Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a location of an object at an earthworking site. The method and apparatus includes determining a location in geographical coordinates of an earthworking implement at the earthworking site, determining a location in geographical coordinates of the object, displaying the earthworking implement and the object on a display having a top view and a side profile view of the earthworking site, selecting a perimeter of interest in the top view with respect to the earthworking implement, determining the coordinates of a portion of the object bounded by the perimeter of interest, and displaying a three-dimensional image of the portion of the object in the side profile view as a function of the perimeter of interest.

Abstract: An integral fluid pump is disposed in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is directly driven by an engine piston and provides fluid flow to a fluid system. First and second check valves are connected to the cylinder head and control fluid flow between a reservoir, the fluid pump, the fluid system. The integral fluid pump is particularly suited for providing fluid flow to an engine lubricating system.

Abstract: A pushbutton console latch is provided. The latch includes a cylindrical housing for housing a pushbutton therein. The pushbutton incorporates a lost motion feature such that when a pushbutton is in the locked position and depressed, the bolt of the latch remains extended. However, when the pushbutton is rotated to an unlocked position, a pushbutton may be depressed thereby retracting the bolt.

Abstract: Damping of the bounce in elastomeric tires is desirable to eliminate the tendency of a machine, such as a loader, to lope or bounce when carrying a load for a distance. The subject invention substantially reduces the lope or bounce by filling the cavity or closed chamber of a tire of a wheel assembly with a liquid, mounting an accumulator to a rim, and controllably interconnecting the closed chamber and the accumulator. By controlling the rate of fluid flow between the closed chamber and the accumulator, the elastomeric tire retains some resiliency while forcing the springs and shock absorbers of the machine to control the tendency for the machine to bounce or lope.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a glove compartment is provided. The latch mechanism includes a plate mountable to the door of the glove compartment. A lever and a hook are interlocked to each other and pivotably mounted to the plate. The lever is movable between a closed position and an opened position such that movement of the lever from the closed position to the opened position pivots the hook and consequently unlatches the latch mechanism for the glove compartment. When the lever is in the closed position, the hook may be pivoted independent of the lever.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) assists an earthmoving vehicle (104) in the fracture of material (106). The apparatus (102) includes a ripping structure (108) having at least one ripper (112) and one electrode (130). The apparatus (102) generates electrical energy and discharges the electrical energy into the material through the ripping structure (108).

Abstract: Carbon/carbon composites including those structures formed from a fibrous reinforcement itself formed principally from carbon in a carbon matrix are protected against oxidation by multi-layer sealant system preferably including a multi-layer paint including in its carbonized binder refactory granules and inhibitor particles that form a moisture resistant, viscosity-stabilized borate glass when exposed to a high-temperature, oxidizing environment, and an outer ceramic shell formed by CVI/CVD in situ formation of boron carbide followed by silicon carbide. The paint is prepared by mixing finely divided powders of borate precursor compounds or borate glass frit and refractory granules with a carbon char yielding precursor binder such as phenolic resin or pitch which preferably produces a highly porous structure upon carbonization.

Abstract: Steering systems are normally incorporated into hydrostatic drive systems for use on track-type vehicles. The currently available steering systems do not take advantage of the potential energy created by slowing down the inside track during a steering maneuver. The subject regenerative steering system includes positioning a pair of reversing valves between a source of pressurized fluid and a pair of motor/pump units drivingly connected to a pair of tracks. Each of the variable displacement motor/pump units includes a displacement controller for controlling the displacement of the motor/pump unit. To initiate a steering maneuver, a control signal is directed to the displacement controller of one of the motor/pump units to change the displacement of the motor/pump unit causing the track to slow down and start driving the motor/pump unit.

Abstract: A support beam, for supporting and connecting a track-type vehicle on first and second roller frame assemblies, has first and second end portions connected to a respective track roller frame and a middle portion connected to the vehicle. The connections between the track roller frames and the support beam provide adjustment of the track roller frames to various lateral positions, thereby providing various gage settings of the track of the vehicle.

Abstract: A track laying work vehicle has an undercarriage assembly including a rigid support beam and first and second roller frame assemblies, one on either side of the vehicle. Each roller frame assembly has first and second end portions and supports a rotatable idler wheel assembly at the first end portion and a powered drive wheel at the second end portion. Each drive wheel is frictionally engaged with a drive axle of the vehicle and can be engaged with the drive axle at a plurality of lateral positions on the axle. The first end portion of each roller frame assembly is releasably connected to one end of the support beam and is laterally moveable on the support beam. An endless track, such as an elastomeric belt, encircles a respective drive wheel, roller frame assembly, and idler wheel assembly on each side of the vehicle. By moving the track roller frame assembly and drive wheel laterally along the drive axle and support beam respectively, various gage settings of the endless track are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle such as a combine harvester or the like includes a main frame, a track roller frame pivotally connected to the main frame, a drive wheel including a hydraulic drive motor having a housing and a rotatable shaft assembly, and an equalizer bar connected in a first embodiment to the shaft assembly by a coupling device including an anti-friction bearing and a trunnion member having a pair of pivot pins arranged along a substantially horizontal and longitudinally extending axis. In a second embodiment the equalizer bar is connected to the housing by another coupling device including a trunnion member having a pair of similarly oriented pivot pins. In each instance the transversely oriented equalizer bar is arranged along the transversely oriented central axis of the drive wheel, which provides a very stable 3-point frame suspension that is also rugged and economical and has a minimal tendency to collect mud or debris on the upper surfaces thereof in use.

Abstract: A data processing and storage system includes semi-permanent disk storage for storing transaction data relating to a plurality of parcels. The transaction data includes character information data which is read from the parcels and scale data which is provided by an associated parcel register scale system. When the data processing and storage system is interrogated by a remote host computer, the transaction data is read from the disk and transmitted to the remote host computer for further processing.

Abstract: A high speed label printer includes a supply roll for supplying connected labels which are adhesively attached to a backing strip, to a pair of printing heads for printing indicia thereon. A platen provides support for the label during the printing operation and the backing is peeled from the label as it is drawn over the platen. A pair of friction drive rollers engage the peeled backing and are driven by a stepper motor to transport the labels past the printing heads. A housing for the supply roll of labels has spacers which confine the extent to which the roll unravels in the housing. When the stepper motor is started, the unravelled outer turns of the supply roll are initially withdrawn from the supply roll housing, thereby exerting a minimal torque on the stepper motor during start-up.

Abstract: A load skidding vehicle (10) utilizing a grapple assembly (28) for grasping loads. The grapple assembly (28) is pivotally connected to a boom (24) which extends rearwardly from and is connected to a chassis (12). The grapple assembly (28) is pivotable relative to the boom (24) by a hydraulic cylinder (36) connected to the grapple assembly (28) and chassis (12). Displacement of the hydraulic cylinder (36) provides pivoting of the grapple assembly (28) to an optimum load skidding position. Means (66,68,70,72,78,62',68') are provided for maintaining the optimum skidding position for the grapple assembly (28) with a biasing force during skidding by permitting the grapple assembly (28) to pivot away from the initial skidding position when a predetermined skidding force is encountered. When the skidding force falls below the biasing force magnitude, the grapple assembly (28) is again pivoted toward the initially set skidding position.

Abstract: An element (12) having a chamber (28) such as, for example, a boom (12) of an excavator (10) or a draft tube of a scraper is subject to torsional loading during use of the element (12). Torsional loading creates tensile stresses (T) on the welds (22) of the excavator boom (12), which can lead to weld failure. A method for controllably treating the metal of the element (12) includes heating the element (12) and pressurizing the chamber (28), maintaining the element (12) and chamber (28) at a preselected temperature and pressure (P.sub.1), respectively, and cooling the element (12) and depressurizing the chamber (28). The method produces residual compressive stresses (C.sub.2) in the metal, such as in the root area (23) of the welds (22) of the excavator boom (12), for increasing fatigue life under torsional loading of the boom (12).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to outdoor furniture, particularly chairs and the like, provided with removable weather protection. A unitary chair body is provided, typically of molded plastic, to form integral seat, back, side and armrest portions. The chair body is of a generally weather-tight construction on the bottom, back and sides. Weather protection from the top and front is provided by means of a removable weather cover, which extends generally from the upper edge of the chair back to the front edge of the chair bottom and extends from one armrest to the other to completely cover the main recess of the chair. The weather cover is of a self-supporting construction, and both the chair and the cover are especially designed and especially adapted to accommodate the use of the cover in its closed position and also to provide for convenient storage of the cover when the chair is in use.