Abstract: A climate control system for vehicles includes an internal combustion engine that may be coupled to selectively power a first motor generator, and an air conditioning compressor that may be selectively powered by one or both of the first motor generator and a second motor generator, or by the internal combustion engine. The system may include a rechargeable battery, and a vehicle controller having a vehicle state circuit structured to determine a vehicle operating condition value and a state-of-charge value of the rechargeable battery, and a coupling determination circuit structured to provide an internal combustion engine-first motor generator coupling command in response to the vehicle operating condition value and the state-of-charge value. In response to the internal combustion engine-first motor generator coupling command being provided as coupled, the internal combustion engine may power the first motor generator.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes a knuckle defining a bore therethrough. The suspension system includes a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the knuckle. Further, the suspension system includes an axle at least partially received within the bore of the knuckle and operatively coupled to the wheel hub. The suspension system includes a pump driven by the axle and configured to generate pressurized fluid. The suspension system includes an actuator receiving pressurized fluid from the pump.

Abstract: A hub for a heavy-duty vehicle and for mounting a wheel for relative rotation comprises a substantially cylindrical body having axially opposite end portions and a longitudinal central axis. Each of a pair of bearing receiving bores is formed in the cylindrical body at a respective axially opposite end portion of the cylindrical body. A circumferential envelope has an outer diameter and is formed on the cylindrical body about one of the pair of bearing receiving bores. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical body at a location between the pair of bearing receiving bores. A barrel portion of the cylindrical body extends between the flange and the circumferential envelope and has an outer diameter. The hub provides sufficient strength and minimizes weight by incorporating specific longitudinal profiles and ratios and/or relationships of various dimensions of the barrel portion 104.

Abstract: A wheel powered alternator charging system captures rotational energy of a vehicle wheel, transferring the rotational energy to an alternator to generate electricity. An alternator, a mounting bracket, and a transfer shaft are mounted to a support frame. An input wheel is connected to an existing wheel on the vehicle. The input wheel is connected to the transfer shaft by a first pulley assembly. A second pulley assembly is connected between the transfer shaft and an alternator wheel. As the vehicle wheel rotates, mechanical energy is transferred through the first pulley assembly, the transfer shaft, and the second pulley assembly to the alternator. The mounting bracket is affixed to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A seed meter for a planting machine is provided with an adjustable drive coupling between the seed meter and the planting machine main drive. The drive coupling includes a drive member connected to the planter drive and a driven member coupled to the seed meter shaft. The drive member and driven member are drivingly engagable with one another and held into the engaged position by a biasing member. The drive member and driven member are selectively movable relative to one another to a disengaged position, enabling adjustment of the seed meter relative to the drive by rotation of the meter shaft. Once released, the coupling self-engages.

Abstract: A seeding machine having a plurality of seed meters receiving rotary input from a common input shaft. First and second gearboxes respectively connect the common rotary input to individual seed meters. A flexible drive extends from the gearbox adjacent the common rotary input to the seed meters. Spring clutches, normally connected, are electrically actuated to disengage the drive to the individual seed meters. The clutches may be integrated in the gearbox adjacent the rotary drive or the gear box for the individual seed meters.

Abstract: A power take-off for an electric vehicle. The power take-off includes a variable speed electric motor for driving at least one wheel of the vehicle. A transmission, including a neutral state, coupled to the electric motor. An auxiliary output shaft is coupled to the transmission. When the transmission is in the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependent on the electric motor speed. When the transmission is operably engaged in other than the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed related to both the electric motor speed and the wheel speed.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission including an input shaft; a flywheel connected to the input shaft; a drive pulley connected to the input shaft and defined by a first and a second half-pulley defining a groove of variable width for a belt; and a centrifugal actuating assembly having a centrifugal actuating device, which activates above a first threshold value of the angular speed of the input shaft to connect the drive pulley to the flywheel by a clutch interposed between the first half-pulley and the flywheel, and a speed regulating device, which is active above a second threshold value of the angular speed of the input shaft to adjust the width of the groove of the drive pulley, and therefore the work diameter of the belt.

Abstract: A compact battery powered mover for heavy rollable loads, having a ventilated battery compartment incorporated into the body of the mover and a removable rechargeable ventilated battery that permits the replacement of a spent battery with a fresh battery at the work location. The mover also has incorporated into its compact design a motor controller that enables the use of a heavy current draw when needed for brief periods without developing excessive heating. The configuration of the critical components in and on the mover body permits the substitution of one critical component with another component having different operating properties without significantly changing the compactness of the mover.

Abstract: A gearbox is drivingly coupled to a seed meter by a drive element. The drive element comprises a drive shaft on which is mounted a multifaceted sleeve. The multifaceted sleeve is pinned to the drive shaft by a cotter pin. The cotter pin provides torque protection by defining a torque transmission limit. The multifaceted sleeve is driven by a gearbox output. The gearbox output is provided with a hexagonal opening into which the hexagonal sleeve is received. The drive shaft is provided with a drive coupling. The drive coupling comprises an annular axially extending bore having aligned transversely extending apertures passing therethrough. The drive coupling is coupled to the spindle of the seed meter. The spindle is received in the bore. A readily releasable pin extends between the drive shaft and spindle.

Abstract: A flexible rotatable drive shaft is provided with a first male coupling that is received in a second female coupling located on a gearbox. The male coupling has two circumferential grooves that define a first fully engaged position and a second intermediate engaged position. In both engaged positions the male coupler is mounted to the gearbox, however only in the fully engaged position is the flexible rotatable drive shaft in a driving relationship with the gearbox. The female coupler is provided with a latch pin for selectively engaging the first and second circumferential grooves. The latch pin is provided with a circumferential surface for engaging the grooves and latching the flexible rotatable drive shaft to the gearbox and a recessed section for unlatching the flexible rotatable drive shaft from the gearbox.

Abstract: The dual layshaft transmission with load compensation has one axially and radially mounted drive shaft, one main shaft mounted coaxially thereto which is connected via a PTO-shaft with an output shaft for the PTO-operation and two layshafts, there being situated between the two layshafts one gear which upon application of a load automatically centers itself upon the two layshafts. Upon the PTO-shaft (2) is additionally situated at PTO-wheel (3) which meshes with a main shaft wheel (4) disposed upon the main shaft and is driven thereby.

Abstract: A track traveling vehicle having rubber tires for engaging a public road to permit the vehicle to travel thereon, and also having metal wheels capable of engaging rails associated with a track for permitting the vehicle to travel therealong. The metal wheels are supported on the chassis of the vehicle for vertical movement between a raised position wherein the rubber tires engage the road, and a lowered position wherein the metal wheels engage the rails and the rubber tires are maintained in an upwardly suspended non-engaged position. Hydraulic pumps are driven by the rubber tires when they are in the raised suspended position, and the hydraulic pumps supply hydraulic fluid to hydraulic motors to effect driving thereof. The hydraulic motors are in turn drivingly coupled to either the front or rear metal wheels to effect driving thereof when the metal wheels are engaged on the rails so that the vehicle can travel therealong.

Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechanical input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A manual powered lawn mower comprises a pair of large diameter drive wheels on an axle, two clutch and roller bearing mechanisms on the axle coupling the drive wheels thereto, a gear mechanism coupled to the axle for translating rotation of the drive wheels to rotation of a gear around a vertical axis, and a rotary type blade which is coupled to the gear mechanism via a vertical axle and another clutch and roller bearing mechanism. When the lawn mower is pushed forward, the clutch and roller bearing mechanisms on the wheel axle causes the axle to drive the gear mechanism, which in turn drives the vertical axle and the blade. When a drive wheel is not turning the axle faster than the speed that the axle is turning, that drive wheel is decoupled by the clutch and roller bearing mechanism and no longer adds either power or drag to the system. With clutch and roller bearing mechanisms on each wheel, a "differential" is provided which permits maneuverability without adversely affecting blade speed.

Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechancial input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Anti-skid device of a kind that includes a chain-provided pulley that on use if brought to contact with the side of the vehicle wheel so that when the vehicle wheel is rotated the chain pieces (2) are successively thrown in between wheel and ground in order to improve the traction. The anti-skid device is rotatably journaled in an arm (7) that in turn is fastened to a housing (8) that is turnably journaled on a stub axle (9). The turning movement of the arm and the housing is achieved in one direction by a bowden wire (20) and in the other dirction by a return spring (23). The stub axle (9) of the housing (8) is fastened to a plate (10) that in turn is fastened to a tube (11) by means of welding. The tube (11) is in turn arranged in clamps (12 and 13), that in turn are fastened to the bolts holding together the vehicle axle and its spring.

Abstract: A compact drive assembly including a flexible drive for transmitting power from a ground engaging wheel or wheels to a driven mechanism such as a seed meter on an implement. A set of cross helical spur gears are mounted in an enclosed case. The input gear is clamped to the ground engaging wheel shaft, and the output gear is fastened to a shaft which drives a flexible cable. The flexible cable is enclosed in a flexible housing and is connected to the remainder of the drive train.

Abstract: A planting machine has a ground-conditioning wheel ahead of the planting mechanism. This wheel normally carries a portion of the weight of the machine. The traction thus established is utilized to generate power for the planting mechanism as the machine is moved forward. Power is transferred to the planting mechanism by a sequence of chain drives having replaceable sprockets of various diameters to establish different spacing of planting positions along the row.

Abstract: A cable pulling apparatus includes a driving sheave on which is wound a tow line detachably connected to one end of a cable to be pulled; a pulling device disposed between the driving sheave and the end of the tow line and adapted to pull the tow line, a tension detector disposed between the driving sheave and the end of the cable and adapted to detect the pulling tension in the cable, and a control means for controlling the traction device in accordance with the tension detected by the tension detector such that, when the tension detected by the tension detector is below a predetermined limit, the pulling speed is controlled to impart a tension which is comparatively small but large enough to prevent any slip of the tow line on the periphery of the driving sheave, whereas, when the tension detected by the tension detector exceeds the predetermined level, the pulling speed is decreased such as to cause a slip of the tow line on the outer periphery of the driving sheave.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ground wheel takeoff drive system for fertilizer spreaders or the like including a gearbox being adapted to reside at least partly inside one of the speader's pneumatic tire and wheel cavities and having a hollow shaft journalled therein through which passes the axle on which the tire and wheel is mounted. The hollow shaft is secured to rotate with the ground wheel and a restraining element causes the gearbox to be restrained from rotation. The gearbox has a sprocket which is geared to be driven from the rotating hollow shaft, a remote control cable arrangement is connected to a gear lever on the gearbox which slides a driven gear in and out of engagement with a gear secured to the hollow shaft so that the gearbox sprocket motion may be disabled or enabled from a remote position; a sprocket chain is provided with suitable idlers for driving a sprocket wheel connected in a conventional manner to the gear drive mechanism for the fertilizer spreader.

Abstract: A portable band saw assembly adapted to be driven by the rear wheel of a bicycle, the assembly including a base having a frame assembly for supporting a continuous saw blade mounted on a pair of grooved wheels, a wheel guide assembly having wheel rim stabilizing assemblies for supporting the rear wheel of the bicycle and a sprocket hub support including a bracket for camming the rear wheel of the bicycle into engagement with one of the saw blade wheels.

Abstract: A quick change gear box mounting kit for a gear box that provides for a drive from a ground drive wheel of an implement to a shaft, includes a mounting that permits the gear box to be selectively coupled in first and second positions wherein different shafts on the gear box comprise input shafts. As shown in one position the output shaft of the gear box provides a 1.5 to 1 reduction in gearing, and by rotating the gear box 90.degree. through the use of the quick couplings and a quick attach mounting of the kit, the gear box can be changed so that the input shaft and output shaft will provide a 1.5 to 1 overdrive between the shaft then used as the input shaft, and the output shaft. The gear box mounting is useful particularly in ground drive mechanisms for apparatus such as inorganic fertilizer spreaders.

Abstract: A device for use in pushing a vehicle mounted on wheels in a forwardly direction is disclosed. The device includes a studded driving roller which is adapted to be placed behind and in contact with a wheel on the vehicle to be pushed. A pair of supporting rollers are rotably mounted on the driving roller for supporting the device on the surface on which the vehicle is resting. The supporting rollers are coupled to the driving roller by a first pair of spiral clutches. A yoke is also rotably mounted on the driving roller and is coupled to the driving roller by a second pair of spiral clutches. In use, the yoke is pushed up and down in a pumping action. During each downward stroke of the yoke, the support rollers will turn in a counter-clockwise forwardly moving direction while the driving roller will move in a clockwise direction. The clockwise rotation of the driving roller will produce a counter-clockwise rotation of the wheel causing the vehicle to move in a forwardly direction.

Abstract: A drive apparatus which in first place is intended for moving vehicles comprises a transportable carriage which has two wheels (3) and a drive roller (2) driven my means of a motor. Spring elements (7) normally keep the drive roller (2) and the support wheels out of contact with each other but by load, for instance when the carriage is pushed in under a vehicle wheel (8) a friction contact is established between the drive roller (2) and the support wheels (3) causing the carriage to move upon rotation of the drive roller at the same time causing the vehicle to be moved and the wheels (8) thereof are rotated. The carriage further has a handle (6) which preferably houses cables, hoses or the like for power supply to the motor and which has control means (5) such as switches or the like.

Abstract: A friction-type clutch assembly is provided for connecting full-speed power to a dead load, including an output shaft assembly including axially spaced, annular separator plates extending outwardly from and slidably secured along their inner circumference directly to an output shaft hub, a drive gear assembly including axially spaced, annular friction plates extending inwardly from and slidably secured along their outer circumference directly to an outer carrier member, with the annular friction plates of the drive gear assembly interposed between the annular separator plates of the output shaft assembly so that lateral motion of the respective plates toward one another causes clutching action of the drive gear and output shaft, and a piston and cylinder arrangement for drivingly connecting the drive gear assembly to the output shaft assembly, including an annular piston rotatably mounted on the output shaft and interposed between the drive gear and the output shaft hub, with the outer piston face being annul

Abstract: A wheeled land vehicle in which at least one free-running ground-engaging wheel has power take-off means connected thereto for providing power in or on the said vehicle, such power take-off means including an input shaft coaxial with and drivingly connected to said ground-engaging wheel and extending inwardly therefrom through a non-rotary hollow axle shaft, and power take-off mechanism drivingly connected to the said input shaft and mounted in cantilever fashion on an inboard termination of said axle shaft.

Abstract: A ground wheel drive apparatus for producing rotational power to drive seed planters, fertilizer applicators or other devices of the type carried on a farm machine. The apparatus includes a fixed frame for mounting on the toolbar of the farm machine and that frame has a transverse drive shaft journaled thereon. A trailing frame is pivotably carried on the transverse drive shaft and has a ground engaging wheel journaled on its extending end. One end of the transverse drive shaft is coupled to the ground engaging wheel and the other end is coupled to the devices on the farm machine so that rotation of the wheel drives the transverse shaft which in turn drives the devices on the farm machine.

Abstract: A vehicular battery charging system particularly adapted for railroad cars such as cabooses, in which an axle drive/hydraulic pump unit is coupled to the end of an axle via a flexible coupling and right angle gear drive. The hydraulic pump provides hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic motor/alternator unit. The a.c. output from the alternator is rectified and the resulting d.c. is employed to charge the batteries at a voltage which is very accurately controlled by a voltage regulator. The regulator comprises a switching circuit controlling the excitation of the field or rotor winding of the alternator by the rectified alternator output, in response to a repetitive pulse signal from a free-running multi-vibrator.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a wheeled vehicle which can be positioned, controlled and operated by a single individual. The apparatus operates on one wheel of the wheeled vehicle and moves the vehicle by rotating the one wheel. The apparatus includes a drive which engages both the wheel and the surface along which the vehicle is moved and an idler roller which also engages the wheel. The idler roller in its engagement with the wheel produces a reaction force for the apparatus which reacts the driving torque input to the drive. The idler roller produces the essential effect needed to accomplish the one-man operation noted above.

Abstract: A drive roller for driving feeding and metering mechanisms for seed and fertilizer of a grain drill which utilizes a drive roller riding against a pair of castering frame support wheels that are independent of the press wheel assemblies for the grain drill. The roller provides satisfactory drive where individual depth control of each of the furrow openers is utilized. The drive is adapted for use on a wide variety of different drills.

Abstract: Device for transmitting movement to a speed indicator instrument and/or distance counter, particularly for bicyles, comprising a driving wheel driven by a tire of the bicycle and a transmission casing. The transmission casing has an input shaft on which the wheel is mounted, and an output shaft adapted to be connected by a flexible cable to the counter and/or indicator instrument, the input and output shafts being parallel and connected by a transmission system of the wheel and belt type. The input shaft is offset in relation to the median plane of the casing parallel to the input and output shafts in such a manner that the wheel projects only on one side of the casing.

Abstract: A power transmission unit which translates reciprocating motion to one-way rotary motion through a rack and drive gears connected through one-way clutches to a gear train.

Abstract: A power tool driven by a vehicle wheel hub characterized by a removable mounting means which comprises a plurality of lug extenders adapted for removal attachment to the existing lugs which normally retain the wheel on the vehicle. The lug extenders are arranged to utilize various existing lug bolt nuts such that they are universally adaptable to various models of vehicle sizes and configurations.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel engages a gear which drives a multistage cam which actuates a system of hydraulic valves and pistons. A pressure-sensitive spool valve detects when the hydraulic pressure in the brake system exceeds the value which causes the wheel to enter the skid mode. The hydraulic pressure from the brake system passes through the pressure-sensitive valve to the system of hydraulic valves and pistons operated by the cam. The outlet of the hydraulic valve and piston system goes to the brake cylinder in the wheel. During the skid mode, a valve in the hydraulic valve and piston system closes and a cam action on one of the pistons in the system causes a pumping pressure to be applied to the brake cylinder. This anti-skid device further includes two fail-safe features to protect against system failure.