Abstract: A variable speed belt drive in which the axially moveable sheave flange is connected to the drive shaft by a flexible element which performs the function of transmitting the torque from the shaft to the axially moveable flange, and which defines a fluid pressure chamber for applying a variable pressure to the moveable flange for moving the flange axially on the shaft as the pressure in the chamber is varied by the operation of a control device. The flexible element may be an annular member having a generally U-shaped configuration with inwardly extending side walls, one of the side walls being connected to the flange and the other side wall being connected to a flange-like member rigidly mounted on the shaft. Passages are provided through the shaft to connect the chamber with a source of controlled pressure.

Abstract: A tree stand for supporting a tree such as a Christmas tree in an upright position regardless of the shape and/or size of the tree and/or the tree trunk. The tree stand includes a base member for supporting the stand and a tree, and a freely movable member such as a water pan for receiving the end of the tree trunk. The pan is movable relative to the base member, and a vertical member extends upwardly from the base generally along and near the tree trunk. A trunk engaging means having a portion for receiving the trunk extends outwardly from the vertical member and a securing member is provided for drawing the trunk into the trunk receiving portion. In one embodiment the securing member includes an elastic band which is passed around the tree and attached on its ends to the tree stand, and in another embodiment the securing member includes a hook for engaging the tree and a nut for drawing the hook against the tree and pulling the tree trunk toward the trunk receiving portion.

Abstract: A composition and method for forming paving and floor blocks suitable for use on industrial floors and the like in which the finished blocks are water and abrasion resistant. The composition includes wood particles and formaldehyde resin and may include paraffin base wax for increased mold release characteristics, as well as pigments for block coloration. The method includes mixing the materials of the composition, pouring the composition into a mold, compressing the composition in the mold, and baking the mold with composition therein to cure the mixture and form the block.

Abstract: A torque cam assembly for variable speed belt drives having a driven sheave with an axially slidable flange, in which a collar is mounted on the shaft of the sheave and has a plurality of cams thereon, and a cam follower structure having generally axially protruding members is mounted on the slidable flange of the sheave for cooperating with the cams on the collar. Wear elements are disposed on the members and are adapted to contact the cams on the collar. Two sets of cams may be used with the cams of one set facing in one direction and the cams of the other set facing in the opposite direction, and a pair of wear elements is provided on each of the members for engagement with the facing cams. Each wear element is provided with a distinct protrusion of a generally conical shape to provide the initial contact area with the respective cam surface, for creating substantially equal load sharing relationship between the various cams.

Abstract: A refuse container lift pocket for use on containers lifted and inverted over collecting truck bins, in which the pocket operates with lift arms from the truck to automatically tilt the container toward the truck as the container is lifted. The pocket has a bottom plate parallel with the container floor and a top plate in spaced relation to the bottom plate and angling downwardly away from the pocket entrance. A side wall is disposed between the top and bottom plates.

Abstract: A variable speed drive having a pair of sheaves and a belt interconnecting the sheaves in which one of the flanges on at least one of the sheaves is mounted on an axially moveable hub and is adjustable toward and away from the other flange. The hub is mounted on a shaft, and a key interconnects the shaft and hub and prevents relative rotation between the shaft and hub. The bearing surface of the hub is provided with spaced axially disposed lubrication grooves, and the shaft contains an axial passage and radial ports through which lubrication is injected into the grooves in the hub. An annular lubrication groove interconnects the axial lubrication grooves and is provided with a port for relief of excess lubricating pressure. The flange ends of the axial grooves are closed by a seal disposed in the end of the bore in the hub at the inner end thereof.

Abstract: A time-lapse indicator in which a receptacle contains a fluid material having numerous discrete particles dispersed in a liquid carrier, and a layer of absorbent material in close proximity to the receptacle, the receptacle and absorbent material being separated from one another by a wall which is broken when the time period is to be determined by the indicator. The indicator normally has a pair of electrodes for measuring the resistance of the fluid material after a portion of the liquid carrier has been absorbed therefrom in the absorbent material. Mechanisms for both activating and reading the indicator may be used.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission in which a hydraulic pump and motor are in a generally U-shaped arrangement with a fluid transfer manifold extending between the pump and the motor. The pump is driven on one side of the manifold by the drive motor of the vehicle on which the transmission is used, and a drive shaft from the motor extends through the manifold, to power the drive wheels on the other side of the manifold. A housing surrounds the pump, motor and manifold and contains hydraulic fluid for the operation of the transmission. Servo controls for the pump and motor are located on the outside of the housing, and a control cover has preloaded servo pistons which properly adjust the servo control when the cover is attached to the housing. A charge pump for the servo controls is in the manifold, and rigid tubular conduits extend between the charge pump and the control cover.

Abstract: A combination coupling and sheave in a variable speed belt drive in which a variable pitch sheave has a fixed flange, an axially shiftable flange and a shaft connected to the drive motor by a flexible coupling with the hubs thereof secured to the motor and sheave shaft. The inventive concept includes mounting the coupling hub on the sheave shaft in a bearing of a pillow block at the end of the shaft and connecting the fixed flange of the sheave to the hub, so that the fixed flange is driven directly by the hub rather than solely by the shaft, and the slidable flange is driven through the shaft, thus creating split power paths between the flexible coupling and the fixed flange and between the coupling and the slidable flange through the sheave shaft, thereby reducing the load on the operating parts of the sheave.

Abstract: A portable campfire fireplace for containing a campfire and for providing a cooking surface which is adjustable with respect to the fire, in which side walls form a firebox and are hinged to fold flat, side by side. A post extends upwardly from eyes at one corner of the firebox and a bracket for holding a grill is slidable and rotatable on the post. A collar and set screw hold the bracket in place on the post. All pieces of the fireplace can be attached to one wall of the firebox for storing and transporting the fireplace. A false bottom may be disposed in the firebox for charcoal cooking, to hold the charcoal near the top of the firebox.

Abstract: A hay bale loader which may be attached to a hay stack mover or other hauling equipment for grasping and lifting big bales of hay, and for placing them on the hauling equipment. A boom which is attached to a frame and is movable between vertical and angular lateral positions, includes male and female portions slidably disposed relative to each other. An arm extends rearwardly from the boom, and a bale holding mechanism including pairs of opposing tines is suspended therefrom over the top of the hauling equipment. When the boom is lowered toward the ground, the tines of the bale holding mechanism are opened to surround the hay bale and then the tines are closed to grasp the bale. The boom is raised and adjusted to position the bale on the hauling equipment, after which the bale is released by opening the tines. The loader can also be used to individually unload the bales from the hauling equipment and to unload loose hay in small quantities for feeding.

Abstract: An ore dislodging mechanism and a method for extracting ore from a vein which greatly increase productivity and reduce health hazards when compared with previous devices and methods. The ore dislodging mechanism includes a chisel bar which is forced into the ore vein to dislodge ore therefrom, and an elevated means for raising the chisel bar in a substantially vertical manner so that each extraction made by the chisel bar is parallel with previous extractions. Side cutters extend vertical kerfs along the sides of the chisel bar and the chisel bar breaks down the coal between the kerfs.The method includes the steps of undercutting a vein of ore, extending at least one vertical relief cut upwardly from the undercut, forcing a chisel bar into the vein of ore, thereby dislodging the ore therefrom, and raising the means for cutting the relief cuts and the chisel bar mechanism to make progressively higher extractions parallel with lower extractions.

Abstract: A lift truck hood mechanism and method for operation thereof in which a cover is provided for the truck power source compartment and is movable from a substantially horizontal closed position to a substantially vertical opened position at the rear of the compartment. The rearward end of the cover is raised and guided in a linear path by hand or by rollers operating in tracks in the rear support members of the overhead guard assembly. The cover is pivoted about a transverse axis midway between the forward and rearward ends of the cover, and is moved toward the support members as the one end is raised. Torsion bars may be used to assist in moving the cover and to secure the cover in the open position. The operator's seat has a hinged mounting bracket and is movable between positions over the top of the front of the cover to hold the cover closed and against the steering wheel permitting the cover to be opened. A locking device prevents accidental movement of the rear of the hood.

Abstract: A machine safety guard for stopping a machine during any phase of operation to prevent injury to workers in which a guard lever is disposed between the worker and the hazardous area of the machine and is connected on one end to a pivot shaft. An activating arm extends from the shaft and has a post for operating a microswitch which is connected to the emergency circuit of the machine. When the guard lever is touched the lever pivots on the shaft, thereby lowering the post from the microswitch, causing the emergency circuit to stop the machine. A counterweight is used to control the sensitivity of the guard lever.

Abstract: A guard apparatus for production machines having hazardous work areas in which injury to the machine operator can occur, in which a guard rod is disposed around the perimeter of the hazardous work area and is attached on one end to an emergency circuit activation mechanism connected by an electric circuit to the emergency stop circuitry of the machine. If the guard rod is deflected either upwardly or downwardly, a switch in the activation mechanism is tripped, causing the emergency circuitry of the machine to go into an emergency off condition, thereby stopping the machine. A second emergency circuit activation mechanism can be connected to the other end of the guard rod to provide a back-up for the operation of the guard apparatus if the first switch fails.

Abstract: A strawberry plant which is vigorous and is a high producer of large fruit.