Abstract: A coupling device for connecting the power take off means of an agricultural tractor to a driven shaft of an implement includes an upper guide member 20 connected between the tractor and the implement from which the drive shaft 16 is resiliently supported by the springs 42. The guide member 20 is telescopic and is lockable, when the tractor is coupled to the implement, by means of a lever arm 40 to which the springs 42 are connected. In the coupled condition the lever arm is retracted thereby releasing the drive shaft 16 from the resilient bias of the springs 42 and thereby releasing the drive shaft bearings from any spring loading during operation.

Abstract: A protective bellows, particularly for use in drivelines of agricultural implements, is formed with a resilient bellows having a lubricating opening with a removable plug. A resilient ring extends around the bellows in one of the folds thereof, and a connection member is provided on the resilient ring for connecting the plug thereto.

Abstract: In a mechanism for connecting together in torque transmitting engagement a coupling sleeve and a power takeoff shaft, particularly in agricultural implements, there is provided a drawing lock which may be arrested in the open position. The drawing lock includes a locking ring which holds a plurality of radially movable torque transmitting balls in their locked position during torque transmission of the assembly. A slotted spring ring is provided which engages the torque transmitting balls to hold them radially inwardly thereby to arrest the device in the open position. When a power takeoff shaft is inserted into the bore of the coupling sleeve, the torque transmitting balls are moved radially outwardly and, as a result, the slotted spring ring resiliently expands in diameter thereby to cause a first stop face of the ring to become disengaged from a supporting face of a supporting ring which is axially affixed to the coupling sleeve.

Abstract: A drive shaft having an annular groove is placed in driving connection with a coupling sleeve by engagement members which constitute spherical balls radially movable within apertures in the coupling sleeve for engagement within the annular groove of the drive shaft. A locking ring engaging around the engagement members holds them in the locked position within the annular groove and when the mechanism is in the unlocked position, the locking ring is held axially away from the locked position by a latching member which engages within the apertures of the coupling sleeve to hold the locking ring in the unlocked position against the biasing force of a spring. A guide ring affixed to the coupling sleeve guides the locking ring by means of a gripping sleeve affixed thereto for movement relative to the coupling sleeve axially and nonrotatively with the guide ring including apertures through which the latching member engages when it is moved between the latched and the unlatched positions.

Abstract: A clutch assembly capable of providing several predetermined settings, wherein the components which support springs applying torque are not subjected to bending loads. The settings are achieved in that a supporting ring supporting a pressure plate against a clutch housing is provided with radially outwardly extending cams which are offset relative to the center thereof with two rows of apertures being provided in a cylindrical face of the clutch housing which are axially offset and offset relative to the angle of rotation and which correspond to the cams of the supporting ring and within which the cams are engaged.

Abstract: A shaft connecting mechanism is provided between a slip-on hub and a power takeoff shaft by means of a control ring which extends around the slip-on hub and which is formed to have a pressure screw extend through a threaded bore therein, the pressure screw engaging against a clamping wedge in the slip-on hub which is formed with a trapezoidal configuration generally conforming with the configuration of an axiallly extending groove formed in the slip-on hub. Blocking members are arranged in radial apertures in the slip-on hub and pockets are formed in the control ring. The pressure screw when angularly aligned with the clamping wedge, places the control ring in the locked position and when the pressure screw and the clamping wedge are angularly unaligned, the blocking members enter the pockets in the control ring.

Abstract: A universal joint connected at one side thereof with a drive shaft having a pair of telescopic protective tubes extending thereover is protectively sealed by a protective boot which is joined with one end of the drive shaft. An annular bearing body formed on one of the telescopic protective tubes engages in an annular groove in a shank member of the universal joint and the protective boot includes a conical connecting portion extending over a connecting piece which is attached with one of the protective tubes. A securing ring is engaged in an outer groove of the connecting piece and a conical collar of the securing ring operates to press the conical connecting portion of the protective boot against a funnel-like extension of the connecting piece. The connecting piece is formed with through-holes which receive therein locking tongues formed on the annular bearing body and the securing ring includes a stop face which axially fixes the locking tongues in the through-holes.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly connecting a pair of shaft ends is provided with a protective boot having a bellows-like configuration defining circumferential folds and including a conical connecting portion. A connecting piece is provided for joining a protective tube of one of the shafts with the protective boot. The connecting piece includes a funnel-like extension partially projecting into the conical connecting portion of the protective boot and a rigid supporting ring engages about the protective boot. The supporting ring includes a conical part adapted to extend in embracing engagement over the conical connecting portion of the protective boot, the conical part extending to partially overlap with a funnel-like extension of the connecting piece.