Abstract: A boat latching device is disclosed for use on boat trailers. The latching device includes an elongated support member and a bow conforming guide member having a spring-loaded latching mechanism mounted thereto. An adjustable or resiliently mounted bow stop member is attached at or near the top of the support member. The entire latching device is mounted at the forward end of a boat trailer so that it can receive and hold an elongated eye fixed to the bow of a boat.

Abstract: Sleeve apparatus for mounting on a cylindrical periphery of a drill string, or other running string, including an inner sleeve having cylindrical interior and a conical exterior disposable at any selected location along a drill string member, an outer sleeve being mounted on the inner sleeve and having an inner conical surface companion to the outer conical surface of the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve being shrink-fitted on the inner sleeve, and the latter on the cylindrical periphery of the drill string member by fluid pressure actuated hydraulic means, permitting a safe, strong interconnection between the outer sleeve, inner sleeve and the drill string member, the inner and outer sleeves being readily removable, when necessary, for relocation on the drill string or for replacement by another inner and outer sleeve combination similarly shrink-fitted onto the drill string. The outer sleeve, positioned on the drill string, may be a stabilizer sleeve, a wear protection sleeve, a reamer, and the like.

Abstract: A machine slide comprises an elongated bar having two opposite sides with respective upper portions having respective arcuate surfaces with circumferentially spaced apart cylindrical recesses extending along the length thereof having ball bearings therein. A saddle member has a circularly cylindrical recess with a bottom having an opening into which the bar extends and which is engaged on the ball bearings of the bar for movement thereon. The sides of the bar have respective stop recesses below the arcuate surfaces into which respective bottom edges of the saddle which bound the recess extend.

Abstract: A roller bearing construction that eliminates the need for a cage or separator to align and position the rollers. Gear teeth formed on the rollers and races function as spaced apart planetary gear sets to insure correct roller alignment and spacing, reducing friction and wear and increasing load capacity.

Abstract: A roller cage for a roller bearing assembly is made from first and second apertured separators alternately interlocked in one another. Each apertured separator has a housing provided with two apertures and a roller adapted to be received in the housing through one of the apertures where it is resiliently encased. Each housing is symmetrical about the axis of revolution of the roller and has a symmetrical center at the mid height of the axis of symmetry. The first and second separators each have two part spherical surfaces symmetrical about a plane of symmetry containing the axis of the housing and the axis of the cage with the part spherical surfaces on the first separator being convex and those of the second separator being concave. The radius of curvature of the convex surfaces is equal to the radius of the concave surface so that the two separators can interlock with each other.

Abstract: An aerostatic bearing for the shaft of a spinning turbine of an open end spinning unit. The shaft is located in a cylindrically hollow housing to which gas under pressure is supplied to form a radial aerostatic bearing about the shaft. A permeable supporting sleeve is preferably interposed between the housing and the shaft. The shaft is provided with a radial duct and an axial bore opening only toward the rear end of the shaft. A supporting surface is fixed opposite the rear end of the shaft and is spaced therefrom so that the exhausting gaseous media impinges thereon and forms an axial bearing. Preferably, means are provided for resiliently biasing the shaft toward the supporting surface against the action of the axial aerostatic bearing. Such means are preferably magnetic.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes an energy absorbing steering column having a forward portion rigidly secured to the forward wall of the body and a rearward portion slidably connected by energy absorbing structure to the forward portion for movement forwardly thereof under impact. A rigid bracket structure extends rearwardly from the forward body wall. Impact releasable structure secures the column bracket structure to the rearward portion of the column. The rigid bracket structure guides movement of the column bracket structure during forward movement of the rearward column portion. A knee panel is mounted on the body opposite the driver and includes a center portion which partially surrounds the lower part of the rearward column portion and driver knee deformable side portions to each side of the center portion.

Abstract: A large converter construction that is trunnion-supported in a driven expansion bearing and a driven fixed bearing with a trunnion-receiving bushing and a trunnion-connected driving toothed wheel on either side, has torque-transmitting crowned rollers inserted between the bushing and the trunnion, at least on the expansion side. A force-locking connection between the trunnion and bushing is provided on the fixed bearing side. The fixed bearing assembly also comprising a bearing containing inner rings and outer rings with spherical running faces having a common center.

Abstract: A bumper assembly including an elongated metal bumper, at least one self-supporting impact resistant plastic upright bumper guard and at least two longitudinal bumper guards secured to the bumper on opposed sides of the upright bumper guard. The upright bumper guard includes a U-shaped portion conforming to the bumper and opposed integral tabs which overlie the bumper and include integral connectors. The longitudinal bumper guards are channel-shaped in transverse cross-section and enclose the upright bumper guard tabs. The longitudinal bumper guards include connectors integral with the side walls of the channel. The bumper includes a plurality of apertures which lockingly receive the connectors. The upright bumper guard is assembled first on the bumper and the longitudinal bumper guards are disposed over the upright bumper guard tabs and secured in place by forcing the connectors in the bumper apertures.

Abstract: This invention concerns a positioning device for a transport vehicle, constrained to travel along a track. These transport vehicles are propelled by linear motor propulsion. Along the track are positioning points typically located at stations for entering and exiting the vehicle. Associated with the means for linear motor propulsion, stationary in the track at the positioning points are two switches, means to detect the velocity of the vehicle and a logic control circuit, so that acceleration, deceleration and zero strength excitation signals can be applied to the linear motor in the vehicle so as to cause the vehicle to come to rest at the positioning point. The apparatus controls a vehicle travelling in either direction along the track.

Abstract: A dolly for carrying reels of wire to a construction site for on-site use thereof without removal thereof from the dolly is provided. A carriage bed is provided having a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the underside of one end thereof, and a pair of supporting legs fixedly connected to the opposite end of the underside thereof. On the bed are a plurality of rotatably mounted turntables and the reel for a predetermined a gauge of wire may be releasably mounted on each turntable thereof. Each turntable includes a substantially centrally located upstanding spindle registrable with the axial channel provided in the wire wrapped reel. A supplementary spindle section may be releasably connected to each spindle upstanding on the turntable for carrying top-heavy reels or stacking reels one on the other. On the carriage bed at a predetermined location thereon, a wire guide may be connected for picking up slack in unreeled wire and for facilitating on-site simultaneous use of more than one wire.

Abstract: A single multi-function operator hand control for stand-up lift trucks located and designed for improved operator comfort and convenience and to reduce operator fatigue in any driving position. The hand control is recessed in a compartment adjacent one side of the truck and below the upper body thereof. It is mounted pivotally from one end and extends longitudinally towards the operator; it includes a rotatable control member at the opposite end so that the operator's forearm when in controlling positions is normally in or adjacent to the vertical plane of the control handle and the hand palm is located generally in a vertical plane and faces the control member which rotates on an axis transverse of the truck.

Abstract: A personalized rapid transit system incorporating an interconnected network of rails which are supported in a predetermined three dimensional pattern. A plurality of vehicles which are each adapted to carry at least one person and have a configuration which facilitates the removable nesting of vehicles when not in use are provided. Connection and drive apparatus is on each vehicle and is connected to the network of rails so that the vehicle is suspended from the rail network and is guided and supported thereby during travel and storage.

Abstract: A self-uprighting tow sled designed to upright itself after spills. This sled generally comprises a unitary pre-formed hull having certain geometric configuration characteristics. This sled is pulled by a tow means positioned in the front thereof and below the center of gravity of the sled. As a result of the cooperative relationship between the sled, its particular geometric configuration, and the towing forces being below the center of gravity, the sled can be overturned during pulling and it will automatically upright itself.

Abstract: An unlocking device for a rotary coupler on a freight car including a bail rotatably mounted adjacent the open end of the car center sill and adapted to be selectively swung from a rest position to an action position in contact with a rotor element on the locklift assembly linkage of the coupler. An operating rod rotatably mounted on the end of the car is interconnected through a mechanical linkage arrangement to the bail. As this rod is manually turned from the side of the car a mechanical advantage is achieved and force is applied through the bail against the rotor element to cause the knuckle of the coupler to open.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a track-bound self-propelled vehicle includes a separate, high-speed electric propulsion motor for each driving wheel. The pinion of the propulsion motor forms the sun gear of a planetary drive. A stationary axle is provided for the driving wheel which also serves as the planet carrier for the planet gears which drive the ring gear. The ring gear in turn drives the hub of the driving wheel.

Abstract: A bearing assembly has a shaft extended through a double cup with opposed tapered raceways machined directly into the cup and shaft. A row of tapered rollers is positioned between each pair of raceways, and the rollers of each row are mounted in opposition and substantially on apex. Expulsion of the rollers is prevented by annular rib rings which are press-fitted over the shaft and embrace the shaft at the large diameter ends of the tapered raceways thereon. The shaft has grooves which underlie the rib rings and enhance the holding power of the rings.

Abstract: The bolster rocker-beam of a railroad vehicle bogie is coupled to the supporting cradle at each end by means of two elastic assemblies. Each assembly is applied at one end against a downwardly inclined transverse cradle face and at the other end against a transverse rocker-beam face which is substantially parallel to the cradle face when the assemblies are at rest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guidance device for the alignment of two separate objects at least one of which is movable with respect to the other such as, towing and towed vehicles, boats with a dock or trucks with loading docks. The device includes a flexible line connectible between desired points on the objects, such as the trailer hitch and the drawbar of the trailer, and means mounted on one of the objects for drawing in the line as the first object moves toward the second. A sensing means detects changes in the alignment of the two objects and an indicating means signals the changes to the operator whereby alignment may be determined and maintained. Additional indicating means may be provided to enable the operator to check the operability of various electrical components on board the vehicles.

Abstract: Radial and axial bearing devices in which loads are transmitted from a race through circularly disposed rotating elements which are positioned relative to the race by a second and possibly a third set of rotating elements which in turn are held in position by retainers, which also constitute the other bearing race. All of these elements are in rolling contact with one another, so friction is minimized. Some of the devices are simply bearings, others are capable of rolling contact speed changes, and yet others are capable of rolling contact oscillatory motion and torque transmission through gear teeth.