Abstract: A gear is retained on a shaft over a reduced diameter portion of the shaft intermediate the ends thereof. An axially extending bore through the gear is received by the reduced diameter portion of the shaft, the portions of the shaft positioned outboardwardly of the gear defining axially opposed integral retention walls for axially fixing the gear on the reduced diameter portion.

Abstract: A first end of a hand held elongated flexible tool is used for uniformly compressing and contouring of a bead of caulk, grout, putty, or other fluent material. The opposite end of the tool is then used to remove excess fluent material from the sides of the contoured bead. In a preferred form, the contouring end of the tool contains at least one concavity extending longitudinally from an extremity of that end and partially along one side of the tool. A bead is contoured by one stroke or pass of the tool, and in one preferred embodiment the contouring end contains two such concavities on opposite sides. In the same embodiment, one concavity has a greater lateral dimension than the other for providing two choices of bead width. The opposite end of the tool is disposed for removal of excess fluent material, and has a concavity extending fully laterally across the extremity of that end.

Abstract: A friction coupling apparatus contains a plurality of fluid motor actuators circumferentially fixed about a relatively rotatable shaft. Each of the actuators is positioned between a spaced pair of friction rotors fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith. The actuators each contain an annular axially distensible elastomeric air tube, which upon pressurization operates to force pairs of friction members against the rotors for establishing frictional communication between the shaft and a relatively fixed support member. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric air tube contains a pair of axially spaced apertures. Each aperture defines a circumferential sealing edge by which one of a pair of air pistons is supported. Each piston contains a circumferential groove which sealingly mates with one of the edges, the pistons positioned to bear directly against the friction members.

Abstract: A port baffle provides a simple system for the closure and sealing of a manifold gasket aperture. In a preferred form, the port baffle is made of a resilient plastic material, preferably a glass-filled nylon. A baffle is comprised of a pair of plate-like members joined together by mating post and socket connector elements integrally affixed to adjoining faces of the members. The mating post and socket connector elements provide a press-fit retention system, and in the preferred embodiment, each plate contains only one mating post and one mating socket connector element.

Abstract: A shift rod air interlock system provides a mechanical apparatus for insuring a neutral position in a two-speed air shifted compound transmission whenever air to an auxiliary air shift cylinder is interrupted. The apparatus prevents the transmission from being shifted into gear whenever an associated vehicle is stationary and when a power take-off unit is operative. In addition, a two-position air interlock plunger assembly provides a locking plunger which interfaces with a pair of detents in the shift rod, thus insuring that the auxiliary transmission is prevented from being shifted into neutral whenever the air system is interrupted while the vehicle is moving. In a preferred form, the invention utilizes a shift rod selectively movable between at least three positions, including an intermediate neutral position.

Abstract: A limited slip axle differential mechanism for a vehicle provides for three distinct modes of axle operation, each selectable by a single operator control function. The mechanism provides for conventional axle differentiation, biased differentiation, or operation as a solid axle system. In a preferred embodiment, two separate clutching systems are employed jointly or singularly in providing respective modes of operation, wherein the choices of mode, and, to a lesser extent, resultant driving conditions, determine resultant relative rotations of the vehicle wheels and associated axle shafts.

Abstract: A protective cover assembly provides protection for an external surface of a tubular member. The assembly includes a cover having an axially extending annulus which overlies the external surface of the tubular member. The cover also includes an elongate projection disposed for axial extension into the bore of the tubular member. A retainer for the cover is defined by a support flange having an axially extending portion which carries a radially extending segmented flange. The segmented flange frictionally engages the elongate projection to retain the cover about the tubular member. In one preferred embodiment, the tubular member is an end yoke of a universal joint, and the external surface to be protected is a ground bearing sleeve. In another, the tubular member is a companion flange of a universal joint.

Abstract: A control housing is adjustably connected to a mounting base for relative orientation of the housing relative to the base. A pair of threaded members provides a means for permanently locking the housing at any selectable orientation. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting connection defines a universal joint which includes opposed yokes connected to an intermediate cross member by threaded fasteners. Upon selection of desired orientation of the housing, the fasteners may be tightened to permanently secure the housing in the selected orientation. In another embodiment, the mounting connection comprises a ball and socket joint, wherein the socket is threadably fixed to the base and the ball is fixed to the housing. The socket may be threadably drawn tightly against the ball to lock the housing into the selected angle.

Abstract: A hysteresis tensioning device 10 incorporates an improved apparatus for setting and maintaining an air gap 48 between a hysteresis ring 32 and a magnet 36. The hysteresis ring operates in a fully saturated magnetic force field, and is thus amenable for tension control in environments subject to wide temperature variations. To the extent that magnetic tape recording is involved, the apparatus incorporates the use of magnets which are structured for being fixed relative to magnetic tape heads associated therewith, whereby any associated flux leaks are of the direct current type only. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a pulley assembly 12 rotatably mounted on a bearing 20 having an inner race 22 supported on an axially disposed pulley shaft 16. The assembly includes a hysteresis ring 32 bonded to one side of a pulley sheave 18, the ring being axially spaced with respect to a magnet 36, whereby an air gap 48 is defined therebetween.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic shaft seal includes a sealing element defined by two radially extending faces, with concentric annular inner and outer edges forming the boundaries of the faces. The element includes a radially outwardly extending fixed body portion and a radially inwardly extending flexible body portion, a flexure ring defined by the boundary between the latter body portions. The faces of the element have a continuous divergence from the outer edge to the inner edge, the divergence falling within the range of 0.006 to 0.060 inch per inch of radial length of the flexible portion. The divergence results in an increasing lateral separation of the faces from the outer edge to the inner edge. In a preferred embodiment, the element has a wall thickness in the range of 0.025 to 0.050 inch, and the flexible body portion thereof has a radial length in the range of 0.200 to 0.600 inch.