Abstract: A composite top plate and methods for manufacturing same are described. The top plate includes a metal insert and a non-metallic member. The metal includes a central portion and a flange portion having cut outs to provide an intermittent surface. The non-metallic member is formed on the metal insert and a portion of the non-metallic material is received in the cutouts to thereafter hold the metal fixed relative to the non-metallic member.

Abstract: A paint fixture, for supporting a workpiece during the electrostatic application of a spray paint, has an electrically conductive metallic body. The body has a first surface portion that is covered by the workpiece during the electrostatic paint spray application process, and a second surface portion that is covered by a heat resitant, electrically nonconductive material.

Abstract: A vehicle such as a combine harvester or the like includes a main frame, a track roller frame pivotally connected to the main frame, a drive wheel including a hydraulic drive motor having a housing and a rotatable shaft assembly, and an equalizer bar connected in a first embodiment to the shaft assembly by a coupling device including an anti-friction bearing and a trunnion member having a pair of pivot pins arranged along a substantially horizontal and longitudinally extending axis. In a second embodiment the equalizer bar is connected to the housing by another coupling device including a trunnion member having a pair of similarly oriented pivot pins. In each instance the transversely oriented equalizer bar is arranged along the transversely oriented central axis of the drive wheel, which provides a very stable 3-point frame suspension that is also rugged and economical and has a minimal tendency to collect mud or debris on the upper surfaces thereof in use.

Abstract: A track roller frame assembly for a track-type vehicle includes a rugged and yet lightweight main body including a channel-shaped base, a recoil-mechanism receiving tubular casing overlyingly connected to a first end portion of the base, and a plate structure overlyingly connected to the second end portion of the base. A collar defines a bore therethrough for receiving a support member of a drive wheel preferably containing a hydraulic drive motor, and a support bracket is connected to the tubular casing for pivotally connecting the main body to the main frame of the vehicle. The weight of the superstructure and the tension forces on the drive belt that encircles the track roller frame assembly are advantageously transferred through the collar and the main body along a central vertical plane therealong and to a plurality of roller wheels centrally supported under the base.

Abstract: A track roller frame assembly is connected to the main frame of a vehicle such as a combine harvester or the like, and is adapted to drive an elastomeric drive belt. An elongate track roller frame thereof includes a main body, pivot means on the main body for pivotal connection to the main frame, a supporting collar connected to the main body, and a plurality of roller wheels underlyingly connected to the main body. A wheel includes a housing encirclingly supported by the collar away from the pivot means, a shaft assembly rotatably supported within the housing, and inner and outer wheel portions connected to the opposite ends of the shaft assembly. A hydraulic drive motor within the housing rotates the shaft assembly and the wheel portions and drives the elastomeric drive belt.

Abstract: A final drive mechanism for an earthmoving excavator or the like includes a drive wheel assembly defining an inner side portion, and outer side portion, and a shaft assembly releasably connecting the side portions together and defining an annular gap therebetween. A hollow frame extends radially inwardly through the gap and rotatably supports the wheel assembly at a location laterally away from the central longitudinal plane of the excavator, and a gear train within the hollow frame powerably rotates the wheel assembly through a torque transmitting path directed radially inwardly through the gap. The gear train includes a planetary gear set and two interconnected cluster gears to obtain the desired speed ratio reduction. The mechanism is particularly adaptable to driving an endless drive belt entrained about the drive wheel assembly and an idler wheel assembly, and is compactly contained primarily within the space envelope of the drive belt.

Abstract: Roller suspension apparatus are useful for example in belted vehicles. The heretofore known roller suspension apparatus impart a shear force to the spring due to the geometry and the relationship between the roller mounting arms, the walking beam, and the pivot pins to which the arms and beam are pivoted. The subject roller suspension apparatus has a pair of arms and a force transmitting beam pivotally connected to a single pivot shaft. The mounting surfaces to which a pair of springs are attached are then arranged relative to the pivot shaft such that substantially only compressive forces are imparted to the springs. Thus, the full shock absorbing potential of the springs is fully utilized.

Abstract: A bulk material feeder (10) has two rollers (12,14), at least the lower (14) of which is driven (24,26). Strip material (34) is threaded around the side of the upper roller (12) toward the direction of feed, between the rollers (12,14), around the side of the lower roller (14) opposite the direction of feed and to downstream machinery (38) spaced from the feeder (10). Roller (12,14) spacing is greater than material (34) thickness precluding compression of the material (34). Feed is produced by friction between the roller (14) and material (34) only. Feed rate is greater than usage thereby producing a depending loop (40) between the feeder (10) and the downstream machinery (38). In one embodiment, increasing loop (40) size decreases material (34) and roller (14) contact, causing relative slippage and a discontinuance of feed. In another embodiment, both rollers (12,14) are driven and loop (40) size is limited by a photoelectric device (42) and associated control circuitry.

Abstract: A tape-applying apparatus (10) is advanced toward a body (15) upon which a strip of tape (16) is to be applied to urge a plurality of stitching rollers (72,74) against the body (15). Further advancing of the apparatus (10) will move an applicator roller (42) and the end of the tape (16) into engagement with the body (15). As the body (15) is moved past the tape-applying apparatus (10), the tape (16) is pulled over the applicator roller (42) and is stitched to the body (15) by the stitching rollers (72,74). When sufficient tape (16) has been applied, the housing (20) of the tape-applying apparatus (10) is urged away from the body (15) which moves the applicator roller (42) out of contact with the body (15). A brake apparatus (94) on the housing (20) is activated by a cam recess (80) on the holders (50) for some of the stitching rollers (72). The brake apparatus (94) engages the applicator roller (42) to arrest further feeding of tape (16) to the body (15).

Abstract: An apparatus (16) is provided for winding inextensible flexible elongate material, such as cable (15), on a carcass (10) of a body while maintaining the tension on the elongate material (15) substantially uniform. A shuttle (20) carries at least one compensator arm assembly (30,130) resiliently supporting a housing (44,144) having a sheave (50,150) in line with an energy-dissipator (80,180) on the side of the sheave (50,150) closest to the carcass so that the elongate material (15) being fed from a spool (28) under tension and passing over the sheave (50,150) as the shuttle (20) is rotating around the torus-shaped body will apply the elongate material to the carcass (10) under substantially uniform tension as the arm assembly (30,130) stores up elongate material (15) during periods of low material demand and pays out elongate material during periods of high material demand.

Abstract: A cable-wrapping apparatus is provided for applying cable (26) to a toroidal, non-cylindrically-shaped body (10) under uniform tension and with a uniform spacing. The machine includes a shuttle (20) rotatable about a transverse section of said body (10), which body is being rotated in a plane transverse to the plane of rotation of the shuttle (20). A compensating apparatus (44) is provided on the shuttle (20) and includes a profile follower roller (62) held in contact with the surface of the body (10) by centrifugal force created by the rotation of the shuttle (20). A compensator wheel (70) on the compensating apparatus (44) moves with the follower roller (62) to control storing of cable (26) during periods of low cable demand and paying out the stored cable (26) during periods of high cable demand.

Abstract: A tape-applying apparatus (10) is advanced toward a body (15) upon which a strip of tape (16) is to be applied to urge a plurality of stitching rollers (72,74) against the body (15). Further advancing of the apparatus (10) will move an applicator roller (42) and the end of the tape (16) into engagement with the body (15). As the body (15) is moved past the tape-applying apparatus (10), the tape (16) is pulled over the applicator roller (42) and is stitched to the body (15) by the stitching rollers (72,74). When sufficient tape (16) has been applied, the housing (20) of the tape-applying apparatus (10) is urged away from the body (15) which moves the applicator roller (42) out of contact with the body (15). A brake apparatus (94) on the housing (20) is activated by a cam recess (80) on the holders (50) for some of the stitching rollers (72). The brake apparatus (94) engages the applicator roller (42) to arrest further feeding of tape (16) to the body (15).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00450 Sec. 371 Date June 26, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date June 26, 1979 PCT Filed June 26, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO81/00096 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 22, 1981A braking apparatus (36) is provided for a supply spool (30) whereby material (12) drawn from the spool (30) will have a relatively uniform tension. The braking apparatus (36) includes a follower roller (40) in contact with the material (12) on the spool (30) and a brake portion (38) in adjustably controlled braking contact with a brake rotor (102) mounted for rotation with the spool (30). The follower roller (40) follows the decrease in the diametral amount of material on the spool and simultaneously moves the brake portion (38) toward the center of the brake rotor (102) wherein a uniform braking force on the spool (30) is maintained.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00449 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 26, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 26, 1979 PCT Filed Jun. 26, 1979An apparatus and method is provided for heat tacking of elongate material or cables (32) to a tire carcass (15) on both peripheral sides of a core opening (20), spreading the elongate material or cables (32) lying over the core opening (20) so as to position the elongate material or cables (32) on either circumferential side of the core opening (20), and heat tacking the spread elongate material or cables (32) to the tire carcass (15). The apparatus includes a frame (40) having locating pads (72,102) for positioning the heat-tacking and elongate material or cable-spreading subassembly (110) with respect to the core opening (20). The tacking members (120,125,120) are preheated to a tacking temperature so that when the frame (40) is clamped onto the carcass (15), and the elongate material or cables (32) are spread, the spread elongate material or cables (32) are tacked to the carcass.