonding a tubular shaft to an end fitting to produce an assembly wherein the shaft and the end fitting are in axial alignment and which is capable of transmitting high torque, said method employing an end fitting provided with a mating section having two concentric cylindrical walls which describe an annular cavity or socket adapted to receive the tubular shaft therein. The high torque carrying capacity of the joint produced in accordance with the invention results from the fact that the shaft is bonded to the mating section of the end fitting on both its interior and exterior surfaces and is in axial alignment with the end fitting. Such axial alignment results from the presence of a resilient sealing ring and an annular shoulder, positioned near the top and base of the inner cylindrical wall of the mating section, which contact the inner surface of the tubular shaft and center the shaft around said wall when the shaft is inserted into the bonding socket of the end fitting.

Abstract: A releasable locking device comprising a first and a second member movable into and out of engagement with each other, and one or more latch elements arranged within an inner space defined by said members when engaged. The latch elements are freely movable in that space which includes an annular channel, under the influence of gravity between a first position in which they do not interfere with movement of said members into and out of engagement with each other, and a second position in which the latch element or elements block movement of said members out of engagement with each other. The said members preferably comprise a socket member having a recess and a tubular stud member receivable therein. Due to the fact that the latch elements are movable under the influence of gravity the position or orientation of the locking device determines whether the latch elements are in their locking or releasing position.

Abstract: A partially rotated arrangement fastens parts together in nearly perfect alignment. The fasteners utilize semicircular rings which are rotated about the circular axis until each ring lies partly in each of two adjacent parts. The parts so joined together may contain one or more fluid passages or form electric conductors, and more particularly, wave guides.