Abstract: A conveyor belt (10) having an electrically conductive sensor (20) or antenna embedded therein. The conductor (20) has a copper core having a plurality of stainless steel filaments wrapped together to form a strand or a cable. The conductor has a low profile cross section making it suitable for use in thin belts. The conductor is formed in a repeating sine wave to aid in flexibility. The conductor/belt is especially useful in conveyor rip detection systems.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable apparatus (10) for measuring relative coefficients of friction of a cnoveyor belt (12) or other work surface. A rounded contact shoe (38) contacts the surface while suspended between two flanking wheels (18,20). The shoe (38) forms one end of a lever arm (68) which is variably spring loaded at the opposite end to constantly urge the shoe (38) into contact with the moving test surface (42). The relative resistance is measured by a detector means, such as a load cell or strain gage (44) mounted in connection with the lever arm (68).

Abstract: There is disclosed a device having a supporting frame with a slot forming a gap in one leg of the frame. A stationary and a rotatable shaft are positioned in the frame on opposite sides of the gap. A belt sample is attached to the shafts and a ratchet assembly applies progressively greater strain on the belt sample. The level of strain is measured by a load cell placed across the gap in the frame to yield a value for the ultimate tensile strength of the belt being tested. The device is portable and provided with a handle serving as a lever for applying progressively greater strain through the ratchet assembly. The device is used to compare the relative strengths of conveyor belting samples at a field location.

Abstract: An improved form of conductor wires utilizing a jacketing envelope for inclusion into a conveyor belt. Low coefficient of friction envelopes form small voids in the conveyor belt carcass to allow the conductors to freely move during flexing of the belt in service. The movement minimizes stress and breakage of the conductor. The belt with arrays of these conductors spaced along the length of the belt may be used in electrical or magnetic rip detection systems for sensing rips in long haul conveyor belts. When an array is damaged the conveyor system can be shut down to minimize the length of the longitudinal rips.

Abstract: A safety tire and wheel assembly which includes an improved multiple-piece wheel rim assembly for preventing inflation and/or venting to atmosphere when the rim assembly components are improperly assembled, and an improved safety insert mounted on the wheel rim base for supporting the tire tread during operation following loss of inflation pressure. The wheel rim assembly includes telescoping rim segments and an O-ring normally captured in compression between opposing portions of the rim segments for sealing the tire cavity. Air bleed passages are formed in one rim segment adjacent the sealing ring externally of the cavity to vent the tire cavity to atmosphere when sealing compressive stresses are absent from the O-ring as in the event of improper assembly or disassembly. The safety insert includes a ledge normally disposed within the tire cavity and having a radially facing surface roughened by a circumferential series of axially extending splines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacture of brake drums, particularly tri-metallic drums of the type comprising a preformed brake liner, a mounting disc, and an aluminum shell cast around and joining the liner and disc into a rigid structure. The apparatus includes a mandrel with a plurality of springs for internally resiliently engaging the brake liner and locating the same in accurate position. The mounting disc is likewise accurately positioned on a mold surface, and the mold is closed to form a cavity for casting of the shell coaxially with the liner and disc.

Abstract: In a wheel mounting arrangement which comprises a wheel-attachment spindle rotatably carried by roller bearings within a bearing hub and clamped thereto by a nut received on a threaded end of a spindle shaft, a locking device for preventing removal of the nut from the spindle shaft and consequent detachment of the spindle and spindle-attached wheel from the bearing hub and vehicle. The device comprises a locking snap ring received in a circumferential groove in the threaded spindle end so as to block removal of the nut. In accordance with a particular and critical feature of the invention, the groove and locking ring are axially spaced from the opposing surface of the nut in assembly and in normal operation so that the ring cooperates with the nut opposing surface to permit limited loosening of the nut.

Abstract: A bearing, hub and carrier assembly for use in a driven steering wheel wherein the drive shaft-engaging spindle on the wheel-mounting hub is locked against axial movement with respect to the spindle-surrounding wheel bearings by a one-piece retaining wire disposed in radially aligned circumferential grooves in the hub spindle and the inner race of the inboard wheel bearing.

Abstract: A safety tire and wheel assembly for pneumatic tires which includes a safety insert having an inner portion extending around the wheel rim base for clamping the tire bead toes against the opposing rim flanges and an outer portion projecting radially into the tire cavity. A band of resilient material such as rubber is carried by a circumferential array of bearing elements in a depression formed on the outer surface of the core outer portion for supporting the tire tread with respect to the wheel rim upon loss of tire inflation pressure. The wheel includes a two-piece rim comprising a first rim portion welded to a wheel disc and a demountable rim portion mounted by the circumferential array of clamps to the fixed rim portion. A sealing ring is disposed between the rim portions for sealing the tire cavity for tubeless operation.

Abstract: A tandem axle suspension system wherein laterally spaced walking beams are pivotally mounted on a trunnion tube and extend forwardly and rearwardly therefrom to overly forward and rearward axles. A pair of arms are coupled by adjustable bushings to each walking beam and extend respectively forwardly and rearwardly underlying the beam. The axles are rigidly coupled to the arms, and air springs are disposed between each axle and the corresponding walking beam portion overlying the axle.

Abstract: A knock-down utility trailer frame and suspension system characterized by an elongated hollow spine adapted to extend lengthwise of a trailer body, and a trailer hitch draw tongue carried within the spine and slideable longitudinally therein between extended and retracted positions. The hitch tongue is wedged in the extended position by cooperating compression pads on the tongue and in the encompassing spine which simultaneously capture a pair of wheel-mounting leaf springs on corresponding studs disposed within the trailer spine. As the tongue is moved to the retracted position, the tongue portion which captures the leaf springs move axially of the studs, whereupon the leaf springs and corresponding wheels may be disengaged from the trailer spine for storage.

Abstract: A wheel rim assembly comprising a generally cylindrical rim base and a flange ring including a bead seat retained at one axial end of the rim base by a split locking ring. A T-shaped lug on the flange ring captures the ends of the locking ring in a corresponding groove on the rim base and prevents removal of the locking and flange rings when a tire mounted on the wheel rim is inflated. Circumferential grooves on the inside surface of the tire bead seat cooperate with an annular seal in the rim base to prevent inflation of a tire mounted on the wheel rim when the flange ring and bead seat are improperly positioned thereon.

Abstract: A trailer hitch comprising a draw tongue adapted to extend from a trailer, a handle mounted for pivotal movement above the draw tongue, and a cable attached at one end to the handle and extending downwardly through the draw tongue to a hitch coupler which is carried for bodily movement upwardly and downwardly as a function of pivotal motion of the handle. A drawbar adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle is slotted to receive the hitch coupler and recessed to capture the coupler as the latter is moved upwardly by pivotal movement of the handle. A resilient bushing of elastomeric material is captured in compression between the drawbar and the draw tongue resiliently to permit relative movement in all planes and to damp road shock therebetween.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle such as a trailer or tractor wherein ground-engaging wheels on an axle are mounted on a pair of control arms, which in turn are pivotably mounted for vertical swinging motion at one end to frame brackets laterally disposed at opposite sides of the vehicle frame. Spring means are disposed in a load-transmitting relation between another end of the control arm and the vehicle frame. The pivotal connection between the frame bracket and the control arm includes a bolt which passes through an aperture in the control arm and slotted apertures in the frame bracket to provide fore and aft adjustment of the control arm at the pivotal connection. This slotted connection facilitates alignment of the axle relative to the vehicle frame. The bolt is carried in the slotted adjustment apertures by special mounting plates which have means for pivotably supporting the plate on the frame bracket and means for gripping the mounting plates for movement with respect to the frame brackets.