Abstract: A coupling guard for covering a coupling which couples a drive shaft of a prime mover and a rotational shaft of a rotary machine to each other. The coupling guard includes a cylindrical guard body having an upper semicylindrical member and a lower semicylindrical member coupled to the upper semicylindrical member, and a guard leg supporting the guard body. The guard body has a flange portion to which the guard leg is attached. The guard leg includes a vertical wall parallel to a central axis of the guard body, an upper wall, a bottom wall, a left-side wall, and a right-side wall which project perpendicularly outwardly from the vertical wall. The vertical wall, the upper wall, the bottom wall, the left-side wall, and the right-side wall are made of a single plate material.

Abstract: A safety guard (10) for use with a wide angle joint on an agricultural power takeoff (PTO) shaft comprises a guard housing that extends around the wide-angle joint when the guard is fitted. The guard housing comprises a first housing part (12) hingedly connected to a second housing part (14) to thereby allow the first housing part (12) and second housing part (14) to move relatively open to each other and relatively closed to each other about a hinge (19), a locking member (50, 54) to lock the first housing part (12) to the second housing part (14) in a closed condition and operable to be unlocked to allow the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (14) to be moved away from each other about the hinge. Each housing part (12, 14) includes a lip (44, 46) on one end thereof, the lip (44, 46) having a profile to match a profile of an end bellows (38) to which the guard (10) is attached.

Abstract: A safety guard (10) for use with a wide angle joint on an agricultural power takeoff (PTO) shaft comprises a guard housing that extends around the wide-angle joint when the guard is fitted. The guard housing comprises a first housing part (12) hingedly connected to a second housing part (14) to thereby allow the first housing part (12) and second housing part (14) to move relatively open to each other and relatively closed to each other about a hinge (19), a locking member (50, 54) to lock the first housing part (12) to the second housing part (14) in a closed condition and operable to be unlocked to allow the first housing part (12) and the second housing part (14) to be moved away from each other about the hinge. Each housing part (12, 14) includes a lip (44, 46) on one end thereof, the lip (44, 46) having a profile to match a profile of an end bellows (38) to which the guard (10) is attached.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body unit which has an image forming unit; a door unit which couples with the main body unit to open and close the main body unit, and has a projection at one side thereof; a mid-transfer unit which couples with the door unit; a coupling knob which is provided in the main body unit and rotates in cooperation with pressure of the projection when the door unit is closed; and a coupling apparatus which is provided in the main body and transmits a driving force from the main body unit to the mid-transfer unit in cooperation with the rotation of the coupling knob.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protection device for an end piece of a shaft, in particular a power take-off shaft protection for a work machine. The protection device comprises a cover which is pivotally mounted to a base member, wherein both the cover and the base member are made of plastic material. Moreover, the cover is pivoting about a pivot axis from a home position with respect to the base member into various protective positions toward the work machine and away from the same. The respective protective positions are determined and stably held by a lock mechanism at the protection device.

Abstract: A guard assembly is provided for extending around a rotating shaft extending between a driving device and a driven device. The guard assembly includes two plastic pliable covers bent to form two cylindrical housings. One cylindrical housing is slidable within the other and movable between a retracted and an extended position. A split ring adapter is secured to one of the devices and includes a series of lugs that project through circumferential openings in one of the cylindrical housings. Additionally, there is provided an end cap secured to one of the cylindrical housings opposite the adapter plate. There is also provided a series of elongated openings provided in each cylindrical housing and one or more fasteners projecting through respective pairs of openings so as to secure one cylindrical housing to the other and to permit one of the housings to slide with respect to the other when the fasteners are loosened.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic guard is used to enclose a coupling connection between a prime mover input shaft and a driven output shaft. The guard is comprised of two halves that are hinged together with a stainless steel pin at one end. The coupling is centered within the guard with the hinge being positioned above the coupling. The halves extend from the hinge to distal ends that are pivoted about the pin to surround and enclose the coupling. The distal ends meet underneath the coupling area and are mounted to a non-rotating base. Sleeves extend outwardly from opposing ends of the guard to surround the input and output shafts and abut against the prime mover and output device equipment. The sleeves have a vertically, elongated opening so that one guard can be used to cover many different base-to-shaft heights. Further, the length of the sleeves can be adjusted to accommodate different centerline-of-guard to equipment face distances.

Abstract: A wellbore tubular handling system and method is provided for operation in holding and lowering tubulars, such as tubing strings, casing strings, pipe strings, and the various components thereof, at a rig site. The handling system utilizes a shock table with a compressible support surface that compressively moves with a selected compression rate in response to the weight of the wellbore tubular string. The shock table preferably has a shock table body mounted below the rig floor and may conveniently replace the rotary table master bushing except for a flange which supports the shock table on the rig floor. A split-sectioned landing spear can be split open to an open position to thereby allow large items such as collars or other string components to pass through the shock table.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic guard is used to enclose a coupling connection between a prime mover input shaft and a driven output shaft. The guard is comprised of two halves that are hinged together with a stainless steel pin at one end. The coupling is centered within the guard with the hinge being positioned above the coupling. The halves extend from the hinge to distal ends that are pivoted about the pin to surround and enclose the coupling. The distal ends meet underneath the coupling area and are mounted to a non-rotating base. Sleeves extend outwardly from opposing ends of the guard to surround the input and output shafts and abut against the prime mover and output device equipment. The sleeves have a vertically elongated opening so that one guard can be used to cover many different base-to-shaft heights. Further, the length of the sleeves can be adjusted to accommodate different centerline-of-guard to equipment face distances.

Abstract: A flexible drive transmission comprising a flexible drive shaft assembly having a first end connectable to a drive motor and a second end connectable to a driven implement, a tubular casing surrounding and coaxial with the drive shaft assembly, a lubricant disposed within the casing, and a lubricant-seal for blocking leakage of lubricant from the second drive shaft assembly end. The drive shaft assembly comprises a flexible elongated drive transmitting member, a first drive coupling fixed to the drive transmitting member at a first end, and a second drive coupling fixed to the drive transmitting member at the second end. The casing rotatably supports the drive shaft assembly and comprises a tubular flexible conduit, and end fitting that permanently secures one drive coupling against axial movement relative to the casing.

Abstract: An adjustable rotating shaft guard includes a base, a first guard half, and a second guard half. A bottom of the first and second guard halves are retained by the base such that they contact each other to fully cover a rotating shaft or coupler. A half sleeve preferably extends outward from at least one end of the first and second guard halves. Preferably, the top of each guard half is fastened to each other. The first and second guard halves are preferably fabricated from a high impact plastic. The bottom area of the first and second guard halves preferably have a plurality of cutting lines which provide a reference for sawing to a specific height. The half sleeves also have a plurality of cutting lines which provide a reference for sawing to a specific length. In a second embodiment, an adjustable rotating shaft guard includes a first sleeve guard half, a second sleeve guard half and two sets of two end cap halves.

Abstract: A power take off (PTO) shaft safety retainer provides for the retention of the output end of a PTO shaft at its connection to a driven machine, in the event of accidental disconnection of the output end of the shaft from the driven machinery due to breakage of a U-joint, dislodging of a safety pin, failure of the gearbox, etc. The device essentially comprises an attachment to the relatively stationary portion of the driven machine, with an arm or strut extending therefrom and supporting a selectively openable retaining band adjusted to surround the PTO shaft near its connection with the driven machinery. The attachment and strut are axially offset from the axis of the PTO shaft, in order to avoid interference with the connection of the shaft to the drive means of the driven machinery. The attachment may be removably or permanently secured to the machinery by opposed flanges and bolts, over center latches, hinges with removable pins, or welded, etc., as desired.

Abstract: A hydraulic power coupling assembly for coupling a tractor power take-off to various pieces of towed or stationary, powered agricultural equipment. The hydraulic assembly includes a hydraulic pump mounted on the tractor power take-off, a hydraulic motor mounted on a selected piece of agricultural equipment and quick-connect connectors among the pump, motor and the selected agricultural equipment. The pump includes its own reservoir for oil or hydraulic fluid. A shield is incorporated into the pump to eliminate the need for a tractor mounted shield. The hydraulic assembly can be readily removed and transferred to another piece of agricultural equipment to be powered. Thus, the hydraulic assembly is readily available for any powered agricultural equipment needs, while at the same time, removing the exposure to the hazardous area of a tractor's power take-off drive unit.

Abstract: A shield assembly for a power take-off shaft protruding from a tractor has first and second generally vertical, laterally spaced side plates adapted to be positioned on opposite lateral sides of the shaft. A cover extends between the side plates and is adapted to be positioned above the shaft. The cover is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis and movable in a generally linear direction between a first pivoting position and a second linearly displaced pivoting position. A positioning member is disposed on one of the cover and the first side plate, and first and second stops are disposed on the other of the cover and the first side plate. The first stop and positioning member are spaced approximately the same radial distance from the horizontal pivot axis when the cover is in the first pivoting position, and the second stop and positioning member being spaced approximately the same radial distance from the horizontal pivot axis when the cover is in the second linearly displaced pivoting position.

Abstract: A PTO master safety shield is provided having a cut-out in the upper surface thereof. A door is pivotally mounted within the shield to close the door and biased by springs into the closed position. If the center link of a 3-point hitch is lowered to where it contacts the lip of the door, it will simply press the door downwards. Upon subsequent lifting of the center link, the springs will move the door back into the normal position. The main body of the master field also is pivotally mounted to flip up to a raised position. The door is provided with arms which engage slots at the back of the master shield. If the master shield is left in the raised position and the center link is lowered to where it contacts the door, the door will pivot, the arms of the door will lift the back end of the master safety shield and force it forward until it falls down into its normal position.

Abstract: A tractor power take-off shaft shield assembly having fixed side plates projecting from a tractor wall on either side of the shaft(s), a top plate hinged to the wall and sized to pivot between the side plates, and a slot in one and preferably both side plates each receiving a slot follower pivotably attached to the top plate, which is set in normal, lowered or raised position by positioning the slot follower(s). Preferred embodiments include each slot having an upper slot section angled downwardly somewhat from horizontal to support the slot follower when the tractor is not in use and cause it to automatically return the top plate to its normal position during tractor use. Some preferred embodiments include sidewalls on the top plate adjacent to the side plates.

Abstract: A tractor power take-off shaft shield assembly having a pair of spaced side plates on either side of the shafts, a movable top plate which slideable between an extended position covering the shafts and a retracted position exposing the shafts, and locking devices adjustably holding the movable top plate in position across the side plates. This shield assembly improves accessibility to and visibility of power take-off shafts and ease of operation in attachment and detachment of implements.

Abstract: A flip-up shield assembly for a tractor PTO in which the shield can be moved from a normal position in which it extends above and to the sides of the PTO shaft to and held in two raised positions, one of which is intended for use when a drive shaft having an oversized universal joint guard is attached to the PTO shaft and the other of which is intended for use simply during the coupling of a drive shaft to the PTO shaft. The shield can be moved to and held in an additional protection position which is located below the normal protection position to provide additional space for an adjustable implement hitch which is adjustably carried by a vehicle above the PTO shaft.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a shield arrangement for the power take-off shaft of a tractor or like piece of equipment. The arrangement includes an inverted, U-shaped shield member which is pivotally mounted to the tractor for movement between raised and lowered positions, wherein in the lowered position the power take-off shaft is shielded. The arrangement further includes a spring-loaded, strut-like link pivotally mounted within the shield member. The link member is adapted to contact the power take-off shaft for supporting the shield member in its raised position, with the link member configured to disengage the take-off shaft upon initiation of the shaft's rotation for automatically lowering the shield member.