Abstract: A universal joint shaft and a power take-off shaft, particularly between an agricultural implement and a tractor, may be coupled and uncoupled by a device which includes a coupling sleeve adapted to be axially locked and unlocked relative to the power take-off shaft by operation of a control ring which is moved in generally parallel relationship with the power take-off shaft between a first and a second position. The coupling sleeve is locked in axial engagement with the power take-off shaft by a spring device which, when engaged by the control ring when the control ring is moved to its second position, operates to unlock the coupling sleeve from the power take-off shaft. The control ring is pivotally mounted and is subjected to the force of an over-center snap spring which maintains the control ring in its first or second position under a spring-biasing force, with the control ring when in its first position being out of engagement with the locking spring device.

Abstract: A multipartite protective device for universal joint shafts is formed with inner and outer telescoping protective tubes concentrically arranged with a plurality of elastic braking tongues being frictionally interposed between the tubes to prevent relative rotative motion therebetween, the elastic braking tongues extending in an arcuate configuration curved in the circumferential direction of the tubes with the braking tongues being arranged in pairs, the braking tongues of each pair being curved in opposed circumferential directions.

Abstract: An adjustable length upper guide member for the hitch attachment of a tractor has an outer tubular guide element within which is telescopingly positioned an inner guide element so as to be relatively displaceable thereto. A housing on the outer guide element has a pair of jaws pivotally mounted therein and the jaws each have first arms which are engageable with annular grooves on the inner guide element and second arms which form actuating cams facing each other. An operating lever has an eccentric portion within the housing and one side of the eccentric portion is engageable against the housing and the other side of the eccentric portion engageable with the actuating cams so that pivoting of the lever causes the eccentric portion to act upon the cams and pivot the jaws to a disengaged position. A support lever is pivotally connected to the operating lever so as to support the operating lever in the position in which the jaws are disengaged.

Abstract: A device for releasing a telescoping power take-off shaft from the power take-off on a tractor includes a traction member, such as a cable, secured at one end to an axially displaceable member forming part of the locking member for securing the shaft to the power take-off. The other end of the traction member is fixed to the shaft beyond the location at which it telescopes or it is fixed to the agricultural implement driven by the shaft. When the tractor is pulled away from the agricultural implement, after the drawbar connection between them is broken, the shaft becomes elongated and tensions the traction member causing the release of the locking member.

Abstract: In a separable three-section telescopic drive shaft, such as used for driving an agricultural implement, the shaft consists of an inner section, and a tubular outer section with a tubular intermediate section located between them in the retracted position of the shaft. A locking ball is radially movably supported within a cut-out in the intermediate section and is engageable in a recess in one of the inner and outer sections in the retracted position of the shaft and in a recess in the other of the inner and outer sections in the extended position of the shaft. A cover is attached to one end of the intermediate member and a control disc is slidably positioned within the intermediate member. A spring extends between the cover and the control disc and biases the disc against the adjacent end of the inner section for axially clamping the inner and intermediate sections together when the locking ball is seated within the recess in the inner section.

Abstract: A wide-angle joint for use in torque transmission couplings between a driving vehicle, such as a tractor, and a driven implement, such as an agricultural machine, includes a pair of universal joints, one connected to the driving vehicle and the other to the driven implement, interconnected by a double inner yoke. The yoke has outer limbs associated with each of the universal joints. Two gear segment pairs, disposed in meshed engagement are supported on the outer limbs of the yoke, each associated with a different universal joint. The gear segment pairs execute a joint rolling movement in a tilting plane disposed at an angle of more than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree. relative to surface over which the driving vehicle travels. An elongated spring is connected at one of its ends to the wide-angle joint and at its other end to an attachment between the vehicle and the implements. The spring maintains the tilting plane of the gear segment pairs at the desired angle.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch assembly for limiting torque transmission therethrough operates to disengage driving interengagement between a driven member and a driving member when a predetermined torque transmission level has been exceeded. A shift ring is interposed between the driving and driven members, with driving engagement between the shift ring and the driving member being effected by engagement between roller bodies mounted on the driving member and indented tracks formed in the shift ring, which operate to release driving engagement between the shift ring and the driving member when the predetermined torque level is exceeded. The shift ring is also adapted to be engaged and disengaged with the driven member by axial movement of the shift ring. The assembly also includes a control ring defining cam surfaces in the form of cutouts on the control ring.

Abstract: A three point linkage for coupling a tractor or similar vehicle to a working tool includes two lower guide members and an upper guide member which is resiliently connected to the lower guide members. A catch hook is located at one end of each of the guide members for coupling to the working tool. The other end of each of the guide members is coupled to the tractor. The upper guide member is longitudinally adjustable and includes an inner guide element telescopically cooperating with a spring loaded outer guide element. A nut, carrying pivotally movable locking jaws, is slidably carried on the outer guide element for fixing the outer guide element relative to the inner guide element. The catch hook of the upper guide member is carried at the opposite end of the outer guide element from the nut.

Abstract: An adjustable length upper guide member for the hitch attachment of a tractor has an outer tubular guide element within which is telescopingly positioned an inner guide element so as to be relatively displaceable thereto. A housing on the outer guide element has a pair of jaws pivotally mounted therein and the jaws each have first arms which are engageable with annular grooves on the inner guide element and second arms which form actuating cams facing each other. A lever has an eccentric portion within the housing and one side of the eccentric portion is engageable against the housing and the other side of the eccentric portion engageable with the actuating cams so that pivoting of the lever causes the eccentric portion to act upon the cams and pivot the jaws to a disengaged position.

Abstract: A universal joint between the ends of two shafts is enclosed by a protective guard assembly comprising rotatably mounted boots of a resilient elastic material extending over the joint from the ends of the shafts. An annular member overlaps a portion of each of the boots and has a supporting ring which extends radially between the ends of the boots. The guard member may be positioned on the inner or outer surfaces of the boots and the support ring respectively extends radially outwardly or radially inwardly between the boot ends.

Abstract: An overload coupling has a first coupling member, a second coupling member which is rotatable relative to the first coupling member but fixed axially with respect thereto and a third coupling member rotatably disposed between the first and second coupling members and axially movable between a first position in which torque transmitting means provided on the second and third coupling members are in engagement and a second position in which the torque transmitting means are disengaged. A plurality of torque transmitting balls are circumferentially spaced in the first coupling member and are spring biased axially toward the second coupling member. The third coupling member is provided with a plurality of arcuate recesses to receive the torque transmitting balls and each of these recesses has a torque transmitting portion and a free-wheeling portion.

Abstract: A telescoping torque transmitting shaft includes an inner shaft element having a square cross section and an outer tubular shaft element. A plurality of axially extending rows of torque transmitting balls are seated in longitudinal grooves formed in the inner surface of the outer shaft element and engage surfaces of the inner shaft element. The balls are capable of rolling movement between the shaft elements and are retained and guided in a tubular element arranged between longitudinally spaced annular members attached to the inner surface of the outer shaft element. Springs at both ends of the tubular retaining member act against the annular members to bias the retaining member and the balls therein to a predetermined axial position with respect to the outer shaft element.

Abstract: A coupling hook has a latch bolt slidable in a bore in the hook so as to be displaceable into the hook opening. A locking bolt is pivotally attached to the latch bolt and is acted upon by a locking spring in a direction so as to intersect the axis of the locking bolt and the bore. The locking bolt has a locking surface which under the force of the locking spring is engaged with an abutment surface when the latch bolt is in the locked position.

Abstract: A three-point connection on a tractor comprises an upper guide member and a pair of lower guide members and coupling hooks on each of the guide members. A pair of leaf springs are connected between the upper guide member or a traverse bar on the upper guide member and the lower guide member coupling hooks. The leaf springs are each curved in the direction in which it is desired that the leaf springs bend when forces are applied to the ends of the springs.

Abstract: A catch bar is pivotally mounted on the rear end of a tractor and an alignment roller is mounted on the catch bar. A coupling plate is mounted on the implement to be connected. An aligning hook is secured on the coupling plate and has an opening engageable with the catch bar alignment roller so as to align vertically and horizontally the plate and its transmission shaft with the power take-off shaft on the tractor. The tractor power take-off shaft and the coupling plate power transmission shaft are provided with mutually engageable means for coupling the shafts in the vicinity of the coupling plate.