Abstract: An apparatus and method by which possibly destructive stress of torsional vibration in a rotating crankshaft/flywheel system of a multicylinder internal combustion engine is avoided by effectively isolating the flywheel from the crankshaft for torsional vibration considerations. The flywheel and crankshaft are coupled by a resilient coupling which accommodates angular movement between the components and which has a torsional spring rate which is relatively low compared to the torsional spring rate of a conventional crankshaft/flywheel system. The coupling reduces the natural frequency of torsional vibration of the system to a frequency well below the normal operating range of the engine in terms of revolutions per minute, thereby substantially eliminating the effects of torsional vibration in the normal operating range of the engine.

Abstract: A cover for a cutter reel used in a staple cutting apparatus of known type is formed by a plurality of circular segment elements joined together by fasteners to form an annular cover member encircling a cutter reel member. The annular cover member of the invention is thereby adapted for use with cutter reels having a wide variety of blade configurations.