Abstract: The disclosed friction disc transmission includes a conventional drive disc rotatable about a vertical axis and a vertical friction disc engaging the top horizontal face of the drive disc to be driven about a horizontal axis. The friction disc is rotatably supported on a pivot frame having a sprocket drive connected to a sprocket on the wheel axle. The wheel axle sprocket in the self-energizing transmission is located vertically below the drive sprocket and the drive sprocket is located between the frame pivot axis and the friction disc. The tension in the drive chain thereby compresses the friction disc into engagement with the drive disc in proportion to the torsion in the wheel axle and eliminates the requirement of a spring. Other improvements include the novel chain drive including a driven sprocket on the pivot frame.

Abstract: A self-responsive fluid means for anti-cavitation, such as when a fluid motor is rotating in a manner beyond that induced by the fluid pressure fed thereto, and thus the motor itself acts in the nature of a pump to produce a cavitation effect. Thus, there is a fluid motor, a valve controlling flow thereto, a pump, and an additional valve which directs the exhaust from the fluid motor and back to the motor itself, under certain conditions of operation, all to avoid the cavitation effect. The latter valve includes two fluid inlet openings and a movable closure which controls fluid flow to a fluid outlet opening; and pressure relief valve are incorporated in that valve and thus permit and control flow to the reservoir when pressure is at a certain magnitude.

Abstract: A clutch having a simple adjustment mechanism permitting adjustment of the gap between the clutch elements, without disassembling the clutch. The perferred clutch includes camming rings which are spread upon actuation of the clutch to engage the clutch elements and compress the clutch spring. The adjustment mechanism includes a nut threadably received on the driven shaft, a cup-shaped slide received on the nut and biased against the camming rings by the clutch spring. During clutching, the slide is moved axially relative to the shaft by spreading the camming rings, compressing the clutch elements and biasing the spring. The clutch is adjusted by axially threading the nut on the shaft, biasing the slide against the camming rings and reducing the gap between the clutch elements.

Abstract: An improved self-actuating linkage for a flexible band-type brake which eliminates binding or locking of the brake. The linkage includes a pair of pivotally supported L-shaped levers connected to the brake band. The levers cross and are pivotally connected to a cam member. The cam member has a pair of angularly related slots extending outwardly from a line through the axis of the drum and slidably receiving the pivotal connections to the levers. The brake is actuated by tensioning the cam member and the brake is released by movement of the cam member toward the brake drum, whereby the levers are spread within the angularly related slots to assure release of the brake band.

Abstract: An improved sweeper assembly having a pair of oppositely rotatable brushes supported in spaced parallel relation within a housing enclosure. A lower baffle plate is provided forward of the lower brush which defines an expanding throat for the housing. Particulate material is swept by the lower brush, through the throat opening and then propelled by the upper brush out of the housing into a collection hopper. The lower baffle also includes a downwardly facing arcuate lower end, which is spaced below the rotational axis of the lower brush and which serves as a drag plate, limiting the material swept by the lower brush. The brushes are driven by rotation of the ground supporting wheels at predetermined speeds to improve the collection capacity of the sweeper assembly.

Abstract: An improvement in sweepers, particularly of the rotary type shown, comprising a separate guard-drag plate extending downwardly from the hopper at an acute angle to the ground, then turned upwardly adjacent the forward end of the sweeper housing, but spaced therefrom. The arcuate lower surface of the guard-drag plate is spaced below the forward end of the housing, protecting the housing against damage and providing a drag surface which compresses and distributes particulate material and raises the sweeper assembly upon engaging obstacles or accumulations of particulate material.