Abstract: The invention provides a valve stem locking assembly for releasably locking a threaded fastener relative to a valve stem of a quarter-turn valve such as a ball valve. The assembly includes a handle defining an opening shaped to engage a corresponding shape of the valve stem to preclude relative rotation therebetween while allowing relative motion therebetween along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A standard nut engages the handle and is threaded onto the valve stem for movement relative to the valve stem along the axis. A spring biases the nut and the handle into relative rotation resisting engagement with each other. A camming mechanism, defined by the handle and the chamfer of the nut, is biased by the spring to prevent relative rotation therebetween until a desired torque about the axis is applied to the nut relative to the handle.

Abstract: A break-away bracket for connecting structural beams in a vehicle such as connecting a transmission cross-member to a frame rail. The break-away bracket connects to the cross-member by use of a connecting pin. During normal operation, the cross-member is fixed to the bracket, which, in turn, is welded to the frame rail and acts as a normal fixed bracket. During the imposition of excessive loads on the front of the vehicle, a slot connecting between a hole for the connecting pin and an edge of the bracket allows the pin and cross-member to pull away from a portion of the bracket. The bracket yields, allowing axial displacement between the cross-member and the frame rail while still keeping the connection between the two components intact.

Abstract: A turbine flowpath assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart airfoils disposed within an annular outer casing. Each of the airfoils includes outer and inner integral bands. A plurality of flowpath outer and inner panels are disposed between adjacent ones of the bands and circumferentially overlap the bands. The panels and bands are joined together at the respective overlaps using tripod plates and fasteners therethrough for allowing circumferential movement therebetween while providing sealing.

Abstract: A shaft (12) is connected to a disc (20) by a coupling which comprises a spigot (14) which extends from the shaft (12) and locates in a recess (22) in the disc (20). At ambient temperature there is an interference fit between the spigot (14) and the recess (22) which maintains alignment of the disc (20) and the shaft (12) so that they rotate concentrically. At elevated temperatures the interference fit loosens and alignment of the disc (20) and the shaft (12) is maintained by a plurality of ridges (27) on the face (25) of a flange (24) on the disc (20). The ridges (27) have a large radial component and engage with the confronting face (17) of a flange (16) on the shaft (12) to prevent lateral movement between the shaft (12) and the disc (20).

Abstract: For fixing a rigid plate (10) on a fixing surface (12), a pad (18) mounted on the fixing surface (12) through the agency of a flat adhesive joint (20) is disposed in a cavity (14) on the underside of the plate (10). The pad (18) is joined at its centroid to the plate (10). Thereby a tilting moment acting on the plate (10) is transformed into a lifting force acting on the pad (18) in a direction perpendicular to the adhesive joint (20).

Abstract: An umbrella including a central shaft, a plurality of fabric support ribs extending outwardly from the central shaft, a fabric cover associated with the fabric support ribs, a plurality of rib support elements for supporting the fabric support ribs and a plurality of detachable attachment elements, each operative to detachably attach a rib support element onto a fabric support rib, whereby in response to strong winds or other forces, detachment occurs, thereby preventing breakage of the support ribs.

Abstract: A flexible tie strut for supporting both compressive and tensile forces, the flexible tie strut including a tension member and a coaxially mounted compression member, the compression member and the tensile member being interconnected at their respective ends. A coupler for interconnecting struts, and a system of couplers and struts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fuselage skin lap splice for aircraft formed of metal or composite skin panels. The adjacent skin panels comprise an outer skin and an inner skin, having contacting overlapping longitudinal edge portions, and a plurality of fasteners connecting such overlapping edge portions. A plurality of outwardly extending fingers are integrally connected along the edge portion of the inner skin and at least one longitudinal row of fasteners passes through the fingers and connects the outer skin and the fingers. Preferably the fingers are lollipopped, that is, have one or more protrusions thereon. The fingers at the end of the inner skin are flexible and soften and the load transfer through the fasteners, reducing the peak bearing stress and increasing the fatigue life of the splice. Alternatively, the desired flexibility at the end of the inner skin can be achieved by providing a plurality of large holes near the edge of the inner skin rather than by the provision of the fingers having apertures therebetween.

Abstract: A releasable connector for interconnecting a first part and a second part, at least one of the parts being subjected to high stresses in particular of vibratory origin and of thermal origin, the connector comprising a sealing ring compressed between the two parts, a main lip formed on the first part to be interconnected, and at least one connection part for exerting a retaining action on the main lip relative to the second part to be interconnected and for compressing the sealing ring. The connector further includes an intermediate ring provided with a flange and constituted by at least two lengths, the intermediate ring being interposed between the main lip and the connection part and being made of a material of low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic joined, composite body comprises a metallic member and a ceramic member. The metallic member and the ceramic member are provided with a recess and a projection, respectively, and are integrally joined by inserting the projection into the recess. The recess of the metallic member is provided with a stepped portion to increase an inner diameter of the recess at an opening portion thereof, and a brazing metal is interposed at least in a gap between the stepped portion and the projection of the ceramic member. Alternatively, a groove is provided over substantially the entire periphery of the projection of the ceramic member in vicinity of an end of a joined portion between the metallic member and the ceramic member, and a brazing metal is interposed at least between an edge of the groove and the recess of the metallic member. Besides the above, the axial length L.sub.

Abstract: A flexible flow through saddle for ship-to-ship refueling systems. The flble flow through saddle includes a tubular structure having a pair of ribs located on the top and bottom of the tubular structure, each rib having an aperture therein. Extending from each end of the tubular structure and having an end portion thereof connected to the tubular structure is a helical shaped wire. The opposite end portion of each helical shaped wire is connected to a coupling member. That portion of each helical shaped wire between the coupling member and the tubular structure is encased in an elastomeric material which provides for flexibility and prevents premature fatigue and rupture of a hose element connected by the coupling member to the tubular structure through the encased helical shaped wire.

Abstract: A structural joint which may be for orthopedic use is effective to simultaneously resist bending and torsional loading. It includes a female member formed with a cone shaped bore and a mouth defining entry into the bore. A male member matingly engageable with the female member has a contoured outer surface which includes a coupling element sized and shaped for mating engagement with the bore. When the male and female members are joined, the coupling element extends to a location within the bore spaced from the mouth and joins, via a smooth surfaced intermediate element, to a transitional element whose transverse dimension is substantially smaller than the mouth of the bore as it extends through and beyond the mouth. The bore and the coupling element may be mutually tapered such that the male and female members become locked together when engaged.

Abstract: A bending strain relief includes a generally transparent, flexible member for receipt over a hose assembly. An opening extends longitudinally through the strain relief having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the hose assembly. The cross-sectional dimension is also designed for interference fit with a swaged region or coupling end of the hose assembly. A stiffener member having a generally helical conformation extends from an outer end of the bending strain relief toward an inner end thereof. A first region of the bending strain relief encapsulates the stiffener member therein, and a second region is void of any stiffener member. The longitudinal opening of the bending strain relief is preferably non-circular and is designed to provide an interference fit with a coupling nut to hold the bending strain relief in place.

Abstract: A plumbers snake having a weighted member and a connected jointed end portion which is connected to the leading end of an elongated flexible member for facilitating the threading of the elongated member through a length of pipe for clearing and/or removing an obstruction in such pipe. The weighted end and jointed members are arranged to facilitate negotiating sharp bends formed in such pipes by the jointed members being hingedly connected for movement in different planes, and which jointed portion is rendered either flexible for passing through bends or rigid to form a ram rod upon meeting an obstruction. This is attained by a jointed end portion formed of a plurality of connected links having complementary ball and socket interconnecting portions whereby the jointed end portion is rendered either flexible or rigid depending upon the form and/or nature of the obstruction encountered.

Abstract: A device for relieving thermally induced stresses developed in a nuclear fuel assembly during reactor heatup is disclosed herein. The device generally comprises a stress relieving fastener capable of connecting a fuel assembly top nozzle, which may be stainless steel, to a threaded stud, which may be Zircaloy. The stud is attached to a fuel assembly channel. The fastener includes a threaded nut having a deformable portion for relieving thermally induced stresses developed in the stud by the differential thermal expansion of the top nozzle and stud. In a first embodiment of the nut, the deformable portion comprises a circumferential, deformable ridge which is substantially recessed from the marginal edge of the nut and which is disposed on the bottom most surface of the nut. The ridge contacts the top nozzle when the nut threadedly engages the stud. A second embodiment of the nut is similar to the first embodiment except that the deformable ridge is disposed flush with the marginal edge of the nut.

Abstract: A highly-resilient shaft coupling includes a hub for rotating about a longitudinal axis, a drive ring, a resilient ring assembly including two axially-continuous circular ring parts bearing radially on the hub. Each ring part includes elastomeric ring sectors and ring sector plates adhered to opposite axial ends of each elastomeric ring sector. An elastomeric ring sector of one circular ring part spans parts of two elastomeric ring sectors of the other ring part. A drive ring drivingly interconnects the hub and the resilient ring assembly at one axial end thereof. Fastener means secure together the ring sector plates at one axial end of each of the two circular ring parts, in a confronting relation. Passageways for cooling air extend between the ring sectors which are secure together. A coupling part is secured to one of the ring sectors at the end which is opposite the drive ring.

Abstract: A sucker rod construction including a connector member being formed to define a rod receptacle having a closed axially inner end and an open axially outer end. The rod receptacle has a plurality of axially spaced, tapered annular surfaces. The end of a cylindrical fiberglass rod is received within said rod receptacle through the outer end and cooperates therewith to define an annular chamber between the outer surface of the end of the rod and the tapered annular surfaces. A bonding material is positioned in the annular chamber and bonds the outer surface of the end of the rod and the tapered annular surfaces. Each of the annular surfaces has an angle of taper with respect to the outer surface of the fiberglass rod, and each angle of taper is progressively less toward the open end by at least one and one-half degrees.

Abstract: A device is provided for connecting two cables together, comprising a short linking rod having a partially spherical member at each end thereof, a first pair of sockets, each socket of said first pair receiving a respective one of said spherical members and forming a ball and socket joint therewith, and a second pair of sockets, each socket of said second pair being detachably connected to a respective one of the sockets of said first pair and having an axial passage receiving one end portion of one of the two cables to be connected, wherein each socket of the second pair has a generally cylindrical outer shape and its axial passage is also cylindrical with a diameter corresponding to that of the end portion of the cable received therein, and each socket of the second pair is secured to the end portion of the corresponding cable by constricting said socket of said second pair through a constricting die.

Abstract: An arrangement for lifting and lowering a window, especially of a motor vehicle by means of an entrainment member adjustable along a guide rail; the ends of cable sections extending approximately parallel to the guide rail are secured at the entrainment member by squeeze nipples whose longitudinal axes extend at an obtuse angle to the cable sections coordinated thereto.

Abstract: The invention refers to a hub for fans, wheels or the like, mainly consisting of a cast compound such as plastic. Adjacent the bore (3) of the hub there is embedded a reinforcing coil (4) preferably of steel. This coil is so strong that it at temperature variations will urge the cast compound to follow the thermal dimension variations of the coil (4).

Abstract: A strain relief for the point of attachment of a flexible member to a rigid member, comprising a plurality of woven braided strands. The weaving is close or narrow at the point of attachment and progressively more open or wide along the flexible member as the distance from the point of attachment increases, distributing stress along the length of the flexible member.

Abstract: A stud assembly, for securing a nonstructural decorative panel to the interior of an aircraft, includes a threaded shank fixed to one side of a flat base, the peripheral area of the opposite side of the base being joined to the peripheral area of a flat disc, the opposite side of the flat disc having an adhesive applied thereto, so that, when a nut is tightened on the shank to its proper torque level, the tensile force in the shank allows a dimpling effect in the flat base but not in the flat disc or the panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing strain relief to a cable splice area is disclosed. A length of flexible cord is secured to the cable on each side of the splice. A frictional substrate is supported over the cord and the cable. The frictional substrate is compressily secured to the cable thereby frictionally supporting the cord to the cable.

Abstract: A stud assembly, for securing a nonstructural decorative panel to the interior of an aircraft, includes a threaded shank fixed to one side a flat base, the opposite side of the base having an adhesive applied in a donut fashion, so that, when a nut is tightened on the shank to its proper torque level, the tensile force in the shank allows a dimpling effect in the base but not in the panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable fastener for fastening pulling cables to the suspension levers of textile dobbies of the negative type, said fastener being constituted by two parallel side elements which support a pin for the pivoting connection of the fastener to the end of the corresponding suspension lever, a curved lower guide, and an upper stop provided with two forks which are traversed by threaded end pieces fixed to the pulling cables and which form support for adjusting nuts.

Abstract: Sharp bends or kinks which produce microcracks in optical fiber cables are eliminated through the use of a strain relief assembly. The assembly comprises a straight cable duct (101) and a curved cable duct (102). The curved cable duct extends from the straight cable duct and guides an optical cable in a gradually curving path which lies in two orthogonal planes. This assembly is especially suitable for guiding optical cables to closely spaced circuit modules within an equipment bay or shelf.

Abstract: A bending strain relief device in the form of an elongated tubular member having a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of rigid sleeve members positioned one after another along the axis. The sleeve members are connected together only by elastomeric material which deforms and flows elastically during relative angular movement between adjacent sleeve members for imparting curvature to the tubular member. Adjacent sleeve members have cooperating surfaces which interfere with each other to effectively limit the maximum degree of relative angular movement and thereby limit the degree of curvature which can be imparted to the tubular member.

Abstract: A self-equilibrating coupler suitable for simultaneous tensioning of two ends of cable, said coupler having two uniformly curved surfaces in one plane, in fixed position one to the other, the two curved surfaces curving from each other in an amount sufficient to permit jacking and anchoring of both cable ends, the two curved surfaces being separated in the said plane, at the coupler geometric center, in an amount at least as great as twice the diameter of the cable, and the tangents at the entering point of each cable on the curved surface being separated within the plane in an amount equal to one cable diameter.

Abstract: A shaft clamping device is disclosed comprising an annular collar having a radial through slot. The collar has a recess and a coaxially aligned tapped opening respectively formed on opposite sides of the slot and which cooperate with a clamping screw for expanding or contracting the diameter of a clamping surface defined by the center opening of the collar. The collar recess includes a tapered diameter surface between an enlarged entrance of the recess and a clearance hole therein to provide a clamping screw bearing shoulder for seating a tapered diameter bearing surface of the clamping screw and providing for reduced stress concentration in a clamping collar of increased strength.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic strain relief grommet which comprises a female member having a flanged U-shaped head end face and a chamber for accommodating a stretched electrical conductor means, a male member adapted to fit within the chamber of the female member for distortion and locking engagement of said conductor therewith, and a connecting means for connecting said two members in the form of a unitary set. The two members remain in the form of a unitary set connected by the connecting without accidental separation from each other until the grommet is put to actual use.

Abstract: Specially designed stress relief grooves for threaded end portions of tools and for collars on reciprocating or rotating drill string mounted tools.

Abstract: A coupling rod for connecting the ends of a conveyor belt comprises a flele core enclosed within a plurality of sleeves, each of which has curved end faces in contact with mating faces of adjacent sleeves. The sleeves may have both end faces convex or concave, or one end face convex and the other end face concave. The sleeve bores may vary in diameter along their lengths, the smallest diameter being in the middle of the bore for a sleeve having both end faces convex, or at the concave end face of a sleeve having one end face convex and the other end face concave so as to bear evenly on the core when the rod bends under load.

Abstract: A joint interconnecting a driving member and a driven member with limited relative mobility comprises one or more elastic rings each bracketed by an outer and an inner annular plate, the plates being respectively secured to the two members. A friction coupling is inserted between one of the outer plates and one of the inner plates to damp relative oscillations between the two members without excessive heating of the elastic rings. The friction coupling may be formed by a brake lining inserted between the two plates, or a pair of such brake linings separated by a resilient annular spacer.

Abstract: A drilling tool consists of a drill and a tubular shaped receiving part fitted onto the trailing end of the drill. The outer surface of the receiving part is shaped to fit into the chuck or retainer of a drilling device which rotates the drill. The inner surface of the receiving part and the juxtaposed surface on the trailing end of the drill are in locking engagement, however, under certain torque conditions the locking engagement will be released so that the receiving part can rotate relative to the drill. Preferably, the locking engagement is established by deflectable projections formed on at least one of the receiving part and the drill which seat into recesses formed on the juxtaposed surface of the other. Passageways are provided between the trailing end of the drill and the receiving part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic device for clampingly holding a length of electric cord which device comprises two "L"-shaped halves hinge-connected to each other, each having an L-shaped groove. In use, a length of electric cord is curved in the form of an L, and is fitted in the groove of one half, and then the other half is rotated around the hinge-connection to overlie said half in which the cord has been fitted. The two grooves constitute a complete round hole in which the electric cord is contained in a clamped condition.With this arrangement the clamp holder according to this invention assures a positive grip of the electric cord against any "pull-out" force applied to the electric cord.