Abstract: A ball joint having first and second articulated coupling parts having interconnected liquid ducts. The second coupling part is held pivotably by a spherical front end region between a shape-adapted joint socket on the first coupling part and a joint head on a holding element in the inner cavity of the second coupling part. The holding element interconnects the liquid ducts, and the second coupling part has, on its inner wall delimiting the inner cavity, an annular groove with a ring seal. A first annular shoulder is on the inner wall of the second coupling part, an annular insert part is insertable into the inner cavity of the second coupling part, and the insert part is spaced apart from the first annular shoulder such that the spacing between the first annular shoulder and the front edge of the insert part facing the first annular shoulder forms the annular groove.

Abstract: A double ball pipe coupling with two axes for connecting fluid pipes or conduits at eccentric angles while reducing or eliminating frictions loss. The coupling also provides movement of pipes or fluid pathways that are under low to high pressures. Two outer shell halves contain two ball joints with protruding connections and or outer fittings for most applications. The shell halves being mostly uniform or oblong or distorted for highly non-collinear connections. The ball joints containing pathways rotate within each shell half while permitting fluid flow as intended while greatly reducing restrictions.

Abstract: A system is described in which one or more loops of single mode optical fiber are buried in a face or crest of a slope such as a tailings dam. An optical interrogator such as a Brillouin frequency domain interrogator sweeps the optical fiber to measure strain and temperature at locations distributed along the length of the optical fiber.

Abstract: For a simply constructed pivot and swivel joint securing a sealing of the control element for the connection of a support arm to a control element, it is provided that the pivot and swivel joint (3) is implemented having a rotary sleeve (10) including an axially continuous recess (41) and having a swivel sleeve (11) connected thereto via a swivel axis (S) including an axially continuous recess (42), which is swivelable relative to the rotary sleeve (10) about the swivel axis (S), a rotary axis (D) being configured at the axial end of the rotary sleeve (10) facing away from the swivel axis (S), and a sealing hose (30) being disposed between the rotary sleeve (10) and the swivel sleeve (11), which by a first axial end sealingly abuts at the recess (41) of the rotary sleeve (10) and by the opposite second axial end is sealingly disposed at the axial end of the swivel sleeve (11).

Abstract: A fluid conduit joint includes a tube seal having a first bubble portion and a second bubble portion; a first tube adapter (40a); a second, tube adapter (40b); and a cover (50). The tube seal further includes a first hinge (60) and a second hinge (60). The first hinge (60) connects the first tube adapter (40a) to the cover (50), the first hinge (60) generally corresponding to the first bubble portion; the second hinge (60) connects the second tube adapter (40b) to the cover (50), the second hinge (60) generally corresponding to the second bubble portion; and the first hinge (60) and the second hinge (60) are axially spaced from each other.

Abstract: A showerhead assembly includes an adapter having a tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being supported by a shower arm. A fluid connector includes a ball having an outlet, a stem having an inlet, and a fluid passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the inlet and the outlet. A spray engine is fluidly coupled to the ball of the fluid connector. A retainer body is supported by the stem of the fluid connector and includes a radially inwardly facing engagement surface. A collet is operably coupled to the retainer body and is configured to be concentrically received intermediate the adapter and retainer body. The collet includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers supporting radially extending teeth configured to engage the adapter.

Abstract: A seal-bearing assembly to be inserted into the seal cavity of a mechanical device to provide a seal and a bearing surface to eliminate whip in a rotating, reciprocal, or rotating and reciprocal cylindrical member. The seal-bearing assembly is particularly well suited for use in a reciprocal pump or a piston-driven valve, or between the steam lance and fixed steam tube in a sootblower. The assembly includes at least a pair of outer substantially rigid cylindrical bearings having an inner bore to be positioned over the cylindrical member and at least one complimentary flexible textile packing ring substantially comprised of carbon disposed between the two outer bearing members. In assemblies including an additional bearing, the additional bearing is surrounded by at least one flexible packing on each side. The inner bore of the bearing members provides a bearing surface for eliminating whip of the moving elements in the device.

Abstract: An improved device for coupling rigid non-metallic conduits is disclosed. The claimed device is capable of allowing movement in an axial direction due to expansion and contraction and can also compensate for angular or parallel deflection of the conduits.

Abstract: A tether for connecting tubes includes two mutually spaced pads, each pad located on an opposite side of a lateral axis and releasably connectable to one of the tubes, an elastic stretchable connector that provides structural continuity between the pads, and handles, each handle located at an opposite axial end of the tether, suited to be gripped manually for the application of tensile force to the tether.

Abstract: A flexible conduit for insertion into a body lumen comprises a plurality of elements coupled end to end to define a conduit lumen. A first one of the elements includes a male portion and a female portion. A second element includes a female portion having an inner surface configured to engage a male portion of an outer surface of the first element to form a first ball joint. A third element includes a male portion, an outer surface of the male portion of the third element configured to engage an inner surface of the female portion of the first element to form a second ball joint. The male and female portions of the first element are adapted to fictionally engage the female portion of the second element and the male portion of the third element to establish a rigid connection therebetween.

Abstract: Rain gutter downspouts are fitted with either a one ball or two ball and socket joint. The joint is rigid. It bends up to 30° for a one ball joint or 60° for a two ball joint. Non-sealing joints are used to draw air downstream with the water. Further debris and clog clearing is provided with a venturi effect coupled with an acceleration along the concave sides of the balls toward the center of the gutter downspout pipes. Rotation of the ball along with tilt give the installer flexibility in keeping the wide side of the downspout pipe flush with the house as well as allowing zig zag patterns to avoid windows.

Abstract: A manual spray head can be connected with a flexible hose line by means of a coupling that has a ball-and-socket joint inserted between the manual spray head and the hose line. This arrangement not only increases the mobility and flexibility between the manual spray head and the flexible hose line, but also permits twisting of the manual spray head relative to the hose line without fear of unscrewing the screw-type connection or similar coupling provided between the manual spray head and the hose line.

Abstract: An improved device for coupling rigid non-metallic conduits is disclosed. The claimed device is capable of allowing movement in an axial direction due to expansion and contraction and can also compensate for angular or parallel deflection of the conduits.

Abstract: Interlocking bend limiter sections are substantially mirror images of each other and are joined to form an interlocking bend limiter segment without use of fasteners by engaging engaging each other's interlocking ends. An interlocking bend limiter comprises a plurality of interlocking bend limiter segment secured at an end by an end piece.

Abstract: An adjustable swiveled fluid conduit pathway having a plurality of interconnecting joints for securing a pressurized fluid line in a predetermined path is provided. The adjustable swiveled fluid conduit pathway is particularly suitable for securing a mid to high-pressure coolant fluid line in, for example, a computer numerically controlled (CNC) grinding machine. A plurality of interconnecting joints comprise the pathway. The interconnecting joints each have two ball-joint assembly units having an interior pathway for a fluid (aligned ball portion facing ball portion) and a first ball-joint assembly unit nut housing unit. A washer and bushings are located, under pressure, between the two balls of the ball-joint assembly units. The adjustable swiveled fluid conduit pathway may be extended or shortened by the addition or removal of an interconnecting joint (or link).

Abstract: A flexible conduit for insertion into a body lumen comprises a plurality of elements coupled end to end to define a conduit lumen. A first one of the elements includes a male portion and a female portion. A second element includes a female portion having an inner surface configured to engage a male portion of an outer surface of the first element to form a first ball joint. A third element includes a male portion, an outer surface of the male portion of the third element configured to engage an inner surface of the female portion of the first element to form a second ball joint. The male and female portions of the first element are adapted to frictionally engage the female portion of the second element and the male portion of the third element to establish a rigid connection therebetween.

Abstract: A water supply attachment is a spherically-shaped pivot attachment having a hollow passage extending between its opposing ends that includes a threaded portion for coupling to water supplies. The water supply attachment can be a hidden pivot attachment usable in various shower assemblies. The hidden pivot attachment may be used in combination with a seal cup and an attachment nut, such that the hidden pivot attachment closely fits within the void spaces of the seal cup and attachment nut, enabling the hidden pivot attachment to form a seal with the seal cup.

Abstract: A pipe connector providing a pivotable fluidic coupling. The pipe connector comprises a male pipe connector and a female pipe connector, the male pipe connector comprising a ball portion coupled to and pivotable within a socket portion of the female pipe connector, thereby providing a pivotable fluidic coupling between the male pipe connector and the female pipe connector.

Abstract: System for connecting a secondary module to a structure having a port. The system includes a tapping connector attachable to the port, and a primary module attachable to the tapping connector, with the secondary module being mountable on the primary module. A collar is receivable over the tapping connector for supporting the primary module on the structure. The collar is attachable to the tapping connector with the primary module being attachable to the collar. A positioner is supported within the collar for fastening the collar to the tapping connector.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bore screen comprising a plurality of perforated rigid tubular modules (1) impermeably connected in series by ball joint means (2), allowing an extracted fluid to flow though all of the elements in series and allowing the consecutive elements to move freely relative to one another, tilting in all directions.

Abstract: A ball and socket coupling is provided. The ball and socket coupling includes a ball body having a passage extending therethrough and a ball portion, and a socket body having a conduit extending therethrough and a ball receiving portion configured to receive the ball portion of the ball body. The ball and socket coupling also includes retaining structure disposed in the passage of the ball body and the conduit of the socket body, where the retaining structure is configured to operatively couple the ball body and the socket body together for permitting relative motion therebetween. The ball and socket coupling further includes motion limiting structure associated with the retaining structure and configured to limit relative motion between the ball body and the socket body to rotation about a single axis that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow through the ball and socket coupling.

Abstract: A flexible conduit for insertion into a body lumen comprises a plurality of elements coupled end to end to define a conduit lumen. A first one of the elements includes a male portion and a female portion. A second element includes a female portion having an inner surface configured to engage a male portion of an outer surface of the first element to form a first ball joint. A third element includes a male portion, an outer surface of the male portion of the third element configured to engage an inner surface of the female portion of the first element to form a second ball joint. The male and female portions of the first element are adapted to frictionally engage the female portion of the second element and the male portion of the third element to establish a rigid connection therebetween.

Abstract: An assembly for connecting a sprinkler to a branch line of a fire suppression system includes a flexible conduit having one end attached to the branch line. The opposite end is attached to the sprinkler. An adapter may be positioned between the conduit and the sprinkler, between the conduit and the branch line, or between the conduit and both the branch line and the sprinkler. The adapter contains a rotating joint which prevents torque from being applied to the conduit. The joint may be a ball joint, a coaxial joint or an external sleeve. The sleeve is positioned surrounding the conduit. The sleeve may have a hexagonal outer surface and rotates freely about the conduit to prevent torque from being applied to the conduit.

Abstract: An aerator for a plumbing fixture is provided, especially for a washstand, water basin or tub. The plumbing fixture includes a water outlet that leads to a forward outlet end in which an aerator that is penetrated by the water is pivotally mounted via a swiveling mechanism, particularly a joint, which is removably fixed. The pivotable aerator is mounted within an outer ring that is screwed into the outlet end.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a pipe, such as a fuel pipe, to another fuel pipe or pipe terminal.

Abstract: A conduit coupling system, sealing device, bell and method of use are disclosed herein. The system comprises at least two piping components, and a sealing device. A first component has a bell and a second component has a spigot, the spigot is adapted to mate with the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first component. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell. The sealing device comprises a locking segment comprising a convex outer surface and a K-type gasket coupled to a locking segment or a non-restraining anti-extrusion segment. The sealing device is adapted to fit between the bell and the spigot.

Abstract: A pipe joint arrangement, which is intended for enabling one or more angular deflections successive in a longitudinal direction along an elongated pipeline in one or more planes. A joining piece is connectible with pipeline sections to be coupled with each other successively in the longitudinal direction and includes of frame elements locked to each other in a longitudinal direction and provided therebetween a swivel member with a substantially cylindrical or spherical swiveling face for enabling movement of the frame elements by rotating the same relative to each other with respect to one or more axes of rotation.

Abstract: A pipeline repair connector (40), for a sub sea pipeline repair system, arranged for connecting and disconnecting pipelines on the ocean floor. The invention also related to a system including a connector (40), and to a method for replacement of broken pipelines on the ocean floor.

Abstract: A rotatable, pivotable connector having a female end, a male end, a neck joining the male and female ends, and an exterior retention element. The exterior retention element, such as, for example, a fitting, may limit expansion of the exterior of the female end. The exterior retention element may also take the form of a retainer or similar structure to retain a fitting about the exterior of the female end of the connector. Further, the connector may be hollow, thus defining a continuous passage within. Also, multiple connectors may be interconnected to form an arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible pipe adapted in particular for transporting fluids or powder materials, the pipe comprising at least one leaktight and flexible tube within which a said fluid or a said material can be conveyed, the pipe comprising a clamping device covering said leaktight tube over at least a fraction of the length of said pipe, preferably over all of said pipe, said clamping device comprising at least one sheath and clamping means for clamping said sheath, said sheath and said clamping means being adapted, at rest, to preserve the pliability and the flexibility of said pipe, and when a determined stress is applied, to stiffen said pipe and freeze its position over the length of said pipe covered by said clamping device. An actuator for such a pipe is also proposed by the present invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a pipe connection for exhaust pipes of internal-combustion engines. The pipe connection includes an axial and radial plug and an angle compensation. The pipe connection further includes a first pipe, a second pipe and an interior part at an end of the first pipe. The interior part is enveloped by a bell part at an end of the second pipe. The pipe connection further includes at least one lamellar ring held in an annular groove in either a) a radially outer surface of the interior part or b) a radially inner surface of the bell part. The at least one lameller ring is tensioned against either a) the radially outer surface of the interior part or b) the radially inner surface of the bell part. Either or both of a) the radially outer surface of the interior part and b) the radially inner surface of the bell part are constructed as a concave surface. The at least one lameller ring is tensioned against the concave surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible hose easily converted to a rigid hose. The flexible-rigid bimodal hose comprises a plurality of adjacently engaged hollow members defining a tube having a first end, a second end, and an elongated hollow. A flexible tube as well as a cable pass through the hollow and extend therethrough. The cable acts as a means to apply tension on the hollow members. The hose has a flexible state in which each one of the hollow members is rotating in respect to neighboring hollow member and a rigid state in which the hollow members are forced together by the cable so that there is no relative movement between neighboring hollow members. An actuation means, which can be mechanically or hydraulically operated, is adapted to apply different tensile forces on the cable.

Abstract: Connector that includes a first element having a threaded portion and a rounded end, a second element having an end structured to slidably contact the rounded second end of the first element, and a third element having a conical bore. The second element extends through the conical bore for movement within the conical bore, and a threaded end structured and arranged to mate with the threaded portion of the first element. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An electrofusion coupling for coupling a first device to a second device, includes a first part having an outer end for coupling to the first device, and an inner end formed with a surface of a curved configuration; and a second part having an end engaging the inner end of the first part and formed with a surface of a complementary curved configuration as the first part. The curved configurations of the two parts is such that the second part may be pivoted to locate its longitudinal axis at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first part. At least one of the parts is of a thermoplastic material and includes an electrical heater coil embedded along its curved surface for fixing by electrofusion the angular position of the second part with respect to the first part.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of the flat panel display.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of the flat panel display. Additionally, the moveable assembly may include a plurality of stacked ball-and-socket assemblies.

Abstract: A flexible shower arm assembly that allows the user to repeatably adjust the position of the shower head in three dimensions by configuring the shape of the shower arm attached between the water source, such as a shower pipe, and the water dispenser, such as a shower head. The particular position of the shower head, and the direction of the shower spray, can be modified by re-configuring the shape of the shower arm. The flexible shower arm holds the desired position until modified by the user. The flexible shower arm is sealingly attached to the shower pipe by a pipe connector nut, and is sealingly and pivotally attached to the shower head by a connection structure. The flexible shower arm assembly includes an elongated flexible member defining a fluid transfer path, the flexible member having a first end and an opposite second end.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for swivel attachment of supply vessels to applicator devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an applicator device, a supply vessel having an interior volume, and a swivel assembly coupled between the supply vessel and the applicator device. The swivel assembly includes a first engagement member having a protruding portion and a first passageway disposed therethrough, and a second engagement member having a concavity and a second passageway disposed therethrough, the protruding portion being moveably engaged within the concavity such that the interior volume of the supply vessel fluidly communicates with the applicator device through the first and second passageways.

Abstract: A P-trap device for plumbing drainage systems is shown. The device has a first tubing element having a pipe attachment bell at one end and a first coupler portion at the other end and a second tubing element having a pipe attachment bell at one end and a second coupler portion at the other end, wherein said first and second coupler portions are sized and shaped to be coupled together. The device further has at least one of said first or second tubing element being a generally unshaped section sized and shaped to trap water therein. A connector to releasably couple said first and second coupler portions together is included, the connector including a sealing gasket. The sealing gasket, first coupling portion and second coupling portion are sized and shaped to permit the first and second coupler portions to be coupled together over a range of angles to form a leak resistant joint without introducing stresses into the plumbing system.

Abstract: There is provided a spring comprised of a wire which includes an elastic, coiled central portion and opposing end portions formed as hooks. Each hook terminates in an end having a hole therethrough. The spring is useful with an exhaust system of the type having a pair of sections joined but not affixed to one another to thereby form a flexible joint. A loop is fixedly connected to each section adjacent to the joint. The opposing hooks of the spring are securely received by the loops, and a safety wire is received through the hole in the end of each hook and secured to the corresponding loop. In an aircraft having an exposed exhaust system, the safety wire prevents a broken spring or loop from impacting and damaging vital components of the aircraft, particularly a pusher propeller positioned to the rear of the exhaust system.

Abstract: A continuous flexible conduit is formed from like-configured components, each having a male joint member and a female joint member with a passageway extending therethrough. The female joint member is over-molded about a corresponding male joint member to form a substantially fluid-tight articulating joint. In a method of producing the flexible conduit, a single-shot molding process is used to form each like-configured component, with each newly formed component indexed within the single-shot mold so that the male joint member is within the female mold cavity for the formation of the next component. In an alternative embodiment, a continuous conduit is formed of two different sets of like configured components—one set having only female joint members and the other set having only male joint members. A two-shot molding process is described for continuous production of the flexible conduit using these two sets of components.

Abstract: A universal joint including a first tubular member, a second tubular member, and an intermediate tubular member for connecting the first and second tubular members, the intermediate tubular member having at one end an outer spherical part and at the other end a cylindrical part, the first tubular member having at one end an inner spherical part in which the outer spherical part of the intermediate tubular member is inserted to move universally, and the second tubular member having at one end a hole in which the cylindrical part of the intermediate tubular member is rotatably inserted, the inner spherical part having an axis oblique at an angle to an axis of the outer spherical part of the intermediate tubular member.

Abstract: Articulated joint for tubes of electric household appliances, comprising a plurality of axially hollow modular elements, each modular element comprising a male end and a female end, coupling means for joining said modular elements to each other and resilient means fitted to at least two adjacent modular elements.

Abstract: An angle-adjustable connector is constructed to include two coupling members connectable to a tool and an air compressor/hydraulic press respectively, a connecting tube connected between the coupling members, the connecting tube having two spherical end portions respectively coupled to the coupling members and secured thereto by steel balls for enabling the coupling members to be turned relative to the connecting tube in different directions to different angles, and a bellows sleeve connected between the coupling members around the connecting tube.

Abstract: An underwater cable protection pipe (11) is comprised of two identical longitudinal half-pipe sections (13, 13′) interconnectable with one another by integrally formed mating connectors (14). The half-pipe sections (13, 13′), when interconnected together, form a longitudinal hollow pipe (11) having a stub end (15) and an articulatable clamping ball end (16) shaped to clampingly receive the stub end (15) of a like pipe (11) to interconnect two or more of the pipes (11) end-to-end about a submerged cable (12).

Abstract: A flexible, sectioned plastic arm for a showerhead comprises a series of interconnected ball-and-socket (B&S) sections (10) with a proximal (shower pipe) end piece (12) and a distal (showerhead) end piece (14). Each B&S section has a proximal (cup or socket) end (10S) and a distal (ball) end (10B). The proximal end piece has a proximal end with female threads which can be screwed onto a shower pipe and a ball-shaped distal end for snapping into the socket of the most proximal section of the shower arm. The distal end piece has a proximal end with a socket for snapping onto the most distal end section of the shower arm and a distal end with male threads (12T) which can be screwed onto the showerhead. The arm has a through hole containing a series or chain of cylindrical brass or other metal sections, tubes, or sleeves (16). These prevent the arm from being bent too far, thereby to keep the B&S from separating.

Abstract: A flexible shower arm assembly that allows the user to repeatably adjust the position of the shower head in three dimensions by configuring the shape of the shower arm attached between the water source, such as a shower pipe, and the water dispenser, such as a shower head. The particular position of the shower head, and the direction of the shower spray, can be modified by re-configuring the shape of the shower arm. The flexible shower arm holds the desired position until modified by the user. The flexible shower arm is sealingly attached to the shower pipe by a pipe connector nut, and is sealingly and pivotally attached to the shower head by a connection structure. The flexible shower arm assembly includes an elongated flexible member defining a fluid transfer path, the flexible member having a first end and an opposite second end.

Abstract: A flexible, sectioned plastic arm for a showerhead comprises a series of interconnected ball-and-socket (B&S) sections (10) with a proximal (shower pipe) end piece (12) and a distal (showerhead) end piece (14). Each B&S section has a proximal (cup) or socket) end (10S) and a distal (ball) end (10B). The proximal end piece has a proximal end with female threads which can be screwed onto a shower pipe and a ball-shaped distal end for snapping into the socket of the most proximal section of the shower arm. The distal end piece has a proximal end with a socket for snapping onto the most distal end section of the shower aim and a distal end with male threads (12T) which can be screwed onto the showerhead. The arm has a through hole containing a series or chain of cylindrical brass or other metal sections, tubes, or sleeves (16). These prevent the arm from being bent too far, thereby to keep the B&S from separating.

Abstract: A pipe connection of two pipe ends pushed into a sleeve. The pipe connection includes a spherical shape between the inside wall of the sleeve and the outside wall of at least one pipe end.

Abstract: System for loading and unloading of cold media, for example LNG or LPG, to or from a vessel, through pipes (1) connected with ball joints, where the pipes are insulated, and when each ball joint's inside part (4) has an inside pipe (3) which is sealed against the inside part (4) substantially over the letter extent, and which thereby forms an inside annulus (6) which can be evacuated, and that each ball joint's outside part (10) is surrounded by an outside annulus (9) which also may be evacuated.