Abstract: A method for blending dry flowable materials by charging a blending container, the blending container having geometrical shaped deflector members mounted interior of its blending chamber. A crest of the deflector members being angularly positioned with respect to a rotational axis of the blending container for cross blending the flowable material. The blending container is positioned and transported to a lifting and rotating apparatus on a dolly. The lifting apparatus includes a means for securing the blending container to the lifting apparatus by pivoting its lift forks interior of a pair of support members of the blending container. The flowable material is discharged after blending by positioning and opening a port of a discharge end of the blending container over an apparatus to be charged with the blended material.

Abstract: An axially extendible conduit that includes an elastic conduit member and an actuator means. The elastic conduit member extends from a first terminal end to a second terminal end. The actuator means encircles the elastic conduit member. The first terminal end of the elastic conduit member is attached to a fixed end of the actuator means. The second terminal end of the elastic conduit member is attached to a ring member of the actuator means. The first terminal end of the elastic conduit member includes an integral gasket or sealing surface for providing a dustless seal with an abutting apparatus. The second terminal end includes an integral seal means for providing a dustless seal with an abutting receptacle. Selective actuation of the actuator means moves the ring member from a retracted position to an extended position. The actuator means may be a single acting or a double acting type of linear actuator. The inside diameter of the elastic conduit member may be uniform or tapered.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting axially misaligned and rotatable shafts that has disengaging properties. This coupling includes a driver member which is adapted for attaching to a driving shaft, this driver member has a cup portion and a pair of through apertures for slidably engaging and retaining a pair of first pin members of a spider member. A pair of second pin members of the spider member engages a pair of open ended and elongated apertures of a driven member. This driven member is adapted for attaching to a driven shaft. This coupling allows for automatic selective engagement and disengagement of the spider member from the driven member. A biasing member returns the spider member to a substantially centered position during disengagement.

Abstract: A releasable mounting for a snowboard binding which includes a base member which is adapted for attaching to a selected surface of a snowboard. The base member includes a channel-like profile and has a plurality of lug members attached to a top edge of its sidewalls. The lug members are spaced at predetermined intervals. This mounting also includes a foot engaging member which is adapted for attaching to a binding. This foot engaging member is shaped for minimizing the collection of snow thereon. The foot engaging member include a plurality of fee which engage the lug members. A locking means carried by said base member may be selectively placed in a open condition or locked condition when the foot engaging member is engaged in the base member.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting containers to elevated positions for charging or discharging of a fluent material. The lifting apparatus includes a support member for the container. This support member may include an integral means for inverting the container. The support member is fastened to a carriage member which is movably guided interior of an elongated tubular column member. The carriage member is elevated or lowered by a lifting means which is mounted interior of the column member. The lifting means is connected to the carriage member by a pivoted link member. In the absence of tension on the lifting means, the link member will stop any uncontrolled lowering of the carriage member to a lowermost postion in the column member. The column member is attached to a base member. A second embodiment of the apparatus discloses additional attachment of the second end of the column member to a support structure.

Abstract: A removable clamp assembly for the ends of an elastomer sleeve of a spreader roller which includes and outer bearing ring, a clamp cup and a clamp cover. The outer bearing ring has a textured outer diameter which is sized to fit closely in said elastomer sleeve. The outer bearing ring also includes a central bore for mounting of an anti friction bearing therein. The clamp cup is sized to fit on the outer diameter of the elastomer sleeve and includes a plurality of clamp segments which are arrayed on the outer edge of an end ring. The segments have a tapered outer surface terminating in a mouth portion. A clamp cover is fitted onto and over the tapered outer surface thereby clamping said elastomer sleeve between the clamping segments and the bearing ring.

Abstract: A sleeve stretcher assembly for the ends of an elastomer sleeve of a spreader roller which includes a stationary shaft having at least one of its end portions configured as a tube. A slide rod is adapted for sliding interior of said tube in a direction parallel to an axis of the shaft. A hub member is arrayed exterior of said tube while being connected to the slide rod by a pivot means. An axis of the hub member is selectively tilted with respect to an axis of said shaft by a tilt adjusting means. The slide rod is selectively positioned interior of the tube by a linear adjusting means. The selected linear adjustment is maintained by a locking means.

Abstract: A reinforced column for a lifting apparatus which includes an elongated outer shell member having a rectilinear cross-section. One side of the outer shell member has an elongated aperture therethrough, allowing access to an interior portion of the column. Interior of the outer shell, a pair of opposed elongated guide rails are positioned adjacent the elongated aperture. An elongated inner shell is simultaneously attached to selected portions of the guide rails and held at predetermined spaced relationships to the interior surfaces of the outer shell. The elongated inner shell is arrayed for providing a pathway for a carriage member of said lifting apparatus to travel therein.

Abstract: A method for cleaning sod being transported on a perforate conveyor belt which includes at least one vibratory position and a powered brush position for removing the earth from the sod. This method and apparatus may be attached to a farm vehicle at the sod harvesting site or free-standing at a remote location. This present invention removes the earth in a substantially dry condition so that the earth may be returned directly to the harvest site or conveyed to another location, A subsequent water bath stage is disclosed for the removal of unwanted dust on the sod.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for containers of a flowable material which comprises a base member, a first elongated tubular column, a second elongated tubular column, a container support, and a lifting and lowering assembly. The lifting and lowering assembly is housed interior of the second column and includes a reversible gear motor and an elongated lift bar. The gear motor selectively drives an endless flexible tension member by way of a drive member cooperating with a driven assembly. One end of the elongated lift bar is connected to a first segment of the flexible tension member. A distal end of the elongated lift bar is attached to a base assembly. The second elongated tubular column is selectively lifted or lowered with respect to the first tubular column, in telescopic fashion, as the flexible tension member is driven. The container support, which may have tilting capabilities, is attached to a moveable carriage member.

Abstract: A container manipulating method and apparatus which includes at least one vertically disposed pedestal assembly (12); a tubular column assembly (14); a container support assembly (16); and a container retaining device (18). This method and apparatus houses all of the independently controlled and powered drives for the lifting, turning, and tilting actions completely interior of the column assembly (16). The column assembly (14) may include at least one end seal and a slot closure for minimizing unwanted materials entering or leaving the column assembly. The container (22) retained on the container support assembly (16) may be manipulated from a first position to a subsequent position by lifting, lowering, turning, and tilting movements in series or in combination.

Abstract: A modular butterfly valve includes a disc member which is adapted for selective rotation between an open and a closed position, a housing, a resilient valve seat, and a clamping ring which are held together by a hinged quick coupling ring. The disc member is resiliently suspended by the valve seat which provides a self-centering of the disc member in a direction transverse to a direction of material flow. This butterfly valve further includes at least one means for limiting the displacement of the disc member in a direction which is parallel to the direction of material flow when loads are placed thereon.

Abstract: A container manipulating method and apparatus which includes at least one vertically disposed pedestal assembly (12); a tubular column assembly (14); a container support assembly (16); and a container retaining means (18). This method and apparatus houses all of the independently controlled and powered drives for the lifting, turning, and tilting actions completely interior of the column assembly (16). The column assembly (14) may include at least one end seal and a slot closure for minimizing unwanted materials entering or leaving the column assembly. The container (22) retained on the container support assembly (16) may be manipulated from a first position to a subsequent position by lifting, lowering, turning, and tilting movements in series or in combination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning sod being transported on a perforate conveyor belt which includes at least one vibratory position and a powered brush position for removing the earth from the sod. This method and apparatus may be attached to a farm vehicle at the sod harvesting site or free-standing at a remote location. This present invention removes the earth in a substantially dry condition so that the earth may be returned directly to the harvest site or conveyed to another location. A subsequent water bath stage is disclosed for the removal of unwanted dust on the sod.