Abstract: A gear selector lock structure is provided and is operative to unlock the gear selector of a vehicle against movement from the non-drive position to the drive position thereof when the lock structure is in the locked position. The lock structure is spring biased toward the locked position and an electric solenoid is operatively associated with the gear lock structure for shifting the latter from the locked position to the unlocked position when the solenoid is electrically actuated. The solenoid is electrically connected to the brake light circuit of the associated vehicle and is, therefore, actuated when the brake pedal of the vehicle is moved from the brake release position to the brake applied position.

Abstract: A modulatable power transmission clutch has a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven member, and slippingly engagable clutch plates between said members which are movable into engagement by a fluid-applied spring-released movable piston having two separate fluid application areas thereon, with one area being larger than the other. Fluid is supplied directly to the smaller piston area by an operator-controlled proportional solenoid valve to regulate clutch modulation. Fluid flow to the larger piston area is controlled by a spring-biased trigger valve which pops open when fluid pressure to the smaller piston area reaches a predetermined level, to thereby effect maximum clutch engagement. The trigger valve operates a dump valve which opens to relieve fluid pressure on the larger piston area when the trigger valve recloses in response to reduction of fluid pressure from the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A clutch brake unit suitable for use in conjunction with a heavy duty clutch assembly for retarding the motion of the driven clutch shaft. The unit is actuated by the clutch release mechanism which causes the unit to be compressed between a movable member and a stationary member as the clutch is being released. A pair of discs, adapted to positively engage the shaft in sliding relationship therewith, are initially engaged by the members in friction driving contact and forced together against the biasing pressure of a wave washer mounted therebetween. The discs are independently mounted for compression within a relatively rigid housing. When the discs are compressed to a predetermined depth, the two members engage the housing thereby preventing further loading of the shaft.

Abstract: A wheel hub clutching mechanism includes an internally splined body, and a clutch ring which is adapted to be meshed with a shaft driven pinion and is resiliently connected by means of a connecting spring to a follower which, in turn, is controlled by means of a rotatable cam. The follower and the clutch ring are biased toward the locked positions thereof by means of a compression spring when the cam is rotated to its locked position by means of a manually operated handle, and the clutch ring is retracted to the free position thereof together with the follower when the cam is rotated to its free position by means of the handle. A pinion supporting member is also interposed between the shaft driven pinion and the body, the splines of the body being formed so as to be substantially parallel to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A positive acting magnetic clutch and brake assembly characterized by including a movable, magnetic member provided with two sets of detents arranged respectively on its opposing outer surfaces. The member is alternately shiftable into either a brake position, in engagement with a braking post mounted to engage one of the sets of detents, or to a drive position in which a reciprocally mounted mechanical dog is engaged with the other set of detents in a non-slip driving coupling between the magnetic member and a clutch assembly. A reciprocal mounting arrangement for the dog enables the magnetic member to be moved into driving contact with the clutch assembly before the dog becomes positively engaged with any of the detents on the magnetic member.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper assembly providing a variable torsional deflection rate having a very low initial deflection rate. The assembly utilizes a vibration damper assembly having a set of compression springs providing the torsional deflection rate for the main stage of relative angular displacement between the input and output members and an auxiliary resilient means to provide an extremely low initial torsional deflection rate; the auxiliary means comprising sets of interengaged free play splines between the barrel of the clutch hub and a separate hub flange with springs between the sets of teeth to preload the splines lightly in either the drive and/or coast directions.

Abstract: A tooth gearing having a resilient coating affixed to the engaging surfaces of gear teeth, the coating having a thickness and coefficient of friction such that the sliding and external friction that would occur between gear teeth not having the coating is taken up by shear deformation of the coating.

Abstract: A positive displacement hydraulic mechanism for controlling the engagement of a slipping clutch in parallel drive relationship with a torque converter. The hydraulic device is operable in response to the speed differential between the impeller (input) and turbine (output) of the torque converter to control fluid flow from one side of a single plate clutch thereby controlling the pressure differential across the plate of the clutch so that the engagement force of the clutch is controlled to maintain a fixed speed differential between the turbine and impeller.

Abstract: Torque transmitting apparatus (10) including a shiftable sleeve member (12) having locking and guiding splines (26a and b) for coupling a first toothed member (14) having external teeth (34) to either one of a pair of toothed members (16), having external teeth (20), and spaced on axially opposite sides thereof. Each locking spline (26a) has working faces (40) whose ends include recesses (38) for axially holding the sleeve member during the transmission of torque to prevent undesirable disengagement during the transmission of torque. The recesses at each end of each locking spline (26a) are spaced from each other with substantially the same minimum chordal relationship as the end of each of the other locking splines. Each guiding spline (26b) has working faces (44) which are spaced so that the chordal thickness therebetween is substantially equal to or less than the corresponding minimum chordal thickness between the recesses at the ends of each locking spline.

Abstract: In a vehicle clutch construction, a flat plate ring is interposed between the clutch throw-out bearing and clutch release fingers and maintained concentric with the throw-out bearing by a flexible connection with the clutch release fingers.

Abstract: A back-up safety system stops the engine of a machine such as a power mower upon failure of a main safety system whereby release of a dead man control normally declutches a work performing member from the engine and brakes it to a stop while the engine continues to run. The back-up safety system comprises a switch that is closed upon release of the dead man control, in series with an SCR in a magneto grounding circuit. The SCR is gated on by a sensor comprising a biasing coil connected with the SCR, a ferromagnetic rotor constrained to rotate with the work performing member and having circumferentially spaced pole projections, a permanent magnet, and a core with which the coil is coupled and which cooperates with the rotor and magnet to define a magnetic circuit wherein flux density varies as rotor projections pass a pole face on the core.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a friction clutch having a clutch plate secured to a spring assembly which is comprised of a retainer plate, a hub and three pairs of intertwined springs disposed in parallel resilient drive relation between the plate and hub. Two pairs of the springs are helical torsion springs, and each spring has a driven end and a drive end disposed in notches on the hub and annular slots in the plate, respectively, to permit a predetermined amount of angular movement therebetween while the third pair of springs are spiral springs which are connected at the ends thereof for continuous resilient torque transmission between the plate and hub. All of the springs are fulcrumed near the ends thereof to permit a more even distribution of the internal stresses in the springs during operation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a pulley for belt conveyors, particularly belt conveyors used in the conveying of stones, gravel, and the like wherein the pulley structure is self-cleaning of foreign matter received within the confines of the pulley to prevent belt damage. The pulley consists of a plurality of helically disposed webs spiralled about a rotatable shaft. A plurality of webs are defined upon the shaft on each side of the pulley central region wherein at least two separate webs define a set of multiple pitch helices, and each set is spiralled about the axis of rotation in an opposite direction wherein foreign matter received between the webs is moved to the pulley ends in a self-cleaning manner. A disc is utilized at the pulley central region to which the inner ends of the web sets are affixed and the periphery of the webs is of a greater axial dimension than the web plate to increase the belt surface loading area.

Abstract: A torque converter and multi-disc lock-up clutch has a pair of clutch discs splined to the input shell of the torque converter, a friction disc splined to the clutch piston intermediate the clutch discs and a friction pad secured to the clutch piston. The clutch piston is drivingly connected with the turbine of the torque converter. The clutch is controlled by fluid under pressure delivered to the torque converter such that during disengagement, the fluid passes between the clutch discs and the friction disc prior to entering the torque converter.

Abstract: A positive parking brake for a vehicle with a transmission output shaft having a pair of gears rotatable thereon. A hub is fixed to the shaft between the gears and a clutch sleeve is axially slidably splined to the hub periphery whereby the sleeve and hub may be selectively coupled to the clutch teeth or either gear. A sleeve shifter fork has an opening therethrough whereby a braking pawl may be operated by a cam and spring device so as to extend through the fork opening to engage brake teeth on the sleeve periphery and brake the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to automobile friction clutch driven plates, and in particular to driven plates having idling vibration dampers and load vibration dampers. The friction clutch driven plate includes two concentric hub members. On one hub member is mounted a friction facing carrier capable of limited restrained angular movement about the hub axis relative to the hub members. The friction facing carrier and the other hub member have spring seatings, being hub member seatings and carrier seatings, so that springs acting between the seatings oppose relative rotational movement between the hub members. The construction of the driven plate is made compact and simplified by having the hub member seatings and carrier seatings in a common radial plane.

Abstract: Because of its physical properties, mercury can be very effective as hydraulic fluid in a double-action piston and cylinder assembly mounted to float between opposed discs of a friction brake or clutch. The mercury is contained within a chamber of the piston-cylinder assembly and the high surface tension of the fluid prevents leakage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible-walled demountable greenhouse in which the support structure consists of a plurality of rods, for example 6, extending from the periphery of the base to a cap structure at the top central portion of the greenhouse; the rods are of fiberglass or other strong, light material and are keyed at one end to lock into the cap structure. The walls are preferably a double thickness of plastic such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene having vertically extending seams to form sleeves in which the support rods are placed. The base of the support rods are engaged in nylon cup and anchor loops which may be anchored to the ground by stakes so that no floor or foundation is required. A zipper closured door is provided in the walls.