Abstract: A torque transmitting coupling including a hub, an internally splined opening in the hub being adapted to receive an externally splined shaft. Locking structure in provided for selectively locking the shaft into the opening in the hub, such locking structure being biased to a locked position and selectively movable to an unlocked position. The locking structure includes means for automatically locking the shaft into the hub upon insertion of the shaft into the hub and further includes a structure for allowing unlocking of the shaft from the hub. The locking structure includes a plurality of bores radially disposed in the hub, a locking element slidably disposed in each of the bores and being radially movable from an inner, locking position wherein the elements are engageable within a recess of the shaft to prevent relative axial movement of the hub with respect to the shaft; and, an outer, unlocked position whereby the elements permit relative axial movement of the hub and the shaft.

Abstract: A hay bale ventilator in the form of an attachment for the plunger of a hay baler to progressively form a central bore or passageway through the hay bale as it is formed by the hay baler thereby reducing the tendency of hay bales to mold in the center thereof due to the moisture content of the material being baled. The hay bale ventilator is in the form of a support plate having a tapered pointed member extending therefrom with the plate being mounted on the plunger of the hay baler and the pointed member forming a hole or passageway through each segment of the hay bale as it is formed. The pointed member is of two-piece construction having a wear-resistant pointed tip removably mounted on a larger cylindrical member connected with the plate. The cylindrical member has four longitudinally extending, radially projecting ribs thereon which forms a hole through the hay bale of generally square configuration.

Abstract: A hay bale ventilator in the form of a support plate having a tapered pointed member extending therefrom with the plate being mounted on the plunger of the hay baler and the pointed member forming a hole or passageway through each segment of the hay bale as it is formed. The pointed member is of two-piece construction having a wear-resistant pointed tip removably mounted on a larger cylindrical member connected with the plate with the pointed member and the cylindrical member having different angles of taper to assure that a hole or passageway will be formed without the hay sticking to the pointed member as it reciprocates with the plunger on the baler.

Abstract: A torque transmitting coupling of a type having a mechanism for automatically locking a shaft to a housing upon insertion of the shaft into an opening in the housing and including structure for allowing unlocking of the shaft from the housing or the housing onto the shaft.

Abstract: A torque transmitting coupling including a housing, an internally splined opening in the housing being adapted to receive an externally splined shaft. Locking structure is provided for selectively locking the shaft into the opening in the housing, such locking structure being biased to a locked position and selectively movable to an unlocked position. The locking structure includes means for automatically locking the shaft into the housing upon insertion of the shaft into the housing and further includes a structure for allowing unlocking of the shaft from the housing.

Abstract: A torque transmitting coupling including a housing, an opening in the housing, a portion of the opening being non-circular, the opening further being adapted to receive a non-circular portion of a shaft. Locking structure is provided for selectively locking the non-circular portion of the shaft into the opening in the housing, such locking structure being biased to a locked position and selectively movable to an unlocked position. The locking structure includes a plurality of bores radially disposed in the housing, a locking element slidably disposed in each of the bores and being radially movable from an inner, locking position, wherein the elements are engageable within the recess of the shaft to thereby prevent relative axial movement of the housing with respect to the shaft; and, an outer, unlocked position, whereby the elements permit relative axial movement of the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: A coupling of the type including a housing having a rotating locking sleeve therein for selectively locking the housing to a splined shaft. The locking sleeve is biased to a locked position, but a mechanism is provided for automatically holding the locking sleeve in an unlocked position upon removal of the housing from the shaft whereby the shaft will be automatically locked to the housing upon replacement of the housing on the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting one shaft to another shaft wherein one of the shafts has a plurality of splines or grooves around the periphery thereof, an intermediate portion of the splined shaft having the splines removed. A housing is adapted to be connected to the other shaft of the coupling and has a central opening therein with splines and grooves around the periphery thereof to mate with the splines and grooves of the first mentioned shaft. A sleeve, also having complimentary splines and grooves therein, is rotatably received within the interior of the housing adjacent the inner end of the splined and grooved section of the housing opening. A collar is disposed about an outer portion of the housing and is interlocked with the sleeve so that rotary motion of the collar results in a similar rotary motion of the sleeve. A partially circular snap ring member is constructed of spring steel and is also disposed around the housing adjacent the collar.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting one shaft to another shaft wherein one of the shafts to be coupled has a plurality of splines or grooves around the periphery thereof, an intermediate portion of the spline shaft having the splines removed. A housing is adapted to be connected to the other shaft of the coupling and has a central opening therein with splines and grooves around the periphery thereof to mate with the splines and grooves of the first mentioned shaft. A sleeve, also having complimentary splines and grooves therein, is rotatably received within the interior of the housing adjacent the inner end of the splined and grooved section of the housing opening. A pin extends through a hole in the housing and the pin is linked to the sleeve, whereby movement of the pin effects rotary movement of the sleeve. The pin, and thereby the sleeve, is biased to a first position, whereby the splines and grooves of the sleeve are misaligned with the splines and grooves of the opening in the housing.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch for transmitting rotary power in one direction and preventing the transmission of rotary power in an opposite direction. A shaft coupling being disposed for rotary movement within the overrunning clutch to provide a locking mechanism for connecting or disconnecting a shaft to the overrunning clutch.

Abstract: A torque transmitting coupling of a type having a housing with an opening therein which has a plurality of longitudinal splines along one part thereof and having another portion thereof which is circular. A sleeve is rotatably disposed within the circular part of the opening in the housing and this sleeve has a plurality of splines around the inner periphery thereof. The sleeve has a pin attached thereto which extends through a radial slot in the housing. A collar is slideably received on the exterior of the housing and is slideably movable in a longitudinal direction only and is biased to one position. Camming means are formed in the collar for moving the pin attached to the splined sleeve and thereby for rotating the splined sleeve from a first position which locks a shaft into the coupling to a second position which unlocks the shaft to be used in conjunction with the coupling. A free spinning shield is disposed around the housing.