Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the structure of a gripper device to be easily disassemble, to easily replace parts when it is required due to wear, etc., after use, and to provide the device with the advantages of a leading tunnel boring machine. SOLUTION: A gripper body 17 taking the form of a frame surrounding a main beam is placed behind the main beam in such a way as to freely slide longitudinally via a sliding mechanism 18. The main beam is designed to be capable of rotating and oscillating in all directions relative to a gripper shoe by means of a spherical bearing freely slidably mounted on a shaft erected on the gripper body 17. Further, the gripper body 17 is designed to be vertically movable relative to the gripper shoe 22 via a torque jack 36.
Abstract:
A wood floor system comprises a plurality of parallel rows (10a, 10b...10z) of floorboards (10) laid end-to-end, and each of the floorboards (10) includes a compression nub (20) extending along a side surface (13) thereof, adjacent the top surface (11). These compression nubs (20) affirmatively engage an opposing side surface (14) of an adjacent floorboard row (10a), thereby sealing, or isolating, the top surface of the floor from the side surfaces (13, 14) of the floorboard rows (10a, 10b...10z). This uniformly distributes expansion and contraction forces throughout the floor, due to uniform spacing between the floorboard rows (10a, 10b...10z). The isolation of the floorboard upper surface from the side surfaces (13, 14) also prevents undesired downward migration or flow of liquid finishing solution (28), which can have serious adverse affects for a wood floor. The invention reduces the total volume of finishing solution necessary for finishing the floor.
Abstract:
A wood floor system comprises a plurality of parallel rows (10a, 10b...10z) of floorboards (10) laid end-to-end, and each of the floorboards (10) includes a compression nub (20) extending along a side surface (13) thereof, adjacent the top surface (11). These compression nubs (20) affirmatively engage an opposing side surface (14) of an adjacent floorboard row (10a), thereby sealing, or isolating, the top surface of the floor from the side surfaces (13, 14) of the floorboard rows (10a, 10b...10z). This uniformly distributes expansion and contraction forces throughout the floor, due to uniform spacing between the floorboard rows (10a, 10b...10z). The isolation of the floorboard upper surface from the side surfaces (13, 14) also prevents undesired downward migration or flow of liquid finishing solution (28), which can have serious adverse affects for a wood floor. The invention reduces the total volume of finishing solution necessary for finishing the floor.
Abstract:
An inflatable gripper assembly for a rock boring or cutting machine is disclosed. The inflatable gripper assembly comprises a base member (42) and an elastomeric sheet (40) secured in a fluid-tight and reaction force secure manner to the base member. The elastomeric sheet expands when fluid is supplied between the base member and the elastomeric sheet to brace a rock boring or cutting machine in a tunnel. The elastomeric sheet contracts when fluid is removed from between the base member and the elastomeric sheet to allow the rock boring or cutting machine to move within the tunnel.
Abstract:
A drill pipe has a central axis and comprises a first end and a second end with a portion of the second end being substantially triangular in the lateral cross-section and having three faces. At least one concave wrench recess is located in each of the three faces of the substantially triangular portion of the second end. Each of the recesses has a surface with an axially extending center line. The center line is located a predetermined distance from the central axis, with this predetermined distance being less than or equal to the distance from the central axis of all other axial lines on the surface of the recess. Each of the recesses may be comprised of two adjoining planes having exterior surfaces, the cross-section of the two adjoining planes forming an angle of less than 180 degrees as measured from the exterior surfaces of the two adjoining planes. Alternatively, the recesses can be comprised of three adjoining planes. Finally, the recesses may be comprised of an arcuate segment.
Abstract:
A drill pipe has a central axis and comprises a first end and a second end with a portion of the second end being substantially triangular in the lateral cross-section and having three faces. At least one concave wrench recess is located in each of the three faces of the substantially triangular portion of the second end. Each of the recesses has a surface with an axially extending center line. The center line is located a predetermined distance from the central axis, with this predetermined distance being less than or equal to the distance from the central axis of all other axial lines on the surface of the recess. Each of the recesses may be comprised of two adjoining planes having exterior surfaces, the cross-section of the two adjoining planes forming an angle of less than 180 degrees as measured from the exterior surfaces of the two adjoining planes. Alternatively, the recesses can be comprised of three adjoining planes. Finally, the recesses may be comprised of an arcuate segment.
Abstract:
A fastener driving apparatus having a carriage supporting a fastener driver and adapted for translation across a flooring member being fastened by fasteners from the fastener driver. The fastener driver is preferably supported in a carriage at an angle with respect to a fully vertical position for driving fasteners at an angle with respect to the flooring member and more preferably into the side of the flooring member and into the underlying structure. More preferably, the angle of the fastener driver is adjustable. Carriage motion elements permit translation of the fastener driving apparatus across the flooring and are preferably arranged so that they exert a lateral force upon the apparatus when the apparatus is pushed. This lateral force preferably causes one or more carriage guide elements running alongside the flooring member to remain in contact with the flooring member, thereby maintaining a constant positional relationship between the fastener driving apparatus and the flooring member for accurate fastener placement. A pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, or other such circuit is employed to transmit signals from at least one trigger to a valve, an actuator, or the fastener driver, in each case resulting in actuation of the fastener driver to drive a fastener into the flooring member at a desired time. The trigger can be a manually-operated trigger, a cam-operated trigger on a carriage motion element for periodically triggering the fastener driver, a follower trigger for physically sensing structure underlying the flooring member, and/or a sensor trigger for detecting density underlying the flooring member.