Abstract: A novel adjustable skid plate assembly which permits any trailer so equip to be towed by any sufficiently-powered draft vehicle having a different lower fifth wheel height than the trailer. By rotation of the entire skid plate assembly different skid plates are presented for use with the draft vehicle. A latch means or counter weight means is provided to eliminate unwanted rotation of the assembly.

Abstract: A disconnectable tube-to-tube coupling that includes a locking collar arred to span two radially-projecting rings carried by end fittings on the tubes. A special cam-like depresser sleeve is slidably arranged on the collar to move one of the rings into a groove in its end fitting, thereby breaking the coupling connection. The sleeve is operated by mechanical or manual force applied in the axial direction.

Abstract: Means to mount an element to be powered on a drive shaft are shown. The eent to be powered fits against a shoulder on the shaft. A retainer ring is next slipped onto the shaft against the element, and a snap ring is put in place in a groove in the shaft. Three plugs in the retainer ring are screwed against the element to clamp the assembly longitudinally between the shoulder and the snap ring.

Abstract: A motor-driven winch wherein the motor is at least partially contained win the winding drum, thereby providing a compact small size unit. The space within the drum also contains a speed reducer of the differential motion type. Speed reducer design is such as to achieve very large speed reduction within a relatively small space, thus contributing to a compact overall design.

Abstract: A connection between a shaft and a component such as a gear, fan impeller, rank arm, etc, wherein the shaft is provided with axially spaced abutments to sandwich the component against axial displacement along the shaft surface. At least one of the shaft abutments is acutely angled to the shaft axis so that the abutments cooperatively form a wedge-containment system; the component material between the spaced abutments is wedged against rotation around the shaft.

Abstract: An elliptical wobble disk at its periphery engages a sine curve track, on a lide or on a drum, and slides the strip track or rotates the drum as a preferred alternative to a gear drive.

Abstract: A locking connector that includes a shaft snugly fitting within circular nings in at least one of the two members to be connected together. The shaft carries a threaded pin that is eccentric to the shaft axis; a nut is threaded onto the pin to complete the locking connection between the two members.

Abstract: A mechanical clutch comprising interposed clutch plates keyed to the input nd output members for axial movement between driving positions frictionally engaged with one another and disengaged positions relaxed away from one another. The invention relates to the use of constant force, zero rate, springs for moving the clutch plates between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A face seal for sealing the joint between a rotary shaft and a stationary using, said seal comprising two sealing discs engaged together through the biasing force of a zero rate spring means. The spring means provides a constant biasing force to maintain a pre-determined sealing engagement force between the discs irrespective of such disturbances as manufacturing tolerances, component assembly errors, service oscillations of the shaft, vibrational effects, or service wear on the sealing discs.

Abstract: In a pinion-rack drive system, an auxiliary lock mechanism for the movable omponent, said lock mechanism including a second rack normally not meshed with the pinion drive gear but potentially meshable therewith when the pinion gear is moved axially parallel to the teeth on the racks. Lock action involves axial adjustment of the pinion gear so that the gear has opposite ones of its teeth (on the gear diameter) locked in the rack teeth, thereby precluding rotation of the pinion gear and translation of the pinion gear along the rack system.

Abstract: In a ball screw connected between an actuating motor and load, the improvnt comprising a friction brake mechanism carried by the nut section of the screw for automatically locking the nut and screw together when the motor is de-energized. The invention prevents the load from producing dangerously high free-wheeling rotation of the screw that could centrifugally destruct the motor.

Abstract: A transmission synchronizer comprising one piece spring elements adapted to e cam-actuated by a shift collar to provide axial operating forces on synchronizer gears. Each spring element comprises a central V section and straight end sections extending into blind holes in the synchronizer gears. Cam force on apex areas of the V sections produces resilient force on a selected synchronizer gear for bringing the driven gear up to speed before engagement of the shift collar teeth with the driven gear.

Abstract: An engine mount wherein the engine carries two oppositely-moving jaws adad to clamp against opposite side surfaces of a hold-down element carried by the vehicle. The jaws are actuated for opening or closing movements by means of a single screw extending through both jaws. The screw threads engaged with one jaw are right-handed, and the screw threads engaged with the other jaw are left-handed, for producing the desired jaw motions. The jaws and actuator screw are freely adjustable as a unit whereby the jaws apply equal pressures on the hold-down element.

Abstract: A power transmission providing cushioned shock-absorption power flow from a rive member to a driven member. The transmission includes a gear pump wherein both the gear and gear housing are free to rotate; the transmission also includes a recirculation flow path from the pump outlet to the pump inlet, said flow path comprising a metering valve that responds to pump outlet chamber pressure for progressively throttling the flow as the outlet chamber pressure rises. As the recirculation flow is throttled the pump gear and pump housing gradually lock together and thereafter rotate at approximately the same speed.

Abstract: A mechanical speed change device designed to occupy minimum space in the ial direction. In operation, a ball type cam follower simultaneously tracks sinuous cam grooves in the drive and driven members. The lead angles of the respective cam grooves are different so that a given axial displacement of the cam follower requires different rotational movements of the drive and driven members. Therefore a given rotational speed of the drive member produces a different rotational speed of the driven member.

Abstract: A speed changer comprising a stationary pulley and a powered shaft defining sun axis. Two adjustable diameter planet pulleys and a pair of power-transmitting belts transmit power to an output sun pulley coaxially aligned with the stationary pulley. An adjustment screw inversely varies the diameters of the two sun pulleys; resultant changes in belt tension produce changes in the diameters of the planet pulleys.

Abstract: A variable speed ratio transmission wherein conventional pneumatic tires caused to orbit around an annular track to transmit motive forces from the input mechanism to the output mechanism. The tire planes are adjustable relative to the track plane to provide varying roll-skid engagement relationships, and different speed ratios.

Abstract: An anti-friction bearing wherein the anti-friction balls or rollers are sed different distances from one another to provide an increased number of loading patterns and a reduced frequency of any particular loading pattern.

Abstract: A manual controller for tripping or actuating switches used to energize j motors associated with a vehicle-raising or lowering mechanism, e.g a missile launch trailer or mobile home. The controller uses the "joy stick" principle, wherein the human operator moves an upstanding control rod or stick in any one of four directions to actuate selected ones of the switches. In fact the controller comprises two independently-movable joy sticks; one joy stick controls the "vehicle-raise" action, and the other joy stick controls the "vehicle-lower" action.

Abstract: A worm-wheel assembly wherein anti-friction balls are recirculated through elical grooves in the worm to increase the efficiency of the driving operation. This driving system is believed to have the advantages of good distribution of load forces, smooth and silent operation, very great speed reduction, high force transmission efficiency, and long service life.