Abstract: A wheel assembly machine (10) for mounting first and second rim halves (20) on a tire (14). Means (34) for expanding at least a portion of a first circumferential portion (24) permits mounting of the second rim half (20) without excessive difficulty or damage to the tire (14). An elevator (58) evenly forces a belt (56) onto the tire (14) avoiding misalignment between the belt (56) and the tire (14). The present invention lessens the likelihood of tire damage or tire-rim misalignment during assembly of a wheel (12).

Abstract: A scrap removal apparatus (35) for retrieving scrap material (32,33) from a two-piece table (19) includes a programmed lift arm assembly (37) movable between the table (19) and scrap accumulating areas (82,83) and has remotely actuable mechanical gripping devices (45) for positively clamping onto the scrap material (32,33). One form of gripping device is a clamp (50) having a finger (57) and an enlarged pad (54), the fingers (57) of the respective clamps (50) movable through slots (70) defined in the outer table edge (21) to grip the overlying outer scrap (32). Another form of gripping device includes a blade (80) for pinning the inner scrap (33) against a stop (73) near the table center.

Abstract: A lift fixture (10) for holding and centering a workpiece (93) includes a handling ring (16) defined by a yoke (17) and a clamp slide (20) mounted on the yoke, means (48) for closing the clamp slide (20), a support apparatus (12) for positioning the handling ring (16), and a plurality of angularly spaced holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) for gripping the workpiece (93). The holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) are movably mounted to the handling ring (16) so as to move relative to the ring along a line generally tangent to the workpiece (93). The holding mechanisms (33,34,40,41) are biased to a centered position, as by springs (87,88), so that when the workpiece (93) is lifted, it is urged to a centered position within the ring (16).

Abstract: A quick release seal retainer (10,11) adapted for connecting a seal segment (13) to a base (12) has a clamp member (31) positioned within a slot (29) formed between a projection (28) of a mounting block (26) and the base (12). A pair of studs (38) slidably extending through a pair of bores (37) in the projection (28) have one end connected to the clamp member (31) and the other end connected to a bar (39). In one embodiment a cam clamp mechanism (51) is connected to the mounting block (26) for locking the bar (39) and hence the clamp member (31) at a position at which the seal segment (13) is clamped against the base (12). In another embodiment an over-center toggle link means locks the bar (39) and hence the clamp member (31) at a position at which the seal segment (13) is clamped against the base (12).

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an apparatus and process for curing tread and track belts. The apparatus comprises a plurality of inner segments which fit together to form an outer generally cylindrical mold face surface of an inner cylinder along with means for retracting said plurality of inner segments towards the axis of said inner cylinder and means for heating said plurality of inner segments. Also part of the apparatus is a plurality of outer segments which fit together to form an inner generally cylindrical mold face surface of an outer cylinder, said outer cylinder being coaxial with said inner cylinder and of generally equal length therewith, along with means for retracting said plurality of outer segments away from the common axis of said cylinders and means for heating said plurality of outer segments.

Abstract: A hydromechanical vehicle transmission system for an engine most efficiently operated at a single speed is disclosed providing an infinitely variable reduction ratio for a given constant input speed requiring minimum operator skill in operation of the vehicle speed control and the engine torque control in both full and part load operation. The transmission consists of a multi-speed hydrostatic mechanical arrangement using a variable displacement hydrostatic pump-motor in conjunction with a fixed displacement hydrostatic pump-motor providing two power paths through the transmission, one hydrostatic and one mechanical. The preferred embodiment discloses four gear ranges although three gear ranges are sufficient to fulfill the objects of the invention.