Abstract: A device particularly adapted to transmit torque to a lever operated hoist for moving a load and including a torque transmitting toggle linkage mechanism biased to an operative position for transmitting the torque required to move loads not exceeding a predetermined magnitude upon movement of the hoist input lever and moveable to an indicating position upon movement of the input lever against a load in excess of the predetermined value. In some embodiments the movement of the toggle linkage to its indicating position occurs suddenly as in a snap action and a stop is provided on the input lever for arresting the movement of the linkage to create an audible indication of the movement of an overload. In other embodiments, means are provided to disengage the device from the hoist upon movement of the linkage to its indicating position.

Abstract: Hydraulic systems particularly adaptable for use in industrial lift trucks utilizing two or more hydraulic cylinders to lift a load. The cylinders are positively connected to the load, and valve means are provided for directing pressurized fluid to the working chambers of all cylinders when heavily loaded and to fewer cylinders when lightly loaded. Other valve means are provided for directing fluid to the working chambers of the unpressurized cylinders.

Abstract: An improved calibration mechanism is provided for use on a pressure switch having an adjustable, spring biased plunger arrangement for controlling the pressure level required to actuate the switch. The mechanism includes a support bracket, a cam rotatably supported by the bracket and a plunger adjustment lever, including a cam follower in engagement with a surface of the cam. The support bracket defines a guide slot into which the cam follower extends, transverse movement of the cam follower being limited by the guide slot. The cam surface defines a range of pressure settings between the normal low and the normal high as well as a switch reset position adjacent the normal high setting position. The guide slot includes a stop surface which engages the cam follower when the cam is turned to the reset position, and the configuration of the cam, plus the engagement of the follower and the stop surface, prevents further turning of the cam.

Abstract: An improved harvesting and processing apparatus for trees is provided. The harvester is of the type having a gripping means disposed adjacent its forward end and a boom along its longitudinal axis. A shear and delimber associated with the apparatus are longitudinally movable relative to the boom. The shear and delimber are initially positioned adjacent each other. During delimbing, the delimber moves rearward relative to the shear. At the end of the delimbing stroke, the shear is activated to sever a bolt. A greater pressure is then applied to the delimber blades so they grip the remaining trunk during the return stroke as the delimber moves forward. At the end of the return stroke the delimber and shear have returned to their initial positions and a delimbed portion of the remaining trunk extends forward a sufficient distance to be clamped by the gripping means.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a threaded, metallic, self-locking fastener having a metallic patch flame sprayed thereon. The improved method includes a heat-treating operation which densifies and smooths the outer surface of the patch while not substantially affecting the porosity or resiliency of the patch and improves the bond between the patch and the base fastener.

Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device of the type including a gerotor gear set having an externally-toothed rotor orbiting and rotating within an internally-toothed stator. An intermediate shaft has one end in splined engagement with the rotor and the other end defining a large set of internal splines. The device includes an output shaft assembly, also defining a large set of internal splines, with a large dogbone shaft transmitting torque between the intermediate shaft and the output shaft assembly. A portion of the housing disposed between the gerotor gear set and the end of the intermediate shaft defining the internal splines is engaged by the enlarged portion of the intermediate shaft, resulting in large and random axial forces being exerted by the intermediate shaft. To absorb such thrust forces, a wear ring is seated within a recess formed in the housing portion and includes an annular wear surface defining an axis substantially coincidental with the axis of the internally-toothed stator.

Abstract: A one-piece spring fastener is provided for mounting fencing wire or the like to a channel-shaped support. The wire is mounted at an oblique angle to the axis of the support and the wire is free to move along its axis relative to the support. The fastener includes a pair of spaced-apart T-shaped walls joined by a bight portion. The top portions of the T-shaped walls cooperate with the bight portion to define a trough for receipt of the wire. Each of the T-shaped walls includes a dart-shaped wall portion, the dart-shaped wall portions being generally parallel to each other and defining a plane oriented at the oblique angle relative to the associated top portion. The dart-shaped wall portions are configured to be forcibly received between the inturned flanges of the channel-shaped support and retained therebetween.

Abstract: A positioning device for a vehicle steering column which includes a stationary support structure formed from a pair of spaced plates, a moveable member adapted for attachment to the column and slidably received between the plates for translational and pivotal movement with respect to them, a fixed guide pin and a floating guide pin engaged in cooperating slots in the moveable member to control translational and pivotal movement, latching elements operable to fix the moving member in any pivotal or translational position, and a control lever operative to disable the latching elements to allow movement and further operative to apply a transverse locking force to the plates when the moveable member is in any selected position.

Abstract: An axle lubrication system is provided utilizing an especially configured differential carrier housing adapted to be mounted to an axle housing with the axle housing oriented either upside-down or right-side-up. In either orientation, the lubrication system of the present invention provides a positive lubrication flow to the differential in either a forward or reverse direction of operation. The differential bearing support defines first and second lubricant passages and a differential carrier housing defines first and second lubricant troughs, communicating, respectively, with the first and second lubricant passages.

Abstract: An improved shuttle assembly for use on a load handling apparatus, the shuttle being of the type which moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The shuttle assembly has a base plate which remains stationary and includes a gear train in driving engagement with a rack on the underside of a driver plate to move the driver plate longitudinally relative to the base plate. The driver plate includes at least one gear which rotates in a normally horizontal plane and engages a rack which remains fixed relative to the base plate, so that the gear rotates in response to longitudinal movement of the driver plate. Adjacent the periphery of the gear is a roller or a cam follower which drivingly engages a channel attached to the underside of an intermediate member, thus causing the intermediate member to move relative to the driver plate at a velocity which is generally sinusoidal.

Abstract: A fluid supply is provided for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system of the type activated in response to a vehicle collision signal. The fluid supply includes a housing defining a fluid discharge port, combustible gas generating means disposed within the housing and means operable to activate the gas generating means to produce gaseous combustion products. A filter pack is disposed between the gas generating means and a discharge port means and includes a plurality of layers of filter material, such as fiberglass or steel wool, with each of the layers being at least as porous as the next adjacent downstream layer to cause filtration of progressively finer particles as the gaseous combustion products move downstream. This progressive filtering minimizes clogging of the filter pack.

Abstract: A mounting nut for a viscous fluid coupling. The nut is axially movable upon the input shaft of the coupling into engagement with a contact surface on the flange of the input shaft. Threads are provided on the nut for engagement with threads on a flange secured to the mounting shaft. The flange on the input shaft and the flange on the mounting shaft each have a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the coupling. When the nut is threaded onto the flange on the mounting shaft the two flat surfaces are drawn together and forced into tight mating engagement. A key may be provided between the two flanges to ensure 1:1 rotation between the coupling and the mounting shaft.

Abstract: An economical, accurate and efficient constant rate flow control operable at low pressure, high flow rates and high temperature comprises a tubular conduit fitting having a flow restrictor therein with a metering pin means movably mounted adjacent to the restrictor by means such as a coil spring so that movement of the pin means relative to the restrictor will vary the flow through the restrictor. As fluid flows past the pin means a pressure drop is created thereacross in proportion to the flow and the pin means is moved in response to the pressure drop whereby as the flow tends to vary, the pressure drop tends to vary proportionately and thereby maintain a relatively constant flow through the control. The restrictor is removable and by merely replacing it with one of another size the flow capacity may be varied.

Abstract: A commutation circuit for an inverter has a capacitor which is charged prior to commutation of the inverter from an auxiliary dc power source instead of by the principal dc power supply for the inverter. Polarity of the voltage on the capacitor is reversed prior to start of commutation by a switch that connects a first inductor across the capacitor to establish a first capacitor current path through the first inductor. No portion of thee first capacitor current by which the capacitor achieves its reverse polarity flows through the inverter. After the polarity of voltage on the capacitor has been reversed the capacitor is connected by switching so as to apply reverse polarity voltage to the dc input busses of the inverter. Commutation current then flows through the inverter, but not through the first inductor. A separate inductor is provided for the commutation current, in series with the capacitor and the inverter.

Abstract: A steering control system is disclosed of the type utilizing a variable fluid delivery source, such as a variable delivery pump, providing fluid to a steering cylinder, the flow to the steering cylinder being controlled by a steering control valve. The steering control valve includes a first orifice which is variable between a minimum orifice area permitting a minimum system flow and a maximum orifice area corresponding to a maximum system flow. The variable fluid delivery source is maintained at a generally constant level above the steering load as the system flow varies between the minimum and maximum flow rates. Disposed in series flow relationship between the fluid delivery source and the steering control valve is a second valve including a valve member defining a second variable orifice operable to maintain a relatively constant pressure drop across the second valve as the system flow varies between the minimum and maximum flow rates.

Abstract: A filter assembly is provided for a cylindrical radial flow fluid supply having a combustible gas generator which is used to inflate a confinement for an occupant restraint system upon the occurrencee of a collision. The filter assembly includes a plurality of layers of filter material and support elements pressed to a densely packed flat form, rolled, closed, and inserted in the housing of the fluid supply adjacent the combustible gas generator.

Abstract: An improved one-piece connector clip for securing a helically grooved flexible electrical conduit within generally round apertures in a junction box is disclosed. The body of the clip comprises a plurality of generally flat sides and is provided with tabs which engage the helical groove in the conduit to prevent the conduit from being pulled out of the clip and to electrically interconnect the clip and the conduit. A collar on the inner end of the clip encloses the end of the conduit to protect the wires contained therein against any burrs which may be present on the end of the conduit. Resiliently deflectable retaining arms and flanges clampingly engage a wall of the junction box to hold the clip and conduit in place and to electrically interconnect the clip and the junction box.

Abstract: A stator-rotor assembly wherein rollers are used to form the internal teeth of the stator. The rotor has one less tooth than the stator and cooperates in gear relationship with the internal teeth of the stator. The stator has a plurality of cylindrically shaped pockets each containing a cylindrical roller. Each pocket is covered with a crushable porous coating to a thickness of X units. The radius of the pocket is R units and the radius of the rollers is equal to or greater than R-X units and less than R units. Each roller crushes the coating at spaced locations to trap fluid between the rollers and the pocket. The rotor has an average diameter that interferes with the tangent circle of the stator-roller assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an electrical warning signal when ferrous contamination builds up in the lubricant of a mechanism utilizing gearing. The apparatus includes a pair of annular magnetic members positioned in a spaced-apart relation on a support member. The support member is attached to the lubricant filler plug so that the magnets are above the normal lubricant level within the mechanism, but are exposed to the normal lubricant flow during operation of the mechanism. The magnetic members are part of a normally-open electrical circuit in which one of the magnets is connected to a source of electrical potential and the other magnet is grounded. One portion of the circuit is then connected to an electrically-actuated warning device so that when ferrous contamination on one of the magnet members comes into contact with ferrous contamination on the other magnetic member, the circuit is closed and a warning signal is provided to the operator of the mechanism.

Abstract: An improved safety device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during an accident includes a confinement which is inflated to an expanded condition to restrain movement of an occupant. To effect inflation of the confinement, a fluid source is actuated to provide a high-velocity fluid stream which cooperates with a nozzle to draw a relatively large volume of air into the confinement. .Iadd.