Abstract: Previously known ripper apparatus comprise an impacting mechanism for applying impact forces to a ripper tip in an in-line relationship. The high spring rate exhibited by the shank induces high peak internal impact forces, dissipates useful energy, and provides relatively shallow cutting depths. In one aspect, the ripper apparatus (11,11a) of this invention overcomes the above problems by providing an offset relationship between a first line (L.sub.1) of impacting movement of a ripper tip (13) and a second line (L.sub.2) whereat impacting forces are applied to a shank (14,14a) carrying the ripper tip (13) and by further providing a spring mechanism (25,25a) for ensuring that the impacting forces are transmitted from the second line (L.sub.2) to the first line (L.sub.1) directly. In another aspect, the spring mechanism (25,25b) induces an efficient transfer of impact energy from an impacting mechanism (17) to the material being worked by the ripper tip (13), whether the first (L.sub.1) and second (L.sub.

Abstract: A dampened fully pivotal hanger (10) for a grapple (12) of a log skidding vehicle (14) or the like having a main mounting member (24) attachable to a rotator (22), first pivoting members (32) pivotal with respect to the main mounting member (24) and second pivoting members (48) pivotal with respect to the first pivoting members (32). A grapple assembly (12) is attached to the second pivoting members (48). A pair of shock absorbers (60,68) is connected between each pair of pivotally attached assemblies (24,32,48) for dampening motion therebetween. The elements of the present hanger (10) define a recess (71) through which hydraulic lines (72) are protectedly run. The dampened, fully pivotal hanger (10) prevents destructive swinging of the grapple assembly (12) when not loaded.

Abstract: A shuttle driving assembly (10) including an open shuttle (22) rotatably driven on an automatically opened support frame (16) by a plurality of drive roller assemblies (85,87) carried by the frame (16). Each drive roller assembly (85,87) has a drive roller pulley (84) and at least one with plural belts (192,191,190,188,186) driving groups of the drive roller assemblies. The drive rollers contact a groove (115) on the shuttle (22) to provide a positive and responsive power transmission therebetween. The shaft (82) of each drive roller assembly (85,87) is mounted in a non-concentric bearing in a web (30) of the support frame (16) to provide adjustment of the position of the drive rollers (92) relative to the shuttle (22) for centering the shuttle (22) relative to the frame (16).

Abstract: Flow-pressure compensated valves are employed in servo-systems for variable displacement pumps to maintain discharge pressure above a minimum pressure level and above the load pressure in a fluid actuator, during the working range of the pumps. In addition, such systems may also include a horsepower limiting valve for ensuring that the rating or predetermined range of horsepower consumption of the pumps is not exceeded. Prior art systems normally continually bleed-off pump discharge or load pressure signals when such horsepower requirements are exceeded to, thus, effect an undesirable horsepower loss in the system. In addition, control systems of this type normally cannot be packaged in modular form and are not adapted for use with pumps of various capacities and sizes. The improved fluid circuit (10) of this invention includes a horsepower limiting arrangement (39) for blocking communication of an actuator pressure signal (P.sub.

Abstract: A load skidding vehicle (10) utilizing a grapple assembly (28) for grasping loads. The grapple assembly (28) is pivotally connected to a boom (24) which extends rearwardly from and is connected to a chassis (12). The grapple assembly (28) is pivotable relative to the boom (24) by a hydraulic cylinder (36) connected to the grapple assembly (28) and chassis (12). Displacement of the hydraulic cylinder (36) provides pivoting of the grapple assembly (28) to an optimum load skidding position. Means (66,68,70,72,78,62',68') are provided for maintaining the optimum skidding position for the grapple assembly (28) with a biasing force during skidding by permitting the grapple assembly (28) to pivot away from the initial skidding position when a predetermined skidding force is encountered. When the skidding force falls below the biasing force magnitude, the grapple assembly (28) is again pivoted toward the initially set skidding position.

Abstract: A wheel assembly machine (10) for mounting first and second rim halves (20) on a tire (14). Means (34) for expanding at least a portion of a first circumferential portion (24) permits mounting of the second rim half (20) without excessive difficulty or damage to the tire (14). An elevator (58) evenly forces a belt (56) onto the tire (14) avoiding misalignment between the belt (56) and the tire (14). The present invention lessens the likelihood of tire damage or tire-rim misalignment during assembly of a wheel (12).

Abstract: Window for construction vehicle cabs or the like having following features: provides maximum cross sectional area for viewing; can be fastened into place by screws turned home from the inside and which are hidden from view after installation; and comprises a minimum number of parts which must be handled at installation and so speeds up the process.

Abstract: A baffle (78) encircles a planetary mechanism (10) having a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22) and a plurality of planet gear elements (24), and is connected to a stationary support (30, 48, 50, 66). The baffle (78) includes wiping means (90) for wiping fluid from one of the elements (18, 20, 22, 24) in response to rotation thereof and directing fluid that would otherwise cause high drag losses radially away from the planetary mechanism (10).

Abstract: A brake system (10) providing a self-bleeding and self-cleaning operation as a function of selective positioning of the transmission control (16) of the vehicle. The brake (12,13), in the illustrated embodiment, is a spring-applied, hydraulically released brake permitting the piston (24) to force hydraulic fluid and accumulated air from an upper portion (34) of the brake pressure chamber (23) outwardly through a bleed line (33) in which a flow restrictor (35) and a check valve (36) are provided. A brake fluid inlet supply line (14) communicates with a lower portion (22) of the pressure chamber (23) so as to permit flushing of debris from the lower portion (22) of the pressure chamber (23) concurrently with the self-bleeding operation.

Abstract: A self-aligning mounting structure (52) for preventing flaking of, for example, the uprights (16) on a lift truck includes a crowned spring (94) positioned between an axle shaft (76) and a bearing assembly (82) of a roller (22) to allow the roller (22) to maintain full face contact with the uprights (16). The crowned spring (94) additionally acts as a shock absorber to reduce the effect of impact loading. A snubber spring ring (106) can be positioned adjacent the crowned spring (94) to stiffen said crowned spring (94) and further reduce the effect of impact loading. With two or more mounting structures (52), crowned spring (94) allows a load sharing among the rollers (22).

Abstract: A bobbin assembly (10) is disclosed for simultaneously dispensing a plurality of wires and controllably maintaining a predetermined tension on the wires.In the construction of a high pressure, multiple-ply, wire reinforced hose, it is necessary that each of the wires be applied at a uniform, predetermined tension. The present invention solves this problem by providing each spool assembly (12) of a multiple spool bobbin assembly (10) with an internally disposed adjustable brake assembly (22). The brake assembly (22) of the present invention imparts a controllable and uniform resistance to the rotation of a supply reel (20) in each of the spool assemblies (12). The present invention is particularly useful in the construction of high pressure hydraulic hose products.

Abstract: An undercarriage (12) for a track-type vehicle (14) having: a frame (16), a first link (18) with first and second portions (20,22) and an intermediate pivot portion (24), the first link (18) being pivotally connected to the frame (16); a second link (34) with first and second portions (36,38) and an intermediate pivot portion (40) at which said second link (34) is pivotally attached to said frame (16), said second link second portion (38) and said first link first portion (20) being adjacent and movable each in response to the other; a first wheel (28) connected to the first link second portion (22); a second wheel (42) connected to the second link first portion (36); and, a third wheel (44) connected to the second link second portion (38). This development provides a resilient bogey system in which load sharing occurs between adjacent rollers or adjacent roller assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a coil (40) operated hydraulic valve (48) employs a constant current source (36) to consistently control valve response (P.sub.o) irrespective of variations in power supply voltage and coil resistance (R.sub.c). A switching circuit (58) controls the delivery of constant current pulses from the current source (36) to the coil (40) in accordance with a series of pulse width modulated control signals whose duty factors (t.sub.1 /t.sub.2) are proportionate to preselected values of hydraulic output pressures (P.sub.o) developed by the valve (48). A voltage regulator circuit (38) provides regulated supply voltage to the constant current source (36) in order to reduce variations in the coil current (I.sub.c) at small pulse widths.

Abstract: A method of determining the projection of the upper end (15) of a cylinder liner (14) above the top surface (13) of a cylinder block structure (10). The cylinder liner (14) is caused to be fully inserted into the cylinder bore (11) by a press ring (32) acting on the upper end of the cylinder liner concurrently with the measurement of its position. The press ring is resiliently forced against the top surface (37) of the cylinder liner by a plurality of pressure springs (35) and a pressure plate (25). The pressure plate is urged into engagement with the cylinder block structure top surface (13) by a holddown bar (26). The measuring system utilizes a gage indicator (20) having a probe which is selectively engaged with the upper surface of the cylinder liner adjacent positions of force transfer between the press ring and cylinder liner. The probe is caused to determine the position of the cylinder block structure upper surface (13) selectively directly or indirectly.

Abstract: A control mechanism (48) is provided to controllably maintain a constant force on an actuator (18) and provide fluid flow to a downstream control valve (24) by controlling a pilot differential pressure between first and second ends (38,40) of a pilot operated control valve (14). A two position valve (56,66) acting in response to a predetermined pressure level in the actuator (18) modulatably controls the flow of pressurized pilot fluid to the pilot operated control valve (14) to position the pilot operated control valve (14). This maintains the pressure in the actuator (18) at the predetermined pressure level and passes the excess flow of fluid from a source (12) to the downstream control valve (24).

Abstract: A compensated measurement system utilizing dual sensing elements (10, 12) and a single variable frequency oscillator (14). A common operative association between the sensing elements (10, 12) and the oscillator (14) is achieved by multiplexing. Temperature and supply voltage variations are compensated by generating an output (f.sub.0) which is proportional to the ratio of the two generated frequencies (f.sub.1, F.sub.2).

Abstract: A vehicle door lock (201) and latch (204) assembly is provided whereby a key may be used to lock the door (200) and to prevent rotation of the outside door handle (214). An inside door handle (202) is provided remote from the lock assembly (201) and connected thereto by a linkage (216,232,246) which enables the inside handle (202) to operate the lock assembly (201) by overridng the key lock (308). The inside handle (202) can move the linkage to open the door (200) and lock or unlock the lock assembly (201). The outside handle (214) can open the door (200) only if the lock assembly (201) is unlocked. The lock assembly (201) may be unlocked from the outside only by turning the key in the lock (308) to the unlocked position.

Abstract: A variable rate frictional drive coupling is provided between a drive shaft and a driven member. The drive coupling will dampen torsional vibrations from the drive shaft and will transmit driving torque from said shaft to the driven member. The coupling comprises a cam and leaf springs positioned in such a way that as the shaft deflection increases, the load increases and the moment arm point of contact between the cam and the leaf springs changes such that no natural frequency is produced. The frictional forces between the leaves of the leaf spring change inversely to the spring force required to drive the driven member.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling the cutting edge of an impact type ripper tip includes a source of liquid coolant under pressure and conduit means for supplying the coolant to a spray head mounted below and behind the ripper tip in a position to distribute liquid coolant to the lower surface of the tip behind the cutting edge. The spray head is detachably mounted directly behind the ripper tip and projects downward beyond the lower surface of the tip.

Abstract: A power drive assembly having a housing, a drive mechanism removably installed in the housing, an annular biasing spring installed in the housing for biasing the mechanism, and a wear ring arrangement including an undercut annular groove in the mechanism opening coaxially toward an end of the biasing spring and a wear ring removably installed in the groove to engage the end of the biasing spring in the assembled arrangement of the power drive assembly. The wear ring has a cross section complementary to the undercut groove cross section whereby the mechanism may be installed in the housing with the groove opening downwardly and the wear ring maintained in the groove for facilitated assembly of the power drive.