Abstract: The digging apparatus support boom of a continuous excavating machine is vibrated in a directional mode so as to enhance digging efficiency. Directionally compliant mounting of the boom isolates this vibration from the machine proper while allowing unimpaired application of digging torque and crowd forces.

Abstract: A vibratory device which provides vibratory motions for screens, shakers, and vehicles which utilize such motions is described. Rotatory motion is imparted to a rotating frame which transmits to motion to an unbalanced weight assembly. Rotation of the unbalanced weight assembly generates vibratory forces in defined directions. The rotating frame imparts a gyroscopic effect which stabilizes the vibratory device in all directions other than those in which vibration is desired.

Abstract: The vibration device according to the invention includes a compensating device influenced by compensating masses for exciting forces caused by the vibrationary movement, the compensating masses respectively being arranged as partial masses on a hollow shaft, being coaxial with respect to one another, and including a displacing rod in their center by means of which the partial masses of the compensating weights can be displaced in the same manner as the eccentric determining the vibrational movement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for amplifying, torque and transmitting power using a novel wedge hinge assembly. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, four wedge hinge assemblies cooperating with a specially configured crankshaft and a pair of circular plates, enable the transmission of energy primarily based upon naturally occurring gravitational forces. Each wedge hinge assembly consists of an arm having a weight at its remote end, and is adapted to be pivotally attached at its other end to the crankshaft. In addition, operating as a fulcrum, this weight arm is also pivotally attached to its corresponding wedge hinge, disposed between the two opposite ends of the arm.

Abstract: A counterweight assembly on a vertical, rotatably mounted shaft which is adjustable. First and second eccentric weight assemblies are fixed to the shaft. One of the eccentric weight assemblies includes a support fixed to the shaft to extend laterally of the shaft. The support has a ring of slots displaced laterally of the shaft. Two eccentric weights are rotatably mounted about the shaft and have pins extending to the ring of slots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning balloon-borne experiments, free-flying spacecraft, or gimballed experiments mounted on a space shuttle or space station, makes use of one or more rotating unbalanced mass devices for selectively generating circular, line, or raster scan patterns for the experiment line of sight. An auxiliary control system may also be used in combination with the rotating unbalanced mass device, for target acquisition, keeping the scan centered on the target, or for producing complementary motion for raster scanning. The rotating unbalanced mass makes use of a mass associated with a drive shaft, such mass having a center of gravity which is displaced from the drive shaft rotation axis. The drive shaft is driven with a substantially constant angular velocity, thereby resulting in relatively low power requirements since no acceleration or deceleration of the mass is generally involved during steady state operations.

Abstract: A motivational generator which provides vibratory motions for screens, shakers, and vehicles which utilize such motions is described. In one embodiment rotatory motion is imparted to a spinning frame which transmits the motion to two unbalanced chevron-shaped vibratory devices via gears, belts, and pulleys. In another embodiment, the motion of the spinning frame is conveyed to unbalanced chevron-shaped vibratory devices directly through gears. In a third embodiment, the unbalanced chevron-shaped vibratory devices are rotated without rotation of the spinning frame. In the first two embodiments, the spinning frame imparts a gyroscopic effect which stabilizes the motivational generator against vibration in all directions other than the desired back-and-forth direction along the spin axis.

Abstract: Four shafts fitted with eccentric weights are arranged as four parallel lines with one pair placed immediately above the other pair and the ends of each are fitted with a notched driving roller. A double-notched belt driven by a motor passes alternatively under and above the rollers for the first pair of shafts, around a return, and above and under the rollers for the second pair of shafts. Idler rollers are associated with each shaft to ensure that the belt moves properly. By means of a slide, the motor and the return can be moved laterally in relation to the shaft lines, thereby permitting the continuous adjustment of the relative position of the eccentric weights for each pair of shafts. Therefore, the level of the resulting force of vibration is adjustable to between a maximum value and a zero value.

Abstract: The digging chain support boom of a continuous chain type excavating machine is vibrated in a directional mode so as to enhance digging efficiency. Directionally compliant mounting of the boom isolates this vibration from the machine proper while allowing unimpaired application of digging torque and crowd forces.

Abstract: A controllable gyroscopic propulsion apparatus comprising a base, a shaft rotatably mounted on the base, a cylindrical frame attached to the shaft and rotating therewith, a plurality of rods slidably and horizontally carried by the frame, weights attached by a pulley and cable system to the rods so that sliding the rods horizontally causes the weights to move radially, and a rotatable, tiltable plate for changing on command the horizontal positions of the rods so that the apparatus develops propulsion in the desired direction. The ends of the rods bear against the plate that can be rotated and tilted using a paid of cylinders. A motor may be attached to the base of the apparatus.

Abstract: The housing of a rotary ball type industrial vibrator is injection molded from a reinforced plastic material, and an annular metal raceway structure is molded integrally with the housing and forms a contact surface for a metal ball disposed within the interior of the housing. In response to a flow of pressurized air through the housing, the ball is rapidly rotated around the metal raceway to impart oscillating vibrational forces which are transmitted through the housing to a bulk material handling structure to which it is rigidly secured. The light weight plastic housing facilitates a highly efficient vibrational force transfer to the material handling structure, and the integrally molded metal raceway structure isolates the rotating ball from the interior plastic housing surface to prevent internal housing abrasion, and significantly reduces operational noise generation.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a body utilizing a motor which rotates a shaft. An eccentric weight is mounted on the shaft for movement with the same. The eccentric weight is linked to a base weight and transmits an oscillational motion along a dimension of the base weight. A torsion spring fixed to the counter weight extends away from the base weight and connects to the body to impart an oscillational torsional motion thereto.

Abstract: An inertia force generating device comprises two pairs of coaxial counterrotating eccentric rotors, whose rotational speeds and relative positons are automatically and continuously controlled so as to cancel undesirable vibrations produced by another device. Within each rotor pair, the two rotors have an adjustable angle between their mass centers, so that the effective eccentricity of the pair can be varied, and the phase between the two pairs can also be changed, to alter the direction of the maximum or minimum inertial forces developed. The four rotors include shells of different diameter, nested together on a center plane of the device, or parallel plates configured to maintain a minimum spread of mass centers along the rotational axis.

Abstract: A drive for a particle screening machine or the like in which a bearing support plate is attached to two side walls of the screening machine. A stationary bearing hub is mounted on the support plate in registration with an opening through the plate, and the hub receives and supports a bearing assembly which in turn journals a rotatably driven shaft. A pair of weights are positioned on opposite sides of the stationary support plate and are eccentrically mounted adjacent opposite ends of the shaft with their centers of mass equidistant from the geometric center of the rotatable shaft. The two weights are aligned such that an axis passing through the mass centers of the weights is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: The housing of a rotary ball type industrial vibrator is injection molded from a reinforced plastic material, and an annular metal raceway structure is molded integrally with the housing and forms a contact surface for a metal ball disposed within the interior of the housing. In response to a flow of pressurized air through the housing, the ball is rapidly rotated around the metal raceway to impart oscillating vibrational forces which are transmitted through the housing to a bulk material handling structure to which it is rigidly secured. The light weight plastic housing facilitates a highly efficient vibrational force transfer to the material handling structure, and the integrally molded metal raceway structure isolates the rotating ball from the interior plastic housing surface to prevent internal housing abrasion, and significantly reduces operational noise generation.

Abstract: A concrete block molding machine has a vibratible mold box incorporating at least one molding cavity for a cement mixture which is to be densified in the cavity. A continuously driven shaft assembly mounts an eccentric fixed portion and a circumferentially adjustable balancing mass. The shaft assembly has a cylinder with a piston therein, connected to the mass to produce rotary motion of the mass relative to the fixed eccentric portion. A spring of predetermined rate opposes this. The pressure of the fluid introduced is varied to change the amplitude of the vibration imparted during each cycle.

Abstract: An unbalance vibrator comprises a drive shaft mounting unbalance weights, one of which is fixed stationary while the other one is turnable with respect to the drive shaft, and a mechanism for adjusting their mutual position made in the form of a rod spring-loaded in an axial direction and fitted in the movable unbalance weight so as to be movable radially, and adapted to interact with the other unbalance weight. The fixed unbalance weight is made in the form of a cylindrical sleeve having radial holes provided on its inside cylindrical surface. The movable unbalance weight is made in the form of at least a part of a cylinder arranged inside the cylinder, the rod being mounted so as to be engageable in one of the radial holes provided on the inside cylindrical surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: An unbalance vibrator including a drive shaft mounting unbalance weights, which are a clearance fit with respect to each other, and a mechanism for adjusting their mutual position. The adjusting mechanism is made in the form of two coaxially arranged cylinders carrying the unbalance weights and joined together by joining members provided on their engageable surfaces. One of the cylinders is rigidly mounted on the drive shaft, while the other cylinder is mounted so as to be turnable and axially traversable.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a directional force from a rotary motion has a frame rotating about a longtiudinal axis at a selected angular speed. A weight is connected to the frame and rotates about a transverse axis at the same angular speed. When the weight has transversed 180.degree., the frame itself will have rotated through 180.degree., so that the weight will return to its original position on the same side of the apparatus as it transversed in the first half cycle. The resultant centrifugal forces all act to one side of the apparatus, producing a unidirectional thrust.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing particulates comprises a vibratory bed including a motor with a vertically disposed shaft, separate remotely adjustable vibratory generating apparatus mounted on each end portion of the shaft and at least three contact structures between the vibratory bed and a flask or vessel containing the particulates. The uppermost vibratory generating apparatus being remotely adjustable to vary the horizontal vibratory force component and the lowermost vibratory generating apparatus being remotely adjustable to vary the vertical conical force component. The contact structures have conically shaped mating surfaces on pins and in recesses in sockets such that when at least one of the conically shaped surfaces are in contact the vessel is restrained to the same horizontal movement as the bed plate.

Abstract: A portable vibrating screed includes a driven, vibratory rotatable shaft assembly mounted on an elongated frame equipped with means for screeding concrete. The shaft assembly includes a plurality of bearing assemblies spaced along the length of the shaft. Each bearing assembly includes a pair of separate bearing elements mounted on the shaft and supported in bearing supports secured to the frame. Failure of any single bearing element allows a companion bearing element in the same assembly to absorb all of the load imposed on such assembly to prevent shutdown and without impairing the needed vibration.

Abstract: Vibration is generated by the rotation of an eccentric weight attached to a rotor shaft. A relatively high or low amplitude of vibration is produced by varying the radial position of the eccentric weight relative to the centerline of the rotor shaft. A latch, responsive to the direction of rotation of the rotor shaft, and springs control the radial movement of the eccentric weight. Rotation of the rotor shaft in one direction will cause the eccentric weight to be restrained in close proximity to the shaft, producing relatively low vibration amplitude. Rotation in the opposite direction, will cause the eccentric weight to be released; permitting the eccentric weight to move radially from the rotor shaft under the influence of centrifugal force; producing a higher amplitude of vibration. Springs automatically return the eccentric weight to the low amplitude position when the rotor shaft slows.

Abstract: A cylindrical rotor is mounted for rotation in a raceway formed in the inside wall of a housing, the outside diameter of the rotor being only slightly less than the inside diameter of the raceway so that the rotor substantially fills the housing. One or more relatively high mass cylindrical rollers is each contained in a cavity or pocket formed in the outer wall of the rotor, each such roller being free to roll within its pocket and to move radially outwardly by virtue of the centrifugal force generated and to roll around in the raceway with the rotor and roller or rollers filling the housing and riding somewhat closely against the housing wall. This effectively fills all of the space in the housing and prevents the formation of a fluid filled "traveling" space in the housing thereby minimizing roller drag due to fluid turbulence.

Abstract: An alerting device for a paging receiver for generating vibration motion in the paging receiver housing. The alerting means comprises an electric motor, an eccentric weight, and a linking means. The electric motor is activated in response to an alert signal for rotating a driving shaft. The driving shaft is coupled to the eccentric weight by the linking means for rotating the eccentric weight. The linking means includes a driving means and a receiving means such that rotary motion is transmitted from the shaft to the eccentric weight while preventing transmission of vibration motion from the eccentric weight to the shaft. The eccentric weight is mechanically attached to the housing for transmitting the vibration motion directly to the housing without passing the vibration motion through the electric motor.

Abstract: A vibration generator (50) with a magnetically attractable mass (98) is loosely disposed within a substantially cylindrical cavity of a housing (54). An array of electromagnets (60-90) is circumferentially spaced around the housing cavity. The electromagnets (60-90) are sequentially energized in a predetermined sequence to magnetically attract the loosely disposed mass (98) toward an energized electromagnet, thereby causing the magnetically attractable mass (98) to orbit around the array of electromagnets, imparting centrifugal force to the housing (54) which in turn generates vibration energy.

Abstract: A vibratory drum soil or asphalt compactor has a variable vibratory mechanism selectively operable to vary the vibrations imparted to the drum from a balanced mode to a maximum amplitude vibratory mode independently of the vibratory mechanism shaft rotation. A shaft having a shaft chamber for accommodating fluid is rotatably mounted on the drum. The shaft is equipped with a cylinder having a cylinder chamber connected with a passage to the shaft chamber. A piston closing the cylinder chamber and slidably mounted on the cylinder supports an eccentric weight. A control piston located with the shaft chamber operated by an external linear actuator is operable to move the piston away from the cylinder thereby move the weight into engagement with the shaft to balance the shaft and allow the weight to move away from the shaft to produce maximum vibration upon rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: The subassembly comprises a shaft having an eccentrically-weighted portion journalled in a tube which also has an eccentrically-weighted portion. The tube has an abutment therein which prevents full rotation of the tube relative to the shaft. With rotation of the tube in one direction, its abutment, at one side, comes into engagement with the eccentrically-weighted portion of the shaft and, consequently, both portions are in proximity and radially aligned to produce a maximum, oscillatory vibration. Tube rotation in the opposite direction causes the shaft portion to engage the other side of the abutment and, consequently, the portions are in opposite, radial dispositions, and produce a minimum, oscillatory vibration.

Abstract: An orbital sander/grinder has on one side of its housing a rotatably mounted disk holder which is brought into orbital motion by means of a drive mechanism that is inside the housing, and is coupled with an eccenter. The eccenter is rotatably mounted on one side in the housing, on the other side in the disk holder, while the rotational axis in the housing is radially offset relative to the rotational axis of the eccenter in the disk holder, but the two axes run parallel to each other. A balancing weight for compensating the unbalance rotates in synchronization with the eccenter. To ensure sanding/grinding with a minimum of vibration, means are provided to compensate for the transverse forces generated by the abrasive and/or cutting forces that are exerted at the eccenter.

Abstract: A roller carriage assembly for a road surface finishing machine of the type having an elongated main frame is disclosed. The assembly features a vibrating drum or roller wherein rotating eccentric weights used to generate vibrations can be rotated at speeds which are independent of the speed of roller rotation to thus permit the finishing of extremely low slump concrete. The assembly employs a scissors extender system which permits rapid and precise changes in the level of the roller relative to the main frame without affecting the attitude of the former relative to the latter. The scissors extender system is locked in place by a rotating locking mechanism and is rigidified by the use of four chains disposed at the corners of the system and strung between upper and lower plates between which the scissors mechanism operates.

Abstract: A screening basket has one or more screen decks and has upright side walls integrated with cross beams. A side beam, at approximately the center of gravity of the basket, is integrated with each of the side walls as well as with the cross beams to provide a unitary, rugged basket capable of vibratory movement on a support frame. A pair of cross shafts extend transversely of the screening basket and project beyond the side walls. These shafts are journaled in the side beams and have one projecting end geared together for opposite rotation. These projecting ends carry semi-circular eccentric weights of different mass to provide an oval vibratory stroke of the screening basket upon rotation of the shafts. Adjusting mechanism is provided to adjust the relative position of the weights on the shafts to vary the angle of stroke. These weights are arranged to receive auxiliary weights to vary the amplitude of vibratory stroke as well as the shape of the stroke.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus is provided with an improved structure for varying the lead angle and the amount of the vibratory force by angularly and radially positioning a movable weight relative to a fixed eccentric weight. The apparatus comprises a plate supporting the fixed eccentric weight on the shaft in one of several positions with a line through the center of gravity of the fixed weight and the axis of the shaft forming a base line. The movable weight is carried by a cylinder attached to the plate so that the longitudinal axis of the cylinder passes through the axis of the shaft at an angle to the base line. The movable weight in the cylinder is movable from a position on one side of the axis of rotation to a second position on the opposite side of the axis of rotation, the movement being linear and radially across the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A self lubricating industrial vibrator for applications requiring vertical installation. The vibrator comprises a rigid generally cylindrical housing in which an elongated, rotatable shaft is vertically, coaxially received for rotatable displacement by an external conventional motor. Eccentrics secured on opposite ends of the shaft provide vibration, and the shaft is operationally secured for rotation within suitable bearing structure. An oil passageway is thus defined interiorly of the bearing casing, at opposite ends of the internal shaft between upper and lower annular bearing caps. A first lubricating oil reservoir is disposed within the bearing housing in fluid flow communication with a portion of the lower shaft, and the shaft includes an internal, coaxially defined elongated bore which has been internally, spirally grooved.

Abstract: A compressed-air vibrator with a turbine drive, which includes an unbalanced cylindrical rotor, an essentially closed housing having a cylindrical chamber in which the rotor is rotatably supported, with an inlet opening on the housing for the inlet of compressed air into the chamber, and with a discharge opening for the egress of air from the chamber. The rotor is constituted of at least two segments which possess different specific weights to provide the necessary imbalance.

Abstract: This invention pertains to induced vibration and the dampening of these vibrations in the motor means. Vibration induced by rotating a shaft having eccentric weights thereon has been used to produce all kinds of shaking apparatus including large car shakers in which the induced force may be as much as eight thousand two hundred pounds. These vibrations can be as much as five thousand six hundred vibrations per minute and can be used for huge bins and hoppers in which the capacity may be as much as one hundred fifty thousand pounds. Vibrators using air, electric or hydraulic motors can be tuned or adjusted to provide the desired results. Most of these vibrators using a tuned motor may be temporarily or permanently attached. Motor driven vibrators, as far as is known, transmits the vibrational force into the shaft of the motor. Said motors, which are usually standard off-the-shelf units have their rotor bearings designed for rotary motion rather than combined with a vibratory force.

Abstract: This invention pertains to induced vibration and the dampening of these vibrations in the motor means. Vibration induced by rotating a shaft having eccentric weight thereon has been used to produce all kinds of shaking apparatus including large car shakers in which the induced force may be as much as eight thousand two hundred pounds. These vibrations can be as much as five thousand six hundred vibrations per minute and can be used for huge bins and hoppers in which the capacity may be as much as one hundred fifty thousand pounds. Vibrators using air, electric or hydraulic motors can be tuned or adjusted to provide the desired results. Most of these vibrators using a tuned motor may be temporarily or permanently attached. Motor driven vibrators, as far as is known, transmits the vibrational force into the shaft of the motor. Said motors, which are usually standard off-the-shelf units have their rotor bearings designed for rotary motion rather than combined with or added vibratory force.

Abstract: A road compacting drum is equipped with a dual amplitude, rotational, vibratory mechanism. A shaft rotatably mounted on the drum supports eccentric weights. Casings secured to the shaft adjacent the weights have chambers accommodating fluent mass. The fluent mass comprise metal members, as steel balls, shot or liquid metal, that move to a first location in the chamber upon rotation of the shaft in one direction to increase the amplitude of the vibration of the shaft and drum. The fluent mass flows to a second location in the chamber in response to rotation of the shaft in a direction opposite the one direction to generally balance the shaft to reduce the amplitude of vibration of the shaft and drum.

Abstract: This invention pertains to induced vibration and the dampening of these vibrations in the motor means. Vibration induced by rotating a shaft having eccentric weight thereon has been used to produce all kinds of shaking apparatus including large car shakers in which the induced force may be as much as eight thousand two hundred pounds. These vibrations can be as much as five thousand six hundred vibrations per minute and can be used for huge bins and hoppers in which the capacity may be as much as one hundred fifty thousand pounds. Vibrators using air, electric or hydraulic motors can be tuned or adjusted to provide the desired results. Most of these vibrators using a tuned motor may be temporarily or permanently attached. Motor driven vibrators, as far as is known, transmits the vibrational force into the shaft of the motor. Said motors, which are usually standard off-the-shelf units have their rotor bearings designed for rotary motion rather than combined with or added vibratory force.

Abstract: On the rotary output shaft of a variable-speed electric motor, there is fixed a sector-shaped weight. On the weight body, diametrically opposite its principal mass there is provided a radial projection provided with a radially extending cavity in which there is slidingly received at the radially inner end a weight. A plunger is pressed by a spring against the slidable weight and projects radially outwardly of the cavity. As the motor output shaft rotates more quickly, the slidable weight slides radially outwards, resiliently compressing the spring and extending the plunger. As the motor output shaft is slowed in rotation speed, the spring recovers, withdrawing the plunger and pushing the sliding weight back towards the shaft. In an elaboration, the plunger is provided outside the cavity with a device for adjustably pre-compressing the spring by pulling out the plunger by a variable amount.

Abstract: A platform supports a shaft assembly that extends upwardly in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the platform and through a disk mounted for rotation on the shaft assembly above the platform. The disk is rotated at a preselected speed and carries on the circumferential edge portion thereof a plurality of liquid filled reservoirs spaced from one another completely around the circumference of the disk. Buoyantly positioned in each reservoir is a hollow piston having a piston rod extending outwardly from the reservoir. Mounted on the shaft assembly is an adjustably movable cam having a cam track eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis of the shaft assembly. The piston rod end portions are positioned oppositely of the cam track for movement into and out of contact with the cam track upon rotation of the disk which carries the reservoirs.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for generating vibrations in the horizontal plane for a ground compacting machine is disclosed. At least a rotary shaft with an eccentric mass mounted for generating required vibrations is rotatably supported within the rolling wheel. The rotary shaft adapted to be rotated by a hydraulic motor assumes the position where its center line of rotation is located on a linear line radially extending from the center line of rotation of the rolling wheel. Rotation of the hydraulic motor is usually transmitted to the rotary shaft for the eccentric mass via bevel gears. Typically, an opposing pair of rotary shafts are disposed opposite to one another relative to the center line of rotation of the rolling wheel. Three or more rotary shafts may be disposed in such a manner that their eccentric masses are distributed so as to assure good weight balance.

Abstract: A centrifugal vibratory exciter of this invention has a tubular rotatable exciter shaft on which a centrifugal mass is eccentrically fixed and in which a control shaft is axially slideably adjustable. Surrounding the exciter shaft, rotatable but not axially slideable relative to it, is a tubular counterweight carrier on which a counterweight mass is eccentrically fixed. A transverse pin carried by the control shaft projects through a slot in the exciter shaft that is elongated lengthwise of it and into a helical groove in the counterweight carrier, to translate axial adjustment of the control shaft into rotation of the counterweight carrier about the exciter shaft but to constrain the counterweight carrier to rotate with the exciter shaft in any position of axial adjustment of the control shaft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for journalling large eccentric forces which are generated by a rotating eccentric assembly. One problem associated with the bearing arrangements of these forces is that the size of the bearing is extremely large which, in turn, results in shaft speed limits that are readily exceeded. By dividing the eccentric assembly into two or more tubular eccentric weights arranged coaxially in relation to each other and journalling these in separate bearings on shaft journals connected to the structure to which vibratory motion is to be imparted, a distribution of the eccentric forces is obtained together with a reduction of the bearing dimensions. The eccentric weights are driven by means of a drive rod arranged on a drive shaft interacting with the eccentric weights. The journalling arrangement and eccentric assembly can be part of a vibration arrangement for imparting vibratory motion to the roller structure of a compactor for compacting soil, asphalt or the like.

Abstract: Vibrations having a frequency exceeding 150 Hertz are established in a rigid body by means of a vibrator system that in one embodiment includes a pair of rotating wheels, only one of which has a weighted eccentric secured to its axle. The wheels are coupled together by an endless belt made of a material that dampens the vibrations propagating between the wheels. The unweighted wheel is driven by a flexible shaft connected to its axle. In another embodiment three wheels are used in which two are weighted at the axles. The vibrator system may be used to sink pipes and the like into the ground, or shake a sorting table employed, for example, in the mining industry or a silo hopper for discharging grain. Also disclosed is a method for sinking a pipe or the like into the ground and retrieving it after lowering it a predetermined distance. In this method, wires are attached at each end of the pipe for facilitating its downward motion and its retrieval.

Abstract: In the embodiment shown, the assembly comprises a pair of apertured weights mounted on a rotatable shaft, each of the weights having abutment surfaces one or another pairs of which close upon each other, depending upon the direction of shaft rotation. One of the weights is keyed to the shaft to rotate therewith; the other weight is freely rotatable relative to the shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft in a first direction, a first pair of the abutment surfaces engage, and the eccentricities of the weights then are so disposed as to produce a given-amplitude vibratory force. Upon rotation of the shaft in a contrary direction, a second pair of the abutment surfaces engage, and the eccentricities of the weights then are so disposed as to produce a vibratory force of a differing amplitude.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing optimal compaction of various materials by controlling the vibration amplitude of an adjustable amplitude vibratory roller. The vibration amplitude is automatically reduced when excessively high jolting forces are sensed by transducers carried by the roller or its frame. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a continuously adjustable eccentric element in the vibratory roller, at least two signal transducers mounted on the roller drum or frame and axially separated, to generate signals representing the vibrational movement of the roller. A regulating system responsive to the signals from the signal transducers reset the adjustable eccentric element to vary the vibration amplitude and provide optimal compaction.

Abstract: A rocking mechanism for providing an interesting, apparently random motion for a toy or game using an electric motor with very low battery drain, wherein an unbalancing weight is mounted on a driven wheel driven by a small PM motor, the wheel carrying a cam which controls the action of a first switch connecting the motor to a battery with a second horizontal sensing switch connected in parallel with the first switch, all mounted in a frame which allows it to rock three-dimensionally. In a modified form of rocking mechanism for providing apparently random motion using a spring-loaded motor, an unbalancing weight is mounted on a driven wheel driven by a spring motor linked by a gear train to an oscillating escapement and pin actuator for controlling the unwinding of the motor spring, all mounted in a frame which allows it to rock three-dimensionally.

Abstract: The invention provides a vibrator for shaking materials, comprising a drive, a shaft which can be connected to the drive and which is supported on the casing, at least by a bearing, and further comprising an imbalance member supported by the shaft, in the form of an inert mass arranged eccentrically of the shaft.As a means of improving a vibrator of this type to make it easier to mount, the invention provides that the imbalance member (10) should be arranged loose on the shaft (5). It is desirable for the imbalance member (10) to be provided in contact with the shaft (5) and at least partly enclosing it. If the imbalance member (10) is semi-cylindrical and has bearing boxes (12) at both ends, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the bearing boxes will be light compared to the inert mass of the imbalance member, and their only function will be to surround the shaft and provide a contact surface or contact line.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus in which the amplitude of vibration is continuously adjustable, includes a tubular rotatable shaft journalled in the member to be vibrated, and at least one elongated and flexible eccentric mass element disposed in the tubular shaft. The eccentric mass element is guided along guide surfaces, arranged so that part of the eccentric mass element is urged by centrifugal force away from the axis of the tubular shaft when the shaft is rotating. An adjustment means is coupled to the eccentric element to control the position of the element along the slide surfaces, to thereby vary the vibration amplitude of the vibrating tubular shaft.

Abstract: An unbalance vibrator having a shaft 2, with a flyweight 3 rigidly connected thereto, which shaft 2 is mounted in a bearing housing 1, comprises on both sides of this connecting flyweight movable flyweights 5 with flyweight bodies 6 nearly semicircular in cross section and guiding rings 7 nearly semicircular in cross section. The shaft 2 comprises a radial bore on diametrically opposite sides, into which a dog 8 is screwed, and a blind bore 11, into which a locking member 12 is retracted by action of a spring 17. The radial bore 3 and the blind bore 11 are angularly spaced by 90.degree. with respect to the center plane of the flyweight 3 rigidly connected. When the shaft 2 is rotating, the locking member 12 extends from the blind bore 11, such that the movable flyweights 5 are held between the dogs 8 and the locking members 12. The locking members 12 are subjected to hysteresis and are retracted at a rotary speed, which is lower than the loading rotary speed.

Abstract: A system for varying the vibration generating force of a rotating eccentric weight by providing a second weight movable from a position on one side of the axis of rotation of the eccentric weight to a second position on the opposite side of the axis of rotation, the movement being linear and radially across said axis of rotation. In addition, a spring may be employed to move the movable weight toward the second position initially, in compression, and later to resist additional movement in said direction, in tension, so as to provide basically a linear system for varying the vibrational force. Fluid pressure may be applied to the movable weight which pressure will combine with the tension in the spring to move the movable weight against centrifugal force and toward the axis of rotation of the wheel.