Abstract: The compaction of foreign materials in the track assembly (15) of a track-type vehicle (10) tends to subject the track assembly (15) to unduly high tensions. Such compaction can severely curtail the service lives of undercarriage components. Although flexible guards (26) function well during normal operation, when the vehicle (10) engages an immovable object, the track assembly (15) tends to separate-away from said track roller frame (13). An imposition of an outside force (F.sub.H) on the flexible guard could cause it to bind within the track assembly (15). This invention is directed to a backup plate (35) secured on the track roller frame (13) for preventing inward movement of the flexible guard (26) substantially within the confines of the track assembly (15) during this condition of vehicle operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively holding a door of a vehicle in a plurality of discrete positions. The apparatus includes a rod reciprocatably disposed within a body fixedly attached to the door. The rod is insertable into a plurality of openings within a bracket fixedly attached to the cab of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating system includes a non-arcing electrical discharge zone having an approach section in which an elongated conductor connected to ground through a resistor converges towards the path of travel of a charge collector. The system also includes a contact section in which the conductor is adjacent the travel path of collector and the conductor physically contacts the collector as it passes through the contact section of the discharge zone. Conventional charge dissipation systems usually require separate resistors in each workpiece support member or a plurality of mechanically operated switches. The system initially inductively reduces the charge on the workpiece and then establishes electrical contact when a conductor connected to ground through a resistor is at about the same electrical potential as the workpiece and associated charge collector.

Abstract: A bearing race retention device for a ball or roller bearing assembly mounted between a pair of relatively rotatable members is disclosed. An annular race defines a smooth notchless cylindrical surface and a preselected diametral slip fit clearance with the first member for ease of assembly, and an annular groove of uniform and generally rectangular cross section is formed in the first member and is defined generally by a cylindrical seat and first and second side walls.

Abstract: Conventional direct injection internal combustion engines will not completely ignite and burn relatively lower-cetane-number fuels such as 100 percent methanol or ethanol because the fuel spray injection pattern usually cannot carry or propagate a flame to all the injected fuel which is typically made up of individual fuel streams which are separated by pockets of fuel-deficient intake air. The present fuel combustion system (10) includes a fuel ignition-initiating device (26) such as a glow plug (70) and apparatus (98,102) for interconnectedly contacting and continuously bridging all of the individual fuel streams (66) with an auxiliary cloud (94) of well-atomized fuel. In this manner, a flame initiated by the fuel ignition-initiating device (26) is rapidly and completely propagated via the auxiliary cloud (94) of fuel to all the individual fuel streams (66).

Abstract: In construction vehicles (10) it is not uncommon to have the cab or operator's station (12) positioned directly adjacent the engine enclosure (14). Being so positioned, the transfer of the heat created by the engine (16) is often transferred directly into the confines of the cab (12) by a wall (28) of the cab (12). The wall construction (28) of this invention includes an air passage (41) in which a current of ambient air (49) is established within the wall (28). A pressure drop, which is created by an existing flowage of air (26) within the engine enclosure (14), is utilized to pull ambient air (49) from the cab interior (36) and through the air passage (41). The air moving through the passage (41) provides a cooling thereof to prevent the transfer of heat from the engine enclosure (14) to the cab interior (36).

Abstract: A mounting bracket (14,14') for attaching an axle housing (10) to a frame (16,16') includes a rigid column structure (26,26') attached to each of a front (22) and a rear side (24) of the axle housing (10) and having a longitudinal opening (30,30'), a plate (40,40') arranged above and below the column structures and axle housing, and threaded fasteners (50,52) which extend through the upper plate (40,40'), lower plate (40,40'), and frame (16,16'). The plates (40,40') are each attached only to the ends of the column structures (26,26') while the column structures (26,26') are attached to the front (22) and rear (24) sides of the axle housing (10) about a neutral axis (25). A continuous, endless weld joint (36,36') is deposited in a closed loop figure which is laterally bounded by a wall (34,34') of the column structure (26,26') defining the longitudinal opening (30,30') to join each column structure (26,26') to the adjacent axle housing side (22,24).

Abstract: A self-locking cushion assembly (14) is connectable to and releasable from a seat shell (12) having a plurality of fingers (52,54) and a plurality of openings (56) without the use of tools or loose parts. The cushion assembly (14) includes a cushion (60) defining a plurality of recesses (62) and a peripheral frame (64) connected to the cushion (60) and having a plurality of projections (68), so that in use the fingers (52,54) extend upwardly within the recesses (62) and overlap the frame (64) and the projections (68) depend within the openings (56) in order to lockingly secure the cushion assembly (14) to the seat shell (12).

Abstract: Hydrostatic transmissions are commonly employed in the drive train of earthmoving and industrial vehicles. It is difficult to stop some such vehicles at a precise location on a slope due to the presence of a delay valve included in the controls for delaying application of a friction brake until the vehicle has been stopped by the hydrostatic transmission. In the present control system, a manual control valve (74) is moved to a first operative position and a hand control lever (25) is manipulated in combination therewith to reduce the displacement of a variable displacement pump (12) to establish a minimum drive condition sufficient to hold the vehicle motionless. Thereafter the manual control valve (74) can be moved to a second operative position to apply a friction brake (18) while the transmission maintains the vehicle motionless.

Abstract: A transfer gear mechanism (24) for a four-wheel drive tractor (10) or the like includes a depending gear transfer train (28) that has an input gear (34) on an upper axis (36) and an output gear (38) on a lower axis (40). Housing means (26) are provided for supporting the gear transfer train (28), a pump (196) along the upper axis (36), and a PTO clutch assembly (52) along a third axis (54) between the upper and lower axes (b 36,40) such that the PTO clutch assembly (52) is disposed underneath the pump (196) at an effective location. A service brake assembly (44) is also disposed on the lower axis (40) and it, the pump (196), and the PTO clutch assembly (52) can be individually serviced.

Abstract: A system for ensuring that hydraulic valves are in an unactuated position during starting of an engine. An ignition switch, when suitably positioned, delivers a starting signal to a starting motor operationally coupled to the vehicle engine. A relay system responsive to the starting signal energizes a solenoid structure which permits the valves to move to their unactuated positions or, alternatively, a relay which obstructs the starting signal to the starting motor in response to a signal from a switch network indicating at least one valve is in an actuated position.

Abstract: Heat exchangers depend for efficiency upon maximizing fluid flow, such as air, through their fins about tubes extending through the fins. The air flow, particularly at the ends of a heat exchanger, can sometimes be of a significantly reduced amount owing to flow restrictions caused by the construction of, or arrangement of elements in, a heat exchanger. A core (12) of a heat exchanger (10) of the present invention utilizes a relatively varied angular arrangement for tubes (16) in the core (12) which improves air flow, particularly at the ends (28,40) of the core (12). Air flow is thus improved over a portion of the heat exchanger (10) to increase heat transfer, as well as purging of debris, for the folded or zipzag core arrangement described.

Abstract: A deflectable unitary latch (10) of plastic material is disclosed for securing a pivoting window (12) or the like to a frame (14) having a striker member (28) thereon. The latch (10) has a base (30), a handle (32) and a spring-like arm (34) extending from the base (30), with the arm (34) having a proximal hinge portion (36), a support strut (38), a latch portion (40) and a press bar (42). The hinge portion (36) and the support strut (38) are constructed to allow the arm (34) to be deflected primarily about the hinge portion (36) as the press bar (42) is urged toward the handle (32) for release of the latch.

Abstract: A control mechanism (14) associated with a tractor operators seat (110) and an arm rest (112) is disclosed which includes a steering selector apparatus (116) having an upstanding member (134) and a tiller arm (118) extending outwardly therefrom. The tiller arm (118) is advantageously located immediately forwardly of the arm rest (112) and has a mounting portion (142) and hand grip portion (144) that can be easily grasped by an operator's downwardly facing hand palm. A support assembly (136) pivotally supports the upstanding member (134) for movement about a fixed upstanding axis (140) and a control device (46,50,52,54,184) steers the tractor in response to the swinging movement of the tiller arm (118). In response to rotation of the hand grip portion (144) about the axis (158) of the tiller arm (118) a second control device (38,42,174) effects a change in the gear condition of an associated transmission (36).

Abstract: Fuel injection apparatuses are used to inject fuel into the combustion chambers of compression ignition engines. The known mechanical drive arrangements for driving the distributor rotor and controlling beginning moment of fuel injection are complex, bulky and expensive to manufacture. The subject timing control for fuel injection apparatus includes a planetary gear arrangement driven by a pumping section and drivingly connected to a distributor rotor. A ring gear controls the timing phase relationship between the rotor and a delivery passage communicating the pumping section with the rotor. A riser of a flyweight assembly is mechanically connected to the ring gear so that the ring gear is positioned in accordance with the engine speed. The planetary gear arrangement is of simple construction requiring a minimum of space and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A belt tensioning mechanism is provided for use with a vehicle having an axle pivotably connected to a frame of the vehicle with inextensible belts entrained about wheel assemblies mounted on either side of the vehicle for transmitting tractive effort to the earth. Some systems provide tensioning of belts by producing a separating force between only the wheel assemblies on one side of the vehicle independent from the tensioning of the other side while others provide tensioning of track having sprocket driving members by using bulky complicated mechanisms for providing the tensioning of the track and to provide relative motion of the front axle from one side to the other. In the subject arrangement, an axle is connected to a frame by a swivel bearing being slidably disposed on a pin, such that, the axle moves longitudinally relative to the frame while still being able to swivel about the pin.

Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus (10) for use as a battery disconnect device in a vehicle reduces sparking resulting from the switching of electrical currents by controlling the rate at which such switching occurs with a cam (22) and follower (20) arrangement.The apparatus (10) includes a housing (12) having a cam (22) and a shaft (18) having a follower (20). The shaft (18) extends through the housing (12), and through a movable contact (14). The cam (22) includes first and second detents (28,30) disposed substantially radially opposite one another about the shaft (18) along a first elevational plane. A third detent (34) is annularly positioned between the first and second detents (28,30) and located along a different elevational plane. The third detent (34) is spaced relatively annularly near one of the first and second detents (28,30), and spaced relatively annularly distant from the other of the first and second detents (28,30).

Abstract: Electromagnetic machines of the type having circular arrays of permanent magnets arranged on a rotor and a plurality of pole pieces arranged on a stator, requires that a maximum number of pole pieces be arranged around the stator in order to attain maximum utilization of the magnetic flux and to minimize interpole flux leakage. The instant stator of an electromagnetic machine includes a plurality of U-shaped pole pieces, with adjacent ones of the pole pieces opening in opposite radial directions from an axis of the stator. The pole pieces which open radially inwardly are stepped so as to have a relatively thicker portion radially outwardly from the axis and a relatively thinner portion radially inwardly from the axis. Thus, the number of pole pieces that can be arranged around the stator is maximized, as is the utilization of magnetic flux, and interpole flux leakage is minimized.

Abstract: A flexible cable (24a) connected at one end to a throttle lever (not shown) is displaceable in a telescoping manner relative to a protective sheath (22) and is pivotally connected at its second end to a connecting lever (28,28'). The connecting lever (28,28') and a portion of the flexible cable (24a) reside within a housing (12) which is attachable to a mounting member (14). The connecting lever (28,28') has splines which are circumferentially engageable with a splined governor shaft (16,16') which protrudes from the side of the member (14) and extends into the housing (12) through an opening (12a). A cover (32) is attachable to the housing (12) in closely spaced axial relationship with the connecting lever (28,28') so as to prevent its disengagement from the governor shaft (16,16'). The connecting lever (28,28') extends into the opening (12a) to insure access to the connecting lever (28,28') when it is disengaged from the shaft (16,16').

Abstract: A torque proportioning differential (10/110) is disclosed for a wheeled vehicle or the like which has a driven carrier (18/112), first and second output members (68,72/138,140), first and second radially outer gears (44,48/122,124), first and second radially inner gears (56,58/126,128), a gear mechanism (26,28/116,118) rotatably mounted on the carrier for cross connecting the outer and inner gears, and first and second coupling devices (78,80/130,134,142,144) for delivering more than 50% and less than 100% of the input torque to the slower output member, with the coupling devices being connected to the output members and at least one of each of the outer and inner gears. Positive drive of each output member is achieved in each direction of rotation of the carrier without a significant degree of energy dissipation.