Abstract: A crawler drive system having an endless track is disclosed in which each track sprocket has a double row of teeth and each track shoe has a double row of lugs. The two lugs on each shoe, which lie in different rows, are spaced in the longitudinal direction a greater distance than adjacent teeth of the sprocket so that only one lug of a shoe is engaged by a sprocket tooth at any instant. The two lugs of successive shoes are spaced longitudinally a lesser distance than the pairs of teeth of the sprocket so that only a single lug of a single shoe is engaged by a sprocket tooth at any time.

Abstract: A conveyor system in which code devices with reflectors mounted on trucks selectively coact with optoelectronic reader units to cause spur line switches to selectively divert the trucks from a main line to particular spur lines is disclosed. Each reader unit has an energy beam emitter and a beam sensor both covered by a barrier surface. The emitter casts a beam upwardly at an angle to the vertical through a cover opening so that the reflector of a particular code device will reflect the beam through the opening to the sensor which thereupon initiates actuation of a spur line switch.

Abstract: A bearing assembly has a load supporting segment that is made of a good bearing material supportive of the load thereon. The load supporting segment is positioned transversely of a shaft in a location to support the shaft. A shaft retaining segment that is made of a different material is positioned transversely of the shaft on a shaft side opposite from the load supporting segment for holding the shaft rotatably therebetween to bear upon the load supporting segment. A plurality of such bearing assemblies are manufactured by machine finishing the interior surfaces of an annular metal shape, separating the shape into a plurality of load supporting segments, molding a plastic material into a plurality of shaft retaining segments, and assembling each shaft retaining segment with a complementary load supporting segment.

Abstract: A method of feeding material to a belt to preclude the belt from lifting off its support in vertical concave curves, both when the belt motor is driving the belt and when the belt motor is acting as a brake, is disclosed. When the belt motor is driving the belt, the material is initially fed at a reduced rate to deposit a reduced layer of material on the belt until the leading edge of the reduced layer has entered the most downstream vertical curve of the belt, at which time the rate of feed is increased. The feed rate is increased, in two or more increments, until a full load is carried by the belt. When the belt motor is acting as a brake, the feed rate is initially reduced partially, to deposit a reduced layer of material on the belt, which will remain in the most upstream vertical concave curve until the trailing edge of the full load has been discharged from the belt. Thereafter, the rate of deposit of material on the belt is diminished further, to a lower value or to zero.

Abstract: A self-centering variable diameter drive pulley, driven from an engine, receives a first drive belt which is also received on a self-centering variable diameter driven pulley. One or more engine accessories are driven through the variable diameter driven pulley at a relatively constant speed through a wide range of engine speeds by virtue of the variable diameter pulleys, one of which changes diameter in accordance with the speed at which it rotates. Another accessory, or accessories, are driven by pulleys which receive a second drive belt. The second drive belt is received over the first drive belt at the variable diameter drive pulley to transmit power from the drive pulley to said other accessories.

Abstract: There is disclosed a belt drive system in which a first belt is trained over a drive pulley and a driven pulley. A second belt is mounted over the first belt on the drive pulley and is trained over two other driven pulleys. The first belt has an outer surface with alternate longitudinally extending ridges and grooves and the second belt has an inner surface with alternate longitudinally extending grooves and ridges for mating engagement with the first belt at the drive pulley. The two driven pulleys which receive the second belt have circumferential ridges and grooves for mating engagement with the second belt.

Abstract: A completely enclosed operator's cab for a crane, or the like, is disclosed with a hinged expansion wall section which pivots outwardly when the operator is running the machine to provide additional room for the operator's comfort and accessibility to the controls of the machine. When in an expanded cab position, the expansion wall section maintains the enclosed feature of the cab and when in a retracted cab position, the compactness of the cab meets clearance requirements for transportation of the machine.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped sleeve is inserted between the inner race of a bearing and a shaft to clamp the bearing to the shaft. The sleeve, which is resilient with a longitudinal slit, has a rib thereon to engage a groove in the bearing race to hold the sleeve and bearing in assembled relation when the sleeve is relaxed. An alternative sleeve, which is split to constitute two separate halves, is disclosed. There is also shown a bearing mounted in a bore in which the tapered sleeve is received between the bore and the outer race of the bearing.

Abstract: A double row spherical roller bearing has a pair of inner races formed on a unitary member and a pair of outer races formed on spaced apart ring members. A housing with an internal nut received therein forms an annular channel to embrace the split outer race ring members. A spring is mounted between one leg of the channel and one race ring member to exert an axial preload force on the ring members. A pair of spring members is mounted between the outer race members to constitute a restoring force and cushion the outer race members.

Abstract: A blank, having a pair of parallel bushing forming strips that are intermediately connected by a web, is formed from stock. The blank is bent and curled in a progressive die to form a bushing link that includes a pair of cylindrical bushings integral with the web. Rollers can be slipped longitudinally over the bushing ends opposite from the web and an inside plate is welded to the bushing ends to form a roller link. Such roller links are alternately arranged with pin-links to form a roller chain. A bushing chain can be formed in essentially the same manner as the roller chain by omitting the rollers from the bushing links.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an enclosed battery storage compartment with a door separating the compartment from an adjacent support surface that has been roughened to reduce slippage of persons stepping thereon. A battery holder has a mounting base in the compartment and a battery cell support tray mounted on wheels for rolling between a position on top of the mounting base, where the battery cells are housed, and a position on the surface, where the battery cells are inspected and serviced. Mounted to the tray is a handle having a horizontally extending grip portion for grasping to move the handle or tray and a vertical projecting lock portion for engaging a keeper, mounted on the mounting base, to lock the tray in a stationary position. When the handle is in a tray locking position, the grip portion of the handle extends adjacent the tray and the compartment door can be closed, retaining the handle in its locked position.