Abstract: Disclosed is a wedge shaped actuator device configured to provide separation of spring supported electrical contacts in an electrical switch. The wedge is configured with dual contour sides to maximize transfer of energy from a drive solenoid to the contact carrying springs. Portions of the wedge are relieved to allow for uninhibited movement of the wedge over side surfaces of the contact carrying springs to avoid digging in of any rough materials from the side edges of the spring as may be occasioned due to stamping techniques used to form the springs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wedge shaped actuator device configured to provide separation of spring supported electrical contacts in an electrical switch. The wedge is configured with dual contour sides to maximize transfer of energy from a drive solenoid to the contact carrying springs. Portions of the wedge are relieved to allow for uninhibited movement of the wedge over side surfaces of the contact carrying springs to avoid digging in of any rough materials from the side edges of the spring as may be occasioned due to stamping techniques used to form the springs.

Abstract: A retractable pusher dog for an overhead power and free conveyor system is provided. The retractable pusher dog comprises a body portion formed from a rectangular cylinder with a spring and pusher member disposed within the cylinder. When a force greater than the static spring force is applied to the pusher member, the pusher member retracts into the body portion thus reducing the overall height of the pusher dog. Due to its self-actuating retraction, the retractable pusher dog of the subject invention requires no modifications to the powered and free rails or to the load trolleys. The retractable pusher dog will prevent jamming of load trolleys by allowing the pusher dog to bypass an off-timed load carrier, introduced from a different powered rail, until it is properly aligned on the main rail. Also, the body plates of the pusher dog facilitates coupling the pusher dog to the drive chain without disassembling the drive chain thus reducing downtime of the conveyor system and labor costs.

Abstract: The present invention involves a machine for cutting earth formations, of the type comprising a vehicle body, a cutter drum mounted on the vehicle body, and a drive mechanism for rotating the cutter drum. The cutter drum includes a plurality of segments of a cylinder, and a connector for connecting the drum segments together. The drum segments each include at one end thereof a reaction surface inclined in a direction extending longitudinally outwardly and radially inwardly. The connector comprises a connector ring and a fastener. The connector ring includes an inner peripheral surface inclined in a direction complimentary to that of the reaction surfaces such that the connector ring is able to fit over the reaction surfaces. The fastener imposes generally longitudinally inward forces on the connector ring to urge the inner peripheral surface of the ring into wedging engagement with the reaction surfaces to urge the drum segments together.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for cutting earth formations, of the type comprising a vehicle body, and a power driven rotary cutter mounted on the body. The cutter includes a wheel assembly and a cutter chain mounted in circular fashion around the wheel assembly. The cutter chain comprises a plurality of links connected together by transverse pins, and cutter-receiving sockets carried by the links. The wheel assembly comprises a peripheral surface for supporting the pins, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in the surface, the quantity and spacing of the recesses corresponding to the quantity and spacing of the transverse pins in the chain such that the pins can be positioned in the recesses. The recesses are of sufficient depth to support the chain in a slackened condition when the pins are positioned in the recesses.