Abstract: The disclosed retainer is useful in tying together sections of concrete or like elements; e.g., in roads, highways and the like, especially where a new section is laid next to and is positively joined to an existing section by several dowels inserted into drilled holes in the old section and left protruding to interlock with the poured new section. The function of the retainer is to slip over the dowel to abut the old section and to prevent leakage of the grout or other adhesive used to cement the dowel to the old section. The retainer of the present invention is preferably a disk of relatively stiff but flexible material having a central circular opening to fit frictionally over the dowel.

Abstract: A combination for retaining a solenoid valve assembly in position on a transmission housing comprises a protrusion on the housing and a resilient U-shaped clip. The protrusion has a cylindrical pocket to receive a portion of the solenoid assembly and a clip receiving slot which is perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the pocket. The clip is substantially planar and holds the solenoid assembly in place by simultaneously engaging aligned slots in the protrusion and in the solenoid assembly. At the free ends of the U-shaped clip are inwardly extending toe portions which cause opposed arms of the clip to be flexed resiliently outwardly as the clip is inserted into or withdrawn from the aligned slots in the protrusion and in the solenoid assembly. Broad bladed legs intermediate the arms and toes enable the clip to withstand fluid pressure which tends to eject the solenoid assembly from the pocket.

Abstract: This snap ring has outer and inner fingers which extend slightly from the ring. Thereby it becomes possible to embrace the ends of the fingers by a plier from the outside to press the ends of the fingers towards each other and thereby to widen the inner diameter of the snap ring in a limited extent for moving the ring over a respective bar. The inner face of the ring may be circular or of angular configuration. An accessory shows especially suitable pliers for the use of handling the snap ring.

Abstract: A fastening for mounting on a pipe shaft or hollow polygonal cross-sectional shaft for use in a business machine or other industrial machine to hold an element on the shaft. The fastening has a ring having a gap at a peripheral portion, the portions of the ring on opposite sides of the gap being a pair of holding arms extending peripherally toward the gap, the holding arms having the ends opposed to each other and spaced slightly less than the diameter of the pipe and positioned a little past a diameter through the center of the ring and perpendicular to a diameter extending through the gap. Each holding arm has a curved holding surface at the end thereof on the inside of the ring for intimate engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: To prevent movement of an article along a shaft or a bore, an element engages the article and engages the shaft or bore at locations forming an angle no greater than tan.sup.-1 .mu..The locations of engagement lie in a first plane extending perpendicular to a second plane in which lies the axis of the bore or shaft. A third plane extends perpendicular to the axis. The angle is between the first and third planes. .mu. is the coefficient of friction between the element and the bore or shaft.

Abstract: A retainer assembly for retaining a bolt in engagement with a first member during assembly or after disassembly of the first member from a second member comprises a retainer formed with a throughbore and an annular slot at one end of the throughbore, a bolt having a shank formed with a smooth section, a threaded section and a groove therebetween, and a triangular-shaped locking ring which is carried within the slot formed in the retainer. The threaded section of the shank of the bolt is first inserted through the locking ring and then into the throughbore of the retainer for mounting within a threaded bore formed in a second member. Upon disassembly of the bolt from the second member, the bolt is moved in the opposite direction along the throughbore of the retainer until the locking ring engages the groove in the shank of the bolt which prevents disengagement of the bolt from the retainer.

Abstract: A corneal rivet for passing internally through the cornea and for providing closure of an incision in the cornea with a mechanically and optically configured rivet body including a first rivet head secured at one end thereto and a second member for securing to the other end of the rivet. The securing can either be through frictional engagement of the second member to the rivet body, through a knotting, a crimping, staking, threading, pinning, heat forming a ball or mushroom member, or a ratcheting engagement. The corneal rivet body can be utilized to suture other tissues besides the cornea, such as sclera, iris, other ocular tissues, skin, flesh or the like.

Abstract: A loss-proof fastener of the type comprising a fastener member including a shank portion having an annular groove (2) and a ring (3) in the groove and transversely split (7) so as to provide an elastic deformation in the direction of the circumference, whereby in a rest condition the ring projects beyond the shank portion surface and in a compressed condition is retracted within the groove, the ring having a cross-section such that the ring is elastically deformable so as to be capable of transverse elongation and radial contraction when the ring is compressed, and the ring when positioned in the groove having a lateral play to permit the cross-section thereof to freely deform when compressed between the rest and the compressed conditions.

Abstract: A pulled-type motor vehicle clutch to be used between a combustion engine and a gear box comprises a clutch release ring, axial movement of which results in releasing or opening the clutch. A clutch release sleeve is insertable into the clutch release ring and is connectable to the clutch release ring by a wire clip. The wire clip has a circular basic wire ring and two end portions. The wire ring extends over nearly 360.degree.. A gap is defined between the ends of the circular basic wire ring. The end portions are adjoined to the ends of the circular basic wire ring. These end portions can be engaged by hand or by a tool for widening the circular basic wire ring. The end portions cross each other. The gripping faces are directed in opposite circumferential directions away from each other such that mutually approaching said gripping faces results in widening the circular basic wire ring.

Abstract: A rivet for holding together first and second members utilizing a shaft having first and second end portions. The first and second end portions of the shaft at least partially occupy the openings through the first and second members respectively. A cap having an internal bore grips the first end of the shaft which is extended through the first member. The cap has an enlargement including an exterior surface for frictionally engaging the opening through the first member. The shaft also includes an enlargement on the second end portion which is capable of frictionally engaging the second member.

Abstract: To prevent movement of an article along a shaft or a bore, an element engages the article and engages the shaft or bore at locations forming an angle no greater than tan.sup.-1 .mu..The locations of engagement lie in a first plane extending perpendicular to a second plane in which lies the axis of the bore or shaft. A third plane extends perpendicular to the axis. The angle is between the first and third planes. .mu. is the coefficient of friction between the element and the bore or shaft.

Abstract: A pressure cylinder has a piston actuated by a force-input rod. An enlarged head of the rod is engaged by a washer and the assembly retained within the cylinder by a cup-shaped retainer press-fitted into the cylinder open end. An outer surface of the retainer is flush with the adjacent axially outermost surface of the cylinder and engages a support, to which the cylinder is fixed, in order to transmit to the support retraction forces sustained by the rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for compressing a retainer ring to reduced assembly size and maintaining the compressed ring assembly size at an assembly location by internal containment means. The apparatus typically includes a ring compressing assembly for compressing the ring from the exterior and mandrel means disposed in the compressing means and around which the ring is compressed to assembly size. The mandrel means includes a lug-retaining groove means into which retainer ring lugs having special flats are compressed and retained interiorly of the ring to hold the ring at reduced assembly size. The compressed retainer ring is carried to the assembly location outside the compressing means on the mandrel means and is stripped from the mandrel means for final assembly internally in a part. The ring compressing assembly is carried on a first slide for movement between a ring load position and a ring assembly position.

Abstract: An improved, thin walled fastener for retaining studs, rods, or the like is provided. The fastener is of the push-on type comprising a one-piece, generally thin, stamped sheet metal resilient body defining a generally centrally located stud retaining aperture for receipt and retention of studs, rods or the like. The body is preferably generally frusto-conical or dome shaped in cross section. The fastener is formed by punching or shearing a hole in a blank and then forming a generally dome shaped impression in the blank, the impression being generally coaxial with the axis of the punched hole. The required transverse extensions of the body are minimized by the utilization of the relatively smooth continuous edge of the punched hole rather than the burred edge of a punched hole as the stud retaining edge of the fastener stud retaining aperture.

Abstract: The lead reservoir and feed mechanism of a knock type mechanical pencil is secured to the tubular barrel in which it is housed by a resilient locking sleeve positioned in a groove near the front of the feed mechanism and a spring compressed between a rearwardly facing internal abutment on the feed mechanism. The spring urges the lead reservoir and feed mechanism rearwardly into the barrel to a position where an external flange on the locking sleeve abuts the front end of the barrel.

Abstract: A bowed external spring retaining ring of the E-shaped type includes flats at the leading and trailing ends of the ring. The flats from leading and trailing edges of the ring which are rounded on a concave side of the ring. The ring is formed by a punch which has an end face comprised of a concave portion and straight portions, the latter forming the flats on the ring.

Abstract: A positionally bistable domed annular disc includes a projection which engages a transverse through hole or a recess in a shaft to be retained. The disc fits concentrically about the shaft and is concave in different directions when in its two stable positions, respectively. In a cotter pin embodiment the projection extends from the outer rim of the disc and is bent to fit solidly in a transverse hole in the shaft. The projection is inserted when the disc is convex toward the hole and not surrounding the shaft. When switched to be concave toward the hole the disc surrounds the shaft to preclude longitudinal and rotative movement of the projection. In a retainer ring embodiment the projection is a plurality of fingers extending from one or both rims and arranged to engage the shaft or the bore in which the shaft is retained in its closed position. In a shaft coupling embodiment the projecting fingers engage two or more shafts in a manner which tolerates axial, radial and angular shaft misalignment.

Abstract: A mechanical detent for engaging a valve spool having a linear element wire spring positioned transverse to the valve spool for engaging circumferential grooves in the spool. The linear element spring includes a single wire spring having a triangular or square shape, or alternatively, one or more non-integral straight wire springs. Extensions of the linear element spring extend a distance away from the spool that is greater than the spring wire diameter. The extensions allow the spring to be movable out of the groove, while still permitting a small diameter spring wire.

Abstract: A captive panel fastener assembly comprising a bolt having an enlarged head at one end, a nose at the other end, and an intermediate body portion, a groove provided on the bolt between the nose and the body portion, a panel having the hole extending therethrough with a grommet assembly mounted therein for retaining the bolt in a first position held out from the access side of said panel and for retaining said bolt in a second position wherein the bolt is adapted to engage a receptacle assembly mounted in an adjacent sub-panel. The grommet assembly includes an annular cavity therein having a retaining ring mounted in the cavity along the body of said bolt toward said head when the bolt is inserted into the grommet assembly, then moves back along the body of the bolt and into the groove of said bolt when the bolt is moved to the first position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stop member which is used in a four-wheel vehicle drive system in an automotive vehicle. Particularly, the stop member includes a tentative holding portion which provides for temporary alignment of members of the transmission, and a firmly gripping portion which firmly holds members of the transmission together once they are appropriately aligned. Specifically, the stop member includes a pair of legs for the tentative holding portion and an enclosed area for the firmly gripping portion. The firmly gripping portion of the stop member contacts with a fork shaft in the transmission to hold the fork shaft at a fixed position.

Abstract: The combination comprising a machine element, a tubular member and a ring fastener for mounting the machine element in the circular bore of the tubular member, the ring fastener being in the form of a split annular ring member having confronting end faces, the ring member being of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of a bore in the tubular member, each end face having a first axial portion extending generally parallel to the axis of the ring member and a second inclined portion extending at a predetermined angle to the axis of the ring member. The first and second portions of the end faces normally align and confront in the relaxed condition of the ring member and are displaceable axially relative to one another for insertion in the bore of the tubular member and after seating in the bore displaceable in an opposite axial direction by application of an axial force adjacent the axial end faces.

Abstract: A bowed internal retaining ring comprises a middle tab and a pair of intermediate tabs projecting generally radially from the ring, said middle tab being flat and coplanar with a pair of flat end sections of the ring. The ring can be installed forwardly or backwardly without appreciably altering the performance of the ring.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a protective anti-theft device for installation on a fireplug is shown. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a nut suitable for installation on a fireplug is provided, the nut having an external groove to receive a snap ring therein. A sleeve is joined to the nut by means of a cooperative groove receiving the snap ring therein. This enables the sleeve to free wheel around the nut. The free wheeling sleeve prevents theft and pilferage of the nut once it is installed on a fireplug at the top end to support the stem in the fireplug.

Abstract: A cowling device for a cycle type vehicle includes a forward unit defining a radiator air intake opening and separate removable central panels spaced from the forward unit to define a pair of side air exit openings. A relatively small amount of intake air is ducted between these central panels to the powerplant, while most is ducted alongside the vehicle through the air exit openings in a streamlined manner.

Abstract: An applicator for installing a radially installed spring retaining ring into an external groove of a shaft comprises a ramp having a slot for receiving a groove shaft. The ramp also includes a pair of opposed side walls between which the rings travel. Each ring includes a pair of flats arranged to guidingly engage the side walls to prevent the ring from rotating as it advances along the ramp.

Abstract: A spring ring is arranged in an annular gap of a pair of outer bearing rings in an arrangement for fastening a rolling bearing in the bore of a housing. A groove is provided in the housing for receiving the spring ring. A holding ring is mounted on the outer surface of the bearing outer ring, the holding ring having a collar aligned to hold the spring ring within the annular gap during the disassembled condition of the bearing. The holding ring has an axial surface adapted to engage the end of the housing during assembly, to enable the holding ring to be forced axially along the outer surface of the bearing outer ring. The holding ring futher has an end away from the spring ring adapted to form a seal with the bearing inner ring.

Abstract: A flexible retainer for coupling an inner polygonal stud and an outer tubular member includes an elongated arm from which a pair of spaced fingers transversely extend. The outer tubular member includes a polygonal bore into which the inner stud is inserted in a telescoping manner. The inner stud includes a transverse hole which when aligned with diametrically positioned lateral apertures in the outer tubular member forms a generally transverse channel in the telescoping member combination. With the arm of the retainer positioned around a portion of the periphery of the outer tubular member, each of the fingers positioned thereon may be inserted within a respective lateral aperture of the outer tubular member so as to extend into the transverse hole of the stud in securely coupling the two telescoping members.

Abstract: A retention for male and female structural members, including a self-locking selectively releasable locking spring wire or clip received in opposing grooves on the male and female members for locking the two members together, and interengaged threaded formations on the two members for absorbing a major portion of any force tending to axially separate the two members.

Abstract: In order to support an annular member, to which the non-rotatable center hub is connected, on a tubular holder without permitting an axial play of the annular member relative to the tubular holder, an improved measure is disclosed which comprises an annular groove formed about the tubular holder, the rounded bottom surface of the annular groove being tapered toward the major portion of the tubular holder, and a snap ring coaxially disposed in the annular groove with its inner wall contacting with the tapered bottom surface of the annular groove and its inboard side surface slidably contacting with an axial end surface of the annular member.

Abstract: This invention provides a captive fastener in which a nut is held to a workpiece by a retainer ring held in a two-piece grommet attached to the workpiece, the retainer ring being flat and split, with its grain perpendicular to a diameter bisecting the split, and its inner and outer edges having alternate elongated recesses to increase the effective ring width without increasing spring force. The stud assembly includes a cage secured to the other workpiece, with side flanges removably and floatingly retaining a housing in which is a stud and spring biased ratchet washer. The notched outer end of the housing is bent over the head of the stud to secure the stud. The ratchet washer has tabs fitting in the housing wall, and ratchet teeth to engage teeth on the end of the nut. A cover fits over the housing.

Abstract: A snap stud usable in window hardware, such as window operators and window hinges, for releasably pivotally interconnecting a pair of members. The snap stud has a stud extending from a first of the members and provided with an external peripheral groove which mounts a C-ring of spring music wire. The C-ring has a retention position partially extending beyond the periphery of the stud for overlying a second of the members and a compressed release position substantially entirely within the periphery of the stud, with the movement of the C-ring to the compressed release position occurring automatically in assembly and disassembly of said members.

Abstract: A lock including an elongate member which is inserted into a lock housing, useful in locking structural frame members together, among other things.

Abstract: The caliper (52), in the form of a closed frame surrounding the fixed support (50), incorporates at least one axial reinforcing member (3) joining two axially separated zones (1, 2) of the caliper by passing through them and extending radially beyond the periphery of the disc (53). The reinforcing member incorporates a head (4), which is received within a complementary recess in the first zone of the caliper (1), and a threaded end cooperating with first and second locking and tightening elements, cooperating with each other (for example a locking nut 5 and a removable washer 10) of which the first elements is lockable on the threaded end so as to give, together with the second element, a predetermined tension to the reinforcing member, the second element being capable of being selectively disengaged to allow the reinforcing member to be separated (by tilting or longitudinal displacement) from the second zone (2) of the caliper.

Abstract: In order to provide an unobstructed outer face on a retaining ring for the seal assembly of a butterfly valve, so that the outer face can make an improved seal with an adjacent pipe end, the retaining ring is held captive in the valve housing by a wire ring, instead of by the usual screws which penetrate the outer face and inhibit sealing with the pipe end. The wire ring is of regular polygonal shape such that the central portions of its sides are received in a radially outwardly facing groove in the retaining ring, and its corners are received in a radially inwardly facing groove in the housing. A helical lead-in groove in the housing connects with the housing groove to permit assembly of the retaining ring to the housing by a screwing action.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the reciprocable plunger type has a pump plunger which is slidable within a pump barrel about which is mounted an angularly movable sleeve. The sleeve and plunger are interconnected so that they can move axially relative to each other but are restrained against relative angular movement. An arm is coupled to the sleeve its inner end lying within a slot in the sleeve, the arm being provided with limbs which lie within a circumferential groove, the arms embracing the sleeve to retain the inner end of the arm within the slot.

Abstract: An excavating tooth has a blade of substantially constant thickness with a transverse shoulder at its inner end and a longitudinal gusset. The tooth terminates in a reduced diameter spindle and a button with a shoulder on its forward face. The adapter has a recess to receive the tooth, the forward end of the adapter receiving the thrust of the tooth because the transverse shoulder bears thereagainst. A top to bottom opening in the adapter intersects the recess at the spindle. A pair of grooves are formed on the outside edges of the opening with projections extending inward from the outer walls of the grooves. A retainer is formed of round cross-section wire and slides in the grooves between locked and unlocked positions, the diameter of the wire being less than the width of the grooves. The retainer is symmetrical about its longitudinal center line, having a slightly upward bowed top connector and legs depending from either end of the connector.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a means for coupling an oscillator mechanism of a fishing reel to the spool of the fishing reel so that the spool will reciprocate back and forth as the fishing line is wound thereon. The spool shaft is received in a mounting mechanism associated with the yoke strap cam follower portion of the oscillating mechanism. An undercut groove on the shaft facilitates its fastening to the yoke strap.

Abstract: A snap ring cooperating with a double acting cam provided by a land formed on the shank of the bolt serves to lock the bolt into place and requires a positive predetermined torque to retract the bolt.

Abstract: A captive panel fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded shank with a pair of slots extending longitudinally along the outer periphery of said shank through the threads thereon. A C-shaped ring is trapped in a grommet assembly and has a pair of inwardly extending ends riding in the slots. In this manner, when the grommet assembly is installed in an aperture, such as in the skin of an aircraft panel, the fastener can be pushed between positions whereby in a first position the grommet assembly and C-ring are at one end of the shank holding the head and shank outwardly from the aircraft panel and, in a second position, the C-ring rides along the slots and abuts against the head so that the remaining threaded shaft can extend through the aperture and a nut threaded thereon securing the fastener to the panel.

Abstract: An improved apparatus incorporated in a cast metal frame of circular configuration to allow one frame to accommodate similar objects of slightly different sizes and retain them therein to prevent rotation of the object within the cast frame. Further improvements are designed in the retaining means which rigidly hold the object in cast frames of circular, rectangular and oval configurations while at the same time allowing the retaining means to be easily removed.

Abstract: This invention comprehends a means for coupling an oscillator mechanism of a fishing reel to the spool of the fishing reel so that the spool will reciprocate back and forth as the fishing line is wound thereon. The spool shaft is received in a mounting mechanism associated with the yoke strap cam follower portion of the oscillating mechanism. An undercut groove on the shaft facilitates its fastening to the yoke strap.

Abstract: An improved needle construction for use in tag attachers. The needle includes an elongated body having a mounting end and a piercing end. The mounting end of the body is releasably securable to the tag attacher. The piercing end of the body includes a sharp point for piercing the article to be tagged. The elongated body includes an enlarged collar proximate the mounting end of the body which abuts against the front surface of the tag attacher when the needle is secured thereon.

Abstract: A spiral wound retaining ring 10 with angled ends 214 and 216 is disclosed. The ring is crimped 220 at the same angle as the ring ends to maintain a constant thickness dimension. The angling of the ends of the ring and crimp allow the ends to be positioned closer together while maintaining enough clearance to enable insertion and removal of the ring. By reducing the separation distance between the ends a stronger ring results since the double layer area of the ring is maximized.

Abstract: Two staple-like spring metal parts designated "lock" and "key" are provided to retain an excavating tooth in a holder. The lock part slides into an opening in the holder for the tooth around a reduced diameter portion of the shank of the tooth and thereby prevents withdrawal of the tooth by interfering with the outward movement of a button on the extreme end of the shank. The legs of the lock are biased outwardly by reason of the unstressed shape of the lock. These outwardly biased legs are forced inward by insertion in the opening of a key which fits outward of the lock and forces the legs of the lock inward into locked position, engaging a portion of the shank. When the key is removed, it provides space for outward movement of the legs of the lock and thereby prevents a tendency of dirt compacting in the opening of the holder from preventing withdrawal of the lock.

Abstract: An accumulator incorporating an improved plug retaining assembly for supporting the plug and associated valve asssembly in the oil port of an accumulator device. More particularly, there is provided in accordance with the invention a split locking ring assembly adapted to be deformed in such manner that the same may be readily convoluted about the shoulder portion of a plug assembly, enabling the use of an improved oil port sealing arrangement.

Abstract: A spring retaining ring of the type adapted for assembly within a groove provided therefor in a housing bore or on a shaft to form an artificial shoulder for axially locating a machine part in the bore or on the shaft. The spring comprises an open-ended ring body of spring material. The body includes opposite side surfaces, each surface including a generally radial shoulder-forming portion and a groove-seating portion which is inclined at an acute angle relative to the shoulder forming portion. Either of the groove-seating surface portions are adapted to engage a correspondingly inclined wall of the groove to take-up axial play of the machine part. The length of each groove seating surface portion is from 80% to 120% of the minimum groove penetration depth for the ring.

Abstract: A keeper spring for mounting a rotatable mining tool in the bore of a supporting block is formed of a unitary, metallic spring material, and includes a cylindrical member which is split along its axial length so as to be radially expansible and contractable, thereby defining a first spring portion. Three, equally spaced elongated arcuate, leaf spring protuberances project radially outwardly of the central region of the cylindrical member and are aligned with the axial length of the cylindrical member. Each protuberance is formed by providing two parallel slits in the wall of the cylindrical member, after which the material intermediate the slits is indented outwardly so as to effectively define a second spring portion.

Abstract: In devices, such as well tools, where two telescopically related members are telescopically related, the two members are connected together by a split ring in such fashion that loads are transferred from one member to the other via the split ring with the split ring accepting the load in compression.

Abstract: A multi-stage sprocket assembly comprises a cylindrical member and a sprocket group and has therebetween a retaining device for preventing the sprocket group from axial movement with respect to the cylindrical member, the retaining device comprising an engaging groove extending circumferentially of the cylindrical member and an engaging member elastically engageable with the engaging groove and disengageable therefrom against the elastic engagement force. The engaging member engages with the engaging groove to mount the sprocket group to the cylindrical member in relation of being axially immovable and disengages from the groove to remove the sprocket group from the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A snap stud usable in window hardware, such as window operators and window hinges, for releasably pivotally interconnecting a pair of members. The snap stud has a stud extending from a first of the members and provided with an external peripheral groove which mounts a C-ring of spring music wire. The C-ring has a retention position partially extending beyond the periphery of the stud for overlying a second of the members and a compressed release position substantially entirely within the periphery of the stud, with the movement of the C-ring to the compressed release position occurring automatically in assembly and disassembly of said members.