Abstract: A device at a brake actuator for permitting thrust force transmission between an axially movable push rod (4) of the actuator and a brake block holder (6) moving out of line with the push rod.In order to ensure force transmission irrespective of the brake block holder movements and to avoid any slippage between the members a transmission part (5) is arranged between the push rod (4) and the brake block holder (6) and has spherical surfaces in engagement therewith, these surfaces having a common center.

Abstract: An articulated joint for an articulated vehicle. Upper and lower pivotal connections, each employing a ball and socket, allow pivoting of two vehicle sections about a vertical axis. The ball of the lower joint is attached to one section while the socket is attached to the other section of the vehicle. The socket and ball of the upper joint are attached to a support member free to move along a shaft in a transverse direction between two stops. The ball of the upper joint is free to move along a vertical shaft joined to the other section of the vehicle. The transverse shaft provides a bearing surface to transmit loads between the two vehicle sections. Seals along the support member prevent entrainment of dirt along the shaft and bearing. The stops are part of the structure attaching the transverse shaft to the vehicle.

Abstract: A joint unit which provides a cluster of up to six ball-and-socket joints. The balls of the ball-and-socket joints are arranged as, or as part of, a substantially close-packed cluster, and a binder supports the balls in position and provides a socket for each ball.The joint unit provides multiple ball-and-socket joints concentrated into a small volume, and is useful for many different applications, but especially for making crystallographic, geometric or molecular models.

Abstract: A tiller-crossbar connector for catamaran rudder control includes a central bolt member passing through a spherical nylon member at one end and through a hemispherical nylon member at the opposite end with a spring member disposed between the two nylon members. Each nylon member is positioned within the bolt-retaining recess of a corresponding standard end cap and the spherical curvatures of these nylon members conform to the hemispherical curvature of the standard bolt-retaining recess. With the spring member disposed between these two end caps, the entire connector and end cap assembly is able to be tightly clamped together by means of a nut threadedly received on one end of the central bolt member.

Abstract: A ball and socket connector. A socket frame includes a pair of half tubes welded together with the opposite distal ends forming sockets bearingly receiving ball-shaped ends of a pair of elements. The half tubes are connected together at a location remote from the sockets thereby spring-biasing the socket-forming members against the ball-shaped ends. Planar surfaces are provided within each socket allowing the ball-shaped ends to contact the half tubes along a line of contact.

Abstract: A variable position friction joint, including a housing defining a housing cavity receiving therein a relatively soft lining material defining a lining cavity. A joint member has a rounded end which is received with a snug friction fit within the lining cavity, said joint member and said housing being selectively movable relative to each other. The joint member and said housing may be tipped relative to each other and/or they may be selectively moved rotationally relative to each other relative to the axis of said joint member. The rounded end of the joint member may include a plurality of valleys in the surface thereof to prevent squeaking of the joint when said joint member and said housing are moved relative to each other. The lining material may comprise either a tubular member defining a cylindrical lining cavity or another member which defines a generally spherical lining cavity.

Abstract: A spring biased prop for use with a pivot member, such as a window, hinged to a support member. The prop includes sliding tubular telescopic members each carrying a pivoted arm part for attachment to the pivot member or support member. A sleeve formed of generally friction free material, such as nylon or Teflon, is fitted between the tubular members to accommodate sliding movement of the members relative to each other.

Abstract: A ball-joint includes a housing with an inwardly facing projection, a ball socket secured to the housing near an end thereof, and a ball pin engaged in the ball socket. A portion of the ball socket extends towards the ball, so as to at least partially surround the ball, and has a plurality of slots extending in a meridional direction towards the free end of the ball socket, so as to form tongues between the slots. The ball socket has an external groove in a portion thereof extending in a direction away from the ball, which engages the projection of the housing, so that the ball pin may be inserted into the ball socket by elastically deforming the tongues, and subsequently the ball socket may be slid into the housing.

Abstract: An interconnecting device for use with a plurality of spaced floating breakwater columns comprising a plurality of spaced spherical elements wherein each element is encompassed by a pair of flanged hemispherical plate members. A hollow rubber spherical member is secured to the interior surface of the hemispherical plate members and abuttingly engages the spherical element. A pair of plate members interconnect the flanged hemispherical plate members to provide an integral assembly unit with the rubber element providing resiliency. Each spherical element has an outwardly projecting hub that is flanged to permit its attachment to the breakwater columns.

Abstract: A tree and stump splitter having a vertical edged splitting blade, a horizontal cut off blade, and quick attachment means to secure the splitter to a bulldozer blade.

Abstract: A valve system for protection of the valve surface from abrasion and wear normally caused by the flow vertically therethrough of wear-causing materials, such as pulverized cement, sand, ashes, ground and stone dust, hydrated lime, zincoxide, zinc mixtures, aluminum oxide, perlite, sewage and other granulated or comminuted fluid materials in a dry or liquid state, often piped under considerable pressure differences, has an elongated vertical housing with a funnel on top, an annular seat with an orifice wider than that of the funnel beneath it, a bulbous valve for closing the seal from the side opposite of the funnel and protruding into the seat when closed, means of support of the valve pivotally attached to the valve and control means of the means of support, to swing the valve laterally in and out of sealing position with the seat.