Abstract: An underground agricultural irrigation system in which annular semi-cylindrical or concave-convex water reservoirs, formed by splitting used or abandoned vehicle tire casings in half, are buried concave side up at appropriate subsurface depths to trap and retain moisture used to nurture overgrowing plant roots. In a modified version concave moisture retaining caps are mounted over the open centers of each reservoir to increase moisture retention capacity.

Abstract: A one piece, mechanical, flexible coupling for interconnecting driving and driven shafts, which is capable of accommodating separate or combined angular, skewed or parallel shaft misalignments and axial shaft movements while permitting limited torsional or radial deflection thereof. The coupling is fashioned from a single piece of metal or other rigid material and includes a plurality of parallel, axially spaced, annular discs lying normal to the coupling's longitudinal axis and integrally interjoined with one another and with two shaft connector hubs by intervening spacers. The discs and hubs operate as flexible, zero back lash coupling portions at opposite ends of an integrally intervening midsection which operatively permits limited radial or torsional shaft deflection and is made up of a selected number of elongated flexible vane elements lying parallel to and radially displaced from the central longitudinal axis of the coupling.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical device for accurately retarding or advancing the timing or rotational phase relationship of machine components, such as a pair of shafts, either while the components are in motion or stationary. The device embodies a motor controlled cycloidal gear reducer operable to generate a rotational differential or relative movement between a pair of rotatable gears. Each shaft is coupled to one of the gears for movement therewith. The stator of the motor rotates with one of the gears and the rotor thereof, when energized, rotates relative to the stator and drives a generator for effecting differential rotation of the two gears and thus the two machine components.

Abstract: A phase adjusting mechanism in which input and output shafts, rotatable at like speeds and directions, are positively intercoupled by helical spline members constructed and arranged so that a female spline member is shiftable axially relative to a male spline member to counter rotate the shafts through a limited range of relative adjustability and in which support of adjacent opposed ends of the shafts is effected by an internal backbone support extending coaxially between the shafts to provide thrust and radial bearing support therefor. Adjustment members for shifting the spline members are provided along with an indicator mechanism for indicating the degree of shaft phase adjustment. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the adjustment mechanism in selected positions.

Abstract: A simple, adjustable shaft coupling employed for accurately advancing or retarding the timing of shafts, sprockets, cams, gears, levers and the like made up of a pair of annular disks, each fixed to a hub member by injection molding or a similar process to effect integration of parts, each disk having a plurality of openings therethrough with the number of openings in the two disks differing. Alignment of matching sets of openings in the two disks provides desired rotational adjustment therebetween. In the particular model described a total of 544 locking positions, producing adjustment accuracy in the order of 1/6 or 1.degree., is available. The hub members are interferingly anchored to the disks and are capable of attachment to input or output shafts and provide for optional face mounting thereto of gears, sprockets, cams and the like.