Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for the master clutch of a powershift type transmission of a motor vehicle. The inventive control system provides a manually controlled, fluid activated clutch with a high pedal force requirement with initial engagement, and a low pedal force requirement for operating the clutch in the inching mode. The inventive clutch control utilizes the hydraulic fluid pressure activating the master clutch to help the operator actuate the clutch pedal. The inventive master clutch control system also allows for smooth engagement of the master clutch when the clutch pedal is suddenly released.

Abstract: To attach a nut to a plate-shaped workpiece, especially to a metal sheet, in such a way that it has self-locking properties without additional aids or parts, the force fastening the nut and acting on a free thrust surface of the nut is divided into at least two effective components generating a shearing stress in the nut material, transverse deformation of a part of the nut facing away from the workpiece being produced, and the thread diameter in the thread region deformed for self-locking purposes being reduced, while at the same time the thread pitches are inclined towards the center axis. A nut which can be used either as a locking nut or as a non-locking nut is characterized by a force-deflecting design of the thrust surface.

Abstract: A quick coupling and release mechanism for attaching a material handling bucket to the free end of a scoop arm extending from a loader or backhoe. The quick coupler has three spaced apart ends including a first end connected to a push-pull link by a releasable pin, a second end pivotally mounted between bifurcated ends on the loader arm, and a third end which is slotted for selective engagement with a mounting pin on the bucket. The push-pull link may be connected at a first location to the quick coupler when it is desired to permit more angular displacement of the quick coupler or to a second location on the quick coupler when it is desired to permit less angular displacement of the quick coupler. Further, the quick coupler and bucket are pivotally connected to the loader arm by a single releasable pin for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis. A single operator can easily handle the entire coupling or uncoupling operation without special tools.

Abstract: A machine for automatically blowing debris, such as sand, out of cavities within engine block and similar type castings which have side openings connected to end openings to form internal cavities. The machine has a ferris-wheel-like frame arranged to rotate around a horizontal axis. The frame is divided into a number of horizontally opening compartments, each arranged to receive and hold a single casting. A dirty casting is loaded, horizontally endwise, while the frame is momentarily stationary, into the compartment which is then located in the lowermost position. Thereafter, the frame is rotated until the next compartment is located in the lowermost position, at which point the rotation is stopped so that the clean casting in the now lowermost compartment is horizontally removed endwise and is replaced with the next dirty casting. The stop, followed by the rotation, sequence is repeated so that each casting, within each compartment, is indexably rotated around the axis.

Abstract: A method of making bearings from blocks of high molecular weight plastic. The bearing is made by forming a cylindrical bore in the block and locating one or more sleeves in the block for receiving fasteners. The fasteners are provided to secure the block to a supporting member. The bearing bore is adapted to receive a shaft within the bore. The sleeve may be attached to the outer surface of the block or a plurality of sleeves may be received within one or more bores in the block. A bearing made according to the method and an apparatus for washing vehicles in which the bearing may be advantageously used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking means fitted within a conventional automotive vehicle type differential housing assembly normally couples the wheel axles to the power rotated housing so that the axles are driven by and rotate with the housing. When either axle rotates faster than the other axle and the housing, the locking means momentarily uncouples the faster rotating axle so that it freewheels, while the other axle continues to be driven. The locking means includes a pair of axially aligned, closely spaced apart coupling rings, each of which surrounds a bushing-like hub mounted upon an axle end portion located within the housing. A diametrically arranged, drive rod of hexagonal cross-section is positioned between the rings and extends through opposite pairs of aligned V-shaped notches formed in the facing ends of the rings. The outer ends of rod are fastened to the housing for rotating therewith. The walls of the notches are parallel to, but slightly spaced from, their adjacent rod faces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the connection of a bucket to a boom arm in a manner that provides increased break out power and increased speed as the bucket travels through its operational cycle for overall increased ground removal. This is accomplished by offsetting the hinge point of the bucket relative to the standard pivot position and providing a modified linkage assembly that automatically adjusts the bucket radius as measured between the bucket and its hinge point.

Abstract: A truss plate for connecting together wood members forming trusses, joists, beams and the like construction parts, formed of stiff sheet metal having struck-out teeth extending perpendicularly to the body of the plate. The teeth are struck-out in pairs, leaving an elongated slot between each pair of teeth. The slots, and their teeth, are aligned in numerous longitudinal rows. The rows form groups whose slots are also transversely aligned, but with the slots of one group being longitudinally offset relative to the slots of its adjacent group. The teeth are V-shaped in cross-section and are axially twisted. Their free ends form asymmetrical V-shaped tips. A pair of such plates are arranged in face-to-face contact with the teeth of the uppermost plate extending through the slots in the lowermost plate for closely positioning together adjacent teeth to form a double thickness plate with pairs of double teeth.

Abstract: An I-beam or joist is formed of a pair of horizontal, parallel wood chords connected together by a wood web. The lower chord is pre-stressed by holding it in compression during assembly of the chords and web. The chords are fastened to the web by U-shaped wire staples whose legs have bevels formed on their free ends which cause the legs to move towards each other and to cross the central axis of their respective staple as they longitudinally penetrate thewood during insertion through a chord and into the wood web. Further, plates are fastened upon the opposite faces of the web at the opposite ends of the web, thereby increasing the web thickness at the opposite ends of the beam to substantially increase the allowable shear stress limits of the beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor support for an outboard motor for use on a twin-hull sailboat or catamaran. The support has a first member which is fixedly attached to either the forward or rearward cross-bars of the catamaran and a second member pivotally attached to the first member which supports the motor. The pivotal attachment allows the second member to pivot with respect to the first member about a longitudinal axis parallel to the center line of the sailboat.

Abstract: A vent opening for a portable building wall forming panel made of a thin, plastic sheet is formed by a series of aligned, roughly rectangular shaped, box-like depressions in the sheet to provide a series of depressed longitudinal and end walls which are integral with the panel and the respective bases of the depressions. A series of aligned openings are formed by cutting away the depression end walls and the bases, except for narrow base portion strips at the longitudinal walls. This provides longitudinal flanges that are integral with the panel and with their free edges terminating in integral flange strips which are substantially in the same plane. The junctures of the longitudinal walls with their adjacent panel portions, which define the openings, form an acute angle.

Abstract: A playing field surface for active running and body contact type sports, such as football and the like, is formed of a stabilized, flat base surface covered by an underpad, over which is laid a synthetic pile fiber carpet. A covering of sand-like granules is applied upon the carpet to substantially fill the spaces between the fibers. The underpad is made of reclaimed rubber, sliver-like small particles which are bonded together into a thick, water pervious mat. The lower surface of the underpad is formed with widely and regularly spaced apart, dimple-like indentations and downwardly extending, rounded hills that contact the base surface. The hills are separated by rounded indented ridges which are of a lesser depth than the indentations. Each of the indentations is surrounded by a number of hills and ridges to provide resilient dome-like, interconnected, downwardly open pockets in the bottom surface of the underpad.

Abstract: A method of teaching reading involving a combined video and audible recording wherein the words which are displayed are pronounced by a recorded voice in synchronism with a temporary highlighting of the pronounced syllable or word, as by a change in brightness, size or color.

Abstract: A method of surface bonding elements with a two component polyurethane foam, particularly where one of the surfaces to be joined is relatively porous, including contoured fiberglass panels, carpet, foam and fibrous paneling and the resultant bonded structure. The method includes spraying the liquid foamable polyurethane in a fine mist under pressure on one of the surfaces to be bonded to form dispersed discrete liquid polyurethane droplets; permitting the polyurethane droplets to foam and expand in discrete foam pods; applying the second surface to be joined while said polyurethane foam pods are between 20% and 60% of full cure; and, completing the cure of the polyurethane foam, preferably under moderate heat and pressure.

Abstract: A power roof vent fan assembly having a motor and fan mounted in a body spanning an opening in the roof of an enclosure. The motor is mounted in H-shaped cross brace assembly having reinforcing ribs for vibration dampening. A shroud is secured to the body which supports a screen and includes a trim flange which forms a pocket in conjunction with the body. A bezel is telescopically received within the pocket and secured to the lower surface of the roof. A cover is provided over the top end of the assembly which is hinged on one end and adapted to be opened and closed by a cover lifting mechanism located within the pocket. The fan motor is controlled by a speed control switch also located within the pocket. The pocket in which the switch is retained includes ventilation openings for aiding heat dissipation from the switch.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: An annular hole cutter wherein each tooth is formed with a radially outer cutting edge and at least alternate teeth are formed with radially extending, circumferentially staggered inner and outer cutting edges. The bottom face of each tooth is formed with oppositely radially inclined inner and outer back-off faces which intersect in a downwardly extending crest which in turn intersects the radially outer cutting edge. The outer back-off faces of alternate teeth are vertically relieved relative to the outer back-off faces of the intermediate teeth and the inner back-off faces of the intermediate teeth are vertically relieved relative to the inner back-off faces of the alternate teeth a distance greater than the chip load at which the cutter is operated. In the preferred form, the radially inner portion only of the unrelieved inner back-off face is relieved to a greater extent than the relieved inner back-off faces.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for testing the continuity and possible short circuit of a plurality of electrical switches and an associated multi-lead connecting cable of a conventional joy stick controller used for video games and the like. The apparatus includes a module provided with a power supply and a connector for receiving the control cable. A plurality of indicator lamps are connected in circuits with the joy stick switches and are spatially arranged on the module to correspond to a position of the joy stick which results in activation of the associated switch. The lamps indicate the continuity or short circuit of the switches as well as the associated leads of the connecting cable. Additional indicating lamps are provided on the module to indicate the continuity of other control switches on the controller which are operated independently of the joy stick.

Abstract: A collapsible stackable shipping or storage container comprises front and rear walls and opposed sectional end walls, each end wall including a pair of aligned end wall sections pivotally interconnected and at their outer edges pivotally connected to the front and rear walls. A pair of bottom walls at their outer edges are pivotally connected to the front and rear walls and are supported upon the interior of the end wall sections. All of the walls and sections including the hinge connections are of a molded plastic material and includes a series of right angularly related reinforced ribs to define an open mesh.