Abstract: In a bearing assembly for a roll the journal of the roll is supported radially by roller bearings mounted in a stationary support structure. The thrust bearing for the assembly includes a pair of outer rings mounted co-axially at the end of the journal, and a central ring therebetween and supported by the support structure. The rings define a pair of races for tapered roller bearings. The surfaces of the central disk extend normal to the axis of the journal. A support for the central ring includes a bolt co-axial with the journal and extending into a recess at the end of the journal. Apertures are provided in the structure to permit the flow of cooling air at the end of the assembly.

Abstract: An auxiliary hydrostatic drive system for a vehicle includes a pump, a reservoir, fluid motors connected to the normally non-driven steerable wheels of the vehicle, reciprocating piston-type wheel drive motors connected to the normally nondriven steerable wheels, fluid lines interconnecting the pump and reservoir with the inlet and outlet ports of the wheel motors, and a motor control valve movable to either side of a neutral fluid blocking position to forward and reverse drive positions. An additional valve interconnects the motor ports with the drive chambers of the motors whenever the motor control valve is in the neutral position so that during periods when the motors are not connected to the pump and are driven mechanically, they function as pumps to pressurize their drive chambers and hold their pistons off the drive cams.

Abstract: An impact absorbing for an idler assembly is formed from a series of molded discs of synthetic material such as polyurethane or the like having a thickened hub with a non-circular central aperture that extends axially through the disc and permits the disc to be press-fitted onto a tube shell whose exterior configuration assumes a similar non-circular form. The dimensions of the central aperture in each disc are slightly less than the corresponding axial dimensions of the tube shell, so that the inherent resilence of each disc holds same securely upon the shell in a slip-free relationship; the preferred, commercially readily available non-circular shape is a a rectangle.The hub on each disc contacts the hub on the adjacent disc, so that the discs are retained in alignment with one another and tend to rotate as a unit. A metal reinforcing ring may be molded within the disc, if needed, to enhance its structural rigidity and further increase its ability to absorb impact forces.

Abstract: A safety device of a motor car comprises a neutral switch connected in the starting circuit of the engine and arranged to be closed when the speed change gear is in the neutral or parking position, a seat switch closed when the driver sits on the seat, a safety switch closed when the driver wears a safety belt, an interlocking controller responsive to the closure of said three switches for discriminating the sequence of operations thereof, and an interlocking relay connected in the ignition circuit of the engine and controlled by the interlocking controller whereby it is possible to start the engine when the speed change gear is maintained in its neutral or parking position and to operate the engine only when the seat switch and the safety switch are closed at a predetermined sequence while the speed change gear is in its drive position.

Abstract: A flexible skirt assembly for surface effect vehicles having an upper and lower skirt. The upper skirt cooperates with the vehicle body to form a pressurized chamber. The lower skirt has a plurality of segments with adjacent ones having common supports. The upper and lower skirts are supported by a plurality of horizontally spaced cables and with such cables supporting the segments at their upper edges.

Abstract: An improved glare shield which is adapted to be attached to an automobile sun visor to shield the driver's eyes from oncoming headlight glare in an adjacent oncoming traffic lane while not impairing the driver's vision in his lane. The device includes a pair of tinted, transparent shield members coupled together by an inconspicuous wire-form connector which retains both shield members in a common plane. The shield member connector makes the operational positioning of the shield members easier and safer by interlocking the shield members together such that movement of one shield member effects movement of both shield members.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading pallets with discrete cargo units such as sacks, xes, crates and the like comprising a palletizing station with conveyor and transfer means for assembling cargo units supplied into layers suitable for compound stacking and transferring assembled layers onto pallets. One or two pallet storage and transfer tracks allow to move a selected one of a plurality of pallets into the transfer zone of the apparatus in which an assembled cargo layer may be transferred onto the pallet.

Abstract: To facilitate transporting heavy equipment on forest service roads and the like by means of a low-bed trailer having a gooseneck drawbar, the customary fifth wheel pivotal connection between the towing tractor and trailer is immobilized relative to horizontal or side pivoting and the pivotal connection between the tractor and trailer is placed rearwardly of the tractor adjacent the bottom of the gooseneck. As a result, the tendency for the trailer to "cut the corner" on a sharp curve is substantially eliminated and the trailer will substantially follow the tracks of the tractor around such corners.

Abstract: A device for detecting obstructions in the path of a vehicle which extends beyond the structure and which responds to impact in sufficient time to activate the brakes of the vehicle before the structure of the vehicle strikes the obstruction.

Abstract: Removable boat wheel system for coupling a plurality of rotatable wheel assemblies to a boat for facilitating the overland transportation thereof. Each of the wheel assemblies includes a strut having spaced first and second ends, with the first end movably coupled to either the port or starboard side of the hull of the boat. A wheel is rotatably coupled to the second end of the strut. The wheel assembly also includes a support arm having spaced first and second ends, with the first end coupled to the boat forward of the first end of the strut. The second end of the support arm is movably coupled to the strut adjacent the second end thereof in such a manner that the location of the strut may be reversed between a first and second position for facilitating the overland transportation of the boat. The first position corresponds to the wheel and the strut depending generally downward below a bottom section of the boat for transporting the boat in a cockpit-up orientation.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tractor cab having a drivers chair therein. A plurality of shock absorbing means are mounted between the tractor cabs and the chair and extend upward and downward from the chair to the cab to cushion the movement of the chair relative to the cab either upward or downward or to one side or the other relative to the cab.

Abstract: A manually propelled vehicle having a main frame supported on front and rear ground engageable wheels, a support body on the frame for supporting an occupant, control means operable by the occupant and comprising an oscillating drive member mounted to pivot about an axis transverse of the vehicle, a connecting rod interconnecting the drive member to a crank mechanism formed in a support axle for the rear wheels. A handle is pivotally connected to the drive member, with a pair of bowden cables interconnecting the handle with steering linkage systems cooperating with the axles of the front wheels. The bowden cables pass through the pivot axis of the drive member. The arrangement being such that oscillation of the drive member will cause the rear wheels to be driven by the connecting rod and crank mechanism, while pivoting movement of the handle due to downward pressure applied to one side or other of the handle will facilitate steering of the front wheels via the bowden cables and steering linkage systems.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for applying braking force to a vehicular differential by means of an adjunctive pinion. The parking brake is pressure released and spring engaged to selectively lock the differential. An auxiliary steering pump is also associated with the differential by means of the adjunctive pinion such that the steering pump is driven by the adjunctive pinion. The parking brake assembly includes a plurality of friction discs and plates which are forcibly brought into and out of engagement for selectively applying or releasing the brake.

Abstract: A housing and bearing assembly in which an ocillating shaft is rotatably supported. Two bearings are positioned in the housing to provide said support. One of the bearings is located in a small diameter portion of the housing and may be retained therein by a circumferential protuberance formed in the housing. The other bearing is pressed into a larger diameter portion of the housing which has a plurality of tapered or other geometric shaped ramps formed therein. As the bearing abuts the ends of the ramps during assembly, the ramps shear from the housing to form axial columnar supports for the bearing to prevent further intrusion of the bearing into said housing after the desired bearing position is attained by the pressing operation.

Abstract: A gooseneck trailer having rear wheels and a deck for carrying a load includes a gooseneck supported at the front end of the deck for swinging movement between a towing position, abutting the deck front end, in which the gooseneck may be coupled to a tractor, and an open position, to facilitate front loading or unloading. In one embodiment a lever may be extended from the gooseneck to enable it to be swung manually between towing and open positions. In other embodiments the trailer includes a double acting cylinder and a control circuit for selectively applying pressurized fluid to the cylinder to swing the gooseneck between the two positions.

Abstract: A control device for a steering mechanism of a vehicle includes hydraulic means for laterally pivoting a pair of independently suspended guide wheels in response to rotation of a steering wheel of the vehicle. The hydraulic means includes a pair of double-acting jacks attached to respective guide wheels in such a manner that the extension of each jack pivots a corresponding guide wheel, and a pair of valves mounted on respective jacks for controlling the extension thereof. The valves are controlled by a pair of linkages which are connected to the steering wheel by a coupling mechanism in such a manner that the valves are simultaneously controlled in response to rotation of the steering wheel so that both guide wheels are laterally pivoted in the same angular direction.

Abstract: A frame equipped with a fork on the front thereof carries either wheels or runners to engage the surface, and has a transversely extending seat mounted thereon that projects from both sides of the frame. A mast is mounted on the frame forwardly of the fork, and has a rearwardly-extending boom pivotally connected thereto, the mast and the boom carrying a sail. A hand-hold is formed on the boom, whereby a rider seated on the transversely extending seat can manipulate the sail to operate the bicycle, the seat facilitating side-to-side shifting of the rider's weight during operation. A closed loop handle on the fork makes one-hand steering of the bicycle easy to obtain.

Abstract: A rolling-element bearing has concentrically arranged, radially spaced first and second race surfaces rotating with respect to one another during operation of the bearing and a rolling element which is in rolling contact with the first and second race surfaces. The rolling element is constituted by at least one rolling ring surrounding the rotary axis of the bearing and having radially inner and radially outer rolling surfaces of circular course. The rolling surfaces of the rolling ring are eccentric with respect to one another; the maximum radial distance between the rolling surfaces of the rolling ring corresponds to the radial distance between the first and second race surfaces. The radially inner rolling surface of the rolling ring is in continuous rolling engagement with one of the race surfaces, whereas the radially outer rolling surface of the rolling ring is in continuous rolling engagement with the other of the race surfaces.

Abstract: An anchoring device for securing freight containers to the freight deck of an aircraft. A plurality of locking hooks are pivotally secured to the flight deck beneath the surface thereof. A resilient device is provided to urge the locking hooks to an upright position wherein the hook portion of the locking hook projects above the surface of the freight deck. The locking hooks, when in the retracted position beneath the surface of the freight deck are locked in position by a pair of locking mechanisms. One of the locking mechanisms is connected to a roll-over bar and the other locking mechanism is a manually operated release lever. The roll-over bar will be moved in response to an engagement therewith by a freight container. As a result, when a freight container has engaged the roll-over bar, the first locking mechanism will be released and the locking hook will only be released from a holding by the second locking mechanism by an operation of a manually operated release mechanism.

Abstract: The keyslot of a railway coupler shank is modified to eliminate the interference between the coupler shank and draft key during conditions of buff or draft during vertical curve negotiation of the cars when traversing uneven track. The upper and lower walls of the keyslot diverge from the rear bearing surface of the keyslot adjacent the butt of the coupler shank. Thus the keyslot opening is wider in the front portion than at the rear portion.