Abstract: The present invention has apparatus converting a Ford Mustang five-speed transmission for installation in other, substantially different, automobiles by having a clutch housing, adapted to fit the front face of the Ford Mustang case, with gearing for four forward speeds and has an externally splined output shaft extending 5 inches beyond the rear face of the case; an output shaft housing, also housing a set of fifth-speed gears, the speedometer drive gearing and a gear shift lever gate within a dimension of approximately 3½ inches, to provide an overall length of approximately 20½?, as measured from the engine mounting surface of the clutch housing to the rear face of the drive shaft connecting flange.

Abstract: A toilet bowl illuminating apparatus of the type wherein a seat ring is pivotally mounted to a toilet bowl by a pair of spaced apart, co-axial hinge assemblies, has a light assembly, which is activated by a switch responsive to angular orientation, affixed in a cavity at the seat ring rear edge proximate the hinge axis, where the length of the light assembly body is resiliently reduced, so as to be gripped by spring forces, with the light being held to illuminate the toilet bowl interior when the seat ring is raised and deactivated when the seat ring is lowered.

Abstract: A bracket with a central portion and extended end portions, each end portion fitting in a space between the hinge assembly and rear edge of the seat ring on a toilet bowl, for mounting of a light on the central portion, between the hinge assemblies, so that the bracket and the attached light pivot with the seat ring as the seat ring is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A lamp assembly having a gravity actuated switch and battery power is provided for attachment to a toilet seat ring at the rearward portion thereof, proximate the pivotal axis of attachment of the seat ring, so as to be rotated from a position remote from the toilet bowl interior when the seat ring is in the "down" position with the lamp inactive and directed at the toilet bowl interior when the seat ring is in the "up" position and the light is consequently operative.

Abstract: The slats of a venetian blind are divided into upper and lower portions by the installation of a divider, comprising a spacer and a retainer, which serve to shorten the working length of the tilt adjusting ladders on either the inside or outside of the blind, altering the tilt of the slats of the lower portion so as to be more closed or more open with respect to the slats of the upper portion, depending upon the adjustment of the tilt control ladder.

Abstract: An additive dispensing system for diesel fueled applications includes a diesel fuel system having either single or multiple tanks, a fuel level sensor, an additive tank, a fixed rate additive dispensing pump and a microprocessor operating on a logic basis whereby a minimum of three fuel level readings, taken at fixed periods and compared to one another and/or to predetermined standards, provide the input necessary to control the operation of the additive dispensing pump so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of additive in the diesel fuel system regardless of random refueling sequences.

Abstract: A continuous excavating and loading machine having a front mounted rotary digging element divided into sections to allow cantilevered support, digs a width greater than that of any other part of the machine so that the machine may advance on the surface it has cut. The digging element is driven by digging chains which also break up material in their path so that the full digging face is excavated. Excavated material is discharged outwardly from the digging element by both centrifugal force and gravity after rotation past top center. The excavated material falls onto a conveyor system to be elevated and transported to the rear of the machine for transfer to appropriate carriers. A moldboard blade trims surface irregularities and pushes passed material forward into the bucket wheel. A movable skid plate, held against the cut surface by a constant force, supports digging torque reaction loads and damping is provided for shock conditions.

Abstract: The digging apparatus support boom of a continuous excavating machine is vibrated in a directional mode so as to enhance digging efficiency. Directionally compliant mounting of the boom isolates this vibration from the machine proper while allowing unimpaired application of digging torque and crowd forces.

Abstract: Probes attached to the moldboard blade penetrate in situ formations while digging with a continuous excavator, thus enabling the direct and simultaneous sensing of characteristic strata property data signals both above and below the digging depth of the excavator. The data signals are evaluated to provide a reference for control of the digging depth so that product contamination by parting material can be minimized while mining, as well as the loss of product while removing the parting material.

Abstract: This invention pertains to method and apparatus for accurate control of the cutting depth and grade for mobile excavating system excavators having a continuous bucket excavating system mounted at the leading end of a structural main frame. Such excavators have a rubber tire or crawler track undercarriage and dig while advancing on the freshly cut grade.

Abstract: The digging chain support boom of a continuous chain type excavating machine is vibrated in a directional mode so as to enhance digging efficiency. Directionally compliant mounting of the boom isolates this vibration from the machine proper while allowing unimpaired application of digging torque and crowd forces.

Abstract: An excavating bucket wheel has a plurality of radially outwardly open bucket chambers disposed in a circular array. During rotation of the bucket wheel each chamber cyclically assumes a material receiving position and a material dumping position. Each bucket chamber is defined by a cutting plate supported at the wheel periphery and having a trailing edge as viewed in the direction of wheel rotation, two axially spaced, parallel side walls and a rear wall extending axially between the side walls. An outer edge of the rear wall is situated adjacent the cutting plate. Each bucket chamber is further defined by a bottom wall extending axially between the side walls and being supported for pivotal motion about an axis oriented parallel to the rotary axis of the bucket wheel and situated adjacent the outer wheel periphery. The bottom wall has a first pivotal position for receiving material and a second pivotal position for dumping material.

Abstract: A winch mechanism includes a first and a second drum each having multiple grooves therein. A frame supports the first drum spaced from the second drum with the axis of rotation of the first drum canted relative to the rotational axis of the second drum such that the grooves at the top of the first drum are substantially aligned with corresponding grooves at the top of the second drum and the grooves at the bottom of the first drum are substantially aligned with grooves adjacent to the corresponding grooves at the bottom of the second drum. A cable is alternately wrapped between the grooves of the first and second drums with at least one of the drums being driven to draw in and feed out the cable.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system.

Abstract: The specification discloses a crane including a base having a boom pivotally supported at one end from the base. The opposite end of the boom is adapted for receiving the load to be carried by the crane. A mast and upper tension member system are affixed to the top surface of the boom, supporting the load receiving end of the boom so that the boom structure is relieved of bending moments. Hydraulic cylinders are connected between the base and the boom for elevating and lowering the boom. In one embodiment the upper tension member system includes a spring and dampener which serves to cushion dynamic overloads during operation of the crane. In another embodiment a counterweight is hingedly attached to the end of the boom supported from the base. The weight of the counterweight is borne by a cable which joins into the upper tension member system.

Abstract: A lattice boom crane is provided with multiple boom sections which telescope one from the other to provide a variable length boom. A cable system is connected between the boom sections such that the boom sections are telescoped as the cable is drawn in by a winch mechanism. Cables drawn in by the winch mechanism is directed to a block system which is connected between a gantry structure and the point end of the outermost boom section. The winch mechanism includes two drums about which the cable is alternately wrapped. The block system expands at substantially the same rate as the boom sections extend. Thus, the boom angle, which is determined by the effective cable length between the gantry and the point of the boom, is not significantly effected. In one embodiment of the invention, the cable taken in by the block system is received on a boom hoisting drum which may be controlled to change the effective cable length between the gantry and the point of the boom to vary the boom angle.

Abstract: A drill pipe bushing for stabilizing a drill pipe at the mouth of the well during drilling which includes a frame surrounding the drill pipe axis and a plurality of support arms supported from the frame in a circular array about the drill pipe. The support arms are pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the drill pipe. Rollers are attached to each support arm with the axis of the rollers normally parallel to the axis of the drill pipe. A rotatable member encircles the drill pipe axis and a plurality of toggle arms are secured between the rotatable member and the end of a corresponding support arm remote from the connection of the support arm to the frame. Structure is provided for rotating the rotatable member relative to the frame thereby moving the toggle arms and the support arms to move the rollers into engagement with or away from the drill pipe. The rotational axis of the rollers become canted upon both rotation and translation of the drill pipe.

Abstract: A tie replacing system is adapted to replace worn ties in a railroad track of the type including longitudinally extending metal rails supported on wooden cross ties by metal tie plates and a gravel ballast roadbed supporting and at least partially enclosing the ties. The system includes a tie biter-tie plate holder assembly comprising a pair of opposed jaws each including a plurality of teeth positioned at spaced intervals across the entire width of a worn tie. Upon closure of the jaws, the teeth function to remove any portion of the worn tie which projects above the under surfaces of the tie plates. The jaws also include tie plate gripping members which engage the tie plates corresponding to the worn tie and thereby retain the tie plates in engagement with the under surfaces of the rails.

Abstract: In a spike orienting and positioning system, kegs of spikes are discharged onto a spike receiving surface. The spikes on the spike receiving surface are engaged by fingers which are first extended from and then retracted into a rotating drum whereby individual spikes are lifted from the spike receiving surface and then dropped. This causes the spikes to enter slots formed in the spike receiving surface in a shank down orientation. The spikes are normally prevented from passing through the slots by tires which engage the lowermost spikes in the slots and which are selectively rotated to discharge individual spikes. The discharged spikes are guided into helical funnels which function to rotate the spikes into predetermined orientations. The oriented spikes then enter chutes wherein they are temporarily retained by escapement mechanisms. Upon release by the escapement mechanisms, the spikes travel through the chutes into position for insertion.