Abstract: A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a broken printing web from wrapping about or otherwise fouling the blanket cylinders of printing press units. The system and method includes a web tensioning device located downstream of the printing press units for maintaining tension upon a broken web and pulling the web from the printing press units. The device includes a plurality of web disturbance detectors for detecting a wave, ripple or other disturbance indicative of a web break. A pair of anti-wrap rollers located above and below the web are engaged upon detection of a web break to engage the web between them to exert tension onto the web and pull it from the printing units. The anti-wrap rollers are rotated at a surface speed nominally greater than the surface speed of the printing rolls. The anti-wrap rollers include a plurality of opposed peak and valley portions which enable them to interlock and grip the web along a line of contact.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a chain operatively engaged with a driver sprocket assembly and a driven sprocket assembly, a tensioner bracket including a roller engaged with the chain, a tensioner rod including a plurality of spaced apart flange portions engageable with a brace and a threaded portion extending through an opening formed in the tensioner bracket and screwably attached to a plate. An operator may unscrew the tensioner rod and pass at least one of the flange portions through a slot in the brace to slacken the chain. The operator may also position at least one flange portion in a narrow end of the slot, and screw the tensioner rod to press that flange against the brace to tighten the chain.

Abstract: A planter apparatus includes a seed meter including a housing assembly with a cover releasably connected to a shell. The housing assembly includes at least one opening formed therein adjacent a seed discharge area to promote the release of seeds from a disc rotatably attached to the housing assembly. The disc divides an interior of the housing assembly to include a vacuum chamber and a seed chamber. The disc including a plurality of openings formed adjacent a periphery of the disc. The planter apparatus may also include a singulator assembly having rotatably spools, a rotatable chute door, a disc having clusters of openings for simultaneous release, and a one-piece baffle.

Abstract: A multiple seed drop disc includes a disc member including a vacuum side and a seed side. The vacuum side includes a plurality of spaced-apart recesses formed therein. The seed side includes a plurality of clusters formed therein. Each cluster includes a plurality of openings which communicates with one of the recesses.

Abstract: A first torque coupler adapted for use with a second torque coupler having first and second lugs spaced apart by a first distance includes a support, a first member rotatably coupled to the support and including a third lug, and a second member rotatably coupled to the support and including a fourth lug. The first and second members engage one another to prevent unrestricted rotation of the first and second members in the same direction. The first and second members are rotatable in opposite directions when in engagement with at least one of the first and second lugs to move at least one of the third and fourth lugs, a first torque transmitting position in which the third and fourth lugs are spaced from one another by a second distance substantially equal to the first distance to a second position in which the third and fourth lugs are spaced from one another by a third distance unequal to the first distance.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a broken printing web from wrapping about or otherwise fouling the blanket cylinders of printing press units. The system and method includes a web tensioning device located downstream of the printing press units for maintaining tension upon a broken web and pulling the web from the printing press units. The device includes a plurality of web disturbance detectors for detecting a wave, ripple or other disturbance indicative of a web break. A pair of anti-wrap rollers located above and below the web are engaged upon detection of a web break to engage the web between them to exert tension onto the web and pull it from the printing units. The anti-wrap rollers are rotated at a surface speed nominally greater than the surface speed of the printing rolls. The anti-wrap rollers include a plurality of opposed peak and valley portions which enable them to interlock and grip the web along a line of contact.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a broken printing web from wrapping about or otherwise fouling the blanket cylinders of printing press units. The system and method includes a web tensioning device located downstream of the printing press units for maintaining tension upon a broken web and pulling the web from the printing press units. The device includes a plurality of web disturbance detectors for detecting a wave, ripple or other disturbance indicative of a web break. A pair of anti-wrap rollers located above and below the web are engaged upon detection of a web break to engage the web between them to exert tension onto the web and pull it from the printing units. The anti-wrap rollers are rotated at a surface speed nominally greater than the surface speed of the printing rolls. The anti-wrap rollers include a plurality of opposed peak and valley portions which enable them to interlock and grip the web along a line of contact.