Abstract: Disclosed is a robot apparatus with a capable and highly maneuverable drive system incorporating two differential swerve drive pods. The robot apparatus further includes a claw mechanism for grasping an object, a passthrough mechanism for moving the object horizontally and a lift mechanism for moving the object vertically. The robot apparatus allows for rapid manipulation and movement of objects such as cones.

Abstract: For drivingly connecting the external cylindrical surface of an inner machine element to the internal cylindrical surface of an outer machine element, such as a shaft to a pulley, forward and rearward clamping rings are spaced axially apart from one another and have circumferentially spaced aligned bolt holes disposed parallel to the axis of their internal and external cylindrical surfaces. One ring has smooth bolt holes and the other ring has threaded bolt holes, these holes receiving threaded clamping bolts. Mounted in the space between the two clamping rings are pairs of alternately oppositely facing resilient coupling rings of substantially Z-shaped cross-section having bolt holes aligned with the clamping ring bolt holes. Each coupling ring consists of radially-spaced inner and outer annular rims connected at acute angles to the opposite ends of an annular web inclined at an oblique angle to the axis of the cylindrical outer and inner surfaces of these coupling rings.

Abstract: A machine element consisting of a shaft having thereon an enlargement such as a gear or cam is made in composite form at a much lower cost in labor and materials than in one-piece form by providing a solid metal supporting shaft of the desired dimensions with a roughened zone, as by coarse-knurling it. A sintered powdered metal preform of suitable metal for the enlargement is prepared in a conventional manner of slightly smaller diameter and of slightly greater length than the finally-desired configuration, and with a central longitudinal bore of slightly larger diameter than the shaft, to allow for expansion of both preform and shaft when both are heated to a forging temperature of 1800.degree. F. to 2000.degree. F.