1. A method of using a computer to facilitate decision making by a user of the computer, said method comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a database comprised of records;
(2) providing means for a user to view a list of topics relevant to said records;
(3) providing means for the user to prioritize said topics before any search begins;
(4) presenting, on a computer screen, said topics in the order defined by the user in step (3);
(5) presenting, on a computer screen, a first choice to the user searching said database, said first choice comprising at least one option within said first prioritized topic shown on the screen in step (4), and the corresponding number of matches in said database for each said option;
(6) providing means for accepting the user’s selection from said first choice;
(7) presenting, on said computer screen, a next choice comprising at least one limited option and the corresponding number of matches in the database for each said limited option, said limited option limited by said user’s prior selection, wherein the topic of said next choice is defined by the prioritization that occurred in step (3);
(8) providing means for accepting the user’s selection from said next choice; and
(9) repeating steps (5) and (6) for each topic prioritized by the user in step (3) in the order defined by said prioritization, until the user either selects to view a record or chooses to stop searching.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (1) comprises providing access via a global computer network.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
(10) providing means for the user to view said records in said database at any time during said search.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said first choice comprises a series of several selections from a series of narrowing options.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said next choice comprises a series of several selections from a series of narrowing options.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent workpieces such as pipe ends, nipples, fittings or combinations thereof, which gasket comprises a generally circular base member formed of an elastomeric material, each peripheral edge portion of said base member having a generally radially inwardly extending flange member formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having an inner annular wall, each said flange member further having a respective axially inwardly facing integral lip having a radially innermost sealing surface, said sealing surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of the workpiece to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in an axial direction of the workpiece relative to the length of each lip being such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly for sealing, and radially directed compressive forces are applied thereto, the radially extending inner annular walls of said flange members assume an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.
2. Gasket according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral groove is provided on each said radially innermost continuous sealing surface.
3. Gasket according to claim 2, wherein each said peripheral groove is located generally in line with each said inner annular wall of each said flange member.
4. Gasket according to claim 3, wherein said elastomeric material is ethylene polypropylene diene monomer (EPDM).
5. Gasket according to claim 4, wherein each said inner annular wall is generally planar in the uncompressed condition and when positioned within the mechanical coupling and subjected to radially directed compression forces by the coupling, and subjected to internal fluid pressure forces, said inner annular wall generally retains its inward convex generally conical configuration.
6. Gasket according to claim 5, wherein said inward convex generally conical configuration is slightly convex.
7. Gasket according to claim 6, wherein each said peripheral groove is dimensioned and configured to receive a lubricating medium to assist seating of said flange members in face-to-face contact with the respective workpiece.
8. Gasket according to claim 7, each said workpiece is a grooved end pipe and wherein the thickness dimension \u201cS\u201d of each said flange member divided by the dimension \u201cA\u201d from the groove of each pipe to the end of the pipe is between about 0.25 and about 0.45.
9. Gasket according to claim 8, wherein the thickness dimension \u201cS\u201d of each said flange member divided by the dimension \u201cA\u201d from the groove of each pipe to the end of the pipe is between about 0.30 and about 0.40.
10. Gasket according to claim 9, wherein the thickness dimension of each said flange member extends from an outer peripheral wall surface of the respective flange member to each said peripheral lubrication groove.
11. Gasket according to claim 10, wherein said inner annular wall of each said flange member is joined to an inner backwall of said circular base member by an arcuate surface.
12. Gasket according to claim 11, wherein each said flange member forms an angle \u201c\u03b1\u201d of between about 60\xb0 and about 85\xb0 with said generally circular base member when in an uncompressed state.
13. Gasket according to claim 2, wherein each said flange member is structured and adapted such that when incorporated into a mechanical coupling and when mechanical coupling compressive forces and fluid pressure are applied, the sealing pressure distribution between each said flange member and the workpiece increases from an outermost corner of each said flange member to said peripheral groove.
14. Gasket according to claim 13, wherein said sealing pressure distribution between each said flange member and the workpiece drops substantially over the width of said groove and then increases toward said lip.
15. Gasket according to claim 2, wherein each said radially innermost continuous sealing surface includes a plurality of surface irregularities to enhance pressure sealing against the surfaces of the workpiece.
16. Gasket according to claim 15, wherein said surface irregularities comprise a plurality of grooves dimensioned and configured to retain lubricating oil to enhance sealing of each said sealing surface against the respective pipe end.
17. Gasket according to claim 1 wherein each said radially innermost continuous sealing surface includes a plurality of surface irregularities to enhance pressure sealing against the surfaces of the workpiece.
18. Gasket according to claim 17, wherein said surface irregularities comprise a plurality of grooves dimensioned and configured to retain lubricating oil to enhance sealing of each said sealing surface against the respective workpiece.
19. Gasket according to claim 18, wherein said plurality of grooves Comprise knurled grooves or notches.
20. Gasket according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of grooves or notches are arranged in a crisscross pattern.
21. Gasket according to claim 20, wherein each said inner annular wall of each said flange member comprises a plurality of alternating wall members respectively separated by a corresponding plurality of alternating spaces.
22. Gasket according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of alternating wall members each have a generally trapezoidal shape.
23. Gasket according to claim 22, wherein each said plurality of alternating spaces in said inner annular flange wall each have a generally trapezoidal shape.
24. Gasket according to claim 21, wherein each said plurality of alternating wall members are randomly configured.
25. Gasket according to claim 21, wherein each said plurality of alternating spaces are randomly configured.
26. Gasket according to claim 1, wherein each said flange member is structured and adapted such that when incorporated into a mechanical coupling and when mechanical coupling compressive forces and fluid pressure are applied, the sealing pressure distribution increases between each said flange member and the workpiece from an outermost corner of each said flange member to said inner annular wall, and thereafter drops toward each said lip.
27. Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent ends of pipes, nipples, fittings, or combinations thereof, which gasket comprises:
a) a generally circular base member formed of an elastomeric material and dimensioned and adapted to be positioned within a mechanical coupling assembly in circumferential relation with ends to be coupled, each end defining a generally longitudinal axis;
b) a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly extending flange members formed integral with said generally circular base member, each said flange member having a predetermined thickness in the axial direction and an annular inner wall surface, each said flange member further having a respective inwardly facing integral lip having a radially innermost sealing surface, said sealing surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of the end to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in the axial direction of the end relative to the axial length of the corresponding lip being such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly to couple two such ends, and radially directed mechanical compression forces are applied thereto by the coupling, said annular inner wall of each said flange member assumes an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.
28. Mechanical pipe coupling having plural arcuate coupling segments, engagement means on the inner periphery of each said segment for securing the juxtaposed ends of pipe members, a gasket receiving channel in each coupling segment, and means for securing said coupling segments to each other in end-to-end relationship, and a gasket positioned within the gasket receiving channel of said coupling segment, said gasket comprising a generally circular base member formed of an elastomeric sealing material and dimensioned and adapted to be positioned within said channel, said base member having a pair of radially inwardly extending flange members formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having a predetermined thickness in the axial direction and an annular inner wall surface, each said flange member further having an inwardly facing axially extending sealing lip, having a radially innermost sealing surface, said sealing surface of each said sealing lip being continuous with a radially innermost sealing surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface therewith for engagement with an arcuate surface portion of each respective pipe end to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member relative to the axial length of each said corresponding lip being such that when said gasket is subjected to radially directed mechanical compressive forces by said coupling segments, each said annular inner wall of each said flange member assumes an inward convex generally conical configuration so as to apply sufficient sealing force against internal fluid pressure between said coupling segments and the pipe ends.
29. The pipe coupling according to claim 28, wherein each said sealing lip is of thickness in the radial direction sufficient to maintain sealing contact with said pipe ends, said lips being resistant to upward curling forces caused by fluid pressure.
30. Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent grooved end workpieces such as pipe ends, nipples, fittings or combinations thereof, which gasket comprises a generally circular base member formed of an elastomeric material, each peripheral edge portion of said base member having a generally radially inwardly extending flange member formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having an inner annular wall, each said flange member further having a respective axially inwardly facing integral lip having a radially innermost sealing surface, said sealing surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of at least a portion of an end portion of each workpiece to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in an axial direction of the workpiece relative to the dimension between the groove and the end of the respective workpiece being between about 0.20 and about 0.50 such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly for sealing, and radially directed compressive forces are applied thereto, the radially extending inner annular walls of said flange members assume an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.
31. Gasket for use in a mechanical coupling adapted to join adjacent grooved ends of pipes, nipples, fittings, or combinations thereof, which gasket comprises:
a) a generally circular base member formed of an elastomeric material and dimensioned and adapted to be positioned within a mechanical coupling assembly in circumferential relation with ends to be coupled, each end defining a generally longitudinal axis;
b) a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly extending flange members formed integral with said generally circular ring-like base member, each said flange member having a predetermined thickness in the axial direction and an inner annular wall, each said flange member further having a respective inwardly facing integral lip having a radially innermost sealing surface, said sealing surface of each said lip being continuous with a radially innermost sealing surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface adapted for engagement with an outer surface portion of the end to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in the axial direction of the end relative to the dimension between the groove and the end of the corresponding end being joined being between about 0.20 and about 0.50 such that when the gasket is positioned within a coupling assembly to couple two such ends, and radially directed mechanical compression forces are applied thereto by the coupling, said inner annular wall of each said flange member assumes an inward convex generally conical configuration providing pressure responsiveness and supportive sealing force.
32. Mechanical pipe coupling having plural arcuate coupling segments, engagement means on the inner periphery of each said segment for securing the juxtaposed ends of grooved end pipe members, a gasket receiving channel in each coupling segment, and means for securing said coupling segments to each other in end-to-end relationship, and a gasket positioned within the gasket receiving channel of the coupling segment, said gasket comprising a generally circular base member formed of an elastomeric sealing material and dimensioned and adapted to be positioned within the channel, said base member having a pair of radially inwardly extending flange members formed integrally therewith, each said flange member having a predetermined thickness in the axial direction and an annular inner wall surface, each said flange member further having an inwardly facing axially extending sealing lip having a radially innermost sealing surface, said sealing surface of each said sealing lip being continuous with a radially innermost sealing surface of each said respective flange member to form a radially innermost continuous sealing surface therewith for engagement with an arcuate surface portion of each respective pipe end to be coupled, the thickness of each said flange member in the axial direction relative to the dimension between the groove and the end of each respective end to be coupled being between about 0.20 and about 0.50 such that when said gasket is subjected to radially directed mechanical compressive forces by said coupling segments, each said annular inner wall of each said flange member assumes an inward convex generally conical configuration so as to apply sufficient sealing force against internal fluid pressure between said coupling segments and pipe ends.