Abstract: A dual wheel adapter assembly for mounting dual wheel rims to a wheel hub is provided. The dual wheel adapter assembly may include a hollow cylindrical adapter, including a central bore defined by an inner surface of the adapter, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface. The dual wheel adapter assembly may also include an inboard wheel rim configured to support a tire, an outboard wheel rim configured to support a tire, and a wedge clamp configured to be coupled to the hub. The first contact surface may abut the hub and the wedge clamp may apply a compressive force to the second contact surface to couple the adapter to the hub.

Abstract: A dual wheel adapter assembly for mounting dual wheel rims to a wheel hub is provided. The dual wheel adapter assembly may include a hollow cylindrical adapter, including a central bore defined by an inner surface of the adapter, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface. The dual wheel adapter assembly may also include an inboard wheel rim configured to support a tire, an outboard wheel rim configured to support a tire, and a wedge clamp configured to be coupled to the hub. The first contact surface may abut the hub and the wedge clamp may apply a compressive force to the second contact surface to couple the adapter to the hub.

Abstract: An outboard thrust bearing assembly includes: a drawbolt, an inner end cap, an outer end cap, and at least one race of thrust bearings; the drawbolt for clamping the inner end cap to the outer end cap and about a pinion gear of a planetary gear, wherein the at least one race of outboard thrust bearings is retained in place by the outer end cap, the pinion gear, a planetary gear carrier and a hub cap. A wheel motor and a vehicle are disclosed.

Abstract: An outboard thrust bearing assembly includes: a drawbolt, an inner end cap, an outer end cap, and at least one race of thrust bearings; the drawbolt for clamping the inner end cap to the outer end cap and about a pinion gear of a planetary gear, wherein the at least one race of outboard thrust bearings is retained in place by the outer end cap, the pinion gear, a planetary gear carrier and a hub cap. A wheel motor and a vehicle are disclosed.

Abstract: An outboard thrust bearing assembly includes: a drawbolt, an inner end cap, an outer end cap, and at least one race of thrust bearings; the drawbolt for clamping the inner end cap to the outer end cap and about a pinion gear of a planetary gear, wherein the at least one race of outboard thrust bearings is retained in place by the outer end cap, the pinion gear, a planetary gear carrier and a hub cap. A wheel motor and a vehicle are disclosed.

Abstract: An outboard thrust bearing assembly includes: a drawbolt, an inner end cap, an outer end cap, and at least one race of thrust bearings; the drawbolt for clamping the inner end cap to the outer end cap and about a pinion gear of a planetary gear, wherein the at least one race of outboard thrust bearings is retained in place by the outer end cap, the pinion gear, a planetary gear carrier and a hub cap. A wheel motor and a vehicle are disclosed.

Abstract: A power shovel comprising a frame, a dipper handle mounted on the frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal dipper handle axis such that the dipper handle has a variable pivotal position relative to the frame, a dipper connected to the handle for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal dipper axis such that the dipper has a variable pivotal position relative to the handle, and a variable pitch brace connected between the handle and the dipper at a point spaced from the dipper axis, the variable pitch brace including a spring biasing the dipper in one rotational direction relative to the handle and about the dipper axis, such that the pivotal position of the dipper automatically varies depending on the pivotal position of the handle and on external forces on the dipper.

Abstract: A dual rear axle system for large vehicles in which the vehicle has a frame, and the axle system includes a forward axle housing, a draft arm having one arm affixed to the forward axle housing and the other pivotally affixed to the vehicle frame, a rearward axle housing spaced from and parallel to the forward axle housing, an axle extending through both axle housings having wheels and tires thereon, an upper linkage having one end pivotally attached to the upper portion of the forward axle housing and the other end pivotally attached to the upper portion of the rearward axle housing, lower linkage having one end pivotally attached to the lower portion of the forward axle housing and the other end pivotally attached to the lower portion of the rearward axle housing so that the axle housings are supported in spaced apart relationship with the axle housings independently free to move in vertical planes and compressible strut members extending between the axle housings and the frame for spring supporting the fram

Abstract: A steerable dual rear axle system for large vehicles in which the vehicle has a frame, and the axle system includes a forward axle housing, a draft arm having one arm affixed to the forward axle housing and the other pivotally affixed to the vehicle frame, a rearward axle housing spaced from the forward axle housing, an axle extending through both axle housings having wheels and tires thereon, an upper linkage having one end pivotally attached to the upper portion of the forward axle housing and the other end pivotally attached to the upper portion of the rearward axle housing, a lower linkage having one end pivotally attached to the lower portion of the forward axle housing and the other end pivotally attached to the lower portion of the rearward axle housing so that the axle housings are supported in spaced apart relationship with the axle housings being independently free to move in vertical planes, compressible strut members extending between the axle housings and the frame for spring supporting the frame

Abstract: A dual axle assembly for large vehicles having an elongated vehicle frame, a forward axle housing, a first torque arm rearwardly extending from the forward axle housing, a rearward axle housing having a second torque arm forwardly extending from the rearward axle housing, the first and second torque arms being generally parallel to and spaced apart from each other, the first torque arm having an outer end pivotally affixed to the rearward axle housing and the second torque arm having an outer end pivotally affixed to the forward axle housing, spring supports extending between the forward and rearward axle housings to the vehicle, and a wheel structure supported at each opposed ends of each axle housing being pivotal in vertical planes about an axis drawn through the points of pivotal attachments of the torque arms.

Abstract: A method of welding a first metal plate to a second metal plate including the steps of affixing a back-up bar by use of spaced welding tacks to the flat surface of a first metal plate, forming an abutting edge on the second metal plate a series of alternating lands and slots, the slots extending through the entire thickness of the second metal plate and the length of the slots being substantially greater than the length of the lands, positioning the formed edge of the second metal plate so that the lands thereof engage the flat surface of the first metal plate and a substantially continuous slot is formed between the plates and in which the second metal plate is in engagement with the back-up bar to form a joint, arc welding with a consumable electrode in the substantially continuous slot to form a weld, the weld penetrating portions of the flat surface of the first metal plate, the entire abutting edge of the second metal plate and a portion of the back-up bar and melting the lands and the welding tacks and

Abstract: A cab for a driver of a large off-road machine in which the machine has a frame with a longitudinal axis in the direction of normal travel, the cab being formed of a superstructure of a generally rectangular box configuration, one lower edge of the cab superstructure being pivotally affixed to the machine frame about an axis of pivotation substantially parallel to the vehicle frame longitudinal axis and a limited displacement shock absorber attaching the cab superstructure other edge to the machine frame so that thereby in the event of rollover of the vehicle, the shock absorber absorbs energy to reduce the possibility of collapse of the superstructure to thereby provide increase safety to the machine operator. The cab is completed by a control instrument module removably attached to the superstructure front, an environment control module removably attachable to the superstructure back, and left and right door modules removably attachable to the superstructure left and right sides.

Abstract: A steerable dual rear axle system for large trucks having a frame with steerable front wheels secured to the frame, a leading rear axle and a trailing rear axle spaced therefrom, a draft arm pivotally affixed to the leading rear axle and to the frame in the direction toward the frame front end, a structural salient having a forward end affixed to the leading rear axle and a rearward end pivotally attached at a point of pivotation to the trailing rear axle, spring support between the salient and the frame to transfer weight from the frame to the leading and trailing rear axles, and a steerage system for pivoting the trailing rear axle about a vertical axis through the point of pivotation with the salient member.

Abstract: A reduced noise modular cooling system for a large engine powered off-road machine formed of a modular superstructure mountable on and removable as a unti from a machine, air cooled radiator protions affixed to the superstructure front and opposed sides, a floor and hood closing the superstructure top and bottom and a fan panel closing the superstructure rear, the panel having one or preferably two fan shroud openings therein, thereby forming a plenum chamber within the interior of the superstructure, a fan rotatably supported by the superstructure within each of the fan shroud openings and a drive shaft extending from the machine engine for driving each of the fans to evacuate air from the plenum chamber and thereby to cause air to flow through the radiator portions and couplings for connecting fluid circulation through the radiator portions to the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A cab for rollover protection of a driver of a large off-road machine in which the machine has a frame with a longitudinal axis in the direction of normal travel, the cab being formed of a superstructure of a generally rectangular box configuration, one lower edge of the cab superstructure being pivotally affixed to the machine frame about an axis of pivotation substantially parallel to the vehicle frame longitudinal axis and a limited displacement shock absorber attaching the cab superstructure other edge to the machine frame so that thereby in the event of rollover of the vehicle, the shock absorber absorbs energy to reduce the possibility of collapse of the superstructure to thereby provide increase safety to the machine operator.

Abstract: A flexible ladder for use on moving conveyances which provides frontal stability but lateral flexibility, the ladder having a first, a second and a third strut member each formed of flexible material and each supported in a generally vertical plane, the strut members being parallel to each other with the second strut member between the first and third strut members. A first set of steps are secured between the first and second strut members and a second set of steps are secured between the second and third strut members the steps being vertically spaced apart from each other and the upper ends of each of the strut members being affixed to a moving conveyance, the ladder providing for ascent of an operator to the operating position on the conveyance but permitting lateral flexiblity if the ladder engages an obstruction on the surface on which the machine moves.

Abstract: This is a suspension system for use on a vehicle between an axle and a load carrying body. It includes a plunger tube which is attached to the axle of the vehicle. The plunger tube extends upwardly into the annulus between an outer cylindrical housing, which is secured to the frame of the vehicle, and an interior piston rod. There is a main cavity within the piston rod and an annular cavity between the piston rod and the plunger tube. At least one orifice extends through the piston rod to permit fluid communication between the main cavity within the piston rod and the annular cavity. A second passage therebetween includes a ball check valve which permits flow of fluid only from the main cavity to the annular cavity. A movable orifice metering ring can be raised or lowered from the exterior of the suspension system to vary the size of the orifice between the main cavity and the annular cavity.

Abstract: An improved braking system for a vehicle which has a wheel support in which an electric motor is housed having a drive shaft. A first and second planetary gear system are connected to drive the wheel from the motor drive shaft. The gear system includes a sun gear axially aligned with the shaft. A brake disc is supported by a disc carrier which is rotatably mounted on the gear housing. A floating disc adaptor is provided to transfer rotational movement of the sun gear to the disc carrier. Thus the brake disc rotates at the same rotational speed as the sun gear which is about five times faster than the rotation of the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A brake system for large off-road vehicles in which the vehicle has a central, non-rotating housing for each wheel supported to and forming a part of the vehicle structure, an outer rotatable wheel section including an outer hub and wheel rim rotatably supported to the housing, an annular brake disc, a caliper supported to the non-rotating housing having pads to contact the annular brake disc, the brake disc being secured at its outer perimeter to the wheel section in a manner permitting free radial expansion and minimal rotational displacement of the brake disc relative to the wheel section.

Abstract: An improved rim for use on a heavy, off-road vehicle formed of a tubular rim base member having a circumferential groove in the outer cylindrical surface adjacent one end thereof, the groove being of semi-circular cross-sectional configuration, a first bead flange secured at one end of the rim base member, a second bead flange slidably mounted on the other end of the rim base providing a contour substantially the same as the inner contour of the first bead flange, the second bead flange having a circumferential recess in the inside surface at the outer end thereof, and a split circular cross-sectioned locking ring removably received within the base member circumferential groove so that when the second bead flange is slidably positioned on the rim base, the locking ring can be placed in the groove and when the second flange slides outwardly the recess therein retains the locking ring within the groove and the locking ring serves to retain the second bead flange on the rim.