Abstract: A connector assembly suitable for use with a leveraging system is disclosed. The assembly includes two connector components, each having an attachment component receiving portion and a pin-coupling portion. The pin-coupling portions cooperate, in an assembled connector assembly, to define a closed pin-receiving orifice passing through the connector assembly. The assembly can be quickly coupled to and from a fixed pin structure, thereby facilitating changing of an attachment component such as a knob hook. Additional features include a releasable securing device that secures the connector components into a connector assembly. Also, inclusion of a rounded transitional surface on each connector component permits use, and quick attachment, of the assembly in environments wherein space is otherwise unduly restricted around the pin to be coupled. A method for using the connector assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device (20) is adapted to move an elongated object (21), such as rebar, from a first location (22) to a second location (23). The device includes an object-supporting surface (24), such as a conveyor; a plurality of stops (25) extending in a direction away from the surface; at least one hold-down (26) spaced from the surface and the stop. The first (22) location is arranged between the surface, stop and hold-down. A mechanism (28) is adapted to pick up an object positioned at the first location and to move the object along an orbital path (46) to a second location (23). Before arriving at the second location, the object may be counted and/or separated from other objects.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved actuating mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanism (15) is comprised of a split housing (16), a gear transfer system (18) enclosed in the housing, a threaded barrel (19) extending from the housing, a screw rod (20) threaded for movement through the barrel, an end plate (21) mounted to the housing opposite the barrel, the transfer system communicating with a driver input (22) and the barrel, whereby rotation of the transfer system will cause rotation of the barrel and axial movement of the screw rod through the barrel. The transfer system comprises beveled ring (23) and pinion (24) gears. The driver input comprises a square recess set in the pinion gear. The driver input may be adapted for operation with either a pneumatic driver or a manual driver. The housing is filled with grease and the barrel and housing are adapted to be greased by means of a conventional grease gun. The end plate and screw rod include clevis end connections (28, 32).

Abstract: An improved J-hook (20) includes an eye portion (21) having a circular transverse cross-section; an arcuate hook portion (22) having a circular transverse cross-section; a shank portion (23) arranged between the eye and hook portions and having an oval-shaped transverse cross-section; a first transitional portion (24) between the eye and shank portions and having a transverse cross-section in smooth continuous transition from the circular transverse cross-section of the eye portion to the oval-shaped transverse cross-section of the shank portion; and a second transitional portion (25) between the shank and hook portions and having a transverse cross-section in smooth continuous transition from the oval-shaped transverse cross-section of the shank portion to the circular transverse cross-section of the hook portion. The improved J-hook is drop-forged of "MT-10" steel, and exhibits a markedly-improved strength-to-weight ratio.

Abstract: A control device is mounted in association with a hook suspended by a chain from an electrically operated hoist and includes a hand grip fitted with control switches controlling lowering and raising movements of the hook and a mounting device for removably mounting the hand grip horizontally adjacent the hook and for vertical movement therewith.

Abstract: An overload prevention clutch assembly features input and output members connected by a coupling member, which is resiliently deformable under the control of threaded fasteners to vary the torque which may be transmitted between the input and output members across the coupling member. The fasteners serve to mount the coupling member on the output member, whereupon the coupling and output members cooperate to mount the input member in assembled relationship therewith.

Abstract: A conveyor system particularly adapted for feeding vehicle tires to a shredder mechanism includes telescopic conveyor sections supported to removably, adjustably position an outlet end of a first conveyor section relative to an inlet opening of the shredder mechanism and to adjustably position an inlet end of a second conveyor section at a convenient elevation for tire loading purposes.

Abstract: A lever operated tool, such as a chain hoist, is provided with a free wheel mechanism allowing a lift wheel to be selectively disconnected relative to a driving gear in response to rotations of a manual control knob. The knob controls sliding movement of a driven gear mounted for rotation with the lift wheel between first and second positions in which it is engaged with and removed from engagement with the driving gear.

Abstract: A J-hook designed for use in towing vehicles is forged of micro-alloy steel and has a T-shaped cross-section throughout a load bearing portion thereof and an enlarged tip. The disclosed J-hook is much stronger than prior art towing J-hooks without significant increase in overall weight.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A flail chain connector is provided which may be applied to an existing wood debarking apparatus or machinery for cutting vegetation. The connector is provided with integral fasteners for removable attachment of a length of flail chain to a powered rotary shaft, The connector may be removably engaged with the flail chain by moving a rink in the flail chain and one integral fastener to a first relative position and thereafter moving the link and fastener into a second relative position. The connector may be disengaged from the flail chain by relative movement of the link and fastener from the second position to the first position, and finally to the disengaged position. The connector may be removably engaged to the shaft by a second fastener through relative movements to a first and second relative positions.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: An improved hoisting device, such as a hook, shackle, ring, link, or the like, includes indicia for determining deformation damage to the device from overstressing. The indicia includes components which assume a predetermined geometrical configuration, such as a line segment co-linearly aligned with another line segment or dot, as the device is in an unstressed and undeformed state, and which do not assume the predetermined configuration if the device have been damaged from over-stressing. The indicia also includes cooperating components for dynamically indicating the magnitude of stressing relative to the maximum design stress of the device. The indicia is adapted for both close proximity and remote stressing determinations.

Abstract: An air lifting and balancing unit including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a ball screw affixed to the piston, a ball nut mounted for rotation on the ball screw, a drum mounted on the ball nut, a chain driven by the drum, and centrifugally actuated brakes mounted on the drum for stopping rotation of the drum when the drum exceeds a predetermined acceleration either due to a loss of load or to a loss of air pressure applied to the piston, and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the cylinder for providing air pressure thereto which applies a force on the piston which is at a substantially constant incremental value in opposition to the force exerted by the load applied to the piston through the chain and the drum and the ball screw regardless of variations in said air pressure to thereby cause the speed of the chain to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: An articulated pivoting tie-down device for securing a cargo to a vehicle comprises a retainer portion secured to a vehicle, a clevis encircled by the retainer portion, a connector having a hook/cable opening and a strap opening, and a pin interconnecting the clevis and the connector and forming a common pivotal axis therebetween. A modified embodiment comprises a pin connecting a clevis and a retainer portion and forming a common pivotal axis therebetween, a connector, and a link, having a generally elliptical cross-section, which interconnects the clevis and the connector such that the clevis and the connector are generally operably co-planar. The clevis is generally semi-elliptical with its major axis parallel to the common pivotal axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tire shredding machine of the type having oppositely rotating rotors mounting interdigitated cutting elements, which is particularly adapted for use in the further reduction of relatively large size rubber chips presently produced by use of commercially available primary tire shredding machines. The present machine incorporates an improved segmented knife retention assembly and a stripper or knife cleaning assembly.

Abstract: An over center load binder assembly is disclosed comprising a crank member, a clevis type draw bar with leg elements pivotally connected to a first portion of the crank member, a pull link pivotally connected to a second portion of the crank member and a lever handle, pivotally connected to the crank member and comprising a cam surface, radial to the axis of the lever handle pivotal connection, having a maximum lobe swell sufficient to displace the pull link from an alignment between the leg portions of the clevis type draw bar to release the assembly from tension.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a machine for shredding scrap automotive tires or the like of the type comprising a pair of oppositely rotating rotors having interdigitated tire cutting discs keyed thereon and replaceable abrasion resistant wearing plates at opposite sides of said disc, an improved means for locking said plates in operative positions on said discs, whereby worn plates may be replaced by new plates from externally of the rotors without requiring costly disassembly and reassembly thereof.